New to this stuff, just looking for guidence

[invisibled]

Hey everybody,

So recently i have rekindled my love of arcade games when my friend showed me dodonpachi. I've been playing a lot lately and have decided to want  to build my own arcade machine, MAME machine that is.

Now, i have been reading all this information from this site, like in faq's and wiki and other links ect, but there is just soo much info, and i've got a pretty good idea, but i just wanna tell you guys what i plan to do and if you guys could point me in the right direction in a few area's that would be greatly appreciated!

Ok so this is what i want to do. Have a pc built into a cabinet, and have (authentic) arcade controls for 2 or 4 players (ideally 4 but that might be too intence... suggestions?). And i want it so when you start up the PC it doesn't look like its booting into windows or anything, it just comes up with the list of roms, i've seen these in the videos and stuff so could sombody point me to a good frontend?

1, the computer. I know how to build computers and everything so thats not a real problem, i got parts picked out for a 2ghz, 1gig ram, 160gig HD, 256mb video card computer. its got like 8 usb 2's on it or something silly like that.

2, i'm fine with building the cabinet and laying everything out.....just thought i'd mention that.

3, the arcade controls. I want to have real arcade style joysticks and buttons, no like, modified gamepads or anything. I've been trying to wrap my head around it but can't really seem too. From what i understand, i would be able to connect the control's to a jamma harness and then i would need some kind of adapter to connect the jamma harness into the USB on my computer. I could be totally wrong so please tell me, this is the part im having the most trouble with.

4, the front end. I'm sure once given a good front end i can figure out how to work it, but basicly i just want somthing to boot up so it doesn't look like im running windows or linux or whatever, i htink arcadeOS did this, and i saw a couple of guys machines when it started up it was like blue and purple and said MAME across it in big letters.

5, the monitor. I am going to use an LCD, not an arcade monitor

again, i know this is alll in the faq's and what not, but i just need a little push in the right direction to get this going, so it would be really appreciated if somebody could help!

THANKS SO MUCH

[javeryh]

I wouldn't go 4 player... there are a number of reasons not to build one (they're huge, not enough games, expensive, how many times are you really going to have 4 people around to play?, etc.) but it 's ultimately up to you. 

As for hiding windows, it's not really a front end thing but you have to mess with the settings in windows - do a search and tons of stuff will pop up. 

As for the controls, if you are using a PC then you just need to get an encoder (iPac, keywiz, etc.) and wire it up - then connect it to the PC with a USB cable... or you could get a joystick like the Ultimarc 360 which is just USB plug and play (it's my personal favorite). 

If you are looking for a good front-end, try MaLa - it is totally customizable and there is a ton of support on the boards here.

I recommend reading saint's book from cover to cover.  Some of the components covered are a little outdated now but the book describes the basics very very well. 

Good luck!

[LeedsFan]

I wouldn't go 4-player either. Certainly not for a first try at this. There are some awesome 4-player cabs out there but there just aren't enough dedicated games that utilise 4-player panels. Unless you are a Gauntlet addict for example (or any other 4 player panel game) then just don't bother. 2-player is more than enough for all those fighting games.

Even if you aren't into fighting games then a two player setup allows you to play classic games like Robotron and Smash TV authentically. Put a spinner and trackball in between and you have an large chunk of games covered. 

[invisibled]

ok guys thanks for the advice. you raise some good points about 4 player, so i dont think i will do that.

I'll look into those control infaces and that front end, thanks so much

[unclet]

If you have young kids, then I would go with the 4-player setup, if not, then I do not think it is that important.   My young kids and their friends are constantly playing the 4-player games (Simpsons, TMNT, etc...)

[Spaz Monkey]

#3:  If you 100% MAME, then you use a input controller like the IPac.  If you 100% arcade, then you use Jamma & an arcade monitor.  If you do any other percentage, you'll probably use the Jpac.  Remember, YMMV.

[invisibled]

ok i'll be using the Ipac then.

How many buttons can the ipac support (2 player setup). i'd have 2 start buttons, 2 buttons for coin insert, 2 joysticks and then 12 buttons, 6 per player?

is that right?

[solderguy1]

ok guys thanks for the advice. you raise some good points about 4 player, so i dont think i will do that.

I'll look into those control infaces and that front end, thanks so much

4 player support doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing decision either, there's always gamepads.  My control panel isn't built yet, but I'm using a psx dual-shock though a $10 Walmart adapter to play games and check things out.    When the cab is done,  two adapters and two recycled dual-shocks are going to be my way of supporting extra players.

[invisibled]

well, i only want the arcade style controls, but i see your point. it would be a good alternitive if i ever wanted 4 players.

still can't figure out how many action buttons too get, the most of i have seen in a game is 6

[Kajoq]

Stick with 6.

I ended up putting 8 on my panel because i'm probably going to end up getting the Playstation2 JPAC adaptor, but even then... There aren't really many games that will make use of it.

It gives me a little customization for layouts for things like Virtua Fighter and SNK the way I laid it out, but i'd probably just do 6 if I built another panel

[invisibled]

ok

well that seems to be all the questions i have for now. Thanks for everything guys! i'll post pics and stuff when im done it!

[NoOne=NBA=]

You only need 6 buttons if you are planning to play fighting games.
Other than that, you need 4 if you want to play Mouse Trap, and a couple other games.
Three buttons will cover almost all the classics.

My personal favorite layout for a 2-player classic-only, joystick-only CP is:

OO    X     OO   +   OO    X    OO
    O        O                 O      O

X = 8-way Joystick
+ = 4-way Joystick

It takes a little more room, but lets you play button-only, simultaneous play games like Space Duel, Eliminator, Armor Attack, etc... properly.
It also lets both players pick which hand to use the joystick with.

If you get a stick that will do 4/8-way, you can replace the dedicated 4-way with a trackball or spinner, and up the available games considerably.

[DeLuSioNal29]

First of all welcome to the world of building your own arcade.  It's a very rewarding hobby!

Although 6 buttons is great, I would go for the extra 7th button on the left of the 6 buttons.  It's always easier have the extra button, even if you rarely use it, then to come across a game (like Mortal Kombat 3) and then wish you had the 7th button (it's the run button).  It's also nice to have the 7th button which will form the curved 4 button layout for Neo Geo games.  See example  of a 7 button layout here:  http://www.mameroom.com/images/ClassicKit_lg.jpg
 (edit:  link updated)
You may also want to pay a visit to the following websites:
A)  www.groovygamegear.com (highly recommended - And the owner, Randy T is awesome and can answer many questions you have about products)
B)  www.ultimarc.com (this is where you can purchase the i-pac 2 [28 inputs] or i-pac 4 [56 inputs]

I bought my trackball and spinner from GGG (Groovy Game Gear) and they were both plug and play (USB) with no drivers required for Windows XP).  Then for the joystick and buttons I bought an i-pac and then simply hooked them up (everything is labeled on the i-pac for what wires go where for each player).  The i-pac (USB version) plugged into my USB port and viola, plug and play as well with no drivers.

One more thing.  I suggest buying the Happ Competition Joysticks to start.  They are only $8.49 each and they are a great starter joystick.  If for some reason you outgrow them you can always upgrade to more expensive joysticks.  Just my opinion.

So it's actually really easy to do.  The hardest part is deciding what you want when you make the control panel layout.

Good luck!

~ DeLuSioNaL