Suggestions for my 1st project, where to start?

[november]

I'm going to be building/buying a cab in the near future.

I haven't decided on which I will do.

Truly I don't care about the cab at this moment, because no matter how good/bad the cab looks it won't make a difference of the machine/software/controls/buttons are setup sloppily/horribly wrong/etc etc.

Should I start with software first and then worry about how/which/what buttons/sticks to use?


I have a computer at home just waiting to be setup/sold and after I decided to do this I knew which fate the computer was chosen for .

So I've got the actual machine out of the way but I still need worry about what to do next after installing xp or win2k.

Also, which would you use?  I, personally, would assume win2k because it's got less aesthetics and whatnot.






Front end, how many are there in all actuality?  MaLa, MAMEWAH, etc? 
Which is the best, what would be the easiest to setup?

Which would be the best/most versatile to use for emulators of older consoles and their games?

My side-plan is to make this setup have connections for ALL older controllers (NES/SNES/N64/SEGA/Saturn).  I'm going to be excluding some older systems like Atari and stuffs (before my time).

I'm doing well considering how much information I've been taking in and no writing it down, lol.

I feel that I have so many unanswered questions and at the same time I'm not fully sure what all else to ask until I get that far.

I'm not sure what keywords I should be searching for and I really do not want to read every single thread on every page.  :-/

Anyhow, I would appreciate advice, assistance, free stuff and anything else you're willing to give.

Thank you.

-Nic

[Sir Auros]

I'm going to be building/buying a cab in the near future.

I haven't decided on which I will do.

I'd try to look for a cab. to repair/rebuild.

Should I start with software first and then worry about how/which/what buttons/sticks to use?

Kind of, but the software (and computer) really can come last, but now would be the time to decide how many sticks you'll want. Do you want it for classics, fighters, and/or a lot of four-player games?

Also, which would you use?  I, personally, would assume win2k because it's got less aesthetics and whatnot.

I honestly don't know about 2k (went from 98 to XP, myself), but XP works fine on mine. You could go with TinyXP, since it's a stripped down form of XP that's lower on resource usage. I don't think it can be acquired legally, though.

Front end, how many are there in all actuality?  MaLa, MAMEWAH, etc? 
Which is the best, what would be the easiest to setup?

There are a ton, but I use GameEx because it looks pretty good and has an awesome screensaver mode where it will play random (or randomly from a list) games in the attract mode like in a real arcade, only it switches games every couple of minutes. I should really give Mala a shot, but the options are too hard for me to read on the TV I use for a display.

My side-plan is to make this setup have connections for ALL older controllers (NES/SNES/N64/SEGA/Saturn).  I'm going to be excluding some older systems like Atari and stuffs (before my time).

Don't count on the Saturn ports, since there's no working Saturn emulator out there and likely never will be. This is something I'd like to do with mine, adding controller to USB converters.

I'm doing well considering how much information I've been taking in and no writing it down, lol.

Project Arcade, by saint of this website, is an invaluable resource if you haven't bought it already. Definitely worth checking out.

I feel that I have so many unanswered questions and at the same time I'm not fully sure what all else to ask until I get that far.

This is wise. Searching for the answers to your questions is even wiser, but if you can't figure out the answer, posting in a project thread or one in the appropriate forums works just as well. There are a lot of people here who could really be considered professionals at this. I am not one of them, but I remember how it feels to get into this stuff.

I'm not sure what keywords I should be searching for and I really do not want to read every single thread on every page.  :-/

Sometimes a search will pull up what you want, sometimes it won't. Be as specific as possible.

Remember to post pics as you get them. The project threads are a great resource for new cabinet builders. Speaking of project threads, would that forum be a good place for this thread? He asked rhetorically.

[Jdurg]

You could always do what I'm doing and that's start out by building a control panel first, and once you've gotten that completed go on to the rest of the cab.  This is how my cabinet is getting built and it lets me progress at a pace that I'm comfortable with.  The computer will be the last thing I get.

[Green Giant]

You could always do what I'm doing and that's start out by building a control panel first, and once you've gotten that completed go on to the rest of the cab.  This is how my cabinet is getting built and it lets me progress at a pace that I'm comfortable with.  The computer will be the last thing I get.

There are dangers in making the control panel first.  Mainly you will make it, start playing on it, and never finish the cab.

As for all your other questions.

Should I start with software first and then worry about how/which/what buttons/sticks to use?

Just worry about acquiring the games you wish to use, and don't ask where to get them.

You probably want 7 buttons per player, 2 joysticks- preferably U360 if money allows, and a trackball.

Also, which would you use?  I, personally, would assume win2k because it's got less aesthetics and whatnot.

Use XP, tinyxp if needed.  It is easy to setup, has the most driver support of anything, and can run on most machines.

Front end, how many are there in all actuality?  MaLa, MAMEWAH, etc? 
Which is the best, what would be the easiest to setup?

Which would be the best/most versatile to use for emulators of older consoles and their games?

The frontends you want to look at are Mala, AtomicFE, and GameEX.  Don't bother with any others, mamewah is nice but the three listed have a graphical user interface that makes setup a cinch.

They all work equally well with any emulator you are looking to run.  Asside from that readup on them to see what extra features you like.  For me it came down to hardware support, Mala is the best for the ledwiz.

[Turnarcades]

Several points to make;

1) The controls can make or break a good machine. Definitely choose them carefully. Cheap ones will break and make your games play like crap, defeating the whole point. For a beginner, go with a simple 'fighting' layout of two microswitched joysticks with 6 buttons each. Use Ultimarc or Happs for the best controls.

2) Decide what games you will play the most before deciding on a build. The layout mentioned above will cover most games from the arcade and home consoles, with two players available, so is a good place to start.

3) Experiment with frontends and emulators before you continue. This can be difficult for a novice, but a cabinet is lame without a good frontend. Using something like Automamewah may help you.

4) Don't mess with too much 'bare electronics'. By that I mean use ready-made pc components only, like a small desktop pc, a CRT monitor, PC speakers etc. If you start using arcade monitors or stripping wires it can get complex, and dangerous. The only wiring you should need to do is hooking up your components and a keyboard encoder; the mini-pac is best for simplicity.

5) Use a bare shell, or if you really want to build your own, try and get one in kit form, like a kit from Turnarcades in the UK or Slikstik in the US.

6) Plan first, touch up later. Measure twice, cut once!

[CheffoJeffo]

Should I start with software first and then worry about how/which/what buttons/sticks to use?

I have a computer at home just waiting to be setup/sold and after I decided to do this I knew which fate the computer was chosen for .

So I've got the actual machine out of the way but I still need worry about what to do next after installing xp or win2k.

Also, which would you use?  I, personally, would assume win2k because it's got less aesthetics and whatnot.

Good questions ... I would recommend getting a computer set up and playing around with the various games in order to get a handle on what you want to play regularly on a cabinet. I know for a fact that my memory isn't good enough to remember all of the good games that I liked and the associated controls. Get a computer up and running, if you don't already have one, and make notes as to what you "must have" and what you can do without.

Front end, how many are there in all actuality?  MaLa, MAMEWAH, etc? 
Which is the best, what would be the easiest to setup?

Which would be the best/most versatile to use for emulators of older consoles and their games?

My side-plan is to make this setup have connections for ALL older controllers (NES/SNES/N64/SEGA/Saturn).  I'm going to be excluding some older systems like Atari and stuffs (before my time).

I'l avoid the dreaded wiki-bomb, but be sure to have a look at the software page to get a handle on the software aspect.

I personally like MaLa, but have only set up one cabinet using it (next two projects are queued up though).

I feel that I have so many unanswered questions and at the same time I'm not fully sure what all else to ask until I get that far.

I will refer you to the mandatory links, not to be obnoxious, but because they really are useful and will provide enough info to get to your next round of questions.
    
Before Asking For Help, Read This First! Link to FAQ and bookmarks of interest

The Main BYOAC Site ... sometimes people forget that it is there

BYOAC Wiki

Project Arcade ... definitely worth the purchase ... I have two copies and both have been on loan for the past 8 months ... I'm not expecting to get them back.

I'm not sure what keywords I should be searching for and I really do not want to read every single thread on every page.  :-/

Kids these days ... absolutely no dedication ... 

I remember when people used to POST in every single thread on every page ... oh, wait a minute ... chad still does that ...

[polaris]

Several points to make;



5) Use a bare shell, or if you really want to build your own, try and get one in kit form, like a kit from Turnarcades in the UK or Slikstik in the US.

sam what the ---fudgesicle--- are you on, i'm not dissing your products at turncade, but dont be recommending slikstik in the current climate

this would be why not

[november]

That doesn't seem like a good way to go lol.  Damn slikstik.

I'm messin' with my neo geo now but I gotta still plan out this cab too.

[shardian]

Here's my 2 cents.
Acquire an assortment of cheap, used arcade controls. Build a mock desktop panel and go thru the entire mame library. Believe it or not, you will learn ALOT this way as to what you want to play, what controls you want, etc. Plus, you end up with a very tight game list in the end. Lets face it, quite a high percentage of arcade games suck, or are just like 50 other games.

I'd also advise you to ditch all of the hookups for consoles on an arcade machine. There are quite a few console games that work well on arcade controls, and those are fine. If you want an all-in-one console, just go get an x-box and mod it. Keep the console stuff to the living room for goodness sakes.

Good luck and welcome to the hobby!

[november]

Thank you for the good info.  I like the xbox idea and would save me a lot of time on planning how to get all of the controllers to work with the cabinet and not look like ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---.

I do have an xbox at home but haven't messed with modding them at all, but it's never a bad time to start, lol.  Hell, I haven't even used it since I got it, so it may be a dead system :-p.


I'll look into that for sure.

Thanks again.  I love getting good infos.

[Turnarcades]

Hadn't had chance to go through that big Slikstik comment thread - being a UK builder currently not exporting to the US, I only keep tabs on my British competitors. I was under the impression Slikstik were reputable, and do good work from what I have seen.

I also thought their troubles with order delays were temporary and now over - but I must be wrong!

What exactly happened and what's going on now, in a brief sentence?

Did they take money for orders and just vanish?

[shardian]

What exactly happened and what's going on now, in a brief sentence?

Did they take money for orders and just vanish?

They accepted thousands of dollars in orders, maxed out their credit accounts with vendors, then just kept lying to customers for months by blaming delays on the vendors they had also screwed over.

[Turnarcades]

Now there's bad business for you!

We do things a little differently here at Turnarcades. Each machine is built to order, and we build a waiting list based on that, only taking enough orders for about 6 weeks ahead. I'm still toying with the idea of going for CNC cutting and knocking out some templated machines in bulk, but our whole point is to keep costs down and give people exactly what they want - stepping up to 'production line' techniques means a trade-off with slightly more uniform machines and a higher price.

I'm looking for an exporter in the UK who may be willing to advertise our cabinets/control panels and maybe help us arrange export to the US - any takers?

[northerngames]

figure out if your going to use a tv pc or arcade monitor before you get started also becuase each has it's own +\-

[november]

Oh man, so I finally picked up a cab, it was a street fighter dynamo cab w/o control panel.  Not in the best condition but with some putty and fresh coat of paint it will look great.

I decided to go this route because it was pretty simple.

I'll be picking up/using this control panel


I still want to add the 7th button for Neo Geo gaming but I'm not sure if it will fit yet.  I'll have to wait until I see it.

I'm excited and I should work on it this weekend.

I'll be starting the PC build very shortly with a spare system that hasn't gotten use in over 1.5 years.  It will be exciting.


Also, I have a monitor but I have not decided on using it or not.  maybe just find a big CRT/LCD and throw it in there?

I'm very indecisive about this right now because this is the farthest I've gotten and it's very new territory, I don't want to screw it up.

I will update with pics this weekend.

[Ginsu Victim]

Why add a 7th button? Just configure all Neo Geo games as

   34
  2x
 1x

Or

   XX
  34
 12

[november]

Your top suggestion is great, I didn't think about that at all.  Thanks for that, really.  Saved me a lot of grief hahaha