Opinions from the Experts - Front End Help

[cmoses]

I am thinking about starting a project and wanted to get some opinions.  I have been reading the forums, FAQS and trying to gather as much information as possible.  The problem is that the amount of information out there seems endless.  I have looked at prior projects and think I know what I would like to incorporate into my arcade cabinet.  I am hoping to tap the collective mindset of everyone out there, just in case there is something that I have missed or over looked.

This is what I would like:
- Full size cabinet, but slimmed down for a more modern feel.
- LCD monitor (hopefully rotating to accommodate vertical and horizontal configs)
- Control Panel with (2) 8 way joysticks w/7 button Connecticut layouts, 3" trackball, (1) 4 way joystick w/2 button layout, spinner, standard extra buttons, 1 player, 2 player, etc

My major dilemma is which front end.  I want something that had a smooth polished look and is easy to use and switch between emulators.  I would prefer that it can all be controlled through the control panel.  I want to run Mame and Daphne for sure and maybe a few console emulators.  The main feature I would like is to have the ability to "light up" the corresponding buttons for each game that is selected.  Being that there are so many controls and buttons on the panel, I think this is a requirement. 

I have tried Maximus Arcade and Mala.  I really like the feel of MA, but do not think it has the ability to do lighted buttons for each game.  I know Mala has this option, but I do not like the interface as much.  It does not seem to be as smooth and seamless as MA.  I would some opinions on this and any others FE's out there.

Also if there are any projects that I can be directed to that closely match what I am trying to accomplish I would appreciate the heads up.

     

[NOP]

IMO, if you're using an LCD, don't bother with the added trouble of having it rotate.
You're already losing the look of a real arcade monitor as it is, and vertical games on a bigger horizontal monitor aren't really that horrible to look at.

I'm also a Mala supporter.  It's just so easy to configure and seems to be endlessly tweakable and pluggable.  The interface is customizable, so if you spent some time with your own layout, you could probably get exactly what you're looking for. 

Either way, no matter what you decide to do now, you'll likely end up re-doing it later.  This is part of the fun of the hobby.  Your machine is *never* finished.

-jeff!

[Turnarcades]

Mala is the likely and easily-configurable choice if going with lighted buttons, else I point towards Mamewah, if you have time to set it up for the platforms you want.

[lingpanda]

http://www.gameex.net/

Try GameEx. It can do what you require and more.

[Doom bucket]

I LOVE gameex but I'm too cheap to get rid of the nag screen. Right now I've got mala but I WISH I could use gameex instead :/

[Farb]

If you want ease of configuration and polish, Maximus Arcade is awesome. Even though it isn't free, I think it's well worth the cost.

->Dan

[arzoo]

LEDBlinky will work with MA to light the buttons - but only easily for MAME. It may also work for other emulators, but that will require some sort of batch files to launch both the emulator and LEDBlinky at the same time. But for MAME - no problem.