Author Topic: Can someone recommend me a frontend? (Read 2876 times)

Chris2 · « **on:** June 30, 2008, 10:04:00 pm »

I want a frontend that's easy to set up, simple to use, and can boot MAME and PC games. I already tried AtomicFE but found it not to my liking. Can anyone make a suggestion?

P.S. I'm running Windows XP.

psychotech · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2008, 10:18:30 pm »

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/board,43.0.html

?

nipsmg · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2008, 10:47:14 pm »

If you don't require that it's free, check out Maximus Arcade. It's got good eyecandy, is VERY easily configurable, and just works right off the bat.
It's got a great configuration tool. There's a free trial too.

If I'm too lazy to set up something like MaLa I might buy it.

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2008, 10:53:36 pm »

Cakemeister · « **Reply #4 on:** July 01, 2008, 12:11:21 am »

Please try them all and make your own informed decision. Also,

R R R E E E E E A D D D D T T T T T H H E E E E E W W I I I I I K K I I I I I !

R R E A A D D T H H E W W I K K I !
R R E A A D D T H H E W W I K K I !
R R R E E E E E A A A D D T H H H H H E E E E W W W I K K I !
R R E A A D D T H H E W W W W I K K I !
R R E A A D D T H H E W W W W I K K I
R R EeE E E A A D D D D T H H E E E E E W W I I I I I K K I I I I I !

Havok · « **Reply #5 on:** July 01, 2008, 02:39:23 am »

Hmmm - a little wiki read would be good, or you could just click on my sig...

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #6 on:** July 01, 2008, 08:35:12 am »

Havok, he already said "I already tried AtomicFE but found it not to my liking."

Piss on your AtomicFE.

j/k

Havok · « **Reply #7 on:** July 01, 2008, 08:48:29 am »

What, you actually expect me to read these threads that pop up every three days?

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #8 on:** July 01, 2008, 10:06:03 am »

Every three days?
Surely you must be skipping a visit occasionally if you think there's that much time in between these...

deadpool18 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 01, 2008, 11:14:26 am »

I like GameEx for ease of use and features.

mscromer · « **Reply #10 on:** July 01, 2008, 11:28:42 am »

You cant really ask a question like that, You are going to get everyone's personal preference, and that's all it is, is personal preference. Like the others said, go to the WIKI and look at all the frontends and decide which is right for you. It will take a while to look at them all but that's the only way to find the one that's right for you. Oh, and by the way I use Mala.

Chris2 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 01, 2008, 11:39:24 am »

First things first, I did read the wiki, but I still wasn't entirely sure of what to use. I figured I'd get the public opinion. Secondly, I've since decided to use GameEx, as I find it much to my liking.

Teknique · « **Reply #12 on:** July 01, 2008, 11:43:34 am »

Quote from: Chris2 on June 30, 2008, 10:04:00 pm

I want a frontend that's easy to set up, simple to use, and can boot MAME and PC games. I already tried AtomicFE but found it not to my liking. Can anyone make a suggestion?

P.S. I'm running Windows XP.

If you didnt like AtomicFE because it required a bit to set up- then you wont like most of them out there. There is no 'click one button and make it work' front end in existence. If you are looking for something as easy as possible to set up you should look at a product that you pay for (not because it will be that much easier to configure, but because support will be an expectation from the creator).

Tek

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #13 on:** July 01, 2008, 12:16:57 pm »

Quote from: Teknique on July 01, 2008, 11:43:34 am

Quote from: Chris2 on June 30, 2008, 10:04:00 pm
I want a frontend that's easy to set up, simple to use, and can boot MAME and PC games. I already tried AtomicFE but found it not to my liking. Can anyone make a suggestion?

P.S. I'm running Windows XP.

If you didnt like AtomicFE because it required a bit to set up- then you wont like most of them out there. There is no 'click one button and make it work' front end in existence. If you are looking for something as easy as possible to set up you should look at a product that you pay for (not because it will be that much easier to configure, but because support will be an expectation from the creator).

Tek

Yeah, that's something to consider: Support

That's why I'm glad I use Mamewah. Minwah's a great bloke and has been quite helpful. The nice thing about these boards, though, is that the more we learn, the more we tend to step in and help out, keeping the devs from having to deal with it as much.

arcadefever · « **Reply #14 on:** July 01, 2008, 12:22:47 pm »

Atomic fe

GAtekwriter · « **Reply #15 on:** July 01, 2008, 01:46:57 pm »

I'm in the same boat - I've read through the wiki AND the 5 top frontend official websites and I'm not sure where to go - I like AtomicFE, but I see that MaLa mentions supporting the U360 joysticks (I have 2 of them). I guess the good news is I can always try MaLa and then switch to another if I find it's not doing what I need.

Just an opinion question for the first 2-3 who care to respond - any thoughts on how easy it is to create your own graphical interface for MaLa? Intensive or fairly easy if you're graphically inclined?

Thanks, all.

Jim

wbassett · « **Reply #16 on:** July 01, 2008, 05:30:01 pm »

I've read the Wiki too and now am half afraid to ask any FE questions!

I use Mame32 but want to snazz up my cab look and get away from the whole keepboard or mouse thing so my wife, kids and visitors just see a cool front end that's easy to navigate.

I am assuming these will work with Mame32. I also have other console emulators.

The comments about reading the Wiki is all fine and dandy but it's basically a features overview, so yes people are going to have some questions, I know I do.

When these front ends say they support light guns, or Ultrastik360 and things like that... what does that mean? That the navigation system supports it or do you need a front end that supports your controls for the games? I know, dumb question but never setting up an FE before I'm not sure.

Basically what I want is something that doesn't look like Windows (Mame32 is easy but definitely has that Windows look because, well... it is a Windows app), also I want to be able to have game lists for say my wife's favorite games and other console emulators.

I'm still poking around and starting to look at the forum threads but I am sure I will have some questions.

massive88 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 01, 2008, 05:58:07 pm »

Download a few and try them out!

Its really the only way to find the best fit for your needs. We are much better at answering "How do I" questions than "What should I" ones, and those answers will be much more valuable to you.

For instance, check out a front end and find a feature that you would like, then when you come to the forums with a "Can I make it so that I can launch mulitple mame versions based on which game I select from just one list of arcade games within this frontend?"

Then thats a specific question that we can answer yes or no to, or direct you to a frontend that can.

leapinlew · « **Reply #18 on:** July 01, 2008, 06:06:18 pm »

DOS + Pullout keyboard tray. Print off a sheet of all the commands and plaster it to the side of your cab.

rrcade · « **Reply #19 on:** July 01, 2008, 06:20:47 pm »

Quote from: leapinlew on July 01, 2008, 06:06:18 pm

DOS + Pullout keyboard tray. Print off a sheet of all the commands and plaster it to the side of your cab.

I Really hope you're kidding......How many arcade games came with a KEYBOARD?

Havok · « **Reply #20 on:** July 01, 2008, 07:32:12 pm »

Quote from: GAtekwriter on July 01, 2008, 01:46:57 pm

I'm in the same boat - I've read through the wiki AND the 5 top frontend official websites and I'm not sure where to go - I like AtomicFE, but I see that MaLa mentions supporting the U360 joysticks

That's not an issue anymore - leave your U360 in analog mode, and Mame switches it to the correct mapping. I forget when exactly they added it, but just go with a current build and you're all set...

wbassett · « **Reply #21 on:** July 01, 2008, 08:28:27 pm »

Okay another serious question... why do some FEs require you to download .net and what are the advantages of having .net based FEs over FEs that don't require it?

I'm a bit of a minimalist and believe in KISS... and acronym from my military days... Keep It Simple Stupid. I put the same mentality in my HT and screen development that I have done over the years, and want to maintain that mindset for my FE. I have everything setup and running but now want to get a nice jazzy FE running. Mainly because my wife doesn't have a clue how to get a game running in Mame32!

OT question... I updated Mame32 to .113 and now when I launch a game I get one of the Mame setup screens and have to hit Esc to get rid of it. Is that a configuration or version issue? I'll tie this into an FE question... if I am having that problem will I have it with an FE when I launch a game? I guess I'll find out this weekend when I try a few Front Ends, but if anyone has any insight that would also be great.

pinballwizard79 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 01, 2008, 10:02:11 pm »

Maximus Arcade is really easy to install, really easy.

jban4us · « **Reply #23 on:** July 01, 2008, 10:07:33 pm »

.net is the library for microsoft's programming languages. There is not really an advantage for the user, it just makes it easier for developers to create things faster and theoretically more "correctly". The .net framework should probably just come with windows because a lot of applications require it and it's a bother to the user to have to download it.

.net languages actually run slower than fully compiled languages, but the speed difference generally isn't going to matter or even be noticeable.

DeLuSioNal29 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 01, 2008, 11:44:50 pm »

I first chose Maximus Arcade due to it's easy configuration. Just point and click to select the executables for the programs and voila, it automagically selects the subdirectories. (Or you can manually edit them if they change).

You can also launch PC games from the Front End.

I love it. Let me know if you have any questions about it. I am moderator of the forums there: www.maximusarcade.com

~ DeLuSioNaL

boogieman · « **Reply #25 on:** July 02, 2008, 02:35:19 pm »

I will second maximus arcade, it's great!

DeLuSioNal29 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 02, 2008, 03:07:17 pm »

See Maximus Arcade in action here:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=81857.msg853909#msg853909

~ D

wbassett · « **Reply #27 on:** July 04, 2008, 01:24:57 pm »

I've had my cab up and running now since April this year. Up until now I have been playing with button layouts, working on light gun setups, and sorting through all the roms and deciding which ones are fun and which ones are either a copy of another game or overall just lame.

I'm down to two Front Ends that have my interest, AtomicFE and Maximus Arcade. Before I ask any specific questions about those FEs, I do have a question about MAME and how it works with FEs.

I am currently using Mame32plus .103u2 and when I launch a game I get the screen that says to enter 'OK' or move the joystick left and right. The joystick option works with an analog stick plugged in the game port, but not with my arcade sticks that emulate keyboard keys. Next is another screen to that I can either hit enter to 'select' the game, or one of my console buttons also works. Here is the biggest problem- after that I get a Mame volume bar across the bottom of the screen. The only way to exit out of that is to go into the Mame setup and then exit out. Is this a bug with .103u2? I just downloaded .123 and it doesn't seem to have that problem.

Okay, now the FE question... volume bar issue aside, how does the FE deal with these startup screens that ask for 'OK' or a joystick move, and then the second screen where you have to hit enter? Does the FE handle that or will I still have to go through these screens before the game starts?

RayB · « **Reply #28 on:** July 04, 2008, 01:46:32 pm »

Does Maximus come with a lot of premade art? Like proper screen shots, etc? It would be worth it if it did... It's such a chore to make that stuff and set it up. (Yeah, I downloaded screenshot packs but they were so small, I ended up having to hit F12 myself in every game)

Teknique · « **Reply #29 on:** July 04, 2008, 02:09:07 pm »

Quote from: wbassett on July 04, 2008, 01:24:57 pm

I've had my cab up and running now since April this year. Up until now I have been playing with button layouts, working on light gun setups, and sorting through all the roms and deciding which ones are fun and which ones are either a copy of another game or overall just lame.

I'm down to two Front Ends that have my interest, AtomicFE and Maximus Arcade. Before I ask any specific questions about those FEs, I do have a question about MAME and how it works with FEs.

I am currently using Mame32plus .103u2 and when I launch a game I get the screen that says to enter 'OK' or move the joystick left and right. The joystick option works with an analog stick plugged in the game port, but not with my arcade sticks that emulate keyboard keys. Next is another screen to that I can either hit enter to 'select' the game, or one of my console buttons also works. Here is the biggest problem- after that I get a Mame volume bar across the bottom of the screen. The only way to exit out of that is to go into the Mame setup and then exit out. Is this a bug with .103u2? I just downloaded .123 and it doesn't seem to have that problem.

Okay, now the FE question... volume bar issue aside, how does the FE deal with these startup screens that ask for 'OK' or a joystick move, and then the second screen where you have to hit enter? Does the FE handle that or will I still have to go through these screens before the game starts?

Mame handles that. screens will still be there unless you recompile mame into a custom build yourself. Check here for more info on recompiling and removal of nag screens:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=0c92f828896321c342a2dc45175d38f9&topic=64298.0


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