Suggestions for simultaneous SNES, Genesis, NES???

[JHansonJr]

Okay, I have the case from an old broken SNES that I am wanting to convert into a machine that will hook up to my tv. I am planning on filling the SNES case with a Mini-ITX board and a 2.5" drive. I have two Smart-Joy adapters: http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-Smartjoy-PC-Controller-Adapter-Converter/dp/B0009VIZSY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1241641809&sr=8-3
that I am going to utilize. Here's my problem: I would like to have something that (after setting up the system, of course) I wouldn't have to use a keyboard or mouse, and could completely run from the SNES controllers. I would also like to run emulators for SNES, Genesis (Mega Drive), and NES games.

Here is my question: What distro of linux should I use? How could I set this up so that I could shut down the console from the joystick, as well as use the power button on the system itself? I was thinking about using Wah!Cade, but I don't know how I can control the interface with the SNES controller. I was also thinking of the possibilities of FreeDOS, but I am having troubles with that as well.

Currently, I am attempting to try out different distros as well as different emulators on a VM under VirtualBox.

[JHansonJr]

I'm just going to do this with Win XP, using MaLa, and make my own tree that doesn't have MAME in it.

[Pinball Wizard]

Don't do that... Use Ubuntu with Wah!Cade. Perfect interface and has no problems at all. You can use Joystick control with it too. I like your project idea though so good luck to you.