Multicade Arcade Systems

[rebeccaharper]

Good Morning,

I was wondering if anyone could tell me a little more about Multicade Arcade Systems/Games?

My boss is interested in buying one but has heard positive and negative reviews.

I have read that some work better than others? For examples the systems that have 30 games v. 60 games work better?

Any information, positive or negative, would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Rebecca

[HaRuMaN]

They are basically bootleg PC boards running MAME, coming from China, emulation is OK, but is wrong on some games.

These boards are technically illegal.

Why does your boss want one?  For home / personal use, or commercial use?

[rebeccaharper]

Hi,
Thank you for the quick response.

What is MAME if you don't mind me asking? So the emulation is OK? Meaning that the colors, sound, etc. might be off?

He doesn't really mind that they are illegal.

He will be using it in his vacation home for his children.

The one we are considering has 60 games and the company we are considering purchasing from has a great reputation.

[HaRuMaN]

MAME stands for Multiple Arcade Machine Emulation.

It's basically a free software that emulates arcade game hardware, not to be sold or used for commercial purposes, which is what makes the boards technically illegal.

I've seen a 60 in 1 board, the colors are all right as far as I could tell, and the sounds were mostly correct, I think there were a couple of games where the sound was off (Gyruss comes to mind).

[rebeccaharper]

Thank you so much for your responses.

So really the only issue with the multicade is that they are illegal? And the emulation is OK?

Would you buy one for your vacation home for the kids?

[HaRuMaN]

For home use, yes, I would consider getting one. 

[grantspain]

i would not worry unless it was being used for revenue-namco tend to go pretty ballistic though if they find anyone operating a pac man which is not original

[CheffoJeffo]

Without knowing the details as to what system is being used underneath (multicade is a nebulous term used to describe many different systems), I can't speak to the legality or performance of the system in question. The majority of equipment used in so-called "MultiCade" systems are as HarumaN describes, although some are different and some may even be legal.

For what it is worth, I have a couple of machines that could be classified as MultiCades (including a 48-in-1 and a 60-in-1), including one at my vacation property.

My kids love them ... which reminds me that I need to fix the one at the cottage  ... but it could well depend on the age of the kids and their interests. 

My kids (7,9,9) love the classic games, so it works well. Some older kids in the neighbourhood don't like them so much and gravitate to the video game consoles.

A while back I saw a webpage that talked about the legalities and managed to find it again:

http://www.bmigaming.com/multicadegames.htm

I am not recommending the vendor in question, nor confirming their advice (although I don't see any facts that I can disagree with) ... it is just a summary written in plain language that speaks to the point.

Good luck and  to your boss for considering getting an arcade machine for his kids.

[redfivexw]

I build these machines and find the multi boards to do a really good job, the sound or color may be slightly off, however unless you are a purist, you will have just as much fun with the multi as the original.  I have also found those boards to be very reliable.

[Malenko]

Just wondering if he/you/whomever has considered maybe an Neo Geo system? Pretty good library of games that can easily be swapped around all while avoiding legal gray areas (so long as you dont buy bootlegs or 100 in 1 carts)

[rebeccaharper]

Thank you for all the recommendations/advice.

[CheffoJeffo]

 

[NIVO]

please continue the thread in helping the nice lady with requested info. Game On.

[Hoopz]

Thanks Nivo.

[TOK]

Thank you for all the recommendations/advice.

Read the wiki, particularly the info on scan lines. Some people are sensitive to them, others love them unreasonably to the point of obsession.

[SirPeale]

Rebecca Harper's on TV?  I never heard of her.  But I also don't get out much.