The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Software Forum => Topic started by: cdbrown on September 12, 2017, 10:10:41 pm

Title: Front end advice
Post by: cdbrown on September 12, 2017, 10:10:41 pm

So I've been out of the mame game for quite a long time, but I'm back. Finally got around to finishing my cab (which I started building over 10 years ago) and now she's got a nice lick of paint (sat built but primed for 10 years), flat screen (instead of the 68cm fat back), four 6x9" speakers and amp and a reasonable PC. I've always just used mameUI because I've never really invested any time in anything else (I do remember trying out a 3d arcade many years ago) and I realise a good front end would be much better, especially for when people come over and kids. So looking for recommendations to use with my Win10 pc (core i5-2400 @ 3.1GHz) and latest mame build.

I've started looking at GameEx and was also going to try Mala but google and chrome are actively trying to stop me from downloading it. What would you recommend?

Also anyone point to how I can create a list of games that I want in a main list in the FE? Like I create a text or xml file of the romnames I want as a primary or popular list and get the FE to show only them in the main menu, but still get to other games in other menus?

Cheers
-cdbrown

Title: Re: Front end advice
Post by: 05SRT4 on September 13, 2017, 02:34:20 am

I personally have only used HyperSpin and enjoy it. It took some time to setup but it wasn't too difficult. I believe your PC specs would be fine with it.

For the custom game list use RomLister (https://www.waste.org/~winkles/ROMLister/) This should work with any Front End you choose.

Title: Re: Front end advice
Post by: Titchgamer on September 13, 2017, 03:52:35 am

I use hyperspin also, but there are loads of nice ones out there these days.

Title: Re: Front end advice
Post by: keilmillerjr on September 13, 2017, 08:31:14 am

I like attractmode. Keep all games on exeter all drive and just hand pick games to transfer to computer. There's thousands of games. No one is going to browse through more than like 200? Not sure on the number, but you get the point.

Title: Re: Front end advice
Post by: UncleToyBox on September 13, 2017, 11:59:06 am

I played around with Hyperspin for a while but ended up dropping $20 to get Big Box once I learned how user friendly it is to set up. Hyperspin is super powerful if you're willing to spend the time learning how to configure it. If you want an easy to use, plug and play solution, give Launch Box a try for free and that should help you decide whether or not the upgrade to Big Box is worth the money for you.

Title: Re: Front end advice
Post by: abispac on September 13, 2017, 01:06:05 pm

The most friendly and easy  right now, it's batocera, runs on linux and it looks good too.