Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Software Forum => Topic started by: shanghaiguide on June 24, 2012, 02:20:25 am

Title: Tiny debian linux build with libretro and phoenix (w/multi system emu's)
Post by: shanghaiguide on June 24, 2012, 02:20:25 am
As I've been a busy boy making arcade machines for the last 2 weeks, I thought I would share the latest bleeding edge build I've been working on.

While its bleeding edge, its also fast, and small.  These are two attributes I like in a cab!

Its based off of Voyage Linux (Debian based).
I'm using libretro for the emulation side, as that seems like quite a good idea, and phoenix for a front end (also part of libretro).

My build is aimed at low end machines with minimal drive space footprint.
I'm using a framebuffer for video (not a GUI), so its pretty much minimal overhead.
I'm deliberately not using MAME (yet), as the newer versions are imho pretty bloated.


I'll have a minimal VMware test version ready soonish (once it compiles 100%).

I'm not completely finished with the intructions yet, but I'm 99% done, so take a look, and give your comments.

Instructions here - http://forum.retrosticks.com/index.php/topic,20.msg45.html (http://forum.retrosticks.com/index.php/topic,20.msg45.html)

Info on voyage linux here:
http://linux.voyage.hk/content/getting-started-live-cd-v08x (http://linux.voyage.hk/content/getting-started-live-cd-v08x)

Info on libretro here:
http://www.libretro.org/ (http://www.libretro.org/)
https://github.com/Themaister/RetroArch/wiki/Compilation-guide-%28Linux%29 (https://github.com/Themaister/RetroArch/wiki/Compilation-guide-%28Linux%29)

Title: Re: Tiny debian linux build with libretro and phoenix (w/multi system emu's)
Post by: sharpfork on February 05, 2013, 11:37:31 am
Sorry to dig up an old topic.  I'm wondering if you have any pics of what the Phoenix loader looks like on this rig you are building.  I'm a big fan of retroarch and likve where it is going but the UI is so utilitarian, basic, ugly.  I'm not sure if Phoenix is just the bare bones front end that comes with each retroarch build and is OS specific or if it is something more.
Title: Re: Tiny debian linux build with libretro and phoenix (w/multi system emu's)
Post by: shanghaiguide on February 05, 2013, 01:41:58 pm
Retroarch is multifunctional - you pass it a game, it picks the appropriate emulator (if one is compiled for it).

Its the way forward really.

Phoenix - not so impressed with.

Lots of other choices though - Wah!Cade looks pretty, although I'm contemplating making an SDL based version.
Will maybe have a chat to Andy see what he thinks about that, and if he's interested in that route.

Lawrence.