The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: degenatrons on June 17, 2013, 08:11:20 pm

Title: Android 2600 Project
Post by: degenatrons on June 17, 2013, 08:11:20 pm
I'm working on an Android based multi-console system housed in the case of an Atari 2600.  I'm calling this Android 2600.
(http://i.imgur.com/LioHMYSl.png) 
This video provides an overview.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3Ue4B8nIlU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3Ue4B8nIlU#ws)

I'll create separate threads for each of the 3 subprojects and add links below.

1) Making a Frontend for Android (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,132973.0.html#new)
2) Modding an Android MK808 TV Stick (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,132937.msg1367501.html#msg1367501)
3) Converting Atari 2600 VCS to a multi-console unit (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,132936.msg1367496.html#msg1367496)

I'll update this thread with general progress
Title: Re: Android 2600 Project
Post by: degenatrons on June 17, 2013, 09:07:00 pm
I added links for 2) and 3).  Will try to post info about how I am creating the Android Frontend tomorrow.
Title: Re: Android 2600 Project
Post by: 404 on June 17, 2013, 09:25:10 pm
HA! I was thinking about an android frontend myself just a few days ago.

Actually, my first plan was to modify mame to run as a replacement launcher  ;D

great job so far!
Title: Re: Android 2600 Project
Post by: CoryBee on June 17, 2013, 09:43:09 pm
HA! I was thinking about an android frontend myself just a few days ago.
Actually, my first plan was to modify mame to run as a replacement launcher  ;D
great job so far!

You can edit the bmp files from MAME4DROID. I have been playing around with different themes and such on my micro build that uses an android phone.

Granted it only runs mame games, but that is all I need for a cocktail setup.
Title: Re: Android 2600 Project
Post by: floriske.nl on June 18, 2013, 03:15:54 am
OMG! The nostalgia  :D

Looking forward to seeing your progress on this project, great idea!
Title: Re: Android 2600 Project
Post by: 404 on June 19, 2013, 11:57:34 am
HA! I was thinking about an android frontend myself just a few days ago.
Actually, my first plan was to modify mame to run as a replacement launcher  ;D
great job so far!

You can edit the bmp files from MAME4DROID. I have been playing around with different themes and such on my micro build that uses an android phone.

Granted it only runs mame games, but that is all I need for a cocktail setup.

The Launcher is basically your android home screen. With a little bit of modification, you can make any app your launcher in android.
Title: Re: Android 2600 Project
Post by: degenatrons on June 19, 2013, 02:18:50 pm
The Launcher is basically your android home screen. With a little bit of modification, you can make any app your launcher in android.

That's the idea.  The launcher is adapted to work as a frontend.  I tried a bunch of launchers and found that Nova fitted my needs best.
Title: Re: Android 2600 Project
Post by: 404 on June 19, 2013, 03:41:01 pm
from source?
Title: Re: Android 2600 Project
Post by: degenatrons on June 19, 2013, 03:43:32 pm
from source?

Nope.  I just posted some info about creating the frontend at: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,132973.0.html#new (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,132973.0.html#new)
I might have to hack at Nova source later to change some elements like max icon size.
Title: Re: Android 2600 Project
Post by: Maximus on June 20, 2013, 03:11:18 pm
I'm playing with an MK908 stick at the moment. I tried Mame4All reloaded 0.139 on it and while it does indeed run the games it still seems slow even with the 1.7ghz quad core A9. Is there anything more efficient in the emulation software choices?
Title: Re: Android 2600 Project
Post by: degenatrons on June 20, 2013, 03:30:35 pm
I'm playing with an MK908 stick at the moment. I tried Mame4All reloaded 0.139 on it and while it does indeed run the games it still seems slow even with the 1.7ghz quad core A9. Is there anything more efficient in the emulation software choices?
I'm not impressed with the MAME emulation with Mame4All either.  I've yet to try other options like Tiger Arcade.  Hopefully MAME will improve.  Emulation of NEOGEO and CPS seems good with respective emulators but i've not spent much time playing with these to be honest.
For now i'm focussing on consoles and emulation seems very good (up to N64 and PSX).
Title: Re: Android 2600 Project
Post by: Maximus on June 20, 2013, 04:32:37 pm
All I need to know is can I play Parappa the Rapper with zero lag.  :laugh:
Title: Re: Android 2600 Project
Post by: 404 on June 20, 2013, 04:42:43 pm
I'm playing with an MK908 stick at the moment. I tried Mame4All reloaded 0.139 on it and while it does indeed run the games it still seems slow even with the 1.7ghz quad core A9. Is there anything more efficient in the emulation software choices?
I'm not impressed with the MAME emulation with Mame4All either.  I've yet to try other options like Tiger Arcade.  Hopefully MAME will improve.  Emulation of NEOGEO and CPS seems good with respective emulators but i've not spent much time playing with these to be honest.
For now i'm focussing on consoles and emulation seems very good (up to N64 and PSX).

I remember the early tiger emulators were just re-compiles/re-labels of emulators already available for android. The tiger stuff really picked up steam some time back when one of the emulator authors had all of his stuff removed from the market.

not sure about his arcade emulator though.