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Main => Software Forum => Topic started by: electricd on August 05, 2009, 09:57:05 am

Title: Looking for rock solid frontend
Post by: electricd on August 05, 2009, 09:57:05 am
Hello,

Been out of the Mame game for some time now.  Built a cabinet years ago which serves me well.  I have a guy who I helped build a cabinet that is using MameWah for his front end (not sure of the version.)  Anyway, he has had some problems with Mamewah flaking out on him and not launching games, freezing, etc.  I am looking for a rock solid front end which does not require the use of a keyboard or mouse which can be used on his cocktail cabinet.  What are all of you using these days?  Thanks!

ED7
Title: Re: Looking for rock solid frontend
Post by: HaRuMaN on August 05, 2009, 10:00:49 am
MALA
Title: Re: Looking for rock solid frontend
Post by: Epyx on August 05, 2009, 10:39:41 am
I second Mala...I registered Maximus Arcade but have had nothing but issues with it since day one. Its a nice looking front end but very flaky imo.  Mala is a bit more work up front but a lot less "troublesome".
Title: Re: Looking for rock solid frontend
Post by: Cakemeister on August 05, 2009, 10:45:53 am
Try them all and make your own informed decision.

The wiki (http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Front-Ends) has a listing of frontends. The six most frequently mentioned are (alphabetically) Atomic, GameEx, Hyperspin, MaLa, MAMEwah, and Maximus.

Title: Re: Looking for rock solid frontend
Post by: severdhed on August 05, 2009, 03:02:23 pm
another vote for MALA.  i've tried quite a few front ends, and i always end up back at MALA.  it is easy to work with...and just plain works.
Title: Re: Looking for rock solid frontend
Post by: zelony on August 05, 2009, 04:30:35 pm
GameEx is where it's at.  I have it on two systems and my 7 year old daughter was able to use it with no problems.  Worth paying to register it.  It has been rock solid and is super easy to set up and use.
Title: Re: Looking for rock solid frontend
Post by: reko19 on August 05, 2009, 06:31:38 pm
Mamewah for me. Highly customizable, stable, great front end. More of an arcade feel as compared with gamex IMHO.
Title: Re: Looking for rock solid frontend
Post by: Vamp RN on August 05, 2009, 10:15:46 pm
MaLa for me.  I've messed around with Mamewah but it just doesn't "click" with me.  I had many, many problems with it.  Could have been the user rather than the program though  :lol.
Title: Re: Looking for rock solid frontend
Post by: Kman-Sweden on August 06, 2009, 04:28:30 am
GameEx is where it's at.  I have it on two systems and my 7 year old daughter was able to use it with no problems.  Worth paying to register it.  It has been rock solid and is super easy to set up and use.
The 7 year-olds of  today could probably McGyver-hack your calculator to work with Facebook and Twitter.  ;D
Title: Re: Looking for rock solid frontend
Post by: electricd on August 06, 2009, 02:45:17 pm
Thanks for the suggestions.  I simply don't have time to "try them all", thats why I turned to the forum, to draw on everyone else's experience :)  Sounds like I should give Mala a shot, as for GameEx, it doesn't "look" like an arcade to me which is one of the big appeals of having a dedicated cabinet.  Thanks for the suggestions, i will try a couple of these out.
Title: Re: Looking for rock solid frontend
Post by: Todd H on August 06, 2009, 09:16:00 pm
I second Mala...I registered Maximus Arcade but have had nothing but issues with it since day one. Its a nice looking front end but very flaky imo.  Mala is a bit more work up front but a lot less "troublesome".

I've been running Maximus Arcade for a while and it's working like a champ. Haven't had a single problem.
Title: Re: Looking for rock solid frontend
Post by: Mr. Dude on August 07, 2009, 08:32:30 am
I'm running MameWAH but the choice is really a matter of taste as there are a lot of great frontends available these days.
Title: Re: Looking for rock solid frontend
Post by: DaveMMR on August 08, 2009, 11:48:16 am
Thanks for the suggestions.  I simply don't have time to "try them all", thats why I turned to the forum, to draw on everyone else's experience :)  Sounds like I should give Mala a shot, as for GameEx, it doesn't "look" like an arcade to me which is one of the big appeals of having a dedicated cabinet.  Thanks for the suggestions, i will try a couple of these out.

+1 for MALA but if you should definitely make some time to get it set-up the way you like it.   You can be setting options, themes, etc. for hours on end - not that that's a bad thing of course.   ;)   Of course, you can use the default theme with just a list of roms, but thats kind of boring IMO.

I'm using Hyperspin now, but in your case, that'd be something I'd play with on the side for a bit before "going live" with it on the machine.