Which one of these front ends do you reccommend(read post for more info)?

[ArcadeSeeker962]

I am now deciding on a front end to use as a choice for me and my fathers MAME cabinet. For the front end, I want to make sure that both Galaga and Crazy Kong are compatible with the front end(since I know on the original version of MAME that Galaga and Crazy Kong aren't compatible). From looking at the polls, I chose the following front ends: Hyperspin, MaLa,and Game Ex. So, which of these Front Ends are compatible with these two games?

[Drnick]

I think you may be confusing a front end with a modified version of mame that added a GUI.   Generally frontends will not cause any compatibility issues.  MameUI/Mame32 had some issues, but that wasn't really a front end, It was a modified version of the original mame coding.

Hyperspin and mala call your mame executable and launch the game.  So it shouldn't really matter which front end you use, just make sure to use plain old vanilla mame.

As for which is better, They both have their benefits and pitfalls.  Hyperspin needs a fairly good computer if you want to run it with all the bells and whistles turned on. Mala is a lot less intensive but doesn't look as slick.  Both have a good support group/forums should you need assistance.

[Dawgz Rule]

I would suggest you try each out and see what works for you.  A lot of the decision rests with personal preference.  I chose GameEx purely because I was able to easily put together the look I wanted with it.  I paid for a subscription and was also able to customize the menus, etc. 

[kahlid74]

Follow what the above posters said and try them all out and see how you like them.  There shouldn't be any compatibility issues since you're calling the original MAME exe.

[BadMouth]

Most of the people on here like those front-ends because they like to tinker with stuff and customize it.

If you have trouble setting one of those up, try Maximus Arcade.
A lot of beginners start with that one.
Not a lot of options, but also not as complicated.

I use MALA because for the most part, I've always been able to get it to do what I want although sometimes it takes workarounds.

[lordnacho]

Also, look at youtube clips, lots of people show off their cabs and frontends

[ArcadeSeeker962]

I would suggest you try each out and see what works for you.  A lot of the decision rests with personal preference.

Yeah, I read that in the Project Arcade Book Version 2(during my offline-time studying). Thank you for letting me know though.

Hyperspin and mala call your mame executable and launch the game.  So it shouldn't really matter which front end you use, just make sure to use plain old vanilla mame.

Thank you for the advice, I'll make sure I use the basic MAME.

[BobA]

I have stopped recommending Maximus Arcade due to the number of users who cannot get a registration number and the lack of support from the programmer.

[ArcadeSeeker962]

I have stopped recommending Maximus Arcade due to the number of users who cannot get a registration number and the lack of support from the programmer.

Thank you for the warning. I'll stay away from Maximus Arcade. I'm considering using GameEx instead of MaLa, due to the fact that there are more options for what version of MAME you want to use, in conjunction with the front end.

[SGT]

due to the fact that there are more options for what version of MAME you want to use, in conjunction with the front end.

I don't follow what you mean by this...

[ArcadeSeeker962]

due to the fact that there are more options for what version of MAME you want to use, in conjunction with the front end.

I don't follow what you mean by this...

What I mean is that I heard that MAME32 is compatible with Game Ex, but I discovered that the MAME programmed by Nicola Salmoria works just fine with Game Ex, so that problem was solved.