Build my own mame console machine? Like an Xboxmame but not an xbox

[dpdelcollo]

So I finally heard about Mame running on hacked Xboxes.  While I find this idea really attractive, because it would allow me to play a lot of games easily on my TV, and make it portable enough to bring to friends houses, etc.  I dont much like the idea of investing and mucking around with an xbox to achieve this.

So I started wondering if there was a good way to build a Micro form factor PC with USB console controlers, or maybe other attachable controllers like spinners or trackballs, that would be easily transported, and attached to a TV.

And then it occurred to me that I have very few original ideas of my own and that someone has surely already done this.  Does anyone have any pointers, suggestions, links, info, pics, etc to help me along on this?  any info would be greatly appreciated!

Then again, am i looking at this project too hard?  Do all I really need to do is get some console to USB converters, and build a small form factor mame machine with TV out and go from there?  Sounds too easy!

[Iori]

I have though about doing this with the NES box before, it looks great when it is done!    Check out this site for that job:

http://www.junkmachine.com/nintendo/

Here is another site that has tons of mini-itx computer projects:

http://www.mini-itx.com/

No reason at all that you couldn't use one of these to run MAME and other emulators on your tv, just won't have a much power as your desktop, but for most games you won't need that.

[orntar]

my cab has the mini-itx as the heart. go check out my web site, especially http://neogeo.orntar.net/construction/index.html, it has the computer info. it has onboard tv out. it is silent and portable. 10.5"x10.5"x2" or so.

i use it far a traveling dvd for my daughter with a 7" ws lcd screen. in the car. i also have a small controller i built, so i am all set for a traveling emulator.

[eightbit]

You are correct it really is that easy. Most any small form factor PC will accomplish this. YOu can build it yourself into just about case or purchase a small sized computer from most of the major computer manufacturers.

As far as controllers go there are many adapters to connect most of the console controllers directly or you could just use pc game pads.

[dpdelcollo]

Ok Im fairly convinced I want to go this route, either with adapted console pads, or find a good PC gamepad alternative, but one thing Im worried about, and Im sure someone here has had experience with, is how is having 4 of the same controller handled?  is there a way to differentiate? plug order? etc?

I would really like to have 4 of the same pad, with the ability to add custom made spinners and trackballs later.  but Im worried that the PC or I will get confused all the time as to which controller is which.  anyone have any experience to share?  Thanks

[jerryjanis]

There's one really inexpensive alternative.  You could get a Dreamcast.  It has very good emulators for a lot of systems (Atari 2600, 5200, 7800, ColecoVision, Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Commodore 64).  For a system and 3 extra controllers it shouldn't cost you more than $50.  It won't do everything that a PC would, but it doesn't cost nearly as much and it's in a perfect little console package.