Best front end?

[mamerocks87]

Okay i want a front end that looks like its not running on windows, is very easy to use, and doesnt have a crapload of errors to it.  any wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

-kyle

[Chris]

Every front end is going to have its partisans.  Most are pretty tricky to configure; MameWah is probably the closest to what you're asking for if you use the MAMEWah Config program for the "ease-of-use" factor.

[sc1103]

MAMEWAH config made me pick MAMEWAH, however, Atomic FE is pretty good too.  I didnt pick it b/c its loading screen gave me an error as I was running stuff off an external HDD and it would timeout then load up like a minute later  MAMEWAH gives you lots of customizable options and the config program makes it cake

[JonnyBoy]

You could try GameEx too. Updated almost every week, has intense amounts of media features, and has a set-up program that is incredibly easy to use.

http://www.gameex.net

[Buddabing]

IMO there is no "best" front end.

Try these (in no particular order):
Kymaera
Dragon King
MAMEWah
AtomicFE
ArcadePic
Ultrastyle
3DArcade
GameEx

[Veinman]

Kind of off-topic, but is there a site or sites where support files such as screenshots, intro movies, etc are available for use in various front-ends?

[SirPoonga]

yep, there is no "best" FE because it depends on the features you want,e tc.  They all have their reasons to exist.

I particularlylike game launcher but I want to add sorting and on the fly favorites.

I will have to see, maybe in a couple of months I will have time to work on the FE that I always wanted.  To me it seems there are not any party orientated FEs.  There's features I'd like that owuld be more friendly for multiple users.  Like on the fly custom favorites lists.  That would allow anyone to create their own list of favorite games.

[jcrouse]

Kind of off-topic, but is there a site or sites where support files such as screenshots, intro movies, etc are available for use in various front-ends?

You have to look around. THere isn't one site with everything.

Screenshots, box scans and cart scans: http://www.screenshotarchive.com

Movies = Bittorrent

Good Luck Hunting,
John

[youki]

SC1103 , you said :

I didnt pick it b/c its loading screen gave me an error as I was running stuff off an external HDD and it would timeout then load up like a minute later 

If you have this kind of problem we could ask me to find the solution. I would more than happy to help you. Running Atomic on an external HDD should not cause problem.

As already say.  There is no best Front end. It just depends of your needs.
If you choose AtomicFE, don't hesitate to contact me if you need help. Here or by mail.
 

[sc1103]

Youki,

I eventually plan to incorporate AtomicFE so that my computer will choose the shell based on which start player button I hit on bootup.  I managed to get AtomicFE running but I already had the computer structured for MAMEWAH, so I stuck with it.  AtomicFE looks great though, I like the custom loading screen.

[Katana Man]

yep, there is no "best" FE because it depends on the features you want,e tc.

[Veinman]

I am very thankful for the choice of front ends that are out there, BUT, I would gladly pay $30-$50 for a well polished, well documented, fully loaded, commercial product.

I wonder how many others feel the same way as you? Considering the number of freely available front ends, I'd guess that a commercial one would have to be pretty compelling.

[youki]

The problem of Front End developper is the variaty of things you can do. The number of different emulateur ,  the different needs of users... each guy are different and would like something different.

It is very difficult to do something easy to configure and enough flexible to manage all case...

In my front end, my main goal is to try to make it as easy to configure i can and the more flexible possible.

It would be very easier if i choosed to do a Front End dedicated to only MAME for instance.

Lot of guy don't  do the distinction between Front End and Emulator too. They don't figure out  there are options for the front end and other for emulators.

My goal is to provide a plug'n play front end.  Soon , i will provide a first "plug'n play version" , the front end will be distribued (i don't know how yet..) already configured and ready to use for more than 20 emulators. You will have juste to install the front end on your drive and copies YOUR roms in adhoc folders.   I have still to think how to distribute that. Because the distribution is a about a full DVD... I can not put it in download on my website.

[vibez]

Full DVD for a frontend?

[youki]

Yes.. it includes SNAPs , Marquees, layouts , and about 20 Emulators and few freeware roms.

[Katana Man]

I wonder how many others feel the same way as you? Considering the number of freely available front ends, I'd guess that a commercial one would have to be pretty compelling.

Oh dear! $30-$50 That is SOOOO MUCH MONEY!!!

[GGKoul]

Charging for a piece of software that runs MAME is against the MAME license.

[Veinman]

Charging for a piece of software that runs MAME is against the MAME license.

If their license says that someone can't do a shell command in Windows to launch their app, then they have a license that was written on PCP. They can't say you can't launch an app any way you please.

Katana Man- Did I say I would be unwilling? No, so there is no need to flip out. I was just observing, like you obviously have, that commercial endeavors in this community seem to be very much hated.

[Katana Man]

GGKoul,
  Was your comment referring to a commercial front end?  If so, it is completely legal to sell a commercial front end. If necessary, Mame can be taken out of the picture simply by not distributing the Mame software with the front end.

[Lilwolf]

Trouble with a commercial frontend is that once you charge, people will expect things.

And you will be competing with some GREAT free frontends.  Which make what they expect a lot more.  30 bucks for only 3 features more then frontendX???  (even if frontendX has 3000 features)

But all in all.... if someone buys it... and is happy... good!

<and btw... my frontend is the best!  I have to get a release out one of these days... and until then I can claim best status...like you can disprove me!>

[screaming]

I wonder how many others feel the same way as you? Considering the number of freely available front ends, I'd guess that a commercial one would have to be pretty compelling.

Oh dear! $30-$50 That is SOOOO MUCH MONEY!!!  I'm going to need a co-signer for my loan!  So many BYOAC'ers are so darn cheap it's sad.   The average game costs $30-$50.  Ever bought a game that you barely use?  I have.   I mean, most people here have an arcade machine (or more) that costs them thousands of dollars and/or many hours of work.  It boggles my mind why some BYOAC'ers are so against the thought of a commercial front end that they could actually pay for. Consider a front end that worked perfectly, had all the features you need, and was easy to configure. The front end would bring it all together and launch all of your arcade games, pc games, mp3's, etc...   This would outlast so many other peices of software. To me, I'd throw down $30-$50 for a good front end in a heartbeat.

  In order for a front end to be worth buying it has to be better than any FE currently available for free. The effort involved in that alone is probably not worth it, currently.

Here's a short list out of a bigger laundry list of features that it would have to have:

1) Be VERY stable.
2) Be VERY easy to configure. This includes having working configurations for current and recent popular emulators, including PC games. The effort involved in just the maintenance of this is probably pretty high.
3) Be able to run on a list of platforms. Windows XP/2K, 95/85 and DOS would be required, with Linux and Mac optional or "in the works".
4) Have support that's just as good, if not better than the currently available support for existing FEs.  For FEs like MAMEWAH and GameEx, this could be a tall order.
5) Have several integrated features that are currently only available with external apps.  Functionality that uses command.dat, controls.dat (including a CPMaker-type feature), mameinfo.dat, history.dat, etc. would have to be integrated.
6) Have integrated jukebox functionality.
7) Include a layout designer (it has to be skinnable, afterall) with support for JPG/GIF/MNG/PNG/AVI/MPG and animated backgrounds.

  If any FE had all these features, I'd fork over $75 for unlimited use of it or $25 if I could only use it on one cab.

Any takers?

-sab

[SirPoonga]

Kind of off-topic, but is there a site or sites where support files such as screenshots, intro movies, etc are available for use in various front-ends?

crashtest.retrogames.com/

[BobbyG66]

I wonder how many others feel the same way as you? Considering the number of freely available front ends, I'd guess that a commercial one would have to be pretty compelling.

Oh dear! $30-$50 That is SOOOO MUCH MONEY!!!

[youki]

I would like to see a COMPLETE GUIDE on how to make a front end work and how all the other support files and programs work together.

If only users read documentation.... 

[screaming]

I would like to see a COMPLETE GUIDE on how to make a front end work and how all the other support files and programs work together.

If only users read documentation....

  This is very true. I've been on this board asking and answering (mostly answering) questions for what, 2 years?  I'd say probably 95% of the questions I've answered (and I haven't answered them all) could have easily been avoided had they read the accompanying documentation and/or did a search.

  People are naturally lazy and like for things to be spoon-fed to them if at all possible. Even me

-sab

[Katana Man]

I wouldn't go that far.

[jcrouse]

[SirPoonga]

And by reading these forums, you can quickly tell, that there isn't a powerful front end that is easy to set up and stable.  That's clearly why the question "What is the best front end" has so many different answers.  There isn't 1 dominant front end that has all the features, stable, and user friendly.

It's also the fact that a single frontend can not have all possible features.  It depends on the goal of the frontend.  Some features that some people use go against the goal of a frontend.

I like your comment: "As a programmer for a commercial product for many years".  Then as a programmer for a commercial project you know the reason that there is competition is because one company thinks they have a better solution, idea, implementation, etc then the other company.  That's why there are different answers to the best FE question.  Depending on what you thing a FE should be and involve will determine what you think is the best FE.  And that's the true reason there are many answers to that question.

So
" If any of you forum regulars are tired of seeing people ask these questions, there is a reason for it.  And by reading these forums, it's quite obvious that there is a need for a better front end with the above 4 areas provided"
With what I just said I don't believe this is the case.  I believe it is because people have different ideas on what a FE should do.  That's the reason this comes up so often.  Since there are different methodologies behind each frontend a new user is confused on which is the best for him/her.

Hence why I create the FE blog.  I am going ot review FEs and detail their features so a user will know which is more suited for him/her.  If anyone wants to help with reviews let me know.
I've been busy with a new job and moving.  But I now have high speed internet so I can download Fes easier
I need an artist to come up with some cool icons to represent some feature so a user can visually see a summary at a glance.

[Katana Man]

I believe it is because people have different ideas on what a FE should do.

[SirPoonga]

I believe it is because people have different ideas on what a FE should do. 

I don't buy this. I think it's quite obvious and simple what a front end should do:
It should be able to launch your games, programs, music, videos (from a full screen and/or a window).
It should be customizable and allow for organization.
It should allow for different types of controllers to make your selection.

This is my exact reasoning.  People have different ideas on what a FE should do, hence all the different types.

I don't see how 1 front end can't do all of this. If there are slightly different wishes from users, the answer to satisfying different people's needs is:  "Make it an option".  Most programmers don't like to hear that though, because it's a lot of work.    I should know.  I've spent hours adding a single checkbox feature to our product's control panel.  But in the end, everyone will be happy.

I am also a programmer btw.
The key word is "slightly".  They may not be slightly.
For example, my perfect FE needs to be able to do the following.
1) Not look like a windows app, not act like a windows app, look and feel be like an 80s arcade.  This is very subjective.  The look has to be simple.  I like game launcher's look and feel the most yet have some modern stuff like effects and animation.  That one takes a bit to explain what I have in my head has a GUI design:)
2) Most everything be done from within the FE except maybe the admin tasks as I wouldn't want users doing some stuff. 
2a) Anyone who uses my cabinet can create their own favorites list from within the FE.  My flash FE did this.
3) Be able to execute more than one FE.  Thanks to wrappers this is possible.
4) lists roms per catver.ini too
5) rom management, like renmaing display name, assigning roms to different versions of mame, etc...
6) horizontal or vertical
7) cross platform
No need for keyboard and mouse to control.  A simple jamma setup should be all you need with the possibility of using a tball.

Now, how many people have you read here that love mame32.  mame32 goes against most of what I just said.  But they think it is a great FE because of ease of use.  It's easy for those people because they are use to windows app and it behaves like a windows app (because that's what it is).  It's mentality on how a GUI should be done is different than most.

And currently there isn't a single FE that does all of that the way I think it should be done.  Especially the per user favorites lists that is editable from within the FE.

I'd also like a 3D FE menu system, I have an idea for that.  Again, different than a 2D setup and probably wouldn't work well as an "option".

I'm just trying to come up with ideas that show it isn't possible to have one uber FE.  If that was possible then it would be possible to have one uber OS on one uber hardware platform with one uber programming language

[youki]

Especially the per user favorites lists that is editable from within the FE.

You could do something like that with AtomicFE.     You can edit Favorite directly  from within the FE.  If you want do that by users , you can do a Config by user.  And the start of the front you could select a User, then go on you config and here you can build your favorite list , just by pushing a button on the game you want put in the Favorite.

[screaming]

  In order for a front end to be worth buying it has to be better than any FE currently available for free.

Screaming....Does this mean you use Linux. You surely wouldn't run a MS product based on that philosophy.

 
John

  The real question is what is "better than" any other FE, and THAT's what makes this such an ambiguous question.  There is more than a couple definitions of the "better" or "best" front end.

  IMO, if a front end had all the features I listed above it would be the "best" front end hands-down, save for a few special cases. 3DArcade, GameEx, and MAME32 are all examples of "special case" front ends in the context of this thread.

  So far, I think MAMEWAH w/ MAMEWAH Config, GameEx, and AtomicFE (in that order) are all the front-runners here.  Kymaera has a ton of potential if someone would pick it back up again.  Howard Casto claims his new FE version will be the "holy grail" of front ends when he releases it.

I'm sorry Katana Man, but while I think generally you're right there are a few issues with what you said that SirPoonga made better points.  Mainly, your FE ideas are real general and very simple.  Most FEs /should/ have those, but unfortunatly those are not the goals of every FE.

2) Most everything be done from within the FE except maybe the admin tasks as I wouldn't want users doing some stuff.

  I definitely dissagree with this.  I never use the menus in MAMEWAH, and I went out of my way to make sure they weren't accessible from within MAMEWAH.. I don't want my users in anything except for the game lists!  Otherwise they could get into something they shouldn't. Even making custom favorite lists "per user".

*shrug*

-sab

[youki]

I definitely dissagree with this.  I never use the menus in MAMEWAH, and I went out of my way to make sure they weren't accessible from within MAMEWAH.. I don't want my users in anything except for the game lists!  Otherwise they could get into something they shouldn't. Even making custom favorite lists "per user".

That's why, i put option to disable or enable Favorites features. 

The real problem is each users have different needs , so each time you add a features you have to put an option to allow to disable it.  And on the other side.. more there is options... more the FE Looks complex to configure!.. more documentation are needed.... more support time is necessary... more "potential" bug can occurs..etc..etc..

When i started Atomic, my First goal was to do a very simple plug 'n play front end which juste display a Marquee list on the left and un screen shot on the right . That's only what i needed.

I put it on a web site, to make it available to other guys because it was extremly easy to configure.  And they liked it but asked me if i can add some features. I did. And now, AtomicFE is becoming a big Front End far from my inital modest goal.

Users encouraged me to continue the project.  My FE is not the most popular here. I think the most popular here seems to be MAMEWAH.  But  in France  and Belgium   , most of users which was using (or trying to use) MAMEWAH use now AtomicFE. And new FE user comes directly to AtomicFE.  (i'm speaking about users which use or plan to use the FE in a Cabinet).

Now, my Fe is becoming very popular in Canada too.   

It is may simply due to the fact that i support French language. 
 


In fact, if all FrontEnd users, could do a whish list , and give me 50$ ,i could stop working for a while, and work 100% of my time on a Front End, and each user will have the front end of your dream!

[SirPoonga]

2) Most everything be done from within the FE except maybe the admin tasks as I wouldn't want users doing some stuff.

  I definitely dissagree with this.  I never use the menus in MAMEWAH, and I went out of my way to make sure they weren't accessible from within MAMEWAH.. I don't want my users in anything except for the game lists!  Otherwise they could get into something they shouldn't. Even making custom favorite lists "per user".

To a degree.  Like I mentioned, admin type stuff can be outside the FE.  One of the things I do is remote admin the cabinet.  But things like setting up a favorites list, searching, renaming a game name (because I usually want to change it when I see it).

Now, my Fe is becoming very popular in Canada too.   

It is may simply due to the fact that i support French language. 

Yes, language files would be a good idea, like forum software does

And the start of the front you could select a User, then go on you config and here you can build your favorite list , just by pushing a button on the game you want put in the Favorite.

Does that mean if  I am playing with a friend under my user and we play a game he wants to add to his we have "log out" of my user and into his? 

man, I wish flash mx didn;t have some limitations and I oculd have actually released my flash FE.   Some of you guys would like how I did stuff, especially the lists

[youki]

Does that mean if  I am playing with a friend under my user and we play a game he wants to add to his we have "log out" of my user and into his?

For now, Yes.  It is not a "logout", He has just to press 2 buttons in fact, the first to go back to "user" selection, and the second to enter in his list.  But that 's not a bad idea to have "multiple favorite list" by config.  I put this in my to do list. (very long...)

[SirPoonga]

Cool cool.  I will have to review your FE when I get a chance.  I need to get settled into the new apartment first

[youki]

I need to get settled into the new apartment first

Funny, i just bought a new one too. 

[PacManFan]

I've stayed out of this FE discussion for a while, and I beleive that it's pointless to discuss what is the "Best" front end. I know from experience that designing, coding, testing and deploying any piece of software can be a major challenge.

My hat goes off to ALL the individuals that create and maintain free FE's for the public. It's a tough job. When I made Kymaera open source, I was hoping other programmer's would pick up the project and help relieve me of the day to day coding tasks.

  As stated somewhere above, Kymaera has enormous potential to be a great frontend. I simply just don't have enough time to work on the Windows, DOS, and Linux versions.
I'll put out a release sometime soon that fixes some of the more glaring bugs, and I'll add a few new features such as sub-menu support, and moving images(ex: AtomicFE), as well as a redesigned setup and skinning application.

Overall, I'm very happy with the features in Kymaera.
For those of you who don't know, Kymaera features:
1) full screen, non-windowsy look
2) completely skinnable
3) multiple Emulator support
4) remappable keys, mouse, joystick support
5) horizontal and vertical support
6) Windows, DOS, and Linux versions
7) multiple lists of games, you can mix games from different emu's in a single list
a "wheel" game previewer
9) support for catver.ini, advanced game list generation tools.
10) a few dozen other common features.

The biggest thing I'm lacking at this point is good doc's on how to use all this, as well as a more skins and emulator config files.
I would really like to distribute Kymaera with more pre-configured emu config files to help people set up thier cabinets.

I haven't seen any features listed in this thread that Kymaera can't already do.

People just don't seem to be using Kymaera, or if they don't, thier not talking about it. According to the statistics at sourceforge.net, I still get a few dozen downloads a day.

Maybe if I heard about more people using it, I'd be more inclined to make more improvements.

just my .02$

-PMF

[Buddabing]

For those of you who don't know, Kymaera features:
1) full screen, non-windowsy look
2) completely skinnable
3) multiple Emulator support
4) remappable keys, mouse, joystick support
5) horizontal and vertical support
6) Windows, DOS, and Linux versions
7) multiple lists of games, you can mix games from different emu's in a single list
a "wheel" game previewer
9) support for catver.ini, advanced game list generation tools.
10) a few dozen other common features.

11) Open Source
12) Not written in Visual Basic.

#6 and #11 are unique among the current crop of "deluxe" front ends.

I may add support for my LED controller if I ever get time. That's the beauty of open source, other people can add features and take inspiration from yours.

[jhsmith321]

Kind of off-topic, but is there a site or sites where support files such as screenshots, intro movies, etc are available for use in various front-ends?

You have to look around. THere isn't one site with everything.

Screenshots, box scans and cart scans: http://www.screenshotarchive.com

Movies = Bittorrent

Good Luck Hunting,
John

Anyone knows any other sources for game Movies, besides the bittorrent option? For some reason I have not been able to configure correctly my firewall to allow the torrents, so everytime I try to download something it appears as a dead connection, I already tried Emule, but had no luck

[SirPoonga]

11) Open Source
12) Not written in Visual Basic.
I may add support for my LED controller if I ever get time. That's the beauty of open source, other people can add features and take inspiration from yours.

Yep, that's the reason I've been thinking about making an SDL FE.
Actually, I'd like an FE that uses Stepmania's wheel menu.

[Buddabing]

Anyone knows any other sources for game Movies, besides the bittorrent option? For some reason I have not been able to configure correctly my firewall to allow the torrents, so everytime I try to download something it appears as a dead connection, I already tried Emule, but had no luck

Make your own.

MAME Movie Maker thread.

[Veinman]

12) Not written in Visual Basic.

VB pays my bills quite nicely.

[Fandenivoldsk]

I'll put out a release sometime soon that fixes some of the more glaring bugs, and I'll add a few new features such as sub-menu support, and moving images(ex: AtomicFE), as well as a redesigned setup and skinning application.

Wow! This is something I've wanted to hear for a long time now! The sub-menu idea is what is missing from all good next-gen frontends so far. And if you also could make the skinner application work with pixel input, so that it would be easier to place graphics, that would be great! I hope you'll release a version very soon...

[youki]

The sub-menu idea is what is missing from all good next-gen frontends so far. And if you also could make the skinner application work with pixel input, so that it would be easier to place graphics, that would be great!

AtomicFE already does that...