Author Topic: Which frontend is best? (Read 3301 times)

Marky_1979 · « **on:** September 26, 2006, 07:16:49 pm »

Im aware that there are many different front ends i have used mamewah and do like it but am keen to see what else is out there. I have many emulators n64, snes, nes, genesis, gba, Mame, and Zinc and want to use them from one front end. I would also like to play game previews and have customised backgrounds possibly animated if thats possible?

Can anyone explain whats out there and the benefits/ weak points of each

Many thanks in advance

loadman · « **Reply #1 on:** September 26, 2006, 07:25:11 pm »

Here we go again. Unfortunately responses to such a question can result in users having a FE fight or pointing out the flaws with the WIKI. I hope I am proven wrong

My response is many FE's can do what you want these days.

Check out the WiKi :-) It shows what FE's play Vids and are Skinnable etc..

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Front-Ends

headkaze · « **Reply #2 on:** September 26, 2006, 07:38:53 pm »

The best FE is obviously ******

Like loadman said it's best to read the wiki and make up your own mind, there are too many opinions on which one is best and people are passionate about their FE's.

You will still get a few posts from FE fans and they will shamelessly plug it over and over. I'm not exactly above this behaviour either, I've been known to champion my favourite FE too. But in the end it's best you find the one that suits you.

Don't be fooled by the amount of posts about any FE's on this board either, several FE's have their own forums, so it's not an indication of popularity. Again, the wiki has a non-biased feature list.

Marky_1979 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 26, 2006, 08:04:54 pm »

I have viewed the wiki site and was amazed to see so many front ends there were I didnt realise there were so many.

As I said I have been using Mamewah and have not had any main issues it has but has been very complicated at times configuring the various emulators and getting it to work initially and im not sure if changing my front end would be wise as I could end up at square one again.
,
I like the look of a few of the frontends I have seen namely Kymaera , AtomicFE of course Mamewah is still up there but really cant decide which would be best for me and dont have the time to configure and test run all of the front ends.

I know that everyone will have differing oppinions but I really could do with some feedback from users of one or more of these frontends.

I really need a frontend that will:

1. Be easy to configure with multiple emulators namely the ones mentioned in my initial message
2. Be able to play game previews/ game images and marquees
3. Look clean and profesional and have customisable menu's/ backgrounds (animated if possible)
4. Easy to navigate with arcade controls

Comments appreciated

headkaze · « **Reply #4 on:** September 26, 2006, 09:09:14 pm »

Okay, well if you have to know my opinion on the best FE then that would be GameEx.

Quote

1. Be easy to configure with multiple emulators namely the ones mentioned in my initial message

I have just finished writing the GameEx Setup Wizard. And it is about to be released shortly. It guides you through the process of setting everything up and makes things as easy as possible. I'm currently in review stage with Tom who is the author of GameEx, so it's only a matter of time before it gets released. So it's in my humble opinion that you wait for that release and check out GameEx with the new Setup Wizard. Meanwhile check out some other FE's to see how it compares.

Quote

2. Be able to play game previews/ game images and marquees

Yes, most FE's can do this and so can GameEx. It's got a large feature list, check out the official website for more info.

Quote

3. Look clean and profesional and have customisable menu's/ backgrounds (animated if possible)

The one thing that will strike you first up about GameEx is it's stability and professional quality. It could very well be a commercial product, although it does have a nag screen at the start to encourage donations it's still free. With all the work in coding and maintaining the support websites and everything it's worth it I believe, but there is no obligation. GameEx is almost always updated weekly. It is highly actively in development and features are being added all the time. You can make a request on the forum and I guarentee that if it's a good idea it will be implemented. So thats a big plus too.

It's also very customisable and thanks to the GameEx Theme Editor you can easily edit the layouts and images in a Theme. It also supports AVI video playback in the background.

Quote

4. Easy to navigate with arcade controls

Yes, all the arcade controls are supported.

Another cool thing about GameEx, apart from it's huge feature list and quality, is that there is a really great community that supports it. Check out the forums on the official GameEx site if you ever need any help and you will always get a reply from someone willing to help.

What more can I say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating...

http://www.tomspeirs.com/gameex/

BamBam · « **Reply #5 on:** September 26, 2006, 09:36:02 pm »

I have tried Mamewah, 3DArcade, Mame32, Atomic FE and Mala and have settled with Mala. It suits my needs.
Try some different ones out and see what works for you.
Try to avoid customizing too much until you have settled on something you like.

John

Jedirampage · « **Reply #6 on:** September 26, 2006, 09:42:41 pm »

i too would like everyones opinion, i'm using mamewah right now and its good. But i would like to know what else is out there.

Buddabing · « **Reply #7 on:** September 26, 2006, 10:47:04 pm »

You need to find the time to try the different front ends.

Look at the wiki to see what front ends have the features you want.

Try all of those for a while.

Then make your own informed decision.

Don't ask other people to do your thinking for you.

postalp123 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 27, 2006, 10:23:29 am »

Quote from: Buddabing on September 26, 2006, 10:47:04 pm

You need to find the time to try the different front ends.

Look at the wiki to see what front ends have the features you want.

Try all of those for a while.

Then make your own informed decision.

Don't ask other people to do your thinking for you.

I don't think there's anything wrong with asking other's opinions on Front Ends.

Although the wiki is great for reading a description of features, sometimes it's good to hear how people have faired in the long run with thier chosen FE.

If I give him my opinion on, per se, MAMEwah and it saves him many weeks of trial and error setting each FE up, especially when a family takes up all our spare time, more power to him.

screaming · « **Reply #9 on:** September 27, 2006, 10:28:58 am »

I don't know for sure, but it seems as though if you searched the forums you would have seen many people get ridiculed for asking this exact same question. A better question may have been, "Which front end do you use and why?". That question has been asked many times before as well but it's less open-ended and seems like it would illicet a more productive response than "Check the wiki".

Whatever it takes dude.

postalp123 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 27, 2006, 10:44:35 am »

Quote from: screaming on September 27, 2006, 10:28:58 am

A better question may have been, "Which front end do you use and why?".

Good call, I agree.

Havok · « **Reply #11 on:** September 27, 2006, 10:57:14 am »

I would say at the moment, the big three freeware frontends are AtomicFE, Mala and Mamewah. Load them all up and check them out. You can run all of them simultaneously, and contrast\compare. Everyone has their own preferences, and there are pluses\minuses to each. You just need to find the right balance of what you want and what they have to offer.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #12 on:** September 27, 2006, 04:11:06 pm »

Is there a way the admins can automatically and temporarily ban anyone who asks this kind of question?

Just a thought .

Torc · « **Reply #13 on:** September 27, 2006, 05:21:21 pm »

Is there a poll for this? i'd love to see which is the most popular one.

horseboy · « **Reply #14 on:** September 27, 2006, 05:54:27 pm »

Quote from: Torc on September 27, 2006, 05:21:21 pm

Is there a poll for this? i'd love to see which is the most popular one.

So start one. Request that people reply with an explanation of why they chose that particular FE.

Marky_1979 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 27, 2006, 06:23:43 pm »

Banning thats a bit harsh

BamBam · « **Reply #16 on:** September 29, 2006, 04:40:47 pm »

Quote from: Howard_Casto on September 27, 2006, 04:11:06 pm

Is there a way the admins can automatically and temporarily ban anyone who asks this kind of question?

Just a thought .

Be nice.

Everyone has to start somewhere. I don't mind answering these questions.

biron · « **Reply #17 on:** September 29, 2006, 07:35:41 pm »

"Which frontend is best?"

daywane · « **Reply #18 on:** September 29, 2006, 08:13:25 pm »

Quote from: Howard_Casto on September 27, 2006, 04:11:06 pm

Is there a way the admins can automatically and temporarily ban anyone who asks this kind of question?

Just a thought .

Howard...
I do like you.... You have been a great help to BYOAC and Mame
I have wonderd for a few years ... why do you come across so harsh?
I do not wish to pick a fight... Not my intent. plus you will just come off with some off the wall stuff that will just leave me scratching my head and thinking ( what did he just say?)
1) you have a very nice web sight
2) made your own FE

3) know more about programing than I will ever know.
so I do envey you in some things...
BUT... why are you so bitter

I think.. you need a beer... steak....fishing.... hunting.... Park
You do seem a bit harsh more often than not.

horseboy · « **Reply #19 on:** September 29, 2006, 09:23:07 pm »

Quote from: BamBam on September 29, 2006, 04:40:47 pm

Quote from: Howard_Casto on September 27, 2006, 04:11:06 pm
Is there a way the admins can automatically and temporarily ban anyone who asks this kind of question?

Just a thought .

Be nice. Everyone has to start somewhere. I don't mind answering these questions.

I am not saying that there is anything wrong with the question, but a guy with 350+ posts isn't exactly a beginner.

daywane · « **Reply #20 on:** September 29, 2006, 10:27:33 pm »

not true
you can ring up 350 post in Every thing else FAST

headkaze · « **Reply #21 on:** September 29, 2006, 10:32:20 pm »

Quote from: daywane on September 29, 2006, 08:13:25 pm

Quote from: Howard_Casto on September 27, 2006, 04:11:06 pm
Is there a way the admins can automatically and temporarily ban anyone who asks this kind of question?

Just a thought .
Howard...
I do like you.... You have been a great help to BYOAC and Mame
I have wonderd for a few years ... why do you come across so harsh?
I do not wish to pick a fight... Not my intent. plus you will just come off with some off the wall stuff that will just leave me scratching my head and thinking ( what did he just say?)
1) you have a very nice web sight
2) made your own FE
3) know more about programing than I will ever know.
so I do envey you in some things...
BUT... why are you so bitter

I think.. you need a beer... steak....fishing.... hunting.... Park
You do seem a bit harsh more often than not.

I think the smiley face with the police hat hints at the sarcasm.

Howard_Casto · « **Reply #22 on:** September 30, 2006, 01:02:06 am »

As usual we are right in sync with each other HK. I wish I could make my humor less subtle, but there would have to be [joke] bracket support for that to happen.

Spaz Monkey · « **Reply #23 on:** September 30, 2006, 01:49:51 am »

I think that the

is semi-sarcastic....


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