Total Newbie- An Emulator Question

[Crimehawk]

Hey, what's up guys?
Well i haven't built anything yet, still trying to plan some stuff out.  My biggest thing was, what system games can be played?  Like what systems currently have emulators and roms for? Also, if I can't find a ROM for a certain game on the internet, but have the game, how do i make a ROM?  Is any special hardward needed?

Thanks guys, like i said, brand new to this, looked at the wiki and Newbie Guide, might have missed some stuff though.

Matt

EDIT:  Not really an emulator question I guess, but an Arcade game question non the less.  I'm into game programming and all.  If i make a computer game, can the arcade play it?  No extra inputs, just standardized Mouse and Keyobard for the games.

Also, can you put multiple games on a single arcade?

Thanks agian for the help, in advance

Matt

[bfauska]

A good place to see what emulators are available is http://www.emulator-zone.com/

I am not sure what the process is for dumping a rom from a board or cartridge (luckily I have found that people have already done it for all of the games I own, you will probably find the same.) I do know however that, the people doing the dumping are constantly seeking the rare games that have not yet been dumped and would probably be willing to preserve the data from your rare cartridges and boards if you sent them to them.  I think that there is more info on this at the emulator specific sites, which you should be able to find from the above link.

Welcome, 
Brian

[jcrouse]

Although my website is dedicated to providing support for a front end called MameWAH you can see the list of systems I have emulated and the emulator I am using based on this page, http://www.cpviewer.emuchrist.org/mamewahinifiles.htm. Some of the emulators may have more recent versions since I last updated the versions I am using on the page but you will be able to get a good idea of what is out there.

Good luck emulating,
John

[Crimehawk]

Ok, thanks for the help guys   Now, like I said in the edit.  I'm into game programming.  Can the Arcade system play that? That games use standard input stuff like Keyboard and Mouse.  I guess I can also program with a joystick, so that could be incorporated.  Btu the main question I have is, do I have to actually ahve an Emulator?  Or can it play like any games?

Matt

PS.  And am I correct that like the main guts of the arcade console is just a computer? Or is there alot more too it (besides like hoooking up the wires for the key hacks and all).

[Havok]

You've got a whole lot of reading to do...

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Main_Page