Main > Main Forum

Help for my first Cabinet

<< < (4/11) > >>

soccercop:
I enjoy all the feedback i get.  I know i am relatively late to this topic of building arcade cabinets.  I wont be using my money on building the cabinet as i don't have enough money.  My friend will sponsor my project.  This is not a small project to me.  I know it will be over US $1000 for this project.  I do not want to waste his money on a failed project. 

I see the guides on the internet....and they build the Hardware before software.   In my view, that is not correct.  What if they build all the Hardware and later found out that the software doesn't make the screen like a Real Arcade Machine.   That was my thought when i was reading those guides since a week ago.  Well, i am new to this topic and dare not judge.  My situation is different.  I want to ensure the software will make it display like a Commercial Machine....then i will ask friend to pay for for the hardware like the controls and Arcade monitor.  That is when i was introduced to the term Front End.  I will spend time on front end. 

I never thought the building a arcade machine was possible.  I grew up playing arcade machines.  My best machine i played on that gave me best impression was the NEO GEO 4 games In 1 Machine.  I am sure some members have seen this Expensive Machine.  There was 4 games to select from

1) Burning Fight
2) Art of Fighting
3) Nam 1975
4) The Super Spy


There was a select button right in the middle to select the game i want to play.  It was 60 cents a game and 60 cents is a lot to us kids.  The other machines charged 20 cents to 40 cents.  But i think it was worth the money.  Although that Neo Geo was the most expensive machine to play on (60 cent per play) it actually was the most favourable machine for arcade goers and pulled in the most revenue.  Usually arcade machines have only one game like Street Fighter and 1942.  But the Neo Geo 4 in 1 concept was new.  Even when i was small, i was thrilled on the concept that "Really an Arcade machine can support 4 games" 

So in my mind right now, the concept of making Mame display only 4 games available to play on the Screen is my aim.  I want my cabinet similar to the Neo Geo 4 games in 1 Machine.  But i want to use Mame.  Then later i can make it display 5 to 6 games.  I have been researching too fast on building my cabinet this 8 days and i think i cant handle that much.  I will slow it down and learn software (front end) first.  I am certainly pressured because I do not want to waste a friends money.  I want to build it right in the first attempt.  I will ask questions again when I don't understand.  Thanks.

Jax.

Dazz:
You keep mentioning "wasting" your friends money...  If you are just trying to preserve old memories than there is no way you can waste money unless you just never complete the project.

Are you planning on trying to make your money back with this cabinet and that is the reason why you keep asking for something "commercial looking"?   

Portnoy:
Hello please,

I from Nigeria, question please how to make MAME  take dollar bill receptor?  Please send to me joysticks and buttons and I will send you $4000 check that you cash and keep $3000 send me rest.   :)  I’m just joking.  Good luck with your cab journey! 

P

soccercop:
Sorry, i shouldn't be mentioning about wasting money here.  I am building this cabinet as self interest.  If i want to make money, I can buy a commercial arcade machine for only less than AUS $700.  My apologies if i mislead members here to think that i am here for the money.  Please forgive me.  Sorry for the misleading comments about wasting money.   I will be careful on what i post from now on....and will not to mislead members to think that i am money faced or here for money.  I truly want to learn. 

Edit:  To humbly add: if i want to make money i do have enough money to buy 2 commercial machines to make money.  But i am not here to make money.  I do feel guilty for wasting anyone's things.  I expect my project cabinet to be over $3000 Australian dollars.  I haven't been sleeping well in 8 days.  I am feeling the pressure because i just start learning 8 days ago and want to build it in December.  So rushing things means i make mistakes everywhere.....and including misleading members to think i want to make money from my cabinet.  Sorry for that.  I will slow down and be careful on what i post on from now on.  Please forgive me, Dazz.  I am not here to cause trouble or confusion.


Jax.

shmokes:
Stop worrying.  Thousands of people build their own arcade controls.  The hardware will run the software and it will look EXACTLY like a commercial arcade game.  Many people recommend building the hardware first for a couple of reasons.  1- If you get the software all set up first, you're going to waste time playing games when you should be building your cabinet.  2- Your software configuration is going to be dependent on the hardware you use.  For example, did you install a trackball?  No?  Then there's no use setting up your software to be able to play trackball games.  Did you use a TV or a real arcade monitor?  That will determine how you set up your display settings in software.  Etc.

Browsing YouTube is not going to do much for you except make you daydream about the day when you own your own arcade cabinet, rather than actually making that dream come true by actually building it.

As has been mentioned a few times already, read the Wiki (that's a link, click it). 

And, perhaps better yet, get a copy of The Project Arcade book (that is a link . . . click it).  Not only will you find pretty much all the information you need there, you will step-by-step instructions on building an arcade cabinet.  It even comes with detailed plans you can use to build the Ultimate Arcade II cab (look at the picture below).  Everything you need is there.  Exact dimensions.  Plans you can print out and use as a pattern for cutting your wood.  Lists of materials you will need.  List of tools you will need.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page

Go to full version