X-box mod for Mame help (Also Best Console Game Ports)

[jukingeo]

Note: For XBOX chip modding instructions click here:

Part-1

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=98838.msg1081644#msg1081644

Part-2

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=98838.msg1081646#msg1081646

This document is still in BETA format and will still be updated.  Once all errors have been corrected, I will have it made as a sticky.

Original post starts below:


Hello All,

I was looking to put together a mini arcade system that would be based on a fixed set of controls.  Since it would be small, this obviously screams 'console'.   However, I am not sure which systems that are out there that produce good arcade ports.   I would think that something on the level of the Playstation 2 or Sega Dreamcast would have some nice options.  However, I have heard the Sega Genesis is good too (but that is cartridge based and I would like something that you can easily switch between games).   I have seen those "Namco Museum" or "Taito Legends" game packs, but I am wondering how they compare to the arcade games.    I would be interested in a game package like this because it would allow me to play multiple games.  Which console has the most ports?  Which one has the better quality ports?

I am mostly after the classics such as the early 80's classics:  Pac Man, Asteroids, Space Invaders, Star Wars...etc.

Thanx,

Geo

[Ginsu Victim]

XBOX

[mike boss]

XBOX bar none !
the old school XBOX with slight "alterations" has sooooooo much you can do with it/on it.
Emulators galore.

[jukingeo]

XBOX bar none !
the old school XBOX with slight "alterations" has sooooooo much you can do with it/on it.
Emulators galore.

The Xbox, huh?

Ok, you have my attention.  Do you have some links you could refer me to in regards to these alterations?

Also could you list some classic game titles?

For the most part what I would like to do is put in one of those multi-game disks and just turn on the game and go.

Is the X-Box controller easy to hack?   I know there is an issue with the Playstation 2 controller if you hack the analog controls...you have to precisely match the resistor/pots used or else it will not work.


Now in terms of the PS2 and the Dreamcast, where would they fall in the line up if the XBox is on top?

I have heard that you could put a hard drive into an older style PS2 and run games off of that.  That is something that interests me as I do have an extra PS2 that is of this style.   Can the XBox also have a hard drive hooked up to
it?


Edit:

Ok...Hold the phone now.  I saw these videos on YouTube:




Soooo, you can run Mame on a PS2 or Xbox?!?!?!  If so, then that is the best news I heard all MONTH!  I have been designing Mame around potential PC laptops and desktops and all the while, Mame can be run on a PS2 or XBox?

As #5 in Short Circuit says, "Ahhhh, need input, MORE input!"

Thanx,

Geo

[Ginsu Victim]

Also could you list some classic game titles?

Damn near everything.

Softmod the XBOX and load it with emulators. No discs needed.

Several people have built cabinets based around XBOX.

[SNAAKE]

xbox because it plays nearly any and everything and you can add a bigger hard drive and have everything on it. and its a neat media center too. I switched to xbox looooong time ago and its been great. if you care about newer games like naomi/cps3 then just add a dreamcast in there.

[Ginsu Victim]

Soooo, you can run Mame on a PS2 or Xbox?!?!?!

PS2 version sucks.

[HaRuMaN]

I just modded a SNES controller to use on an modded Xbox for playing emulated SNES games (took a SNES and Xbox S controller to do it).

[ChadTower]

How does the SNES emu feel in terms of latency?  I tried a couple NES emulators but got tired of pressing the button and watching Mario jump a second later.

[jukingeo]

Also could you list some classic game titles?

Damn near everything.

What I meant was in terms of game packages such as "Namco Museum"  or "Taito Legends", that kind of thing.

Softmod the XBOX and load it with emulators. No discs needed.

I have read that you can also set up a PS2 to do Mame, BUT you have to hardwire mod it.  I am not in the mood to tear open a console right now.  So with the Xbox you DON'T need to mod it?

Are there links you could provide me with for further research on this?  For some reason the search engine here is a bit lame and it doesn't find everything.  Google finds more things here than this sites OWN search engine.

Several people have built cabinets based around XBOX.

I can see that.  The one fellow that I linked to on YouTube did it.   I do like the idea of this because I can get an old Xbox at Gamestop for $50.  There is NO way I could do that with PC parts.  Yet with the Xbox everything is in a nice neat package and I don't need any crazy adapters or expensive keyboard encoders.

xbox because it plays nearly any and everything and you can add a bigger hard drive and have everything on it. and its a neat media center too. I switched to xbox looooong time ago and its been great. if you care about newer games like naomi/cps3 then just add a dreamcast in there.

In terms of an 'arcade' project, I am mostly into older games from the early 90's on back.  I stopped going to arcades by the mid 90's.  Too many fighting and driving games these days.  For newer games I mostly play RPG's and games like Myst. RCT, and games like that are not good 'cabinet' games.

Ok, so everyone has me interested in the Xbox now.  So if I go to Gamestop and get one for $50, what do I do from there to set it up for Mame?

Thanx,

Geo

Soooo, you can run Mame on a PS2 or Xbox?!?!?!

PS2 version sucks.

Really?  that bad huh?  Well, I didn't care for the modding part.  I modded a bunch of PSones a while back and I am kind of sick of playing with mod chips.

I just modded a SNES controller to use on an modded Xbox for playing emulated SNES games (took a SNES and Xbox S controller to do it).

Did you have to stick a mod chip in the thing like you do with the PS1 and 2?  Or do you 'mod' an Xbox differently?

At any rate I am more interested in using the Xbox with Mame.  So if there is a good (and current) procedure for doing so then I would appreciate any links.

Thanx,

Geo

[Ginsu Victim]

What I meant was in terms of game packages such as "Namco Museum"  or "Taito Legends", that kind of thing.

They have several really good packages, including the ones you mentioned, plus the Capcom and Midway collections.

I have read that you can also set up a PS2 to do Mame, BUT you have to hardwire mod it.

There are softmod options for PS2 (though you'll need a disc like Swap Magic and a slide card or flip-top). I've been playing copied games for six years on my PS2 and I have no modchip.

So with the Xbox you DON'T need to mod it?

Softmod it. Check out xbox-scene.com

[HaRuMaN]

How does the SNES emu feel in terms of latency?  I tried a couple NES emulators but got tired of pressing the button and watching Mario jump a second later.

It's spot on.  I'll check what version I'm running when I get home.

[Ginsu Victim]

Yeah, SNES gives me no lag, but NES has a slight bit. I actually prefer SNES on my XBOX over my PC. I get lag for some reason on PC.

[jukingeo]

They have several really good packages, including the ones you mentioned, plus the Capcom and Midway collections.

Yeah, I was looking at Amazon and taking note of some packages while comparing them to videos put up on YouTube.  I AM amazed that some of the packages are pretty spot on.  But still the idea of setting up a console to do Mame does intrigue me.  Goes to show you, you can learn something new every day!

There are softmod options for PS2 (though you'll need a disc like Swap Magic and a slide card or flip-top). I've been playing copied games for six years on my PS2 and I have no modchip.

Oh, Ok, that is good. 

Softmod it. Check out xbox-scene.com

Ok, thanx I will!

Geo

[ChadTower]

I tried a couple NES emulators but got tired of pressing the button and watching Mario jump a second later.

Queue bitching about Punch-Out in 5...4...3....

That was a Super Mario Bros ---smurfette---, thankyouverymuch.

[Ginsu Victim]

I tried a couple NES emulators but got tired of pressing the button and watching Mario jump a second later.

Queue bitching about Punch-Out in 5...4...3....

That was a Super Mario Bros ---smurfette---, thankyouverymuch.

That's always my test game. You KNOW how it's supposed to feel. I use SMB for NES, SMW for SNES, and Sonic for Genesis as my test games when trying any new emulator or tweaking settings.

[ChadTower]

Exactly.  We can all play finish first level of SMB with our eyes closed.  It's a perfect latency test.

[DJ_Izumi]

Well, so much for ports.

[Ginsu Victim]

Well, so much for ports.

Who the ---fudgesicle--- needs ports when you can emulate the real thing?

[DJ_Izumi]

Well, so much for ports.

Who the ---fudgesicle--- needs ports when you can emulate the real thing?

Well, for those of us who want more modern arcade games and where emulation is currently far from practical for such games.  Though of course, now a days the arcade-> console ports are a LOT more accurate than they once were.

[jukingeo]

Well, for those of us who want more modern arcade games and where emulation is currently far from practical for such games.  Though of course, now a days the arcade-> console ports are a LOT more accurate than they once were.

Well, that is one of the beauties about using something like the Xbox (or PS2).  You could run emulators on it one sitting and then go back to the console's games the next.

BTW, guys, what can you do with the Dreamcast?  Could that thing be set up for Mame too?  I can get Dreamcasts pretty cheap.

Geo

[SNAAKE]

dreamcast is great for fighting games, racers, vertical/horizontal shooters, gun games, etc. and its all free. dc is dead and burried so you can get the games "online" and wouldnt really hurt anyone and they will just play as is without any mods or whatever.

there is a dreamcast version of mame but its garbage. dc is a 200mhz machine so I wouldnt expect decent emulation for it. xbox is still the best console for emulators.

[ChadTower]

Drawback to the DC is you have to still use DVDs.

The Xbox has almost as many great arcade ports, you can rip them to an upgraded hard drive, and play them without ever swapping any discs.  Plus you get all of the emulators and media center capability.

All in all the Xbox is probably your best bet unless you specifically want the Sega arcade ports.

[Franco B]

Drawback to the DC is you have to still use DVDs.

 

[DJ_Izumi]

Personally, I've debated building a 'PS2 Arcade'.  A cab mounted with a PS2 internally and a Trinitron TV over component.  Where the coin door would be, mount composite video ports and USB ports for attaching light guns, in the rear mount a firewire and ethernet port to link multiple cabs for iLink games or internet.

[HaRuMaN]

Drawback to the DC is you have to still use DVDs.

 

Umm.  Yeah.  DC uses CD's.

[Malenko]

Drawback to the DC is you have to still use DVDs.

 

-1 to his google-fu

[HaRuMaN]

Well, to be more accurate, DC used GD-rom (about 1gig in size), but, if you burn images properly, you can use a CD to play games.

[Ginsu Victim]

Well, to be more accurate, DC used GD-rom (about 1gig in size), but, if you burn images properly, you can use a CD to play games.

Yeah, I bought a DC a week before the Utopia disc dropped. It was a great time to be a DC owner. Now I own three Dreamcasts.

[ChadTower]

Well, to be more accurate, DC used GD-rom (about 1gig in size), but, if you burn images properly, you can use a CD to play games.

Yeah, what he said.  I just forgot if you could put them onto DVDs as well since I never actually burned anything for the DC.  

Doesn't change the main point that you still have to swap the optical media vs playing everything off a hard drive.

[HaRuMaN]

Some DC compilation disks have been made... and have 3 ~ 4 games on them.

Lack of a hard drive does suck, but not too bad...

[ChadTower]

Yeah, there are good emulator bundle ISOs out there.  I had a Dreamcast Kiosk for a few months and put an NES compilation in there.  It was pretty slick.  The kiosk ended up way uncomfortable to use for home use, though, and had like a 12" TV in it.  Just wasn't worth the space it consumed so I sold it off.

[Franco B]

Some DC compilation disks have been made... and have 3 ~ 4 games on them.

Ikaruga, Border Down, Psyvariar 2 and Zero Gunner 2 all on one disc, thank you please 

[HaRuMaN]

Some DC compilation disks have been made... and have 3 ~ 4 games on them.

Ikaruga, Border Down, Psyvariar 2 and Zero Gunner 2 all on one disc, thank you please 

I have a shooter compilation, I can't remember what's on it.  Also have a SF compilation...

[ark_ader]

I have a 80 gb Xbox with everything you can think of on it, and it works great with the X-Arcade.

I have all 253 DC games and they play nice with the X-Arcade too so if you have no room for a cab, at least you can get away with this setup for less than $200.

I just need a GC emu for the xbox.  Any suggestions?

[Ginsu Victim]

I just need a GC emu for the xbox.  Any suggestions?

I suggest.....you don't hold your breath.

[jukingeo]

dreamcast is great for fighting games, racers, vertical/horizontal shooters, gun games, etc. and its all free. dc is dead and burried so you can get the games "online" and wouldnt really hurt anyone and they will just play as is without any mods or whatever.

I sometimes play shooters or gun games if they are really good.  (Think R-Type).  I am not really good at those games and they can get nerve wracking.  I hate fighters, don't play them.  Same is true for driving games.  Driving games is all I play when I take the kids to Chuck E. Cheese.   I am fine if I don't play any 'new' driving games for the rest of my life.  I still do have a soft spot for the older games like Outrun and Pole Position though.   The trouble with emulating a driving game is all the massive work you have to go through to mimic the controls (if you want to go that far).   You would have to LOVE driving games to necessitate a dedicated setup like that.

there is a dreamcast version of mame but its garbage. dc is a 200mhz machine so I wouldnt expect decent emulation for it. xbox is still the best console for emulators.

Yeah, I was looking for the 'hard drive' option on the DC.  None to be found.  Even though I can get Dreamcasts cheap, it does look like the Xbox is the best bet as it has the Hard Drive, DVD player, and most powerful computer (out of three, PS, DC).

Drawback to the DC is you have to still use DVDs.

That is what Snaake said.  BTW, could you use memory sticks on consoles that have USB support?  I mean nowadays you can easily get 8g to 16gig on a memory stick. You could really run mame fully off of a memory stick.

The Xbox has almost as many great arcade ports, you can rip them to an upgraded hard drive, and play them without ever swapping any discs.  Plus you get all of the emulators and media center capability.

You have a site link to where I can find out how to do all this?

All in all the Xbox is probably your best bet unless you specifically want the Sega arcade ports.

Well, there are a few older Sega games that I like...like the aforementioned Outrun.  Space Harrier is another. Turbo...But I could always put those on a PC Mame machine.

For the most part, right now I am after playing faithful ports (or Mame) versions of the old 80's games like Pac Man, Space Invaders, Asteroids, Phoenix, Defender, Joust, Donkey Kong...well you get the idea.

Yeah, there are good emulator bundle ISOs out there.  I had a Dreamcast Kiosk for a few months and put an NES compilation in there.  It was pretty slick.  The kiosk ended up way uncomfortable to use for home use, though, and had like a 12" TV in it.  Just wasn't worth the space it consumed so I sold it off.

That is kind of something what I would like to do.  I would like to build a small cabinet that is light enough to move around.  Right now my living arrangements are quite constrained and I don't have a room for a large full size machine.  So I need something that I can set on a table or shelf, just something that I could quickly turn on and drop down a couple games of Ms. Pac Man or Asteroids.

Ok then, so I guess the Xbox is it then.

So I just need to dig up as much info on modding it as possible.

Thanx,

Geo

[Ginsu Victim]

You have a site link to where I can find out how to do all this?

Same one I gave you earlier

http://www.xbox-scene.com

[HaRuMaN]

^ What he said...

The Xbox mod scene is huge, there is tons of info out there, just fire up google and get started.

[ChadTower]

Just be aware that the info IS all there... but it's not organized and there are a LOT of tutorials that are years out of date with the current state of modding/homebrew.