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All-In-One Arcade Console
ArcadEd wrote in to plug his
Arcade in a Box which is
essentially a PC ready to play MAME, but built into a console with true
arcade parts for the buttons and joystick for a more authentic arcade
video game experience. It's not quite as realistic as, say building your own cabinet, but it
definitely is a lot less time consuming ;)
I bult my own arcade about 6 months ago. In my quest I went through a lot of trouble and problems of all kinds. I had certian things that I had to have ( 4 player controller, 27" monitor ) and a few things I wanted to have (linux frontend)
After some shopping around I bought a 27" tv an older desktop pc and visited HappControllers to get the arcade items I wanted. Home Depot for lumber. I wanted to use AdvanceMame on this arcade except the tv out support on linux really sux. not to mention the s-video support on AdvanceMame isn't that great. I ended up settling with windows98se running wine32.
The stability isn't great but it does work alright. I haven't seen windows crash during a game yet but between games durring selection and such it hasn't been all that great (long term as this box stays on all the time)
If anyone is looking to do this here is what I would suggest.
hagstorm electronics has a great keyboard encoder ke72t
buy a used arcade (look on ebay sort by stuff near you) make sure it has the size monitor you are looking for and a decent cabinet.
lots of ram and 1.2+ghz if you want to play newer games
64M and 233mhz if you are just in it for the clasiscs.
have fun with it.
Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
I have built 2 MAME machines myself, both out of old cocktail style cabinets. It is my opinion that if you try to build a "do it all" control panel you will be sorely disappointed. The best control panel is one set up like the game you are emulating. It is easier if you like the classics (like I do), because their controls are similar. These monster CPO's do let you play many games, but if you are after the same feel as you remember, here are some pointers:
Keep it simple. Build more than one Control Panel if you have to play lots of games.
Use leaf switch joysticks and buttons. I used micro-switch types in my first CP, and replaced them with leaf style within a week.
There are 01 kinds of cars in the world. The General Lee, and everything else.
For those of you looking to build your own cabinets or consoles like the one shown Ultimarc is a great company thats makes the keyboard interface used in the Arcade in a box. They also mak emayn other very nice products.
Story still pending..
A namco system 22 emulator (ridge racer, ect) has been release called vivannono.
You can find out about it here.
http://www.geocities.com/viva_nonno/
A cheaper device for Atari aficionados...
Obviously you've had little or no experience with MAME.
.36 running on a 486, and it runs Pac Man, Galaga, Dig Dug, etc quite well.
Yes, for the 'classics' its' quite overkill. I've got MAME
However, when I want to bust out and kick some ass in Mortal Kombat III, the 486 just doesn't do it justice. Out comes the Athlon, and watch the body parts fly.
For more information on MAME, see news://alt.games.mame or http://www.mame.net or the alt.games.mame website at http://www.tombstones.org.uk (where you can also see my mugshot, ugly as it is)
OK, first off I am a true fan of arcade and MAME and I would never do anything to violate that. I make these boxes for those that wish to have the arcade expercience at home, and don't have the time or knowledge to build their own cabinets or boxes.
My website does not say the product is patented, it is pending, I am working with lawyers to see if it is legit. If you take the time to read my reasoning for patenting, maybe you will understand. I was torn between this for quite sometime. After posting messages at www.arcadecontrols.com and mameworld.com I came to the conclusion that I should try it. Everyone I chatted with agreed. This is not final, and I may not even go through with it considering how high the cost is.
There is nothing illegal in the box, or any modified hardware. It is no different than buying up computer parts and piecing one together to sell to a user, like most computer stores do.
My sales are not hi, and I don't expect them to be, I take great pride in each unit that I build for someone. Every piece of the unit is custom designed for the users.
Trust me, I don't have the time to be making 1000's of these and I don't plan on that. I enjoy making people happy that want to relive their childhood.
I built my first mame cabinet almost 4 years ago.
If have questions, please feel free to email me at arcaded@arcadeinabox.com
To set the record straight, in my dealings with BYOAC (www.arcadecontrols.com) and other custom built arcade cabinet sites, no one has ever created a box like this.
I am working with some programmers on getting a working copy of linux to run well on the box. I don't supply the roms. There are many ways for people to get legal roms, legally.
Happ Controls