27 replies to this topic

[Room 34]

After yet another dismal arcade auction, I have decided that perhaps I will abandon my dreams of having a set of cool original arcade cabinets in my home. (Although I will always treasure my Asteroids cocktail.)

I've decided instead that maybe I should focus on building a MAME cabinet. I'm going to make this a fairly long-term project, since I really don't have the money to be putting into this right at the moment.

Anyway... I am wondering if anyone here has built their own MAME cabinet, and specifically, what you used in it, any pitfalls you encountered, etc.

I'd like to stick with Macs, since I am a Mac guy at heart, and I think the old "gumdrop" iMacs would be a good choice to go inside the cabinet, but in any case I'll need to buy another computer, Mac or PC, to go inside, so whatever works best...

In particular I am interested in:

1. General specs of the computer you used.

2. What did you do for the controllers? (Real arcade controllers? Some kind of prefab controller unit with a USB connection?)

3. How did you set it up to make MAME easy to run and select games from? (I am planning, if I do this, to make it run ALL of my emulators, so I can play Atari 2600/5200/7800 and NES games on it as well.)

Thanks!

[tantone56]

ive never built one but stuff like this may help http://cgi.ebay.com/...&category=13716

You know it still looks pretty expensive and time consuming id rather just buy one...but I do know what you mean about them being real expensive ive been watching a few of the auctions hoping for a deal.

[Room 34]

I'm not talking about them being expensive... I'm talking about them being CRAP! There was nothing good at all at the auction today... bad games, in rotten condition!

I don't think I really need to buy this kind of set of instructions... I have a pretty clear idea already what would go into building one. Seems like someone just trying to make a quick buck. I suppose I am asking for the same info for free though! (Well... I'm really just asking if anyone has had any particular experiences. I don't need my hand held through the whole process!)

Has anyone bought/used one of these?

X-Arcade Controller

[EricDeLee]

I saw one of those x-controllers today at the Game Expo in TUlsa, OK. Very nice and sturdy. However, I spent more time playing the Galaga/Ms. Pacman game and almost rolling the score on Galaga!

I am in the process... or will be very soon ... on getting everything I need for my Mame game. I am building one similar to this one on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/...item=3243197078

I love the work on this machine! I may also include a spinner and a trackball as an attachment to this. Run some kind of wires to the side of the cab (under the CP of course) and have a small box (same style and PacMan yellow color) with the trackball and spinner attachment. Maybe figure out a way to wire a few buttons on there as well (I think I can have a wire feeding into the same part of the I-PAC that has the same fire button on the CP. use the same key assignments... but have the fire button on the small attachment so I wouldn't need to bother with the CP if I'm platying with something like Missle Command.)

I really don't know if that made any sense. It's hard to explain.

lol

Anyhow... I am saving for the PC right now. I found a cheap bundle package on the internet that is a really nice PC. The only thing is I'd like to mount a DVD drive to the front of the CP... to where I can play DVDs on the game.



I am also still working on my Atari Tabletop game as well (it is MUCH smaller then this example on ebay).



Well... I'm going to go play Stunt Cycle now. I won a drawing at the expo and that was included in the bundle of goodies I got!

Now... after seeing my first Vectrex at the Expo... I have to get my hands on one of those and a Multicart!

[IceCold]

I'm nearly done with mine. If you check out www.geocities.com/games4/icecoldatari you can see some pics. Check out www.arcadecontrols.com for TONS of information.

[tantone56]

hey room 34 what did you mean about them being crap? Ive been thinking about getting one but if there no good I guess ill reconsider

[Room 34]

I just meant that the selection at the auction I went to yesterday was really poor... very few of the "A-list" games, and almost ALL of the games were in really bad shape.

This was the third auction I've been to, and they've been declining steadily. The first one was fantastic, the second was OK, this one was so bad I didn't even bother to stick around for the bidding to start!

[PacManPlus]

Hey Man

I've actually built 7 of these, all different types (stand up, miniature, cocktail, etc) My Website:

http://pacfan69.tripod.com/cabinets/

I have a few specs on the site for each cab to answer some of your questions; if you need any help at all please do not hesitate to PM me.

The only thing, though, is that I've made them with PCs only. Can't help in the Mac area

[Room 34]

Don't worry about the Mac/PC thing. I've got that covered. I know exactly what machine I want. (I'm looking for a used G4 tower about 3 years old... those are going for about $300 now and will be just perfect for this.) All that matters is that I get a controller board with USB support, but I've got that figured out too.

I am going to check out your site now... and if I think of any questions, I'll let you know!

...

Actually, I do have one question right away... Do you use TVs or computer monitors for the display?

I think you get a more "realistic" image on a TV than on a computer monitor, so that's what I'm planning to do.

I should note that my plans for the innards do not involve me mucking with any internal electronics of anything I'm using. I'm going to use an X-Arcade controller board, connected via USB to a Power Mac G4 tower, connected via RCA cables (with any necessary adapters) to the TV for video and a set of computer speakers with a subwoofer for audio. I haven't drawn up the plans yet but I have the "guts" logically worked out in my head.

[Room 34]

BTW, the miniPac is sweet!

[PacManPlus]

Thanks

I've used each type of monitor, for instance:

1) MegaMAME uses a hybrid arcade/VGA monitor. It's like an arcade monitor (the 'fuzzyness') with a VGA connection (the correct sync) IMHO it's the best way to go just connect it up and dont worry about timing frequencies.

2) MiniMAME uses a LCD panel (from the laptop). It's ok, I just keep the scanlines on.

3) MiniPac uses a standard arcade monitor (9"!) But that was a given, because it was a real arcade board.

4) The Cocktail Cabinet uses a PC Monitor. Again, scanlines are on but it's way too sharp to capture the effect of the real ones.

By the way, I'm working on another Cocktail cab, being that I don't have my original one any more. But because I hate the woodworking part, I just got the shell from this site (by the way they are *great*):
http://www.arcadedepot.com/ The kit is just $195!!!
Haven't received it yet though (it's actually a Christmas present)
Anyway, for that one I will be using the Arcade/PC hybrid monitor (probably a Wells Gardner) - the best of both worlds!

Good Luck!

[Room 34]

Cool, thanks for the tips...

I've got some time to experiment with things before I actually put this together so I will do that and if I have any more questions, I know where to go!

[EricDeLee]

Hey Pacfan...

I've got both the minipac and the cocktail saved on my favorites for a while now. In fact... the cocktail was the first mame I looked at and wanted to build. Then I saw your mini pac and fell in love with that thing too!

No I need to convince my wife that after I make one... I need to make the other as well! lol

Man... that cocktail cab is sweet! lol

[MattG/Snyper2099]

I've built 2 MAME cabinets and am working on a third. Feel free to E-mail me if you need any help. Oh, a friend of mine built a cab. and chose to go with the Xarcade controller and is very happy with it. They are very well built for the money IMHO. The only alternative to Xarcade that I think is worthwhile is the I-Pac interface.

[PacManPlus]

@Room34 - Any Time

@Eric - Thanks so much! That's very nice of you to say

[Room 34]

MattG/Snyper2099 said:

I've built 2 MAME cabinets and am working on a third.  Feel free to E-mail me if you need any help.    Oh, a friend of mine built a cab. and chose to go with the Xarcade controller and is very happy with it.  They are very well built for the money IMHO.  The only alternative to Xarcade that I think is worthwhile is the I-Pac interface.

I'm glad to hear a positive response about the Xarcade controller. The money is about right so I'm pretty sure that's what I'm going to go with, but it'll be nice to know it's a quality piece of equipment too. I just wish it had the spinner and trackball built in too.

Here's my dream controller, but WAY out of my price range:

http://www.slikstik....co2features.htm

[video game addict]

You could easily build the slikstick, looks like I-Pac & Happs and some particle board & you're set!

I've got an X-arcade too. I like it, plus with the various adapters they offer, you have an arcade quality stick for DC, PS2, X-box, GCN, System X... Seemed to be a good buy to me.

I wanted to build a MAME cabinet too, the biggest issue I think is the monitor. I've seen some homebuilt cabs with rotating monitors! Some cool ideas out there!


Oh and Icecold your page is not working.

[Room 34]

video game addict said:

You could easily build the slikstick, looks like I-Pac & Happs and some particle board & you're set!

Ooooohhhh, no...

You've never seen the swath of destruction I leave in my wake whenever I take up a soldering iron.

Trust me... I need something that doesn't involve me messing with any internal electronics.

[Room 34]

OK, next question (a purely frivolous one)...

Part of my plan for building this is to do custom cabinet art too... which of course means I need to come up with a name.

I wanted something that blended a semi-functional name with the feel of the early '80s (and a little camp humor thrown in), so I am tentatively calling my system...

EMULATRON 2000

What do you think? I have designed a logo for it and everything...

[EricDeLee]

Room 34....

I believe it wouldn't be too difficult to hack into the x-arcade stick. You may have to buy an I-pac ... or something similar... but I'm not sure.

What I plan on doing with the pacman mini cab is building it like it is on that ebay link. I personally don't like cluttered CPs... so I will keep the 'clean' look this CP has. BUt... in the front of the CP... I'm going to have a few 'connectors' to add my extra controlls to. My goal it to somehow make this item plug and play. What I will be doing is making another small control panel that will plug into the 'plug and play connectors'. This thing will be just big enough to hold a trackball and a spinner. Also a few buttons that will be wired basically into the pre-existing buttons on the Mini Pacman's CP.

Hard to explain in words... but I think it would look really nice once it is complete. Again... I hate the cluttered CPs... that is the main reason why I plan on doing that. I also don't play that many trackball games but occaisionally I'd like to play Crystal Castles or Centipede the correct way.


(Anyone got any suggestions on what I should use so I can play Sinistar better? I'm thinking of building a separate 'Plug and Play' control panel for that as well. lol I know that it uses a special joystick or something. If there are any fans out there that know... post it here so I can see! lol I was also thinking of making a Sinistar minicab as well. lol)

[EricDeLee]

Room34...

Does the name of your game tie around the 'Tron' concept? That's a good name for sure if it does! lol

Me... I'm sticking to plain jane names. My mini pac will have a 'Pacman' marquee, bezel, CP, and sideart. Speaking of: Can anyone give any tips on this? I've seen some nice CPs... but I'm not sure how everyone makes them.

The side art I will more than likely hand paint... so that shouldn't be too bad.

[PacManPlus]

I made mine (for MegaMAME) in Microsoft Publisher, and then brought it to Kinkos to get printed.

[Nukey Shay]

EricDeLee said:

Does the name of your game tie around the 'Tron' concept?  That's a good name for sure if it does!  lol

Probably not..."TRON" (used by itself or as part of a word) just sounded "hi tech" back in the '80s. "Troff" just sounded goofy.

IBM-PC user said:

Trace on...what's the big deal?

[Room 34]

Nukey's right... not Tron. Robotron, perhaps. But there was a point where everything seemed to have "tron" at the end, and also had 2000 tacked on, since that made it sound even more "futuristic." (It sounds ridiculous now of course, but it definitely will help to lend the machine the "retro" feel I'm going for...)

[chadtower]

Just in case it interests anyone, I have a custom two player, 5 joystick arcade control that uses one of these to interface the PC:

http://www.hagstrome...om/ke72det.html

It's brilliant. I wish I could say that I built it, but I didn't. I bought it from Ron Corcoran. It really is awesome with MAME. If anyone wants pics I would be glad to supply them. I think this interface is PERFECT for building a MAME cab.