Building an Arcade/MAME Cabinet

uzumakishade · May 31, 2008, 06:55:15 PM

well ive seen some videos of these and i thought they were pretty cool so i was deciding on making one but also that ran psx, dreamcast, snes, nes, genesis, n64 etc emulators (dont know if this can be done throw mame or not havent read up on it yet) now since it will be a computer housed inside the cabinet i was thinking of buying the gamepad to pc adapters for the consoles mentioned as well as controllers for those systems as well and wanted to know if anyone had any recommendations where i can buy said adapters for cheap (as cheap as possible) as well as the controllers (besides ebay) i want to get at least two controllers for each system, besides 64 which would be 4 and want to get them as cheap as possible.

So in short im looking for

1. cheap site for psx/n64/snes/nes to usb adapters (as cheap as possible and not ebay)
2. cheap site where i can get controllers (at least 2 for each system)(not ebay) also if anyone is willing to sell me some for cheap id consider that too
3. any tips or suggestions on building this

any help will be appreciated

juancaretta · June 01, 2008, 01:32:22 AM

For the software, if you use Windows try GameEx, it's a front-end for emulators, PC games and a Media Center software. This is the website: http://www.gameex.net/

onekelly · June 01, 2008, 07:46:03 PM

http://www.mameworld.net/ here is a site with lots of info
http://directory.google.com/Top/Games/Video_Games/Emulation/Arcade/Multi_Hardware/MAME/?tc=1

i have always wanted to build a mame cabinet (well since i discovered mame back around 1998). That would be so great. Please let me know how you progress, cost-wise, and everything.

fexo · June 02, 2008, 04:59:01 AM

N64 Adaptor

http://www.adaptoid.com/

If you go via the link on the Project 64 website, they will get a cut (if you would like to help them!).

uzumakishade · June 03, 2008, 03:03:19 PM

i just remembered there was an adapter with a psx plug and a n64 plug on it, so if i can get four of those 4 cheap i can eliminate two systems at once.
if there is any snes or nes two player adapters id prefer getting those then two single player ones

kkan · June 03, 2008, 05:00:49 PM

for another multi adapter try the TRIO LINKER PLUS

edit resized image it was HUUUUUUUUUUUGE!! lol doh!

socket · June 08, 2008, 07:43:36 PM

Man, I really need to get my MAME cabinet project underway. It's been on my list forever.

onekelly · June 09, 2008, 01:53:33 PM

I haven't googled it in awhile, but what are the best sites that have plans for building a mame cabinet out there?

uzumakishade · June 10, 2008, 06:29:15 PM

theres a few it depends on the kind of cabinet you want, like a tabletop or a classic one

onekelly · June 10, 2008, 10:35:15 PM

Quote from: uzumakishade on June 10, 2008, 06:29:15 PM
theres a few it depends on the kind of cabinet you want, like a tabletop or a classic one

That is a good point, I own a Centipede tabletop (coin-op) which is great. It actually takes up much more room than you would think, stools etc. I do like those classic ones that are like 2/3 to 3/4 the size a of a real one (i have seen them at costco and target).

onekelly · June 10, 2008, 11:37:40 PM

I just looked about and unfortunately found only old versions available. Nothing recently built and most still using monster monitors. Whereas i would like to use an lcd monitor.

I did see that thing called an ipac controller that was interesting, i googled ipac and mame and clicked on first post.

Looking into it a full size would be the way i would go and maybe trim a little here and there to make it less of an eyesore.

uzumakishade · June 11, 2008, 02:57:04 PM

ya but i heard the old monitors are better for it because of the way the picture is when you look at the lcd from an angle or soemthing like that dont know for sure

kkan · June 11, 2008, 04:31:45 PM

if you google around there are plans and diagrams even artwork templates to make both table top and upright mame arcade cabinets along with how to make it using a 22" or bigger lcd screen and mounting brackets to either hang it or hold it vertical as per classic cabinets

you can get plans off ebay but hey why bother paying when you can download em for free

example using an old pc and a 17inch lcd here

socket · June 11, 2008, 10:32:55 PM

Yeah I saw a book/guide advertised on slashdot a bunch of times. I also watched a 4 part series on systm (a revision 3 show)... I havent really looked that deep into it really... It's been one of my "future projects" for a long time.

uzumakishade · June 13, 2008, 03:28:10 AM

ya theres a book called how to build an arcade machine that is highly recommended by alot of people