ahh

ok let me set you guys up with some links after I explain a few things.

You can build a cabinet from scratch or do what I did... call around to local arcade machine vendors, arcades, ect. usually you can pick up a non working machine for real cheap, sometimes free. If it comes with a monitor that a bonus.



Basically you need a spare computer, the newer the better ofcourse. you can leave it in it's case or free mount all the components in the cabinet. I mounted everything in the cab. for hear reasons. Computers get hot as it is so having a computer in a case in a big wooden box is not the best idea.

Here is the list of parts you will need with links.



best joysticks, buttons, ect. great prices too

the interface to hook up all the controlls to the computer's USB port



Now the buttons and sticks are easy, 2 wires on each, 1 is ground which you can jump to each switch, the other is the signal wire that has it's own specific input.



For the trackball I used a mouse from Comp USA. opened it up, made it fit my console, then soldered the wires from the 2 arcade buttons to where the original left and right click buttons were soldered to the mouse circuit board.



For the monitor(if you need to get one) you have 3 choices.

1. get a tv MUST HAVE S-VIDEO IN, get a video card with s-video out and you are set. you must use s-video regular rca outs will distort the picture.

2. Buy an arcade monitor that has a VGA plugfor output so you can just plug into any video card

3. older arcade monitors will need an interface adaptor that can be purchased at the above link for the buttons interface.



Here are other links with some good explanations, examples, and walkthroughs of building your machine.

Overall it's really not too hard to do, I would place the cost for a 2player machine between $500-$1000 depending on what route you go.



If anyone does decide to build one and you hit some snags hit me up with a PM and I'll call you and walk you through it.



arcade machine shows,auctions

MAME Q&A

good technical site

MAME HELP

cabinet designs

a great how to site

arcade at home



Now one final thing,,, you are not restricted to just mame with all this, you can use any other emulators like nesticle ect.



also you will read where many people can only get mame to work correctly in DOS, but thats all bullshit. My machine runs perfect on windows xp professional. In fact I have it networked to my router, have a keyboard hooked up to it, and can surf the web, and use it as an ordinary computer if I need to

 

Oh cool, I just downloaded a file off kazaa that has 600 nes roms.

 

Sweet. Thanks a lot for the info, I'm gonna to get started ASAP.