Help Please: Building my first MAME machine

[EdFick]

Hi all. I recently bought an empty cabinet from a friend of a friend. He only charged me $50 bucks, and that was only because it was precut for the controllers. My question is, does the configuration he cut look like it would fit any MAME controllers out there? Or do I need to use something like __this__ (http://www.xgaming.com/arcade_bundle.shtml)?

Also, does that kind of kit include everything I need for the controllers (I know I would need to buy the trackball separately)? or are there more parts needed to get the controller hooked up to the pc and working?

Here are some pics of the cabinet
http://www.edfick.com/fig/

and the console
http://www.edfick.com/fig/mame_cabinet/mame007.jpg

Thanks in advance

[IronBuddha]

Dude you're new and maybe don't understand. If I were you I would just take down those pictures as soon as possible and lurk around some websites out there and learn as much as you can on your own. Those pictures you've just shown will be looked down upon. You have a classic arcade cabinet in very good shape that has holes drilled into the control panel, and you're planning on finishing it off by turning it into a MAME cab. People who are into classic arcades do not like seeing this. Here's an example, if you really loved classic Corvettes would you like seeing people taking a classic vette and turning it into a demolition derby car?

I could go on and on about this subject but I think I made enough sense for you to understand. I'm just trying to save you from an onslaught.


Just do your research HERE (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=ec80197384031eab21328a722bab7c 54&) and don't show anybody else what you've just posted!

Also just wanted to add, I have converted a Joust cabinet into a MAME cabinet, the cabinet I had was a lost cause, side art was completely sanded off, control panel was cut in half etc. and it still offended people. Your cabinet is in great shape and it's going to upset people even worse then my situation.

[EdFick]

Well, I can respect that. I'm not trying to offend anyone here. I actually own several classic machines and pins myself (ms-pac man/galaga and Galaxian are a couple of my babies and would never do any harm to them). But as far as mame goes, I've always just played on my PC and always wanted a dedicated mame machine to add to my collection.

I was going to build the cabinet from scratch, but since my wood working skills are lacking (to say the least) I looked around for an empty cabinet and was offered this one, and another one, for free ($50 for this one since it was already modified). I have no plans on altering anything else. The artwork and marquee are going to remain. the only thing that was replaced was the screen as the original was pretty scratched. I will just be adding a CRT and the PC. Again, sorry if I offended anyone. I've spent the last several hours here, reading and looking at everyone's game collections, and some are very impressive. this looks like a great community and I was hoping to stick around and didn't mean to burn any bridges already.

Anyway, thanks anyway and thanks for the link.

[gonzo90017]

Go here. http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Controls
And look in the Interfacing Controls section. You'll get all the info you need.

[Kid Ice]

Don't do that to a Space Duel. Get some crappy generic late 80s cab.

(btw why so many buttons and could they possibly be closer together?)

[Pantechnicon]

Let me add one more voice to the pleading: For the love all that's right and good with this hobby, please...don't hack that Space Duel up anymore. Oh that poor control panel...It's like someone's trepanning my memories of this game from 1982 straight out of my brain.

http://www.strangedangers.com/images/content/115532.jpg


But in the interest of offering something positive: If you absolutely have to stick with this cab, it's wholly possible to remove the control panel and build something into its place. I'm not a woodworker either, but from my own MAME experience there's not much to assembline together 2 or 3 mitred pieces of plywood at the correct angles, thereby preserving the unique control panel (although it's probably too late for this one). You can even use the original control mounting bracket as a shortcut since there's no need to reinvent the wheel.

[Peale]

Let me preface this by saying: I'm 100% against the butchering of intact classic games.

That said, this cabinet is empty, right? No vector monitor? Don't paint the sides, leave the marquee intact, but put a real 19" raster arcade monitor in there. It's already converted, you may as well use it.

[GrandAmChandler]

oh sweet god and baby jesus....

OH MY GOD.

It could have been ANYTHING else. EVEN a DIG DUG. But not a SPACE DUEL!!!???

The one in my basement just cried a bit for it's fallen brother.

[Tommy]

Well he payed for it so let him do as he wishes. These things aren't going to last forever, and for that sake, seriously. We all like old school games, some take it to the next level and want to marry the damn things. :deadhorse:

[Nikademus1969]

Could be worse...he could be wanting to do something like this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/80s-Action-Arcade-48-game-system_W0QQitemZ140243347010QQihZ004QQcategoryZ137 16QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I think playing something like that would make my eyeballs bleed.

[Pantechnicon]

A local hellcade (http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/ele/713644069.html) example recently put up on Craigslist. ~ $2300?! Even has the audacity to call it the "Rolls Royce package" :shameful:. At least this one looks like it might be possible to restore it to its original Donkey Kong state of goodness.

EDIT - It's worse...this guy has a whole website (http://www.arcadehollywood.net/401.html) dedicated to his dark arts.

[InsaneDavid]

oh sweet god and baby jesus....

My sentiments exactly. When I clicked on the picture link it was as if someone was squeezing my heart in my chest.

[GreatBazunka]

EDIT - It's worse...this guy has a whole website (http://www.arcadehollywood.net/401.html) dedicated to his dark arts.

OMG i just wept a little. I recetly got my first arcade (Popeye by Nintendo) and have to do some slight restoration on it. When i saw the slaughter that has been performed on this donkey kong, i was hurt inside. It does look like it might not be inpossible to restore it back to life though. I mean who really want to play bust a move in an arcade cabinet. Just doesnt sound like fun to me.

[Sanriostar]

I'd rather see 2girls1cup than see that site again....

[XianXi]

Why do I doubt this guy owns classic cabs? If he was a classic cab collector he would know better. Get a Dynamo cab.

[kaedesdisciple]

A local hellcade (http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/ele/713644069.html) example recently put up on Craigslist. ~ $2300?! Even has the audacity to call it the "Rolls Royce package" :shameful:. At least this one looks like it might be possible to restore it to its original Donkey Kong state of goodness.

EDIT - It's worse...this guy has a whole website (http://www.arcadehollywood.net/401.html) dedicated to his dark arts.

Wow, that really is one of the most offensive things I have ever seen. When I saw that website, my inner child crawled up into a little corner and cried.

[Blur2040]

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[shawnbo42]

Yeah, pretty much what everybody else said, this guy needs a good pimp slap. Mame-ing a generic Dynamo cab, who cares. Space Duel, Asteroids, Tempest, etc?! WTF? Hey, I got a great idea, let's all take our classic cabs in really nice shape, rip out the guts of the machine, and make it WORTHLESS by installing a PC that'll be outdated in 2-4 years, and HACKING the control panel to put ASSLOADS of buttons on it!! What an awesome idea! Rock on, dude! I guess I'll start with my Spy Hunter and Zoo Keeper cabinets, let me go sand them down right now to prep them for paint.

Ok, enough ranting, but why in God's name would you WANT to mame that stuff? Why not just pick up 10 or 20 junk cabs for $50 apiece or so, and mame those? I fail to see the logic behind this guy's "business".

[DKTheArcadeRat]

So I'm taking a trip to his "studio" and am going to kill him. (Shhh. I didn't say that)

[shawnbo42]

Instead of going that route, why don't you Mame HIM instead? He said it himself, "You name it, I'll mame it."