View Full Version : Best MAME frontend?
I haven't really been into arcade games for a while, but there have been a few that I've been wanting to play lately. I liked MAME32, but it seems to be somewhat outdated, as it didn't have all the games listed that I wanted to play. I don't really came for MAME Classic's UI, since there doesn't seem to be an option to set controller inputs for all games instead of doing it manually for each.
Frankie_Says_Relax
08-18-2008, 06:39 PM
I haven't really been into arcade games for a while, but there have been a few that I've been wanting to play lately. I liked MAME32, but it seems to be somewhat outdated, as it didn't have all the games listed that I wanted to play. I don't really came for MAME Classic's UI, since there doesn't seem to be an option to set controller inputs for all games instead of doing it manually for each.
There's absolutely an option to do standard controller inputs across all games.
That option has been standard across all MAME 32 releases for years, and it's still included in all UI releases.
Just start a game, hit tab, and the first controller input option should be the "universal" one. The one that says "Inputs - for this game" are game specific.
jb143
08-18-2008, 06:40 PM
I depends entirely on what you want to use it for. For Mame cabinets I use Mamewah. It's tricky to set up but does everythign I need it to and more. For just playing games on my PC I use the built in text front end on the newer console mames.
There's absolutely an option to do standard controller inputs across all games.
That option has been standard across all MAME 32 releases for years, and it's still included in all UI releases.
Just start a game, hit tab, and the first controller input option should be the "universal" one. The one that says "Inputs - for this game" are game specific.
Thanks, I hadn't realized that. I may just stick with MAME Classic since I've gotten that issue sorted out.
Phosphor Dot Fossils
08-18-2008, 07:49 PM
I don't use it anymore, but man, I used to be in love with Ultrastyle. You could set it up to be a "jukebox" on its menu screen, picking randomly from a directory of whatever MP3s you liked. New wave all the way, baby! It was amazing customizable. I don't even know if it's compatible or actively supported anymore.
Frankie_Says_Relax
08-18-2008, 07:53 PM
Thanks, I hadn't realized that. I may just stick with MAME Classic since I've gotten that issue sorted out.
You'll still likely have to tweak certain games, as even some of the "universal" stuff can get screwy on games that have a ton of specific buttons (usually the 4 player games, or games with a lot of analog controls) but if you spend a bit of time setting up your universal controls you can get all the heavy joystick/button stuff out of the way for all of the games you have running.
InsaneDavid
08-18-2008, 09:20 PM
As I said in this thread (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95946) (different subject)...
Also take a look at GameLauncher (http://www.dribin.org/dave/game_launcher/), it's simple and straight forward to use, but setup takes a little time since it uses a configuration .txt file. What's cool is it supports nearly ANY command line emulator or program, it will also work with DOS flavors of MAME. I was going to use it on my Pole Position conversion but the motherboard I'm using likes to idle in DOS for a moment before loading anything so game performance was slightly hindered. However, I use GameLauncher here on my main computer to play the small MAME assortment I always have ready to go.
XYXZYZ
08-18-2008, 09:35 PM
If you're on an arcade machine MaLa is the frontend I like the most.
Trebuken
09-08-2008, 08:45 PM
I was on the avsforums and a gentleman was showing off his new setup. 50" 3D Plasma from Samsung, with 3D glasses, control panel with numerous programmable LED's, and a 6 Terabyte HTPC. Most importantly he showed off a front-end that was remarkable and I thought I'd point you guys to it. I believe you have to register to download it (haven't tried yet).
It's called Hyperspin-fe and it seems to be the real deal...
http://hyperspin-fe.com/
And for the gentleman's MAME setup...
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1063742
IronBuddha
09-08-2008, 10:09 PM
I really like using Mala, it's a frontend for all emulators. The only problem I found with it is it's a pain to exit other emulators besides MAME. And also the interface only utilizes 12 buttons, so you can only program the 12 buttons it recognizes and none of the other buttons you may have on your control panel.
I was on the avsforums and a gentleman was showing off his new setup. 50" 3D Plasma from Samsung, with 3D glasses, control panel with numerous programmable LED's, and a 6 Terabyte HTPC. Most importantly he showed off a front-end that was remarkable and I thought I'd point you guys to it. I believe you have to register to download it (haven't tried yet).
It's called Hyperspin-fe and it seems to be the real deal...
http://hyperspin-fe.com/
And for the gentleman's MAME setup...
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1063742
holy crap thats amazing :|
boatofcar
09-09-2008, 03:03 AM
I was on the avsforums and a gentleman was showing off his new setup. 50" 3D Plasma from Samsung, with 3D glasses, control panel with numerous programmable LED's, and a 6 Terabyte HTPC. Most importantly he showed off a front-end that was remarkable and I thought I'd point you guys to it. I believe you have to register to download it (haven't tried yet).
It's called Hyperspin-fe and it seems to be the real deal...
http://hyperspin-fe.com/
And for the gentleman's MAME setup...
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1063742
Heck, I would PAY for a front end that good.
Frankie_Says_Relax
09-10-2008, 12:49 AM
Heck, I would PAY for a front end that good.
That spinning front-end looks a LOT like the commercial "ultracade" units that were legally licensed for arcades about 5 or 6 years ago (maybe even a bit older) ...
... if they're not derivitave of the code from those, they're totally inspired by them.
Very very nice looking interface.
The Collector
09-12-2008, 02:29 AM
Maximus Arcade.
ssjlance
09-12-2008, 05:24 PM
MameWah for Windows, Wah!cade for Linux.
FrakAttack
09-13-2008, 05:10 AM
I was on the avsforums and a gentleman was showing off his new setup. 50" 3D Plasma from Samsung, with 3D glasses, control panel with numerous programmable LED's, and a 6 Terabyte HTPC. Most importantly he showed off a front-end that was remarkable and I thought I'd point you guys to it. I believe you have to register to download it (haven't tried yet).
It's called Hyperspin-fe and it seems to be the real deal...
http://hyperspin-fe.com/
And for the gentleman's MAME setup...
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1063742
That front end is The Shit.
That guy's emu rig needs more cowbell. LOL
poloplayr
09-15-2008, 02:04 PM
I was on the avsforums and a gentleman was showing off his new setup. 50" 3D Plasma from Samsung, with 3D glasses, control panel with numerous programmable LED's, and a 6 Terabyte HTPC. Most importantly he showed off a front-end that was remarkable and I thought I'd point you guys to it. I believe you have to register to download it (haven't tried yet).
It's called Hyperspin-fe and it seems to be the real deal...
http://hyperspin-fe.com/
And for the gentleman's MAME setup...
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1063742
holy hell!!! these days it takes a lot to impress me but that is SICK. so smooth/professional-looking. wow...simply wow.
skaar
11-09-2008, 03:05 PM
Found this looking for setup on my HTPC... Mamewah's download page down?
Flack
11-10-2008, 09:45 AM
I've been through two or three front ends on my Mame cabinet and I hate having to go through complicated (or worse, manual) setup configurations. I installed Mala last weekend and was really impressed. It took me less than five minutes to get it up and running and it does everything I need in a front end. I am only using it with MAME right now but I see that it supports other emulators. If you are having trouble setting up a front end you might give this one a shot.
I actually took a stab at making my own front end a while back. I wanted it to configure itself and build all its own lists automatically so that's what it does. It worked really great during testing with a handful of roms. Then I threw a full MAME rom set at it and it took like 15 minutes to load. Oh well, back to the drawing board. :)
cyberfluxor
11-16-2008, 05:10 PM
And for the gentleman's MAME setup...
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1063742
That's a nice setup, but it's so overboard with emulation and ROMs I'm suprised there aren't comments on the legality of his rig. I don't mind the custom work that goes into homemade MAME and arcade machine cabs, but sometimes what they are emulating just plucks a nerve.