Thinking of a winter project... building a free standing arcade for my 2 boys (MAME for Pac Man, Frogger, Donkey Kong, etc...). Doesn't seem too difficult. I've read some articles, watched some youtube videos, etc...

Doubt I'll go Raspberry Pi, probably re-use an old tower/chassis and buy some new hardware...speakers, video card, HD, etc... Probably run Linux for the OS.

Any good links, button, joystick recommendations, etc...?

I seem to remember SC or Marzy doing a project a year or so ago.

It was my brother.

It’s beyond awesome.

Here's mine.

Started life as this.

Awesome graphics Marzy did.

I'm using a Raspberry Pi 3.
I used Apple Pi baker to install everything.
It's stupid easy to manage.

Hey SC, do you get in to a lot of tractor/ chainsaw jousts up in the mountains?

I have a Kubota and a Stihl, where do I sign up?

Mark

Here, hold my beer...

The woodworker in me wants to dive right in and start on the cabinet. The first step I need to do is figure out how many buttons/joysticks, plus a track ball I will need, then try to figure out a layout for a panel.

There's plenty of layout templates online.

quote:

Originally posted by 1967Goat:
The woodworker in me wants to dive right in and start on the cabinet. The first step I need to do is figure out how many buttons/joysticks, plus a track ball I will need, then try to figure out a layout for a panel.

How you do your buttons/joysticks might make using an "old tower + linux" more of a headache than it's worth.
RetroPi is stupid easy to set up & use. I haven't made my own joysticks/buttons with it, but it wouldn't be hard. I use it just as a NES with some chinese NES/USB controllers.
Having to use USB joystick/pad or buying a USB bridge will probably be more expensive than the Pi3.
Pi3 has plenty of power to run most MAME, NES, SNES, etc.

I have an old LINUX PC with MAME on it and it works fine with the USB controller kit.
The Zero Delay Encoder works with the PC or Pi.

I'll be using it for my second MAME Arcade.

Been watching lots of videos and reading a bunch. I agree, Raspberry Pi 3 is probably the way to go. I saw something very early on that said a Raspberry Pi wasn't powerful enough, but I am betting that video was very old.

Wondering if I should tell the wife. Is it better to ask for permission, or beg for forgiveness?

I have just under $120 in mine.
Most everything I scrapped up.

The most advanced games do tax the Pi.(think Nintendo 64)

But the ARCADE games all run fine.
Now, I had to recompile some ROMS that were written in machine code.

X ARCADE makes some pretty slick controllers.

https://shop.xgaming.com/colle...ackball-usb-included

Includes the trackball for Golden Tee!!!!

SC would you be able to post a video of what the user interface is like and how you switch between games and the like??

I have an old XP PC that I may use since it won’t be connected to the internet. Just curious what the Raspberry Pi interface is like as I have never used it.

Yes, I'll do it tonight when I get home!

I have a PC running Debian LINUX also and the MAME (Emulationstation) works fine with it.

Link to original video: https://youtu.be/NdoqcBb672U

quote:

Originally posted by ScreamingCockatoo:



Link to original video: https://youtu.be/NdoqcBb672U

That is awesome thank you for posting!!

I have got to figure out how to do this.

It's easier that people make it out to be,
If you want, send me the PI and I'll set it up for you. All you'll have to do in plug in your stuff and turn it on.
And maybe program the controller.

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