Arcade Machine

What is it?

A custom built arcade machine for home.

Supports MAME, Megadrive, Super Nintendo and Amiga seamlessly, with the possibility of editing a simple configuration file to add support for further emulators.

How is it done?

Hardware

• "Flat Pack" arcade cabinet from Arcade World UK.
• Arcade parts: joysticks, buttons and speakers.
• Buttons and joysticks wired using the IPAC2 keyboard encoder for compatability with emulators.
• Old 20" TFT with 4:3 aspect ratio to maximize screen size and maintain arcade scaling.
• Old Core 2 Duo Desktop PC.
• LED Strips.
• Bezel and Marquee graphics created in GIMP and printed at the local copy store.

Software

• GNU/Linux Mint 17 with custom startup script.
• Custom written game launcher (see here).
• MAME for arcade game emulation. modified to remove "nag screens" from game startup.
• FS-UAE for Amiga game emulation. Modified to accept key combination in lieu of mouse clicks (some games require a mouse click to bypass a splash screen).
• ZSNES for Super Nintendo emulation.
• Gens for Sega Genesis/Megadrive emulation.
• All emulators modified to exit on the ESCAPE key.

Build Process: