I have been contemplating getting a single video game to compliment my pinball machines. I don't have a lot of room and a cocktail cabinet is the best form factor. I have done a lot of thinking, but I am basically a NOOB when it comes to vids. I have a lot of mechanical and electronic experience and can build/fix just about anything including pins. I am mostly interested in the classic style games Pacman, Galaga, Space Invaders, etc and not the Neo Geo type games or head to head fighting games. Right now I am leaning towards a 60-in-1 JAMMA vertical board set.
Below is what I am thinking and some questions. Any answers, help, comments, constructive criticism or bashing my ignorance would be appreciated. Thanks!
First of all, I want the cabinet to be brand new and I want to build it as a kit and wire it from the ground up. I live in Florida, so I want it to be solid wood or maybe plywood - no MDF or particle board (melamine). I want it to be glued and pinned together. None of those cam lock things.
1) Should I go with MAME or JAMMA 60-in-1? I have all the needed PC parts, but it seems like JAMMA is more of a plug and play setup that I won't have to mess with a ton of menus, setup and millions of games that I will never play. I am leaning towards JAMMA because I want guests to be able to turn it on and play with a minimum of coaching.
2) Should I get the third control panel? I was figuring that I would not get one if I go the JAMMA route and I would get it if I go MAME.
3) Does anyone have experience with this company and their Cabinet kits? These are the best that I have found thus far for my needs. Did I miss another vendor with cocktail kits not made of MDF/particle?
http://www.arcadedepot.com/HTML/kits.html
4) Does anyone have experience or comments on these monitors? I really want a flat screen. I am thinking about the 19 inch. Will the 26" version fit in the above cabinets? Is there another flat screen option in the 22" wide range?
http://www.hollandcomputers.com/productcart/pc/showsearchresults.asp?IDBrand=398
5) I have a spare 22" wide LCD monitor, but if I mounted it I won't be able to access the on/off switch or front panel buttons. Am I right in thinking this is a show stopper? Also, viewing angle might be a problem?
6) Do I need a coin door? Seems like a waste of money and an eyesore. This game will never be anything but home use.
7) What are the pros and cons of 8-way vs 4-way joysticks? Should I go with 8-way on both control panels?
8) Springing the extra $ for a tempered glass top instead of plexi seems like a good idea?
That's a lot of questions. Thanks for any inputs!
John
Cocoa Florida
Below is what I am thinking and some questions. Any answers, help, comments, constructive criticism or bashing my ignorance would be appreciated. Thanks!
First of all, I want the cabinet to be brand new and I want to build it as a kit and wire it from the ground up. I live in Florida, so I want it to be solid wood or maybe plywood - no MDF or particle board (melamine). I want it to be glued and pinned together. None of those cam lock things.
1) Should I go with MAME or JAMMA 60-in-1? I have all the needed PC parts, but it seems like JAMMA is more of a plug and play setup that I won't have to mess with a ton of menus, setup and millions of games that I will never play. I am leaning towards JAMMA because I want guests to be able to turn it on and play with a minimum of coaching.
2) Should I get the third control panel? I was figuring that I would not get one if I go the JAMMA route and I would get it if I go MAME.
3) Does anyone have experience with this company and their Cabinet kits? These are the best that I have found thus far for my needs. Did I miss another vendor with cocktail kits not made of MDF/particle?
http://www.arcadedepot.com/HTML/kits.html
4) Does anyone have experience or comments on these monitors? I really want a flat screen. I am thinking about the 19 inch. Will the 26" version fit in the above cabinets? Is there another flat screen option in the 22" wide range?
http://www.hollandcomputers.com/productcart/pc/showsearchresults.asp?IDBrand=398
5) I have a spare 22" wide LCD monitor, but if I mounted it I won't be able to access the on/off switch or front panel buttons. Am I right in thinking this is a show stopper? Also, viewing angle might be a problem?
6) Do I need a coin door? Seems like a waste of money and an eyesore. This game will never be anything but home use.
7) What are the pros and cons of 8-way vs 4-way joysticks? Should I go with 8-way on both control panels?
8) Springing the extra $ for a tempered glass top instead of plexi seems like a good idea?
That's a lot of questions. Thanks for any inputs!
John
Cocoa Florida

