Build MAME Machine for under $450
6-11-08 - This project started out as the Midway classics arcade purchased at Big Lots for $250. It had a small 13" display no coin mech, no marquee, real weak sound and only 12 games. I ripped the guts out and stuck a computer in it that I bought from Ebay for $32 ( pent. III 1 ghz, 20 Gig HDD, 512 mb of ram). I also purchased a playstation two port controler adapter to USB. I bought 2 playstation controllers from a local video game store ($10) and preformed a controller hack to the joystick and buttons on the control panel. I bought a 20" monitor from a lady on Craigs list for $20, and purchased plexiglass from Home Depot to make the bezel as the old one was way to small and covered it with contact paper (an idea I got from other website that turned out great). I purchased the coin mech. from ebay for $35. The maquee I made myself with the left over plexiglass and printed out the design on just paper and cut to size. This is only temporary ..... Waiting on a friend to make the offiical one with custom artwork. (Talk'n about you Alex LOL) And a blacklight is placed behind this to light it (already owned). The sound system is from a 1970's stereo that was striped of its amp and speakers all of which I already owned and was just taking up space in my shed. The only other things where various parts and supplies from Radio Shack.
I am running MameUI 0.125u4, Daphne 1.2.2, Mess (great emulator that plays everthing from Atari 2600 to Super Nintendo and more), a jukebox program, and Visual Pinball/Pin Mame.
Special thanks to the folks at http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade.htm. They are the Holly Grail of MAME cabinet and control information. You guys have helped my friends and I out on our projects alot.
So there you have it. I have a few pics in the gallery, I hope to post more pics later
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