CoRnDogg's Arcade Machine Blog!

Okay, I'm dropping the whole keyboard hack idea. After thinking about it for a while, and mapping out keys for what seemed like years, I'm going to buy a keyboard encoder. This will cost a bit more than the hack(which was free), but it will make my life WAY easier going this route.

Pros:

• Dont have to map keys
• Smaller footprint
• Can use a second keyboard without a splitter
• Already setup for mame using 4 controllers w/ 8 buttins each
  
• Supports 56 connections
• No soldering
• No ghosting
• No blocking
• Programmable

Cons:

• $80 more expensive

Hmm... I think it's wort it. Check it out at ultimarc.com

Just a couple of links for anyone actually reading this site...

Emulation

Mame.net
ZopharsDomain.net
RomNation.com
Rom-World.com
MameWha.net
MameWorld.net

Arcade Controls

DreamArcades.com
HappControls.com

Arcade Machine Info

ArcadeControls.com




Will add more as I come across them...

Well, I just got back from checkin on those cabinets and it's a no go. Apparently the guy who had them had a small warehouse of them but some kids broke in a destroyed them. The guy is on his death bed and they just wanted to get rid of them. by the time I got there, there we only 3 left and there were no good parts in it. Not even a coin door. >=( Stoopid kids. I guess I missed out on it. The lady I talked to said the stuff of any value was already taken. Not really a big deal, but there was a vintage Pacman machine out there that was so messed up. It was pretty heart breaking. Oh well... I'll still be building mine. Maybe I'll put a nice tribute to Pacman on the side. It's sad to see a legend die that way. Damn shame...

Okay. All the mame cabinets I've seen on the web have buttons ordered from Happ Controls. Obviously a reputable company, but I've just come across another one... Dream Arcades. They seem pretty new, but the big thing I've noticed is that they are way friggin cheaper. I don't know first hand of the quality of either company, but dude.... There's a lot of money to be saved here. I think I'm gonna go through this company for controls. At least I'll have an idea about their quality. btw... I should be going tomorrow to check on their free arcade cabinets (see below). I might even buy a coin door with the money I'm savin...