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Hi, I hope I'm OK posting this question in here but I just wanted some advice really over buying a custom arcade bar-top kit, I need it to have artwork ( my own ) and the usual accoutrements like t-molding, buttons etc... you know the kinda thing, it's to house my own arcade game which I have made from scratch, it's a bit like 'Star Force' if you remember that game, anyway I've reached out to a couple of chaps but nothing back as yet, so I'm still fishing, thing is I feel a bit of a pain asking for a custom job, I'd have to do my own artwork for the cabinet, I'd love an illuminated marquee etc, the monitor I intend to use is a 4:3 17" Dell LCD vertically mounted, oh and a bezel also... for the screen, too much to ask ? If you would like to see my game just ask, thanks

I am just starting to get into MAME, but am overwhelmed by the options in GameEx. I can't seem to find a comprehensive tutorial. I have been content with other emulators, but am planning an arcade cabinet and would like to introduce MAME to my collection. I have a feeling that the introduction of non resalable game media is going to end my gaming addiction (at least to new games). So I think I better be retro ready! 1) What is/are the best version(s) of MAME? Do I just need one, two, or all of them? 2) I want to replay the old classic light gun games, Terminator 2, House of the dead 1 & 2, Area 51, and so on. Is there a list of supported MAME games and the versions they work in, or at least any emulator they work in? I know the dreamcast released HOD2, can I use light guns in nullDC v1.0.4? 3) I like the Ultimarc Aimtrak guns but don't know how effective the new IR camera based technology compairs to the old school true "light guns". I remember being able to use the sights and get head shots right and left. My wiimote just can't hold up to that old school tech. It doesn't have the same accuracy and when moved quickly seems to lag behind. Are these Aimtraks dead on acurate? Can they track as fast as I can point and shoot at thoes rotten zombies skulls? 4) How should I set up my monitor? I was thinking of a 32" 1080P LCD HDTV in the portrate orientation for games like 1941, and having it display 4:3 with regular games with a black bar at the top and bottom. Is there a way to do this? Can I make thoes black bars display a marquee or instructions/controlls specific to the game playing and etc? This is my first choice because I already have a TV for it (my old one). I was also thinking of picking up an old CRT for authenticity, but since you can't find old school Light guns anymore and they don't connect to computers via USB, I don't see the advantage of better quality sprites outweighing the benifets of LCD (ease of connectivity with VGA and pc audio in, built in speakers, and HD). Like I said, there are all kinds of options in GameEx and it seems overwhelming to me right now. I have a basic setup with a few MAME games, but am trying to plan an expensive build and there are too many unknowns to move forward. I would need a comprehensive tutorial (preferably video) to decide if what I have in mind is 1) possable, and 2) inexpensive enough. I'm trying to keep the total build under $500. $200 of which is already going into the 2 player arcade controlls, probably the X-Arcade Tankstiks w/trackball, either prebuilt or the DIY kit, and at least another $100 bucks for 1 Aimtrak "light gun". I fugure $150 for lumber, paint, and cabinet accessories. That just leaves $50 for misc. expences.