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*** Before I continue I must Acknowledge Krakerman's incredible GameRoomEX v2 as the inspiration and source for this theme. This theme is simply a port with my own artistic interpretation added. I take no credit for the original design and encourage you to check out his amazing work here. Please do not enter this theme into any competition, as it uses ideas, templates, and artwork from Krakerman's GameroomEX v2. *** Introduction: A few years back I decided to incorporate a vertical/portrait mounted monitor in an arcade cabinet build.This is a great way to view vertically scrolling shooters like 1941, while maintaining the real estate for 4:3 aspect games. It also works well as a pinballX/hyperpin setup. Unfortunately that left me with few options as far as themes were concerned. No longer!!! If you are interested in making a vertical setup there are a few things to consider first. I have included the following links to topics/problems I have run into. I present to you GameRoomEX v2 (Vertscreen): This theme features System specific themes for the following systems (see attached thumbnails for a sample). Installation Instructions: Download the theme here [1080x1920 or 768x1366] and extract it. Place the folder named "GameroomEX 2.0 ([version], Vertscreen)" into the "THEMES" folder within the GameEX folder. So you should have something like this: "C:\GameEx\THEMES\GameroomEX 2.0 (1080x1920, Vertscreen)". In the GameEX Setup Wizard, select the theme. Still in the GameEX setup wizard navigate to the "Emulator Setup" page and change the "Title Snap Path" to point at your emumovies Boxart folder (not 3d boxart) for the following systems: Still in the GameEX setup wizard navigate to the "MAME Settings" page and change the "Marquee Path" to point at your Flyers Folder. Set your OS to rotate your screen appropriately and display at the same resolution as the theme you downloaded. That's it, your ready to start GameEX and enjoy! Please Note: To get the best experience out of this theme you will want emumovies boxart, titles, and video previews for your games. The layout of this theme is specificly designed to fit their artwork's aspect ratio. Other artwork sources will work, but may not fit exactly as intended. You don't need a membership to download these, however the membership makes it MUCH EASIER AND FASTER. You may need to rename your emulator's "start page name" to match the config in the theme's main folder. Otherwise, the theme will display the default background. This theme is available in two sizes, 1080x1920 and 768x1366. Please use the one that matches your screen resolution as closely as possable. If you can, It would be best to match your Operating System's Resolution to the theme's resolution. This will prevent crashes due to GameEX re-sizing images as you navigate the menus.

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.