Front-Ends

A frontend is a menu system that allows players to select from a list of games. Once a game is selected from the list, the game is launched using an appropriate emulator. Here is a list of the various emulators and a brief description of each. If needed, further information will be found on the individual page for that emulator.

Many frontends make use of a collection of screenshots, photos of cabinet and scans of flyers. These additional files can add extra information on the history or appearance of the original arcade cabinet or console game.

Frontend Software

Below is the frontend software comparison table. Click on the software's name for detailed information about that software. Please be aware that this may be incomplete! The individual pages will have the software's homepage for you to verify any information or questions you may have!

Note: Any unknown information in the table is filled with placeholders (placeholders are shown in italics).

Software	OS	Type1	Skinnable2	Monitor Orientation	Emulators3	Other Features4
AdvanceMenu		Open Source	Advanced		CMD	AM MR CAB VID LR
Arcade.EXE		Open Source	Skinnable		CMD	Features
ArcadeFE		Freeware	No		MAME only	None
ArcadeFX		Freeware	Basic		MAME only	MR
ArcadeOS		Open Source	Basic		CMD	AM MR LCD CAB LR
ArcadEpic		Freeware	Full		CMD	MR JB CAB VID
AtomicFE		Freeware	Full		CMD PC	LR MR JB CAB DEV VID
Dragon King		Freeware	Full		CMD	MR LR CAB VID DEV
EmuLaunch		Software	Skinnable	Orientation	15 arcade and console emulators	Other Features
Emulaxian/3D Arcade		Freeware	Full		CMD	MR CAB
Emuloader		Freeware	No		MAME Daphne Zinc AGEMAME PinMAME	None
GameLauncher		Open Source	Basic		CMD	MR CAB LR
GameEx		Nagware	Full		CMD PC	MR VID DEV JB LCD CAB
Kymaera		Open Source	Full		CMD	AM MR CAB JB? VID? LR
MaLa		Freeware	Full		CMD PC	MR LCD CAB DEV VID JB LR
Maximus Arcade		Commercial ($25)	Full	Orientation	39 arcade and console emulators	Other Features
MAME32		Freeware	Basic		MAME only	DEV
Mamewah		Freeware	Full		CMD PC	LR MR CAB VID DEV
Ultrastyle		Open Source	Advanced		MAME only	MR CAB VID
Wah!Cade		Open Source	Full		CMD	LR MR CAB DEV VID

1) Type:

• Open Source: is fully functional software with source code included.
• Freeware: is fully functional without payment and without nag screens and ads.
• Nagware: fully functional with reminders to donate or with advertisements.
• Shareware: has limited functionality until payment is made.
• Commercial: software is fully functional for a limited time, after which payment must be made.

2) Skinnable:

• Basic: change only the background, and maybe text size and/or color
• Advanced: change all artwork. The interface elements are locked in place, although buttons may be able to be resized
• Full: change all artwork, all interface elements can be changed (resize, moveable and resolution).

3) Emulators:

• If CMD is shown, this frontend can run all command line based emulators.
• If PC is shown, it can run PC games as well (using bat and/or shortcuts files).

4) Other Features:

• AM - Native arcade monitor support without ArcadeVGA card
• MR - Multiple Resolutions
• LR - Low Resolutions (below 640 pixels wide)
• LCD - LCD screen, such as those found at http://www.seetron.com/
• CAB - Mouse and keyboard-free operation (for cabinets)
• DEV - Under active development
• JB - Integrated Jukebox
• VID - Video snapshots (movies)