Difference between revisions of "Front-Ends"

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m (Changed some skins definitions to more frontend based, and added some destriptions.)
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{{Cleanup}}
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== Front-end Software ==
 +
Below is the front-end 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!
  
−
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 varioius emulators and a brief description.  If needed, further information will be found on the individual page for that emulator.
+
''Note: Any unknown information in the table is filled with placeholders (placeholders are shown in italics).''
 +
''Note: To be listed as Cabinet friendly, it needs to be able to be used with joysticks and buttons only (CAB).'''
  
−
Many frontends make use of a collection of [[Screens, Titles & Extras|screenshots, photo's 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.
+
{| Width="100%" valign="top" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" style="background:white; color:black; border:1px solid silver;"
 +
|- style="background:navy; color:white"
 +
| '''Software'''
 +
| '''BYOAC User'''
 +
| '''OS'''
 +
| '''Type<sup>1</sup>'''
 +
| '''Monitor Orientation <sup>2</sup>'''
 +
| '''Emulators<sup>3</sup>'''
 +
| '''Other Features<sup>4</sup>'''
 +
 
 +
|- style="background:gray; color:white"
 +
|colspan="7"|'''<center>Typical recommended frontends by BYOAC users:</center>'''
  
−
== Frontend Software ==
+
|-
 +
| [[AtomicFE]]
 +
| Youki
 +
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
 +
| Freeware
 +
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
 +
| CMD PC
 +
| CAB JB LED LR MR ST TOU VID DEV
  
−
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!
+
|-
 +
| [[GameEx]]
 +
| TSpeirs
 +
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
 +
| Shareware ($25)
 +
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
 +
| CMD PC
 +
| CAB JB LCD LED LR MR ST SW TOU VID DEV
  
−
''Note: the table is currently filled with placeholders (placeholders are shown in italics).''
+
|-
 +
| [[HyperSpin]]
 +
| BadBoyBill
 +
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
 +
| Freeware
 +
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]]
 +
| CMD PC
 +
| CAB DEV LR MR ST SW VID LED
  
−
{| Width="100%" valign="top" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" style="background:white; color:black; border:1px solid silver;"
+
|-
−
|- style="background:navy; color:white"
+
| [[MaLa]]
−
|'''Software'''
+
| Loadman (previously Swindus)
−
|'''OS'''
+
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
−
|'''Type<sup>1</sup>'''
+
| Freeware
−
|'''Skinnable<sup>2</sup>'''
+
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
−
|'''Monitor Orientation'''
+
| CMD PC
−
|'''Emulators<sup>3</sup>'''
+
| CAB JB LCD LED LR MR ST SW VID
−
|'''Other Features<sup>4</sup>'''
+
 
 +
|-
 +
| [[Mamewah]]
 +
| Minwah
 +
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
 +
| Freeware
 +
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
 +
| CMD PC
 +
| CAB DEV LCD LED LR MR ST VID
 +
 
 +
|-
 +
| [[Maximus Arcade]]
 +
| %
 +
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
 +
| Shareware ($25)
 +
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
 +
| 39+ arcade and console emulators
 +
| CAB JB LED MR ST VID
 +
 
 +
|- style="background:gray; color:white"
 +
|colspan="7"|'''<center>Recommended for Linux (both active and discounted):</center>'''
 +
 
 +
|-
 +
| [[AdvanceMenu]]
 +
| %
 +
| [[Image:OS linux icon.gif]][[Image:OS windows icon.gif]][[Image:OS DOS icon.gif]]
 +
| Open Source
 +
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
 +
| CMD
 +
| AM CAB LR MR VID
 +
 
 +
|-
 +
| [[Wah!Cade]]
 +
| Balki
 +
| [[Image:OS linux icon.gif]]
 +
| Open Source
 +
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
 +
| CMD
 +
| DEV CAB LR MR ST VID
 +
 
 +
|- style="background:gray; color:white"
 +
|colspan="7"|'''<center>Other cabinet friendly frontends:</center>'''
 +
 
 +
|-
 +
| [[Cabrio]]
 +
| Cosam
 +
| [[Image:OS linux icon.gif]]
 +
| Open Source
 +
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
 +
| CMD
 +
| CAB DEV LR MR SW VID
 +
 
 +
|-
 +
| [[Emulaxian/3D Arcade]]
 +
| )p(
 +
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
 +
| Freeware
 +
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
 +
| CMD
 +
| CAB MR SW
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[AdvanceMenu]]
+
| [[Fronty]]
−
|[[Image:OS windows icon.gif]][[Image:OS linux icon.gif]][[Image:OS DOS icon.gif]]
+
| FrontyDev
−
|''Open Source''
+
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
−
|''Skinnable''
+
| Freeware
−
|[[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
+
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
−
|''Emulators''
+
| CMD PC
−
|''Other Features''
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| CAB DEV LCD MR ST
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[ArcadeFE]]
+
| [[Khameleon]]
−
|[[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
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| Cakemeister
−
|''Freeware''
+
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
−
|''No''
+
| Open Source
−
|[[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]]
+
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]]
−
|''Emulators''
+
| CMD
−
|''Other Features''
+
| CAB DEV LR MR SW VID
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[ArcadeFX]]
+
| [[MAMELOAD TNG]]
−
|[[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
+
| Tafoid
−
|''Freeware''
+
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
−
|''Basic''
+
| Freeware
−
|[[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]]
+
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
−
|''MAME only''
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| CMD (MAME-BASED, Including MESS), M1, Final Burn Alpha
−
|''Other Features''
+
| CAB DEV MR SW
 +
 
 +
|-
 +
| [[MultiFE]]
 +
| Space Fractal
 +
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
 +
| Freeware
 +
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
 +
| Mame, CMD (Includning MESS) & PC Games
 +
| CAB DEV JB MR TOU
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[ArcadeOS]]
+
| [[UltraMame]]
−
|[[Image:OS windows icon.gif]][[Image:OS linux icon.gif]][[Image:OS DOS icon.gif]]
+
| r.cade
−
|''Open Source''
+
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
−
|''Basic''
+
| Open Source
−
|[[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
+
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]]
−
|''Emulators''
+
| MAME only
−
|''Other Features''
+
| CAB DEV MR VID
 +
 
 +
 
 +
|- style="background:gray; color:white"
 +
|colspan="7"|'''<center>Mouse based frontends:</center>'''
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[ArcadEpic]]
+
| [[EmuLaunch]]
−
|[[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
+
| %
−
|''Freeware''
+
| [[Image:OS_apple_icon.gif]]
−
|''Full''
+
| Freeware for personal use
−
|[[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
+
| Emulator dependent
−
|''Emulators''
+
| Uses Finder to open ROMS in 15 arcade and console emulators
−
|''Other Features''
+
| CAB SW
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[AtomicFE]]
+
| [[MAME32]]
−
|[[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
+
| %
−
|''Freeware''
+
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
−
|''Full''
+
| Freeware
−
|[[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
+
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]]
−
|''Emulators''
+
| MAME only
−
|''Other Features''
+
| DEV MR
 +
 
 +
|- style="background:gray; color:white"
 +
|colspan="7"|'''<center>Touch screen based frontends:</center>'''
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Dragon King]]
+
| [[SimpleTouch FE]]
−
|[[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
+
| Lave Laar
−
|''Freeware''
+
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
−
|''Full''
+
| Freeware
−
|[[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
+
| Application dependent
−
|''Emulators''
+
| CMD
−
|''Other Features''
+
| DEV ST TOU VID
 +
 
 +
|- style="background:gray; color:white"
 +
|colspan="7"|'''<center>Discontinued and/or unsupported frontends<sup>5</sup>:</center>'''
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Emulaxian/3D Arcade]]
+
| [[ArcadeOS]]
−
|[[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
+
| %
−
|''Freeware''
+
| [[Image:OS DOS icon.gif]]  
−
|''Full''
+
| Open Source
−
|[[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
+
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
−
|''Emulators''
+
| CMD
−
|''Other Features''
+
| AM CAB LCD LR MR
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Emuloader]]
+
| [[ArcadEpic]]
−
|[[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
+
| chowny
−
|''Freeware''
+
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
−
|''No''
+
| Freeware
−
|[[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]]
+
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]]
−
|''MAME, Daphne, Zinc, AGEMAME, PinMAME''
+
| CMD
−
|''Other Features''
+
| CAB JB MR VID
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[GameLauncher]]
+
| [[Dragon King]]
−
|[[Image:OS windows icon.gif]][[Image:OS linux icon.gif]][[Image:OS DOS icon.gif]]
+
| Howard_Casto
−
|''Open Source''
+
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
−
|''Skinnable''
+
| Freeware
−
|[[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
+
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]]
−
|''Emulators''
+
| CMD
−
|''Other Features''
+
| CAB LR MR SW VID
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[GameEx]]
+
| [[GameLauncher]]
−
|[[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
+
| Dave Dribin
−
|''Nagware ($19)''
+
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]][[Image:OS DOS icon.gif]]
−
|''Skinnable''
+
| Open Source
−
|[[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
+
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
−
|''Emulators''
+
| CMD
−
|''Other Features''
+
| CAB LR MR
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Kymaera]]
+
| [[Kymaera]]
−
|[[Image:OS windows icon.gif]][[Image:OS linux icon.gif]][[Image:OS DOS icon.gif]]
+
| PacManFan
−
|''Open Source''
+
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]][[Image:OS DOS icon.gif]]
−
|''Skinnable''
+
| Open Source
−
|[[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
+
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
−
|''Emulators''
+
| CMD
−
|''Other Features''
+
| AM CAB LR MR ST SW VID
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[MaLa]]
+
| [[Ultrastyle]]
−
|[[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
+
| ultrastyle
−
|''Freeware''
+
| [[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
−
|''Skinnable''
+
| Open Source
−
|[[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
+
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]]
−
|''Emulators''
+
| MAME only
−
|''Other Features''
+
| CAB MR SW VID
 +
 
 +
|- style="background:gray; color:white"
 +
|colspan="7"|'''<center>Frontends with missing "other features" tab:</center>'''
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[MAME32]]
+
| [[CabFE]]
−
|[[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
+
| %
−
|''Freeware''
+
| [[Image:OS linux icon.gif]]
−
|''Skinnable''
+
| Open Source
−
|[[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
+
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]]
−
|''Emulators''
+
| CMD
−
|''Other Features''
+
| ''Placeholder''
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Mamewah]]
+
| [[PyreCade]]
−
|[[Image:OS windows icon.gif]]
+
| flemming
−
|''Freeware''
+
| [[Image:OS linux icon.gif]][[Image:OS windows icon.gif]][[Image:OS_apple_icon.gif]]
−
|''Full''
+
| OpenSource
−
|[[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]]
+
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]]
−
|''Emulators''
+
| Mame <.106uq2
−
|''Other Features''
+
| ''Placeholder''
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|[[Wah!Cade]]
+
| [[XMAME-GUI]]
−
|[[Image:OS linux icon.gif]]
+
| %
−
|''Open Source''
+
| [[Image:Java.gif]]
−
|''Skinnable''
+
| Open Source
−
|[[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]][[Image:Monitor vertical icon.gif]]
+
| [[Image:Monitor horizontal icon.gif]]  
−
|''Emulators''
+
| SDL-MAME Only
−
|''Other Features''
+
| ''Placeholder''
 +
 
 +
 
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 +
 +
''Homepages for these FEs are gone, and are (might?) not active anymore:''
 +
 +
* ''[[Arcade.EXE]] - Windows-only MAME front-end''
 +
* ''[[ArcadeFE]] - Windows-only MAME front-end''
 +
* ''[[ArcadeFX]] - Windows-only MAME front-end''
 +
  
 
'''1)''' Type:
 
'''1)''' Type:
 
* '''Open Source:''' is fully functional software with source code included.
 
* '''Open Source:''' is fully functional software with source code included.
 
* '''Freeware:''' is fully functional without payment and without nag screens and ads.
 
* '''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 (or has nags) until payment is made.  
−
* '''Shareware:''' has limited functionality until payment is made.  
 
 
* '''Commercial:''' software is fully functional for a limited time, after which payment must be made.
 
* '''Commercial:''' software is fully functional for a limited time, after which payment must be made.
  
−
'''2)''' Skinnable:  
+
'''2)''' About software and hardware rotation:
−
* '''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
+
Most Frontends with vertical support typical require Windows to been rotated as well. Some frontends, such like Mamewah, MultiFE and others support software rotation as well.
−
* '''Full:  ''' change all artwork, all interface elements can been changed (resize, moveable and resoulution).
 
  
 
'''3)''' Emulators:
 
'''3)''' Emulators:
−
* If '''CMD''' is shown, this frontend can run all commandline based emulators.
+
* If '''CMD''' is shown, this front-end can run all command line based emulators.
 
* If '''PC''' is shown, it can run PC games as well (using bat and/or shortcuts files).
 
* If '''PC''' is shown, it can run PC games as well (using bat and/or shortcuts files).
  
 
'''4)''' Other Features:
 
'''4)''' Other Features:
−
Key:
+
*'''DEV''' - Still in developing for fixing bugs or/and supported.
−
AM - Arcade monitor
+
*'''AM''' - Native arcade monitor support without ArcadeVGA card
−
MR - Multiple Resolutions
+
*'''CAB''' - Mouse and keyboard-free operation (for cabinets)
−
LCD - LCD screen
+
*'''JB''' - Integrated jukebox
−
CAB - Mouse and keyboard-free operation (for cabinets)
+
*'''LCD''' - LCD screen, such as those found at http://www.seetron.com/
−
DEV - Under active development
+
*'''LED''' - Front-end can control a LED controller
 +
*'''LR''' - Low Resolutions (below 640 pixels wide)
 +
*'''MR''' - Multiple Resolutions
 +
*'''ST''' - Skin tool included
 +
*'''SW''' - Skinnable without tool
 +
*'''TOU''' - Touchscreen Support
 +
*'''VID''' - Video snapshots (movies)
 +
 
 +
 
 +
Howover Mamewah and MultiFE (in realtime) have software rotation as well.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
Just because a frontend is discontinued does not mean that it is a bad frontend.
 +
Either there is no more need to update it, or the author just left the project.
 +
Discontinued frontends are still used in cabinets today, and most run on both older and newer machines, though some may have some issues with newer versions of MAME.
 +
So check these out as well.

Latest revision as of 09:59, 1 June 2010

Front-end Software

Below is the front-end 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). Note: To be listed as Cabinet friendly, it needs to be able to be used with joysticks and buttons only (CAB).'

Software BYOAC User OS Type1 Monitor Orientation 2 Emulators3 Other Features4
Typical recommended frontends by BYOAC users:
AtomicFE Youki OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD PC CAB JB LED LR MR ST TOU VID DEV
GameEx TSpeirs OS windows icon.gif Shareware ($25) Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD PC CAB JB LCD LED LR MR ST SW TOU VID DEV
HyperSpin BadBoyBill OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gif CMD PC CAB DEV LR MR ST SW VID LED
MaLa Loadman (previously Swindus) OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD PC CAB JB LCD LED LR MR ST SW VID
Mamewah Minwah OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD PC CAB DEV LCD LED LR MR ST VID
Maximus Arcade % OS windows icon.gif Shareware ($25) Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif 39+ arcade and console emulators CAB JB LED MR ST VID
Recommended for Linux (both active and discounted):
AdvanceMenu % OS linux icon.gifOS windows icon.gifOS DOS icon.gif Open Source Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD AM CAB LR MR VID
Wah!Cade Balki OS linux icon.gif Open Source Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD DEV CAB LR MR ST VID
Other cabinet friendly frontends:
Cabrio Cosam OS linux icon.gif Open Source Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD CAB DEV LR MR SW VID
Emulaxian/3D Arcade )p( OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD CAB MR SW
Fronty FrontyDev OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD PC CAB DEV LCD MR ST
Khameleon Cakemeister OS windows icon.gif Open Source Monitor horizontal icon.gif CMD CAB DEV LR MR SW VID
MAMELOAD TNG Tafoid OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD (MAME-BASED, Including MESS), M1, Final Burn Alpha CAB DEV MR SW
MultiFE Space Fractal OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif Mame, CMD (Includning MESS) & PC Games CAB DEV JB MR TOU
UltraMame r.cade OS windows icon.gif Open Source Monitor horizontal icon.gif MAME only CAB DEV MR VID


Mouse based frontends:
EmuLaunch % OS apple icon.gif Freeware for personal use Emulator dependent Uses Finder to open ROMS in 15 arcade and console emulators CAB SW
MAME32 % OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gif MAME only DEV MR
Touch screen based frontends:
SimpleTouch FE Lave Laar OS windows icon.gif Freeware Application dependent CMD DEV ST TOU VID
Discontinued and/or unsupported frontends5:
ArcadeOS % OS DOS icon.gif Open Source Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD AM CAB LCD LR MR
ArcadEpic chowny OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gif CMD CAB JB MR VID
Dragon King Howard_Casto OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gif CMD CAB LR MR SW VID
GameLauncher Dave Dribin OS windows icon.gifOS DOS icon.gif Open Source Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD CAB LR MR
Kymaera PacManFan OS windows icon.gifOS DOS icon.gif Open Source Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD AM CAB LR MR ST SW VID
Ultrastyle ultrastyle OS windows icon.gif Open Source Monitor horizontal icon.gif MAME only CAB MR SW VID
Frontends with missing "other features" tab:
CabFE % OS linux icon.gif Open Source Monitor horizontal icon.gif CMD Placeholder
PyreCade flemming OS linux icon.gifOS windows icon.gifOS apple icon.gif OpenSource Monitor horizontal icon.gif Mame <.106uq2 Placeholder
XMAME-GUI % Java.gif Open Source Monitor horizontal icon.gif SDL-MAME Only Placeholder



Homepages for these FEs are gone, and are (might?) not active anymore:


1) Type:

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

2) About software and hardware rotation:

Most Frontends with vertical support typical require Windows to been rotated as well. Some frontends, such like Mamewah, MultiFE and others support software rotation as well.

3) Emulators:

  • If CMD is shown, this front-end 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:

  • DEV - Still in developing for fixing bugs or/and supported.
  • AM - Native arcade monitor support without ArcadeVGA card
  • CAB - Mouse and keyboard-free operation (for cabinets)
  • JB - Integrated jukebox
  • LCD - LCD screen, such as those found at http://www.seetron.com/
  • LED - Front-end can control a LED controller
  • LR - Low Resolutions (below 640 pixels wide)
  • MR - Multiple Resolutions
  • ST - Skin tool included
  • SW - Skinnable without tool
  • TOU - Touchscreen Support
  • VID - Video snapshots (movies)


Howover Mamewah and MultiFE (in realtime) have software rotation as well.


Just because a frontend is discontinued does not mean that it is a bad frontend. Either there is no more need to update it, or the author just left the project. Discontinued frontends are still used in cabinets today, and most run on both older and newer machines, though some may have some issues with newer versions of MAME. So check these out as well.

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