Front-Ends

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Revision as of 21:46, 7 February 2007 by Fronty (talk | contribs) (Frontend Software: added 'Fronty' to the FE lists)
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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 Monitor Orientation Emulators3 Other Features4
AdvanceMenu OS windows icon.gifOS linux icon.gifOS DOS icon.gif Open Source Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD AM CAB LR MR VID
Arcade.EXE OS windows icon.gif Open Source Monitor horizontal icon.gif CMD Placeholder
ArcadeFE OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gif MAME only None
ArcadeFX OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gif MAME only MR
ArcadeOS OS windows icon.gifOS DOS icon.gif Open Source Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD AM CAB LCD LR MR
ArcadEpic OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gif CMD CAB JB MR VID
AtomicFE OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD PC CAB DEV JB LR MR ST VID
Dragon King OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gif CMD CAB DEV LR MR SW VID
EmuLaunch OS apple icon.gif Placeholder Placeholder 15 arcade and console emulators Placeholder
Emulaxian/3D Arcade OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD CAB MR SW
Emuloader OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gif MAME Daphne Zinc AGEMAME PinMAME None
Fronty OS windows icon.gif Shareware Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD PC CAB DEV LCD MR ST
GameLauncher OS windows icon.gifOS linux icon.gifOS DOS icon.gif Open Source Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD CAB LR MR
GameEx OS windows icon.gif Shareware ($25) Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD PC CAB DEV JB LCD MR ST SW VID
Kymaera OS windows icon.gifOS linux icon.gifOS DOS icon.gif Open Source Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD AM CAB LR MR ST SW VID
MaLa OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gifMonitor vertical icon.gif CMD PC CAB DEV JB LCD LED LR MR ST SW VID
Maximus Arcade OS windows icon.gif Commercial ($25) Monitor horizontal icon.gif 39+ arcade and console emulators CAB DEV JB MR ST VID
MAME32 OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gif MAME only DEV MR
Mamewah OS windows icon.gif Freeware Monitor horizontal icon.gif CMD PC CAB DEV LR MR ST VID
Ultrastyle OS windows icon.gif Open Source Monitor horizontal icon.gif MAME only CAB MR VID
Wah!Cade OS linux icon.gifOS windows icon.gifOS apple icon.gif Open Source Monitor horizontal icon.gif CMD CAB DEV LR MR ST 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.
  • Shareware: has limited functionality (or have nags) 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
  • CAB - Mouse and keyboard-free operation (for cabinets)
  • DEV - Under active development
  • JB - Integrated jukebox
  • LCD - LCD screen, such as those found at http://www.seetron.com/
  • LED - Frontend can control a LED controller
  • LR - Low Resolutions (below 640 pixels wide)
  • MR - Multiple Resolutions
  • ST - Skin tool included
  • SW - Skinnable without tool
  • VID - Video snapshots (movies)

See Also