:: UNICADE PROJECT - INTERFACE ::

MY CUSTOM MADE INTERFACE

I wrote a very simple front-end interface to run ALL of my favorite MAME game emulations. By default this program loads from AUTOEXEC.BAT and if I press ESC it takes me to the DOS prompt. From there I programmed some simple batch files to call off other emulators. For example "R.BAT", so that if I pressed the R button and ENTER it calls up RETROCADE. Slick eh -- no need to access the keyboard to load another emulator! Williams and Sparade are also programmed in there, and a key to fire up Windoze98 if I need to surf the internet. The software also remembers that last ROM played, so that when the machine is powered off and on it automatically executes the last game played! Slick eh!

As promised before I said I would share the code with all who wanted it. There is no support for it so don't bother e-mailing me on it. Click here to download MMENU.ZIP. All should be unzipped to a sub-directory called C:\MAME\MENU. -- and the program gets called from MM.BAT.

OTHER FRONT-ENDS

I recently came across a DOS interface program called ArcadeOS. It looks pretty good, and I am currently trying to get it to work with my machine. I prefer the DOS interfaces over the Windows ones simply because I want the maximum speed possible out of my piddly 486 (at least until I can upgrade).

If I was to recommend a Windows interface to you though, you wouldn't go wrong by stopping by Arcade@Home to see what Tim has concocted. Very nice indeed!

Finally, my buddy Kevin also wrote his own interface, and also contacted a few game programmers to customize their games for him solely to run on his box. The changes he requested were to bypass the PC splash screens and such so as to add to the reality of the games. I'll be dammed that he found a programmer willing to recompile the Williams Arcade Classic Game just for him! The product is well past it's shelf life! Way to go Kevin! I know I wouldn't even ask on a dare! So be sure to check out the awesome patches hat Kevin has brought to the gaming community here.

UPDATE: 2001 - When I recently added a Spinner Control I redesigned a new customer interface in Visual Basic. I may add this one here one day. For now I prefer ArcadeOS.