dsheinem wrote:isiolia wrote:http://kotaku.com/5805374/im-a-little-i ... de-machine may interest you.
I'd agree with some of the comments there though that it's not exactly a cost-effective solution, once you factor in the iPad. Even then, probably kind of situational, since $99 towards input options for other devices with old arcade games available can buy a lot.
I'd read that - and since the iPad isn't part of my cost, that doesn't matter to me. Is there a cheaper way to build a better tabletop arcade cabinet?
Well, that'd depend...
One factor that should really be considered is software support. The iPad is a relatively closed platform - unless jailbroken - and even then is not as robust in terms of support as other platforms.
Mame on it doesn't support all games, and has very limited input options outside of the on-screen controller - WiiMote among them for Bluetooth, the iCade? Not as of yet.
The other is the form factor - yes, you net a cute little arcade cabinet, but the
functional portion of that amounts to a stand for the iPad (that doesn't charge it, have extra speakers, or anything). It just makes the thing sit upright. In fairness, though the materials may not be that costly, the time it'd take to make it look like that would justify some of the cost.
Still, functionally, it's an input device...which is why I said that.
You can use at least some wired PS3 sticks on a PC, as they're just USB. Or build a stick, or buy one made for the PC, and so on. $99 may not cover every option, but there are a lot of them. Obviously you'll have the most robust software support, configuration, and all that using a PC - and it doesn't take much of one to run most of what Mame offers.
I have an iPad free from work too - I just don't see why I would want to spend $99 just for decent controls on a (relative) handful of games. It'd just be a novelty.
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