DIY arcade kit with USB compatible with Lakka?

Libretro Lakka
#1

Hi!

I’m just wondering if this kit from aliexpress is compatible with Lakka?

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/DIY-Handle-Arcade-Set-Kits-24mm-30mm-Push-Buttons-5-Pin-Joystick-Replacement-Parts-USB-Cable/32685755443.html

According to the description:

Compatible Model: MAME & Fight Stick etc.

Could this work with Lakka out of the box? Just plug ‘n’ play?

Would be terrific for making cheap arcades that can be placed anywhere at my school utilizing cheap computers. and plywood. :stuck_out_tongue:

Thanks! :smiley:

#2

It probably presents itself as a USB keyboard with the buttons assigned to MAME’s default mappings. This is fine and can work but it takes some non-trivial configuration fiddling, FYI.

#3

By “non-trivial” you mean basic keyboard mapping like you would do when re-assigning keys in for example Project64 when playing with a keyboard? If so, then this should not be hard to accomplish!

I will research this USB-controller further, i’ll ask the seller some leading questions. :wink:

Thank you! I’m loving Lakka already! :smiley:

#4

Just mapping, but MAME defaults conflict with a lot of RetroArch’s hotkey assignments. You’ll have to change all those to “nul” in the config file and then assign the new keys. Once you get one set up, though, you should be able to copy that config over to any others, which is nice.

#5

Alright, so:

  1. Create config file where all hotkeys are set to “nul”.
  2. Connect the arcade usb board.
  3. Assign new keys using arcade usb board.
  4. Save as new config as “Arcade usb config” or something for later use.

Sounds good?

Thanks again! :smiley:

#6

Yeah, more or less. When I set my JPAC up (it’s another, similar encoder) a year or 2 ago, not all of the keys mapped in the ‘bind all’ menu for some reason. Dunno if that’s been fixed yet or not but I had to go back into the config file and map a couple of things manually (left bracket, maybe…?).

Getting to the menu can also be a problem if you don’t have any extra buttons. You can use one of the hardcoded combos, though.

#7

[QUOTE=hunterk;43645]Yeah, more or less. When I set my JPAC up (it’s another, similar encoder) a year or 2 ago, not all of the keys mapped in the ‘bind all’ menu for some reason. Dunno if that’s been fixed yet or not but I had to go back into the config file and map a couple of things manually (left bracket, maybe…?).

Getting to the menu can also be a problem if you don’t have any extra buttons. You can use one of the hardcoded combos, though.[/QUOTE]

Thanks! :smiley:

I will report back on my progress if we get funding for this project. :stuck_out_tongue:

Peace! :3

#8

I’ve actually got a couple of these sat here and I’m gonna be making a start on the cabinet soon BUT I’ll have a try at getting these working this weekend.

Will report back with any progress :slight_smile:

#9

[QUOTE=coldblood;43692]I’ve actually got a couple of these sat here and I’m gonna be making a start on the cabinet soon BUT I’ll have a try at getting these working this weekend.

Will report back with any progress :)[/QUOTE]

That would be very useful! I bet people would appreciate if you made a new thread dedicated to your findings! :smiley:

#10

Just a quick update, i just threw it all together to test it and it works. You have to define the buttons obviously but it doesn’t appear to be showing as a keyboard. Will properly test tomorrow at some point an record a video of it working and such.

Will also create new thread for it as I will once I’ve got everything set up too

#11

[QUOTE=coldblood;43712]Just a quick update, i just threw it all together to test it and it works. You have to define the buttons obviously but it doesn’t appear to be showing as a keyboard. Will properly test tomorrow at some point an record a video of it working and such.

Will also create new thread for it as I will once I’ve got everything set up too[/QUOTE]

Woha! That’s brilliant!

This means people can build arcade machines for next to nothing using these kits and set them up by just using Lakka! :smiley:

One example is this one, using only 1 sheet of plywood: instructables.com/id/A-Super-Easy-Arcade-Machine-from-1-Sheet-of-Plywoo/

#12

Yup much what I was thinking at the time. This one is a project with my 5 year old. She loves old games so thought it was worth spending a bit of time with her.

I’ve gone a little larger than most would have though, 2 controllers so far with 27" monitor. Hopefully buying the MDF/Plywood today depending what thicknesses I can get.

#13

[QUOTE=coldblood;43739]Yup much what I was thinking at the time. This one is a project with my 5 year old. She loves old games so thought it was worth spending a bit of time with her.

I’ve gone a little larger than most would have though, 2 controllers so far with 27" monitor. Hopefully buying the MDF/Plywood today depending what thicknesses I can get.[/QUOTE]

Cool! You should check out this experiment :wink:

Playing With My Son: An experiment in forced nostalgia and questionable parenting.

And please share pictures of the build if you can, 27" arcade sounds massive! :smiley:

#14

Seems like a good read that will have a look at it shortly

As for the 27" I got a load of monitors cheap so if this goes well I may be doing some more. Or selling the monitors depends really on how big they end up n how much my mrs complains at me haha

#15

[QUOTE=coldblood;43742]Seems like a good read that will have a look at it shortly

As for the 27" I got a load of monitors cheap so if this goes well I may be doing some more. Or selling the monitors depends really on how big they end up n how much my mrs complains at me haha[/QUOTE]

A lot of people in my area are giving away monitors which are “outdated”, but no 27" tho, just 15" or below. :stuck_out_tongue:

But they’ll work nicely for arcade machines! :]

#16

Where bouts you from?

I’m UK based so if you need one I’m sure we can sort something out

#17

[QUOTE=coldblood;43744]Where bouts you from?

I’m UK based so if you need one I’m sure we can sort something out[/QUOTE]

Norway! haha, thanks, but don’t bother, the shipping will cost more than the price of a used one. :stuck_out_tongue:

Here’s an example, “craigslist” in Norway: Screens from 0 to 200 NOK (around £18) Luckily i live in central Oslo, so there’s plenty of businesses who move and give away their equipment. I got a few rackservers layin’ about that i will setup to host offline XML dumps of wikipedia soon. :stuck_out_tongue:

#18

Yeah would be alot more to ship one over to you haha

Offers open to anyone in uk that wants one though. They are HP e271i monitors. Got about 7 sat around haha

#19

[QUOTE=coldblood;43748]Yeah would be alot more to ship one over to you haha

Offers open to anyone in uk that wants one though. They are HP e271i monitors. Got about 7 sat around haha[/QUOTE]

Dayum, nice ones! :] I hope they’ll find good homes. :3

Of curiosity, how much would it cost you to send one of those inside UK?

#20

With shipping in the UK I’ve sold them for £75 previously