What is pyReCADE?

pyReCADE (pronounced "pie arcade") is a Python based MAME front-end designed for use on an arcade cabinet using minimal controls (joystick and buttons).

What is it written in?

pyReCADE is written in Python and utilizes the Pygame libraries. Pygame is a graphics library built upon SDL. Because of the wide variety of platforms that python and SDL will run on pyReCADE in theory can be used under Windows, NT4, MacOS, OSX, BeOS, FreeBSD, IRIX, and Linux. It is currently being developed under Linux, so I can't speak to the accuracy of the previous statement, but in the longer term I hope to actively support at least both Windows and Linux.

What features does it have?

  • Fully customizable interface
  • Alphabetic filtering
  • Category based filtering
  • Most popular games counter and Favorites category
  • Customizable key bindings
  • Can be used with joystick and buttons
  • Supports background images as well as gradients
  • Automatic scaling of themes to any resolution
  • Screensaver with slideshow or random game mode
  • Configurable drop shadows
  • Navigation Sounds
  • Intro movie support (mpg only)
  • Ability to hide particular categories (Adult, etc)
  • Per game override settings(emulator, flags, alternate rom)
  • Custom categories with filtering
  • Compatible with catver.ini

    What features are planned?

  • Support for other emulators
  • Additional background effects
  • Background music
  • Text selection mode
  • Other things as I get bored.

    Where can I get it?

    Right now the only place you will be able to get it is via CVS from Sourceforge. You can checkout the source anonymously with the commands:

    export CVS_RSH=ssh
    cvs -d:pserver:anonymous@cvs.pyrecade.sourceforge.net:/cvsroot/pyrecade login (press enter for password)
    cvs -z8 -d:pserver:anonymous@cvs.pyrecade.sourceforge.net:/cvsroot/pyrecade co pyrecade

    If you are not using a UNIX variant or these instructions make no sense to you check out the SourceForge Site Documents.

    When will you make an official release?

    At the risk of sounding cliche "Real Soon Now". All of the features I planned for the initial release have been pretty much finished. The remaining bits are documentation and packaging issues more than anything else. Yeah I know I've been saying this for years. Sorry I suck.

    Can I see some screenshots?

    This is the default interface.



    Here is the original interface that began it all.



    An advanceMenu inspired look (before advanceMenu actually ran under Linux)



    A blatant rip off of ArcadeFX that I used to test the new layout stuff



    Hopefully those give you an idea of how the interface can be changed. I haven't had much time to spend on the aesthetics of things just yet, but expect a few prettier looking themes in the future.

    Can I help?

    Please do, I in now way claim to be a programmer. I'm just doing this for the heck of it and to learn some new things. There are A LOT of things I'd like to see done differently and I'm more than open to better ideas or patches so please pass along your thoughts. Check out the SourceForge Project Page for mailing lists, etc.

    What is this page so lame?

    Because I did it in about 15 minutes. You can find additional information on the SourceForge Project Page.

    How can I contact you?

    flemming@spiralout.net