A small news update for April.
First major change, I make changes in my proposed retro build list. Actually, this may be the first time I clearly propose anything. More on this, below.
- CoinOps got a couple more of the same. Tiny tweaks, new names. If someone can follow and pinpoint exactly what is new and why something changed, let me know (or don’t, because in the end, I don’t care much any more). Even the guy that used to make videos on new CoinOps builds, doesn’t seem to do it any more, probably got bored and didn’t have what to say.
Yet I can say something positive for every build. All CoinOps builds are clean, fast enough and just work. Are they the builds of choice, no. Are they good enough for an arcade cabinet. Yes. - CORE Type-R. There is a significant update here. They split community packs from official packs, which makes things WAY cleaner for people that just want to install and use. That said, they released the usual stream of official (1G1R seems to have woken up) and community packs. I personally cannot follow, but I bet if someone can, the reward will be great.
- Complete Play. Colpipes78, still hasn’t forgotten non-Patreon users with a few (small) releases. Also released a new showcase video, for people that want to actually see the VAST collection of systems he has released (or are in WIP, so already semi-released).
- RBL (RetroBLISS) hasn’t made any significant update, an updated skin only. I do expect new “surprise” packs though. VMAN and his team, do a good work.
Yet, I got a hint of toxic behaviour (with sufficient proof), which is a big NO-NO to me, especially when in retro scene we already have enough toxic people.
When someone asks something (instead of stealing outright), proposing to acknowledge work, the result normally is not ban. The scene is rather small, cooperation is a must. A “plain user” possibly couldn’t care less, which is understandable yet I cannot turn a blind eye myself.
This is the last I mention about this (except if there is something very significant to update). - MBU-R by RGS. New releases. This is starting to be big. Since the project seems to be serious after all, it rises higher in my personal preference list. Keep up the good work!
On other news…
- Zomb has yet to release 0.60. Still “Any Day Now” (TM) – probably.
Last but not least. What I actually propose, depending on needs. Note that this is a strongly subjective market, yet I consider my opinion, educated.
If you want the most complete build, easy to follow and don’t mind a small purchase:
Complete Play by CP78. I also propose you join his Patreon, to get more packs (some packs cannot be released outside Patreon and there is a real reason for that) and sooner for the rest of the packs.
Also, I suggest this, if you are a fan of LaunchBox (and BigBox).
This involves paying (a tiny amount) for Patreon and paying for LaunchBox to get BigBox (price depends on type of license, I propose lifetime) – but you won’t regret any of the two.
If you can live with a big stream of updates and packs (to the point of being overwhelming, esp. if you also get community packs) and probably the most beautiful skin (although this is subjective), you should go for CORE Type-R. They are machines and don’t seem to slow down.
MBU-R is now probably #3 in my (I stress again) subjective list. Already big enough, with plan and potential.
RBL dropped to #4 (from a previous #2), for the toxic incident and because it slowed down. Still a worthy build and work done (including documentation), cannot be denied.
I will, for the third time, point that the preference list above is subjective and I understand some people may (and will) disagree.
Cheers!