Arcade Arena next update!

I’ve been hard at work rebuilding and polishing Arcade Arena from the ground up, this release is a massive leap forward (this was still stuck with the old Myrient system!)

Arcade Arena is a frontend that aims to be a definitive solution for arcade setups (desktop, couch or Arcade cabs), it includes:

• Online Multiplayer with lobby browsing and live alerts for new games being hosted

• An experimental online Hiscore system/leaderboard (beta)

• Compatible with FBNEO and MAME full Romsets

• Filters for: All, favorites, multiplayer and hiscore compatible games.

• Uses Launchbox's Database for clean gamelists and filters

• Quick navigation for libraries with full sets (with jump to letter and search)

• I'm planning on adding some weekly challenge system or something like that, but I'm not sure yet, let me know your thoughts and if you have any new ideas!

🔰 Complete Rebuild (faster and portable)

• The entire app has been migrated to a lightweight backend. It boots almost instantly!

• Scrolling and media loading have been completely improved. You can hold down the joystick and fly through 3000+ games without problems

• Show favorites at the top of the list

• Experimental online hiscore system

🔰 New Dual-Environment Support: FBNeo and MAME

• Switch between FBNeo (for Online Multiplayer) and MAME (for Local multiplayer).

• Both modes have separated folders for romsets (latest FBNEO and v0.289 for MAME).

• Additional Versions (clones/bootlegs/hacks): In MAME mode, games with multiple releases, clones, or classic bootlegs (like Street Fighter II': Champion Edition) now feature an Additional Versions button right inside the Start Game menu

• Netplay Lobby Access: Even while browsing in MAME mode, the live Netplay ticker stays active and you can still open and join online FBNeo lobby matches at any time.

🔰 Custom Paths Support (custompaths.json)

You can use the default lfolders for romsets, screenshots and videos or point Arcade Arena directly to your existing folders by editing UserData/custompaths.json:

fbneo_roms_dir
mame_roms_dir
screenshots_dir
videos_dir

If any path is left blank, the app automatically falls back to its default portable folders.

🔰 Arcade Cabinet Ready (16:9, 4:3 & Square Screens) + UI Polish

The interface now adapts automatically whether you're on a 16:9 widescreen or a 4:3 screen.

Redesigned Modals and menus:

• Added Quick Add/Remove Favorites directly inside the game launch menu.

• Live Audio Preview Toggle: Muting or unmuting video preview audio in System Options

• Built-In Attract Mode: Enabled by default! If sits idle for 2 minutes, Arcade Arena automatically steps through your game list every 30 seconds, showing off your screenshots and video snaps. (Can be toggled on/off in System Options).

And way more, please stay tuned and try it when it releases in the next weeks! 😀

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As always, thank you so much for your continued support on Patreon it's what makes building and improving projects like this possible.