So you built an arcade machine only to realize you suck at every game except Galaga

So there you are, perusing AliExpress when you stumble upon 2 joysticks and 20 buttons for $16 and think,

"Well I'd be stupid not to build an arcade machine"

Parts are ordered but you have a few weeks before they get here, perfect time to try out every emulation distro under the sun...

Or do you?

It turns out most every distro is just EmulationStation repackaged (I just want MAME 2003 Plus anyway) but we have a few solid options;

RetroPie - It's Rasbian with EmulationStation, we all know it, we all love it, but it feels like a console and has an overzealous scraper.

Lakka - RetroArch's OS, simple and familiar, but looks and feels like a PS3.

Batocera - Technically a fork of EmulationStation but it feels like an arcade machine and everything can be configured with a joystick! - We have a winner!

Update: Since I did this project it looks like RecalBox has come back but still looks like a console.

Finally the parts arrive, now at this point you could make a real arcade cabinet, but wood is pricey and carpentry is hard. So instead drill some holes in an old bookshelf or coffee table, something you don't care about(or would care about more if it were an arcade). With that wired up you're ready to try out that MAME repack you found on the internet archive.

Asteroids - I was always bad at Asteroids, I started here simply because I was waiting for the scraper to finish.

Mortal Kombat - I remember knowing all the special moves not just seeing them performed on me.

Tetris - Everyone is good at Tetris.

Contra - How do I aim again?

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Apparently this game requires friends.

The Simpsons - Did this always cost $10 per level?

Galaga - Wait… I remember this.

Centipede - Never mind.

Did I get old or am I just used to a CRT display lasering the image into my brain? Who's to say