PI build _without_ RetroArch?

[mkeveney]

I've found lots of great info here and elsewhere on using the PI with Attract Mode, but everything I've found so far is based on RetroArch.

But I have no interest in consoles or their controllers.  I'll be making a cabinet with classic arcade-style joysticks & buttons, and MAME 2003 does every game I want.

So, I wonder if RetroArch is overkill.

Has anyone here put together Pi/Attract mode/Mame combination _without_ using RetroArch?  How'd it go? Can you point me to a writeup? Given that I only want MAME, would I be missing anything if I skipped RetroArch?

btw: I _do_ like the lightweight 'Lakka' OS.  Is there a similar bare-bones distro out there that does _not_ bundle RetroArch?

TIA!

-Matt

[progets]

Here's something that might help https://arcademvs.org/raspberry-pi/raspbian-lite-setup/. Raspbian Lite with AdvanceMAME might be your best option if you don't want RetroArch or RetroPie. You can also try Raspbian Lite with MAME 0.78 (2003) like you suggest but I'm not aware of a write up on it.

[mkeveney]

Thanks for the link. 
Also found this older topic that seems to be along the same lines:

http://forum.attractmode.org/index.php?topic=223.0

Gonna have to look into diet-pi!

-Matt

[keilmillerjr]

Lakka is awesome. Its fast. RGUI has 15khz in mind. However, your not going to get attract working on it.

I have not yet tried dietpi. Id be interested to try it, except I got rid of my pi. My guide with raspbian lite runs fast.

Dont use any mame over 0.106 as it will run like shit on a pi. Install advmame and try it before going older.

[mkeveney]

> Lakka is awesome. ... However, your not going to get attract working on it.

Why is that?

> I have not yet tried dietpi. Id be interested to try it, except I got rid of my pi. My guide with raspbian lite runs fast.

Found your guide.  Good writeup!  I'll give it a shot with diet-pi.

> Dont use any mame over 0.106 ...Install advmame and try it before going older.

I used Advancemame on my first build (a cocktail cabinet about 15 years ago, based on an old PC...still going strong).  So, I may go that route...

But, I already have a 2003 ROM set.  Is there a 'vanilla' MAME 0.78 / 2003 build for the PI somewhere? ..other than the RetroArch ones?

-Matt

[keilmillerjr]

There has been a few attempts to get attract running with lakka, unsuccessful. Its based on openelec.

You can compile mame yourself on the pi. I was able to compile newer versions without any issues. I cant compile anymore because I traded my pi for a gamecube.