Tabletop Arcade Cab

[LeightonJames]

Hello Guys and Gals

 

Finally after years of wanting to, but never actually having the time to, I have started to build an Arcade Cabinet.

 

It is a tabletop cab and the cabinet itself is built. I wanted to know if anyone on here has made one that incorporates as many features as I intend to include in mine.

 

First off, the Spec:

 

Dell 19" 4:3 TFT Monitor with casing removed

AMD FX-4300 Black Edition

8GB RAM

1TB HDD (initially)

NVIDIA GTX 760

 

Emulation Station Frontend (EmulationStation)

Multiple Emulators including NES, SNES, GC, N64, Mega Drive, Master System, MAME, PSX, Wii, Wii-U (possibly, needs testing), Pinball and hopefully Fruit Machines

 

I am not asking where to get any of this stuff nor am I discussing the legality of it, what I want to know is has anyone else attempted such a thing in terms of number of items emulated.

 

I am hoping to get the fruit machine buttons to light up in line with the emulator status. The FM buttons will be on the bottom front panel and the pinball flipper buttons on the side. Any advice on this if anyone has any would be appreciated.

 

The controllers for the individual consoles will be stored in a drawer on the back.

 

It's a monumental task but one I am glad I have started. If anyone has any suggestions I am open to them.

 

Start of build

 

The USB Speakers I am using in the top of the cab

 

The Marquee and top sections added

 

Base layer of paint for testing. Will be varnished and polished when complete

Edited September 28, 2017 by LeightonJames
Added pictures

[Geoff]

Not exactly the same, but similar. I bought and restored a Midway Theatre of Magic Pinball table.

 

Internet Pinball Machine Database: Midway 'Theatre of Magic'

 

As the project you are considering is going to be a lot easier than mine (new components vs 90's tech) I think you shouldn't have any major headaches. My only advice is to check your electrics. Make sure all the buttons / lights / etc are running at the right voltages. I had great fun replacing the original sound gear in mine with a new uprated board. I also had a hell of a time replacing the incandescent bulbs with leds.

 

I wish you good luck, the end result is worth it.

[Geoff]

This table has the same mod kit as mine. Although I replaced the original scoreboard LCD with a colour one too.

 

Edited September 28, 2017 by Geoff

[Joanne]

I built this.... http://www.edugeek.net/forums/raspberry-pi-arduino-other-sbcs/166816-arcade-machine-plans.html

 

All of the consoles run from the joystick.

 

[LeightonJames]

That's pretty cool Joanne. I did think about using the joysticks for the consoles but I want it to be a full emulation center and with this in mind I decided to include the USB versions of the consoles controllers (where possible) to up the realism

[Joanne]

Yeah that's an awesome idea. Will you have joysticks for the mame emulation anyway? I bought this sort of thing, which is a USB controller with the buttons plugged in - 2 x Arcade Joysticks 20 x Buttons And 1 x 2 Player Arcade Controller Kit No2 | eBay

 

As for flashing lights.... I'm not sure. For me personally, that would be more hassle than it's worth to code something to make them flash along with the game... but then, I hate coding!!

[LeightonJames]

That's the sort of thing I'm putting in yeah but I'm going for a black and white theme for the Arcade controls.

 

Found the flipper buttons I want and I'm having a big red Launch/Start Button on the front for the pinball tables.

[Joanne]

Nice. You got any progress pics? I love looking at builds! Do you watch Ben Heck on YouTube? He does some interesting stuff.

[LeightonJames]

As soon as I have something to show I will add pictures to this thread. At the minute it's just a box lol. I might have some pictures on my home PC that I sent to someone on WhatsApp but not got anything at the minute.

[unixman_again]

I used to have the Galaxian machine shown on this page Coleco Mini-Arcade Tabletop Games | Like Totally 80s

I might still have it in my mother's loft - she's in Australia - I'll have to have a look when I go for a visit at Christmas.

[LeightonJames]

That's some good Arcade fun there unixman!

[LeightonJames]

Found some pics and added them to the first post @Joanne

[Joanne]

Sweeeeet! For the palm-rest bit I used some carbon fibre style vinyl and it was really easy to apply and gave an excellent finish. I would totally recommend vinyl. We sprayed ours and the finish isn't half as good as the vinyl.

[LeightonJames]

I'll have a look into that!