Arcade game cabinet plans

The diagram will help you cut all of the pieces with as little waste as possible. This is just a recommended cutting diagram to help you save material and keep the arcade down to two sheets of MDF to save you a little money.

PRO-TIP: If you are making more than one arcade you can stack two half sheets together and cut your parts twice as fast. The following are a parts list for items required or optional to build the Arcade cabinet. Optional items can be eliminated to reduce cost of the cabinet but may reduce functionality. The good news is that even though these plans are DIY and things do change from time to time, the vast majority of builds go smoothly and turn out awesome!

Check out some of these fantastic builds done by you guys! You can see how much you can customize your build to match your style with just a little innovation. These build notes provide helpful information in addition to those provided in the Arcade FAQ page. We suggest reading them as they can help you make decisions on the build process, especially if you are interested in customizing your arcade.

First, cut out parts A, B, C, and D. You will need two of part A as these will make up your side panels. If you have a decently accurate jigsaw, you can stack two pieces of MDF to make these at the same time. Parts B and C will make up your control panel, and part D will be the front of your keyboard tray. Next, cut out parts E, F, G, and H.

Part E sits directly under the monitor. I installed Windows but I think that Windows 98 is a good choice too because the startup screen can be easily changed and the startup speed is much better than w2k. I decided to make my own frontend because I couldn't find any just as simple as I wanted. I found the template somewhere in the internet I cannot remember where, if you do please e-mail me and I'll give the credits here Frontend summary: -Created with Visual Basic 6.

Player 1, button 3: displays a keyboard grid that allows to type some letters of the game name and go directly to the list position of the game that starts with that letters. Player 1, button 1: starts the game Insert coin button: adds a credit Player I and II start: starts the game for 1 player or 2 players of course Escape button: quits the current game.

Closes the keyboard grid. Has no effect when is pressed in frontend in other words, the frontend cannot be quitted from the control panel. The font type and size was customized to be nicely displayed on a standard TV screen. I took the "defender's" background and added the word "arcade" and some arcade characters downloaded from localarcade.

Hope you enjoy this project as I did by building it. Please comment if you like. Nice work! Reply 2 years ago. What kind of failure? If I had to do this again, i would not hack a keyboard Just use an Arduino Leonardo instead. It has built in HID so the keyboard interface construction is very simple and no ghosting!! I already used it for interfacing a mini pinball with a tablet and works like a charm Reply 3 years ago.

Question 3 years ago on Step 1. Answer 2 years ago. Hi ReddyFour! Is the best way to learn things instead of following a blueprint Question 3 years ago on Step Since the website is no longer up, will you be able to provide the cost again? It would really help someone like myself on a budget. Thanks for a well written instructable. This will help me a lot with my MAME project. A really nice looking cabinet! Reply 4 years ago. Really nice build. I am planning to do something similar too.

I am a programmer, and I also want to make my own front end. Could you please give me some info about how you did it? I do know vb6 as well. Reply 7 years ago on Step I read the gamelist file generated by Mame and then displayed it in the screen When the user choose a game, call the mame.

Basically what I do is to call command line mame. Anyway, as I mention before, there is a much better frontend than mine called MaLa which has many cool features. Thanks for your reply, that was very helpful. I know about MaLa and other cool front ends, I am just the kind of person that like to do things myself.

I also enjoy the challenge of doing things I never tried before! Hi Crusso. Great instructable. You can use a router to cut a hole in MDF and get a smooth edge for the bezel. If you setup a jig with a straight rule to control the router its actually quite easy. Youtube has a lot of videos and this is how I learnt. Reply 8 years ago on Step 8. Hi WildMan, Thank you for your comment, I have a router now but not at the time i built this arcade machine.

You're right, it would be much better with a router. Reply 9 years ago on Introduction. Wow, that looks really cool. Arthur Sep 5, - Reply. Hi, Do you know Videoval machines?? Retromash Sep 5, - Reply. Bjorn Anthoons Nov 29, - Reply. Retromash Nov 29, - Reply. Hi Bjorn. Leland Beckwith Jan 25, - Reply. Retromash Dec 10, - Reply. Maurice Feb 20, - Reply. Hi Retromash Would you be kind enough to email a copy of your plans as well please. Simon May 17, - Reply.

Hi Retromash, Excellent amount of information and exactly what I needed to make my first machine. Many thanks Simon. Retromash May 21, - Reply. Greg Jul 27, -. I would also be interested in the full plans you emailed if you do not mind. Thanks in advance. Retromash Dec 10, -. Ryan Dec 10, -. Sorry I know a lot of people are asking you for the plans. Could you email me as well? Ryan Belknap Dec 11, -. Retromash Dec 11, -. Billy Lilly Aug 28, - Reply. Retromash Sep 2, - Reply.

Bjorn Harris Apr 3, - Reply. Hi retromash What amazing level of detail you have shared. Would you also be able to share the designs with me? Cheers BJ. Retromash Nov 12, - Reply. David Liggins Apr 8, - Reply. The one you have here looks perfect. Would you be kind enough to email me the design? Many thanks David. John P Jun 8, - Reply. Hello, Could I also have the plans you used e-mailed to me please? Douglas C Jul 24, - Reply. David Johnson Jul 24, - Reply.

Try out this plan where in your game station is also a refrigerator! If you are a gamer who is a fan of the retro-style of arcade game machines and you are up for a challenge, you may want to check this project out. The creator of this project claims that this cocktail-style game box is doable by most DIY junkies, but it may take a certain expertise and time to be able to do so.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The great thing about this arcade game cabinet is that it lets you get in touch of the past and enjoy it in the present. Upcycle and Recycle your old computer parts with this project. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Sometimes we get attached to a series, a book, a movie or a game that we tend to easily give in to buying their merchandise. If you are a gamer, you would understand the urge you have to collect items and trinkets related to your fandom. Do you want to create the ultimate homage to your favorite game?

While video games are a blast, if you want to get outdoors with your DIY crafts, check out some of our DIY go-kart plans! You do not have to buy expensive game consoles or authentic vintage arcade machines to enjoy the fun of the good old days.

This project will help you build your own two-player retro game station! Even if you are not confident with your skills, this project is something you can definitely achieve and enjoy.

Technology made it possible for one phone to function as a camera, a messaging and calling device, a music player and many more. Nobody really said that multi-functionality should be exclusive to your phones. Let your inner gamer roam! If an arcade game cabinet with a mobile phone charger sounds good to you. You may want to give this plan a try. Playing driving games in your phone does not really give you the same feeling like the old school driving game console that the arcades have.

If you are someone who takes racing games seriously or maybe you just want one of those fancy consoles at home, this plan will let you know how that is done. You have heard of a two-player arcade cabinet, but they did say that the more there is the merrier.

The amazing thing about this game station is that it lets 4-players compete against each other. No more waiting for turns! The Geek Pub provides free plans for creating a retro arcade cabinet- detailing both electronic and woodworking requirements.

It can sit on top of a desk , an end table , or bar. The monitor measures at 24 inches and the computer is a Raspberry Pi running a RetroPie which apparently makes game set up simple. Another fun game you can build on your own is a DIY ping pong table — a fun family activity when your eyes get sore from video gaming!

The cupboard shell used for housing the hardware used in a video arcade game console is known as an arcade cabinet. Today various types of arcade cabinets are available in the market.