Arcade Machines

Gizmocreative · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 5:06 pm�� Post subject: Arcade Machines

something that has been a bit of an obsession of mine over many many years is arcade machines and retro games.

I am looking to find the cheapest and most effective way to put together an arcade cabinet with a heap of old school games that friends can come over and jam on, or come home from a huge day at work and finish wonderboy before making dinner. plus it would add some retro charm to my place.

anyone taken on one of these projects and got any advice?
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Benza · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 5:13 pm�� Post subject:

How are you at woodwork?
You could always build a Mame Machine. You've got Mame on your x-box with all the arcade games already don't ya?
All you really need is to build the actual cabinet and put your x-box in with a tv and an arcade stick.

[edit]Forgot my link
http://chris.polymathic.net/cabinet/index.shtml
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Gizmocreative · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 5:47 pm�� Post subject:

yeah i have the arcade stick set up in front of a 32'' lcd upstairs at home, but it would be super cool to have a more official looking arcade machine downstairs for when people come over and you have a beer, put on some music and belt through simpsons arcade, streets of rage etc.

plus xbox emulation is pretty crappy, im looking more for something that will run a lot of the games smooth as butter.
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Benza · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 5:50 pm�� Post subject:

your best bet would be just putting together a PC for it then. If it's all oldschool arcade games you're after then you would be able to do it pretty cheap. Then it's just building the cabinet to house the thing.
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Fetidchimp · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 6:10 pm�� Post subject:

Which mame are you using.....mameox and kawaks work like teh awesome.....the other mame...not so much.
I have had no choppy emu on either of those...as i say though mamex is garbage and has a limited memory size so some games just wont run....
It only really needs to drop frames in some of the newer neo geo games.....one of the shoot em ups.....but i run dodonpanchi on mameox smooth as silk

Beyond all that, i have seen just the cabinet of arcade machines for sale on ebay before.....just drop it all in that
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Phreakuency · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 6:16 pm�� Post subject:

Going very slowly on mine after I got off to a quick start. The wiring is done (outside of the cab) and I'm spending ages getting the UI and directories right on my PC.

Started a thread a while back...

http://palgn.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=54188&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=building+arcade+cabinet

9warbane · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 6:37 pm�� Post subject:

A CHALLENGER APPEARS!

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grim-one · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 6:46 pm�� Post subject:

I'd love to set up an arcade machine - authentic, MAME or otherwise.

Unfortunately my wife won't let me do it unless we get a bigger house first =P
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Gizmocreative · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 6:47 pm�� Post subject:

That Cabinet looks happy

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9warbane · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 7:30 pm�� Post subject:

Oh god. Can not unsee!

Better give you some info.

There are basically 2 types, upright (mine) and c0cktail.

Cheapest way would be to build a Mame cab. It's no simple task and will take a long time, especially if it's your first time. You can choose to use a TV, PC monitor (LCD or CRT) or an arcade monitor. The arcade monitor will give you you the most authentic look but will be the hardest to set up. Personally I go with a PC monitor, got a spare CRT monitor laying around or even find one on the street?

Timber. You have a few options, I'd go with MDF because it's cheap. Remember to wear a face mask when cutting, very important!

Painting. I hate this the most. When painting MDF it will need a (or 2 or even 3) coats of MDF Primer, this is to stop the MDF from absorbing the paint and swelling. It's like white paint (can come in other shades I think) and you paint over it after in the colour of your choice. If you go gloss you'd want a spray gun. Of course some don't paint the cab and get retro artwork printed out and glue them on which looks great. Next time I'll just be grabbing some spray cans.

Brezel. This is the thing that hides the monitor and only shows the screen.
I used perspex, 3 mm thick and I painted the inside with this.

There are many other ways of doing this.

Marquee. This is the sign above the monitor. Mine is this.
It gets printed out and mine will be in between 2 pieces of perspex.

Wiring. You could buy some from a arcade place which will come with these easy hook on connections. Or the cheap option is to use network cable, works wonders and it's very cheap.

Today got a 2m and a 5m which only costs $6 and it has 6 cables in that.

You'll want a keyboard encoder or hack a keyboard (no idea how to do this).

There are quite a few guides on the net and http://www.aussiearcade.com.au/ has heaps of helpful threads and members.

I'm sick of typing now so here a a few good suppliers:
http://www.ozstick.com.au/index.html
http://www.gamedude.com.au/arcade/
http://in2amusements.com.au/index.php?p=home

Hope this helps.

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Jedi_Amara · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 7:56 pm�� Post subject:

9warbane · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:00 pm�� Post subject:

Note to self: Make Mame cab more manly.
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Sin Ogaris · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:21 pm�� Post subject:

If this were 4chan that'd be a meme by now.

Fetidchimp · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:50 am�� Post subject:

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TomKStones · Status: Offline Joined: 09 Jan 2011 Posts: 103 $poons: 8.60

LeonJ · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:45 am�� Post subject:

Fetidchimp · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:49 am�� Post subject:

http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_cabinet_plans.shtml

some of those links are bunk, but there are heaps of plans out there....
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Gizmocreative · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:19 am�� Post subject:

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9warbane · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 5:42 pm�� Post subject:

juicyman · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:12 pm�� Post subject:

http://arcadeworx.com.au/

Aussie company and decent prices.

Edit. I should mention I have never dealt with the company but have seen praise from other forums.

TomKStones · Status: Offline Joined: 09 Jan 2011 Posts: 103 $poons: 8.60

Wouldn't wan't to be getting parts from that website...

theory · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 5:55 pm�� Post subject:

^ Why?
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Phreakuency · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:49 pm�� Post subject:

They are fine, the guy from there cut my design for me, he is an absolute champion!
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grim-one · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:19 pm�� Post subject:

Just came across http://gaminggear.com.au/arcade-cabinets.html - 1 or 2 player wooden cabinets for $250 or $375 respectively. Says they're ideal for Jamma or MAME cabinets with mounted LCDs. Great if you can handle the electronics (like me) but know next to nothing about woodwork (like me).

'Ecogamer' in the checkout comments gets you $20 off too
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orsonic · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:36 pm�� Post subject:

Lately I've been eyeing out the Vewlix clone at Arcadeworx... they loook sooo good - would so love to have one of those in a games room or something xD
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