Retro Arcade Machine - anyone done one?

[UnknownStuntm...]

I am just tootling the ideas at the moment. I want a family friendly (so 2 player) bar top style machine, like this one:
https://www.instructables.com/id/2-Player-Bartop-Arcade-Machine-Powered-by-Pi/

Or this one:
https://www.tinyarcademachines.com/uploads/1/1/6/6/11664734/6088916.jpg

And by jove I'm going to build it. I'm not the worlds best woodist, but I know how to measure twice then throw away and measure twice again.

Anyone built one before? Show me!

[Matt B]

I did build one for not very many pounds. The thread is here https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=3465608

https://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/IMG_2216_zpseeb5a9b1.jpg

Mine used an unwanted PC that was donated and a cabinet that came from Gumtree. The cabinet had an old wiring loom, the monitor and speakers included which made it easier. Once MAME was up and running on the PC it was just a case of drilling holes for the joystick and buttons and wiring them into the encoder.

One thing I did add afterwards was an Act-Labs light gun for shooting games. An easy job with a box that plugs between the PC and the CRT monitor and a USB connection.

I sold it eventually. Being a full size cabinet it took up too much room and the construction under the plastic bezel meant that there was no room for dual controls. If I was going to do it again it would be a much smaller build. I did look at running it with a Pi but the PC was a freebie so I went with that.
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[andym]

I've been planning to build one of these cabinets for a couple of years now.... so far I've got as far as the emulators & roms with some of them set up in Hyperspin. I even have the spare PC and TV (32 inch, so not very retro)... all I need is the wood, controls and motivation

[BumpingUglys]

Not so much a build as a conversion. Still a work in progress but here's my efforts so far with an old 1978 Space Invaders II table I've had kicking about since the mid 90's.


https://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m6/Bumpinguglys/DSC_0267_zpsvcigbas2.jpg

Player 2 side. Sanwa microswitch joystick, 3-way button (same as the one on Matt's but painted with acrylic) and a single button 4.


https://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m6/Bumpinguglys/DSC_0268_zpsyrhmxwyh.jpg

Player 1 side: Ultimarc Ultrastik analogue joystick (based on Sanwa hardware), 2 full size buttons (red), 4 low profile (black). The fascia has been removed from this side to accommodate the buttons and everything mounted onto MDF.


https://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m6/Bumpinguglys/DSC_0269_zpsimzmjykv.jpg

Inside: Stripped 15" monitor screwed directly to the lid. Wooden batons supporting an old gutted PC. Rats nest wiring from the Sanwa joystick and some remaining original electronics (P1, P2, Coin) soldered to cannibalised PSX controller plugged into USB converter plugged into PC... PSU and speakers are in the base. Intake fan on the left hitting the CPU, Northbridge, memory and HDD, exhaust fan on the right.


https://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m6/Bumpinguglys/DSC_0270_zpsk3lm3gqx.jpg

Inside: Can really appreciate the difference between the Ultrastik and the Sanwa here. No fannying about with converters or creative wiring, the Ultrastik plugs directly into USB and has its own wiring loom supporting up to 8 buttons, with the 8th also acting as a 'shift' button, to give 15. It was expensive but I can't recommend it enough. Analogue too, so it's good to go for Outrun, Hang On etc.

Think the CPU is an Athlon 64x2 6000, graphics is a Geforce 560TI (not that it makes a difference in MAME), 4GB ram if memory serves. Performance is pretty good up until mid-90s polygon-athons or processor heavy roms; Ridge Racer and Gauntlet Legends spring to mind. The Front End I use is MALA; everything is controllable via joystick and buttons, just have it auto start from Windows.
The monitor is a bit small, but I wasn't prepared to mutilate the lid; you sit very close anyway so no biggie. Most two player games will run in cocktail mode, so horizontal split-screen with the 2P flipped and it works surprisingly well.
There's around 4000 games on there, and that's a pretty pared down list. Realistically 200 would be more than enough, there really is a lot of shit old games as well as the classics.
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Ducati M695

[UnknownStuntm...]

Update!

Got buttons, controller, screen, speakers, tiny ic amp, Raspberry Pi running RetroPie etc, etc, etc.....

I love routers. They win woodwork. I also suck at woodwork.

https://i.imgur.com/sLCXSbh.jpg

[BumpingUglys]

Looking good so far. You had it running yet?
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Ducati M695

[UnknownStuntm...]

I hashed up the controls on a panel when they first arrived to make sure the interface worked. But not in it's present form, that's Saturday night's goal.

The screen I bought was a gem - it's got a powered USB hub and a 12v output for a sound bar type effort. Which is perfect for running the marquee light strip and the audio interface. Might even have enough oomph to run the Pi too, but I'm not expecting miracles.

Once I confirm all the electronics work, I need to rip it apart again, make some proper sides for it with 2mm deep slots for the panels to rebate into, then final assembly, fill, paint, fill, paint, fill, paint, vinyl wrap.

[UnknownStuntm...]

Update time!
I've spoken to a couple of signwriting people about getting some pretties for the sides etc. I've got a Donkey Kong marquee in the post so far, I guess the theme is set now (I clearly remember Donkey Kong was the first Atari 2600 game I played on Christmas day in ... er ... 1982?)
I need to put an IEC socket for the power, with a small isolation box inside, and a back panel with magnets holding it together, but most of the work is done!

https://i.imgur.com/xuIlOTJ.jpg

[Matt B]

Looking good so far. Like the fact it's small and tabletop.
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[UnknownStuntm...]

It's done!

I'm way happy with the results. It's amateur, but I never wanted it to look like it was bought from a shop. Things I've learned include: buy a high resolution laser printer and sticky background stock. It's far easier to do that than ask a company to print for you. I used 3 companies and each one managed to get the print wrong the first time, despite an exact spec being given.

Loads of people are asking if I'll do them one, and I can't help but want to do it again - so there might be another one in the wings some time!

For now though I'll be wrecking my wrists and driving the neighbours batty with the shouting and the 8 bit toons etc.

Anyway, here's a pic:
https://cdn.bcf.44bytes.net/files/img_20160504_201949.jpg

[Minty]

Good work, well done.

Pics of you in your tartan jimjams (when they are dry)?
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My fingers smell of your mum.

[ride_to_die]

Looks pretty cool (the arcade machine not the jimjams)
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I'm not here for a long time, I'm here for a good time.

[MarJay]

I've been thinking about this, and I think I'd like to do a pinball table ideally... but it's just an idea and I'll probably never get around to it.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Matt B]

Nice job

Would look even better with some t-molding on those raw edges.

https://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server6200/ajh2rr5h/products/455/images/3897/3-4-Inch-Black-T-Molding-1__45714.1382624832.1280.1280.jpg?c=2
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[UnknownStuntm...]

[UnknownStuntm...]

[Ichy]

I built one and now regret selling it.

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/1450174_10202460807902520_1578435765_n.jpg?oh=03dd703e6685e4362069671a264914cc&oe=57A05062

I've started getting the bits together to build a pinball machine next.
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https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[UnknownStuntm...]

So I made the front page of Reddit yesterday! Lol. Build pics and some detail here:
https://m.imgur.com/a/0Y2aX

[fatjames]

[UnknownStuntm...]