View Full Version : Home Built Arcade
Pepperamip
03-06-2019, 10:35
For anyone who has fond memories of the old stand up arcade machines you can build your own these days if you have the time and inclination.
Mine started off as a bartop arcade which I bought as a shell in raw mdf flat pack form. The display is an old dell pc monitor. The brains is a rpi running retro pi as the software.
I found a website that could supply the rest: buttons, joysticks, wiring loom, speakers etc... and with a bit of help from my bro we got it up and running first time.
It was an enjoyable project and not difficult buy any means although you probably will need a bit of IT knowledge and a good few man hours.
As it was being put away and not used much I've just finished a stand I made from a single slab of 2.4m x 1.2m 18mm MDF and b&q doing most of the important cuts. Hopefully now it will get a bit more use, by my kids and me.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190603/1b60ecf8c0095b80987e33a5238d0cfb.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190603/4c8c5dc4aa136ab3b506f01459c2bee4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190603/933c3e664bb67132c336b4b38f3223e4.jpg
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Outstanding.
I was after one of the old tabletop ones for years but they are so expensive. I noticed you can get kits now but I'd never get round to it and I'm totally cack-handed. Which you obviously aren't. Settled for one of the Atari retro consoles instead.
Has it got a selection of games on it or just Pac Man?
Top job there Paul! Fabulous.
Pepperamip
03-06-2019, 12:04
Cheers lads.
Macca it's got about 300 old games on it and not just arcade. Some of the early console games are available and all selected from a pretty home page.
A couple of things left to do like moving the power socket so I can have it flush up against the wall and might install some better quality sanwa sticks over the soft and unresponsive zippy ones currently installed.
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Zoidburg
03-06-2019, 16:49
Looks like a proper professional job, well done mate.
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Cheers lads.
Macca it's got about 300 old games on it and not just arcade. Some of the early console games are available and all selected from a pretty home page.
A couple of things left to do like moving the power socket so I can have it flush up against the wall and might install some better quality sanwa sticks over the soft and unresponsive zippy ones currently installed.
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Would definitely upgrade to Sanwas. PS your cab job is awesome, super clean. :)
Cheers lads.
Macca it's got about 300 old games on it and not just arcade. Some of the early console games are available and all selected from a pretty home page.
That's brilliant. I really want one.
Pepperamip
03-06-2019, 17:27
That's brilliant. I really want one.Give it a go, it's easier than you think
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Give it a go, it's easier than you think
It would have to be a lot, lot easier than I think. Yours looks perfect. Mine would look like a ten year old with ADD had built it. And it probably wouldn't work.
Pepperamip
03-06-2019, 17:45
Lol holes are already drilled fro buttons and sticks and you even get a wiring diagram with it. Only got attach the spades to the relevant terminals.
Here's what you are after:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DIY-ARCADE-COFFEE-TABLE-18MM-MDF-With-T-MOULDING-SLOT/182616122279?hash=item2a84c4e3a7:g:k4AAAOSw1R1aufe t
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Pepperamip
04-06-2019, 07:35
Thanks Neil and Ben.. (shouldve gone sanwa from the start as will be a faff now)
I'll stick some more pics up as I do things to it. Nearly there tho!
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A project like this is in my future...
I grew up in the same type of arcades you did. :)
What software are your running for the different emulators, had MAME for the arcade stuff for a few years now on my PC, and recently via my Nvidia Shield, but be good to get consoles too.
Was gonna (And still might) go to someone like Turnarcades to build my system with full cabinet, but something special about saying it’s something you did yourself.
Great post.
Pepperamip
05-06-2019, 06:32
Thanks Gaz.
I'm running Emulation Station which I've found to be very reliable and easy to use and I think it looks the best.
My home screen is similar to the pic here which then branches off to a tile type screen with a title and screenshot of each game contained within.
Build it yourself, its great fun and so much info on the net you can always find answers to any probs. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190605/d83e693f64f4996f484b6af9e266540c.jpg
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Pepperamip
05-06-2019, 07:23
This is what I've got to contend with if the zippy joysticks are to be replaced with sanwas.
Only issue here will be if the base plates arent the same and I have to route out a bigger recess.
Wasn't sure about the hinged control flap to begin with but now I get it makes problem solving or upgrading much easier https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190605/dfd552c7975c5c3935453ab047ceeb95.jpg
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Yeah my friend’s arcade machine has a hinge too, also he fitted a coin slot, which is cool. :)
thingfish
05-06-2019, 12:32
Wot miserable twats lads.........Guests Pay ?
JP Getty had a payphone installed for his guests...
Pepperamip
05-06-2019, 13:15
Not in mine they don't. Adds to the authentic look I suppose. Can make it free play
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Wot miserable twats lads.........Guests Pay ?
No, there’s a jar full of 20p coins next to the machine. :P
Pepperamip
08-06-2019, 13:39
Moved the power socket from the back of the arcade to the underside. Now has an on off switch so I don't have to keep unplugging it.
It meant cutting a couple of holes out the stand but this allows me to have the whole thing flush up against the wall and hides the power lead behind the stand.
Also fitted a double plug socket inside the arcade with 2 USB slots. Previously the pi was getting its power from the monitor but I kept getting the lightning bolt symbol meaning the pi wasn't getting enough juice.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190608/f080c89b9920d81985485e6157ee336a.jpg
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Pepperamip
09-06-2019, 20:15
Last few pics.
Bought a couple of well made barstools off ebay for a very good price. Hand made using cherry wood and solid
The home screen and track and field ready for a bit finger pumping.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190609/85abb1f9dd615273ee715f206c25bf04.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190609/a30158744537742a0baed6065dc6aa9d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190609/ce06852702deb28f2eed3c605dc078db.jpg
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Great job. Takes me back to my servicing days.
If this wasn't in the US I'd be very tempted.
Centipede is probably my fave computer game of all time.
After Doom and Doom II, that is:D
And it has a trackball which is essential for making it real. Whether it's as good as the one on the original machine I doubt, but hey.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F36 2514667323
PhilofCas
11-06-2019, 04:55
Top job, brilliant that, I want one!!!
:thumbsup:
Pepperamip
11-06-2019, 07:18
Top job, brilliant that, I want one!!!
[emoji106]If you buid it they will come. Its not as difficult as it seems. Plus you can ask me and any other arcade builders on here what to do if you get stuck.
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Pepperamip
11-06-2019, 08:17
If this wasn't in the US I'd be very tempted.
Centipede is probably my fave computer game of all time.
I'll have to check if I've got centipede but as you say without the roller ball it wouldn't feel right.. Same with Astoroids or Missle Command (forgot about them two didn't ya ;)
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There was a Retrocade simulation, written in assembly language, that ran the original Atari ROM file, that ran on a PC a while back.
It was truly superb, even with a mouse. Super fast and spot on timing wise. Mame didn't come close.
Then Retrocade died a death for some reason. I think it lost support as Windows advanced if I remember correctly.
Millipede the successor, was also very good.
Pepperamip
13-06-2019, 18:15
New software installed and under Atari main menu I have found this https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190613/f1d1ea2a6fb3f20951d2e975073c8190.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190613/47f5b1324473f7678a9008db0b16278c.jpg
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Was that the one with the hot woman on the intro Screen? :)
Remember playing Klax on that one back in the day.
There was a Retrocade simulation, written in assembly language, that ran the original Atari ROM file, that ran on a PC a while back.
It was truly superb, even with a mouse. Super fast and spot on timing wise. Mame didn't come close.
Then Retrocade died a death for some reason. I think it lost support as Windows advanced if I remember correctly.
Millipede the successor, was also very good.
Pepperamip
13-06-2019, 20:03
Was the hot woman one Outrun the car game with the road that either went right or left only
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http://www.os2ezine.com/v5n1/retrocade1.gif
I'll have to check if I've got centipede but as you say without the roller ball it wouldn't feel right.. Same with Astoroids or Missle Command (forgot about them two didn't ya ;)
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Asteroids didn't have a rollerball. Five buttons - Rotate left, Rotate right, thrust, hyperspace and fire IIRC.
I've got the Atari console version but like all their versions of proper arcade games it isn't as good as the real thing. Much too easy as well.
Lawrence001
14-06-2019, 16:48
Asteroids didn't have a rollerball. Five buttons - Rotate left, Rotate right, thrust, hyperspace and fire IIRC.
I've got the Atari console version but like all their versions of proper arcade games it isn't as good as the real thing. Much too easy as well.Was there a "brake" or did you have to wait for it to slow down? Actually scratch that, I think you could turn round 180 degs and thrust then slowed you down. I remember shooting across the screen and appearing at the other side several times at wild angles before hitting something.
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Yes, if you thrusted you just kept going even when you came off the power just like in real space. Stopping was usually only achieved by colliding with an asteroid and dying so it was only used in extremis. And hyperspace would put you somewhere random on the screen, usually inside an asteroid with the same result. It was also common to hit thrust by accident whilst panicking in a tricky situation.
I got pretty good at Space Invaders and Galaxians, 10p would last me an hour on them but I was never rich enough to be able to afford to get good at Asteroids.
'Scramble' was my other fave from that era although I only once got past the cave level and then died immediately. That was another expensive game to learn. The home computer versions were all too easy by comparison.
Lawrence001
14-06-2019, 17:48
My favourite early game was I think called Rommel's Revenge with 3d wireframe graphics, I think you just had two handles, forward and back for the left and right tracks, and a fire button.
Edit: It was battlezone, and called Rommel's revenge on home computers.
My favourite. "hi res" later game (still early for these days) was 1942.
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Remember 'Lunar Lander'? What a rip off that was. It was 20p a go not 10p and you basically had to be able to fly a real lunar lander if you wanted to last more than 5 seconds. And the console was massive as well, took up half the arcade. I never saw anyone land the thing. I saw one bloke one time who managed to control it for about half a minute or so and we thought he was going to do it, but then he lost it and crashed.
My mate’s got an actual original Asteroids arcade machine (and a stock of old style 10p’s!) and correct Macca, only buttons. Probably worth a pretty penny now, he bought it for nothing from an arcade in Norfolk in the early 90’s. My other mate got Galaxians (I think) - I was too tight at the time to buy one!
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Lucky man. I have a mate who is into pinball machines mainly but had an eye on the whole scene and he reckoned three grand for a good condition original working console, varies a bit depending on the game.
He's got 4 pinball machines in his dining room and 3 more in one of the bedrooms. Not married ofc.
I uaed to love Defender, the noises were fantastic . Trying to save all the men and going into hyperspace . Great!
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New software installed and under Atari main menu I have found this https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190613/f1d1ea2a6fb3f20951d2e975073c8190.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190613/47f5b1324473f7678a9008db0b16278c.jpg
Sent from my CLT-L09 using TapatalkAwesome.
I uaed to love Defender, the noises were fantastic . Trying to save all the men and going into hyperspace . Great!
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I've got the ROM of that on CD somewhere. Williams withdrew it from sale when they found out people were ripping it off. It's the real deal, absolutely rock hard. You really need the proper stand up console to play it properly.
https://youtu.be/P8CQpvF4YPs
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