Slim Arcade Cabinet

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Creator:
tylercrumpton
Status:
Implementing v0.1
Born On:
21:26, 22 September 2013 (CDT)
Last Updated:
21:59, 28 October 2013 (CDT)

Overview

Early version of the Slim Arcade Cabinet with the LCD monitor mounted and a laptop running 'Cookie Clicker'.

After Makers Local received a "Choose Your Own Fitness Plan" kiosk/terminal, I thought it would be the perfect foundation for a slim light-weight arcade machine 'cabinet'. The frame is relatively sturdy and does not weigh nearly as much as a full wooden cabinet.

v0.1 Requirements

  1. Mounted LCD monitor
  2. Printed/laser-engraved faceplate under monitor
  3. Cheap desktop, laptop, SoC PC (e.g. Raspberry Pi), etc. to run MAME and other games
  4. Two-player arcade control set
  5. Speakers
  6. Built-in power strip
  7. Basic cabinet art

Feature Ideas

Below is a list of possible features that may eventually be added to the cabinet, depending on the feasibility and desire for the feature:

  • Four-player control set
  • Full printed cabinet art
  • More powerful PC to run HyperSpin MAME frontend
  • Coin/bill acceptor
  • Touchscreen
  • LED marquee
  • LED lighting (Single color or Ambilight)
  • Wheels

Parts

Frame

The frame consists of the donated kiosk with a few modifications to allow for the mounting of an LCD monitor and set of arcade controls.

Cost
  • Donated kiosk: $0.00

Screen

Because the kiosk has such a thin form-factor, the only viable option for a screen is an LCD monitor. I have an old LCD monitor that fits the screen cut-out perfectly, with a little space left over below the monitor. The monitor is connect to a mount using the VESA mounting points on the monitor, and the mount is attached to the frame using four large bolts with wooden spacers. In the left-over space under the monitor, some sort of faceplate will be added to cover up the hole and provide some decoration.

Cost
  • Re-purposed LCD monitor: $0.00
  • Bolts, nuts, washers found at ML256: $0.00
  • Wooden spacers cut from scrap wood: $0.00

Controls

Version v0.1 will have a two-player, eighteen-button, dual-stick control panel that was built to fit the old arcade cabinet at ML256. A new mounting surface will be cut so that the panel will fit the new cabinet and so that some of the less-than-attractive parts of the panel can be eliminated. The computer interface is a simple Xin Mo Arcade to USB Controller (2 Player).

Cost
  • Xin Mo Arcade to USB Controller w/ wiring harnesses x 2: $66.00
  • 18 Happ pushbuttons and 2 competition joysticks: $38.25
  • More buttons and sticks from Dusty (Thanks!): $0.00

Progress Log

21:26, 22 September 2013 (CDT): Started page for collecting ideas, thoughts, and progress. So far, the LCD monitor has been mounted and tested using a laptop with MAME.