(NEWB) Building a cabinet with controller but no display

[Gnef]

I am interested in building an arcade controller that would be similar to an arcade cabinet with the monitor removed.

I google'd and don't see this other than the arcade control sticks.  I'm interested in the pro's/con's beyond what I have come up with.

Personally, I'd rather hang a TV (because I am a heathen that doesn't care if it's a CRT or Vector display) on a wall and have the control cabinet separate.

I'm designing a four-player control cabinet (3 kids and I want to play too).  I could split this into two (two 2-player cabinets) or do a four-player "standard" and a second control cabinet with just spinner(s), trackballs(s) and a few buttons.

So, why is this approach uncommon?  I do miss out on the cabinet artwork and connectivity between the cabinet and the TV is a cable (or wireless HDMI - probably just stick with the HDMI wire).  Obviously, it's non-traditional which is a bummer.  What else?

The upsides are that it's less work, more flexible, ...

What are the other downsides?  Since the world is large and I'm sure that there others with this approach, is there a common term for this type of implementation?

Thanks!

[DeLuSioNal29]

Sounds like you're describing a pedestal.  There are plenty of examples:

[PL1]

Welcome aboard, Gnef.   

I am interested in building an arcade controller that would be similar to an arcade cabinet with the monitor removed.
. . .
I'm designing a four-player control cabinet (3 kids and I want to play too).  I could split this into two (two 2-player cabinets) or do a four-player "standard" and a second control cabinet with just spinner(s), trackballs(s) and a few buttons.
. . .
is there a common term for this type of implementation?

As mentioned in the FAQ, the term is "pedestal".

 

IIRC a while back, someone planned to make a 2-player pedestal with USB-connected mini-pedestals for P3 and P4.

If you make a tabletop version, it would be a "barstick" -- a cross between "bartop" and "fight stick".




Scott

[Gnef]

Thank you!  Pedestal.  I skimmed the FAQ too quickly.

[Jamesbeat]

I've been thinking about this too over the last few days.

I currently have a bartop, but I intend to gut it soon to make an upright.

Thing is, I have this 'tradition' where I bring my bartop to work every year for the Christmas party (just got back from it tonight actually).
It's always a hit, so I still want something to bring along, and also for barbecues etc.

Obviously, a full size upright will not exactly lend itself to this, but I'm thinking that a box with sticks, buttons and a raspberry pi should do the trick.
I can either bring along a separate monitor, or hook it up to a TV if there is one available where I will be.

I'm thinking of building a similar thing to what is referred to above as a 'barstick', but I have seen them mostly referred to as a 'supergun', so it might be a good idea to use that term too when you are doing your research.
I'm glad I saw this thread because I hadn't seen them referred to as barsticks before.

[aldub516]

this is my pedestal build BUT i decided to put all the guts, inside the top panel part, so whenever i want, i can just lift up the panel, remove 3 bolts and carry that whole top away.. and all that comes out is a power plug and hdmi plus. Put it on a table, plug and play.

free jpeg images

[PL1]

I'm thinking of building a similar thing to what is referred to above as a 'barstick', but I have seen them mostly referred to as a 'supergun', so it might be a good idea to use that term too when you are doing your research.

To clarify, a supergun is a testing and troubleshooting tool for either JAMMA PCBs or PCBs with proprietary pinouts. (using an adapter cable to change the proprietary pinout to JAMMA)

The PCBs are usually placed next to the supergun.  Notice the external JAMMA connectors.





If you put the game PCB inside the case, it becomes a barstick.   


Scott

[Jamesbeat]

I'm thinking of building a similar thing to what is referred to above as a 'barstick', but I have seen them mostly referred to as a 'supergun', so it might be a good idea to use that term too when you are doing your research.

To clarify, a supergun is a testing and troubleshooting tool for either JAMMA PCBs or PCBs with proprietary pinouts. (using an adapter cable to change the proprietary pinout to JAMMA)

The PCBs are usually placed next to the supergun.  Notice the external JAMMA connectors.





If you put the game PCB inside the case, it becomes a barstick.   


Scott

Ah ok, I see what you mean.

That's a shame, because 'supergun' sounds much cooler than 'barstick'