Bartop Asteroids

[coasterlvr]

Here's my first build thread!  I have a number of cabinets I want to make but just don't make the time.   This time, I finally finished something, my bartop Asteroids.




For years, I've always had swappable control panels that would fit into a hole in a desk, or my other cabinet, a SSF2T.  Since Asteroids is one of my favorite games, I decided to make one and play games I could with the button layout.



I took a profile image and cut it out and made one side, then copied it to another.

The control panel was made with a bunch of routed pieced glued together.







I used a 17" Dell panel for the screen.


I used some Amazon Basics USB speakers.



I routed down some 1/2" x 1/2" aluminum angle bar for the marquee holder.



After some mounting blocks attached, I routed out the the t-molding slot.



Next applied the art to the marquee.  Graphics done by Brad, Lucian045




On to the side art.




Cut some acrylic to go over the screen.



The back is basic.  The back piece is held on with magnets.  Added the hole to pull it off.  The perforated metal is just for a little cooling.  USB panel mount and power input.



The piece above the rear piece has 4 momentary switches for functions like escape, pause, etc.



Gut shot.  Raspberry Pi 3, zero delay interface, etc.



The control panel with some plain red switches in the cones.



All done! 

























 

[jmike]

This looks great. Job well done on the bottom curve below the CP.
How's the viewing angle?

Well done

[wp34]

That's a very nice looking bartop.  Your solution for the CP is also very impressive.   

[mourix]

From the woodwork to the stickering, this thing looks legit. Well done

I would never have used a raspberry pi for Asteroids though. Does that thing even run vector shaders?

[8BitMonk]

Very nice build, legit woodworking skills and the rest of the fit and finish is very polished as well. 

[Mike A]

I like the builds that look like dedicated machines.

[morton]

Super Clean build! I dig the control panel... that's dedication - and attention to detail.

Speaking of details... where did you find volcano buttons??

[mpwalters]

Blown away by the Control Panel build.  Clever solution. 

[coasterlvr]

This looks great. Job well done on the bottom curve below the CP.
How's the viewing angle?

Well done

it's great.  no issues at all.

Super Clean build! I dig the control panel... that's dedication - and attention to detail.

Speaking of details... where did you find volcano buttons??

the cones are arcadeshop.  the actual buttons aren't led.  they are just cheap momentary switches that are red.  i did have to actually cut the diameter down.  it's not the best job, but with my eyesite, it's fine. LOL

From the woodwork to the stickering, this thing looks legit. Well done

I would never have used a raspberry pi for Asteroids though. Does that thing even run vector shaders?

it looks fine enough for me.  actually, i've been playing mame for so long, i really didn't even know better for the past nearly 20 years.

Brad, Lucian045, helped me adjust the control panel so it didn't look too just hacked off.  i wanted the buttons in a certain area so my palms had something to rest on.

[NIVO]

coasterlvr that is outstanding work. Love to see the old Asteroids in all its glory in a bartop. Very well done my friend

[yotsuya]

Very impressive. I love dedicated bartops, not every cab has to play 6000 games.

[opt2not]

From the woodwork to the stickering, this thing looks legit. Well done

I would never have used a raspberry pi for Asteroids though. Does that thing even run vector shaders?

^ Agreed.  Should have thrown a cheap thrift shop PC in there. I mean, if you're going through the trouble of building a dedicated cab, you should at least do the actual game justice as best you can.

[stigzler]

Lovely finish.

[markc74]

Beautiful cab - and insane skills on getting that control panel together. I was never a fan of asteroids until i played it using proper controls and it made me build my own.

Your high scores kick the ass out of mine tho!

[coasterlvr]

Lovely finish.

Beautiful cab - and insane skills on getting that control panel together. I was never a fan of asteroids until i played it using proper controls and it made me build my own.

Your high scores kick the ass out of mine tho!

coasterlvr that is outstanding work. Love to see the old Asteroids in all its glory in a bartop. Very well done my friend

thanks everyone!

Very impressive. I love dedicated bartops, not every cab has to play 6000 games.

well it does play like 20. LOL

From the woodwork to the stickering, this thing looks legit. Well done

I would never have used a raspberry pi for Asteroids though. Does that thing even run vector shaders?

^ Agreed.  Should have thrown a cheap thrift shop PC in there. I mean, if you're going through the trouble of building a dedicated cab, you should at least do the actual game justice as best you can.

what's are the differences in play?  i had a cocktail asteroids for a long time about 20 years ago.  i can't tell.  the screen, yeah, but i'm a player more than a purist.  i just want to play one of my favorite games with correct controls.  which btw, one of the main things on the control panel was to keep all the button spacing correct. 

[matsadona]

Well done 

[Zeosstud]

Looks fantastic