Any intrest in a self-contained controller?

[rcdriver434]

I want to know if anyone would be intrested, or know people that would be intrested, in a completely contained arcade controller.  Let me explain:
It would be similar to an X-arcade or SlikStik, except that the computer would also be inside the box.  So if you wanted to play arcade games, you would just plug it into your TV and go, without computers, without hassle, with a frontend so you never even think it's a computer.  I think that was the concept of Arcade in a Box (http://www.arcadeinabox.com/), but details on that are limited, so I'm not sure.  Just wanted to see, as I have the material working/computer/electronics skills to pull this off (IMHO).  Every box would be custom built (IE - the buyer would get to determine the layout).  This seems (to me at least) to be a great alternative to having a full size arcade machine, but still being able to have a big screen experience.
If there's any intrest, I'm serious about doing this - just post and tell me

[cholin]

Its been done before, too lazy to search for the links, but I've seen 4 of them.  I was thinking of doing the same thing, but with the way this whole arcade thing where people would rather buy pre-built stuff for some reason, you might get some sales.  It would end up WAY cheaper than a whole cab, kinda like a bartop in price but without a monitor.

[rcdriver434]

Comforting to hear - it looks like my base price (IE - Sempron 2500+ comp, 2 player, 7 buttons apeice) might be around 600, which is about a 1/8 of the price of one of those full blown prebuilt cabs.  Need to do some more math and planning, but I think I might acctualy do this.

[Adeptus]

You may have problems if you are planning on using emulators & copyrighted ROMs, as that would be illegal 

[JonnyBoy]

Yeah, I'm working on the same thing at the moment, I've just been falling behind on it with school and work and stuff. But mine will soon be finished, I'm hoping it will turn a few heads. Can't wait to see how you will go about doing this.

[Magnet_Eye]

Couldn't one just build one of these with an xbox inside running mameX? Seems like it would be cheaper than a PC setup.

[Lilwolf]

Yes many have done it (and still doing it)

I don't believe anyone is really making money on them.  To high of costs.  And the people who understand the costs can make them themselfs. 

The kits seem to be doing a bit better....  Or at least a better return on investments.  And someone with a CNC machine will always out woodwork most (including me). 

Then you have the legal aspect. 

[Crazy Cooter]

if you wanted to play arcade games, you would just plug it into your TV and go, without computers, without hassle, with a frontend so you never even think it's a computer.