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Choosing lumber...
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LiquidFire:
Even though I will be using Wilsonart mica laminates for surfaces, I will use a hardwood plywood to gain the least amount of 'voids' in the plys that get exposed. These run about $45 per sheet for maple or birch skins.

Each ply on 'better' plywood tends to be flatter and filled better. As you cut the pieces, you will also have less warpage due to better handling of quality plywood when it was manufactured.

MDF is great but is more susceptible to moisture/water/humidity issues. Sealing is the key, both sides should be coated well. This will help to avoid de-laminating your coverings.

No matter what material is used, I think a coating should also be shot inside the cabinet before assembly.

The best feature of plywood over anything else is better fastener/joint adhesive performance. The cheapest plywood you should use would be an A-B grade 3/4".

The cabinet will be heavy no matter what you choose.

P.S. MDF, like particle board is a cultured sheet product. It is less expensive to make flatter, therefore the choice of manufacturers.
TOK:
This begs for a theme cab. Perhaps a hunting lodge look with a gunrack and some antlers.  ;D

I like the arcade games to look like what they are, if that means it's not a top notch furniture quality finish, thats cool. Ply is nice, MDF is very nice finish but heavy.
Ted_Striker:
you may consider a hardwood veneer  as well.  You can make your cabinet out of any material you see fit, fill the voids and then veneer.  You can have the hardwood look ( a good veneer is real wood) with out the cost of  hardwood boards and without all the joiner and plainer  work.
Willypill:
I just went and picked up 3 sheets of 3/4" MDF for a grand total of $55.
NoOne=NBA=:
I went with a 2x frame for the bottom of my cab, with 3/4" ply sides for strength, and a combination of solid and laminated 1x poplar for the modular CP's for it.

Plywood is alot more durable than MDF, especially for resisting corner chips.

The poplar is really nice wood to work with, is relatively dense, gives a better cut edge than plywood, but is not as costly as oak or maple.
Since it's going to be painted/covered anyway, it was a good choice.
It holds screws well, for bottom mounting the joysticks too.
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