Buying a kit..

[fjser]

Hello all - Was hoping to get some opinions on a purchase of an arcade cabinet kit.  My brother is going to college, and is looking to get a small kit for his dorm.  As much as I'd like to build it myself, I don't currently have the space in my house to do so (garage is full of furniture while we renovate some rooms for the next 3-4 months).

Anyway, a kit is the option we are going with, and we have a couple decisions to make.

1) Cocktail cab would fit better in the dorm, but we arent sure if it is well suited for fighting games (that is his primary choice). I have seen cocktail cabinets that support fighting games via a third panel on the side of the unit, just not sure how good the spacing is on such a cabinet for two players. Anyone have experience with these cabs with the side control panel?

2) If we go with an upright unit, it will probably be a smaller one with a 20-21 inch PC monitor.  One of the avantages in our mind of a upright unit is playing light gun games.  My concern is that light gum games would probably suck being played on such a small screen.  Any opinions on this?

3) We are looking in the 1000$ price range for a cab, so far the closest Ihave found for a kit to install for this price comes from www.dreamarcades.com. They have both a cocktail and upright cab available. The cocktail cab has gotten great reviews at some sites, but I have yet to find anything on the upright.  Anyone have any experience with them or know any good sites for reviews? Or if you know other sites that sell prefab cabs for under 1K that would be helpful as well.


Thanks for all the help guys, this forum saved me multiple times when i built my first cab, and I am planning to build a second one late next year..

[ahofle]

Mameroom also sells kits:  www.mameroom.com

[ArcaMan]

Also if you want to win a Dream Arcades table, the drawing is Dec. 1

[DreamArcades]

Here's a customer review...
http://www.centralillinoisimports.org/forums/showthread.php?p=61595#post61595

Let me know if you have any specific questions on our kits.
-Mike

[CheffoJeffo]

1) Cocktail cab would fit better in the dorm, but we arent sure if it is well suited for fighting games (that is his primary choice). I have seen cocktail cabinets that support fighting games via a third panel on the side of the unit, just not sure how good the spacing is on such a cabinet for two players. Anyone have experience with these cabs with the side control panel?

I put a third panel on the "front" of my MAME(tm) cocktail with a classic 6-button layout and never had a problem with the layout.

CAVEAT: I am not a big fan of the fighter, so perhaps not the best person to ask.

Cheers.

EDIT: Should probably have been more explicit -- the third panel is two player with six buttons per player.

[iwillfearnoevil]

arcadedepot.com has cocktail kits too. there's lots of reviews on those over the internet.

[fjser]

Thanks for all the info guys.  Mameroom kits look nice, but the UAII kit is a bit too large for where its going.


Mike - I cant find the dimensions for the upright kit on your site. Can you provide them?

Also - anyone have any input on using light gun games with a 20 or 21 inch monitor?

[ArcadEd]

www.arcadeinabox.com .

Fill out the quote form with exactly what you want, or email/im me and we can chat.  That is if something like this is what your looking for.

[DreamArcades]

Thanks for all the info guys.

[fjser]

Thanks Mike - expect a call tomorrow to order..

[Setabs]

Here is retro Blast's review for the dream arcade side by side cocktail.


Here is the video review.