How to build an HD arcade cab for games like SF4, Virtua fighter 5, and Tekken 6

[Ikenna1]

I'm very new to arcade building. I, love arcade gaming, especially fighting games and I'm very serious about this project so please don't talk S#%t about my plan. I really want to build an arcade cabinet, that can play the arcade versions of Street Fighter 4 when the kit comes out(if it does), Virtua fighter 5, and Tekken 6. I'm not very wealthy(middle class)and i'm not an adult(16), but when I do save enough money I plan to do this project. So please what do I need to do to get started, and should I buy an already built HD cabinet by Quasicade or is there a cheaper way. And for the games, is there a price range for the kits, like virtua fighter 5 from the website:

http://www.coinopexpress.com/products/pcbs/lindberg/Virtua_Fighter_5_kit_6700.html


And how do I set it up to get it working, if I buy an HD cabinet from Quasicade or buld my own?

Sorry for two more question, but I checked the wiki for the  Lindberg Arcade System Kit, for Virtua fighter and I really don't get, does that mean I can't play Virtua fighter 5 in HD. Also, in terms of size, how big are the kits going to be so that I can switch them when I want to play SF4, Tekken 6, or VF5 on the same cabinet. I know that it would probably be better to have seaprate cabinets, but I like the extra labor.

Thanks! Your help is greatly appreciated.

[Ikenna1]

Please, I know that there are people that can help me!

[Singapura]

Hi there! That's a very ambitious project! Maybe you should have a look at http://www.killercabs.com or even http://www.neogeo.com. There's more info on modern classics to be found on those sites. For the moment, just be happy to play these games on the PS3 or Xbox 360 as they're horribly expensive.

[Fozzy The Bear]

http://www.coinopexpress.com/products/pcbs/lindberg/Virtua_Fighter_5_kit_6700.html

That kit is ONLY the software on a CD and the security key for it and some artwork. It will cost you several thousand dollars, just for that.

You still need to already own a full Virtua Fighter 4 Cabinet with a Lindburg System (Sega PC System) already in there. You can't run that kit on anything other than a Lindburg.

Personally I think you need to set your sights a little lower for now, unless you have vast amounts of money to spend, and you say that you don't.

The cabinet you were looking at, will not run this kit.

Tekken 6 isn't even on the streets yet..... If it was that easy to do it that cheaply, then every arcade operator on the planet would take the cheap route, instead of paying £10,000 ($20,000USD) for Tekken 6.

What you want to do is not yet possible. When they get retired from arcades in 5 or more years time, then you might be able to afford one. The price of the second hand machines will then drop from $20,000USD to maybe $500USD.

Stick to running the X-Box and PS3 Versions for now, you could build a cab around an X-Box or PS3 as Singapura said. That would allow you to play the games without the huge cost. Your initial idea is great, but really it's just not realistic, unless you have vast amounts of money. In which case you could just go buy the full machines.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[Ginsu Victim]

I'm not very wealthy(middle class)and i'm not an adult(16), but when I do save enough money I plan to do this project.

Do you have a car? Are you moving out soon? Going to college? Got a girlfriend you're considering marrying one day? Want kids? Want to own your own home? What kind of job you looking to get?

Like Fozzy said, aim lower. You're biting off a bit more than most of us here can chew....and most of us haven't been 16 in quite a while...

[shardian]

And just so you know, These new arcade games are not only graphically identical to the ps3/xbox360 ports, the home console versions will have more features and online play. Add to that the fact you can use any tv/sound system you want, and your home setup will blow away the arcade version. The only thing you really need to build is a control panel. You can buy the exact same buttons and controllers that are in the arcade versions, and wire them to an appropriate controller hack.

The main difference between arcade and console is putting in the quarters. And you being 16, I doubt the quarters thing means much to you anyways.

[severdhed]

i have to agree with these guys...sounds like a great idea...if you are filthy rich.  you are going to have thousands of dollars into this project the way you have laid it out.   you would definitly be better off building a cabinet based off of a console.  as it looks right now, virtua fighter 5 is available for both the 360 and PS3, and street fighter 4 will probably be avialable on both as well.  but from what i read, tekken 6 will only be available on the PS3.  as for interfacing the controls, i know that x-arcade sells adapters for their encoder to connect to the PS3...they currently don't have one for the 360.  i dont' know if any other encoders will connect to either of these consoles.  even building a cabinet with a decent sized HD monitor and a PS3 will not be cheap to build.  just be aware that this hobby is much, much more expensive that you could ever imagine it would be.  so plan out what you will think it will cost, and be prepared to spend double that by the time you are finished.

i was about your age when i started putting plans together for an arcade cabinet. of course this was 1996, so I wanted to build a cabinet that would play Mortal Kombat 3/ Street Fighter 2.  i was drawing up plans for the cabinet for weeks, at that time i was planning on using a SNES to run everything.  as it turns out..when you are 16 and have no money, and very little space to call your own..it just isn't very practical.    it was about 10 years later until i finally realized i could actually build my own cabinet.  by that time i was 26, engaged to be married and we were renting a house.  i had plenty of room for a cabinet, I had a much better understanding of computers (I'm an IT consultant now) and i already had an x-arcade joystick that i used for my xbox and dreamcast.  and now MAME could easily handle the MK games that i wanted to play, which wasn't the case 10 years earlier.

my point is that you should take the time and plan this out, and be aware of the cost.  it is really cool to have an arcade machine, but at 16 years old..there are probably better things you could be doing with your money.  so be patient and it will all work out.  If you already have a 360 or a PS3, i'd probably start by just building a control panel and using that with the TV...you can do this in baby steps if you need to

[Kajoq]

Best bet would be to just base the cab off a PS3 and build from there

Either hack a pair of Virtua Stick High Grades into a control panel, or build a CP from scratch.

http://kotaku.com/gaming/home-decor/custom-head+to+head-style-gaming-cabinet-254269.php

Check this guys cab out.

[shardian]

And honestly, you should add Soul Calibur IV to your list if you go console route. Why? Well I'll let this nice video explain.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amZkgI_pXas[/youtube]

[Ikenna1]

Best bet would be to just base the cab off a PS3 and build from there

Either hack a pair of Virtua Stick High Grades into a control panel, or build a CP from scratch.

http://kotaku.com/gaming/home-decor/custom-head+to+head-style-gaming-cabinet-254269.php

Check this guys cab out.

Thanks, for your advice. It looks like it might be a wise investment to put my money in something like this, rather than trying to build an arcade dedicated to a single game.