The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: SirPoonga on May 19, 2025, 09:30:56 pm
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Time to modernize and rework my cabinet. Top-to-bottom ideas/checklist.
1. Infinity mirror marquee
2. A simple amp and speaker setup (If I go retropi go with Pimoroni hardware?)
3. New monitor and bezel (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C4NXDRNM/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_5?smid=A2J5Y5WZPRUIT9&psc=1)
4. Replace the start button shelf. No plexi. No USB ports. Probably just drink holders.
5. Control panel
a. Flush mount controls, no plexy. I will put a coat of poly on it.
b. Add coin and start buttons to the front face.
c. Add USB panel to front face with USB-A and USB-C.
d. Computer (retropi?) will be contained in the control panel.
e. New spinner? I think the Oscar spinner should still work, but a flush mount would be better.
f. New trackball needed for flush mount?
g. Replace old IPac with something new. Is the new IPac still good? Other options in the US?
Optional:
1. Light up controls?
2. Better option than retropie?
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I am fairly certain I do not need to rewire. Just move the wires from the old IPac to the new controls, putting the wire int he appropriate spot. Then plug the parallel port in. I will probably want to do a continuity test to make sure the plug is clean.
Should I put on dedicated mouse buttons? Though a wireless mouse and neoprene on the shelf is an option. I can then get rid of the switch that toggles the 2 player buttons from keyboard to mouse buttons.
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d. Computer (retropi?) will be contained in the control panel.
One downside to using a RasPi instead of a PC is the difference in computing power.
Also, there are more applications if you're using a Windows computer.
Depending on your desired game list and applications, it may not be an issue.
e. New spinner? I think the Oscar spinner should still work, but a flush mount would be better.
f. New trackball needed for flush mount?
If you're good with a router, you can countersink the trackball and spinner mount plates and cover it with a vinyl overlay.
If you want a new spinner and trackball, the U-Trak and SpinTrak are plug-and-play with an I-PAC2.
I really like the TT2 spinner, but Randy only sells one with Slave configuration wiring (Dupont pins that can plug into the I-PAC2) if you also order one with Master wiring.
- If you want a TT2, you can use the TT2 (Master) alongside the I-PAC2 and U-Trak -- two USB connections instead of one.
If you want to use the U-Trak with the optional trim bezel on a 3/4" panel, consider routing out a 1/8" pocket on the underside of the panel so the top of the bezel is level with the top lip of the trackball body.
(https://www.ultimarc.com/images/1/tb_diag.jpg)
g. Replace old IPac with something new. Is the new IPac still good? Other options in the US?
Yes, the 2015 and newer I-PAC2 encoder is great and is an optical (mouse) encoder for trackball and spinner optos via the Dupont pins.
(https://www.ultimarc.com/images/detailed/1/ipac2_top[1]_o551-gg.jpg)
1. Light up controls?
I like always-on single color 12v LED buttons powered by 5v from a hacked USB cable for admin buttons (low current draw, longer life) and un-lit player buttons.
Some people like RGB buttons for everything, but the price adds up quickly and you have the added complexity of setting up and powering the LED controller.
Only you can decide if the juice is worth the squeeze.
2. Better option than retropie?
Retropie is running some pretty old versions of MAME.
One advantage of running a fairly recent (v0.253+) version of MAME is some of the LUA plugins that are available like defenderlr (https://github.com/AaronBPaden/defenderlr) and skipstartupframes (https://github.com/Jakobud/skipstartupframes) -- not sure if these have been tested on a RasPi setup. :dunno
If you decide to go with a RasPi, check out this thread.
https://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,162889.0.html (https://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,162889.0.html)
- This guy posted his version updated to 0.265. (no ROMS included)
https://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,162889.msg1772128.html#msg1772128 (https://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,162889.msg1772128.html#msg1772128)
Should I put on dedicated mouse buttons?
You really only need them while you're setting things up.
They could lead to trouble if kids or drunk friends start button-mashing on your cab and get into the configuration menus.
- This is also a good reason to remove the default P1 Start+ P1 Joy Right (TAB) shifted function on the I-PAC.
Either a USB wired or wireless keyboard/mouse will let you update things as needed while keeping others from accidently messing up your system configuration.
Scott
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If you decide to go with a RasPi, check out this thread.
https://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,162889.0.html (https://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,162889.0.html)
- This guy posted his version updated to 0.265. (no ROMS included)
https://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,162889.msg1772128.html#msg1772128 (https://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,162889.msg1772128.html#msg1772128)
I can vouch for MAME 0.258 with this "appliance" approach - I used it for a fresh cocktail build for myself recently. Notes off the top of my head from that build:
- I used a RPi 4b and with 0.258 a couple games tested were too slow to play (NBA JAM/Hangtime, SFIII, bonanza bros, golden axe, super high impact... newer versions of Pi/MAME may perform better? I have a very small game list so this didn't matter but YMMV
- I didn't wire admin buttons so it's not possible for random folks to access any menu stuff (I plug in a keyboard if needed and honestly it hasn't been needed)
- I use an amp with volume control inside the cabinet, it would be nice to have better access to adjust volume without opening the cabinet (remember - I have no admin functions available)
- I use a pair of zero delay encoders without any issues
- One button start up!* see below
- It just works... except... the singular issue I've had is sometimes it goes through a "false boot" and shuts off during reboot so I need to press the start up button again (start up is via pin headers on pi) I'm thinking its actually a shut down issue but haven't chased it at all
- FWIW, both control panels have the same controls = one 4-way, one 8-way, coin up, player start, six action buttons. Boot button is loose inside but will be wired to coin door rejects at some point
I would build the same thing again for myself. When I want to play, I just hit the start up button and play. I shut it down via button combo & a confirmation when I'm done. If you want all teh romz, I would look into a Pi5 (maybe?) or something even bigger.