Hall of fame worthy projects

[saint]

What projects would you put in the hall of fame, and why? Doesn't have to be a cabinet.

[Benevolance]

To clarify: should this just be finished projects?

Mountain's Jukebox.
Gametrek's Showcase
Bella's arcade.

I think those cabinets are fantastic representations of what we do, and they tend to have a lot of great and innovative information in their respective threads about how to build.

[Number21]

This one:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=94966.0

[syph007]

My favorite upright is Martijn's for attention to detail and overall fit and finish.. first class all the way.
Martijn's Streetfighter

My favorite bartop/mini is the Benderama.   Innovative portable design, with full 1P control set, in an attractive package.
Bender's Benderama

[opt2not]

Oh man, this might be a long one...
On top of the formally mentioned projects, the ones that were most inspiring to me over the years are:

Uprights
Woody - by Knievel
- for his classic design, yet updated slim version. Cleanly built, great for living room friendly placement.

Terminus - by markc74
- I really love the shape of this cabinet, and again another Slim. I thought the cab has some really nice lines, and the colour scheme makes for a clean cabinet.

Bella's Arcade - by javeryh
- Great construction and wonderful information on painting surfaces.  A beautiful theme as well.

The Shmup! Arcade - Ryglore
- I really like Ryglore's documentation of this project the most. He really did a great job at putting the process down. Also, he made a fairly unique cabinet shape, and wonderful theme'd artwork. Also, love his joystick mod and custom dust covers.

Aliens Cabinet - Epyx
- Awesome theme, great documentation, wonderful outcome.  The lighting, to the shape, to the execution, Epyx did an amazing job on this one.

Project Mame - lokesen
- All around great cabinet. The artwork and shape stands out the most IMO. But also, it looks completely professionally done! It's clean, well constructed, and overall just looks fricken cool. Though, it's a bit lacking on the documentation.

Bubble Bobble Scratch build - by YoGaBaR
- great looking cabinet, featuring Trebeck's wonderful artwork. Though, this cabinet is lacking in details as well, its still nice to look at.

Mission Control v1. - Pixelhugger
- Although he's working on v2, I really thought v1 was a great looking cabinet. First, the construction was great, the shape of the cabinet was so unique, and the marquee plexi work was so well done.

Bartops
DK, DK Jr., Mario Bros. Bartops - by Jigenjuke
- Just outstanding work. One of the first bartop threads I read, and extremely jealous of. Jigenjuke did a brilliant job with this.

Tempest Bartop - by leapinlew
- I thought leapinlew did an amazing job with this cabinet. It was simply built, and well documented. The shape of the original tempest cabinet also translated well to a bartop.

UK Dig Dug Bartop - by shrunkenmaster
- It's just so cute!

WeeCade - by lokesen
- Love the retro look of this little guy. Nice overlay artwork, really well constructed.

POWcade - by endtwist
- I thought this was a very classy renovation project. I really liked his use of the side-art as well as the thin-lined chrome/black t-molding.

Galaga Themed Small Bartop - by leapinlew  
- One of the first bartop threads I read. I really liked the translation of a classic galaga cabinet to bartop. It worked really well.

Metroid Mother Brain Super Console - by SodaPopinksi
- Absolutely my favourite project of all bartops!!  The theme, the artwork, the details, the MOTHER BRAIN!!!!  When I first saw this years ago, it blew my mind.

Atari Xevious Bartop - by retrofuture
- I left this one last because retrofuture isn't finished yet!  But this bartop will be great once finished, and even in it's current state I found it pretty inspiring.

Cocktail and Other
Sega Dreamcast Cocktail table (Michigan theme) - by deadpool18
- This cabinet inspired me for my Canucks cabinet. I thought he used the sports theme very smart, not overly done or in your face. Also, a cocktail that runs off a DC is awesome in my books.

Xcelerator - by theCoder
- Epic driving cockpit cabinet! Probably the best on the board IMO. The documentation is wonderful, and his attention to details and driving "feel" is commendable.

Woodrail Mini-Pin Cabinet - by froggerman
- Classic looking mini-pin. Very well made, well executed...great choices of artwork and colour scheme. Some really good craftsmanship here.

Mini Galaga project - by melon
- So awesome. Clever use of the "coin door" access. So tiny, so coooooool!

Vewlix Slim cab - by SpaceHedgehog
- I know he's still putting finishing touches on this cabinet, but it's practically done. Great craftsmanship of this replication, and I really love his wiring and mounting of play-components.

Super Mario Bros Wiimote coin block Wiimote tidy - by Franco B
- Though not an arcade machine, I give this projects props for the theme and the utility it brings. Definitely inspiring for projects with purpose outside of actual game playing.


I really can go on and on. There are so many great projects here that there are too many to mention...

  Great job everyone!  

[Bender]

I'm a big fan of mountain's cab as well and all of Knievel's stuff
Plus I agree with all of the above except the Benderama that is a POS!   although it would help if I got some finished shots into that thread

As yet unfinished projects, but certainly worthy already

Ond's Astro why? Have you seen this thing?..... Have you seen this thing?

Drventure's Antique buffet very different and very well done!

[opt2not]

As yet unfinished projects, but certainly worthy already

Ond's Astro why? Have you seen this thing?

Drventure's Antique buffet very different and very well done!

I agree, I figured someone would mention them, as they are obvious ones to add. Same reason I didn't add yours!

Also, there are a bunch of threads I remember looking at years ago that are missing images (must have been hosted elsewhere). I wanted to mention them, but it's kinda useless without pics. Be mindful were you store your images folks!  If you keep 'em here, Saint will most likely hang on to them long-term!

[Silas (son of Silas)]

Aliens Cabinet - Epyx
I love this Cab

Project Mame - lokesen
The inspiration for my own Lokesen Clone

Taitorama - lokesen
The man does it again

Cabaret MAME Arcade Classics - Chicken McNobody
I love how retro and unfussy this conversion of an old Bump 'n' Jump cabaret turned out. Really sweet cab.

[rablack97]

Gamester's Arcade Galaxy
One of the best complete cab paint jobs i've seen......Great CP artwork and craftsmanship in all it's lumin disk glory....

Somunny's Ark
This one should go into the unfinished works of art category....

Knievel's Neon Mame
I think this started a new generation of eye candy for the forum....

Blind Dado's Arcade Odyssey
This one was the inspiration for my cab, good photos of progress, clean precise build.

Build not documented in the forum so I added link below.
Arcade Odyssey Build Diary

Previously mentioned

Epyx's - Alien Themed Cab
Ond's - Astro
Dr. Ventures' - Antique Buffet
Martijn's - Street Fighter

[WhereEaglesDare]

All of these are really great but I think that from what im reading that you could click on the proj announ page and get all of them from there, I think everyone should get one vote.  Initial inductees should be limited to 5 or 10 in order to keep the standard of the Hall of Fame high and something to strive for.

That being said you really should look at my cab for Hall of Fame.

[ids]

Heavy Metal

[wp34]

This is an awesome thread.  I agree with most all of the above posted projects.  It will be great to have these linked in one thread.  

Here is a bar-top from a few years ago I really like.  It has an original look and is very clean. It catches your eye without being too gaudy.  I also like the swappable panels.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=78492.0

I also like this Star Wars upright scratch build.   Very well done and something I would like to take on someday.

http://urbaninteractive.wordpress.com/

[jmike]

Let's not forget about ninjasquirrel's bartop build. Great documention and we all learned a bit more about kerfing.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=101426.0

 

[mountain]

Here are my favorites.

Best bartop EVER
Leapinlews Tempest Bartop

Best Upright
knievels Woody

Best Cocktail
system01's Cocktail

[drventure]

This is an awesome thread.  I agree with most all of the above posted projects.  It will be great to have these linked in one thread.  

+1

All the builds that come to mind right off have already been mentioned. I'll have to do some looking.

But definitely Bender's Benderama, the Aliens Cab, OND's Astro, The Shmup, Mountain's Woody and Jukebox, jeez the list goes on!

There's also a couple of Visual Pinball cabs that I'd nominate, but I can't find em off hand.

[saint]

Excellent responses so far, thanks everyone! More if you've got them!

Yes please, finished (or near finished since most of them are never 100% done ) cabinets.

[eds1275]

if mine works out half as good as I hope lol!

But my fav: the aliens cab by epyx. I'm a big aliens fan, in fact I've made numerous aliens halloween costumes out of latex, the coolest ones being a facehugger and chest burster.

[Donkey_Kong]

Well in the thread he recently mentions a renovation, but I'm mentioning this one anyway.

The Varsity Club

~It helped in making unrelated themed cabs not just tolerable, but maybe even popular. We all know this probably had a draw to the hobby for people that may not have been otherwise interested.

~The design was very innovative in many respects (dual monitors, lighting, controls, layout, artwork, theme), and the execution was pretty stellar as well.

~Won a mamey for cab of the year.

[newtrix]

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=78492.0  Taxi-Cab Bartop
Knievel's Neon Mame and Woody

[Donkey_Kong]

Xcelerator - by theCoder
- Epic driving cockpit cabinet! Probably the best on the board IMO. The documentation is wonderful, and his attention to details and driving "feel" is commendable.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=57479.msg689689#msg689689

[opt2not]

Xcelerator - by theCoder
- Epic driving cockpit cabinet! Probably the best on the board IMO. The documentation is wonderful, and his attention to details and driving "feel" is commendable.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=57479.msg689689#msg689689

hahaha, javeryh called it!   He should have bought a lottery ticket that day.


***Edit:  Also wanted to add a few more to the HoF.

Bombjack bartop - by psychotech
Great execution. Unique bartop shape, (love the "grinning" marquee), swappable CP...just awesome all together.

Mystery Machine - by shrunkenmaster
It's bright, it's cheerful, the whole theme was solidified well...and who doesn't like scooby doo?!

Galaxian Mame Conversion - by csa3d
I couldn't forget about this one. An oldie, but greatie. Part restore, part upgrade, rotating monitor with great documentation...the finished pics of it aren't there anymore, though this was an old thread.

A-kab - by Zobeid
Another awesome rotating monitor build (link: the rotavator explained).

Laser Multi Touch Projection Cocktail Table - by rdagger
The title says it all. This thing was so awesome. More documentation can be found here

[Epyx]

All of my favourite have been named so far...Taxi Cab, Onds, Martijn's, Ryglore's, DrVenture's, Bella's, Mystery Machine, Mountains, Knievel's (pick one!), leapinlews, Bender's and so many more that may be copies or knock offs but are "best of class" in that respect: Javeryh's DK build, Opt2not's cocktail and so many more!

[Ond]

All of my favourite have been named so far...Taxi Cab, Onds, Martijn's, DrVenture's, Bella's, Mystery Machine, Knievel's (pick one!), leapinlews, Bender's and so many more that may be copies or knock offs but are "best of class" in that respect: Javeryh's DK build, Opt2not's cocktail and so many more!

+1 I thought Kurts Pinball Cab http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=99924.80 should be nominated, I know there are some other great virtual pinball machines out there but this is the one that impressed me in particular - well documented and great attention to detail

and my own ditto to previously mentioned Pixelhugger's awesome Mission Control for it's furniture quality elegance

There's one cab though that if I had to nominate a cab that is the best representation of what BYOAC is all about, a cab that screams pure arcade atmosphere and captures the nostalgia of the era yet is fresh and new it's your Aliens cab dude.  Sure, I'm slightly biased, but it's your effort and experience learned through doing, that brought it to life.  

[Usul]

isn't Ghost in the Machine also an obvious choice?
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=75411.0

“Doc Like” Modular Panels using Velcro for easier fabrication
Side Lit Etched Acrylic CP Art
Lighted Controls (So you know they are Plugged in!)
Laser Etched Acrylic Marquee with Luminglass Accent
Lighted “T-molding”

--> awesome!

[rablack97]

Although this is an unfinished build, this one when complete will be a prime candidate.  Wood working skills are phenomenal....

Project Quercus - Wilno45

[javeryh]

One of my favorite "custom" cabinets ever is Aurich's Deep 6.  Awesome theme, totally unique and excellent execution.  Just an all around great cab and proof that simple and elegant work... plus it's got PINK!   

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=64761.0

[Seith]

I'd nominate paulscade's "Blastoff" - well-documented, clean build with an interesting button layout and just overall good workmanship.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=82241.0

[wp34]

Somehow I missed this one the first time through.  Very nice.  I especially like how he tweaked the 25" monitor.

One of my favorite "custom" cabinets ever is Aurich's Deep 6.  Awesome theme, totally unique and excellent execution.  Just an all around great cab and proof that simple and elegant work... plus it's got PINK!   

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=64761.0

[opt2not]

One of my favorite "custom" cabinets ever is Aurich's Deep 6.  Awesome theme, totally unique and excellent execution.  Just an all around great cab and proof that simple and elegant work... plus it's got PINK!  

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=64761.0

Great cabinet. Simple is good.
I really liked the side art he had planned. Though I wish he would have followed-through with it. The look from the front is great, but once you see the plain sides it seems a bit "too simple" for me.  

[javeryh]

OMG - no one has mentioned ARTIFACT yet??  C'mon guys!!!  

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=68794.0;all

[patrickl]

How about restorations?
Level42's Galaxian No. 815
Level42's Star Wars Cockpit
Neil's Donkey Kong Restoration
RetroACTIVE's Defender Restore to Williams Multigame
Spyridon's Pac-man restoration - Return from Doh!
Spyridon's Centipede Restoration
Wade's Galaga restoration (most pictures lost though)

I think this thread is lacking Spacies' work too. Just about every cab he made is hall of fame worthy. Not sure if he actually documents his builds here though.
White and Chrome Cocktail (with instructional video)
Skinny Galaga cab
He also made a few defender cabs that looked great and an amazing 3 sided cocktail, but I can't find the project threads.


Besides I think it needs some PocketPC Galaga cabinets and Galaga birdhouses   

[Bender]

OMG - no one has mentioned ARTIFACT yet??  C'mon guys!!!   

great call Jav that cab was a total insparation!

[Epyx]

OMG - no one has mentioned ARTIFACT yet??  C'mon guys!!!

Wow, not sure how I missed this thread...amazing work and amazing finish.  Just skimmed through but going to read through it more detail now, thanks for the heads up on this project. 

[javeryh]

OMG - no one has mentioned ARTIFACT yet??  C'mon guys!!!   

great call Jav that cab was a total insparation!

OMG - no one has mentioned ARTIFACT yet??  C'mon guys!!!

Wow, not sure how I missed this thread...amazing work and amazing finish.  Just skimmed through but going to read through it more detail now, thanks for the heads up on this project. 

Thanks guys!  I'm glad I'm good for something around here...  This is in my Top 5 for sure based on the artwork alone.  It's a perfect name for a MAME machine and the retro artwork is just fantastic.  Also, the control panel has a 2P 6 button setup with a trackball and spinner yet doesn't overhang the sides.  It looks like it could have been a stand alone cabinet with its own game inside.  Plus, the thread is a great read.   I've thought about copying the name and artwork for my own similar cabinet on more than one occasion...

[opt2not]

What projects would you put in the hall of fame, and why? Doesn't have to be a cabinet.

saint, this is a great thread you've started here, good timing. I don't know if you intended this, but with the large influx of new members in the last 6 months, this is a perfect thread to show off the history of the BYOAC projects and members. At the same time inspiring and possibly answering a lot of common newbie questions, through examples of other builds.
 


Also, how could I have forgot ARTIFACT
Such a beautiful cabinet!

[Ryglore]

Wow, thanks for the mentions guys! 

Pretty much every cab I can think of off the top of my head has already been mentioned up til now. Awesome thread, especially for new members. But Also a great reference for taking a gander some amazing projects. 

[javeryh]

OK one more - waveryder's Bubblegum Betty.  This is HOF material for candy cabs.  All the artwork was custom.  Came out perfect and most importantly.... it's PINK!!!!  

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=66932.0;all

[Nacimroc]

Seeing as I didn't see any showcase cabs, This one I think looks amazing
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=81413.0

All my other fav's are listed here, but the special one for me was mountains cab that made me want to give it a go at building one. The attention to detail (especially now I know how much work is involved) is crazy.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=63629.0

[drventure]

That showcase is very nice except for the exposed trackball plate. That kills it for me.

But +10 for mountain's cab. I'm not completely sure, but I think that was the one that originally got me inspired when I first stumbled across this site. I seem to recognize the wiring from under the CP.

Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, it was Mountain's cab, Kneivel's cabs (esp the woody) and another called Jeff's Supercade, that were my original inspirations

But I don't think jeff's supercade is on this site anywhere.
http://cosmicjive.net/arcade/super/

[Ond]

This thread is an education, so many great projects I didn't know about.  Artifact and Deep 6 very nice!