The Cade Arcade

[Cade]

I'm new to the forums but I wanted to talk about the arcade I've been working on.  This has been quite a project and I'm doing a few things which seem original even from things posted here on the boards.  This project has been almost entirely on accident.  I actually went to look at arcade games with a friend and the guy ended up selling me a NFL Blitz arcade game shell for $200.

To start I ripped out all of the contents of the arcade game.  Where the controllers were there were 4 controllers with three buttons per controller so I knew I had to make some changes to fit in everything I wanted to have.  Unlike several of you I probably will not be building a bunch more arcade games so I wanted to make this one right and put in everything I could get into it.

The NFL Blitz shell actually came with a 38" tube and I considered working on it to get it to work but I figured it would probably just be easiest to buy a new TV.  I ended up buying a Visio 37" LCD TV.  The television screen was the perfect size but, unfortunately, since it was wide screen it actually was larger then the arcade shell.  I ended up cutting out a small square out of both sides and basically sliding the TV into place.  That method worked really well as it raises the TV up to the right height and holds it in place.  It also allows access to the buttons as they are located on the side of the TV.  On the YouTube video you can see how there is a small gap on the left side of the shell which is used to allow access to the buttons.

For paint I wanted to do something quick yet nice.  I painted it with a primer of straight grey paint.  I then painted it using a granite paint color.  Finally, I then spray painted it with a rock texture.  The result is hard to see in the photo but it basically looks like a big stone.

On the controllers I have four joysticks with 8 buttons each (6 playable, 2 admin).  I have a trackball installed and loaded.  I have two spinners installed.  Finally I have two Wiimotes installed as Bluetooth devices and have those setup as joysticks (not shown in my photos). 

On the front end I’m using Hyperspin (like almost everyone else).  I have N64, SNES, NES, MAME, and Delphine loaded and I have almost all of the games for each of those systems.  I haven’t counted but there is a ton of games on there at least 6k.  I’ve also got a few PC games loaded in Hyperspin as well.

I’ve got a bit more work to do.  I’m waiting on a replacement duritran for the main marquee and the control marquee.  I’ve got a friend who does that for a living but he’s been dragging his feet on it.  I’ve got to get the Wiimotes mounted to they look and act like real arcade controllers.  I’ve ordered a RGB LED light and ball for my U-Trak as the current non-lighted trackball just looks out of place.   Finally I’ve got a bit more tweaking to do on various games and such using the different controllers.

All said I think it came out pretty ok.  Please give me your feedback and if you have any ideas of things to change or fix on it let me know.

[equlizer]

If you are able to turn off all the bright lights, then its perfect

[Nephasth]

Your whole cp is backlit? Let's see under the hood!

[Cade]

Thanks!    Yes I have a switch to turn the lights on and off and to actually change the LED frequency and such.  I purchased four sets of the LED lights from Home Depot (link below) and I just have them all wired into two switches (1 for cabnet lights and 1 for Marquee lights).

http://www.lowes.com/pd_696-24994-HTP904E_0__?productId=3316942&Ntt=led&Ns=p_product_price|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dled%26page%3D3%26Ns%3Dp_product_price%7C1&facetInfo=

I've attached a couple pics of my wiring.  It's not pretty at this point.  I'm still waiting on a few more parts and then I'll clean it up a bit.  The other photo shows the LED lights in the marquee although it's hard so see.

[Cade]

Your whole cp is backlit? Let's see under the hood!

I posted a pic.  I'll try and get some better photos up once I clean up some wiring in the next few days.

[markronz]

I really like the backlit CP!   I'm a sucker for some good LED's.  What type of material is the CP made out of that it's translucent?

[Cade]

I really like the backlit CP!   I'm a sucker for some good LED's.  What type of material is the CP made out of that it's translucent?

Thanks!  I'm using a material called frosted acrylic. It's something of a pain to work with as you have to be really careful but the end result is nice.

[Tallman]

Nice work!

[markronz]

I really like the backlit CP!   I'm a sucker for some good LED's.  What type of material is the CP made out of that it's translucent?

Thanks!  I'm using a material called frosted acrylic. It's something of a pain to work with as you have to be really careful but the end result is nice.

You said it's a pain to work with, does that imply that it scratches easily?  Just wondering how it's going to hold up to some wear and tear of people playing the cab.

[mgb]

Very cool. I like the bling of the lighted cp.
Its also cool that you shut down that lighting when needed.
Great work

[Cade]

Nice work!

Thanks TallmanR 

[Cade]

You said it's a pain to work with, does that imply that it scratches easily?  Just wondering how it's going to hold up to some wear and tear of people playing the cab.

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back here.  I really will post some updated info and photos sometime here.  To answer your question yes it scratches easily when you are drilling it.  On the material itself there is a frosted side and a non frosted side.  The "frosting" can scratch off.  I purchased a thin sheet of plexiglass to go on top of the frosting so it protects it really well.  It really prevents any type of scratching on the material entirely.  To answer your question no, it's very durable now that everything has been drilled and put into place. My three little kids (3,5, and 6) beat on it all day long and it holds up really well.  No scratches at all to date.

[Cade]

Very cool. I like the bling of the lighted cp.
Its also cool that you shut down that lighting when needed.
Great work

Thanks!