Building 4 Player Arcade Cabinet

[IronStrike]

Hi everyone,

I have been browsing these forums for quite some time (anonymously) and I admire everyone's dedication and work.  Lots of talented people here!
I now feel empowered to build an arcade cabinet, so thank you!

I realize there are quite a bit of projects out there that I can build on but I am someone who isn't too creative but I can follow instructions very well!
I haven't found a project that has exactly what I am looking for. I was wondering if you guys can point me in the right direction?

I am looking for an in-depth guide/walkthrough to build an arcade cabinet that:

• is 2 players
• has a trackball
• has 2 guns
• can support 32inch TV
• is coin operated
• can play TONS of games (thinking hyperspin)

I also have 0 power tools, but I am willing to purchase/borrow tools from friends to make this happen.

I am currently in Calgary, if anyone is near here, I would be willing to grab you some coffee as I pick your brain (I am not a zombie  )

If you know of any guides that currently exist (I've searched here and on google) please let me know or if you can offer some insight, words of wisdom, warning, etc., that would be greatly appreciated.

[harveybirdman]

I have two bits of advice.

Forget the Light Gun support for now

Think long and hard before you decide to build one cab to rule them all that plays thousands of console games.  While some games work great in a cabinet most were designed to be played for long periods from the couch.  Hyperspin can bloat itself to the point where you and your guest spend more time playing the front end than you do playing the games.

Looking for the guides that got me hooked 6 years ago, I'll post them if I find...


Here's one

http://www.koenigs.dk/mame/eng/stepprojectmame.htm


Here's Another (although don't build a frankenpanel)

http://www.arcadecab.com/CabinetPlans2/CabinetPlans2_Background.html

[IronStrike]

I have two bits of advice.

Forget the Light Gun support for now

Think long and hard before you decide to build one cab to rule them all that plays thousands of console games.  While some games work great in a cabinet most were designed to be played for long periods from the couch.  Hyperspin can bloat itself to the point where you and your guest spend more time playing the front end than you do playing the games.

Looking for the guides that got me hooked 6 years ago, I'll post them if I find...

Hi harvey,

Thank you for your input.

Can you elaborate why I should forget the Light Gun support?  One of my favorite games is Police Trainer, that one brings back memories for me. I really want to try and incorporate that into my build.

With Hyperspin, I don't plan on adding 287364876 games all at once, I will essentially start with games that I want to play and then build/add them as my brother and friends suggest it.  Hopefully that will keep the games manageable, what do you think?

Also i am looking forward to your guides

[vwalbridge]

I am currently in Calgary, if anyone is near here, I would be willing to grab you some coffee as I pick your brain (I am not a zombie  )

Hit up ChanceKJ I believe he lives in Calgary.

[IronStrike]

I am currently in Calgary, if anyone is near here, I would be willing to grab you some coffee as I pick your brain (I am not a zombie  )

Hit up ChanceKJ I believe he lives in Calgary.

Thanks vwalbridge!  I will send him a pm and see if he can provide some insight.

[harveybirdman]

Can you elaborate why I should forget the Light Gun support?  One of my favorite games is Police Trainer, that one brings back memories for me. I really want to try and incorporate that into my build.

Police Trainer used light guns that worked with Cathode Ray timing, and is designed for an arcade monitor.  They don't work on LCD/LED Televisions and the technology that does work on newer screens sucks ass by comparison.  What good is reliving the game you love if it doesn't register your shots appropriately or you have to calibrate and finagle software more than you enjoy the games?  Personally I also think they are ugly as sin and look dumb unless they are on a cabinet that is just designed to be a gun cabinet.

With Hyperspin, I don't plan on adding 287364876 games all at once, I will essentially start with games that I want to play and then build/add them as my brother and friends suggest it.  Hopefully that will keep the games manageable, what do you think?

Also i am looking forward to your guides

It's a good idea in theory, just make sure you only focus on games that work with your controls and with the aesthetics of the cabinet.

[vwalbridge]

harverybirdman is giving you some good advice.

Since this is your first build and it sounds like you are already going to have to obtain tools...I'd scale back your enthusiasm to build a mega-cade a bit.

Build a cab that most suites the games you like to play. An easy place to start is deciding if you want vertical or horizontal games more. It's possible to do both, but not without some sacrifice. That will help you narrow it down real quick.

Ultimately, I think you will be very surprised how overwhelming it can be to build an arcade machine... especially your first one.

Take a smaller bite and you will have more success and not feel discourage trying to make everything work all at once.

EDIT: And if you are like most of us, this will not be your last build anyway. You can still build a 2nd.

[IronStrike]

@Harvey - That's totally fair and valid.  That will probably be the only game i'll play with a gun.  If i were to add it in later, do you think it would be an easy task?

@vwalbridge - I know I like fighting games a lot buy my brother likes a wide variety of games and I am building this for us.What kind of sacrifices are we talking about?  I am pretty persistent and like the challenge, I won't be discouraged

[harveybirdman]

@Harvey - That's totally fair and valid.  That will probably be the only game i'll play with a gun.  If i were to add it in later, do you think it would be an easy task?


@vwalbridge - I know I like fighting games a lot buy my brother likes a wide variety of games and I am building this for us.What kind of sacrifices are we talking about?  I am pretty persistent and like the challenge, I won't be discouraged

Figure out what you're doing with the display first.  Don't build a cabinet wide enough for a 32 inch panel mounted horizontally if you can avoid it, if that's what you end up doing you might want to consider a pedestal design that would also allow you to easily add AimTrack support if you have to have it later and you know you could end of with something that a) still looks pretty good and b )actually fits through a door.

Also some great cabinet's here at BYOAC have had great success getting the best of both worlds (vertical and horizontal) by mounting the display vertical and using software to manipulate the picture.  Check out token's Moonshot build:  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,147277.0.html but I say this with the caveat that their is a bit of a learning curve to make your video output in this manner.

[vwalbridge]

What kind of sacrifices are we talking about?

If you want to play both vertical and horizontal games on the same screen then you are going to have letter-boxing on either the top/bottom or left/right edges of the screen. (Depending on how your monitor is oriented)

However, if you mount a 42 inch TV vertically in the cab, like Token did with Moonshot Then you can have both horizontal and vertical games play "fullscreen" full-size.

[harveybirdman]

if you mount a 42 inch TV vertically in the cab, like Token did with Moonshot Then you can have both horizontal and vertical games play "fullscreen".

Dude... get outta my brain....

[yotsuya]

What kind of sacrifices are we talking about?  I am pretty persistent and like the challenge, I won't be discouraged

So do you want feedback, or do you want validation? Because you're getting really good feedback right now. That feedback isn't meant to discourage you, it's meant to help you with a successful first build.

[ChanceKJ]

.

[yotsuya]

I am currently in Calgary, if anyone is near here, I would be willing to grab you some coffee as I pick your brain (I am not a zombie  )

Hit up ChanceKJ I believe he lives in Calgary.

You would be correct sir. 

Watch out, though... he has a foot fetish.

[ChanceKJ]

.

[Frank Drebin]

I can speak to the aimtrack on Mame.  Duck hunt vs is pretty good but most don't work that great.  Good for a bit of nostalgia.  Pc games like house of the dead work really well. 

[scoodidabop]

The Aimtrak guns actually work pretty well.  Here's a video of me playing Area 51 in MAME, performance is similar on Police Trainer;



There's a few milliseconds of delay to consider, that's why I leave the crosshair on.  With the shooting in Police Trainer being so reflexive the slight delay takes a little getting used to, otherwise the aiming is dead on.  Performance in Model 2 (Virtua Cop, House of the Dead, Gunblade etc) and Demul (Maze of Kings, Lupin, Confidential Mission etc) is similar.  Demul doesn't officially support two player lightguns but Model 2 does via Troubleshooter 2.  There's a Hyperspin module available for gun games.  Oh, spring for the recoil too.  Ultimarc now builds it into the guns so no soldering required!

[Token]

I am looking for an in-depth guide/walkthrough to build an arcade cabinet

Check out Ond's Metropolis or Artifact. Both include detailed plans.

There are more, but those are two off the top of my head.

Also, you mentioned a 32" TV. Are we talking CRT or LCD?

[fryed_1]

As someone who's about 85% done with my first build, I had similar dreams of light guns, detachable control panels for racing wheels, flight sticks and so on.  That was quickly squashed after rebuilding my control panel with just the basics for the 6th or 7th time.  What looks good on paper or in your head quickly translates to bad ideas and lost money when it's standing right in front of you.

One thing I'm doing on my cab now is adding an extra HDMI input and power outlet.  I like the light gun games as well, but space is somewhat of an issue for me.  So instead of building another full cab, I build just the light gun floor standing console, waste high.  That rolls in to place in front of the existing cab, plug in power and HDMI and figure out your input switches (MCM electronics has some great DIY kits for this kind of stuff) and you can make use of the existing machine without overcrowding it with too many controls.

Good luck!  Can't wait to see what you come up with!

[leapinlew]

I also love gun games!

After witnessing all the issues, I decided to go the easiest way and I have a PS2 with light guns and all the games. not 100% what you want, but I don't think you are going to find 100%

[yotsuya]

I went and bought DVDs of all the American Laser games, and I have one Aimtrak. My own dream build will be a gun cabinet. I just don't have the room for it right now. When I do, it's going to look like Area 51.

[IronStrike]

@harveybirdman - I never really thought about a pedestal design, it is definitely something to consider.  Yeah i think the AimTrack support will have to be added on later, the cost of what I had planned is getting out of hand haha. 

@yotsuya - I do want feedback, and you are right, I am getting quite a bit here. You are also right in saying that I wanted validation, as this is my first project I wanted to do everything according to what I picture in my head, but as a newb it might not be practical.  I do respect the individuals here and will do a better job into taking the advice that is given!

@Token - Thanks for those two links.  I've checked out OND's but not Artifact's just yet.  I will do that shortly .  I was thinking LCD screen as I like the thin look.

@fryed_1 - You are right, I am starting to think that my ultimate dream might not be practical.  I'll make a note of MCM electronics and do some research.  Do you have a post to your progress? I wouldn't mind looking at it!

I am putting together of list of Must Haves, Nice to Haves and Future Additions, I am hoping this will help me scale my project back a bit. Also I will be meeting up with someone who has more knowledge than I for some pointers!

Side note:  Trying to use sketchup and I am not a fan. I think I may just use Photoshop to make each piece. 

[yotsuya]

@harveybirdman - I never really thought about a pedestal design, it is definitely something to consider.  Yeah i think the AimTrack support will have to be added on later, the cost of what I had planned is getting out of hand haha. 

@yotsuya - I do want feedback, and you are right, I am getting quite a bit here. You are also right in saying that I wanted validation, as this is my first project I wanted to do everything according to what I picture in my head, but as a newb it might not be practical.  I do respect the individuals here and will do a better job into taking the advice that is given!

@Token - Thanks for those two links.  I've checked out OND's but not Artifact's just yet.  I will do that shortly .  I was thinking LCD screen as I like the thin look.

@fryed_1 - You are right, I am starting to think that my ultimate dream might not be practical.  I'll make a note of MCM electronics and do some research.  Do you have a post to your progress? I wouldn't mind looking at it!

I am putting together of list of Must Haves, Nice to Haves and Future Additions, I am hoping this will help me scale my project back a bit. Also I will be meeting up with someone who has more knowledge than I for some pointers!

Side note:  Trying to use sketchup and I am not a fan. I think I may just use Photoshop to make each piece.

You're all right, brother. You need help with anything, just ask.

[bertman77]

Things I have learned in building my own cabinet:

It isn't easy but it is worth it.

You will make mistakes, design changes, and find ways to cover up your flaws.

You will make a lot of trips to the hardware store to buy things that you didn't think of at the time, or thought would work but won't. Or extra sandpaper, or bondo, or glue, or ......

It will take longer than you want it to, and that's OK.

It will cost more than you think at the outset - see line 3.

Painting is hard to get right.

You will find new, inventive ways to solve problems.

The final assembled product will be heavier than it looks, and make sure your design will fit through doors.

Mine may never be 100% completed but i can live without a marquee and glass on the front for now. T-molding is done.

You can do it, but you're the only one that needs to be satisfied with the end results. Take the guidance of the other people on this board. They may critique your design, but they will provide honest feedback to help make your project better.

now go buy a circular saw and make a sawboard. You'll need one.

[IronStrike]

I met with Chance today and his friend (I believe he is on here too but dont know his screen name) and they provided me with great advice, feedback and insight on how to get started, so shoutout to them!

I am going to document what I get so that you can all see my progress.

Needs:

• 4 Players
• LED Buttons
• Trackball
• 32 Inch TV - Only because I have a spare TV laying around
• Sick Graphics
• Hidden Tray for keyboard/mouse

Additions for later:

• AimTrak LightGuns x2
• 4 Slot Coin Door

Wishlist:

• One Way Mirror Marquee using Raspberry Pi as a Sports Ticker
• Steering Wheel

Items Purchased:

• Button Wrench
• IL Button Nuts
• I-PAC Ultimate I/O
• Joystick Mounting Kits (5mm) x4
• J-Stik Ball-Top x2
• PacLED64 Advanced LED Controller x2
• U-TRAK FlushMount Arcade Trackball
• U-TRAK RGB LED Illumination Kit
• UltraStik 360 Ball Top with USB Cable x2
• UltraStik 360 Long Handle Shaft (BallTop) x4
• IL Transparent/Black Concave Buttons
• Black IL Concave PushButton Player 1-4
• Cup Holders x2
• Uila S Flash
• IL-lumination 5VDC RGB LED - Super Bright LEDs
• Seimitsu LB-39 Clear Bubble Ball Top x4
• Elenco Solid Hookup- Wire Kit 6 Colors
• Irwin Industrial Tool - Stripper, Cutter and Crimper
• Southern Homewares SH-10127 Ultra Slim TV Wall Mount Bracket

I'll be adding to this list as I go.

[harveybirdman]

Make sure you light up the cup holders bruh.... 


Good Luck, make sure to post progress!

[IronStrike]

Make sure you light up the cup holders bruh.... 


Good Luck, make sure to post progress!

Ooo that's a good idea. Maybe use the same colour  as their buttons to distinguish the cups.

Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk

[harveybirdman]

Make sure you light up the cup holders bruh.... 


Good Luck, make sure to post progress!

Ooo that's a good idea. Maybe use the same colour  as their buttons to distinguish the cups.

Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk

I was being facetious, I'm sort of known for being a LED hater around here, but it sounds like you have what you want in mind, and you just dropped mad coin on LED features, so make it work for you!

[IronStrike]

Make sure you light up the cup holders bruh.... 


Good Luck, make sure to post progress!

Ooo that's a good idea. Maybe use the same colour  as their buttons to distinguish the cups.

Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk

I was being facetious, I'm sort of known for being a LED hater around here, but it sounds like you have what you want in mind, and you just dropped mad coin on LED features, so make it work for you!

Haha noted, thanks for the idea anyways .  Out of curiosity, why do you hate them? 

[harveybirdman]

Aesthetically I think they're tacky

Their only real value outside of the bling factor is to show the operational buttons for the active game in the cab.

To me the expense, light pollution, heat pollution, and time investment isn't worth the results.

[IronStrike]

Aesthetically I think they're tacky

Their only real value outside of the bling factor is to show the operational buttons for the active game in the cab.

To me the expense, light pollution, heat pollution, and time investment isn't worth the results.

I think I'll end up making 2 cabinets.  One that will include the stuff I want and one that will be just a "classic" with no LEDs and just 2 player.  I am thinking either MKII or maybe a Marvel vs Capcom one for nostalgic purposes.

I've updated my Needs/Wishlist/Purchases list.  Think I should add that to my original post instead of having it half way down?

[yotsuya]

Just a thought, but you may want to build that two player simple cabinet first, unless you're very confident with your skills. It might be nice to start simple, and then once you've learned enough, go big.

[IronStrike]

Just a thought, but you may want to build that two player simple cabinet first, unless you're very confident with your skills. It might be nice to start simple, and then once you've learned enough, go big.

You are probably right.  I think right now I am still working on the design of the project.  I will probably use ChanceKJ's side panels for this build and work on my own control panel.  Once i get the plans I'll get the CNC work done for this and a 2-Up cabinet at the same time.  I'll be using the 2-Up to hone my skills

[yotsuya]

Well, if you're going to get the cabinet cut for you, that changes everything. I wouldn't worry so much about putting it together everything's done on a machine. You can at least practice the wiring on the smaller control panel, though. That'll help when you tackle the big one.

[IronStrike]

Yeah I guess I could have mentioned it earlier.  The wiring of the control panel scares me a bit, been trying to watch as many videos as I can but if you have any specific ones in mind that I should watch, send them my way

[yotsuya]

Yeah I guess I could have mentioned it earlier.  The wiring of the control panel scares me a bit, been trying to watch as many videos as I can but if you have any specific ones in mind that I should watch, send them my way

You don't need videos, there's plenty of threads here with pictures that will show you what to do. When I first started in this hobby six years ago, I was going to buy an already wired control panel , but just doing some reading I realized it would be really easy to do, and I've never looked back.

[yotsuya]

Seriously, take a wire and insert one end into your keyboard encoder marked P1 start, take the other and attach it to the middle post on the player 1 start button. Repeat for all your buttons. Then hook up the ground wire to the bottom post on all the other buttons. There, you wired your control panel.

[IronStrike]

I mean I've seen a few videos (including DeLuSioNaL29's videos).  Your words are encouraging, I am hoping it is just that simple.  I am very excited for the buttons to come in so I can try this out!! I should grab an old machine to try this out with.

[Token]

I am hoping it is just that simple.

Wiring up that IPac Ultimate with the pre-made wiring harnesses is no problem. You got this!

[leapinlew]

I am hoping it is just that simple.

Wiring up that IPac Ultimate with the pre-made wiring harnesses is no problem. You got this!

I don't know man...

Be careful IronStrike. I had just 1 wire out of place and when I turned it on, it caught fire, caught my cab on fire and before I could put it out it create a feedback loop which deleted all my data on my computer including the external drives which weren't even powered on or plugged up. Before I could disconnect the ipac, it caught my house on fire which ended up being a total loss the insurance wouldn't cover.

Wish me better luck next time.