Mini Cab - looking for ideas or suggestions

[nickels]

I recently picked up a free mini-cab that was gutted. It was at some point a Mega-touch machine:



It is in fairly decent shape, just needs some love to restore it. I have two joysticks, enough buttons for 2 players 6 button set-ups. Also have a decent PC, a ton of Mame roms (no front end solution yet), flat monitor, ipac controller, connectors, and lots of wire. I was even thinking about getting a trackball, but I am not sure if it is necessary?  So, I really have everything I need to convert this into a Mame machine, except for an idea/theme/concept. Since I saved time and $$$ on building a cabinet, I can use that time to convert this into something cool.

My thoughts so far:
1. Chalkboard cab where the artwork can be changed from time to time. My basement where it is going already has a chalkboard wall so this would compliment the area.  I like this idea because it is easy to achieve and ever changing.
2. Mame of Thrones. Make it look like the iron throne. Fine for now, but in a decade will it be outdated and dumb? Also the build would take forever making a ton of fake swords and attaching them to the cab.
3. A generic monster/robot. Paint arms on the sides and features on the front to make it an original character for the room.
Alternately a known character like Homer Simpson. mmmmMame

I am semi artistic and also into woodworking so the ideas can be involved. Nothing so far has gotten me to move this cab into the basement to get working on it. I have used a LEDWiz so I could also add custom lighting if it would enhance the concept. I need an idea that inspires...

[yotsuya]

My thoughts so far:

1. How wide is that cab? Are you sure a 2 player SF layout WITH TRACKBALL will fit nicely?

2. "Mame of Thrones. Make it look like the iron throne. Fine for now, but in a decade will it be outdated and dumb?" You're giving it a decade? 

3. Best use of that style of cab I've seen on here is a touchscreen jukebox. I've never seen one turned in to a MAME cab. Good luck.

[Gatsu]

that's a pretty nice looking cab. I'd put a nice LCD in it vertically oriented so you can do shmups and still have a decent screen size for fighters.

[nickels]

3. Best use of that style of cab I've seen on here is a touchscreen jukebox. I've never seen one turned in to a MAME cab. Good luck.

Well, I will start a new thread soon when this is finished. I just wanted to say, now you have



When you have three kids, sometimes projects sit for a year or two. This is actually a playable MAME cab now. I don't want to post more recent photos until I am completely finished.