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Arcade Cabinet - Play arcade games old skool

Arcade Cabinet - Play arcade games old skool
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Rio - The Make Class Blog

This instructable is for those of you who like to game but missed or want to relive the times where those addictive coin sucking machines were on top of the game food chain.

There are a couple of instructables about arcade cabs already but none of them are like the classic style, two player, street fighter cabinets which I think are the most versatile and fun to have. Also this is made by a student without a lot of money making it a bit more accessible. (Not everyone has access to a metal workshop)

I'll explain it in three parts focusing on different sections of the cab. These are, the computer, the controls and the cabinet itself. Note that, just like all instructables, you do not have to follow my exact steps. There is a lot of room for customization. Therefore the cab i've made is not very esthetically pleasing. Not yet anyway, it's still a work in progress.

If you need more clarification or maybe an extra photo or something just add a comment.

Maybe i'll just shut up and get on with it then.




 
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Step 1Computer - The stuff i used

Computer - The stuff i used
I imagine that you guys are mostly interested in gaming so I'll just start where i started, the games.

These day's it's not uncommon to have an old spare computer somewhere in the house and if you don't have one it's easy to get one. The emulator the computer is going to run is MAME, Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator. In order to get some kind of performance it is recommended that you at least have a

Pentium III processor
256 MB of RAM
a dedicated graphics card ( anything from the NVidia GeForce2 and up, or comparable ATI card will do)

As always the better your system specs, the better your games will run. But the operating system of choice will also be a factor.

I went for performance and grabbed my old and trusted Sony VAIO.
It has a
Pentium IV - 2.4 GHz
1024 MB of RAM
NVidia GeForce4 MX 440

This is overkill i know but i did it anyway.
Especial because i will be running a Linux distribution on it.

The next few steps will not have any pictures because there just isn't much to see. If you really want some screen captures just ask and I'll add it as soon as possible.
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58 comments
1-40 of 58next »
May 23, 2008. 3:25 PMdarkphotn says:
How the heck did you get Street Fighter III to work on MAME? Amazing tutorial.
May 5, 2011. 7:41 AMartemismeow says:
street fighter III asia (NO CD) is the one that works if you use the latest mame version.
Apr 18, 2011. 11:00 AMboom1234 says:
Can u please send me the plans at maecclub@googlemail.com ???
Apr 3, 2011. 3:17 PMseabananers says:
57th :P


Nov 25, 2010. 3:11 AMFrizzka says:
I wish I had a home, instead of a computer
Jul 13, 2010. 4:15 PMneverknowingwhy says:
would really like the plans neverknowingwhy@hotmail.co.uk thanks, awesome instructable
May 9, 2010. 1:30 AMmastermakoko says:
games didnt work,i used marvel vs capcom on windows.went to cmd and typed in C:\mame\roms\mvscu.zip and it says the directory is invalid...
May 31, 2010. 10:12 PMDarmani says:
and are u sure, u have your file in that directory?
Apr 25, 2010. 7:19 PM888hilly says:
I gotta admit it... I saw a Centipede arcade in my local arcade. It kinda made me sad that I got the high score easily, whicch meant that nobody played it, but it was easily the funnest and the most long lasting game in the arcade. I seriously think that arcades waste your money nowadays
Apr 9, 2010. 9:43 PMTomcat94 says:
I'm making my own using an old pc running linux. My cabinet was drawn out, then blown up to size. Its based off the Ms. Pacman/ Galaga cabinet model. If anyone wants the plans, feel free to contact my gmail (tombocat9@gmail.com).

BTW Awesome Instructable. :)
Jan 21, 2010. 2:49 PMJMS-2 says:
You know, I love how Player Start buttons resemble bathroom signs. Makes sense.
Great instructable!
Sep 14, 2009. 5:22 PMantienoob says:
i would also like the plans internet_gamer3@msn.com
May 22, 2008. 8:59 PMMr. Rig It says:
(removed by author or community request)
Sep 6, 2009. 4:57 PMMr. Rig It says:
Sorry everyone, I lost the plans when the Hard drive crashed, there are some others out there that have the plans. I sent them out to quite a few people. Sorry.
Sep 6, 2009. 2:55 AMantienoob says:
yer send them to internet_gamer3@msn.com plz, ty.
Aug 11, 2009. 11:43 AMRobert L says:
Please send them to Robertlong03@gmail.com . Thanks
Aug 10, 2009. 12:05 PMtarget022 says:
I'd love a copy of your plans. target022@hotmail.com Thanks a lot!
Apr 22, 2009. 10:33 PMmvvd says:
please; mvvd@sapo.pt mvvd@hotmail.com
Nov 30, 2008. 4:27 PMduckythescientist says:
please... duckythescientist@tampabay.rr.com thankyou!!
Nov 5, 2008. 12:17 PMzai12 says:
could send them to me also s.za813@gmail.com
Oct 29, 2008. 7:28 PMplace name here- says:
same here attackcat92@gmail.com gmail rocks
May 29, 2008. 4:48 PMClayton H. says:
I will love to receive your plans. My email is happyfaceproductions4@gmail.com. Thanks!
May 25, 2008. 1:19 PMricardovw says:
Hey, can you email me those plans that you mention please :) My email is rvw_100@hotmail.com Thanks
Feb 9, 2009. 7:58 AMmoesboy says:
can i have them 2 please
May 29, 2008. 7:12 AMxanderperson says:
Can i have them too? Xanderbergner@yahoo.com thanks
May 29, 2008. 7:34 AMcooldog says:
can i have them 2 n-robotics@hotmail.com
May 29, 2008. 8:43 AMMr. Rig It says:
yes i'll send them to you.
May 30, 2008. 12:16 AMxanderperson says:
thanks
May 24, 2008. 10:14 AMMr. Rig It says:
Thank you that is very generous, but the plans are only for an arcade cabinet. I already have 10 ible projects lined up and don't have the time or space. I just thought if you wanted to build another cabinet I coiuld give you the plans. I didn't create the plans they are by someone else I found them a few years ago.
May 23, 2008. 2:00 PMRobogeek says:
I too would like a copy of your cab plans. I am a draftsman and I'm always interested in such. Not to mention I'm a huge MAME fan. My e-mail is cad-draftsmanhotmail.com. Thanks in advance.
May 22, 2008. 11:05 PMdarkmuskrat says:
could u also e-mail me those plans at darkmuskrat@hotmail.com that would be awesome :D i have home drawn plans but i need more ideas...
Aug 26, 2009. 1:32 AMantienoob says:
hay i live in australia so were do i go to get this stuff.?
Sep 5, 2009. 11:01 AMktalex says:
internet?
Jun 7, 2009. 7:16 PMCharles IV says:
For Windows users, you can make the MAME program start on startup by going to: Start; Control Panel, Performance and maintenance, Scheduled Tasks, Add Scheduled Task, click browse then find your frontend program and select the option "When my computer starts"
Apr 21, 2009. 12:02 PMIkuruga says:
Nevermind I found it.
Apr 21, 2009. 12:01 PMIkuruga says:
Could you refer me to the page on Ultimarc.com where you found the I-Pac VE, i've looked for it, but can't find it.
Mar 4, 2009. 3:41 PMdogboy12457 says:
what year is the computer
Mar 2, 2009. 4:50 PMmax1131 says:
lol there's a Orange Box in the picture :D
1-40 of 58next »

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