This Instructable shows you how to build your own arcade machine. I decided to build this for myself because I'm a big gamer and commercial arcade machines cost excess of R12000 (~$1700) and thats just unfordable for most. This took me about two days of solid work and at a fraction of the cost i have my own game station.
There are two options to use when running the system, either an xbox 360 in order to play newer games with better graphics such as TEKKEN or a computer running MAME to play old style arcade games such as PACMAN, I will get into all of this at a later stage.
The frame is made from super wood, its strong but easy to cut with a jig saw. I bought 4 pieces, each 1800x600mm cost around R500 (~$70)
I purchased two Xbox arcade joysticks from the market (probably not real Microsoft product but they work just as well), they were really cheap compared to other joysticks out there ,R250 each (~$35), and they work on Xbox as well as a windows PC since they are both Microsoft.
The screen is the more expensive part but its completely your choice as to which size (depending on your price range) you would like to use. I found a good deal on a 23" LCD so thats the one i used. Any monitor with the right serial port will work. its easier to use one that has built in speakers, if not they can be added later on.
main components:
monitor
cable monitor to Xbox/PC (VGA) (R150 ~$20)
PC or Xbox
arcade joystick controllers x 2
wood
Other materials/tools you may need:
primer
paint(any colour you choose)
paint brush
screws(long enough to get through the thick wood)
jig saw
drill
screw driver
measuring tape
pencil
printer(for the marquees)
strip of LED's (for visual effect)
speakers(if monitor doesn't have)
There are two options to use when running the system, either an xbox 360 in order to play newer games with better graphics such as TEKKEN or a computer running MAME to play old style arcade games such as PACMAN, I will get into all of this at a later stage.
The frame is made from super wood, its strong but easy to cut with a jig saw. I bought 4 pieces, each 1800x600mm cost around R500 (~$70)
I purchased two Xbox arcade joysticks from the market (probably not real Microsoft product but they work just as well), they were really cheap compared to other joysticks out there ,R250 each (~$35), and they work on Xbox as well as a windows PC since they are both Microsoft.
The screen is the more expensive part but its completely your choice as to which size (depending on your price range) you would like to use. I found a good deal on a 23" LCD so thats the one i used. Any monitor with the right serial port will work. its easier to use one that has built in speakers, if not they can be added later on.
main components:
monitor
cable monitor to Xbox/PC (VGA) (R150 ~$20)
PC or Xbox
arcade joystick controllers x 2
wood
Other materials/tools you may need:
primer
paint(any colour you choose)
paint brush
screws(long enough to get through the thick wood)
jig saw
drill
screw driver
measuring tape
pencil
printer(for the marquees)
strip of LED's (for visual effect)
speakers(if monitor doesn't have)
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Signing UpStep 1: Design
I first designed the arcade machine using "Google Sketchup", its a free downloadable program and is a great way to see what the final product will look like. It also has a 'Dimension' feature so you can see roughly the size of the pieces you need to cut. I ended up rounding off the dimensions to make things simpler. So don't use these exact measurements,rather see what looks good and use common sense. Don't make the frame too thin or it wont be sturdy but don't make it too thick or it will be too heavy (unless you don't mind that)
Measure twice cut once.
Measure twice cut once.
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I first searched online for arcade joysticks and found a lot on ebay, I really wanted an "Xarcade" joystick,would look awesome, but it was too expensive. Landed up going to the local flea market and they had cheap ones there, don't think they legit Microsoft products and thats why they were so cheap:) R250(~$35)