How to build a Nintendo arcade

This Instructable will show you how I built my Nintendo arcade. It is a bartop cabinet that plays original Nintendo game. The arcade is completely self contained with one power switch for everything.

You can see a video of the arcade in action at Youtube, here.

Things you will need:
1 sheet of 4'x8' 1/4" MDF
1 sheet of plexiglass
1 set of joystick and arcade buttons
1 posterboard
several cans of spray paint
an older PC
an LCD monitor
1 USB keyboard
soldering equipment
nes controller ports (ripped from a four score)
DB-25 connector
2 cases of Diet Coke :)

Inside is an old PC and a 17" LCD monitor. The back of the cabinet has two USB ports and two NES controller ports. You can connect regular, un-modded NES controllers and play with those or use the joystick and buttons on the control panel.

The front end is a simple VB program that auto loads when the PC boots. You never need to connect a mouse or keyboard to load your games. The VB program gives a list of games installed. Using the joystick, you can select the game you want to play.

Also, you can connect a keyboard and mouse to the USB ports in the back and use the set as a regular PC. It has wireless internet built in.

Step 1: Building the cabinet

Draw out the arcade shape onto 1/4" MDF. Cut it out with a circular saw, jig saw, etc... Measure and cut out the remaining parts. My cabinet is 24"x18"x 24" (H x W x D). Screw all the pieces together.

Comments

[seekanddestroy]

Your measurement from front to back is really 2ft? My dad and i sat at the pc trying to figure this out forever because 2 ft just seemed a little small lol so just wanted to clarify this ! And i bought a 4x8 board and it seems like i have enough mdf to make two of these cabs

[tygersrule]

Hey, planning on building this, can you tell me how much plexiglass you used and where you go it from? Also, what did you use for the secondary buttons, and where did you get them from.

[russm313]

I got the plexi from Home Depot. The secondary buttons are just momentary SPST buttons from radioshack. Good luck!

[sleepydino11]

For my one I'm gonna use my NES and my small tv and a NES advantage.

[x-muts-x]

But if you're using an LCD or Plasma,
You won't be able to play Duck Hunt...
Which is the best game ever...
And you can't put an old screen in there. They're huge..

[farmerboyk]

Im sure the screen doesn't matter if its LCD/Plasma.

[Justin M. Salvato]

It does matter; you need scan lines to make shooting games work (old CRT televisions), for the original NES anyway. Sames goes for the Sega Master System.

[mikeyfps]

Most emulators allow you to add scan lines to whatever game you may be playing. Plus I'm sure you can use a mouse!

[trosenau]

I know this is really late but almost a year ago I said I might do this for my senior project? I did :)

[jackflash]

I was wondering how much everything costs to build this ?....

Awsome job btw. SAL

[cfoster15]

Im just going to use a nes system to do this. I know I can't save games but that seems a bit more like a real arcade anyways. I will defiantly use this design (with some modifications obviously) to make a nes arcade machine. Then a Snes arcade machine. Thank god for parents with tools or I might have to buy my own!

now all i need is some diet coke.... oh yeah and all that other stuff

[cc67]

Do you need to install an operating system for this???

[sofiadragon1979]

That thing freaking rocks!!!!!, I'm tinking of versions for other retro systems & include all the games that we all grew up w/.

[mitch and sean]

Is the diet coke have to come in later on or is it used for something?

Ples explain

[thethiny1919]

some people dont get the joke

[Krayzi99]

it is for all the energy. caffiene

[qneuhalfen]

Would it be possible to make a Sega arcade the same way

[thethiny1919]

As you have your pc , you are free to do anything with it , just add more buttons!

[Krayzi99]

Is there a way to get the VB script from ya? still a extremely beginner vb programmer

[thethiny1919]

download an emulator
For Windows XP-Vista-7:
1, click start
2.Click all programs
3.Click STARTUP (folder)
4.put a shortcut to an emulator here
6.enjoy

[kulak314]

what are the measurements for each piece of the box?

[thethiny1919]

depending on your system , for him , he use 4x8

[apoorveinstein]

How can i make that VB program, so that it runs on system boot up??

[thethiny1919]

For Windows XP-Vista-7
1, click start
2.Click all programs
3.Click STARTUP (folder)
4.put a shortcut to your application here
5.The application must be a pre-made VB program or an emulator
6.enjoy

[apoorveinstein]

Yeah mann dats really easy...
Bt i want dat VB prog???

[thethiny1919]

make a button that does this action : start "[emulator name here].exe" "[rom name and location here].nes"
I may code it for you!

[thethiny1919]

go make it yourself its easy!

[Derek Vigil]

How much money would this cost overall?

[thethiny1919]

350$

[thethiny1919]

I have a question please reply to me @ [e-mail]
I have found the Ground and Open for all my buttons , now I have everything ready except for one thing, how do I connect them?
I have the buttons and the pins , please tell me step-by-step how-to?
should I get a wire and connect it to the button and open-pin ,then get another wire and connect it to the button and ground-pin? So it would look like this:
|BUTTON|
Ground Pin --------| | --------Open Pin
please help I wont waste my 350$!!!

[wildmissingNo]

Unless I'm missing something (which is completely possible since I've only been skimming), wouldn't it be easier to use a pcb from a pc-compatible usb controller? They're really cheap, you can find them anywhere and are much easier to modify than a keyboard.

[awolf1]

Very cool.... Go to fav list.

But Diet Coke??? really?? I think soda is better. ^^

[promotions]

Wow, this is an awesome instructable it really does show how to create a state of the art nintendo arcade.

Nintendo Repair Shop
www.nintendorepairshop.com

[sboekelman]

can i use a nes advantige controler for it?

[T_T_]

not without this Chip

[trosenau]

Im hoping to do this for my senior project, so in the upcoming next months :)

[superduperdrew]

couldn't you just get an old tv,NES,and NES advantage controller?

[brainiac1515]

how big is your monitor and extra side room so i can adjust the size some

[cooltool456]

Can you use an old mac?

[brainiac1515]

yes yes you can