Want to build my own DIY arcade machine

ninjabib · 24 May 2020 at 12:00

Hi!

New to this section of the forum, never really noticed it before.

My first question is going to be a really generic one i guess. Yes, i want to build my own arcade machine with loads of games so how would i go about that?

Where do most of your fellow machine bjuilders get your parts from? Are they certain brands i should purchase, joysticks/buttons for example.

Can i buy flat packs and just build it up?

You may discuss the hardware but please refrain from any discussion of ROMs

Thanks in advance!

Dunners · 24 May 2020 at 20:25

You can get a flat pack and build it, and you have a few options as to what goes inside it. You can put a mini pc in it if you want - I went with a raspberry pi with retropie installed on it. Works great once you get it set up.

I designed and built one myself from sheets of plywood which gave me a great sense of achievement having never really done any kind of woodworking before. It also taught me a lot of skills I've been able to apply elsewhere.

Got my parts from a place called arcadeworld which is in the UK and has a great service.

Dont think we are allowed to talk ROMS on here though!

Edit - check the arcade controls forum out for some guides etc. Some amazing builds on there!

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/

ninjabib · 25 May 2020 at 15:09

Thanks Dunners, will be sure to check out the link provided. Thanks for the info.

noileum · 29 Jul 2020 at 13:42

I purchased mine from https://www.arcadeworlduk.com/categories/arcade-flat-pack-kits.html - have to be honest though, having built it up I never actually got around to putting a screen/pi into it so it's sat under a desk in my office

Zatoichi.uK · 30 Jul 2020 at 16:29

Yeh arcade world for basically everything.

GSXRMovistar · 31 Jul 2020 at 19:53

As above the BYOAC forums will provide you with all the info you could possibly need, I've done a few over the years with the last couple of builds here:-

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/coffee-table-arcade-machine-build.18700879/
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/retro-gaming-build-pi-powered-mini-bartop.18739842/

The majority of people I've spoken with that have built an out of the box flat pack system had ended up customising or wishing certain bits were different so it may be easier building what you want from scratch.

Dunners · 1 Aug 2020 at 16:14

Wonder how the OP is getting on!

Dunners · 1 Aug 2020 at 16:15

noileum said:
I purchased mine from https://www.arcadeworlduk.com/categories/arcade-flat-pack-kits.html - have to be honest though, having built it up I never actually got around to putting a screen/pi into it so it's sat under a desk in my office

To be honest getting the pi set up was the most challenging and at times irritating part of it for me. Get yours finished it will be worth it. I've been loving Gauntlet on mine!!

noileum · 5 Aug 2020 at 12:40

Dunners said:
To be honest getting the pi set up was the most challenging and at times irritating part of it for me. Get yours finished it will be worth it. I've been loving Gauntlet on mine!!

Yeah, I need to pull my finger out as I know me and the kids will use it if it's actually set up somewhere !