Retro arcade machines are always a big hit, so I figured I’d make one. Since MDF is cheap, I decided to make a full size standup cabinet. Bar-tops and table tops are cool too, but this just scratched the itch. A year later I also built a portable version with a snazzy look – check out the Mobile Retrocade.

The intent here was to look like a generic 80’s arcade machine, not modeled after any specific cabinet.

Construction

Once I did some basic Sketchup work to get the proportions right and made some swoopy curves, I bought 2 sheets of 3/4″ MDF and started laying out the sides. That was probably the most work – a drywall square and a long straight edge are a big help for marking up the cut lines. I didn’t want to tackle printing out a template 6 feet tall and a few feet wide. I did make sure it was narrow enough to fit through any doorways – that essentially drove the choice of LCD screen size.

Cuts were done with a circular saw, a jigsaw, and a lot of guides. Once I had the first side cut out and cleaned up, I rough cut the second side, and used the first as a template. With a router and a flush trim bit, I made it into an identical replica without much trouble. Basic construction is very primitive, just 3/4″ x 3/4″ strips of MDF as “brackets” for all the 90 degree joints, glued and airgun nailed into place. It certainly doesn’t have the strength of a piece of furniture, but I’ve moved it around quite a bit without any problems. I did include built-in casters instead of rigid feet. The links at the end of this page have more details on the same sort of construction techniques I used.

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Electronics Inside:

• Raspberry Pi 3B running RetroPie
• generic powered USB hub
• speakers and audio amplifier pulled out of an old set of PC speakers
• cheap-o speaker grilles
• strip of white RGB lights for marquee (lights installed, but no marquee yet!)
• drawer slides, since I wanted to have a keyboard – helpful for Linux setup work
• 27″ LCD screen – the most expensive part of the project!
• speaker grille fittings for quick disconnect of back panel (or these)
• USB joystick interface with old school joysticks and buttons
• Rustoleum Ultracover flat black paint applied with foam roller and brushes
• power strip

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All of the electronics easily fit behind the monitor, so the lower cabinet is absolutely empty. I use the space in the bottom as just another cabinet to store stuff.

Inspiration

Though I didn’t follow anyone’s plans, I learned a lot from others who already blazed the trail. Check out these arcade project videos:

• Mike’s at The Geek Pub
• Marc’s at The Wood Whisperer
• Bob’s at I Like to Make Stuff