Bubble Bobble themed Bartop Arcade Build

AndersHP

@caver01 this is so true, I can't believe it :-D

gforce31

Love this project. The attention to detail is excellent.

I'm currently planning my own bartop build so this has been really useful reading.

I'm planning on a ninja turtles themed bartop as it was my most played arcade machine as a kid. Have everything set up on the pi3. Ordered il joysticks and suzo happ buttons from arcade world uk which arrived today so things are starting to come together. Just need to decide whether to build the bartop from scratch or to buy a flat pack kit.

spruce_m00se

@gforce31 ive build my cabinet from scratch, if you have the tools I think you will apreciate it more, if you dont have a jigsaw and a router and wont use them for other things I would buy a kit

AndersHP

@gforce31 great to be of inspiration and thanks!
I had a hard time choosing also, but never regretted building my own.

If you have a bit of experience with tools, it's really not that hard. I took my time, especially with the jigsaw cutting, and saw a ton of youtube vids. And a Plunge saw with guiderail is priceless to have at your disposal for the long straight cuts.

If you don't need the tools afterwards, it's also a possibility to rent or loan them perhaps?

AndersHP

Just added an 8bitdo NES30Pro controller to my Arcade Build.

Some of the old console games just play better with a D-Pad on a controller, plus it's better for casual comfy gaming!

caver01

@andershp How do you like that controller? I picked up two via Massdrop some months back but I haven't set them up yet. I plan to do another build project, this time as a set-top box using these controllers. I have read mixed reviews.

spruce_m00se

@andershp I have a ds4 controller on my arcade machiene, and when I want to do comfy gaming I run a 10m HDMI out of it onto the main tv instead of the one in the cabinet, it works a treat!

AndersHP

@caver01 Sounds like a cool idea, been tinkering with that thought myself.

I quite like the controller actually. Setup was easy (followed this guide), and I think the responsiveness of the controller is good.

Finished the last 2 levels in Kirbys Adventure and started on Chrono Trigger yesterday and these console games just play good from the couch. Haven't charged the controller yet (but then again, gaming time has only been like 3-4 hours or so).

I haven't really tested the analog Sticks, they configure fine in ES, but maybe the few PSX games I tested didn't support them (Destruction Derby, Alundra). Otherwise I may have to edit my retroarch.cfg files ...?

Overall I think the controller is nice. The glowing light and the NES look is cool, and I like the buttons and sticks. Also the size is fine, I think.

If I should put my finger on something, I'd like it to weigh a little bit more, and the tactile feel to the buttons on the up- and downside (bluetooth, power and shoulder buttons) are a bit too easily pressed.

Please, do share your thoughts of it when you set it up.

AndersHP

@spruce_m00se Yeah I can see this would work also.

Newellj79

@andershp What size monitor did you use? Your build is awesome!

AndersHP

@newellj79 Thanks man! It's a 19" Dell 5:4 monitor.

Newellj79

@andershp
Thank you sir. I am starting my build this weekend and will be using alot of your pictures for reference.

AndersHP

@newellj79 I'm humbled!
I like that many games run fullscreen on a 4:3 or 5:4 monitor, but I must admit that the many cool overlays available on this site has made me think that a 16:9 monitor could have been cool also.

Just something to consider!

Majin Wamu

Aww, your Bartop is so cute! I love Bubble Bobble! The insides is a lot neater than mine! That's for sure. I thought about someday making a Bartop, but I want the correct tools first. Makes for a more accurate cut.

AndersHP

@majin-wamu Thanks for the kind words! I'm usually a bit messy, so I forced myself to tidy things up as much as possible :-) makes it even more enjoyable.

Yeah you definitely need some good tools, I always wanted a table saw but ended up loaning a guided plunge saw instead. Takes a bit more time to get everyting even (enough) but still gets the job done.

Majin Wamu

@andershp A table saw would be super handy and would make working with wood a whole world easier. Sadly I didn't use one, even though I had several friends after I finished the project tell me that they would had let me use theirs. So I was reduced to a hand saw and a jigsaw. It was tough.

Newellj79

My bartop, which has is HIGHLY influenced by yours is coming along nicely. If I ever finish it and post pictures I will certainly link to yours as I used it for reference. We're you ever able to find a nice bubble bobble video splash screen?

AndersHP

@newellj79 Makes me very happy! Please let me know if you need some specific photos of something. And yes, do share your build, always fun to see these for inspiration.

No, actually, my software doesn't really match the build. Please let me know if you find something. There's a Puzzle Bobble splashscreen here though. I'm running a lot of these at random, since I find them quite funny.

Jhnywalter

that is one cool design - nicely done! do you think it would be possible to share the graphic files?

one thing i would have made differently though is the transit between the front art, the control panel and the bezel. why didn't design it "in one flow"?

AndersHP

@jhnywalter Thanks for the kind words! I will see if I can make the artwork available.
I'm not sure about the other comment, do you mean that the sides are offset around 10 mm all the way around the arcade?

I did for several reasons; First, I wanted the corners rounded, so that I didn't have joints in the T-molding. This makes the arcade kind of seamless. Secondly, I have a subwoofer port on the bottom (you can see part of it in the bottom of the photo with the controlpanel wiring), so I wanted to raise the arcade slightly to make sure the sound wouldn't get muffled. Lastly, I think the black/white contrasty look of the black inner sides look really cool :)