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Bubble Bobble themed Bartop Arcade Build

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Projects and Themes
bartop arcadebuild notesretropiearcade cabinetsound
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  • S
    spruce_m00se @AndersHP
    last edited by 19 Sept 2017, 07:44

    @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!

    A 1 Reply Last reply 20 Sept 2017, 05:50 Reply Quote 0
    • A
      AndersHP @caver01
      last edited by AndersHP 20 Sept 2017, 05:47

      @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.

      My "Bubble Bobble" Themed Bartop Arcade
      My Gameboy

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
      • A
        AndersHP @spruce_m00se
        last edited by 20 Sept 2017, 05:50

        @spruce_m00se Yeah I can see this would work also.

        My "Bubble Bobble" Themed Bartop Arcade
        My Gameboy

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • N
          Newellj79 @AndersHP
          last edited by 25 Sept 2017, 23:38

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

          A 1 Reply Last reply 27 Sept 2017, 19:05 Reply Quote 0
          • A
            AndersHP @Newellj79
            last edited by 27 Sept 2017, 19:05

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

            My "Bubble Bobble" Themed Bartop Arcade
            My Gameboy

            N 1 Reply Last reply 28 Sept 2017, 11:39 Reply Quote 0
            • N
              Newellj79 @AndersHP
              last edited by 28 Sept 2017, 11:39

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

              A 1 Reply Last reply 28 Sept 2017, 11:45 Reply Quote 0
              • A
                AndersHP @Newellj79
                last edited by 28 Sept 2017, 11:45

                @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!

                My "Bubble Bobble" Themed Bartop Arcade
                My Gameboy

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • M
                  Majin Wamu
                  last edited by 6 Oct 2017, 08:09

                  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.

                  Builder of a classic 1980s style arcade. I call it the Retro Realm!

                  A 1 Reply Last reply 9 Oct 2017, 11:21 Reply Quote 0
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                    AndersHP @Majin Wamu
                    last edited by 9 Oct 2017, 11:21

                    @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.

                    My "Bubble Bobble" Themed Bartop Arcade
                    My Gameboy

                    M 1 Reply Last reply 14 Oct 2017, 08:26 Reply Quote 0
                    • M
                      Majin Wamu @AndersHP
                      last edited by 14 Oct 2017, 08:26

                      @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.

                      Builder of a classic 1980s style arcade. I call it the Retro Realm!

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                      • N
                        Newellj79
                        last edited by 20 Nov 2017, 01:06

                        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?

                        A 1 Reply Last reply 20 Nov 2017, 08:27 Reply Quote 0
                        • A
                          AndersHP @Newellj79
                          last edited by 20 Nov 2017, 08:27

                          @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.

                          My "Bubble Bobble" Themed Bartop Arcade
                          My Gameboy

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • J
                            Jhnywalter
                            last edited by 11 Jun 2018, 09:19

                            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"?

                            A 1 Reply Last reply 12 Jun 2018, 06:18 Reply Quote 0
                            • A
                              AndersHP @Jhnywalter
                              last edited by 12 Jun 2018, 06:18

                              @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 :)

                              My "Bubble Bobble" Themed Bartop Arcade
                              My Gameboy

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • T
                                trippy86
                                last edited by 11 Oct 2019, 20:44

                                @AndersHP hi,I love this bartop one of my earliest memories playing this on an amiga as a kid brings back fond memories

                                I would love to make one if these, I'm in the uk so any good suppliers you know or recommendations for the build would be amazing

                                I've already started looking around for a bartop kit so any help would be so helpful

                                Again amazing job

                                Trippy

                                A 1 Reply Last reply 12 Oct 2019, 10:50 Reply Quote 1
                                • A
                                  AndersHP @trippy86
                                  last edited by 12 Oct 2019, 10:50

                                  @trippy86
                                  Thanks for the kind words!
                                  I built the bartop myself and if you're a little handy with tools this can definitely be done!

                                  However, I was in your position, and found a lot of good looking kits ready for assembly and T-molding at amazon back then. Also check out ArcadeworldUK - they have all the bits and pieces (joysticks, buttons, t-molding) you need.

                                  I got the prints done at RockstarPrint although the process was a bit back & forth because it involved a bit of photoshopping and that wasn't easy to describe pr. mail :)

                                  My "Bubble Bobble" Themed Bartop Arcade
                                  My Gameboy

                                  T 1 Reply Last reply 12 Oct 2019, 19:30 Reply Quote 0
                                  • T
                                    trippy86 @AndersHP
                                    last edited by 12 Oct 2019, 19:30

                                    @AndersHP thanks for the reply and the info

                                    Yes I am an engineer and have done many projects but this would be my first involving wood related, but I seen lots of flat pack kits that require assembly and decorating etc. Just need to find one that's for a larger screen (hoping 20" and up) and some wiring diagrams

                                    Anything else you think that would be helpful would be much appreciated

                                    Thanks again

                                    A 1 Reply Last reply 13 Oct 2019, 10:08 Reply Quote 0
                                    • A
                                      AndersHP @trippy86
                                      last edited by 13 Oct 2019, 10:08

                                      @trippy86
                                      I'm an engineer too :) I couldn't resist the urge to build it myself, but of course it helps if you're familiar with woordworks.

                                      If I should have changed one thing, I would have routed out some of the wood from the inside of the boards, e.g. in hexagon shapes to save weight but still keep some stiffness - this arcade weighs quite a bit :)

                                      Wiring is not that complex with a RPi, mostly consisting of signal wires and ground wires from the iPac to the buttons. The illuminated ones need a few more but that's it. Keeping wires tidy helps the overview, but there's countless videos on YouTube - check them out.

                                      My screen size is a 16" 5:4 and I think it's a pretty good size, and since many games run 4:3 there's only black borders in vertical arcade games. Just look at getting one that's as fast as possible (less input lag/response time), maybe a modern one with a gaming mode.

                                      My "Bubble Bobble" Themed Bartop Arcade
                                      My Gameboy

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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