Bartop Arcade "Retronator" on Raspberry Pi 3 model B

Kopfsturm

Hi there! I just want to share my newly created arcade machine.

I love retrowave, so i decided to do arcade machine in this style.

He works on Raspberry Pi 3 model B with RetroPie on board.

Brigane

I think I'm in love ❤ great work mate.
I can't wait to finish my Bubble Bobble bartop arcade for the full arcade experience.

celly

@Kopfsturm 😍 So bitchin!

ByteThis

@Kopfsturm What is the function of the switches in front of the control panel ? I see it is labeled as Switch it on. Are they wired for power for each component of your cab ?

Kopfsturm

@ByteThis yep, it's switch on, from left to right:

Power
Top light
Sound
Screen + Raspberry Pi

ByteThis

@Kopfsturm Nice feature ! But just wondering why that choice instead of using a dedicated one switch-all power on/off as using a switch socket connecting a power strip on the inside of the cab ? Just curious.

DorkVonWaterfall

nice one...but the 2 buttons beneath the joysticks? don`t they get pressed if you rest your wrist on the CP?

tpo1990

Wow i must say.

Very nice theme for a bartop arcade. I like it.

What size is the screen/monitor and is it big enough for 2 player games?

Kopfsturm

@ByteThis In my case, I can quickly and conveniently turn off the lights or sound separately when they are not needed.

And in general it’s just a pleasant feeling when you turn the toggle switches from left to right, the device starts to come to life, you feel like in an airplane cabin!))

Kopfsturm

@DorkVonWaterfall I first made them, and then I wondered if it would be convenient)
I was afraid of that too.
But in fact, the buttons do not interfere and are not pressed accidentally, it is quite convenient.
But in the next project I will place them in another place, perhaps...

Kopfsturm

@tpo1990 I used a 43 cm / 17.2 inch display, 4:3 aspect ratio.
Since the old games were designed for such a ratio, and some games from arcade machines are designed for a vertical display in general, it makes no sense to use 16:9.
I was afraid that such a size would be too small, but it turned out to be quite enough, as the players stand close to the screen and play together.
But in the next project, I most likely use 20 inches... Bigger is always better))

tpo1990

@Kopfsturm Thank you. it certainly is important to keep the 4:3 aspect ratio as it would provide a better experience of reliving the good old times of arcade machines.

RedFarmer

Great work! I also love retrowave and actually had some thoughts for a theme like that on my bartop, but in the end i decided differently.

I went for a 19" 5:4 screen (but 4:3 would be just as great) which i think is extra nice for vertical games. Didn't want a 16:9 screen for the purposes you mention. The only thing i didn't think of that i miss a little bit is the massive amount of game bezels/overlays that was created for 16:9 perspective. You can't really use them on 5:4 / 4:3. However, there are some great ones to be found here:

https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/15998/some-1280x1024-overlays

5:4 is extra good for vertical games when using the screen in normal orientation.

Kopfsturm

@RedFarmer About side overlays - at first I wanted to leave the spaces on the sides of the display just black. But then it seemed to me boring and I used leftovers of the big side stickers)

About aspect ratio - It seems to me that most games are still horizontal, so I didn’t want to initially make the screen vertical. Someone can use 16:9 immediately for vertical, but he needs to be very fan of vertical games)

yeahman0_2

Hello, i'm in love with the design, can you send me it ? If you have condition, please tell me

WeirdH

@Kopfsturm Dude, this thing is awesome! What a beast!