Space Invaders Themed Bartop Arcade (UK) - Completed

Graboid

OK, so I've been wanting an arcade machine for many years. Originally about 17 years ago I bought a 4 player Smash TV cabinet that I planned for a MAME conversion. Skip foward 17 years, a wife and two kids later, I've come back to this.

Upon finding RetroPie, via my brother, I found that an affordable alternative was in sight.
So after soaking up as much information as I could on the forums, I decided to build a Bartop Arcade.

Using the plans and information available Here I started the project

My Dad has a workshop in his garden and is great at woodorking so he was the master builder.
Sides were done first

Then the basic shell was completed

It was primed and sprayed matt black on the inside sides, control panel drilled and plexiglass overlayed. Bezel completed and the 19" 4:3 monitor angles added

Joysticks were mounted underneath. I used the Arcade World Kit No.10 as this was a great price and included the Xin Mo controller.

I took the panel home and I could wire the buttons and configure in RetroPie at home, not forgetting the Xin Mo 2 player fix. This YouTube video was a great help on wiring it up and he also has a PDF link to a Xin Mo sheet layout

Artwork was sourced from Rockstarprint here in the UK. I just sent along the plans with measurements and they provided the vinyl at the correct size. I also went with the 3D Carbon fibre for all other edges as I couldn't be bothered to paint, sand, paint sand etc.

Control panel completed. This is held down with 4 magnetic catches, so a bit of a tug and it comes off in case any maintenance is needed

Access to the back via a lockable hatch, 4 air holes and additional stickers.
T-Molding was a pain to adhere as the slot was slightly too big so we had to pack it and then glue.

I created my own Control Scheme layout as mentioned in the instructables build for easy reference depending on the system used. Plexiglass over the top with two screws at the top for easy removal.
The lighted marquee uses a 5M LED thats basically wrapped around several times then drops down the back so when you open the hatch at the back you have lighting.
I added a USB extender so 2 USB ports are at the front for additional Gamepads or a keyboard for configuration.

Custom Space Invader splash screen created with a UFO and UF-Pie and were good to go.

The only problem I have is the sound busses when up load, must be some interference somewhere, so i need to look at that.

As with all things software, I will have many hours now tweeking, configuring and optimising Retropie to get it right.

PARTS LIST

Bartop Arcade

Internals
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B Quad Core CPU 1.2 GHz 1 GB RAM Motherboard
Raspberry Pi 3 Power adapter UK/EU 5V 2.5A
Transcend 32GB Extreme Speed Micro SDHC Memory Card Class 10
KuGi Raspberry Pi 3 Model B case - High quality PC Protective Case with 2x Heatsinks for
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, Pi 2 Model B & Pi Model B+ (Clear)
Skytroni 2 m 4 Way Extension Lead Surge Protection - White
1 x IEC Fused and Switched IEC Inlet Panel Mounting (Not Used)
Bulk Hardware BH00396 Pull Small Magnetic Catch, 1.75 Kg - White, Pack of 4
12mm Thread Household Cupboard Drawer Quarter Turn Cam Lock w 2 Keys
1m Car Truck Dashboard Flush Mount Dual USB Male to Female Extension Cable Kit

Cabinet

12mm MDF board 1829 x 607 (B&Q)
9mm MDF board 1829 x 607 (B&Q)
6mm MDF board 1829 x 607 (B&Q)
PVA building adhesive (Wickes)
Plastikore Matt super black spray paint (Wickes)
T-Molding
4x38mm Rubber feet with fixing screws

Display

19" 4x3 Dell Monitor
HDMI to VGA SVGA RGB 1080p HDTV Video Adapter Cable Converter XBOX PC PS3 BLACK

Artwork

Full set of Bartop Arcade Space Invader Graphics (rockstarprint.co.uk) 2 sides, 1 Marquee, 1
Control Panel, 1 Lower Panel
3D Carbon Wrap 750mm x 1000mm
Space Invaders Small sticker (ebay)
Video Games sticker (ebay)
3D Carbon Fibre Wrap 500 x 500mm eBay

Controls

Arcade Joysticks Buttons And Arcade Controller Kit No10
1 x Black Arcade Start Button (Player 1 & Player 2) + 2 black classic arcade buttons

Speakers

Old speakers already sourced (Includes amp)
2" Speaker Grills - eBay

Misc

Zip Ties

Marquee

list itemRPGT 5M 300 LEDs 3528 SMD LED Strip Light Waterproof Day White Flexible Light + DC 12V Power Adapter (Day White-300 LEDs)
PVC Angle (Wickes)
Plexiglass (Wickes)

rbaker

@Graboid Absolutely fantastic. I made one here and yours has everything on it that I would have if I did it again. I love the panel artwork. Great job.

Graboid

Awesome! I remember looking at yours, gave me the decision to go for the red t-molding, looks great.

Gee

Very nice build !

Capeman

Wow that's awesome!

twidget

Where did you get the control scheme graphic? I ma looking for ideas for that exact thing.... Nice work!

edmaul69

@Graboid beautiful. I love the whole theme. The only thing i would do different is the second players buttons. They seem very out of place for a retro barcade. But thats just me if i was doing it. But since it aint mine just ignore me. :)

Graboid

@twidget I got it here full set as shown :)

Graboid

@edmaul69 Cheers, no worries all have different tastes. Understand what you mean though

obsidianspider

Very nicely done!

edmaul69

@Graboid dont get me wrong. I absolutely love it because you themed it to a true classic and it came out great and i would be proud of owning a bartop like this. Probably more than other i have seen because im all about the old school. That was just my personal thought on the blue buttons and i hope you took no offense to it. Was not my intention. Take care my friend.

twidget

@Graboid I see the set, I am talking about the control scheme sheet on the left of the main screen. I do not see that available. Do you have a pic of it to get ideas form or a location you purchased it?

Graboid

@twidget Ah sorry, yes I know what you mean. The 'Control Scheme' instructions. I made this in photoshop. Here's a copy

Robster1727

@Graboid the control scheme look really good and is a great idea can I ask where you had this printed?
Many thanksl

Morph-X

Wow! I commend you on a very professional and esthetically very well thought out build. I'm sure this will give you tons of fun. Awesome!

Graboid

@Robster1727 I printed this at home on photo paper using a regular inkjet paper

phrazelle

The magnets holding the control board was a great idea! Nice work!

andremsf

@Graboid , Amazing work. One question, where did you get the 2xUSB placed in front?

edmaul69

@andremsf do an ebay search for panel mount usb

Graboid

@andremsf Here