@mczx said in Newbie: is this possible?:
can i run actual arcade controls and interface with retropie?
If you really want to use an existing cabinet, there are are some adapters for Jamma controls to a Pi which can help.
If you just want to have an arcade control panel, you can build one from an USB encoder or an Ultimarc board and connect it to a PC/PI via USB. Or use one of the pre-made arcade stick boards like 8bitdo arcade stick, Madcatz, Hori, etc.