I built a bartop arcade a couple weekends ago.

kyleboedeker

Here is my build
There are a few rough spots. I learned a lot about what i'd do differently if I built another one. For the time being, my friends and I are having a ton of fun on it! I'm still working to get retropie to the "perfect" set up. I've got video splash screens, video previews for most games, music in the background for ES... I LOVE how much you can really make the software your own. Has even been a great Linux learning experience!!

Newellj79

Looks awesome! Any other pics of the build process? Did you use a kit or design from scratch?

kyleboedeker

Thanks! Yeah here is the link to the build I didn't use a kit. I did use a template for the side panels and control layout that I found on instructibles. Everything else I just kind of winged it.

caver01

@kyleboedeker said in I built a bartop arcade a couple weekends ago.:

I just kind of winged it.

Ha ha ha. Winged it. Joust. Good one.

Nice build.

Newellj79

@kyleboedeker
Awesome photo blog! Wish I would have taken a few more pictures when building mine.

kyleboedeker

@caver01 haha not even intentional, but that's a good one! Also it turns out I suck at Joust. Haven't played it since this photo. Weirdly enough, I got hooked on a GBA castlevania game so that's what I've been playing mostly, except when my friend is over and we play mario kart or mario battle.

caver01

@kyleboedeker said in I built a bartop arcade a couple weekends ago.:

turns out I suck at Joust.

Here is a write up I put together with a bunch of tips and some other useful comments back when Joust was the MAME Random game Of the Week.

barrymossel

No shaders?

kyleboedeker

@barrymossel I've been messing with shaders lately actually!

Clyde

@kyleboedeker I can recommend @ghogan42's zfast shaders. They are very fast and configurable.

Alturis

I went with a pre-fab-assemble-like-Ikea-furniture solution. But I have a lot of respect for those of you who cut it all from wood and make your own thing. Nice!

Edit: https://gameroomsolutions.com/shop/bartop-arcade-kit-deluxe

BobHarris

@alturis Nice cabinet, but bad website: They are selling a Retropie image.

Alturis

@bobharris Yep, I know. I just found the cabinet to be a great solution for me as I am not that handy with woodwork. ;)

I just ignored the fact that they sell images and went with the recommendation from others who have bought his cabinet before.

kyleboedeker

@alturis I've actually been looking at those exact pre-cut kits. My buddy wants to build a cabinet now and wants help. These are insanely affordable. Like you'd have a hard time buying all the materials to build a cabinet for this price, no less the time it takes to cut it properly and route it etc. That being said, there is definitely some satisfaction in cutting it all yourself. I learned so much from this build though... I am actually really considering building a new housing and putting all the guts from this one into it.