Arcade Build

This is something I always wanted to try: build a full-blown arcade. I had an old metal-framed desk, a Raspberry Pi, and looking at the two together I decided to give it a shot. I researched the different operating systems, buttons, joysticks, and controllers available. I went with American-style joysticks and buttons from Paradise Arcade Shop along with an I-PAC 4 interface — because my favorite games growing up were 4-player titles like The Simpsons, TMNT, and X-Men.

I started with a small proof of concept on a wooden box with cardboard on top to test one player, and my wife and I were off playing Pac-Man. Once everything worked it was just about putting it all together. We had an extra TV I stripped down to the metal frame. I built a wooden frame around it and went with cedar fencing for the exterior — rustic, cheap, smells great, and easy to work with. After mounting and wiring everything (using old ethernet cable with a label maker for each wire), it was time to wrap up. I enjoyed building this way more than I've enjoyed playing it. It's been a hit at parties — four people can play some of the best games ever made, for free.