MulletLife Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Hey everyone Literally just starting my research and planning for the build. I would really appreciate suggestions/opinions on a few of the key aspects of the build. I wouldn't say money is no object but I do have a figure in my head and would like to make the best machine I can with those funds. I will be building from scratch. I am looking to build a 4 player console with an LCD monitor (size and specs comments would be awesome) I'm also trying to get a good amount of peripherals/cool custom things done. ie. Working coin feeder, backlit marquee, backlit inlays would be cool (have seen a nice space invader cab inlay), trackball, gun support etc. Looking for thoughts on cab size, thickness of cab (1/2 vs 3/4"), type of wood, control stick/button advice. The list obviously goes on. As mentioned, I'm brand new so I appreciate any advice you can give. I will also go through forum threads to find my own answers as well. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iggy Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 So to get started on your build, you will need to know what systems you want to emulate. The emulated systems will determine your specs... are you planning on emulating just arcade games or arcade and console games (ie Nes, Wii, PS2, etc)? If you are wanting to play console games, which system do you want to emulate to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodboyparker Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 I discovered this forum too late in my build, but looking through other peoples examples has been very beneficial. Some of the posts have plans in them. For building materials, I prefer 3/4" plywood over MDF. Definitely draw up your plans and think them through. The gaps that I had occurred because I had not considered the construction method. I had two primary considerations during the design - I wanted to ensure the cabinet would fit through a door without disassembly, and the primary straight cuts (sides and back) were done at the lumber yard with their tablesaw. The rest was hand cuts, routing and biscuit joining. FYI - Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MulletLife Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 So to get started on your build, you will need to know what systems you want to emulate. The emulated systems will determine your specs... are you planning on emulating just arcade games or arcade and console games (ie Nes, Wii, PS2, etc)? If you are wanting to play console games, which system do you want to emulate to? The main intention is to emulate an arcade system. I would most likely also run a front end that allows 16 bit console emulation as well, hadn't given any thought as to how that changes the specs. I comment to the other post, a good consideration would be that it fits through doors without being disassembled, not sure if this is possible with a 4 person cab unless the controller section can be removed. This link would be how I imagine my cab would end up looking http://www.retroactivearcade.ca/4-Player-MAME-Ready-Arcade-Machine_p_121.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIMPLYAUSTIN Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Have you considered a flat pack vanilla build that you can customise yourself with gfx and controls? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anpanman Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Hey everyone Literally just starting my research and planning for the build. I would really appreciate suggestions/opinions on a few of the key aspects of the build. I wouldn't say money is no object but I do have a figure in my head and would like to make the best machine I can with those funds. I will be building from scratch. I am looking to build a 4 player console with an LCD monitor (size and specs comments would be awesome) I'm also trying to get a good amount of peripherals/cool custom things done. ie. Working coin feeder, backlit marquee, backlit inlays would be cool (have seen a nice space invader cab inlay), trackball, gun support etc. Looking for thoughts on cab size, thickness of cab (1/2 vs 3/4"), type of wood, control stick/button advice. The list obviously goes on. As mentioned, I'm brand new so I appreciate any advice you can give. I will also go through forum threads to find my own answers as well. Thanks Some quick bullet points: - Make sure your wood working skills are up to par - look around at some examples, lots of guys put up their plans and if you cannot find any, you can always opt to make an lcd variation of the konami 4 player cab. - If your wood working skills aren't great, try making something simple like a fight-stick first. Then move onto a pedestal. - If you are new to woodworking, start with MDF. It's easy to cut and cheaper than plywood. Standard arcades of the era used 3/4" wood. The main intention is to emulate an arcade system. I would most likely also run a front end that allows 16 bit console emulation as well, hadn't given any thought as to how that changes the specs. I comment to the other post, a good consideration would be that it fits through doors without being disassembled, not sure if this is possible with a 4 person cab unless the controller section can be removed. This link would be how I imagine my cab would end up looking http://www.retroactivearcade.ca/4-Player-MAME-Ready-Arcade-Machine_p_121.html Ditch the 6 buttons on player 3 and 4 and do not angle the joysticks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MulletLife Posted November 6, 2015 Author Share Posted November 6, 2015 I've seen a pretty good setup for a 4 person controller and they only had 4 buttons for players 3 and 4. is there a reason behind that? I'm assuming its because you don't have 4 person fighting games and they'd mostly be redundant. In terms of woodworking skills, I'm not an expert. I have always done everything myself though and I've built up skills. Built a shed, deck, finished basement, bathrooms, custom bookshelves all from scratch and have most of the tools I'd need. I do plan on buying a router for t-molding and control box. I think I'm settling into the idea of 3/4 plywood, birch or maple. Regarding the comment of not angling the joysticks, are you referring to the controller box as a whole? ie control panel level to the floor vs slight incline? or is there a way of angling the joysticks themselves? Is there a reason for keeping it flat? I've heard comfort tends to prefer the incline. Thanks for the advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madhatter3339 Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 feel free to message me I can give you some plans made with Sketchup and you can modify it to a four player setup if you want!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mange181 Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 If you want do do something cool i would searching for 'led blinky' and get som led blinky compatible rgb buttons. You can get the right color of the buttons acording to what system you play. I would also search for 'hyper marquee' its a addon that if you mount a monitor as marquee you can have the gamelogo you are playing presented. In contrast to many other i only had a base plan thhen learned as i go. Im at the post ,2 player cab' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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