The "Get-your-own-arcade-cabinet" thread

[Shellshock]

Ever thought about owning a mame arcade cabinet? Post your thoughts here. I have been doing some research lately and found my way of getting one. There are three main roads I think are the way to go:
1-You pay a minimum of $5000 + shipping for EVERYTHING on it at: www.dreamauthentics.com , a company that enjoys good reviews and apparently quality stuff. They even offer some kind of guarantee. If you are lazy and have money to spend, this is the way to go.

2-You build it yourself from scratch using plans found at: www.mameroom.com/UAIIPlans_info2.asp . A finished one will cost you between $700 and $1000, ALTHOUGH it is extremely time-consuming and frustrating. Even guys that have woodwork skills and have built a couple still make mistakes, plus you have to come up with wood cutting tools and other special tools too.

3- Undust your Yellowpages and look for a used arcade cabinet to restore. Find one that has no structural damage and take everything off of it except for the marquee light and the coin box. The cheapest way to go, since they are usually for free. Cons: you can't customize it, and you have to restore it.

None of these ways ever convinced me, until I found the middle ground: www.mameroom.com/UAIIEkit_info2.asp . An already made, customizable and ready-to-assemble kit. It will cost me $450 plus $125 shipping just for the structure, and since I already have a computer I can use for it, a tv , and speakers; I only need to invest on the controls (you can add various types of control panels sold online to it, by the way check out these beauties : www.dreamauthentics.com/illuminatedballtops.html ) I might not even reach the $1000 mark. Get a stainless steel bar stool and you are set.

Do you already have one and want to share your thoughts or pics of it? Thinking about getting one and found a better way? Or just love your console and don't deal with emulators? Post !!!

[michiyoyoshiku]

I have a book on building an arcade cab

[Weasel]

I don't want to build an arcade cabinet - I'd rather buy a fully functional, original arcade machine. Doesn't matter which game it is, as long as it's good - though I would love to own any of the "gimmick" arcade games, like the Time Crisis games, GunBlade NY, the cockpit version of Roadblasters, T-MEK, or...heck, it'd be freaking AWESOME if I could own a complete Galaxian3 Theater 6 system (especially if it included the Attack of the Zolgear conversion kit)!

Actually, you know what would be even more awesome than a Theater 6 system? A Theater 6 system converted to run a computer, and still function using the special joystick controllers.

[MRSKELETON]

My friend built his own all systems arcade cabinet - Reall that's what i'd probably do and buy arcade systems fo rspecialty games like Time Crisis or ExZeus

[ed]

I already have an arcade cabinet (classic Space Invaders style from Taito). It takes up too much damn space, plus I have all the boards pulled out so I never play it.

[kal]

Still good to have I'd say ed for bragging rights.

I wouldn't say Time Crisis is that gimicky though, 5 games later and it's still going strong says something. Though the orginal Time Crisis system is way to big to bother.

Though I'd kill for a Dungeons and Dragons:Shadow of Mysteria - 3p edition.

[Weasel]

Or a Warrior Blade: Rastan Saga Part 3 machine, with its two-monitor widescreen goodness.

[ed]

The problem is the cabinet - er the game - is pretty bad, IMO. It's Stratovox. $500 and it's yours, prices negotiable!

Bah, the gimmick games don't necessarily hold up well. Get a dedicated cab of something that's actually awesome.

Oh, I'd love to get an I, Robot cab. Srsly.

Or a sit-down Ninja Emaki, I suppose.