Frequently Asked Questions

The X-Arcade was a good way to get my original cabinet running quickly. When I started the build, I didn't yet know which games I would play most or exactly what I wanted from a permanent control panel. Designing and building a custom controller at the same time would also have delayed the cabinet considerably.

After using the cabinet for a while, I knew what I was missing: I wanted a trackball, and other players wanted a spinner. I briefly considered swapping between the X-Arcade and a separate trackball/spinner panel, but ultimately decided an all-in-one custom controller made more sense.

That is one reason I recommend actually thinking about the games you want to play before committing to a control-panel layout.

Yes, with modifications. The original plans were designed around a 19- or 21-inch PC monitor, and the cabinet's interior width is about 20 inches. A larger display requires increasing the width of the appropriate horizontal cabinet pieces while keeping the two side panels essentially the same profile.

Modern flat-panel displays also make this a different problem than it was when the plans were written. Measure the actual display you intend to use — including its mounting requirements and ventilation — before cutting the cabinet.

Certainly. The cabinet is ultimately an enclosure for whatever display, computer, console and controls you choose to install. I did not design my own cabinets around a console, so I don't have a step-by-step console conversion to offer, but there is nothing about the basic cabinet design that limits it to a PC.

The details will depend on your console, video connection and how you intend to interface the arcade controls.

I spent roughly $2,300 on my original/current cabinet, not counting tools purchased for the project. A significant portion of that was the new PC installed in it.

There isn't one useful specification that covers every MAME setup. Requirements depend on the games you want to emulate, the MAME version you use and any other software you plan to run.

If you are building a cabinet today, choose the computer around the games and software you actually intend to use rather than around the specifications from my original build.

ArcadeCab does not distribute game ROMs or recommend sources for copyrighted game files. Use ROMs, disc images and other game software that you are legally entitled to use.

Older versions of this FAQ named sources that existed at the time. Those recommendations have been removed because they are no longer useful or appropriate for the current site.

Some are not. ArcadeCab has been online for more than twenty years, and portions of the software documentation describe the programs and hardware I actually used when those projects were built.

I have intentionally kept much of that material because it documents the original builds and may still be useful to someone maintaining an older cabinet. Treat older software pages as historical unless the page specifically says it has been updated.

I'm happy to answer specific questions when I can, but I can't provide one-on-one, step-by-step support for complete emulator or PC setups. The project pages contain the detailed instructions I've written, including my older MAMEWAH material.

If you're stuck on something specific, I will do my best to answer the question or point you toward the appropriate resource.

Yes. Woodworking doesn't become obsolete very quickly. The cabinet dimensions, construction techniques, photographs and general design information remain useful even though some of the computers, monitors, controls, software and vendors shown in the older projects are now dated.

Cabinet Plans 2 provides another complete build and incorporates things learned from the original cabinet. I have also been updating the site so the plans are easier to use on modern computers, tablets and phones.

No. I don't build cabinets commercially or take custom cabinet orders. ArcadeCab is here to document my projects and provide enough information to help you build your own.

Some current product links on ArcadeCab may be affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, ArcadeCab may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

I use product links where they are relevant to a project or help identify a suitable modern replacement for hardware that is no longer available.

Yes, although there is absolutely no obligation. The plans and project information are free to use. If ArcadeCab helped with your project and you would like to contribute toward the cost of keeping the site online, there is an optional PayPal support button below.