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Project Arcade: Build Your Own Arcade Machine
 
 
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Project Arcade: Build Your Own Arcade Machine (Paperback)

by John St. Clair (Author) "I remember vividly the feeling I had when I realized I was really going to do this - that I was really going to build..." (more)
Key Phrases: arcade cabinet, arcade controls, control panel overlay, Project Arcade, Oscar Controls, Star Wars (more...)
4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
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Price For All Three: $60.35

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Editorial Reviews

Review
“…breathtaking detail…the passion is infectious…” (Edge, December 2005)

Product Description
You can go back, and here's howRemember the days—and quarters—you spent pursuing aliens, fleeing ghosts, and gobbling dots in that beloved arcade? They’re hiding in these pages, along with diagrams, directions, plans, and materials lists that will enable you to build your very own arcade game. Construct joysticks, buttons, and trackballs; build the console and cabinet; install and configure the software; crank up the speakers; and wham! Step across the time-space continuum and enjoy all those classic games, plus dozens of new ones, whenever you like.Start HereIncludes diagrams, detailed instructions, essential software, and more 1. Plan for your space and budget
2. Design and build the cabinet
3. Construct the controllers
4. Build the console
5. Pick an old game’s brain
6. Install the emulator
7. Convince a PC it’s a game
8. Connect a monitor and speakers
9. Add a marquee
10. GO PLAY!CD-ROM Includes
Complete cabinet plans and diagrams
MAME32 software
Paint Shop Pro¿ evaluation version
Links to hundreds of arcade cabinet projects

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

  • Paperback: 504 pages
  • Publisher: Wiley (May 7, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0764556169
  • ISBN-13: 978-0764556166
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #119,825 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #30 in  Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Mechanical > Machinery
    #38 in  Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Industrial, Manufacturing & Operational Systems > Machinery

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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
I remember vividly the feeling I had when I realized I was really going to do this - that I was really going to build my own home arcade cabinet! Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
arcade cabinet, arcade controls, control panel overlay, arcade control panel, control panel artwork, happ controls, arcade controller, joystick shaft, microswitch buttons, panel box sides, digital leisure, control panel box, real arcade machine, administrative buttons, speaker shelf, control panel top, dance pad, keyboard encoder, coin door, keyboard hack, building the control panel, control panel design, cabinet builders, arcade titles, leaf switch
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Project Arcade, Oscar Controls, Star Wars, Build Your Own Arcade Controls, Note Prominent, Hagstrom Electronics, Dual Strike, Secret Arcade, Vortex Spinner, Donkey Kong, Microsoft Corporation, Paint Shop Pro, Arcade Controls Using the Mouse Connector, Discs of Tron, Dragon King, Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, Ultimarc Opti-Pac, Bits Limited, Domesticated Arcades, Miscellaneous Bits of Arcade Trickery, Missile Command, Tom Van Horn, Adobe Illustrator, Arcade Depot, Game Cabinets
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This book cites 3 books:

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Video Games by Editors of Imagine Media Group
 

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Customer Reviews

36 Reviews
5 star:
 (25)
4 star:
 (8)
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Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (36 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Best MAME Cabinet book around, May 13, 2004
By hang10web (Midwest, United States) - See all my reviews
Ok, well technically its the ONLY MAME cabinet book around - but seriously this is very good. I started getting the MAME cabinet bug about a year ago, and took a stab or 2 at building some desktop controls, using the Author's website, oddly enough. Now, I have everything I need to go all the way.

The Author is serious about this, and it shows. It's very well written, and the tone feels like he is working along side you in the garage, guiding you step-by-step through the construction.

There is even a CD ROM included with tons of diagrams, construction plans, templates, and software. I haven't gotten all the way through the CD, but it is packed full of stuff.

Man, my wife is gonna kill me....

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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Gave me the courage to finally build my own, May 19, 2004
By Dave (Indiana) - See all my reviews
  
A couple of the guys I work with have been messing around with this hobby for a while, and I've always wanted to give it a shot but didn't know where to start.

Now that I have this wonderful book, I've started to dig in and finally build my own arcade machine.

Most useful so far have been the author's guidelines on materials building, and the clear way he explains woodworking chores. I'm far from an expert woodworker, and many project books I've picked up go way over my head. John St. Clair's approach is very clear without being condescending.

Overall this is an awesome book. If you have visions of a stand-up arcade machine in the corner of your den, basement, or playroom, pick up this book and get to work!

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent advice for newbies and experienced builders alike!, June 20, 2004
By P.Murphy (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
I've built four arcade machines in the past, and honestly wasn't expecting to find anything I didn't already know in this book. I was pleasantly surprised to find all kinds of info I wasn't aware of; it's a great source of inspiration- full of ideas I never would have thought of.
If you're even toying with the idea of getting into this extremely rewarding hobby - you need to buy this book! If you've already built an arcade machine and have become addicted - you need to buy this book!
It's that simple.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A bit dated, but just what I needed!
I always wanted to build my own arcade game, and this book helped me through it. Granted, I didn't follow it page for page, but it guided me through each step to get me to my... Read more
Published 9 days ago by Scott M. Ryan

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful
The book is showing its age now. Some links no longer work and some info is dated. It is a very good reference and a good place to start if you are just getting into the MAME... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mark E. Mead

4.0 out of 5 stars a good reference guide, but not the end-all-be-all for MAME cabs
I bought the book after seeing it recommended on an series of Systm episodes about building your own MAME cabinet. Read more
Published 5 months ago by B. Anderson

3.0 out of 5 stars Unfortunately, a somewhat dated book
Following the Arcade scene for a few years, I've been promising myself this book once I'm ready to sit down and start building my own MAME Arcade cabinet. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Curtis Hart

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Resource, Don't forget that step type of book...
This is a good book.
My only thing is most of this is on the internet and may even be more updated if you find the right websites. Read more
Published 16 months ago by GatorMan

3.0 out of 5 stars Arcade
This book is a lot more "Techie" than I expected. It involves taking apart and reconfiguring quite a few things to get what you need. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Benjamin D. Harrison

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent help and source of ideas
This book covered so much more than what I was expecting. If you have never built an arcade cabinet before then I would recommend this book if only to see how many different ways... Read more
Published 19 months ago by C. Vissing

3.0 out of 5 stars good but old
I like the book. but i wish to warn buyers about outdated parts. in the book and on the cd it lists many links. but many of the website have gone down and are dead. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Sam Nelson

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
This is the book to buy if you are serious about building your own arcade. Some points to note though:

(1) I cannot stress enough how much a helper can help with this... Read more
Published 21 months ago by J. Kelly

5.0 out of 5 stars A invaluable reference for your Arcade Project
I was tossing around the idea of building a Home stand-up Arcade unit but never found the right reference material to get me started. Read more
Published 24 months ago by kingspud

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