Custom Arcade Cabinet
For this project, I built a custom MAME arcade cabinet using waste MDF and salvaged timber from my joinery work, giving new life to materials that would otherwise have been discarded. The core of the system is an old Dell OptiPlex Slimline from around 2005, equipped with a Core 2 Duo processor, repurposed to run classic games smoothly.
I integrated an i-PAC circuit board to manage the joystick and button controls for an authentic arcade experience. The visuals are displayed on a secondhand 32-inch TV, with a front LED fan and an external power button installed on the cabinet for easy access.
Running Windows with HyperSpin, the cabinet supports over 4000 games, including titles from MAME, Neo Geo, PlayStation 1 & 2, Sega Master System, Sega Mega Drive, Mega CD, NES, and SNES all packed into one nostalgic gaming experience. To enhance immersion, I used local policy settings to hide the Windows system interface, providing a clean, arcade-style environment.
Tools and Technologies
Shell Scripting
Python
Joinery & Carpentry
Power Tools & Safety
Key Learnings
Debugging