How-To: Build a MAME cabinet, a video in 5 parts

by Christopher Grant { Dec 27th 2007 at 4:31AM }

We're not sure where "Build Your Own MAME Cabinet" falls on your todo list but it's pretty damn high on ours. Sure, we've pushed it down and put it off over the years (why did we learn underwater yak-shearing?) but after watching this 5-part video series on that very topic put together by the crew at Systm our desire has been rekindled. It's like a geek rite-of-passage, where previously basement-bound nerds branch out, teach themselves something new, and apply that knowledge to build the one thing that will ensure they'll never leave the basement again ever. Now, if you'll excuse us ...

[Thanks, Luke]

Systm Episode 24 - The Month of MAME: The Cabinet

Systm Episode 25 - MAME Case II

Systm Episode 26 - MAME Part 3: Mounting the TV, Buttons, Trackball, Coin Door and Speakers!

Systm Episode 27 - MAME Part 4: OS, Emulators, Wiring Those Buttons!

Systm Episode 28 - MAME Part 5: It's Over...

Tags: DIY, MAME, MAME-cabinet, Systm

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

nick @ Mar 2nd 2008 4:36PM

nice shape of cabinet really craped out on speaker, and paint.. I would have spent the little extra and have decals made for sides, marquee, controllers and screen .. the speakers just look awful ..

Bucket @ Dec 27th 2007 4:51AM

Did this 2 years ago. It's as awesome as everyone says (especially when you're kicking ass in Double Dragon 2 with arcade controls). The most annoying part is connecting about 80 little wires from each button and joystick to the I-PAC switch box.

bonky24 @ Dec 27th 2007 5:44AM

That is one of the ugliest cases I've ever seen... or perhaps just the ugliest yellow I've ever seen. They put all that work into it and then crapped it up when it came to how it looks. There is no way in hell that can be put in anything other than a shed/garage. Way to fail...

Obie @ Dec 27th 2007 10:52AM

Agreed, I have seen better. And seriously, who stands up to play videogames anyways? It's not 1986 anymore ya know. ;)

ckw0n @ Dec 27th 2007 8:04AM

This is how NOT to make a MAME CABINET. It's not called a "case"!!!! Anyways, the cab is built for giants and the screen isn't even centered in the bezel - Not to mention the buttons are like 2 inches apart. This whole video series is a joke. If you want to REALLY learn how to build a MAME cab, head over to the byoc.com forums (Build your own arcade controls)

Nice try systm.

Bonafide247 @ Dec 27th 2007 9:50AM

Dude, don't be a douche. Why don't you make your own video seriesand show us how it's done?

James @ Dec 27th 2007 12:59PM

You have a very good point.

ckw0n @ Dec 27th 2007 1:18PM

I'm not going to waste my time creating a video for something that (should be) easy enough for most people to do. I encourage all who maybe interested in building a cab to checkout byoac.com

While I appreciate what the video is obviously doing for the mame-cab-community, some things that people inexperienced in cab building really need to see in detail, IE: wiring - that wasn't really covered well.

Another big problem I have with this, is the guy routed the slot for the t-molding while the cab was already assembled. This is a very stupid move, guess what happens when a router bit hits a screw? Bye-bye body parts.

DaiMac79 @ Dec 27th 2007 11:32PM

As a someone who stands right at 2m tall, I can see the appeal of building to this dimension, but I agree this in no way represents the best way to go about this based on the many superior custom cabs I've seen.

Somebody want to link a "how to make your own cocktail cab" video that doesn't suck? I think that would be hot, screw MS and it's $10k touch screen craziness, I just want to sit down and play some old ass games!

timnc @ Dec 27th 2007 8:55AM

I put together between 3 to 5 MAME cabinets a year, and I use original arcade cabinets, gut them and put in my own components. Most of the time I use some variation of Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat cabinet, but I've used a Blitz 99 to make a 4 player setup for games like TMNT and also a "Tapper" for a really classy look with the brass foot rest and the coasters mounted on each side of the panel.

Picking up these machines at auction for $100-$500 is WAY easier that doing it their way.

Jon @ Dec 27th 2007 9:20AM

What is a MAME?

FOXHOUND @ Dec 27th 2007 10:54AM

Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator. :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAME

Mainman @ Dec 29th 2007 4:20PM

*Tries to restrain self*

*Fails*

...A miserable little pile of emulations...

Leilock @ Dec 27th 2007 9:33AM

I actually find this video to be pretty helpful. Having a video to show the process takes alot of the mystery out of it, and for someone like me that has interest in cabinets but has never made one it helps. Sure there's some B.S. but I'm sure at the very least this has sparked an active discussion as to EXACTLY how to do it right.

Are they using hardboard there? I always thought hardboard was a little lighter, which would be perfect for me. I have a 2 slot Neo-Geo and it is a whale to move. I wouldn't gut that one but if i brought another cabinet in i don't think i could stand to have one as heavy.

The Reason @ Dec 27th 2007 10:13AM

Downloading ROM's of games ( for M.A.M.E. ) you did not purcahse from the rightful owner is stealing. Taking something without the right or consent from the owner is stealing. Just because a copy of a game isn't tangible doesn't mean your aren't stealing when you download one. Downloading a ROM for a game that you did not purchase is theft of intellectual property that's why is protected by federal copyright laws. Don't resort to piracy! Buy your games!

I Like 2 Steal @ Dec 27th 2007 10:33AM

Oh please!, Mr or Mrs Goody Goody.

Are you serious?

xyz @ Dec 27th 2007 10:37AM

Makes sense for anything still in "print", but for twenty five year old arcade games? That is fair use in my book. It is something long out of "print" and all reasonable profits have been collected by the original creators. Not to mention the fact that the vast majority of MAME roms are commercially unavailable, hence there is no legal way to obtain them, except buying a used cabinet, which gives zero money to original publishers.

Eric @ Dec 27th 2007 10:42AM

If there was some way I could pay a reasonable sum to play these games, I would. But considering a significant number of these companies no longer exist, who would I even pay money to?

I understand worrying about some games like the Street Fighter series that still pull in money, but how I am "stealing" anything by playing Combatribes? Should I find the founders of Technos and give them a couple of dollars?

Eric @ Dec 27th 2007 10:35AM

My 5 steps:
1. Buy an empty arcade cabinet: $50
2. Get a 19 or 20" CRT - Free or at most $50
3. Take a spare system, load mame, "acquire" ROMs
4. Realize you suck at building things so you go to X-Arcade and buy the Dual Tankstick - $200
5. Build a small platform that holds your joysticks and also attaches them to the arcade cabinet

Garnish with spare computer speakers.

So, you're out $300 and a couple of beers for your buddies who helped you move the arcade cabinet (they weigh a ton). If you want to get real fancy, get two of the Dual Joystick of Dual Tankstick controllers and now you're up to $400-$500.

Unfortunately for me, step 6 was my wife telling me that the cabinet had no place in our current home. Oh well... maybe I'll do it again some time. Step 7 was to ebay my two controllers for about $50 less than what I paid for them.

xyz @ Dec 27th 2007 10:41AM

That is why god invented cocktail cabinets! How many women want a fugly old cabinet or even worse, a poorly built home brew cabinet, taking up massive room in their homes? Build or get something functional and unobtrusive and you're set for an excellent compromise.

Eric @ Dec 27th 2007 10:45AM

Yeah, good point. It was definitely a space issue for this house. I've kind of gotten clearance to do a new system since my wife enjoyed playing Tetris and whatnot on the system, but it has to be much "prettier and cleaner".

Montee @ Dec 27th 2007 12:07PM

If you were in AZ I would ask you to do one for me too...lol

Rob Accomando @ Dec 27th 2007 11:13AM

that cabinet is a MONSTER. Look at how big it is compared to the guy in the pic. lol.

Kid Frigid @ Dec 27th 2007 1:22PM

Wow, this is really a bad job IMHO. Rob above is right. It's HUGE, and yes, the monitor is not even centered.

A great and easier way is to go to Craigslist, find a cheap (or free in my case) cabinet and do it that way.

Here are my MAME pics:

How it looked when I got it:http://71.227.74.107/Chris/arcade/myarcade.jpg

As it was being done: http://71.227.74.107/Chris/arcade/09-06-06_0950.jpg

Finished: http://71.227.74.107/Chris/arcade/01-13-07_1111.jpg

Rob Accomando @ Dec 27th 2007 1:34PM

That's an awesome Cabinet, Kid Frigid. Doesn't look like it will eat anyone either. :)

Kid Frigid @ Dec 27th 2007 1:38PM

Thanks Rob, lol. It's an old "Tazzmania" arcade game (which I had to look up on the internet because I don't remember ever seeing it as a kid).

It's about the size of a classic Donkey Kong cabinet. Alot of the MAME arcades coming out now are so huge, they look like they will fall through the floor :).