How to Build A Portable Desktop Arcade
Like many, I am a child of the ’80s. My life was shaped by things like Knight Rider, The Karate Kid, Micro Machines, and Bazooka Joe comics, but there is no moment more memorable than Dec. 25, 1987… the day Santa brought me a Nintendo Entertainment System. The countless hours spent pounding red buttons, blowing on cartridges to defeat a blinking error screen, and begging my parents to go to Blockbuster to rent “just one game” for the weekend still brings back immense nostalgia. So when I reluctantly turned over my Bartop Arcade as a gift, I knew I had to build another one.
The only opposition to this plan was space, and with a lack of it, the obvious solution was this smaller portable version I could tuck away when not in use. It’s got all the bells, buttons, and whistles as the cabinet, and the best part is, I don’t have to beg my wife to go to Blockbuster.
Tools you’ll need:
- Tablesaw or Circular Saw
- Drill
- Router (optional)
Materials:
- Downloadable Plans
- 1/2″ MDF (48″ x 24″)
- 1/4 Bolts
- 1/4 Threaded Inserts
- Raspberry Pi
- Arcade Controller Kit (or similar)
