Restore or build Retro Minis

[Lamonsoff]

Hey guys, in an effort to remain sane these past few weeks I've been thoroughly consumed with reading any and all materials related to the golden era arcade gaming. Definitely brings back fond memories of the early 80s. Being rather handy I want to tackle a new project and have decided I'd either like to find a complete but rough cabinet to restore to its former glory, or tackle the creation of scaled down replicas, very similar to what www.smallchangearcade.com has done. Here's my interpretation of the Pros and Cons of each.

Full Size Originals

Pros - There is a huge nostalgic component to have an arcade original in your possession. The original sized cabinets will obviously be more desirable long term and hold their value.
Cons - Size is not on my side, especially if a collection was to start. There is limited space in the basement for anything new. A few of you may ask, if I'm willing to build from scratch, why not build a full size replica? This just doesn't appeal to me. There's a lot of new 100 in 1 machines out there, and I don't need this to be another one of those. If scratch building is going to occur, the form factor will be reduced to create something unique. Availability is also a con. Of what is out there, I feel people are asking way too much for junk. Maybe it's the resurgence of interest.

Mini Replicas

Pros - These minis would have the vintage internals of the original stand ups. The design work required to stuff all these old bits into 1/2 to 2/3 sized cabinets is an appealing challenge. The finished product(s) (hopefully these would multiply) will be much easier to display as household space is not on my side. Availability of parts vs. full machines are hopefully easier to source as well
Cons - I hate to say it, but the 1Up retro products detract from the appeal of building these miniatures. At first glance, the layman would see these as the off the shelf Walmart specials. Future values of the minis would likely not appreciate, or not at the rate of the originals, and could be difficult to sell and recoup the costs of creating them. Maybe I'm wrong.

As for acquiring a project, or components thereof, I'd be shopping in and around the Toronto area once lockdown restrictions are eased. Shipping of parts is also a possibility, albeit full cabinets and items like monitors is too cost prohibitive. I'd be looking for the usual examples, Centipede, Asteroids, Galaga, Donkey Kong/Jr., Pac-Man/Ms., 1942/3, Moon Patrol, Defender, Street Fighter 2 World Warrior. I'd need all the internal components from either spares or from destroyed cabinets.

So...would love to hear your thoughts.

PM me if you'd like to introduce yourself if think you can help with providing info on locally sourcing parts in and around Toronto. Otherwise I'll put up a post in the WTB forum when the times comes.

Thanks all!

 

[AdamG]

Wrong forum dude.

http://byoac.com/arcade.htm

 

[osver]

Those mini's in the picture look too small for an adult to comfortable play. Unless you're putting them on platforms, like in the picture... but at that point, why not just go with the real thing.

If you do go mini replicas will you be sourcing a bunch of 13" (or smaller) CRTs? Or using flat screens?

How many games do you currently have? Wondering as this comment: "These minis would have the vintage internals of the original stand ups. The design work required to stuff all these old bits into 1/2 to 2/3 sized cabinets is an appealing challenge." Have you worked with, say, a set of Championship Sprint boards, and seen how big they are?

I'm a fan of the original over a mini repro. It it was a one off for a kid's room or something I could get behind a mini repro, but for a full arcade mini repros would just seem weird to me.

 

[Ghostlyguy]

[Pet peeve of mine I need to get out of the way first] How 'retro' is something really, when it feels so ingrained into current culture?

I don't have an issue with scratch builds inherently, It comes down to the quality of the work.

Only use a 19" CRT. 13" if you're forced to. (my preference) Remember that the smaller the screen, the closer your face needs to be to the screen. Vice versa.

I'd personally prefer a cabaret build over a scale down. Scale-downs always feel kitschy to me for some reason.

My preference: Cabaret > Countertop > Scale-down

I'd recommend a countertop in your case. Maybe 2 different cabs, one for vertical orientation and one for horizontal orientation. Don't be afraid to use JROK PCBs.

Here is an example of a countertop design I'm thinking of. Nintendo Countertop -But I'd use better joysticks like the ones out of a Donkey Kong.


What games were you interested in building? That will dictate a lot. Not all games are equal in terms of parts availability and price.

 

[Lamonsoff]

Wrong forum dude.

http://byoac.com/arcade.htm

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out. If I was building anything using an emulator, I would agree this is the wrong forum. But as I'd use all vintage internals for the minis, I thought it was appropriate.

Those mini's in the picture look too small for an adult to comfortable play. Unless you're putting them on platforms, like in the picture... but at that point, why not just go with the real thing.

If you do go mini replicas will you be sourcing a bunch of 13" (or smaller) CRTs? Or using flat screens?

How many games do you currently have? Wondering as this comment: "These minis would have the vintage internals of the original stand ups. The design work required to stuff all these old bits into 1/2 to 2/3 sized cabinets is an appealing challenge." Have you worked with, say, a set of Championship Sprint boards, and seen how big they are?

I'm a fan of the original over a mini repro. It it was a one off for a kid's room or something I could get behind a mini repro, but for a full arcade mini repros would just seem weird to me.

I would agree, these need to go on a platform to play them comfortably. Given the spacing, I'd figure you could fit three width wise vs. two standard cabinets. At the moment I don't own anything yet. As for the size of the mini cabinets, they may not scale exactly, I may need to extend the depth or height slightly to accommodate. It's finding that balance of what fits, vs. what looks right. In the end it just might not be doable. Screens would be 13", no LCDs.

 

[Ghostlyguy]

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out. If I was building anything using an emulator, I would agree this is the wrong forum. But as I'd use all vintage internals for the minis, I thought it was appropriate.



I would agree, these need to go on a platform to play them comfortably. Given the spacing, I'd figure you could fit three width wise vs. two standard cabinets. At the moment I don't own anything yet. As for the size of the mini cabinets, they may not scale exactly, I may need to extend the depth or height slightly to accommodate. It's finding that balance of what fits, vs. what looks right. In the end it just might not be doable. Screens would be 13", no LCDs.

BYOAC is good fun. But you're right, if you need to troubleshoot dedicated hardware, this is a better forum. No harm in using both forums though.


If you're set on a non-countertop design. I'd recommend studying the designs of real cabarets (aka minis) from back in the day. They will give you an idea of more practical/functional designs revolving around 13" CRTs.

 

[SFIINerd]

But as I'd use all vintage internals for the minis, I thought it was appropriate.

yea but the argument will be that this is a preservation forum therefore those vintage materials would be better served helping 2 restore real machines.

your 1st post says you're concerned about the value of them once built. FWIW there are many mini replicas right now, and if it differentiator would be using original internal stuff then I would get more input about those internals from this crowd as they would prob be your buyers. joe Schmoe is fine with a 1up or flat panel.

just my 2c

 

[Wyo]

These cabinets are noting like Arcade 1 UP and on a whole other level.

Those cabinets are made by Matt from Small Change Arcade, he is based out of San Francisco where space is at a premium. I know him personally....he came out to the Game On Expo in Phoenix last year.

Those cabinets are handmade and use AUTHENTIC parts, everything he painstakingly repairs and recreates at a smaller scale. He uses original PCBs and creates plexiglass tops for the cabinets so that all the internals can be appreciated by the player. He says the hardest part was sourcing the tiny CRTs and synchronizing them with the pcbs....but it was a must to complete the experience.

People loved them, and they were very easy to play on the stands he makes. But the best part, when the show was over....while we all waited hours to load up our games, he threw his quickly in the back of his mini transit connect and hit the road back for the long drive to San Francisco.

 

[andrewb]

If you're doing it for the value, don't do it.

 

[Lamonsoff]

These builds would be to amass a personal collection, and not as a business venture. The reason I mentioned resale would be if I was to sell them due to loss of interest.

Thanks for the thoughts on the cabararets. I'm just not a fan of the style, and the space savings compared to a full size cabinet would be minimal.

 

[nulogix]

Go the cabaret route. Look at the work phetishboy does. You can reproduce or restore. You can have more in a small space. Have the best of all worlds.

 

[ElectricDreamz]

fpbp᠎᠎᠎᠎᠎᠎

Wrong forum dude.

http://byoac.com/arcade.htm

 

[DuffCon]

I played the UMK3 at the last CAX before COVID. They're seriously neat and well made. What I imagine a quality "1-up" would be. I'm conflicted about the virtue of such a thing. Our conventional belief here is that original/dedicated is the way, but i'm pretty sure most of us has at least 1 or 2 conversions or an orignial with some kind of modification.

 

[DZA]

Do something like this -

AKA build a cool cabaret that never existed BUT totally could have using same design that the original manufacturer might have used.

A lot of work but it will be very satisfying.

 

[DZA]

The OP had/has a Pepper II PCB for sale. It would be really cool to see a Pepper II mini. Maybe create some switcher setup and play Venture in it too...

 

[80scoinops]

this is a preservation forum therefore those vintage materials would be better served helping 2 restore real machines.