John St. Clair - Project Arcade: Build Your Own Arcade Machine

This is the first book to walk people through the construction of a complete video arcade cabinet - just like the ones we dropped quarter after quarter into in the 1980s, making it a must-have for hobbyists who love classic video games and want to create their own machines! Arcade-game expert John St. Clair guides readers through several projects, with a focus on building a complete arcade cabinet using a PC, custom controllers, and special emulation software. Readers begin by building classic arcade-style joysticks, buttons, and trackballs, and gradually build their own full-size arcade cabinet using the plans on the CD-ROM or by designing their own.

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 Here 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! Includes diagrams, detailed instructions, essential software, and more CD-ROM Includes Complete cabinet plans and diagrams MAME32 software Paint Shop Pro evaluation version Links to hundr...