Panderson's

Cabinet

Back in 2002 I had the idea that it might be fun to own my own arcade cabinet, so I could play the games I used to play when I was but a lad. I did much research on the Internet, and discovered very soon that I wasn't alone in this idea - hundreds of people had done this before me.

After only a little research, I came to the conclusion that for a few thousand quid I could own a classic cabinet. However, for 10% of this, and a some hard work I could own my own hand made copy of an original, but that could play hundreds or even thousands of games.

It might have been easier to buy a gutted cabinet on Ebay, but to be honest, I quite liked the idea of making one all by myself.

In this site you will find information about my replica of a Midway cabinet - similar to one you would have found around Pacman, Ms Pacman, Galaxians and Galaga, to name a few.

The Computer

The computer that is inside the cabinet is quite a moderate specification, and cost me less the �50 on Ebay

Pentium 2 450mhz
128Mb RAM
4GB Hard Disk
64Mb Video Card (I think)
CD ROM drive

DOS operating system - none of your multi tasking for me, thanks

Software

There are 4 main pieces of software used in the Cabinet. They are as follows

FreeDOS. It's not there because I have a DOS fettish, or because I am afraid of mice. Its basically there simply because it is not a multitasking operating system, and the one thing I don't want here, is the processor wandering off to do "other things" just as the Boss Galaga attacks me with my captured fighter. I chose FreeDOS over MS DOS because at some point there will be a downloadable image of the Cabinets hard disk (no roms) and this would be a copyright issue with MS DOS. Get FreeDOS from here.

Game Launcher. Its a front end or Menu system for MAME and other emulators. It enables you to select any installed ROM to play and... - but why dont you read all about it yourself, and download it, and try it. Its available right here

MAME! - the emulator itself. Much has been written on the net about this. I shall not add my own comments, other than to re-state the fact that has been stated so many times before - its an awsesome piece of work. See the main Mame site, or look at Mameworld

Now here's something I spent weeks and in fact months searching the Internet for. An MP3 Jukebox that runs in DOS and looks like a Jukebox not a media player. Finally happened accross this and I have to say, its absolutely fantastic. The current beta version is skinnable, and in my cabinet has a nice Galaga skin. I could wax rhapsodical about this for ever, but I suggest you get yourself over to Chris's web page and download a copy - its Freeware, and you cant say fairer than that now, can you!

Pictures

This picture shows the monitor mounted on it's panel. 3/4" chipboard because it's quite strong. It's a Compaq 17" monitor that has been removed from it's case.
	Here is the cabinet showing monitor mounted and the control panel - at this point it has the original control panel, which wasn't laid out all that well.
This is the cabinet after it was first put together. It's playable, and as you can see it has a marquee. At this point it was going to be a Pacman cabinet, but then it would have to have been bright yellow...
	The Coin Door - from Ebay (where else). Needed no work at all to make it function, although it could do with the black on the coin returns being repainted. Even set to new 10p coins (and er, old 50pences).
The new Control Panel in place, along with the customised bezel around the monitor. All in all, I am very pleased with the way this has turned out.
	Ahh - a finished top with a stack of 10p's (quarters if you are in the US) marking that it's My Go Next.
Under the control panel is the small return, and then the coin door, and the all important Kick Plate - for each time Gareth beats me at Galaga.

The Controls

Arguably, the most important part of the entire project. The controls have to feel right and look right, and they have to withstand a hell of a beating. 2 fully grown concenting adults, late in the evening after several (ok many) beers and the joysticks are not treated with undying respect.

The controls come from and comprise the following...

2x blue arcade buttons
4x red arcade buttons
1x player 1 start button
1x player 2 start button
2x j-stik oval top joystick

Page kopyright Paul Anderson 2004. Cabinet plans and custom graphics also kopyright Paul Anderson 2003 - 2004 All Rights Reversed

FreeDOS. It's not there because I have a DOS fettish, or because I am afraid of mice. Its basically there simply because it is not a multitasking operating system, and the one thing I don't want here, is the processor wandering off to do "other things" just as the Boss Galaga attacks me with my captured fighter. I chose FreeDOS over MS DOS because at some point there will be a downloadable image of the Cabinets hard disk (no roms) and this would be a copyright issue with MS DOS. Get FreeDOS from here.
	Game Launcher. Its a front end or Menu system for MAME and other emulators. It enables you to select any installed ROM to play and... - but why dont you read all about it yourself, and download it, and try it. Its available right here
MAME! - the emulator itself. Much has been written on the net about this. I shall not add my own comments, other than to re-state the fact that has been stated so many times before - its an awsesome piece of work. See the main Mame site, or look at Mameworld
	Now here's something I spent weeks and in fact months searching the Internet for. An MP3 Jukebox that runs in DOS and looks like a Jukebox not a media player. Finally happened accross this and I have to say, its absolutely fantastic. The current beta version is skinnable, and in my cabinet has a nice Galaga skin. I could wax rhapsodical about this for ever, but I suggest you get yourself over to Chris's web page and download a copy - its Freeware, and you cant say fairer than that now, can you!