Technabob » arcade cabinet

Taito InvaderCade iPad Arcade Cabinet, No Quarters Required (Just 200 Bucks)

Conner Flynn — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 05:01:53 +0000

By now we all know the iCade, which was the first enclosure for the iPad that turned it into a mini arcade machine. Then came the Atari Arcade Duo Joystick, which provides a more open arcade experience. Now behold Taito’s InvaderCade.

That’s right, what we have here turns your iPad into an old time Space Invaders arcade cabinet. The cabinet may only have one button and a ball-top joystick for your gaming, but it also offers a charging dock with stereo speakers and a headphone jack. This looks like a must-buy for Space Invader geeks like me.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

It will hit Japan on October 11. We have no idea if or when it will arrive on our shores. Unfortunately, the launch price for our Japanese friends works out to be about $205 (USD). Yes, that is more than twice the price of the iCade and Atari’s offering is expected to be just $60. Both have more buttons. You are really paying for that Space Invaders branding. They may have to lower the price to compete, unless Space Invaders loving geeks are richer than I thought.

[@johnnyram via GameSetWatch via TUAW]

Tiny Space Invader Arcade Cabinet: Easy to Look at, Hard to Play on

Lambert Varias — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 12:48:00 +0000

I wasn’t aware that there are enthusiasts that love making miniature arcade cabinets. And they don’t just make beautiful cases, like the ones we’ve featured before, their machines are actually functional. One of the newer ones is this Space Invaders cabinet made by YouTuber vcoleiro1.

The cabinet is a mere 7″ tall, 3.5″ wide and 4.5″ deep. Inside it are the guts of a GBA SP. Vcoleiro1 used resources from Arcade Art Library and Vectorlib to create the cute cabinet art. Surprisingly enough – at least for me – the joystick and the buttons actually pre-made; vcoleiro1 bought them from Digikey and eBay respectively.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Does that classify as a portable handheld? Feel free to email Vcoleiro1 at vcoleiro1[at]gmail.com if you want the full instructions or if you want him to make you one. Hopefully his asking price will be as small as the cabinet.

[via Hot Blooded Gaming via Kotaku]

Retro Heart Handcrafts Tiny Arcade Games With a Big Heart

Technabob — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 03:14:42 +0000

If you’ve ever wanted to fill a room in your house with classic arcade games, but didn’t have the space (or the cash), here’s the next best thing. These tiny arcade games and pinball machines take up way less space, and cost way less than the real deal.

Made over in the UK by Steven C. Gauntley of Retro Heart, these miniature machines are each handcrafted from wood with custom vinyl graphics, and sheets of acetate for the “glass” tops of the pinball tables and fronts for some of the video games. In all, he’s made over 100 different machines, and continues to add to the collection. Check out a bunch of my favorites in the gallery below:

I was always a pushover for Paperboy and Burgertime, but I have to say that the pinball tables are really great too – gotta love The Simpsons. Each machine is built in a limited-edition, at 1/12th scale. To put that in perspective, both the pinball machines and arcade cabinets stand about 6 inches tall. It’s just too bad you can’t actually play any of these. But then again, my fingers aren’t that small.

The arcade cabinets sell for £14.99 to £19.99 (~$24 to $32 USD) each, and the pinball machines go for £24.99 (~$40 USD) a piece, while the extremely special Star Wars cockpit sells for £39.99 (~$65 USD). Steven also offers a substantial discount for orders of 10 arcade cabinets or 5 pinball machines. Plus, if you’re looking for that special machine you just couldn’t get enough of, Steve will do custom orders too. Ready to build out your miniature dream arcade? Just head on over to Retro Heart and get started.

Winnitron 1000 Arcade Cabinet: A Token of Hope from Indie Developers

Lambert Varias — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 13:28:28 +0000

The video game arcade cabinet is fast becoming a relic of a not so distant past, what with the rise of video game consoles and increasingly powerful and versatile portable video game systems. But a group of Canadian indie developers have turned to the iconic device to bolster their fledgling community. Created by 5 individuals who call their group the Bit Collective, the Winnitron 1000 serves as both an homage to video games and as a way to encourage more people to join the indie video game community, specifically people in Winnepeg, where the first Winnitron 1000 is based.

The roster of games on the Winnitron 1000 is ever-increasing. Currently it has 14 games, including the breakout hit Canabalt. The Bit Collective had a “game jam”, a session where developers made games for the Winnitron 1000:

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Just to show you how much potential this pairing has, here’s a couple of trailers for some of the games on the Winnitron 1000. First off is 2-player Canabalt:

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Awesome video. It’s funny how the characters look like 8-bit versions of Johnny Cash and Michael Jackson. Here’s one of the more colorful games on the Winnitron 1000, Super Crate Box Versus:

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Here’s a bonus video, where the Winnitron 1000 reveals that it’s self-aware:

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Sadly, you’d have to make the pilgrimage to Winnipeg if you want to play on the Winnitron 1000. If you’re in the Netherlands, you’re in luck because a group of Dutch game developers have made their version of the arcade cabinet. The Bit Collective and their friends would love nothing more than for more Winnitrons to be made. You can help by donating, or if you’d like your very own Winnitron arcade cabinet, just contact the Bit Collective. Check out Winnitron 1000′s website for more info.

[via Laughing Squid]

Arcade Cabinet Alarm Clock: Good Morning, Gamer!

Lambert Varias — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:49:26 +0000

Beyond simply making a noise, today’s alarm clocks are armed with varying techniques to get us out of bed. Some of them try to scare you with the voice of the Sith Lord, some are voice-controlled, some make you exercise, and some are just really, really loud. But this one takes a much more pleasant approach. Obviously made for gamers, the arcade alarm clock emits “a barrage of retro gaming sounds”.

Use the joysticks on this 6-inch tall clock to adjust the time and set the alarm. You can order it at Lazybone for $22 (USD). It would be awesome if it asked for a coin before stopping the alarm though.

[via Internet Siao]

Nintendo Ds and Sony Psp Morphed Into Less Portable Arcade Cabinet

Alisha K. — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:55:14 +0000

You know what’s awesome about portable game systems? Portability, of course! And what’s awesome about arcade cabinets? Everything. So it’s clear that arcade cabinets are, in fact, better than portables… which means it’s totally okay to hack your portables into your arcade cabinets.

While the originating site is in Japanese and is thus beyond my comprehension, the story here is clear. Above the controls, there’s a touchscreen, which is being used to control a very large version of Rhythm Tengoku Gold. You can play PSP games, too, and hey! It doesn’t even matter that there’s only one joystick per person, am I right?

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

[NicoVideo via TinyCartridge]

Sega Arcade Cabinets for Miniature Gamers

Alisha K. — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:00:20 +0000

For many of us, the days of arcades are long past (and if you’re lucky enough to have one nearby, cherish it!), but we remember plugging in all those quarters with a particular fondness. Well, prepare to have that fondness exploited, in the form of adorable miniature arcade cabinets.

Even if it were possible to count the number of hours I wasted on games like OutRun, I wouldn’t want to. The results would be less than glamorous (and might remind me that I could own that BMW by now if I’d saved all those quarters). Would I want a constant reminder of that on my desk? Yes, yes I would. It’s just so cute!

The Sega Taikan Game Collection will be available this fall, and includes five different games: Space Harrier, Super Hang-On, OutRun, Thunderblade and Afterburner. Now if only they were playable….

[Hobby Media via Retro Thing]