Build a Desktop Arcade Machine with Raspberry Pi 3 and Retropie: Super Turbo Pro Edition

Start to finish I cover: designing, creating graphics, sourcing materials, electronics/wiring, and setting-up RetroPie to build a two-player 1/3rd size desktop arcade cabinet.
www.retrobuiltgames.com
My book: Raspberry Pi Retro Gaming: amzn.to/2W5r6Kj
End music is:
Chemical Synapse (unknown artist)
LoZ Majora's Mask Eclipse Apocalypse (Blue Streaks)
ocremix.org

[@RetroBuiltGames]

A million+ views. I am humbled. I should mention I wrote a book on this exact subject: Arcade building with the raspberry pi: www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Pi-Retro-Gaming-Consoles/dp/1484251520/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=1484251520&qid=1583455076&sr=8-1

[@isidrotrinidadalvarez1642]

Ñ Ñ ... Ñ

[@wilsonr1022]

Does this book teach you step by step or is it just a general read on what can be made?

[@RyanShuck]

Tape measures are designed that way on purpose, it's not an error. It is to account for the thickness of the metal tab at the end. If you are measuring an inside corner with the metal bracket pressed up against something, the measurement is correct. If you're measuring from outside, it adjusts to allow an accurate measurement not counting the thickness of the metal bracket itself.

[@ifixthings86]

@@do0rkn0b Half assed? Pfff, hold my beer....

[@H4DUJ]

@@do0rkn0b Your ability to write( and presumably speak) is just as shitty as your bag of hot air style opinions. Nobody gives a fuck.

[@danielcrowe318]

Just checking the comments to make sure someone said this. GG

[@airborne501]

I have to be completely honest, no BS, this was the most informative video I have watch on KZbin in last 4 years. What a great straight forward instruction. You answered my questions about building a cabinet, and setting up everything.

[@originaloctochris]

Impressive. I love that you show everything in so much detail. Everything about this cabinet, from the artwork to the hardware to the software looks so nice. My first arcade machine project started out as a full size stand-up machine with a raspberry pi running retropie, just like yours. But then, I upgraded the machine to use a windows 7 PC, but I still use retropie to this day for home console projects and the like.

[@microwar]

the wiggely part of your tape mesure is not an error, but wiggles the same as the thikness of the "hook", so it will show the correct number if you put it against a surface or over an egde.

[@RetroBuiltGames]

thanks!

[@rlwhiteside2]

Like you said... Inside Outside measurement correction!! If they don't like that get a steel rule!!

[@gordypingel2325]

Wow...I did not know that! I always thought it was the BS tape measures I was buying. Thanks buddy!

[@christopherlastname7638]

I was going to comment the same thing

[@greenmarine5]

...professionals never take into fact the slack in the clip edge contrary to popular belief, we always use 1 as our beginning measurement and then subtract 1 in the over all measurement , that's were the term measure twice cut once comes from....to many mistakes over a distance happen when one uses the slack at the clip edge.

[@mocha8232]

Your passion and DIY ability is just beyond described and only a video can tell that story

[@richardbettridge475]

That is a hell of a good monitor for arcade machines, it's what I use in mine. The color is great, the viewing angle is great and it isn't widescreen! Any time I see this monitor at a thrift store I pick it up as a spare.

[@nightwalka80]

This is a really nice build man. I wish I could still do all that wiring and soldering. I would love to build a cabinet. But those are the breaks when you lose most of your sight. Cheers from Australia.

[@kennethfroehlke5675]

Nice tools for fabricating this build! I was once 20 something and had time, but no money for stuff like this. Now, I'm 40 something with a family and have money, but no time! LOL!

[@jbirmingham2380]

"I don't have a lot of clamps" ...three seconds later- ALL THE CLAMPS.

[@brianh.000]

I guess "a lot of clamps" = 200 clamps... :)

[@a83crossover]

@@brianh.000 More - Kobe (RIP)

[@wolveric0]

At the beginning i thought you were over engineering things but at the end i realize how easy would be to service that machine, excellent job and will take it as an example, thank you for such great material.

[@iteachvader]

As soon as I saw your face, I thought "Heyyy, Vsauce! Michael here."

[@chrishad95]

6 years later I am watching this video for the first time. Thanks for the information. I have a number of Harbor Freight clamps in my woodshop and just like in this video, a lot of them still have the tag on them for some reason.

[@RetroBuiltGames]

no shame cast here.

[@JeMasLT]

I like how you make AutoDesk models for these wood boards. Maybe you want to do Tutorial Video. How you 3d design, and all procedure from mind in your head till final product.

[@ChrisLoos1]

I would love to see something like this as well. I have some 3D modelling experience (mostly Sketchup) but I've never tried designing anything intended to be used as parts in a physical project.

[@chrisbradtart]

EXTREMELY NICE TOUCH. I also need instruction in this technique.

[@Plymouthmusicschool]

This sorta thing impresses me to no end. Pretty brilliant. Wow

[@RetroPortableGames]

You give a great delivery of info. Straight to the point. It’s all about taking the initiative to build one. 👏

[@lesleyallan1937]

That orbital sander technique was magnificent.

[@jonvannatto]

This was really awesome. Very inspiring and I thank you for all the information you have shared!

[@Irystocrat1134]

I need to save this video and set up my own arcade once I got a job. I will definitely try this out.

[@dejochemvaningen]

That "jiggly" part of your tapemeasure is actually useful and makes it acurate. The jiggle accounts for the thickness of the tape hook when measuring both inside or outside dimensions..

[@jarkkoaitti287]

i think that the "jiggly parts" on the measurement tape are meant to jiggle about the thickness of that hook in its end so when you push it against something or "hook" it and pull, it should nullify that error. (at 2:00)

[@Bobbypinker]

Absolutely fantastic-looking arcade.

[@RetroBuiltGames]

thank you

[@SelfIndulgentGamer]

Perhaps one of the most complete videos I've seen. A really high quality finish throughout. Really impressed :)

[@NilsAlbertsson]

*THIS IS A PROFESSIONAL, COMMERCIAL LEVEL PROJECT YOU HAVE THERE... YOU DO KNOW THAT THIS PROJECT, BECAUSE OF ITS COMPLEXITY AND SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT (CNC, SPRAY SHOP, PROFESSIONAL PRINTER ETC ETC ETC) IS WAY BEYOND 99.999% OF VIEWERS' ABILITY TO REPRODUCE?* *STILL... INTERESTING TO WATCH.*

[@dwigginsbiggins]

Dude you are a freaking genius, many folks would not have the patience for this. You should make them to order and sell them.

[@elitestyles]

Effort gone into this build and this video deserves props! Well done my man looks sickkkkkk!

[@wleon4068]

Wish I had the skill to do this. I am truly staggered by this video and your know-how. Been playing arcade games since,forever, and always wanted a home arcade [ a proper one I mean]. Watching you do this is just breathtaking.

[@christophhelms4905]

The retropi file manager is called midnight commander. It's a clone of the popular 90s dos file manager Norton commander. Use tab to switch between both panes and Ctrl+t to highlight files. The rest of the functions are displayed on screen and use the f keys

[@alexj0101]

Very helpful. I want to build a cabinet but much larger sized for my retro consoles. Thanks for the breakdown.

[@BFKAnthony817]

I love your voice, it is a mixture of John C. Reilly and Bobcat Goldthwait.

[@JoRoBoYo]

😂😂

[@MikeScottAnimation]

I watched the whole thing. I'm prob not gonna attempt to make an arcade cabinet, but dayeemn. I'm impressed. Subscribing.

[@muzguz7276]

When you solder you heat on one side of the joint and feed solder into the other side. Once melted you remove straight away to reduce heat and your joint will be filled correctly and leave it bright and shiny.

[@guardyangel]

This is a piece of art. Congratulations

[@Blackgold1155]

Dude. This video really makes me want to start a cabinet building business. My mind is going crazy right now. You make this look like something that I can actually do! Thank you.

[@richardbettridge475]

I think attract mode is a better choice than emulation station when using retropie as an arcade machine. Your preference of course. For me, I have an arcade machine and a couple mini-consoles. I use the same disk image across them all, for the arcade machine I just flip a setting telling it to boot to attract mode. Otherwise the systems are identical which I really love from a maintenance stand point.

[@justinp9170]

"It is a, fun process..." The sarcasm is palpable 😂😂

[@dswmetals02]

Nice usage of wording man. I like it lol. Do not here the term a hope lot but it has a lot of real world usage. Kinda reminds me of when people say the tension is so thick it can be cut with a knife but a lot shorter and easier to say using a single word. And yes before we get someone trying to correct me I understand it's not the exact same thing, but just similar. I just pointed all this out cuz I was glad to see the word used since I actually kinda forgot it even existed and I'm glad to be reminded of it. Ok wow that was a lot longer than it needed to be lol. Anyways props!

[@MarioVelezBThinkin]

You are a freaking beast. Thank you so much. You made my kids Christmas a guarantee this year.

[@SteveSoper1979]

Literally anybody else in the world trying to replicate this. Wife - "WTF are you doing?" Guy - "Don't worry I've got this". And project never finishes. ;) This guy is crazy. Pretty awesome to see.

[@AlphaFox78]

This is much more complicated that what is portrayed. believe me, the pi setup is 10 videos of its own. best to find a pre made image!

[@errrzarrr]

I can do the computer part for anyone if that person does the wood part for me :-)

[@TheDrunkenPL]

You should use retroarch for buttons setup instead of in-mame config panel. If you config it properly once then for most cases it will work for all emulators.

[@JD-uh9od]

That is nothing short of brilliant. I could build the cabinet but that’s where I’d have to stop😬😬. For you to be able to do it all is 👍👍👍👍👍

[@user-yd7ug3jb4t]

I really like the way you talk in your videos. It's just normal talk, not like these "How-To" videos.

[@Dylan-oe9vg]

A quicker and easier way to power everything would be to use a 15amp switching PSU within the cab (much like the ones used in the original arcade machines). No need to use the DC Step down converter or dedicated 12v supply as the 15amp power supply has both 12v and 5v rails with plenty of amperage to support everything. You could also eliminate the switch housing as the LCD would run directly to the Active Neutral and Earth at the PSU. The benefits would have been time, cost and more space within the cab.

[@SomeReefer]

You can find driver boards for just about any monitor, screen or TV. Just do a search for a driver board for the model# of the display. You can even use laptop screens if they are easier to acquire.

[@josepvinals5621]

Awesome video, straight to the point in all matters, made my day. Thanks.

[@marvinthemartian1766]

"When you have made a mess, then you know everything is mixed properly. Hahahaha, Love that!

[@hamzaa.8082]

I was always thinking to build my arcade machine to save some money, after this video, hell no! I can't do it! LOL, great work and skills.

[@gtlover7505]

You can if you use pandora box. Soon I will start building one.

[@markanne54]

Outstanding - as ever! Really must get round to making one of those myself one of these days.

[@robslams2324]

when i make a retropie, its going to be in a straight up arcade like you bro, that is so gooch.

[@darkencypher]

I wanted to build an arcade, since I've already put together a few retro pis. Thanks for the video, you've shown me that I in NO WAY have the skills to build an arcade box.

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Very entertaining and fun to watch. Thanks for posting this.

[@redmist78]

My god i wish I had talent like this. Im stuck with just a boring Rasberry Pi hooked to my tv. haha. loved the video.

[@optimusprime3484]

"I don't have a lot of clamps" next frame shows about 20 clamps LOL. Great build and good video, thanks for sharing.

[@tstuff]

20 clamps in not a lot. Even double that is barely adequate for real woodworking.

[@JohnnyMcMenamin]

You had me at "Super Turbo Pro" Thanks for making this video!

[@RPiSpy]

Looks like the same Dell monitor I used in my IKEA table build. The viewing angle was much better with it mounted upside down. Luckily it's easy to flip the image in the Pi's config.txt file.

[@mikemoseley3007]

Yeah I agree with angry bunny, absolutely jaw dropping, brain stimulating, fun to do project!!!

[@ShiDWa]

I have no intention of ever making one of these... why am I watching this? Build looks sick my dude!

[@MathewsGeorgeP]

@ Ryan Bates The jiggly part of the tape measure is jiggly for a reason. It jiggles exactly by the thickness of the steel metal used to make that hook at the end. So if you hook it somewhere and "pull to measure", it subtracts the thickness of the steel hook. If you push against a surface to measure, it does the same, but just by physically doing the opposite of pulling. :-) I am 2 weeks old after this blew my mind.

[@thetreblerebel]

Awesome good use of obsolete hardware. I commend you dood. I dig homemade and handcrafted built. I'm a guitar and car guy myself. It's all in the same barrel

[@Robert8455]

Wow, I'm kind of blown away. Very cool little project, super results, packed full of great information. Looks like you've made it easy to build your own too with your website kits. Awesome work Ryan!

[@kenpressman2918]

Brian you are too funny with your video when you where talking about the mixing of the paint.

[@saddle1940]

Nice. If you run the 12v computer fan off 5v instead, it still moves a good volume of air but is very quiet.

[@mm-hl7gh]

The jiggle end of the tape measure is on purpose.. It accounts for the thickness of the hook, so you can either but it against or hock it on something, and get exact measurements for both

[@Falney]

Outstanding. Though the one change I think I would do is integrate a USB drive into the front for easily plugging in a keyboard/mouse/other peripheral

[@suyan9733]

The quality is as good as any commercial arcade cabinet or better, which means most of us won't be able to build one, we don't have access to most of the tools and services, laser cutter for example.

[@NoNickNoKick]

I'll not make one soon, but I sure watched this video till the end. I really liked the way you explain the stuff and things, amazing job!

[@jimdkc]

That "jiggly" part of the tape measure is not there to screw up your measurements. It is designed that way to allow you to take inside (jiggly part pressed in) or outside (jiggly part pulled out) measurements...

[@sirseriously]

Tape measurers don't have tolerances, they are exact. The metal piece on the end has slack to compensate for its own thickness so if you measure from the inside or the outside of that end peice you get the same exact measurements.

[@GabrielKleinCH]

For the power part, I have a simple relay that is "switched on" by the 5V of the USB of the raspberry (I have a small computer). It allows me to do a "clean shutdown".

[@rymichael7203]

great video. Listen at 1.5 speed for normal. 0.5 for drunk mode

[@rokuken]

Well, since I really don’t have the time, tools and knowledge to do this myself, I’m probably going to buy one. There’s someone very close to where I live that makes those and sells them for $400. Includes the Raspberry Pi 3 with all working arcade games, 2 joysticks, monitor and power supply, so I think it’s worth it for that price. What do you think?

[@glues4wood]

I paint for a living I can sense your love for it :)

[@LukeDodge916]

Absolutely beautiful work. I'm so impressed. I just don't have these skills, but I'd love to feel that elation of building such a nice piece of work. Great video.

[@tomolx5611]

Congrats! Brilliant project ... cheers!

[@RetroBuiltGames]

Many thanks!

[@therealjackfisher]

I have the same Dell monitor.. Its awesome as a second work screen.

[@shuura]

My inner-geek is moist... I need to do this!

[@Jianju69]

tmi

[@TrayGChevorletCorvette]

shuura "moist" thats nasty

[@dswmetals02]

maybe a little too descriptive but I did get a kind of a sick chuckle out of it

[@ericcook5745]

Also always wanted to thank you for the video it was very informative and I enjoyed watching it

[@ZeldaxLegacy]

If you suck using spray paint, I'd suggest using a small foam roller. They give an excellent finish.

[@HelmutKohlrabi]

So many people build a nice cabinet but use shit sticks, buttons, mediocre monitor and really shitty speakers. You got everything spot on.

[@robinlewis1975]

This is incredible ... you did an awesome job. I’m encouraged to build one with custom cut pieces

[@30k415]

I love my Retropie!!! All the games on mostly all systems!

[@karmone11]

Loving productive people online..a useful person can earn a living from this, amazing.

[@michaelyapkf]

Really admire your detail technical knowledge. As for me I am really lost even with your step by step guide. I rather just pay and let others do the job and build one for me. 😊👍

[@gerryconway96]

i feel the same unfortunatly, some people have brains and others dont

[@ManfTV]

congratulations yes beautiful arcade

[@muhammadnurazlansaadon1504]

1.3 million viewers.... I love this build

[@11thHrPro]

This is literally artwork. Beautiful stuff man.

[@Gyrbae]

I would immediatly buy this kit if you were selling it. The Jammarcade 2P is good, but would really benefit from a larger monitor.

[@themaximusone]

Very Nice Thanks for taking the time to share with us...

[@RoadRunnerMeep]

Awesome video, best thing about raspberry is being able to be a generic console and you can load it up with as many games as you want from as many consoles. Emulator/Arcade, you've given me a nice little project to try

[@Doonit_hard_way_since_65]

the "jiggly part" is supposed to be that way. It compensates for the blade thickness when doing an inside measurement.

[@DangerousDevilOfficial]

I just want a machine with all the arcade ports of TMNT, Mortal Kombat, Primal Rage, Killer Instinct, The Simpsons, NBA Jam, Street Fighter, x-Men, and War Gods. Is that too much to ask?

[@Bleh693]

Brother I wish you sold these cabinets completed, or at least the build plans. I know I am capable of doing all this, but I am lazy and have zero desire to do so

[@tstuff]

So the button in the front is only used for things like setup? If there are kids around that would not be the best place to locate that. Maybe it should go on top or the back where it is not pushed during gameplay.

[@ArcAiN6]

You could also enable VNC on the PI, and just remote desktop into the machine, and you'll actually have a desktop environment.

[@keirebuuishi4353]

it's nice that the dell monitor was given new life

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

Unless the cabinet is going to be super thin, I see no reason to take the monitor apart. I mean, even with an internal fan in there, there is going to be PLENTY of room inside that cabinet for everything including the monitor. Super nice system, though! No complaints there!

[@retrogamess]

Merci de m'encourager 💪 on se donne la force entre nous 💪 bonne chance à tout le monde..

[@MattHalpain]

such joy to behold this video

[@johndoe-tt4he]

I love it bro ... 😭❤👍

[@hkhou]

one of the best video on building an arcade machine. thanks for sharing