DIY Cardboard Nintendo Switch Pinball cabinet - detailed close-up and explanation

"low budget" Nintendo Switch Cardboard pinball cabinet
In this video I will show and explain how this pinball cabinet is made and how it works. At the end of the video (after the gameplay demo's) I will also show all the parts when the cabinet is taken apart.
If you liked this video, make sure to check out my Nintendo LABO pop-up piano with all functions build in:
• Nintendo LABO Piano Po...
Product links:
Nintendo Switch: amzn.to/37UKhdM
Low budget Switch dock: amzn.to/380yWZw
Switch controller: amzn.to/2RiDwMO
Pinball plunger: amzn.to/37VRNFe
LED USB powered sound flashers: amzn.to/34Tq9qk
Arcade buttons: amzn.to/33CX9ln
Box corners: amzn.to/2DF5ryM
Television: Philips 32 inch Full HD LED amzn.to/2P0ub9S (newer model)
PC speakers: Nedis CSPR10020BK (local store)
Note: Some products are also available on Wish.com but it takes a lot longer to ship...
More info and photo's of this Project: imgur.com/gall...
Video mentioned that inspired us to make this:
Custom pinball controller for Nintendo Switch and Pinball FX3: • $26 custom pinball con...
If you have questions, feel free to ask. I'll try to answer them all.

[@jt1951]

Yes , He is a Genius. Feed back motors, single power button, UBS , wifi , etc on and on.

[@kavikmute]

UNBELIEVABLE!!! A great job of problem solving. That tilt and nudge setup is pure genius.

[@PaperPaul]

Thank you sir! :) May I ask, how did you find this video? I’m getting a lot of comments at once today.

[@greekmanx]

I can say i saw it on facebook it was posted in a group I am in

[@PaperPaul]

Ok thanks!

[@marcosreyna2998]

You Sir are a genius.

[@AmIASpy]

It’s a great video I can already tell

[@1963Jellybean]

I’m convinced If the world’s grid goes down we will be ok. This guy can fix it. You’re a genius! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@rabielougmani1974]

Hands down.. Genius.. And CLEVER tilt mechanism. All of that in one word: OWESOME 👏

[@0730bcorm]

I love the idea of being able to switch out the control panel between arcade and pinball controls

[@Channel9001]

That nudge sensor is simple and genius! I think I will make a miniturized version of this. One the switch screen can just slip into.

[@mbf6160]

Super creative this really defines if there’s a will there’s a way 😎🔥🤙🏾

[@danielnicholson6174]

one of the coolest gaming mods i have ever seen

[@arcaneforce8880]

Nintendo labo taken to the next level.

[@PaperPaul]

Yes so whiting like that. :) You might like this project I did a while ago: Nintendo LABO Piano Pop-Up book kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJ6qmJSoYreAqtE

[@arcaneforce8880]

@@PaperPaul WOW that is brilliant. Very creative. You've got a new subscriber. Keep up the good work.

[@BigWillTheMill]

I freaking LOVE the ingenuity here. Its inspiring.

[@PaperPaul]

Great to hear, thanks!

[@fantasycolor]

Respect! Very hard work, very professional result! It now screams for a side-art. And when doing so many details I would have done it horizontal, not diagonal to match it more real pinballs. But so many nice ideas! Thank you.

[@cruzcustoms]

Thank you for sharing your genius. I have taken your joystick pcb idea and started building my pinball cabinet. You are the man!!!

[@Starvingart]

Simple and cool design post more for the people who don’t know how to thanks

[@BIGMIKE360AMUSEMENTS]

Amazing 😉 job! I love ❤️ people who use their brains 🧠 for something good

[@alferfoot1861]

Amazing stuff. Have a switch myself and I love pinball, but never knew the switch could be used like that. Great stuff

[@FloridaManRacer]

My idea was a bit different for one of these. I wouldn't be making it out of cardboard because I want mine to be more substantial and feel more accurate to a real pinball table. I'm using a 32 inch older 1080p tv for display, and for the control layout, I'm going to use an 8BitDo fight stick arcade pad. Just make a couple wire extensions for the buttons on the stick and I'd have the same effect you do, minus the rumble and lights etc. That's stuff beyond my skill level to do, but I feel like the Switch is the perfect console for creating this machine. I already have the tv mounted on my wall currently and I swivel it to vertical on my vesa mount and play pinball that way all the time. I literally just need to build a box for the TV and wire up the controller and I'm all set. It's Probably the easiest way to create a type of Arcade machine for the home...

[@entschachtelt4721]

Wonderful work! Very inspirational. Bedankt!

[@estebaneckout6680]

OMG This is freaking cool!! Next goal in my life is to build one too, I'll come back to you with my progress, thank you

[@PaperPaul]

Awesome! Enjoy the build, It’s a lot of fun!

[@DroidLocks6971]

Sorcerers LairnIs My Favorite Zen Pinball

[@mpess8569]

Loved it.!😍 I can't wait to fig out how I can replicate it. 👏👏👏👏👏 Id love to add a small back box using a tablet.

[@DroidLocks6971]

AweSomeNess PerSoNiFied

[@McpCosmO]

hi you inspired me and i just finished my own digital pinball build with a nice side effect. it is usable as a normal tv too :) the video is in german but the visuals can speak for it selfe. i apprecaiated your feedback and thoughs. i dont want to spam a link in here so to anybody who is interrested..the video is called | 43" Virtual Pinball Switch Hybrid Table (DE) |

[@PaperPaul]

Great solution, thanks for sharing. Danke!

[@McpCosmO]

@@PaperPaul thx :)

[@nickcollins8102]

This is pretty amazing. Well done, and thank you for sharing!

[@PaperPaul]

Thanks! You’re welcome!

[@nerdbit84]

I have have been wanting to use the switch for my next cabinet build for some pinball and arcade games. Was searching to see if anyone else had made similar thing and came across your video. Man you blew it out of the water and took the Labo concept to a new level. Great job 👍

[@PaperPaul]

Thanks and enjoy your build. It’s lots of fun!

[@nerdbit84]

@@PaperPaul congrats again, quick question: Have you encountered any issues with switch system updates and 1st party controller updates since you used a 3rd party controller? Thanks

[@PaperPaul]

No nothing I noticed. Everything works fine.

[@PaperPaul]

The 3D party controllers can behave buggy when the battery is almost or completely empty. I experienced that. Scared me because I thought the board was broken but it was a dead empty battery. Solved by charging.

[@theshiny5632]

This looks really good. I've been debating creating a virtual pinball cabinet, and this just helps with the idea

[@jsphwrkmn04901]

love your pinball set up! Do you have instruction how to make the pinball box and that would be great.

[@VirtualRobotsRevolt]

I'm going to apply some of this stuff to my PC Virtual pinball build. Thanks for the video!

[@PaperPaul]

You’re welcome!

[@pinball9289]

That ! Is ! So ! Genius ! You inspire me !

[@swanseawales1979]

I clicked like earlier but actually wanted to take the time to personally say thanks for uploading this

[@PaperPaul]

Thank you!

[@swanseawales1979]

How easy is it to wire up the switch controller?

[@treymitchell5229]

Cool project. But it's not accurate to say the Switch is the only way to play vertical pinball or arcade games. MAME, Visual Pinball and Future Pinball are all options that support many more games than the Switch. You can even play Pinball FX3 in cabinet mode (vertical) through STEAM on a PC. Sweet project. I just don't want viewers to think they're limited to what the Switch offers.

[@PaperPaul]

Thanks! I thought I covered the PC pins by mentioning that. Switch is the only “game console” that supports vertical gameplay output for FX3. I had to be more specific. But also never seen a PlayStation or Xbox giving vertical output on a tv or a cabinet based on one of these systems.

[@b.o.353]

Unbelieveable! Amazing work!

[@g146m026]

you work very well. Nice setup! Hope do this one day

[@Bobbypinker]

Absolutely brillaint.

[@satchman2000retro]

Love this, great work. Inspired me to build my own cab using these ideas!

[@PaperPaul]

That’s awesome! It’s a lot of fun. As long as you take your time and approach it step by step. Let me know if you share a video. Would love to see the result.

[@patricklennon932]

Dude super job on this, I’m building one!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@PaperPaul]

You’re welcome!

[@patricklennon932]

Do you happen to have the dimensions and measurements for the box/project? Definitely looking into making one.

[@virtualpinball5065]

I think you have a great idea specially for the plunger. Very nice video.

[@JonathanDerda]

I love this. Thanks for sharing.

[@michaelkozoroz3016]

This is fantastic and what I'm coincidently trying to do myself. Thank you! Question, how to you flip the Donkey Kong game. I'm using the Nintendo membership to get all the retro games and it won't work. Do I have to buy it individually?

[@HrabiaKaczula]

This is awesome...wow just wow

[@stephenbeagle2239]

Very cool and unique.

[@andymillsmusic]

Is it easy enough to replace controller buttons for arcade buttons? I’m thinking of making one with a cheap wired controller and just plug console into end of usb lead. Also, what is best wire to use for connecting buttons? This looks fantastic, great job and videos like yours are always so helpful so thank you

[@PaperPaul]

Thanks! Try to use a thin wire that’s easy enough to solder. So no too thin…. Adding buttons to the board is a matter of trying. It totally depends on the controller you’re using. I started adding button by button and testing it. Once I got the flipper buttons connected, I felt comfortable enough to add the rest one by one. I suck at soldering so I can’t give any useful advice.

[@lewiekong]

This is a great build. Very impressive. Have you tried any of the other pinball games available for Switch since making this?

[@PaperPaul]

Yes we did. Some are nice but FX3 is by far the favorite game for pinball.

[@35Zdeno]

Perfect 👍

[@stefanstinglmair4575]

Very nice Man !

[@stressed76]

Wow that's awesome! Nice work man👏

[@rein3751]

Top gedaan, ik ga dit zeker uitproberen.

[@ce373]

Amazing!!

[@thechampagneroom1]

genius!

[@lyech777]

good job. thanks for sharing

[@tildesarecool7782]

this is...*amazing*

[@francophysique5192]

Would you be willing to sell me a version of this for my home arcade? I love the plunger idea in yours!

[@davidbellotti1110]

I know this is an old video, but I just saw it recently. How is it holding up? Have you replaced the cardboard with wood or plastic? Have you thought of making a version to sell to others? Great job!!

[@frankcornell2538]

Awesome job. What are you doing about the matrix screen. Can you add another screen to the top on tge switch.

[@PaperPaul]

There’s a camera solution some people use but I don’t like it enough to build in. But it’s def worth it to check on KZbin.

[@cryptonia2528]

great job do you have info on how to plug the wire for button on the board is there a positif and negatif ? thx

[@asmrguitar8792]

Amazing build! Can you show/explain how the tv is mounted in the cardboard? How does it support the weight? Thank you!

[@PaperPaul]

This is what it looks like on the inside i.imgur.com/T0j7C01.jpg

[@asmrguitar8792]

@@PaperPaul ah thanks! That certainly helps. Is it just hot glue-gunned together? Or are you using something else for strength? Thanks so much

[@PaperPaul]

Yes it’s all hot glued cardboard. It’s not regular cardboard but the strong double layered cardboard that is also used to ship bikes.

[@PaperPaul]

Also note the triangular supports in the corners. We’ve build in a bunch of these.

[@asmrguitar8792]

@@PaperPaul brilliant, thanks Paul! I will order some double layered cardboard and give this a go in the next couple of weeks!

[@le-berry]

Nice but wireless ? Bluetooth is fast but wired is faster. ( I understand the arcade/pinball layouts needs to be able to switch but I would think you could make that work)

[@XvPLAYER1vX]

Nice build. Was discouraged after an idea to turn a xbox one into a pinball machine when I couldn't get the games to play vertically and fit correctly but now I have hope to build one with the switch. Few questions I have are what gauge wire to use, does the tv switch vertically automatically after pressing the button on switch, and does it matter if I use a normal switch or lite? Thanks

[@PaperPaul]

There’s a display rotation button in the games that support vertical. I’m not sure if the switch light has a tv output which is needed to make this. I have the normal switch in a dock. The wire I used is regular, not too heavy so I can work with the connection plugs and solder it without making a mess.

[@WickedGamerCollector]

Gij bent volgens mij een Nederlander ? Kortom wel een leuk project 😁

[@PaperPaul]

Thx!

[@dave1096]

What the hell is this.....OMG! Amazing!

[@satchman2000retro]

nice build buddy!

[@kiodiekin]

Love it

[@jeffsim1987]

i know this is question is in 2023 but how did you wire the triger buttons of the controller or are the cheap controllers 1 board thanx great setup by the way

[@PaperPaul]

It’s all soldered on that one board, the board of the cheap controller.

[@fabienlelaurin7760]

Ingenious well done !

[@GoDuffdaddy]

Fantastic! I love it. I would love to build this. Is the a schematic I can follow for your wiring plan? I’m not technical. Hell I can’t even solder. But I’m sure I can get help.

[@PaperPaul]

Thanks! No there was no plan. We figured it out while building it. The plan was hooking up one button at the time, test it and continue to the next one. The box is shaped around the size of the tv.

[@GoDuffdaddy]

@@PaperPaul fair enough. I'll just suck it and see!

[@lovetheblue6659]

Great & informative video! One question: How are you getting power to the LED striplights? Based on the link you provided, it appears that they were made for interior car lighting which means 12 volt power.

[@PaperPaul]

Its usb powered and uses a port from the tv, just for power.

[@lovetheblue6659]

Got it! Thanks! Again, Great Job with the Video ... And very ingenious use of the LED lights to provide flasher support without programming!!

[@PaperPaul]

Thanks! It’s even better in real. :) For the demos in this video, I’ve turned up the volume and the flasher where really reactive. Normally it only flashes on action and you can also adjust the volume of the tv speakers. The microphone of the LED flashers is inside the box near to the television speakers. Here you can see it work without the background music: i.imgur.com/un1TtPz.mp4

[@TimothyTimPSP]

The only game console?

[@frankcornell2538]

Can you please explain your button layout. What buttons did you not wire to the controller and what buttons on the unit are which

[@PaperPaul]

The red side buttons are the flippers. Left side black is pause, right side black is wizard power. Button above the ball launcher is the auto shooter. The other is view. Front blue on the total left is the back button and the four blue buttons in cross position are navigation buttons.

[@frankcornell2538]

@@PaperPaul sorry 2 more questions. I just got tge red and blue controller you used. I noticed the pause button is a momentary switch which 4 pins. How did you wire that. Also are you using a home buttom or do you not really need that

[@PaperPaul]

I used the blue red controller for the arcade module, not the pinball module. So I’m not sure. Maybe do some testing before soldering? I didn’t build in the home button. I use the controller for that if needed. I only build in the necessary buttons that are needed during pinball. On the arcade module, I wired the “on” button for the controller itself. That came in handy and would have been an nice upgrade for the pinball module too.

[@frankcornell2538]

@@PaperPaul awesome. Thank you so much for the info. Also is the shooter supposed to come with screws. Just curious because didn't.

[@PaperPaul]

Dont know, can’t remember. I didn’t use screws but hot glued the disc to the board.

[@swinksstuff]

awesome work and thanks for sharing. Question - having not yet purchased the switch and dock station do you plug the hacked remote controller cord into the dock station?

[@PaperPaul]

Only to charge. In a weird way it doesn’t charge and function at the same time. I have to figure out why,

[@ayeonercracing2245]

Do you have any pictures of how you did the wiring to the remote control thank you

[@omrydadon67]

I would love a more in depth look at how you handled the nudge.

[@PaperPaul]

It’s a bunch of stuff combined so it works. Rubber bands, wooden sticks, cardboard supports and the original plunger without the spring. If you can build a catapult, you can make this too.

[@omrydadon67]

@@PaperPaul is it wired to the controller?

[@PaperPaul]

Yes, I’ve extended the analogue stick of the controller with a plastic tube and the shooter pulls that. It’s visible in the close-up @8:55

[@djwnaz]

Great Job. Where can I get the Cardboard pinball cabinet?

[@garyabernethy2]

would it be possible to just attach a switch dock to an arcade 1up pinball cabinet and use an arcade stick? does arcade 1up have a hdmi cord for the monitor?

[@sampokemppainen3041]

I reckon there's no labo kit available for that :D

[@andreamarrucci7488]

Salve a tutti...posso chiedere se é possibile un disegno dei collegamenti elettrici per poter saldare su un joipad tutti quei tasti,so saldare a stagno ma di elettronica nin ci capisco un gran che pero se c'è un tutorial come fare lo copierei volentieri

[@13013Chris]

🤝

[@yangotas]

Didn’t you have any problems with connecting the controller every time you restart switch ? Providing it’s not the official one

[@PaperPaul]

Not really. Only when the battery is really empty. I push and hold the top button of the controller that is used to turn it on. I saved the rubber plate for that.

[@yangotas]

@@PaperPaul can you provide a photo of the inside of the other control panel ? I would like to see the board solderings

[@gibsonpinball]

Hi Paul, ik loved your solution for the plunger. Haven't seen that one before!. A question about the black corner protectors. Where did you order these in the The Netherlands? And if you're interested in pinball have a look at our upcoming kickstart on gibsonspinball.com and let me know what you think. Thanks and thumbs up!!!

[@PaperPaul]

I found these as case protectors. Available in stores that sell light and sound equipment for professionals.

[@PaperPaul]

The mini pinball looks great, best of luck with the project!

[@PinStratsDan]

Well done! This is brilliant and I really like your nudging and plunger setup. I'm busy making my own box for Xbox One so will see if I can adapt it. Unfortunately not vertical as you say on Xbox One.

[@PaperPaul]

That’s great! Best of luck with your project, it’s lots of fun! Just start with two buttons and the rest later.

[@doggowitskimask385]

I think we found the video game Einstein

[@angelodi903]

Nedetlander?

[@kugelschreiberzusammenbaue3585]

what is the quality difference between the nintendo switch and pc ?

[@PaperPaul]

PC can display 4K and the Switch max 1080p. Also with a PC you can connect a second display and a DMD screen and all kind of vibration motors and flashers. The Switch is easy to set-up, compact, cheaper than a PC and hack the controller by hooking up buttons to the board.

[@frankcornell2538]

What size TV do you use

[@PaperPaul]

32 inch. Info and specs in the description

[@frankcornell2538]

@@PaperPaul thank you sorry I missed that link.

[@PaperPaul]

No problem!

[@slimc7760]

@PaperPaul how do you get the video games to play vertically? (I know how to get pinballFX vertical)

[@PaperPaul]

I’ve found some games that have vertical game play on the Nintendo Switch. You can find lists online.

[@slimc7760]

PaperPaul thanks for the quick response.

[@javiersola2159]

Great Job. Watch the Promopinball Pincab...

[@amsolometo]

Hi there love this video! and just in time, because I also plan to do something similar. May I ask what size display you are using? I have an old 24in monitor and not sure if itll be to small or not.Thank you!

[@amsolometo]

Never mind, missed in it in the more information part 32 in! thanks again

[@PaperPaul]

@@amsolometo Thanks, happy to hear you liked the video! Send me a link when you've got the cabinet ready!

[@3dman650]

hi, good job! but how you plug the usb controler (for power)? it's Bluetooth controler? thx

[@PaperPaul]

Yes it’s wireless Bluetooth and I still use the battery. It can be powered from the usb connector on the controllers board and hook it up to the back with usb. Hard to see but there’s a black USB cable inside the module.

[@3dman650]

@@PaperPaul ok, thx for this information, and one more good idee!

[@omrydadon67]

I was also wondering, you said it's hooked up to the back with USB, but what is it plugged into, the switch?

[@PaperPaul]

Yes but only for charging. I can’t play and charge the controller at the same time or use it powered from the usb. Don’t know why, still have to figure that out.

[@omrydadon67]

@@PaperPaul ok, cool. Love this build. The only downside is I will have to re purchase all my tables on the switch.

[@dirkrieger8783]

1:30 The Nintendo Switch is the only game console that supports a vertical display..... Errrhhh no, the PS3 does it f ex. in the pinballgame "Pinball Fantasies" when pushing the select button ;-)

[@PaperPaul]

Thanks, and noted!