Full-Size Nintendo Switch Arcade Cabinet Dock - DIY!

Check out this full-size, fully functional Nintendo Switch arcade machine, and learn how you can make one of your own at home. Just in time for Arcade Archives! Thanks for watching! :)
NES30 Arcade Stick @ Amazon: www.amazon.com...
Cabinet plans (3D and 2D layouts): www.dropbox.co...
How to Build an Arcade Cabinet for $250 @ Instructables.com: www.instructabl...
ALWAYS take proper safety precautions! If you are a minor, ask an adult for help when taking on this sort of project. Use proper safety gear, including safety glasses, respirators, and thick gloves. Don't do anything I wouldn't do! ;)
Tools:
Jigsaw
Electric drill + bits
Electric sander + sandpaper
Putty knives
Acrylic/plastic cutter
Clamps
Materials:
2x MDF Board (4’x8’)
About 24’ of pine moulding/dowels
A sheet of acrylic (18”x24”)
A pair of cabinet hinges (full overlay, ½”) with installation
Assortment of screws, esp. 1” wood screws
Wood glue
Drywall putty/spackling
Non-water-based paint & primer
Painter’s tape
Black posterboard
Other stuff:
Switch console with dock
TV or monitor, around 18”-24”
2x NES30 Arcade Stick controllers
18” LED light fixture
4.5 cubic ft. mini fridge
Patreon: / nintendrew
Facebook: / nintendrew
Twitter: / nintendrew_
Twitch: / nintendrew_
Instagram: / nintendrewyt
Discord: / discord
Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommons...
Disclosure: Nintendrew is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. By shopping through the provided links above, your purchases support this channel at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

[@fmhqbattousai]

MDF makes a lot of dust, and it's toxic to breathe in. So make 100% sure you use a respirator that is suitable for it if you're going to cut it! I cut this stuff on my CNC and the dust gets everywhere -- even with a dust collection system.

[@Nintendrew]

Great advice, pinned for visibility.

[@asdasdasdasd-mh7lm]

NinjaGamer_S, thanks man.

[@bwillythekid8249]

its also highly flamable. try sprinkling some onto a naked flame.

[@Somerandom123]

NinjaGamer_S Are they're any other materials that are safer that could also be used for building this sort of cabinet?

[@fmhqbattousai]

dust in general is best to avoid breathing in

[@BlazingVictini22]

The mini fridge sold me...

[@KP6..]

BlazingVictini22 I found you again. I am the guy that donates crates

[@thearbinator2487]

Yeah me too

[@ejelecflametails6657]

Who WOULDN'T want a mini fridge

[@G.S.I_Labs]

Same dude

[@pepeshadilay]

I can keep heads in there !!

[@Nintendrew]

Hey guys! What sort of other projects would you like to see on the channel? Thanks for watching! :)

[@raff1]

Nintendrew , this video is awesome, pls do more switch vids!

[@Flyinglevel]

this is amazing, have you considered making a smaller one? for people with less space? :P

[@stinkbrain2566]

Nintendrew You should create a cabinet with console fighting games!

[@dimitriydzyuba218]

Nintendrew, you should show all of the Army Men games that you have, and showcase their gameplay. Do that, and I'll leave you in peace.

[@ians_parks]

I'd love to see you tackle a tabletop arcade cabinet next 🍻

[@HellScream107]

A+++ for having a fridge built into it for storing beverages, Your game room is awesome man. Thanks for sharing and showing how to make an arcade!

[@JohnRiggs]

Now that is damn cool. I need one.

[@MrPug-bo9wy]

John Riggs: RIGG'd Games woah love you man

[@rj5485]

RIGGS!!

[@footyfam8990]

RIGGS!!

[@themetavirus]

Me too!

[@independentquebec3500]

get one for 99$

[@nickbuis3307]

I am a cabinetmaker and a Nintendo fan. I gotta say I am very impressed. Great job Nintendrew!!!

[@nickbuis3307]

Subscribed

[@oceantomkins9821]

I'm also a cabinetmaker and I have to say I'm impressed by this young guy cheers OCEAN from Australia

[@HatsuneTku]

"You just pop your switch in the dock and it transfers to the arcade machine!" Me: oh that's awesome! " And with the press of a button it functions as it's own pc that plays arcade games" Me: oh that's awesome! " And if that wasn't enough there's a fully functional mini fridge under the cabinet!" Me: oh that's awesome! Congrats on making me say the same thing 3 times in a row

[@ColeFam]

This is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. When we get a bigger place, I wanna do this myself! Thanks for sharing!

[@peanutbumber2858]

*sees the arcade* Okay thats dope.... *sees it can run donkey kong* Okay But i don't need it *SEES IT HAS A MINIFRIDGE* I NEED IT NOW!!!!

[@ejelecflametails6657]

The mini fridge got me too

[@claws_of_hades]

It has a gaming laptop too.

[@corvocorvus9982]

*Arcade* Peanut Bumbersnoop: i sleep *m i n i f r i d g e* Peanut Bumbersnoop: *R E A L S H I T*

[@wolfezz6846]

Lol Me Too

[@gezi5927]

Why wouldn’t it be able to play Donkey Kong? It’s just a computer

[@SimpleFlips]

Pretty cool stuff

[@HypeJoeyYT]

I’m the first fucking like. Bruh

[@shrekoof722]

@@HypeJoeyYT noone fricking cares

[@HypeJoeyYT]

why do so much people need to be mean when someone says “first”?

[@HypeJoeyYT]

Like calm down people

[@blakelyready5980]

@Marco Nava You don't know you're already dead...

[@Woots]

This is awesome! I would love to have this in my house. Awesome work!

[@Cpt_crabhammer]

That's really rad, dude. I've always wanted to build my own cabinet, and this made it look so easy. Yours came out great!

[@Nintendrew]

Thank you! 😄

[@mayoeater4294]

Nintendrew yeah I kinda want to make one but I want to know the cost of the tv and what kind it is and I would redesign it to make it smaller and use my switch and my pc.

[@whiteravenjp]

This is absolutely amazing! When those arcade sticks were announced I had a similar idea I wanted to build with my stepson, now I know it's totally possible and within my skill set, thanks for the inspiration!

[@michaelbathgate1011]

I saw this video for the first time about a year ago and just this weekend I finished building this. Thank you for the idea and plans Nintendrew! It is going to be a hell of a lot of fun to play for years.

[@the1ucidone]

Oh my God this is so awesome I just can't contain my joy.

[@playboirisky7054]

Con

[@kimberlyb.]

Directed here via your interview with SmashJT. Have to say, this is not only a ridiculously impressive feat, but the quality of your vid is outstanding. I'm glad you didn't just show the finished product, but offered a (brief) walkthrough of just how exactly it was done. And then offered links for materials and additional info. Because I can see a lot of gamers wanting to tackle this project for themselves. Again, I'm really impressed. This is something that would make a great addition to any hardcore Nintendo fan's home. I'm curious now to see what other DIY projects you post. :D

[@8-BitEric]

this is beyond awesome man

[@zachisbored5628]

The intro is so under rated. Normally ppl would use Nintendo related pics but this man has Nintendo heaven in his home

[@HyruleGamer]

This is defiantly one of the coolest things I've seen that is custom made for the Switch, I can see you put time and effort into this and the end product looks amazing! I really love the feature of a mini fridge in the space below, I would love to have something like this in my room, space is my only issue at the moment but I would be on it a lot if I had one! Great job on this, It is really cool :)

[@andrewnunn681]

Hyrule Gamer Lol I thought you was me XD

[@gormlessCreator]

*definitely Also, I agree! If I had the time, I would totally make this.

[@TheIzzyNobreShow]

Phenomenal work!

[@TheMono313]

"What did you do this weekend ?" "Oh nothing really, just an arcade cabinet for nintendo switch"

[@edvance1030]

Me: "Do you take orders?"

[@Honest_Grifter]

Literally am doing the same thing (minus a mini fridge, but after seeing it, probably adding one) once the switch predecessor comes out and I retire the old girl... fantastic project, LOVE how solid the fit and finish is, this looks like a professional product

[@EposVox]

SICK!

[@Anthony-nv2kv]

WOW I love it. I have worked with arcade machines for a long time now and I first started with my dad's amusement company here in Ireland back when I was very young on my school holidays. He taught me all I know about arcade machines from repair, maintenance etc. I have my own business now with different locations and I also build custom arcade machines for people all over Ireland. My daughters boyfriend let us borrow his Nintendo switch just a couple of weeks ago and I absolutely loved playing it, especially Mario kart 8 And I have a spare empty arcade cabinet that I was thinking of putting a switch into and I'm so glad I came across your video because it's going to definitely happen now 😊 Thanks for your upload.

[@ThatCubeGamer]

Dude, that's so cool! Awesome job on the project, can't wait for even more DIY videos in the future!

[@catastrophe218]

Nice work. Grab the bull by the horns attitude. Very nice. I once made my own trim and base boards for my house because it was way cheaper, knowing nothing about it, distressed it, stained it, sealed it hung it and I still get compliments years later.

[@taylorlee8718]

This channel's projects just keep getting better and better! Keep it up!

[@seekerofarcades4634]

🤔Respect to those who build on there own👍👍very creative

[@ChumboFumbo]

Why is it every time I watch one of your videos I can't stop smiling!?😂 Thanks for being so delightful my friend!

[@dontletmebrown]

It's so cool you could put this together without any kind of prior experience

[@MegaManNeo]

For 200€ (hello from Europe/Germany!) that's one impressive project. A friend of mine built a Raspberry Pi exclusive arcade cabinet and it was way more expensive but he also used lot's of lights and had to wire everything with the RPi to make things work. Too bad my room is so small, I'd love to build one on my own even though I don't have a Switch (yet).

[@SmashJT]

Great job on this Drew! I've always wanted to do something like this and it's good to see someone with as much can experience as myself in design is able to put this thing together. Very inspirational!!

[@Ownedhardtime]

Pretty genius using bluetooth controllers for the cabinet!

[@Zartzey]

I can't stop rewatching this i admire the beauty of the arcade

[@pixelvoidproductions]

Dude, woah! If you mass produced these, I bet a lot of people would buy them, including me!

[@eonstar]

I would want to but I have neither the space or the money :p

[@edvance1030]

Me too. Shut up and take my money!

[@nvzoomzgaming279]

I just got to say I love your room with all the Nintendo stuff.

[@SharkieTheDork]

Woooow, that's awesome! I'd love to make something like that someday. Setting up a bunch of systems in something like that would be really cool!

[@astalavista7251]

The controls were a really nifty idea. I hadn't thought of such a simple solution. Thanks!

[@alexandrexlr]

I loved your project!!!! Simple but complete in the same time!

[@flipthegrid8809]

I cant believe you MADE this! It is so cool. Arcade cabinets are the coolest things!

[@michaelsquirrel7888]

This is beautiful and awesome. Unbelievable.

[@alexander2685]

I bought me the mini switch cabinet this one is like nothing else I have seen you 🤘now that's a thing to cherish and a thing of beauty to behold 😃your awesome dude!

[@ryder906]

I might try to make myself one of these!

[@jaetendogaming1218]

TheGiftedGamer same

[@craiger0069]

You knocked this project out of the park! Great job and love the explanation for new wood workers.

[@fishysquidman5689]

This is amazing! I may have to try it to make my room less bland.

[@huwy3758]

This is defiantly the coolest switch dock I've seen

[@SuperFam12345]

That's awesome and very inspirational dude as a retro gaming I love the idea.

[@jcarachure111]

Thank you so much for putting up all the things we need in the description my girlfriend and i saw the video and want it for our place in the near future. Cant wait to start building!

[@ChrisOTaco]

That's amazing nintendrew great work

[@Nintendrew]

Thanks, Chris!

[@mitchimusprime4613]

Man that looks so cool! The fridge tops it off

[@miguelflores7035]

Thats flipping sick!!!! Invite me to play!!!!

[@bigjalapeno7061]

That's cool. It was funny how there was a built in mini fridge too. If I had that, I would keep my Mountain Dew in there in case I want some while I'm playing. I love Mountain Dew

[@ButteredBreadSlice]

That's super cool. You just earned a sub!

[@Nintendrew]

WE DID IT, BOYS!

[@ButteredBreadSlice]

He replied. :^o

[@spectrumbots4268]

This is brilliant! Switch is basically a transforming console after all!

[@BigTea]

I've been thinking of making an arcade cabinet for the longest and this is the first tutorial that says exactly what tools and type of material you used for the whole project in a simple video. I think I'll actually attempt this now as I was pretty damn intimidated before. Personally I think this is your best video yet. Can I ask how long this took(unless I just wasn't paying attention)?

[@Nintendrew]

I think outside of design it was about a week of working 5 or 6 hrs a day. Thanks for watching!

[@DoomRater]

If there's one thing not mentioned here that I would recommend, it's a respirator. MDF makes some nasty particles you do not want to breathe in on a regular basis when its cut into shape.

[@BigTea]

DoomRater appreciate it mate

[@BloxedInGaming]

I'm buying a Switch and I favorited this video so I can come back to it when I want to make this my own little thing! Great video!

[@jesus14delcampo]

Thats awesome man, very creative.

[@raphaelkgh218]

El_Chapin14 yeah!!!! 😍😍😍😍😉

[@informatica413]

This is a very good project!!! Nintendo Switch is a great addition, 'cause you could play it on the go and turn it to a Arcade Cabinet!!! Its a Masterpiece!!! Congratulations man!!!

[@xiomaraaparicio3041]

Dude you are cool man

[@Gojiro7]

This video inspired me to do my own Arcade cab project. I cheated by using a arcade 1up cab, but I modified it by adding wooden arms to house a second arcade console, the Capcom Home Arcade unit (the one that has Alien VS Preditor licensed) and with a second monitor placed above it, my cab has two arcade machines rolled into one. Thanks Nintendrew for inspiring me to go for it :D

[@bruhJorden]

That is the coolest thing ever 😎

[@bennythargrave]

Dude, that is legit the most awesome thing I have seen all week lol

[@ipwnzyanoobz]

Sickkkk dude i wanna make one now xD

[@polly6579]

For some of these i cant believe its not clickbait. Good job man, keep up the hustle. 👍

[@bruhJorden]

Wish I had a switch 😇

[@PrivateBryan]

Buy one.

[@JimmyJTD]

@@PrivateBryan LOL

[@willyhoogs]

Good to see other young people actually developing useful skills. Nice work 👌

[@viip3rshots]

That was sick I subscribed

[@shellonasnail]

I hope this video gets like 10million views because this is so creative and coooool!!!

[@Jedihho]

awesome video! :D

[@PrestonCoC]

This is awesome to watch it all come together and in use! 10/10

[@gustaw3205]

I love it.

[@Canyonero-1]

Nice instructable hombre. I watched it with my 6 year old son and now he wants to build it. :)

[@bviptech]

Looks awesome man/ I would love to still be able to build something like this. Due to lack of sight I think an electric saw may be a little dangerous lol. For curiosity purposes do you think your design could hold any larger of a screen? only ask as 19" would prob be a bit small for me. I may be able to get someone to help me build one

[@Nintendrew]

Yes for sure! I think it could comfortably fit up to a 24" widescreen. The 19" was just an extra screen I had around the house. :) Cheers!

[@bviptech]

ahh nice. I have a spare 24" full hd tv which would be perfect. Thanks and I have shared the video on a few gaming pages I know that may be interested in your vids.

[@Nintendrew]

Thanks so much!

[@stephenmelin2871]

BVIPTech did you just say lack of sight? Meaning that you're blind?

[@bviptech]

stephen melin yes I am legally blind. Ii have lost 100% in one eye ana 90 odd in the other, may I ask why? Just curious

[@kevinlupiani3250]

That looks really good. Nintendo should hire you for these projects.

[@Ghost-yo2tf]

Someone needs to sell this online

[@yattalog]

Man... you gave me the right idea to make at home! If I really built in the future, I'll make a video showing it from the scratch, and, fo course, I'll metion your video, who inspired me to do it! AMAZING CABINET!!!

[@RePooba]

I need me one of those

[@tabletopbattlezone5711]

Excellent video Drew and way to go on this. A nice addition to your gaming room for sure. I am just now starting to plan out an arcade machine for my game room, I am going to go for a MAME machine with older games on it, but this video was helpful - love the fridge idea... I'd love to see more videos on retro emulation and your gaming laptop specs and what programs you use to emulate on it.

[@ose4448]

Only comment section that isn't cancer

[@Green24152]

That's no longer true, you commented here.

[@iyeetsecurity922]

Yo mama.

[@RichardJohnsonTX]

I am most jealous of the Legend of Zelda promotional disc during your intros!

[@godspeed_3122]

do a NES arcade cabinet

[@Daviddity]

yeah!

[@chrisfilyaw6022]

this is the first video of yours I have ever seen and I must say as an X construction worker I am super impressed. no it does not take much skill to build that but the fact that you could make that design with no prior experience is Simply Amazing. great job man. I will definitely be trying to build one of these myself but probably with Street Fighter 2 logos since I have been a huge fan of the game for 27 years

[@Nintendrew]

Thanks, Chris! Good luck!

[@MLChlsfla]

Jake paul goes trending just bc he posts wannabe rap music BUT U DO THIS AND NO RECOGNITION

[@Nintendrew]

Hahaha 😂

[@scolds199]

That's awesome, love the old school arcade cabinet design.

[@me81372]

At first I didn’t like the idea of the controllers that way,but since you put it as keeping with the spirit of the switch and make them portable that makes sense then. I’ve actually been thinking over the years making a mame box like one of these. Sadly now I don’t have room but this is a really cool idea you did a very good job it looks awesome.

[@ositox5659]

This is amazing!! Some day when I have a house I need to build one of these, especially with all the SNK arcade ports and the upcoming VS Nintendo Arcade Ports!!

[@collinsarcade2939]

I remember when you posted this, thought it was awesome! Now Intect has a Switch control deck that fits onto Arcade1up machines and you can also use it for mini systems, arcade boxes, pc, etc

[@starpetalarts6668]

My plan is to have the Sharpin Pinball machine(Nintendo Switch model) fold into where the Mini Fridge is. So I will have a Pinball/Arcade hybrid.

[@guygardner8308]

Awesome video! I have been wanting to make a cabinet for some time, but after watching numerous videos, found it to be too daunting a task. I had given up on the idea until watching your video. Now that I see I can make something inexpensive, and with easy to acquire tools and parts. You have totally inspired me! I know this a channel for gaming, but I would love to see more easy to do DIY projects like this.

[@andysavs1838]

D-I-why are you so good at DIY stuff?!

[@Oretal]

I need more videos like this, you are the only one to have fulfilled my niche needs. Fantastic video Drew!

[@StephenG420]

Props @nintendrew super dope and clean finish. SWAG!

[@gtlover7505]

Great job bro. Soon I'm gonna built my own. Gonna use a pandora box. To anyone that will get discouraged that it's difficult-anything is possible if you put effort and believe in yourself. Even if you screw up, that's a success of how not to do it next time.

[@Degga911]

Man, that's pretty cool. Retropie running on this would be awsome

[@timd2606]

That is so cool! The fridge idea was very clever

[@RichInternationalAir]

Nintendrew, excellent vid, and I subscribed. I appreciate that you're so encouraging about others being able to tackle this diy project. Thanks!

[@jibraillaksmono3075]

yoo this is so awesome! imagine if it is being mass produce and are put in everywhere. imagine walking through the park or the mall and then you want to challenge your friend or maybe a stranger? you just plop in your switch that you brought and boom! playing games practically without needing to find a table! i know this may not matter to you that much but +1 subscriber!!

[@OrchidEleven]

this is inspirational and you even give us the printouts, i will do this in the next 5 years

[@TheFernando]

with the introduction of the nes and snes virtual online thing this video aged greatly, now you can accually play stuff like the original DK game or some other stuff

[@morganpowers2952]

Nintedrew builds series? We NEED this!