Hardware Hacking Projects for Geeks

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Part II: Advanced Hacks, Tools, and Techniques

You will have several options for the controllers: you can build any com-

bination of joysticks and trackballs. You will want to install at least one

joystick and as many as three, depending on which games you want to play.

Two-player games and games like BattleZone will require two joysticks, and

games like Gauntlet can use three or more. A trackball will make games like

Centipede feel like the original. The instructions for this hack allow for a

trackball and three joysticks for maximum flexibility. If you don’t want to

add all of these, just don’t drill out the holes for them.

The surface of the control panel will be covered with Formica to give it

a clean look and make it a comfortable place to rest your hands when

playing.

The basis for these instructions is courtesy of Jeff McClain. Check out his

web site at http://www.webpak.net/~jmcclain/mame/index.html.

Project Overview

In this project you will build a five-foot-tall cabinet as well as an arcade-

quality set of controls for the front. You’ll also add an inexpensive PC and a

color TV set or monitor inside the cabinet, and then install software called

MAME. The MAME software can run under a number of operating sys-

tems including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux; choose the one with which

you are most comfortable.

Hardware Assembly Instructions

Building the cabinet is by far the most time-consuming part of the project.

It will require some carpentry skills and may take a few weekends to com-

plete. It’s a lot of work, but when you are done you will have a fantastic-

looking video game cabinet. Before you begin, you’ll want to familiarize

yourself with the plans in Exhibit B.

If you already have an arcade cabinet with a working monitor, you can skip

directly to Step 4. If the cabinet needs refinishing, look over “Paint and

cover the cabinet” under Step 3.

1. Acquire materials and transfer plans

Purchase the required materials listed in the Cabinet Parts section of Exhibit

A from your local lumberyard, hardware store, or plastics supply company.

The sheets of wood will be rather large, so you might consider having the

materials delivered to you.

Project Overview

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1/22/2002 4:40:35 PM