Wooden Arcade Cabinet
These instructions will show you everything you need to build your own inexpensive full-size arcade cabinet with the help of your local makerspace or woodshop.
Note: This project is meant to be run via a standard internet enabled laptop, pointed to arcade.makecode.com/kiosk.
To complete this project as written, you will need access to power tools and a CNC machine. If you don’t have a CNC machine available, you can take the SVG files to a local printhouse to have full-size vinyl patterns made.
Make sure to follow all safety procedures or ask a professional for help.
Materials
The cabinet is built out of 3 - 8’ x 4’ plywood sheets of 1/2” thickness.
Click here to download complete instruction pack
- CNC or jigsaw, router, table saw, impact driver, wood glue, etc… The kind of tools you find in a wood shop.
Template
This SVG template will serve as the outline for the top cabinet on your CNC, or you can print out the pieces at full-scale and follow along the outline with a jigsaw.
Download top of cabinet here…
The following SVG template provides the outline for the cuts in the control panel that allow you to add the two-player buttons and joysticks.
Download control panel cuts here…
Kiosk Top Instructions
- Cut your cabinet pieces from plywood as indicated in the SVG file.
- Cold-fit the pieces together using the tabs & notches to check for places that need to be sanded or filled.
- Take the control panel off again and add the buttons and joysticks according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Attach the speakers and monitors to their corresponding openings using screws. Make sure to arrange the cords and cables in a way that keeps them accessible once you attach your laptop.
- Reattach the control panel and secure with screws. Make sure the USB cable for the control board stays accessible for the laptop once everything is in place.
- Navigate to arcade.makecode.com/kiosk on the machine’s laptop, then test-fit the laptop inside of the cabinet, making sure to connect all necessary cables.
- Test the kiosk by attempting to select and play one of the two-player games. You should check that the joysticks move the players in the correct direction and that the buttons control the corresponding actions on MakeCode Arcade.
- Once everything is working as expected, you should have a tabeltop kiosk that’s ready to play!
Kiosk Base Instructions
If you want a wooden stand for the cabinet, here are the plans for creating a base from the remaining plywood.
- Mark your remaining sheet of plywood in such a way that you can cut four rectangles.
- For a base that sits flush with the cabinet, you’ll need 2 sheets of 27”x34” and 2 of 18”x34”.
- For a base that sits inside the cabinet, use 2 sheets of 16”x34” and 2 of 17”x34”.
- (or measure the points on your cabinet where you want your base to rest and cut accordingly).
- Clamp the four panels together into a box with no top or bottom. Test the fit before gluing and adding screws.
Note: Be sure to secure the top to the bottom with screws (even if temporarily) to keep students from knocking the top from the arcade during a heated game!
Decoration
This is your cabinet, have fun decorating it and personalize it the way you like! We have used
https://arcade-stencils.glitch.me/ to generate stencils and drawing for cabinets in the past, but feel free to paint freehand in any way that represents your project.
