This page will be constantly updated as the project progresses.

I am currently starting a project which I shall be working on over the next few months. I am planning on building a bartop arcade machine (a smaller, desktop sized version of a full cabinet). It will have a computer built in which will run a number of arcade and console emulators through a front-end (I’ll be using Maximus Arcade), which means that multiple games from multiple platforms will be playable on it. Even though the specs are low, it should be powerful enough to run old games such as these. I have since managed to get hold of a more powerful PC, which should handle everything much better.

The specifications for the computer are as follows:

• 2.8 GHz Intel® Pentium 4 Processor
• 256mb RAM
• 80gb 7200rpm hard drive
• Intel i865G 64mb graphics (may upgrade to PCI graphics)

It will have a 17″ LCD monitor for the display, and the one that I have has an 8ms response time.

Planning – 12th July 09

I am currently in the planning stages of the design, sorting out measurements and the like. Below you can see some of the plans (sizes aren’t final):

The control panel will have 7 buttons to each player, and 2 additional buttons for each player on the front panel. There will be a player 1 and player 2 button at the top, as well as a joystick for each player. Below you can see all the arcade parts to be used:

Designing – 1st Autust 09

The software side of the project is now complete and is completely ready to roll. Everything has been customised and you can’t actually tell that Windows runs underneath (even replaced the default shell from explorer). Custom skins have been designed also.

Here is the background image for the control panel and a basic 3D mock-up image of how the completed design will look.