CadeBuntu

Refurbishing an old arcade cabinet with Ubuntu!

tsquar3d

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Description

Over the next few weeks I will be rebuilding a stripped-down old arcade cabinet into a fully operational Ubuntu machine that can play both retro and modern games.

Details

Using the gutted-out cabinet of an old arcade machine, I am constructing an Ubuntu-based arcade capable of playing both modern and retro games.

The hull of the machine was purchased for less than $100 CAD at a local arcade -- salvaged from a literal graveyard of broken machines. The old CRT and game-board was removed, and the hollow shell is all that remains.
An old PC running Ubuntu Linux will be installed inside the machine and connected to the controls of the arcade via a Microcontroller board. The PC will then be connected to a mounted monitor within the arcade. The result will be a modern take on nostalgia.

Components

1 × Standing arcade machine (Got mine for less than $100 CAD at a local arcade)

Project Logs

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A look inside...
tsquar3d • 04/24/2014 at 15:33 • 0 comments

As you can see, she is completely gutted inside. I asked the former owner if they would take out the broken tube to save on having to deal with waste (and these things are heavy enough on their own. There was, however, a couple of power-supplies left inside:
The one on the left is probably the original 80's beast whereas the one on the right is much more recent. I am not sure exactly what I want to do with them yet -- but I am sure I will think of something.

The next step, I think, will be to find a suitable screen to replace the old CRT...