Introduction & Cabinet Origins
Introduction
PC Cab (Personal Computer Cabinet) is a converted arcade cabinet (cab) that has a IBM compatible PC inside. This Windows® computer can also run MAME (the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator). MAME is a program that emulates original arcade games on PCs; the arcade cabinet makes you feel like your playing them at an arcade.
I bought this previously converted cab at a local auction specifically for this project. I completely refinished it and replaced the hardware. The PC Cab graphics and logo are my own design. This site shares information on some of the steps taken to complete this project. Additional information about arcade control panels and cabinets can be found at Build Your Own Arcade Controls.
As an alternative to converting an arcade game cabinet or building one from scratch, you might consider buying a new Hanaho ArcadePC cab. They have several models to choose from, and they can be purchased without the PC. Hanaho also offers the HotRod™ control panel for PCs. However, making your own is half the fun.
As
Purchased
When I bought this cabinet, I was looking for a cab that had an "80's" look to it. This cabinet was free of cracks and water damage, was the basic style that I was looking for, and had already been converted from another game. This made it a good candidate for my project, since I didn't want to convert a "classic" cab.
When buying an arcade cabinet to convert, try to visualize the end result; think about the hardware, tools, and time needed to perform the work. Some research, planning, and good cabinet selection can save you some money.
Cabinet Origins
The original Arch Rivals game didn't look much like the one that I purchased; and pieces of the JAMMA horizontal conversion kit were included inside of the cabinet. My subsequent research leads me to believe that it used to be a Bionic Commando cabinet.
Bionic
Commando (CAPCOM's first dedicated video game) was
manufactured in 1987. Two years later, Bally/Midway produced
their Arch Rivals
cabinets and conversion kits.
Visit The Killer List of Videogames™ for more information about Arch Rivals, Bionic Commando, and other video arcade games. I've also found it interesting to view the original game flyers at The Arcade Flyer Archive.
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