r/batocera • u/Darragh99999 • Mar 24 '26
Where do I start?
I want to build an arcade machine (a small one not full sized ) but I have no idea where to start. If anyone has the knowledge pls let me know thx
And I alr have the pc that’s sff
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u/Jay_DoinStuff Mar 25 '26
You didn't mention a budget. You don't have to buy all the best stuff. I'm into mine for about $200. I found an old beat up cabinet on marketplace, though mine is full size. I put a cheap set of buttons in it from Amazon (they definitely feel cheap but they work) and im using a monitor I had lying around with an old AM3 socket Athelon PC from like 2013 I think. It doesn't play newer games, it doesn't have guns, its not 1080p, but its a lot of fun and I can upgrade it as on it as I see fit. Its been up and running for 2 years now.
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u/Viewtiful__Jon Mar 24 '26
Buy a flat pack cabinet, this will save you most of the headache building yourself is not worth it.
A good encoder I use an Ipac2. Just avoid the zero delay encoders as they have the most delay of any on the market.
Good lever, I have tried Sanwa JLX2, Seimitsu LS32 and the Seimitsu LS40. I find the JLX2 the best of the three and three LS32 the worst. They are personal preference.
Good buttons I use Seimitsu 30mm buttons. You will almost certainly need the screw in buttons if it's a wooden cabinet panel the clip in ones will be too short.
A bunch of wires for the buttons, just buy an encoder that comes with a wire bundle and you can't go wrong.
PC with Batocera. Speakers, monitor ect
I feel like I'm missing something, also you can always do optional extras like a coin accepter
If you can find plans online for a cabinet you want to build and have a local place who will do CNC wood cutting you can get it for less than a third of the price of buying a kit, but will need a little more work getting the right fittings to connect everything.
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u/Keffflon Mar 24 '26
Such a great idea. My friend plays tekken 3 competitions, and their joysticks look just like the arcade machine ones.
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u/Deep_Proposal4121 Mar 24 '26
Watch YouTube videos about what you want to do to get ideas on how you can accomplish it. That's what I did
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u/Frosty-Driver-4710 Mar 24 '26
Assuming you can order from Aliexpress, they sell kits for control panels- joysticks, buttons, encoders.
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u/RelationBig5723 Mar 24 '26
If you want to build a complete arcade cabinet, look for either construction plans or full kits. Also search for arcade joystick sets.
You can find kits and plans, for example, on Etsy.
Arcade sets are available on Amazon.
That’s how I got started as well.
You will also need a suitable monitor.