I've been looking to get a full size arcade cabinet for a bit now. I've built a bar top with a riser, but I would like more controls on it such as a trackball and a spinner and a bar top is limited in space. Having researched a few companies, I haven't seen one of them that really fit my needs and be affordably priced.
Glen's Retro Show might have something that fits the bill for me. On an episode of their weekly show last month, Glen announced that he's working on a full size gaming arcade cabinet. Some things he's looking into putting in this project is a 4:3 automatic rotating screen so for games like Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, or Galaga for example, it will auto rotate the screen to a vertical orientation. That also includes auto switching the joysticks from 8-way to 4-way using the automatic gate switchers that we've reviewed. I think that would be pretty cool to have the machine auto change everything depending on the game.
With the variety of joysticks and arcade controller parts, Glen's looking to make it so the control panels are easily swap-able. Want to play Ikari Warriors with rotating sticks? Pop that panel in there. Want to do some driving? Use the spinner panel with the steering wheel add-on. Having that functionality would be huge and allow you to play some of the older games with controls that are true to the original experience.
One of my favorite add-ons on my arcade machine is the dynamic LCD marquee that changes based on the game's being played. Glen is looking to have that in as well with support for multiple types of digital marquees.
Glen's looking for the crowdfunding route before Christmas 2024, so we'll see if it comes to fruition. Normally, I stay away from things like Kickstarter, but I've purchased many products from Thunderstick Studios and have been pretty happy with all they've offered.
Not much else is known for now and Glen's only in R&D stage right now it seems. But, if things go as they say, we should get pics and specs here before the end of the year. We do know it'll run a flavor of their Viper SBC to power the machine and Glen's looking price it aggressively. When more news comes out, we'll post it as well, but for now, you can watch below and see what he has to say about what he has planned for his version of a home arcade machine.
