Rating:  -
This book is a lot more "Techie" than I expected. It involves taking apart and reconfiguring quite a few things to get what you need. Sure it shows where to buy the components if you wish, but then why not just buy the arcade game already made. It does show you how to build the case. I thought it would show how to take your X-Box or Playstation and build an arcade enclosure to get the arcade feel. That is not what this book is about. You take a computer and several components, plus a moniter to make an arcade game. It is very informative but not quite what I expected. It is not a 1 or 2 weekend project. Do a search for mame to see what I mean. Mame is very important to this project.
Rating:  -
This book covered so much more than what I was expecting. If you have never built an arcade cabinet before then I would recommend this book if only to see how many different ways it can be done.
Rating: -
I like the book. but i wish to warn buyers about outdated parts. in the book and on the cd it lists many links. but many of the website have gone down and are dead. in the description for the book it says it gives details on making controls, but some cases it just gives links. some of are dead. but it does give good info on emulator, encoders and many other things that are hard to find on the web. but i think the man should have cut some parts short and added controle construction.
Rating:  -
This is the book to buy if you are serious about building your own arcade. Some points to note though:
(1) I cannot stress enough how much a helper can help with this project (the author says this from the start). 95% of my project was done without help (see my customer picture). This project took me over 5 weekends because i did not have help. With help you can finish off this project in about two weekends if your committed.
(2) This book does not have to be followed like a blue print. I used different material (e.g. a TV instead of a monitor)and left out certain features (e.g. coin door). Use this book to guide you, but you do not have to follow this book word for word especially if you have different ideas.
(3) This is a great book but it is not 100% thorough. After i finished building my cabinet, and proceeded to install a fluorescent light in my cabinet for the marque, i realized the book did not explain how to wire it. To some people that may be simple, but for me, who has never done electrical work, i had to do further reading in order to install this light. I would have given this book 5 stars except for that little foresight.
All in all, this is a great book and highly recommended . One should note thought, this project is very time consuming and should not be attempted if you are not very committed to it.
Rating: -
I was tossing around the idea of building a Home stand-up Arcade unit but never found the right reference material to get me started. When I saw the review of this book I thought to myself, "Why not give it a try, it can't hurt!" Oh man was this was the best choice to make!
Project Arcade: Build Your Own Arcade Machine by John St. Clair is a great book!
I love this book!
It was full of detailed information on everything about arcades! Controllers, arcade construction, monitors or TV or CRT that are just for Arcades, Arcade applications and software, such as MAME and jukebox.
It had web addresses to search for arcade parts and manufacturers.
The section on hooking things up was probably the most valuable part of the book. Without this information I would have been lost and trying to connect all the buttons, controllers, spinner, and trackball would have been near impossible! It took the fear and uncertainty out of the entire process!
You don't even have to follow the book to the letter; you can make modifications or take bits and pieces and use what you need!
Ii provided all the necessary up-front information I needed to get started with my Arcade Project. I know that I wanted to make a MAME Arcade console and I wanted it to be a stand-up! This was perfect because the book walks you through the building of a stand-up arcade unit!
I have to admit that I did make some structural enhancements to my arcade unit but that was it. I used the book to get ideas on the controls... such as joysticks, trackballs, buttons, and interfaces for all the controls.
This book truly is incredible! I want to personally thank the author for writing this book because without it I would not have finished the beautiful Stand-up Home Arcade Unit I have in my house right now.
Thank you so much!
If you want to build your own Arcade Unit then buy this book! Go right now and pick it up! Stop reading and go already....
NOW!
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