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A no-cost arcade rebuild is possible only when the parts you need are already available to you, and the title’s “free” claim should be backed by the builder’s own inventory and accounting. The useful lesson is the reuse-first approach: document what went into the cabinet, decide what games and controls you want, then match the computer, display, and software to those requirements.
What “free” means in a reused-parts arcade build
There is no universal zero-cost parts list. A cabinet can avoid new purchases when its builder already owns, borrows, scavenges, or receives suitable components, but those sources are not interchangeable. For an honest account, list each component and identify whether it was already owned, donated, borrowed, scavenged, or purchased; disclose any spending, including replacement parts or materials.
The strongest evidence for this particular build is its actual inventory and cost record. A separate Raspberry Pi community project illustrates reuse, not this builder’s expenses: it reused a secondhand JAMMA cabinet, power supply, and speaker, and its author says a 19-inch 4:3 TFT display was given to him. Those details do not establish a standard fit or a free outcome for other builds. Raspberry Pi’s cabinet project is an example of how reused and donated parts can reduce purchases.
Inventory the cabinet before choosing hardware
Start with the shell and the parts already on hand. Record the cabinet’s condition, dimensions, display opening, control-panel space, power supply, speakers, and any existing computer or wiring. Then separate what is usable from what needs repair or replacement. This prevents buying a computer or controls before confirming they fit the cabinet and suit the games you intend to play.
#1 Best Overall
- Dimensions (approx.): Interior Width: 20.75", Exterior Width: 21.75”, Exterior Height: 21”, Exterior Depth: 18”
- Available in HAPP (HAPP joysticks and 28mm buttons) or Sanwa (Sanwa Style joystick and 24mm start/coin and 30mm action buttons) Style
Cabinet: restore, adapt, or build
If you have a cabinet, restoring or adapting it can preserve useful structure and controls. If you need a new shell, the free reference plans at ArcadeCab cover full-size and tabletop formats, with measurements, construction photos, and printable PDFs. Its BarCade example uses spare PC hardware and leftover materials, described as dated; treat it as a construction reference rather than a current hardware recommendation.
| Cabinet route | What it offers | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Existing upright cabinet | Potentially preserves the shell and installed parts. | Condition, dimensions, and compatibility depend on the specific cabinet. |
| New full-size shell | ArcadeCab publishes reference plans for full-size construction. | Requires building materials and construction work; no universal cost is established. |
| Tabletop cabinet | ArcadeCab also publishes tabletop plans. | Smaller format changes the available space and use; no universal cost is established. |
Computer: reuse a host or follow a Raspberry Pi route
Use an available computer if it suits the emulation setup you want; a Raspberry Pi with RetroPie is one documented DIY route, not a requirement and not evidence of the computer used in this build. The Raspberry Pi Foundation’s RetroPie tutorial lists a Raspberry Pi computer, microSD card, display connection, and USB game controller among the supplies. RetroPie is free-to-download open-source software built on projects including EmulationStation and RetroArch.
Rank #2
- Quality Components: Excellent Control USB Encoder with high quality 8 way joystick and LED buttons featuring good lighting effects for enhanced gaming experience
- Advanced Functionality: DC 5V Arcade Illuminated Pushbutton with 8 ways joystick using microswitch with gilded contact leg, excellent electronic performance, long life, reliability tested to 1,000,000 cycles
- Mounting Specifications: Joystick requires 24mm mounting hole while large buttons require 30mm mounting holes for proper installation
- Package Details: Compact package dimensions of 175 x 95 x 115mm with each button and joystick individually packaged and includes 1 year warranty for quality assurance
- Wide Compatibility: LED Kit supports Windows Arcade Games, PC Games, DIY Projects, Arcade Raspberry Pi for RetroPie system and MAME applications
Choose based on what you already have and what the intended software supports. Reusing an existing computer may avoid a hardware purchase; a Pi setup follows a defined small-computer route but still needs storage, a display connection, and controls. The cited guide does not establish a required model or current price.
Display and power: check fit and connections
Record the display’s actual model, connector, physical fit, and source, along with the power supply and speaker condition. A display that works on a bench may not fit the cabinet opening or connect to the chosen host without an adapter. The JAMMA example above documents one retrofit from CRT to donated TFT, but its 19-inch 4:3 measurement is specific to that separate project, not a recommended standard.
Rank #3
- Pre-cut, routed, and pre-drilled MDF for a DIY upright arcade cabinet
- VESA Mounting Panel for a 32" Widescreen TV or 32" Widescreen Monitor (Up to 30" wide)
- Pre-routed integrated marquee bracket, and baton indents for easier assembly
- Pre-drilled holes for mounting 4" speakers, Joysticks and buttons, and screw holes for cabinet assembly
- Numbered baton supports and the screws for basic assembly
Match controls to the games and configure them
List the physical controls you have—joysticks, buttons, trackball, or other devices—before configuring emulation. MAME maps host input devices to emulated controls, and different games can need different kinds of input. Its documentation distinguishes switches, absolute axes, and relative axes: a button or joystick direction is not configured or interpreted in the same way as a trackball or dial. MAME’s Input System documentation explains the input concepts and assignment system.
For a conventional joystick-and-button panel, confirm that each physical direction and button maps to the intended in-game input. For games designed around a trackball, dial, or other specialized control, use a compatible device if those games are a priority; mapping a standard joystick does not make it behave like a relative-axis control. Test the controls with the games you actually plan to run rather than assuming one layout suits every title.
Rank #4
- New Style DIY Arcade Kit, LED arace game DIY MAME parts DIY Accessories.
- 100% Zero Delay Encoder and USB work perfectly all Windows systems.
- 2 Player Arcade MAME DIY Accessories, DIY Your Own Arcade Game Console.
- Use the highest quality materials! Made of high temperature resistant plastic.
- Perfect LED Kit Arcade PC Games DIY Choice! Easy to install!
Install emulation software and use compatible game files
MAME is an emulation framework with a preservation purpose. Its official documentation says, “The primary purpose of MAME is to preserve decades of arcade, computer, and console history.” MAME Documentation 0.289 also says the project can emulate over 32,000 individual systems from the last five decades; that is a count of systems, not playable arcade games. MAME’s official documentation describes the project and its use.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsGame files are not guaranteed to work simply because they are labeled as MAME ROMs. MAME sets can depend on parent sets, and some games require BIOS or device sets. Files made for an older MAME version may fail with a newer version. When a game does not load, use MAME’s missing-file messages and check the set/version relationship before changing controls or assuming the cabinet hardware is faulty. The details are in MAME’s ROM and set documentation.
Use game files you are entitled to use. Raspberry Pi’s RetroPie guide warns against pirated downloads and points readers toward homebrew and official releases. What is lawful can depend on jurisdiction and the rights to a particular game, so do not treat an emulator installation as permission to download commercial game files.
Quick Recap
Build in an order that limits wasted effort
- Inspect and document. Inventory the cabinet, controls, computer, display, power, and speakers; note condition, dimensions, connectors, and each item’s source.
- Choose the games and control style. Decide whether the target games use ordinary joystick-and-button inputs or specialized controls such as a trackball or dial.
- Select the host and software. Use a suitable existing computer or follow the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s RetroPie setup route; do not assume either is required for every cabinet.
- Check display and power compatibility. Confirm the physical fit and connections before permanently mounting components.
- Configure and test controls. Map the installed devices to emulated inputs, then test them in the intended games.
- Resolve game-file errors against the software version. Check MAME’s missing-file information, parent-set dependencies, and any BIOS or device-set requirements; avoid unauthorized downloads.
- Record the final cost. Distinguish owned, donated, borrowed, scavenged, and purchased items so a “free” result is a verifiable account rather than an assumption.
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