Building a 2-Player Arcade Bartop: A Complete Guide

Building a Bartop Arcade is an exciting project that allows you to recreate the classic arcade experience at home while adding a personal touch to your gaming space. A Bartop Arcade is a more compact version of a traditional arcade cabinet, ideal for smaller spaces.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps required to build your own Bartop Arcade, with internal links to JDF Arcade and reliable external sources to explore every aspect of the process in depth.

What is a Bartop Arcade?

A Bartop Arcade is a miniature arcade cabinet, generally designed to sit on a table or bar. Unlike traditional arcade cabinets, which are often large and imposing, a Bartop Arcade offers the same gaming experience, but in a more compact format.

This type of project combines several elements: the hardware (screen, case, controllers), the software (emulators and games), and the technical skills to put it all together.

A Bartop Arcade can be designed for 1 or 2 players, depending on your choice and the width of the cabinet.

Why build a Bartop Arcade?

Building your own bartop arcade cabinet can be a very rewarding project. Here are some reasons why you might want to embark on this adventure:

• Customization: You can customize the design, controls, and games installed on your bartop.
• Economics: Compared to buying a pre-built arcade cabinet, building your own bartop can be more economical.
• Learning: This project is an opportunity to learn technical skills such as electronics, woodworking, and programming.

Step 1: Choose the Material

Plan to build your bartop

JDF Arcade offers you the chance to download a bartop plan and its printable template here: Plan Bartop 2 players

The Crate

The enclosure is the structure that will house all the components. You can either purchase a prefabricated enclosure kit or build it yourself from materials such as MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard), laminated wood, or plywood. The choice of materials depends on your budget and the final look you want to achieve.

• MDF: This wood is one of the least expensive on the market. It can be painted unfinished. MDF doesn't like being handled too much (t-molding, stickers) and is quite porous.
• Melamine-faced wood: More expensive, melamine-faced wood (MDF or chipboard) is the best value for money. The melamine surface protects the wood and makes it easier to apply stickers.
• Plywood: This wood is heavier but very elegant, allowing for a very neat finish.

You can find pre-made cases or design plans on sites like JDF Arcade, which offers various kits for Bartop Arcade.

The Screen

The screen is the key element of the gaming experience. The recommended size for a Bartop Arcade is generally between 19 inches and 24 inches. LCD or LED screens are the most common, and you can easily find them in stores. Make sure to choose a screen with a good resolution (at least 1280x720) for a crisp and clear display of games.

The Control Panel

For controls, you'll need joysticks and buttons. You can purchase complete control kits or assemble them yourself from individual components. Popular components include:

• Sanwa Joystick: Used in many arcade cabinets.
• Sanwa Retro-Lit Buttons: For a more modern and attractive look.
• Encoder or Wiring Harness: Required to connect the game system to the buttons and joystick.
• You'll find control kits and other accessories at JDF Arcade, which offers a complete range for customizing your bartop.

Le Système de Jeu (Hardware)Your Bartop Arcade hardware can be based on a Pandora Box, a Raspberry Pi, or an N100-type mini PC. The choice of your platform depends on your budget and the type of games you want to emulate. Here are some popular options:

• Pandora Box: Using a Pandora Box is the simplest and probably the cheapest solution. Simply connect the buttons and joysticks to the Pandora console and you're ready to play. These consoles are already pre-configured and very reliable.
• Raspberry Pi: A cost-effective and lightweight choice, with distributions like RetroPie for emulating retro games.
• Mini PC: Offers more power and flexibility, ideal if you want to emulate more recent games. récents.

Step 2: Choose and Install the Software

This step is not necessary for Pandora Boxes which are already fully configured.

Once you have your hardware in place, it's time to focus on the software. Here are some things to consider:

Emulators

An emulator allows you to play classic arcade games on your Bartop Arcade. The most popular ones are:

• MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator): This is the most widely used emulator for playing classic arcade games.
• MAME Emulator
• RetroArch: A multi-emulator platform that supports a wide range of consoles.
• PSX2: PlayStation 2 game emulator
• Dolphin: Gamecube and Wii game emulator

Front-End

The front-end is the graphical interface that allows you to navigate between games. The two most popular are:

• Recal Box: Unlike most other frontends, this one is an OS and doesn't run on Windows. Simple and efficient.
• Batocera: One of the most widely used currently, as it's highly functional and has a very large active community.
• LaunchBox: A frontend well-known among the most advanced players. It's one of the frontends with the most customization options. It operates under a paid license.
• Hyperspin: Probably the most well-known and used of all, it has a large community and numerous options.

Step 3: Assembling the Bartop

Cutting and Assembly of the Case

If you've chosen to build your own case, start by cutting the panels according to the plans you've chosen. JDF Arcade's pre-made cases come ready to assemble, but if you're working with wood, make sure you use the right cutting tools for clean edges.

Installing the Screen

The screen must be securely mounted in the enclosure. Make sure it is properly aligned and stable. For wooden enclosures, you can use screws and brackets to hold the screen in place.

Installing Controls

The controls are installed on the front of the cabinet, where players will interact with them. Use templates to drill the necessary holes for the buttons and joysticks. Ensure all wires are properly connected to the control board and the USB interface board.

You will find these steps in pictures on this link: Here

Connecting the Game System

For a Raspberry Pi, you'll need to connect your board to peripherals, a display, and power. Install the operating system and emulators, then download the games. For a PC, install the operating system (Windows or Linux) and emulators before connecting the controllers.

Step 4: Personalization and Decoration

Bartop Design 

Once assembly is complete, it's time to customize your bartop. You can add stickers, custom markings, or even paint to give your arcade a unique look. Some people opt for specific themes (like a Pac-Man or Street Fighter theme).

Lighting

Adding LED lighting can really make your bartop stand out, especially if you choose illuminated buttons. You can also install LED strips inside to create a retro and immersive atmosphere.

Conclusion

Building a Bartop Arcade is an exciting and rewarding adventure that allows you to recreate the classic arcade experience at home. By following this guide, you're now ready to take on your own project.

For more information and products to help you build your Bartop Arcade, visit JDF Arcade. You'll find kits, plans, and accessories for every step of the arcade process.