Custom arcade machine!

Hey everyone!  

This is kind of a fun post about something I just bought (that I shouldn't have bought until after Asgard Awkening 2 has come out, and my bills paid...but YOLO!) .

I've always wanted a full size arcade machine to capture some nostalgia.  Getting an Arcade1up machine from Walmart ended up being the first step toward actually springing for a custom cabinet.  For those who don't know, Arcade1up cabinets are pretty small, but they're also relatively cheap (like $300) and they work well.  Most of them are loaded with 3 to 4 games.  For anyone interested, Arcade1up is also coming out with a Buck Hunter cabinet soon that will have two of the light rifles just like the original game.  Pretty cool stuff, but I bet this model will be expensive.

Also, for most Arcade1up cabinets, if you get one as an adult, I'd suggest either building or buying a pedestal.  Without a pedestal, they're more kids-height.

Anyway, I did a lot of research, watched videos, and found an arcade cabinet company that is, in my opinion, the best bang for one's buck.  After I eventually get the model I've ordered, I'll do a full review.

The first picture is a custom cabinet these folks have done.  The second picture is an old Gauntlet Dark Legacy cabinet that I asked the company to make my cabinet look like.

There are several games I've played in my life that remind me of certain ages.  Gauntlet Dark Legacy reminds me of when I was 18 years old, going to Airborne School on Fort Benning.  Right across the street there was a PX with a crappy little pizza restaurant, and a few arcade machines.  Gauntlet Dark Legacy actually allowed players to save their level/progress, so I went there pretty often.  There wasn't much else for me to do, since I was living out of a couple duffle bags at the time.

The cabinet I ordered is not even close to done yet--I've just commissioned it--but I will share the finished project with you all once it's delivered and in my house.  Having some sort of gaming area of the house has always been a dream of mine.  Luckily, Melli thinks it's a cool idea too, and we'll probably work on it a little at a time for the next two years.  The plan right now is to have one wall of the family room be our arcade area, with decor from all the most important games of mine and Melli's life, like TMNT (arcade), Apex Legends, FFIX, DOOM, etc.

So...yeah.  I'm not sure how to end this blog, I guess I'll just reiterate how excited I am.  Do any of you all have a dedicated gaming area or an arcade cabinet in your house?

-BC