Building a cardboard arcade machine is a fun project that combines engineering, creativity, and nostalgia for the golden era of arcade games. In the age of digital entertainment, the tactile experience of controlling a joystick and pressing buttons on a physical device is particularly exciting for both children and adults. A homemade case made from available materials can become not just a toy, but a full-fledged art object or the basis for an educational project in robotics.
The main charm of this idea is the availability of materials and the absence of the need for complex industrial equipment. Cardboard is an ideal material for prototyping: it is easy to cut, glue, paint and, most importantly, forgives beginner mistakes. You can create an exact copy of the classic cabinet or come up with a futuristic design that will only exist in your imagination.
In this article, we will look at the entire process in detail: from choosing the type of structure and preparing tools to final finishing and installation of electronics. We'll look at how to turn ordinary boxes into a functional device capable of running retro games. The key to success is to properly plan the scale of your design relative to the screen size you plan to use. Get ready to dive into the world of DIY electronics and cardboard engineering.
Selection of concept and preparation of materials
Before you pick up the scissors, you need to clearly define what kind of slot machine you want to see in the end. There are several main form factors, each of which has its own advantages and material requirements. Vertical cabinet (upright) is a classic tall machine that takes up little floor space, but requires a lot of cardboard in height. Table option (table top) is more compact and comfortable to play while sitting, making it ideal for a child's room or a small table.
Particular attention should be paid to the choice of cardboard. Regular household appliance or electronics packaging cardboard works best due to its multi-layer structure and durability. Corrugated cardboard three-layer type will provide the necessary rigidity of the walls so that the structure does not deform under the weight of the equipment. Avoid using food packaging cardboard that is too thin as it will quickly lose its shape.
⚠️ Attention: When working with large volumes of cardboard, make sure that all sheets are the same thickness. Different densities of the material will lead to uneven gluing and distortion of the structure, which is critical for the symmetry of the slot machine.
To complete the project, you will need a basic set of tools and supplies. Do not skimp on adhesives, since they are the ones that hold the entire structure together. Hot melt adhesive (hot glue) provides instant fixation, but to strengthen load-bearing elements it is better to use PVA or contact adhesive, which takes longer to dry but creates a stronger bond. Also prepare a utility knife with spare blades, a ruler, a pencil and masking tape for temporary fixation of parts.
Design and creation of drawings
Any serious engineering work begins with a drawing. Even if you are not a professional designer, having a diagram on paper or in a graphics editor will greatly simplify the assembly process. You need to calculate the dimensions of the case so that the monitor, system unit (or single-board computer) and control panel can easily fit inside. The standard height of a slot machine is usually about 140-150 cm, width - 50-60 cm, and depth - 50-60 cm.
When designing, consider the location of the ventilation holes. Electronics, especially if it is a full-fledged PC or a powerful single-board device like Raspberry Pi, requires a constant flow of air. Overheating may lead to unstable operation of the emulator or hardware failure. On the drawings, mark in advance the places for cutouts for speakers, USB ports and the power button.
Tip for scaling a drawing
If you don't have a printer to print your drawing to life size, use the grid method. Draw a 1x1 cm grid on an A4 sheet, draw the contours of the parts, and then draw a 10x10 cm grid on cardboard and transfer the contours to the cells, increasing the scale 10 times.
For accurate cutting, you can use specialized programs for creating development patterns, but a regular graphic editor will do. The main thing is not to forget to add “allowances” for gluing. These are special valves at the edges of parts that allow you to connect planes at an angle of 90 degrees without the use of additional angles. The width of such valves is usually 2-3 cm.
Cutting parts and assembling the frame
The cutting process requires patience and accuracy. Use a sharp utility knife blade and a metal ruler. Cut the cardboard in several passes: the first pass marks the cutting line, the second cuts through the top layer, and only the third allows you to completely separate the part. This will help avoid torn edges and damage to the corrugated layer inside.
It is best to start assembling the frame from the base. Bottom The slot machine is under the greatest load, so it is recommended to make it double or triple, gluing several layers of cardboard together. This will give the structure stability and prevent sagging under the weight of the monitor and electronics. The side walls are attached to the bottom using pre-prepared valves, which are generously lubricated with glue.
☑️ Frame Assembly Checklist
To reinforce corners and joints, you can use wooden slats or a thick cardboard profile glued inside the corner. This will create a kind of “stiffening ribs” that will prevent the machine from folding during transportation or active use. The internal space should also be divided into zones: a compartment for the screen, a compartment for hardware and space for wires.
| Design element | Recommended cardboard thickness | Amplification method | Mounting type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base (floor) | 2-3 layers (10-15 mm) | Duplicating layers | Glue + Scotch |
| Side walls | 1 layer (5 mm) | Corner profiles | Glue valves |
| Control panel | 2 layers (10 mm) | Wood plank | Screws + Glue |
| Back cover | 1 layer (5 mm) | No | Removable (Velcro) |
Making a Control Panel
The control panel is the “face” of your slot machine, with which the user interacts most often. This is where the joysticks and buttons will be installed. To make it, use the thickest cardboard or, ideally, thin plywood or plastic, if possible, since this part is subject to maximum mechanical stress. If you stay on cardboard, glue 3-4 layers to achieve the required hardness.
The marking of the holes for the buttons and joystick must be done with high precision. Standard arcade buttons have a diameter of 30 mm (for small ones) and 33 mm (for large ones), and joysticks require mounting at the four corners or in the center. Use core drill or carefully cut out the holes with a knife. A separate mounting plate is often made for the joystick, which is then attached to the bottom of the panel.
To increase the wear resistance of the control panel, cover the working surface with a transparent self-adhesive film or laminate it before installing the buttons. This will protect the design from being erased by your fingers.
It is important to provide easy access to the back of the panel for connecting wires and servicing buttons. The control panel is often made removable or folding. To do this, you can use furniture hinges or powerful magnets fixed inside the case. This will allow you to quickly replace buttons or repair wiring without disassembling the entire machine.
⚠️ Attention: When installing buttons, pay attention to the height of their travel. If the panel cardboard is too thick, the button rod may not reach your finger, or vice versa - the button will stick. The optimal panel thickness for standard buttons is 4-6 mm.
Decoration and design of the case
When the frame is assembled and tested for strength, the most creative stage begins - decoration. It is the appearance that turns a pile of cardboard boxes into slot machine. The most popular and affordable way is to use self-adhesive film (vinyl) with pre-printed art work. You can find ready-made skins on the Internet or create your own unique design in a graphics editor.
An alternative option is painting. Acrylic paints that do not contain aggressive solvents that can deform the material are best suited for cardboard. Before painting, the surface must be primed. As a primer, you can use a mixture of PVA glue and water or a special aerosol primer for artistic work. This will even out the texture of the cardboard and ensure even color application.
Don't forget about the side panels (side art) and the top visor (marquee), which is traditionally illuminated. To illuminate the stamp, a niche is made in the upper part of the machine where an LED strip is installed. The design of the stamp itself is printed on translucent film or thin paper. Neon lighting buttons and logos will add atmosphere to the device and make it look like real arcade machines from the 80s.
High-quality decoration hides the joints of the cardboard and gives the product a professional look, indistinguishable from the factory one at first glance.
Technical equipment and launch
The heart of your machine will be a single board computer, for example, Raspberry Pi, or an old laptop/netbook. To run games, emulator software such as RetroPie, Batocera or LaunchBox. These systems allow you to download thousands of games from different consoles (Dendy, Sega, PlayStation 1) and conveniently manage them through the interface.
The buttons and joystick are connected via a USB encoder. This is a small board that converts the signals from the buttons into keyboard commands that the computer can understand. The connection diagram is simple: each wire from the button is connected to the corresponding contact on the encoder according to the instructions. It is important not to confuse the ground (GND) pins and the signal pins.
An example of the encoder connection sequence:1. Connect the wires from the buttons to the contacts of the encoder (Player 1).
2. Connect the GND wire from each button to a common ground.
3. Insert the encoder USB cable into the Raspberry Pi port.
4. Run the controller configuration in the emulator.
After assembling the electrical part, you need to configure the software. In the emulator menu, you need to “punch” the buttons: assign an action to each physical button in the menu and in the game (for example, “A” - jump, “B” - shot). You can also customize the display of the list of games and covers. After final setup, close the back cover and your personal slot machine ready to use!
Which operating system is better to choose for a retro console?
For novice users, the best choice is RetroPie (based on Raspberry Pi OS) or Batocera. They have a friendly interface, support for many emulators out of the box, and a large user community where you can find answers to any questions. If you're using an older Windows PC, this is a great option. LaunchBox with the Big Box shell, which adapts the interface for control from a gamepad.
Can I use wireless joysticks instead of wired ones?
Yes, this is possible and even simplifies assembly, since it eliminates the need to route wires inside the case. There are ready-made wireless arcade joysticks that work via Bluetooth or via a USB whistle. However, for a classic feel and no input lag, many enthusiasts prefer a wired connection via a USB encoder.
Where can I get games for the slot machine?
Games (ROM files) can be found on the Internet. However, for many older systems there are public domain collections (Homebrew) or demo versions that can be distributed legally. You can also create backup copies of your own cartridges.