What it takes to build your own retro arcade cabinet
Building a home retro arcade cabinet requires careful planning, from control panel layout to computer choice, with total costs ranging from a few hundred to over $1,000.
Before getting fixated on which Raspberry Pi to buy, hobbyists are advised to first decide what games the cabinet will run. Simple classics like Pac-Man or Galaga need only a basic control panel, while fighting games or multiplayer setups may require six action buttons per player, a trackball or a spinner. Testing the layout on cardboard before drilling into wood is a recommended safeguard.
The cabinet itself can be built from plywood or MDF, bought as a flat-pack kit, or made from a repurposed existing cabinet.
Electronics and software
The core parts list includes a display, controls, a USB encoder, a computer, storage, speakers and a power supply. The encoder translates button presses and joystick movement into signals the computer understands. Raspberry Pi remains a popular choice — the 2GB Raspberry Pi 5 costs $65, and the Recalbox software says it performs just as well as the 4GB version. An old desktop or mini PC is another option, offering more headroom for demanding systems when paired with software like Batocera.
It's worth clarifying the terminology — EmulationStation is simply a front-end menu for browsing and launching games, not a substitute for a computer, while Recalbox and Batocera bundle such an interface together with emulators. RetroPie remains popular, though its current image directory does not yet include a Raspberry Pi 5 build. Pi 5 builders should also plan for cooling and audio, since that model dropped the 3.5mm headphone jack found on earlier versions.
Costs can add up quickly
Building a cabinet yourself isn't always the cheaper route. A basic bartop cabinet sells for $129.99, a two-player control kit costs $44.99, and a speaker-and-amplifier package adds another $29.99. Adding a Raspberry Pi 5 brings the total to roughly $270 before a display or other extras. A full-size custom cabinet built entirely from new parts can top $1,000. Reusing an old monitor or PC can significantly cut costs. By comparison, a ready-made Arcade1Up Pac-Man Deluxe cabinet currently retails for $499.99.
