Build Your Own Arcade Machine™

Yes. It is designed to make the arcade-building process more approachable and easy to follow, even for first-time builders.

Hell Yes! Our Digital Build Guide walks you through building a full-size, 2-player upright arcade cabinet, inspired by the classic machines of the 80s and 90s.

From the cabinet construction to installing the controls and electronics, you'll have the plans, measurements and instructions to bring your very own arcade machine to life!

Our comprehensive 134-page Digital Build Guide includes everything you need to plan and build your own arcade cabinet, including:

• Step-by-step instructions with hundreds of photos guiding you from start to finish
• Complete cabinet plans with metric and imperial measurements
• Printable templates for side panels and control panel drilling
• Materials and cutting lists for cabinet construction
• Complete shopping lists with direct product links and estimated costs
• Wiring diagrams and instruction booklet for wiring and starting up your machine for the first time
• Instructional video tutorials to guide you through the process

Plus, enjoy instant digital access and free lifetime updates!

Absolutely! Our Digital Build Guide includes both Metric (mm) and Imperial (inches) measurements, making it suitable for builders in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada and beyond.

All cabinet dimensions, cutting lists and measurements are provided in both systems, so you can follow along using whichever you're most comfortable with. No conversions needed!

Our Build Guide is a digital download, giving you instant access after purchase! You'll receive an email with your download links, so be sure to check your inbox, junk and spam folders. We recommend downloading and saving all included files for easy access throughout your build.

You can use the Build Guide to source your own parts and materials. However, our Starter Kits take the guesswork out of finding compatible components, bringing everything included in your chosen kit together in one convenient, cost-effective package, so you don't have to source each part individually.

Most of our customers are first-time builders.

Many have little to no woodworking experience and build theirs in garages, sheds and driveways using basic DIY tools.

If you can measure, cut and follow instructions — you can absolutely build this 🕹️

Don’t stress - almost every builder worries about this.

MDF is forgiving to work with, and most mistakes are usually minor and easily fixable along the way.

The guide walks you through every step of the build process, with clear instructions, diagrams and visual support to help keep you on track. So if you can follow instructions, you can build an arcade machine.

We’ve also created helpful video walkthroughs covering key stages of the build, making it even easier to follow along with confidence.

And if you ever get stuck, we’re always here to help with support along the way.

The biggest thing? Take your time and enjoy the process 🕹️

You'll only need a handful of common DIY tools:

✔️ Drill
✔️ Jigsaw or circular saw
✔️ Router (for T-moulding)
✔️ Sander
✔️ Tape measure & clamps

Don't have every tool? No problem! Many builders borrow or hire what they need.

Our Build Guide explains which tools are required, how they're used and where to source them, so you can plan your build with confidence.

Easier than you might think!

Our Starter Kits include clear, visual wiring diagrams showing exactly how to connect your arcade controls, with no previous arcade electronics experience required.

We've also created step-by-step video tutorials for both Classic HAPP and LED button setups, so you can follow along and wire your controls with confidence.

Watch our Control Panel Wiring Tutorials below.

Classic HAPP Button Wiring | Step-by-Step Tutorial

LED Button Wiring | Step-by-Step Tutorial

We strongly recommend a 24-inch monitor for our 2-player upright arcade cabinet design. Bigger isn't always better!

Our entire build system has been carefully designed around this size for several important reasons:

• Optimal arcade ergonomics: A comfortable viewing distance while maintaining the authentic proportions and feel of a classic arcade machine.
• Cabinet dimensions: Our plans are specifically designed around a 24-inch monitor, ensuring everything fits together as intended.
• Artwork compatibility: Our Full Cabinet Wrap Kits and screen surrounds are designed to suit these exact cabinet measurements.
• Affordable & accessible: 24-inch monitors are widely available, relatively inexpensive and easy to source, even second-hand!

Thinking of going bigger? Keep in mind that a larger monitor may require significant changes to the cabinet's internal width and overall construction, which can also affect the fitment of our artwork and templates.

For the easiest build and best results, we recommend sticking with our tried-and-tested 24-inch design.

Absolutely! Our Build Guide is designed around using a modern LCD monitor, which we recommend for its affordability, reliability, lighter weight, sharp picture and ease of installation.

Prefer that authentic old-school CRT experience? That's possible too, although it requires additional planning, modifications and specialist knowledge.

For most builders, we recommend sticking with a 24-inch LCD monitor for the best balance of classic arcade proportions, practicality and ease of construction.

Yes, it's possible. We've had customers successfully use our Starter Kits to restore, upgrade and retrofit older arcade cabinets.

However, our entire build system, including our Build Guide, Starter Kits, components and Wrap Kits, has been carefully designed to work together for maximum compatibility and ease of installation.

Please note: As existing arcade cabinets vary significantly in design, dimensions, wiring and electronics, we cannot guarantee compatibility or provide technical support for custom retrofits and third-party cabinet conversions.

For the easiest building experience and best results, we recommend following our original Arcade Revival cabinet plans.

The great thing about building your own arcade cabinet is that you control the budget!

You can build a fantastic, fully customised arcade machine for well under $1,000 AUD, including your Starter Kit, MDF, monitor and finishing materials. The final cost depends on your chosen kit, materials and optional upgrades.

Our Starter Kit comparisons above provides estimated total build costs to help you plan, and you can always add upgrades and customise your cabinet over time!

Best of all? You'll learn valuable skills along the way and end up with a one-of-a-kind arcade machine you built yourself, something you and your family can enjoy for years to come. Nothing beats that! 🕹️

Most customers tackle the project over a few weekends or spend a few hours each day working through the stages. There's no rush! Enjoy the process and build at your own pace!

Yes! We've seen so many fantastic father-and-son builds and entire families getting involved. Watching your arcade cabinet come to life together is an exciting and rewarding experience, creating memories that will last a lifetime!

Once you purchase your Starter Kit, we'll automatically email you a preferences form where you can choose your button type and colours, joystick tops, T-moulding colour and more.

We'll then assemble and dispatch your Starter Kit to match your selections!

(Please check your junk or spam folder if you don't see our preferences email in your inbox.)

The possibilities are endless! Our most beginner-friendly option is a pre-loaded Pandora build system, featuring almost 10,000 classic arcade games ready to play. It's a simple, plug-and-play way to get your arcade up and running!

Want more flexibility? You can also build with your own PC using emulation platforms such as Batocera, LaunchBox or MAME.

The best part? You're not locked into one build system forever! You can upgrade, modify and customise your arcade over time as your skills and interests grow.

Both options are designed to bring your arcade to life, but offer different levels of convenience and customisation.

• Pre-loaded (Pandora): Our most beginner-friendly option, featuring approximately 9,800 pre-loaded classic games. It's a simple plug-and-play solution, perfect for getting your arcade up and running with minimal setup.
• Emulator (BYO PC): Ideal for those wanting greater flexibility and customisation. Connect your own compatible PC and configure your preferred emulation software, games and settings.

The best part? You're not locked into either system! Our cabinet design allows you to upgrade or change your build system later as your skills and interests grow. Switching to an emulator is also a simple, cost-effective upgrade, and we offer the components you need to make the transition. 

For first-time builders, we generally recommend starting with the Pre-loaded system for simplicity. You can always explore more advanced options down the track!

Absolutely - the Pandora DX2 is a fantastic plug-and-play starting point for most builders.

It offers smooth gameplay, reliable software and a massive library of classic arcade titles, with games playing just as you remember them.

Features customers love:

✔️ Smooth, responsive gameplay with great emulation
✔️ Massive library of 9800+ pre-loaded games
✔️ Create favourite lists for quick access
✔️ Hide games you don’t want displayed
✔️ Save high scores even after powering off
✔️ Easily switch between coin mode and free play
✔️ Excellent compatibility with our optional coin acceptor
✔️ Button remapping and control calibration options
✔️ USB controller support for console-style games
✔️ Easy upgrade path to a full emulator / PC setup later on

Want to upgrade later & load your own games? No problem. The pre-loaded system can be easily removed and replaced with an emulator or PC setup, while continuing to use your existing joysticks, buttons, monitor etc.

This system offers the perfect balance of simplicity, performance and value allowing you to start playing straight away while still offering plenty of flexibility for future upgrades 🕹️

For sure! Our pre-loaded Pandora build system features an easy-to-navigate menu with plenty of handy features to make finding and playing your favourite games simple.

Depending on the system settings, you can:

• Save favourites for quick access to your preferred games.
• Hide unwanted games to keep your library organised.
• Access recently played games without searching again.
• Save high scores and game progress in supported games.
• Save states in compatible games, allowing you to pick up right where you left off!

We also provide a detailed instruction manual and video walkthroughs showing you how to navigate the menu, adjust settings and get the most out of your build system!

Absolutely! Our pre-loaded Pandora build system features approximately 9,800 classic games. If you'd like to see the complete game list or check whether a particular title is included, simply contact us and we'll happily send you the list!

Yes. Both are possible, although compatibility depends on your chosen build system.

Trackballs: Our USB trackball can be connected to the Pre-loaded (Pandora) system, although firmware limitations mean some games won't support full 360-degree movement. For full trackball functionality in compatible games, we recommend an Emulator (BYO PC) build system.

You can find all the information about compatibility on our USB Trackball product page here.

Light Guns: We're currently developing light gun options for our Emulator build system! These are planned for a future release, although we don't have a confirmed availability date just yet.
Light guns are not supported on our Pre-loaded (Pandora) system.

Our arcade cabinets are designed with future upgrades in mind, allowing you to expand and customise your gaming experience over time!

We can’t guarantee anything…

But many customers tell us the arcade machine they were “definitely building for themselves” quickly becomes everyone’s favourite thing in the house 😄

Just make sure you save room for Player 2 🕹️