One of the most serious mistakes we can make as DIY enthusiasts is thinking that everything has already been invented. How many Raspberry Pi-based arcade machines are out there? The answer is "many", but the best part is that nobody is obliged to copy every step of the construction, and we find a lot of room to expand and optimize. A good proof of this is the ROMBUS-CT arcade by Matt Brailsford, which adds two-player support by adopting the classic "cocktail" format.
A point that many enthusiasts highlight about arcade design is space. At the end of the day, not everyone has enough room to keep these magnificent towers, but with some modifications, the magic of flat screens and the Raspberry Pi, today it's possible to create compact systems that don't envy anything to classic cabinets. Honestly, I think it's more convenient to create a "Raspberry Pi arcade" before throwing yourself into the maintenance storm that old arcades demand. If the DIY bug bites hard enough, it won't be long before they start looking for plans and the best component prices. That said, how about some inspiration? For all those who want to build but worry about space, here is the ROMBUS-CT.
ROMBUS-CT is a development by Matt Brailsford, better known as "Circuitbeard". Brailsford explains on his official site that he wanted to take an arcade to an event he participates in, CodeCabin. Previously he created an even more compact system, the ROMBUS3000, but this time he wanted an arcade designed for two players. That led him to adopt a cocktail cabinet format, Sanwa 24-millimeter buttons, and an eight-inch LCD screen that can be powered directly by the Raspberry Pi. Of course, having a laser cutter gives Brailsford a huge advantage, although I insist that it's not necessary to follow his construction step by step. Besides the wiring, another detail that required some effort was the RetroPie configuration.
It goes without saying, the result is extraordinary. The ROMBUS-CT preserves the spirit of old cocktail arcades while keeping the "space factor" at bay. I won't deny it: I'd love to make something like this. I have no idea where I'd put it, and the humidity in this cave I call home tends to destroy everything made of wood, but I'd really like to "have that problem".
