Difference between revisions of "Arcade Cabinet"

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This article provides an introduction to '''Arcade cabinets''' including an overview of the basic cabinet types.
 
This article provides an introduction to '''Arcade cabinets''' including an overview of the basic cabinet types.
 
==Type of Cabinents==
 
==Type of Cabinents==
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The standard upright cabinet is the most common cabinet. The player stands or is seated in front of the cabinet. Multiple cabinets of this type can be lined up against a wall to save space and still be playable.
 
The standard upright cabinet is the most common cabinet. The player stands or is seated in front of the cabinet. Multiple cabinets of this type can be lined up against a wall to save space and still be playable.
  
*Cabaret Cabinets - upright cabinets that are physically smaller than the full size versionCabaret cabinets usually have more reserved art and are seldom more than five feet (152cm) tall.
+
* '''Regular''', the iconic, archetype, arcade cabinet. The monitor is usually above waist height with the [[marquee]] overhanging.
 +
* '''Cabaret''', a slightly smaller version of the regular cabinetThe [[marquee]] is often located between the control panel and coin door.
 +
* '''Low-boy''', a standup cabinet where the [[marquee]] is in the same plane as the monitor making the cabinet much lower, hence the name.
 +
* '''Pedestal''', a arcade where the screen is not part of the arcade setup. The monitor could be a TV or projection attached to a wall.
 +
* '''Showcase''', a setup where the screen is in a separate housing as the [[control panel]] but still visually part of one setup. Setups like this usually feature a large screen positioned in such way that onlookers may view the action. The 'showcase' may both refer to the player being able to showcase his or her gaming skill as to the elaborate arcade setup itself.
  
*Mini Cabinets - mini-cabs have the same relative dimensions as upright cabinets but are scaled down for children or size considerations.  There were a few factory Neo-Geo (and probably other) mini-cabs, but most mini-cabs are made by hobbyists.
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[[File:StandingArcades.png|center]]
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<center>Example standing cabinets next to an adult man for size comparison, from left to right: ''Regular'', ''Low-boy'' and ''Showcase''.</center>
  
'''''Examples: [[Examples_-_Upright_cabinets|Upright cabinets]]'''''
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'''''Examples: [[Upright cabinets]]'''''
  
 +
===Seated cabinet===
 +
Seated cabinets come in two distinct categories; arcade cabinets intended to sit at for easier long play sessions or themed cabinets that involve an activity where sitting down mimics the action of the game (such as driving a car).
  
===Cocktail cabinet===
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* '''Candy''', the most common cabinet in Japan. The cabinets are often made of hard plastic - the shiny plastic appearance led to them being called 'candy cabinets'. These cabinets are quite similar to standup cabinets except that they are lower and often have a larger [[control panel]] surface. ''See also [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Japanese_arcade_cabinets List of Japanese cabinets on Wikipedia]].
The cocktail cabinet is basically a table with a screen in it. This cabinet is usually fitted with controls for two or more players, each sitting at opposite sides of the table. Some games are designed with this kind of play in mind (players sitting opposite of each other) while other games 'flip' the screen to alernate between players.
 
  
'''''Examples: [[Examples_-_Cocktail_cabinets|Cocktail cabinets]]'''''
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* '''Cocktail''', the most common sit-down type in North America. An arcade that resembles a table with the screen embedded in the table surface. The surface is made of hardened glass so people can place their drinks on it.
  
 +
*'''Cockpit''', an arcade that mimics the cockpit of a racecar, fighter plane or spacecraft. The controls are often matched to the type of vehicle portrayed, such as a [[Driving_Controls|steering wheel]], [[Driving_Controls#Pedals|pedals]], [[Driving_Controls#Shifters|gear shifter]] or [[Driving_Controls#Flight_Yokes|flight yoke]].  Elaborate sitdown cabinets are powered by hydraulics to mimic the player's movement as seen on a screen. One of the most elaborate sitdown cabinets is [http://www.system16.com/hardware.php?id=844|Sega's R-360] cabinet.
  
===Driving/Sitdown cabinet===
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*'''Ride-on''', similar to the cockpit arcade, a ride-on often is build specific to the activity of the game(s) played. Ride-on cabinets may feature a motorbike or jet ski seat but also less obvious vehicles such as a minecart.
The driving/sitdown cabinet mimics the driver's cockpit (or pilot's, depending on the game) with a steering wheel, flight yoke, motorcycle handlebars, etc, as main controls. These cabinets may feature a shifter, stick shift, throttle, and/or brake pedals. Elaborate sitdown cabinets are powered by hydraulics to mimic the player's movement as seen on a screen. One of the most elaborate sitdown cabinets is [http://www.system16.com/hardware.php?id=844|Sega's R-360] cabinet.
 
  
'''''Examples: [[Examples - Driving/Cockpit cabinets |Driving/Cockpit cabinets]]'''''
 
  
  
===Jukebox cabinets===
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[[File:SitdownArcades.png|center]]
A Jukebox cabinet is designed to hear your music, using a jukebox software. This type of cabinet, does not require a joystick, but just buttons.
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<center>Example sitdown cabinets next to an adult man for size comparison, from left to right ''cocktail'', ''candy'' and ''cockpit''.</center>
  
 +
'''''Examples: [[Cocktail cabinets]]'''''
 +
'''''Examples: [[Driving/Cockpit cabinets]]'''''
  
'''''Examples: [[Examples - Jukeboxes |Jukebox cabinents]]'''''
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===Small cabinets===
 +
Another category of cabinets are the small size cabinets.
  
 +
*'''Mini''', a small version of a cabinet resized to suit play for children.
  
===Bartop arcades===
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*'''Bartop''', a portable cabinet that can be placed on top of a table (or as the name suggests, on the bartop in a pub or diner).
A bartop arcade is designed to be placed on a tabletop or bartop and generally is a smaller version of an arcade game cabinet.
 
  
'''''Examples: [[Examples - Bartop/Countertop |Bartop/Countertop cabinents]]'''''
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*'''Barstick''', a bartop without a built-in display. It is usually connected to a TV.
  
 +
*'''Micro''', micro cabinets are extremely scaled down cabinets. Building a functioning micro cabinet provides experiences cabinet builders a new challenge. Micro cabinets provide a eye catching model for display.
  
 
+
'''''Examples: [[Bartop/Countertop]]'''''
===Showcase cabinet===
 
A showcase cabinet consists of two distinct sections.  One section will house the video monitor and position it at eye level while standing, and the other section, called the pedestal, supports the control panel and raises it into position to be played while standing.
 
 
 
  
 
===Specialized cabinets===
 
===Specialized cabinets===
A category of cabinets that are specific to the game it plays. A good example of this are the ''Dance Dance Revolution'' cabinets that feature dance pads as controls.
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A category of cabinets that are specific to the games they play. A good example of these are the ''[[Bemani_or_DDR_arcade|Dance Dance Revolution]]'' cabinets that feature dance pads as controls.
 +
Another specialized cabinet is the [[pinball|digital pinball machine]]: it is designed to look and act like an actual pinball machine with the ball(s), lighting, playfield and backglass replaced by monitors and pinball simulation software.
 +
Popular among the community is the Jukebox cabinet. It is designed so that you can listen to your music using jukebox software. This type of cabinet does not require a joystick, just buttons or a touchscreen. Note that this isn't necessary an arcade gaming machine.
 +
'''''Examples: [[Jukeboxes]]'''''
  
 +
==Anatomy of a cabinet==
 +
Arcade cabinets vary in size and complexity but they generally comprise the same basic features as shown on this diagram.
 +
<br/>
 +
[[image:generic_with_numbers.png|left|400px]]
  
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# '''Marquee'''. Back-lit artwork that displays the cabinet's name.
 +
# '''Marquee retainers'''. A part to keep the marquee in place. Allows easy replacement of the marquee graphic.
 +
# '''Speaker panel'''. The panel which holds the speakers.
 +
# '''Monitor bezel'''. A part that surrounds and masks the monitor in the cabinet. In some arcades the bezel also features artwork.
 +
# '''Control panel'''. Holds the joysticks, buttons and other controls needed to play the games.
 +
# '''T-molding'''. T-molding is used to finish and protect the edges of the woodwork.
 +
# '''Coin door'''. A coindoor to accept coins for play.
  
==Anatomy of a cabinet==
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<br clear="all">
[[image:cabinet1.jpg|left]]
 
Arcade cabinets vary in size and complexity, but they are generally comprised of the same base features as shown on the left.
 
  
<br style="clear:both;"/>
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==See Also==
 
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*[[Examples]]
==See also==
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*[[Controls]]
Various parts of the arcade cabinet are explained in more detail:
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*[[Bezel]]
 +
*[[Coin Doors|Coin door]]
 
*[[Marquee]]
 
*[[Marquee]]
 
*[[Control panel]]
 
*[[Control panel]]
*[[Bezel]]
 
*[[Coin Doors|Coin door]]
 
  
 
[[Category:Basics]]
 
[[Category:Basics]]
 
[[Category:Index]]
 
[[Category:Index]]

Latest revision as of 06:53, 18 March 2014

This article provides an introduction to Arcade cabinets including an overview of the basic cabinet types.

Type of Cabinents

Cabinets can be divided into a few basic categories:

Upright/Standard cabinet

The standard upright cabinet is the most common cabinet. The player stands or is seated in front of the cabinet. Multiple cabinets of this type can be lined up against a wall to save space and still be playable.

  • Regular, the iconic, archetype, arcade cabinet. The monitor is usually above waist height with the marquee overhanging.
  • Cabaret, a slightly smaller version of the regular cabinet. The marquee is often located between the control panel and coin door.
  • Low-boy, a standup cabinet where the marquee is in the same plane as the monitor making the cabinet much lower, hence the name.
  • Pedestal, a arcade where the screen is not part of the arcade setup. The monitor could be a TV or projection attached to a wall.
  • Showcase, a setup where the screen is in a separate housing as the control panel but still visually part of one setup. Setups like this usually feature a large screen positioned in such way that onlookers may view the action. The 'showcase' may both refer to the player being able to showcase his or her gaming skill as to the elaborate arcade setup itself.
StandingArcades.png
Example standing cabinets next to an adult man for size comparison, from left to right: Regular, Low-boy and Showcase.

Examples: Upright cabinets

Seated cabinet

Seated cabinets come in two distinct categories; arcade cabinets intended to sit at for easier long play sessions or themed cabinets that involve an activity where sitting down mimics the action of the game (such as driving a car).

  • Candy, the most common cabinet in Japan. The cabinets are often made of hard plastic - the shiny plastic appearance led to them being called 'candy cabinets'. These cabinets are quite similar to standup cabinets except that they are lower and often have a larger control panel surface. See also List of Japanese cabinets on Wikipedia].
  • Cocktail, the most common sit-down type in North America. An arcade that resembles a table with the screen embedded in the table surface. The surface is made of hardened glass so people can place their drinks on it.
  • Cockpit, an arcade that mimics the cockpit of a racecar, fighter plane or spacecraft. The controls are often matched to the type of vehicle portrayed, such as a steering wheel, pedals, gear shifter or flight yoke. Elaborate sitdown cabinets are powered by hydraulics to mimic the player's movement as seen on a screen. One of the most elaborate sitdown cabinets is R-360 cabinet.
  • Ride-on, similar to the cockpit arcade, a ride-on often is build specific to the activity of the game(s) played. Ride-on cabinets may feature a motorbike or jet ski seat but also less obvious vehicles such as a minecart.


SitdownArcades.png
Example sitdown cabinets next to an adult man for size comparison, from left to right cocktail, candy and cockpit.

Examples: Cocktail cabinets Examples: Driving/Cockpit cabinets

Small cabinets

Another category of cabinets are the small size cabinets.

  • Mini, a small version of a cabinet resized to suit play for children.
  • Bartop, a portable cabinet that can be placed on top of a table (or as the name suggests, on the bartop in a pub or diner).
  • Barstick, a bartop without a built-in display. It is usually connected to a TV.
  • Micro, micro cabinets are extremely scaled down cabinets. Building a functioning micro cabinet provides experiences cabinet builders a new challenge. Micro cabinets provide a eye catching model for display.

Examples: Bartop/Countertop

Specialized cabinets

A category of cabinets that are specific to the games they play. A good example of these are the Dance Dance Revolution cabinets that feature dance pads as controls. Another specialized cabinet is the digital pinball machine: it is designed to look and act like an actual pinball machine with the ball(s), lighting, playfield and backglass replaced by monitors and pinball simulation software. Popular among the community is the Jukebox cabinet. It is designed so that you can listen to your music using jukebox software. This type of cabinet does not require a joystick, just buttons or a touchscreen. Note that this isn't necessary an arcade gaming machine. Examples: Jukeboxes

Anatomy of a cabinet

Arcade cabinets vary in size and complexity but they generally comprise the same basic features as shown on this diagram.

Generic with numbers.png
  1. Marquee. Back-lit artwork that displays the cabinet's name.
  2. Marquee retainers. A part to keep the marquee in place. Allows easy replacement of the marquee graphic.
  3. Speaker panel. The panel which holds the speakers.
  4. Monitor bezel. A part that surrounds and masks the monitor in the cabinet. In some arcades the bezel also features artwork.
  5. Control panel. Holds the joysticks, buttons and other controls needed to play the games.
  6. T-molding. T-molding is used to finish and protect the edges of the woodwork.
  7. Coin door. A coindoor to accept coins for play.


See Also