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Retro Space Arcade Cabinet Mixes Retro, Futurism with Banana Colour Scheme
Posted by Kit Eaton at 10:01 PM on August 18, 2008
The classic arcade cabinet of yesterdecade gets a snazzy makeover in the Retro Space machine from designer Martijn Koch. It's a tribute in part to "honour the design of the first ever arcade cabinet" which was Computer Space, from 1971. So it's got arcade-quality controls for two people, including the ever-important trackball (good news for Missile Command fans) and squeezes in 100+ games and a suite of emulators.
But since it's a modern build, Martijn popped in media-player functionality for audio and video, a 2 x 90W audiophile-quality amp/speaker system and a 24-inch 1080p flat-screen monitor. Lovely, in a retro-futuretastic way... but why oh why did he choose yellow? Good enough for bananas and custard, but arcade machines need to be more sober. You should be able to buy one sometime, price on application. [Retrothing]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
CYST!
Posted 10:53 PM 18/8/08
looks like the future. nice.
@diskdaddy: is yours that nice looking? If so, send me some blueprints.
CYST!
diskdaddy
Posted 10:47 PM 18/8/08
These are easy to build. I've built the 2-player controller a while ago and have been looking/waiting for a cheap square (4:3) LCD to show up to complete it.
100 games...pfft...just put MAME on it and whatever other emu's you want.
The controller (5 years ago) cost me about 150 bucks in parts...and that was including shipping from the States to Canada (we always get reamed).
It is a seriously fun and easy project.
diskdaddy
Theravada
Posted 10:40 PM 18/8/08
The yellow is unacceptable! It's a damn good thing I can't afford a DS, let alone that thing.
And seriously, what's with that model? She seems to have some kind of anomalous bulge in her crotch -- almost like a small pair of buttocks. It's really disturbing.
Theravada
Git Em SteveDave displays attention-grabbing vanity
Posted 10:39 PM 18/8/08
@Hectorvex: Look at her feet. She was probably like "I have to stand next to a what? I'm going to kill my agent when I see him."
Git Em SteveDave displays attention-grabbing vanity
Hectorvex
Posted 10:37 PM 18/8/08
@dufus: My thoughts exactly.
My other thoughts: what's with the photo-shopping onto the black background? It makes the yellow look even more hideous. Obviously Martijn never took any marketing classes. Had he did, he wouldn't have chosen such an equally ugly chick to present it. She's not even smiling. With the yellow and the cave chick, it makes this product hard to really like.
Hectorvex
Git Em SteveDave displays attention-grabbing vanity
Posted 10:34 PM 18/8/08
Why does "Banana Phone" keep running through my head now. Do you have to plug the cabinet in separately to keep it that bright?
Git Em SteveDave displays attention-grabbing vanity
dufus
Posted 10:32 PM 18/8/08
Add some Pac-Man decals, and yellow is tolerable...
Otherwise, basic black is preferred.
dufus
OMG! Ponies!
Posted 11:23 PM 18/8/08
@shenanigans: Yes, yes...
I'd hit that. Or I'd hit her. Or whatever the stupid phrase is. But first, lop off her gargantuan sasquatch feet. They're big, bony, mutant monstrosities.
OMG! Ponies!
shenanigans
Posted 11:18 PM 18/8/08
I can't believe I'm the first one to ask, "Does it come with the girl?"
shenanigans
OMG! Ponies!
Posted 11:10 PM 18/8/08
I'm sorry to be a wet blanket but consoles killed the arcade star.
The last time that having an arcade cabinet was cool was around 1986, when Rick Schroeder was Ricky Schroeder, Alfonso Ribeiro was that kid who used to dance with Michael Jackson, and a guy who rode around in his house on a giant choo-choo train wasn't creepy in the least.
I wonder what VICKI from Small Wonder is up to.
OMG! Ponies!
plasma2002
Posted 12:38 AM 19/8/08
OH MY GOD, WHERES HER PINKY TOE???!!!11one11
plasma2002
TrevEB
Posted 12:26 AM 19/8/08
For those of us where space is a premium, this is an excellent design. It looks to be about 10" deep. Sure you miss out on the authentic arcade monitor, but for some, that is acceptable
TrevEB
godwhacker
Posted 12:54 AM 19/8/08
where's the spinny knob for playing tempest?
also the up top picture makes sense when you see this photo
[www.atarimuseum.com]
godwhacker
Curves
Posted 12:52 AM 19/8/08
Maybe they can use the Iron/phone a couple of stories up to iron the wrinkles out of her ill fitting dress. I hope she earned enough from this gig for a decent pedicure too.
Curves
Froggmann
Posted 12:49 AM 19/8/08
Well the model is already barefoot, time to make her pregnant!
While using the cabinet of course... I wonder how much weight that console would take....
Froggmann
Mr.SithNinja
Posted 1:40 AM 19/8/08
@shenanigans: My question in does the girl come with a pinky toe?? Why use a bare footed model with deformed feet??
Mr.SithNinja
Flynn
Posted 1:59 AM 19/8/08
@godwhacker: Better shot
Flynn
godwhacker
Posted 3:08 AM 19/8/08
@Flynn:
gotta love the vacuous stare to nowhere
godwhacker
AtomicPlayboy
Posted 4:05 AM 19/8/08
Anyone who's built a MAME cabinet knows that the look and feel don't bring on the nostalgia, it's the smell that induces memories of the halcyon arcade days. No MDF/plywood = no smell = no deal.
AtomicPlayboy
Mr.SithNinja
Posted 4:01 AM 19/8/08
@Flynn: Holy Crap ! HER feet are deformed too! How do you get a job as a bare foot model with only 3 toes?? It is staring to look like it is a requirement to get the job....
Mr.SithNinja
Futrell
Posted 4:59 AM 19/8/08
That is is the most uninspired, ugly looking MAME cab I think I've ever seen. And it's a tribute to Computer Space? Because it's yellow? Learn to lay up some fiberglass Martijn and try again.
Futrell
Mr.SithNinja
Posted 5:41 AM 19/8/08
@AtomicPlayboy: In that case you would need a stobe light, disco ball, and a small group of pre-teens roller skating around you while blaring Van Helen's album "1984".
Mr.SithNinja
The Brain
Posted 6:41 AM 19/8/08
I think the first one's feet got photoshopped, and the old one's feet got razor bladed. (old school photoshop)
She looks like she's ready to go to the club with Tony Montana.
The Brain
airbornejerm
Posted 11:35 PM 18/8/08
hrm.. does thing look dangerously slim to you? (the machine, not the girl)
I'd want to bolt that thing to the wall, lest it topple over during some hard sf2 gameplay.
airbornejerm