Multiple Arcade Video Games In One Cabinet

 

Hi!  Ready to get lots more bang for your video game buck? 

Then, start thinking about the latest trend - multiple arcade video games in one cabinet, generically known as a multicade.

That is right.

Now, you can have several, not just one, classic games in a video game cabinet.

Instead of only, for example, Ms Pac-Man in a Ms Pac-Man game cabinet - now, you can have such classics as Centipede, Frogger, Donkey Kong, and dozens more classics all in one cabinet.

  

Please keep reading to learn about the iCade 60-classics-in-1, and other types of custom multicades:

I can upgrade your arcade video game into a multicade, or

I can custom build a multicade for you (like the one in this photo), or

I can upgrade a dedicated game, like Galaga or Ms Pac-Man, into a multicade.

  

The price is right, too.  You can own one of my custom multi game multicades for less than the cost of many arcade video machines (that feature only one game).

  

Here is more info about cabinet style availability for the iCade 60-in-1.

And, visit my multicade photo gallery for a quick look at our workmanship.  Then, visit this page to learn about the 100's of details that go into building a custom multicade.

 

Got questions?  Keep reading, there is a lot more info to follow.  Or, send me an email:  gameroomdude@yahoo.com

  

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Remember that custom means custom.  You get to choose:

• the cabinet style and model,
• the paint color(s) for cabinet front and sides,
• the T-molding style and color,
• the control panel layout,
• a trackball or not, and its ball color (default - white),
• the number and type of controls,
• the color of the joystick ball top (default - red for 60-in-1),
• the setting for the adjustable 4-, 8-way or 2-, 4-, 8-way joystick (default - 4-way for 60-in-1),
• the marquee style (default - Multicade),
• the coin door lock style, keyed or thumb lock (default - thumb lock),
• the control panel color and finish (default - black),
• the control panel overlay style and color,
• additional 1/8" clear Lexan control panel cover, or not,
• Lexan kick plate, $35, or not,
• the button colors,
• coin operation or freeplay (default - freeplay).
• side mounted pinball buttons (Pinball Action), $65, or not,
• multicade sideart medallions, $95, or not,
• Plug-and-Play PCBs (more games), or not, 
• monitor:  CRT or LCD,
• you can add a full cabinet matching multicade art set, $395, or not,
• you can add extras, and your own custom modifications, and of course,
• the type of multicade games - classic games (like Frogger) or fighting games (like Street Fighter).

  

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Here is one common multicade example:

 

This photo is of the Ms Pac-Man Galaga Reunion arcade game.  You could buy the game today at Costco for $2,699.99.  But, you would be buying only two games.

Or, you could upgrade your game, or one of my cabinets, for way less than the cost of a Reunion, and get many more games, too. 

So, instead of just two classic games, you could be playing dozens of your favorite classic games.

 

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Here is a great multicade solution:

  

I can build for you an iCade 60-classics-in-one custom multicade using one of my generic or dedicated cabinets.  Following are some example before and after photos. 

These are photos of the same cabinet - before and after.  At the customer's request, this generic cabinet was finished out in a classic look.

 

For a larger full page view, click any photo to see the professional quality of our work.

 

      
 
 
Please keep reading for more info about my custom classics multicades.

 

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Sitdown (Cocktail) cabinets make great multicades:

 

 

Here is an example of an original Midway sitdown cabinet that has been converted into an iCade 60-in-1 multicade.

The early Midway sitdown cabinets, like the one pictured, make very nice conversion pieces.  So, if you have a Midway sitdown game - Galaxian, Galaga, Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, etc. - you should let me convert your cabinet for you.

Or, I can furnish the sitdown cabinet, and everything else; including new graphics for the top and both control panels, and a new top glass.

 

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Here is a partial inventory of multicade possibilities:

  

There are lots of possibilities for multiple game play available in the marketplace.  Here is a brief description of a few common ones:

  

1.  Multicade.  The original Multicade system consists of a computer and game discs.  However, the manufacturer is no longer in business.  But, the system is still around, and there may be a new company that has taken over the brand.

The name Multicade is now commonly used to describe almost all multigame setups.

2.  Ultracade.  Ultracade is another multi-game platform featuring multiple classic arcade games emulated on PC hardware running proprietary operating system and emulation code.  The company is no longer in business.  And, the name Ultracade is also sometimes used generically.

3.  iCade 60-in-1.  The iCade is a current, modern, JAMMA printed circuit board (PCB) offering 60 classic arcade video games. 

Please keep reading for complete information about the iCade PCB games.

4.  Capcom 18-in-1.  Are you a Head-to-Head fighting fan?  Then check out the Capcom multicade.

5.  PlayChoice 10.  Visit this link for lots more info a  bout the Nintendo PlayChoic  e 10 system.

6.  NeoGeo.  SNK's multi video system (MVS) NeoGeo is a widely available cartridge based multi-game system.  They are celebrating their 20th anniversary.  Lots more on NeoGeo here.

7.  Games Family 1940-in-1 Multigame JAMMA System.  Yep, that is right - 1,940 games, and many of the best ones, too. 

Check this page for a monster games list and lots more inf  o. 

8.  MAME.  The MAME (multiple arcade machine emulator) is a computer system with the capability to emulate practically every arcade video game.

MAME vs. multicade, click the link to learn more.

9.  Williams Classics.  Several of the classic Williams games (Joust, Defender, Robotron 2084) are available in one cabinet known as a Multi Williams.

10.  Ms Pac-Man Galaga Reunion.  This is a great dedicated game featuring two great classics.  The game's PCB (printed circuit board) could be installed into any cabinet, including a Ms Pac-Man cabinet, or a Galaga.

11.  Multiple JAMMA PCBs.  It is possible to install multiple JAMMA game pcbs into one cabinet, and switch between them.

12.  Modified Ms Pac-Man.  It is possible to modify a Ms Pac-Man PCB to be able to also play Pac-Man, and in either the fast or slow version of both.

13.  Galaga Ms Pac-Man Switcher.  It is possible to add either game PCB to the other game cabinet, and be able to switch between the two.

These are some of the more common solutions for multiple game play, and there are many others.  Even though I can provide #'s 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, and 13 for you, it is the iCade (#3) that is my recommended favorite.  So, please keep reading.

  

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An important distinction between cabinets:

 

First, there is an important distinction to understand about arcade game cabinets.

The classic games like Ms Pac-Man and Galaga are played using a vertically mounted monitor.  While there are some classics like Joust, almost all the modern fighting games like Street Fighter use a horizontally mounted monitor.

Most importantly, the game types are not immediately interchangeable between the cabinet types.  It is possible, for example, to modify a horizontal cabinet to accept a vertical mount monitor, but the reverse is usually not possible.

For starters, cabinets for the two monitor types are built differently.  The horizontal cabinet will be a few inches wider than the vertical cabinet. 

The diagram depicts a typical horizontally mounted monitor cabinet.  This is the style cabinet used for fighting games such as Street Fighter.

The point is that the style (horizontal or vertical) of your cabinet matters - some will work for a classics upgrade, and some will not.

  

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My Favorite Multiple Game Solution - The iCade 60-in-1 Multicade

 

Today, the most bang for your video gaming buck can be had with an iCade 60-in-1 JAMMA PCB cabinet conversion. 

I can take any vertical mount monitor cabinet, and install the hardware that will allow the play of 60 great classic games in one cabinet (see exceptions noted below).

And, since the game would be a JAMMA standard installation, the hardware is easily servicable and will be around for a long time.  Furthermore, a JAMMA cabinet is versatile in that it can accept many of the other of 100's of JAMMA game PCBs.

 

Exceptions:

1.  A game that requires a trackball to play.  Installation, or not, of a trackball would be determined by the size and configuration of the control panel. 

So, the 4 games that require a trackball might not be feasible for some cabinet types with smaller control panels. 

However, the 4 games can still be played with the joystick.  Although, the play is not the same as with a trackball, many people learned to play Centipede, for example, with a joystick.

If the control panel will permit, a trackball can be installed for an additional fee.

 

2.  A game that requires 2 (or more) buttons to play - for example, both a fire and jump button.  Most of the classic games, however, only require 1 button - such as, Donkey Kong with only a jump button. 

So, the approximate 8 games that require installation of additional buttons (7 require 2 buttons, and 1 requires 3 buttons) will also be determined by the size of the control panel.

When the control panel size permits (and it usually does), installation of up to 2 buttons (fire and jump) is standard, and does not require an additional fee.

 

3.  A game (there are 2) that requires 2 sets of player controls to allow two-player simultaneous play.  There is usually not room on a classic game's control panel for comfortable play with two sets of controls (2 joysticks and four buttons).

One set of controls is standard, since most of the classics are played with two players taking turns.  If two sets of controls were desired and possible, they could be added for an additional fee.  And, that would definitely preclude the addition of a trackball.

 

Any of the 60 games can be individually turned off, so that they would not appear on screen in the menu selection.

Click this link to view some photos of the iCade as it cycles through its presentation of the 60 games.

 

Email me now for more info, or to place an order:  gameroomdude@yahoo.com

  

And, please keep reading to see more actual before and after photos of another 60-in-1 cabinet conversion.

  

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Building a custom classics multicade:

  

I can build up an iCade 60-in-1 game in your cabinet, or in one of mine.  Plus, the cabinet can be finished out to your specifications.  In fact, I can do a total cabinet restoration for you.

This is a photo of a vertical generic cabinet which I provided, and will be upgrading into a 60-in-1 classics game for a customer.  Stay tuned for the after photo - you will be amazed.

Don't have your own cabinet?  Check out my list of classic games for sale.  A few of the ones that can be easily upgraded are indicated with **.

Plus, I have a number of empty cabinets, many of which are vertical style, and would make very nice 60-in-1 games. 

  

  

And, a few weeks later, here is the after - a custom finished iCade 60-in-1 classic arcade games multicade. 

An old worn cabinet (before), can easily become a beautiful, nostalgic, and fun (after) addition to your home.

The after, or finished, cabinet could display many custom features:  such as, a different marquee, control panel overlay, control panel layout, side art, cabinet color(s), and T-molding color. 

Plus, and most importantly, the price is right, too!

 

Please click the photo for a larger view.

  

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Here is a like-new condition Ms. Pac-Man Galaga Reunion cocktail cabinet.  I can convert this cocktail into an iCade 60-in-1 classic games multicade. 

The cabinet and graphics are the original.  But converted, the cabinet would play dozens instead of only 2 classic games.

  

You can buy this like-new machine with its original 2-game offering for $2,795.  Brand new, this game lists for $3,399.00, and up.

Or, you can order the machine upgraded into an arcade classics multicade for $2,995.  (Sorry, this game has SOLD.)

  

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All the game possibilities discussed on this page - multicade upgrades and custom classics multicades - qualify for my Layaway Plan.

  

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My positive feedback from a happy eBay arcade video game customer:

 

Thanks Steve! Excellent communication-was informed every step of the way. A++++

Mark L.
Buffalo, NY

 

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