Free Sample
The Complete Handbook of Video Game Arcade Cabinets
Practical knowledge for operators, resellers, service technicians, and serious collectors
by Alumigogo Books
Chapter 1: Understanding Video Game Arcade Cabinets
Video game arcade cabinets are freestanding electromechanical machines that house a complete gaming system in a custom-built enclosure. Unlike a home gaming console that connects to a television, or a modern digital display system, a cabinet is a unified appliance: it contains its own monitor or display, amplified sound system, input controls, processing hardware, and power distribution all built into a single piece of equipment designed to operate continuously in a public or semi-public space. To understand what cabinets are and why they matter requires understanding their construction, how they function, and the role they play in entertainment venues and the resale market.
Physical Construction and Core Components
A standard upright arcade cabinet measures roughly 27 inches wide, 30 inches deep, and 66 to 72 inches tall—shaped like a tall rectangular box with a angled control panel at its base and a display screen at eye level in the upper body. The exterior is typically made of medium-density fiberboard or plywood with a laminated graphic wrap that brands the machine and communicates the game title to passersby. This aesthetic matter: a cabinet in a bar or arcade competes for attention and play, so its visual presentation directly affects revenue.
The cabinet's internal frame is a wooden or steel skeleton that holds several critical subsystems in place. The most visible is the display—either a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor for older or retro machines, or a flat-panel LCD or LED display for newer production