My custom Killer Instinct arcade cabinet build & Big Box theme

[FNG]

I grew up playing games in Arcades and I've been wanting to build my own arcade cabinet for over 20 years.... After discovering LaunchBox / BigBox, I finally decided to get started on my "dream project". Since the original Midway design for the Mortal Kombat II and Killer Instinct cabinets was my favorite, I decided that was where I'd start.

I needed some Artwork, so here's the initial mock-up for the cabinet artwork I did in PhotoShop.
(I've seen plenty of Killer Instinct reproduction cabinets, so I decided to go with the Xbox/Windows version)

 

Here's the final version of the control panel that I mocked up in Photoshop.... I planned on getting clear button housings with black plungers so the outer rings could be illuminated based on which game was being played:

 

I had the artwork printed at GameOnGrafix.com and installed it onto the cabinet control panel....

 

I ordered the joysticks and buttons from ParadiseArcadeShop.com, and when they arrived, I installed them:

 

I installed the monitor, lower "marquee" monitor, and prepped the plexiglass for paint:

 

While waiting on the marquee and side art, I got started on the Big Box theme. I wanted it to have a similar look as the Killer Instinct game....
Here's the Killer Instinct in-game options menu and the way the Options menu looks in my custom theme:

 

Here are a couple of screen shots of the other theme menus (keep in mind, these are all works in progress and I've never done this before ) 

 

The PC that will be running Launchbox/BigBox:

Here's the side art being installed:

 

Here's where I completed the control pannel wiring and front artwork....

   

 

Installed the power strip, PC, Speakers, amplifier, subwoofer, etc. and cleaned up the wiring...

    

 

 

Cut the back panel, then decided to add some additional ventilation to keep everything cool.... (The top fans blow out, bottom ones suck in)

Here's a closer look at the top fans and the thermostat that monitors the cabinet internal temps and regulates fan speed.

I'll post more pics and details as I finish the project.....  It's VERY close.  

Edited May 24, 2022 by FNG
added more photos

[FNG]

Oh, and if anyone is interested, I'll be happy to share the Big Box theme when I finish it up.

[Knowcontrol]

Awesome job! Looks fantastic. I'm looking forward to hearing about the marquee specs as well as the software and hardware setup needed to get it running.

[FNG]

27 minutes ago, Knowcontrol said:

Awesome job! Looks fantastic. I'm looking forward to hearing about the marquee specs as well as the software and hardware setup needed to get it running.

Thank you. 

 

Regarding the specs of the marquee scree, it's the cheap 14.9" VSDISPLAY from Amazon... The resolution is 1280X390, I believe.

The main display and PC that I built for this cabinet would be considered "overkill", but I just wanted to be sure Killer Instinct (as well as Street Fighter IV, Mortal Kombat 11)  ran perfectly.
Main Display specs: ASUS TUF Gaming 27" (VG27AQL1A) - QHD (2560 x 1440), IPS, 170Hz
PC Specs: 

• ASUS TUF GAMING Z590-PLUS ATX Intel Motherboard
• Intel Core i5-11600K - 11th Gen 6-Core 3.9 GHz Processor
• LIQMAX III 360 All-in-one CPU Liquid Cooler & 360mm Radiator
• EVGA GeForce GTX1070 Graphics card is being used until my RTX3070 arrives.
• 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 3600 (PC4 28800) G.SKILL TridentZ RAM
• CORSAIR RM850x 850W Modular Power Supply
• SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2 2280 1TB SSD Primary Drive (Windows & Launchbox)
• SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2 2280 2TB SSD Secondary Drive (Games & Media)

[Knowcontrol]

Thanks for the info, should be a killer emulation machine! Very similar specs to a dream emulator machine I'd like to build at the beginning of 2023.

[darkseekerliu]

Absolutely Amazing. Please let us know when you finish this project. I also would love to try your new theme. Thank you for sharing.

[launchretrogirl2562]

amazing job and incredible you can do this all by yourself. (jealous😏)