Building My Arcade: A Family Affair

 Building My Arcade: A Family Affair

If you’ve ever set out to build a personal arcade, you know it’s not just about creating a space for yourself—it’s about sharing your passion with the people you love. Sure, it’s for you, but there’s something special about watching friends and family enjoy your favorite hobby. That’s where the real memories are made.

I’ve had my fair share of challenges in life, but through it all, my wife has been a constant supporter of my arcade obsession. In fact, she was the driving force behind making it all happen, and I’m beyond grateful for that.

For those of you who have spent hours tweaking, rearranging, and optimizing your setup, I feel your pain. The never-ending quest to perfect your space—no matter how big or small—is real. Before I dive into the specifics of my arcade, let me set the stage for you.

I live in the Southwest, where I’m lucky enough to own a home. The weather here is a bit of a mixed bag—it’s ridiculously hot at times, but we don’t have to deal with things like floods, hurricanes, or extreme weather, so it’s actually pretty forgiving when it comes to housing arcade machines.

My house is a 4-bedroom, though the rooms are on the smaller side. Most of my arcade setup lives in the den, but you’ll find machines scattered throughout the entire house. The only rooms that remain arcade-free are the kitchen, dining room, family room, and bathroom (though I have considered squeezing a machine into the bathroom—who wouldn’t love a quick round of Galaga or Gorf while you’re in there, right?). Honestly, I don’t know how my wife put up with me.

The Arcade Tour: Where the Magic Happens

When you step into my house, the first stop on the arcade tour is the den, which also doubles as our theater room. This is where my kids, friends, and I spend most of our time together. It’s the heart of the arcade setup. In this room, I’ve got my Delta 32 Candy Cab, running a Pandora’s Box 10th Edition, and it’s been the perfect centerpiece for family game nights. My son and I enjoy classic games like Hit the Ice and Cadillacs and Dinosaurs, while my daughter and I team up on Sailor Moon or face off in Super Puzzle Fighter.

I’ve also got an AC/DC-themed cabinet I picked up in a trade. While I’m not the biggest AC/DC fan, this machine has a unique charm. It runs on an MVS 1-slot board with a 161-in-1 MVS cart, and I’ve added a pause-switch mod for extra convenience. My MVS collection is kept neatly on a nearby bookshelf for easy access.

Right next to it is my stand-up multicade driver, back-to-back with the MVS cab. And for the pinball fans in the family, I’ve got a mini virtual pinball machine tucked into the corner. We’ve spent hours watching cheesy B-movies and random flicks my kids or friends pick out, all while enjoying some good old arcade action.

The Rest of the House: Arcade All the Way

Next up, in the guest bedroom/office, I’ve set up my CoinOps PC running a mix of vertical and horizontal builds with an X-Arcade stick. This is where I do my blogging and when I’m done, I dive into some classic arcade games online against friends, or battle it out in newer titles like Street Fighter V and Neo Geo Battle Coliseum.

In my son’s room, he’s got an Arcade1Up Marvel Bartop running Emulation Station—he absolutely loves it. Meanwhile, my daughter’s room features a special MVSX that she requested for her birthday. It’s become a bit of a family tradition to get the kids arcade-related gifts, and she was absolutely thrilled to have one of her own.

Lastly, in our bedroom, I have a Viewlix (or possibly a Chewlix) candy cab running a multi-board setup. This machine is particularly special to me; it was one of the last gifts my wife gave me before she passed. It’s a cherished piece in my collection and my go-to for unwinding in the evenings.

Future Plans: Bubble Hockey & MegaTouch

Looking ahead, I’m hoping to add a bubble hockey table to the theater room. Both my son and I are huge hockey fans, so it feels like the perfect fit. The catch? Finding one at a reasonable price has proven to be a challenge, but I’m determined to track one down eventually.

I’m also considering adding a MegaTouch machine—because, well, who doesn’t know that “ladies love the MegaTouch,” right? 😅

What About You?

Now it’s your turn! I’d love to hear about your setups—what’s in your arcade? Do you have any tips, ideas, or suggestions for improving mine? Also, I’ve been toying with the idea of adding a claw machine to the mix. Has anyone tried one in their home arcade? I’d love to hear what you think.

Thanks for reading, and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts and stories!