Reddit reviews Easyget 2-Player DIY Arcade Kit USB to Joystick Arcade DIY Parts Kit for PC, Windows, MAME, Raspberry Pi - 2X Zero Delay USB Encoder + 2X Arcade Joystick + 20x Arcade Buttons Color: Red + Blue

I used these buttons: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YIXD9OY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_pjWLBbAY2BJFE

In a build with 3/4 inch plywood. As long as the holes are the right size they stay in place. It takes some real effort to get them out.

Controller kit (buttons, joystick and input board)

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00YIXD9OY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_aNZyybQ1QARAG

Design instructions:
www.instructables.com/id/2-Player-Bartop-Arcade-Machine-Powered-by-Pi/%3famp_page=true

I basically used this for inspiration. I simplified where I didn't have the tools for this level of sophistication.

I got this set up

I could have gotten more expensive or potentially better ones but for what I paid I figured my worst case scenario was that I would re-purpose them into player 3 and 4 controllers for games like gauntlet and upgrade player 1 and 2 with better switches if those proved to be less than ideal. Checking on the action and feel on them, they're pretty darn nice, probably wouldn't hold up to the kind of use they'd see in a real arcade circa '85-'95 but they should be good enough to suit my needs.

I've gotta re-measure everything, draw it up again, and just get my ass in gear about it. Won't be happening Saturday but perhaps Sunday if I find the time.

Feel free to send me some well regarded layout patterns, that'd go a long way toward making this a reality. I was gonna copy the X-arcade pattern, but add enough space between the players that they don't have to duel with their elbows the whole time.

I wrestled with this for awhile. Even thought about getting one of those expensive arcade sticks that you twist the knob or attach a servo to switch modes. Here's my solution/workaround (I have a 3 player Rampage cab):

Left and rightmost joysticks are set to 8 way, and to 1 and 2 player respectively. The middle joystick is set to 3rd player, but also to 4-way mode. (The Sanwa joystick I have you can set the gate to 4-way or 8 way, but you can also do it with joysticks similar to what you are looking at like this listing here.)

Now in 4-way games, I go into the emulator setting (usually tab) and make the 1st and 3rd player controls the same. That way, you can use the 1st player 8-way joystick or the 3rd player 4-way stick for the 1st player controls. Works great! Only drawback is that when you have 3 people playing, the 3rd player has to deal with the 4 way for all games.

I don't have a 3rd player often, so the trade-off was worth it for me. With a 2 player cab, I suppose you could make the same sacrifice, would just be 2nd player would have to use 4-way controls. (You could also maybe drill another hole and use it for a dedicated 4-way joystick? Don't see why that wouldn't work if you have the room, would just need to buy an extra joystick.)

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If the twist-able 8 to 4 way toggle joystick sounds appealing to you and you don't mind the extra cost, check out the joysticks here:

Hope this helps!

Wow! Would you be able to give a buy list to build an American style joystick?

I bought this kit with Zero Delay USB interface and most of it is fine, except the joystick (too clickity and hard to play games like Pac-man). The interface also takes Happ, so probably I can fix it by just building one.

First thing is you need to decide what you want. I get that you want a cabinet, but do you want one that is full sized or something like a bartop model. If you want a full sized cabinet, you can either find plans and build it yourself or search around for an older cabinet to repurpose. If you want a bartop, again you can build it yourself, but you can also find rather inexpensive cabinet kits that are pre-cut and ready to put together.

Once you decide on your cabinet, you need to plan on what you want to put in it. The basics you are going to need can be found below as well as amazon links to get you started.

Raspberry Pi 3 link

Raspberry Pi Case link


Arcade Buttons & Joysticks link


Speakers link


4:3 ratio monitor link

power strip link


Micro SD Card link


Ultimately, it is your decision how you want to go with this. Building an arcade system is all about customizing it to your personal tastes. Once you have the materials, there are tons of tutorials on how to get retropie set up and running.