Iconic Arcade Smyths

robfowler78 · 23-06-2024 06:52PM #1

Hi lads

looking to get a machine for the kids I’m crap at DIY and looking for the easiest option with the most games. Was looking at 1up cabs but just a couple of games wouldn’t keep the interest long. Any one have any idea of these. Not much info on line not looking for top range just something to keep the kids occupied.

https://www.smythstoys.com/ie/en-ie/gaming-and-tech/retro-gaming/iconic-arcade-all-in-one-cabinet-with-wi-fi-and-bluetooth/p/237124

Inviere · 23-06-2024 07:34PM

That's a LOT of money for a Raspberry Pi4b in a wooden box, cheap screen, and cheap controls.

The wording suggests it uses all the usual free OS's that you can set up on a Pi yourself. Personally I'd buy a Pi4b, grab some half decent wireless controllers, and a nice case for it all....wouldnt cost you near as much for pretty much the exact same thing.

Unless it HAS to be an arcade cab form factor?

robfowler78 · 23-06-2024 07:51PM

Thanks yeah I actually have a mini PC setup with launchbox and wireless controllers. It was more to do with the whole “arcade feel” I suppose just to be put In a games room. More a novelty than anything else. Wouldn’t mind paying for it if it was half decent quality but havnt seen much on line about it. I seen one or two of the Arcade 1up cabs and thought they were ok but limited in game choice.

CiDeRmAn · 23-06-2024 10:26PM

To be honest, I'd recommend the path I took with my first arcade cab.

Watch for something cheap but functional on Adverts, then pop your mini PC in there.

It's a little bit of learning, but you will get the cab running everything you want in an authentic way, for a lot less than those premade monstrosities on Adverts.

Plus, if it's a PC you can also gain access to arcade titles from non-arcade sources, such as Thunderforce IV on the Mega drive or Sanxion on the C64.

robfowler78 · 23-06-2024 10:51PM

I’d love to do that and watched a couple of diy videos but realised I don’t even own a hammer 😂😂. I even thought about getting the 1up that can be hacked but even that’s a stretch 😂😂. I’d need an IKEA flat pack option 🫣. Maybe I’ll just by a couple of arcade sticks and stick to launch box and my mini Pc

Inviere · 24-06-2024 05:41AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122296049#Comment_122296049

The Arcade 1up's are IKEA style flat packs. You could buy one of them, and maybe pay someone to convert it to running a Pi if you weren't confident to do it yourself. That'd give you the Arcade cab look and feel, with the ability to add as many games as you like etc.

I'm sure there's tons of tutorials on YouTube with how to do it if you were curious about doing it yourself.

robfowler78 · 24-06-2024 07:08AM

I had considered that but then I saw these and thought that it would basically be the same idea. These iconic look like flat packs easy to assemble and have the option of easily adding games. The software part I’ve no problems with it’s just the actual swapping joysticks and converting cabs that is the issue for me. By the time I buy a 1up buy the parts and pay someone to convert it this might be the cheaper. Most of the converted cabs on Adverts etc are way over priced.

Inviere · 24-06-2024 07:35AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122296395#Comment_122296395

Yeah fair point. On first glance the value for money looks really low, but I suppose given the cost of a Pi, controls, screen, etc…it's not abysmal. Obviously that depends on the overall quality.

robfowler78 · 24-06-2024 08:28AM

yeah they look kinda rubbish compared to the 1up graphics and styles love the Streetfighter or mortal kombat ones. But then if they are in a kids games room and have decent controllers and can play the older arcade games well then I suppose be worth a punt. The build quality was kinda what I was looking to find out about most stuff on line just talk about how crap they look 😂😂

o1s1n · 24-06-2024 08:52PM

Heres a real full sized arcade machine for 300 quid, looks to be working fine too and already had a multi board in it

https://touch.adverts.ie/arcade-retro/arcade-machine/31726989

robfowler78 · 24-06-2024 10:40PM

looks a bit rough and big for were I want it. I can see some wear and tear problems a head and I’m back to square 1 won’t be able to repair it myself.

KeRbDoG · 24-06-2024 11:37PM

I'd completely get folks who just want a cab like experiance like the OP linked to, with easy enough ways to upgrade the system rather than the fun of swapping hardware in an Arcade1up unit.

@robfowler78 should you pick one up, can you come back here and share your thoughts etc?

Inviere · 25-06-2024 06:22AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122300222#Comment_122300222

The only thing with these things, very much like the cheap Ali handhelds, is that a sub par experience can just be downright un-fun to play. Things like screen tearing, loose/mushy controls, input latency, etc, can all combine together to put you off even using the thing.

The above may not fall into that bracket though, it has a Pi4b inside and not some cheap SoC so on paper it should be a decent experience.

robfowler78 · 25-06-2024 06:51AM

yeah thats what I was kind of hoping someone here might have seen or played one and would know if it was a decent experience or not. I’ll wait until smyths have them in stock then of course if I pick it up I’ll drop back to let you know what it’s like. Thanks for all the replies

Inviere · 25-06-2024 07:00AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122300424#Comment_122300424

The Smyths site advertises it as a pre order, available August this year....looks like it's not actually released here yet.

robfowler78 · 25-06-2024 07:15AM

yeah for preorder only apparently GameStop in America have been selling it for a while. A few Reddit posts on it not very good but infairness would be from proper arcade enthusiasts making comparisons to real arcade machines.
There is no hiding visually it does look rubbish the actual cabinet art is terrible but if it even plays half decent and the controls don’t break after 5 mins of wiggling the kids would probably be happy.

Danick · 14-09-2024 10:22AM

has anyone purchased one of these and is it any good?

robfowler78 · 14-09-2024 11:19AM

went in to see if one was on display and it’s not very little information on it

CiDeRmAn · 14-09-2024 02:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122300405#Comment_122300405

To the point that you are practically giving Retr0 an excuse for being shite at anything he plays on it!

robfowler78 · 14-09-2024 03:29PM

yeah pity can’t get any hands on time with it just to look at the build quality or the screen. You’d have to order it build I’d practically to see if it’s any good

OutRunner · 15-09-2024 06:02PM

Wonder if this is a former Bob’s Casino machine: https://www.adverts.ie/21235504

SeanyMc22 · 04-10-2024 10:29AM

Anyone pull the trigger yet?

In the middle of getting the parts to upgrade an Arcade1 up but this is looking like it will only cost circa €100 more than the DIY option.

robfowler78 · 04-10-2024 02:45PM

haven’t yet still waiting to see some proper feedback. I see it’s already dropped €50 I’d imagine if they don’t sell they will be delisted quick enough

SeanyMc22 · 12-10-2024 09:44PM

@robfowler78 They have it on display on Smyth's Tallaght, was in there today.

It feels a bit cheap and sluggish tbh, stick and buttons feel very cheap and I'm used to Arcade1up cheapness.

Speakers seem very good though and they have a nice plexi glass on the top deck.

From what I saw today I think I'll stick with doing the ETA Prime mod on the Street Fighter Arcade1up I picked up on Adverts. Will probably run me close to 300-350 but the quality should be word it.

robfowler78 · 12-10-2024 09:48PM

Thanks for the update I had a feeling it would be a bit cheap alright. I used the Arcade 1up before they are decent enough for what they are but wouldnt go much cheaper parts wise then that. I wonder if the iconic is easy to mod.

SeanyMc22 · 12-10-2024 10:16PM

It's running Batocera on the Raspberry Pi so I assume it would be easy enough to flash and add what you want RetroPie etc.

There's a couple of pics I took today, didn't like the Iconic buttons in comparison to my Arcade1up. And considering I'll be swapping out the Arcade1ups when I do the mod it makes the Iconic less worth getting over a used Arcade1up off adverts and going the DIY route.

robfowler78 · 12-10-2024 10:50PM

thanks for the photos. I’d have no chance of modding a 1up I’m not any good with DIY I’d prefer the go in and buy it all done route😂. I heard it’s easy enough to get whatever games you want on to the iconic and I’ve used pi’s before so that won’t be a problem. I wonder is it easy to change the buttons and sticks for an upgrade as I’d imagine all the wiring is in place

Iconic Arcade Smyths

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