Why?

Because I love arcade cabinets and old video games. Sure, modern games have amazing presentation, intricate systems, Hollywood talent, and online connectivity, but video games are best when they are intuitive, demanding, and filled with simple charm.

I grew up in rural southern Indiana, so a trip to an arcade was rare for me. And when we got to one, it was usually just a couple quarters in that vestibule of Walmart or while waiting for a pizza order at Mazzio’s in 1980s/1990s Jasper, Indiana. On lucky occasions, a shopping trip to a city with an actual mall might offer the chance to experience several cutting-edge games. The pinnacle though was the annual family trip to Holiday World, where Merlin’s Castle offered a tiny paradise of arcade bliss that was well worth a break from the park’s rides.

These days, arcade cabinets and venues are a shadow of their former glory—in my opinion. The “barcade” scene is widespread, but the experience is often lacking and closed to minors for at least part of the time. Most “arcade” rooms attached to other entertainment venues are usually filled with redemption prize games or video games that play more like something you’d find on your smartphone. Popular, pre-fab home cabinets are usually scaled down to a smaller size and feature sub-standard components. A handful of genuine, retro arcades still exist, but they are few and far between, fighting a heroic battle against irrelevance and the wear and tear of time on aging machines. It seems most people would rather enjoy the convenience of sitting at home and playing modern games with faceless strangers on the internet. And, in a way, I totally get it.

Yet, one could never escape the feeling that video game fans were missing out: the most fun I ever had gaming was when I was standing shoulder-to-shoulder with my opponent at an arcade cabinet or even just sitting on the couch dueling my family at a home console game. For me, video games are one of those things in life that are best enjoyed in-person with other people.

So, one fine summer day, a rather absurd thought popped into my head: “You know what would make this all better? A cold drink, an arcade cabinet, and a friendly stranger to have a few matches with.” So, that’s what I decided to do: build a portable arcade cabinet with no compromises and share it with the community.