A MAME cocktail cabinet that actually looks nice

With the "Optime Strategies" table, a display-topped computer with proper arcade controls, the "acceptable in the living room" quotient of old-school gaming takes a giant leap forward.

The table is designed as a complete reproduction of the original arcade 'cocktail' tables of the eighties. Rather than housing the original hardware and software however, it contains a high-spec PC. The PC is wired to standard arcade joysticks and buttons, and completely emulates the original games using ... MAME.

That testicle-crushing £3000 price tag is the bad news, though they'll customize it to your desires.

It's always fun to see the disclaimers offered by those who commercialize MAME. "Optime Strategies does not condone in any way the illegal use of copyrighted software" indeed.

Arcade Memories [via Born Rich]

[#1 posted by David Carroll , October 19, 2008 1:27 PM]

IANAID but in every home improvement show I have ever seen the second thing the designer does is somehow cover-up the TV. The first thing they do is trash the ceiling fans, and the third is paint hardwood furniture.

So: I would have this gaming table in my living-room only if all controls retraced behind a panel. The keyboard and mouse should have a storage drawer, and it should not have a visible fan grill. It would be nice touch if the glass top was essentially opaque when the unit was not on. A less modern hardwood version would be cool too.

[#2 posted by therevengor , October 19, 2008 2:54 PM]

Who needs a "high-spec" PC to run MAME?

Not quite living room ready. Would be perfect for the rumpus room, tho, right next to the air hockey table, opposite the dart board.

[#3 posted by Patrick Anderson , October 19, 2008 3:43 PM]

I wonder, when did playing Miss Pac Man involve martinis?

[#4 posted by dculberson , October 19, 2008 5:17 PM]

Patrick, ever since Miss Pac Man came out!

[#5 posted by wrybread , October 19, 2008 5:58 PM]

Hmm, no pictures of the MAME frontend. I've found most to be absolutely atrocious, the sole exception being Game Launcher.

And as far as I know it remains to be built: an old cocktail cabinet that, thanks to a space saving flat panel, now has room for actual cocktails...

[#6 posted by Patrick Anderson , October 19, 2008 7:34 PM]

#4 I always figured it was more of a beer and cheesepuff kind of game. But Miss Pac Man is a sophisticated lady.