Classing Up A RetroPie Arcade With A Wine Barrel

Arcade cabinets are a lot of fun, and something most of us would probably like in our homes. Unfortunately, space and decor constraints often make them impractical. Or, at least, that’s what our significant others tell us. Surely there must be a workaround, right?

Right! In this case, the workaround [sid981] came up with was to build a RetroPie arcade into a fancy looking wine barrel. The electronics are pretty much what you’d expect for a RetroPie system, and the screen is set into the top of the barrel. Control is handled by a wireless controller that can be tucked away when it’s not in use, and a glass top simultaneously protects the screen and lets guests use the barrel as a bar table.

Overall, it’s a really classy alternative to putting an arcade cabinet in the corner, and has the added benefit of doubling as a handy place to put your drinks. We’ve seen nifty builds in the past that accomplish a similar goal using coffee tables, but we think the aesthetic appeal of the wine barrel makes this a pretty awesome choice too.

[via r/diy]

20 thoughts on “Classing Up A RetroPie Arcade With A Wine Barrel

  1. The problem with LCD screens is the viewing angle and that’s why he angled the screen which is a pity because it looses the “cocktail” two player mode.

    The glass is too big and is probably contributing to the problem by making people stand further away.

    With a wider viewing angle screen it would be able to play both horizontal and vertical games as it really doesn’t have a top or bottom because the buttons aren’t “fixed” in any one place.

    I built a coffee table one that is very low and uses the widest viewing angle screen I could find. It only plays vertical games as the screen has a much wider horizontal viewing angle.

    Still I like this one, especially that it has a remote.

  2. We had a console gaming event where a couple of us brought along LCD and DLP projectors.. The person with the DLP brought along a self-supporting rigid-frame screen where I had to make-do with the white wall.. Both were quite satisfactory with the edge on brightness going to the DLP. Mine required subdued lighting.

    I can imagine this same physical package with a modern, very small, low-heat projector inside to make use of either the wall behind or on the table-top with a mirrored panel inside with the access hatch closed. Most modern projectors have display parameters for flipping both horizontal and vertical (or rotation) via menus or command-set.

  3. Sorta like, I can see it fulfilling it’s purpose well if “her indoors” is not going to let you have a machine anywhere closer than the back shed any other way. Meaning I guess, I think it’s cool but it’s limitations would frustrate me, if I knew there was no reason for them to exist. i.e. standing there getting a crick in your neck, from looking down.

    I’m looking for “different” kinds of stand up builds, for something MAMEy or Retropie on x86, or just old DOS stuff on DBGL.

    Got an old CRT monitor I want to use for correct aspect ratio, huge old 21″, so heavy that small loose objects roll towards it.

    1. The only way my wife is ever going to get a “her indoors” is if we move out of the city and to a place with a much bigger yard and a barn or at least a large shed with electricity.

      I am most definitely not opposed to this… she is.

  4. It would seem the WAF is near 0 with the PC and what else I see hooked up to the barrel. I would assume that the PC would go inside. No chairs? Two cords draped around the barrel. Not a bad idea for a general info screen, no ceiling lights though.

  5. It’s pretty but is it playable? Looking straight down at the screen doesn’t sound like much fun. I am imagining a rough adjustment period, getting used to pressing the up or jump button to make the character move away from yourself rather than towards the ceiling. Even after that… sore back and neck for sure.

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