The Real Numbers Nobody Talks About
If you've ever searched "how much does it cost to build an arcade cabinet," you've probably seen answers ranging from $200 to $5,000. That's not helpful. The truth is, the cost depends entirely on what you're building, what components you choose, and how much of the work you do yourself.
I've built five cabinets at this point — from budget-friendly two-player setups to premium four-player showpieces. Here's the honest breakdown of where your money actually goes.
Budget Tier: $400–$800
This is your entry-level build. You're using MDF for the cabinet body, a basic monitor (maybe a recycled TV), zero-delay USB encoders, and standard buttons and joysticks from Amazon or AliExpress. The PC is either a Raspberry Pi 4 or a used mini PC.
| Component | Budget Range |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Wood (MDF) | $80–$150 |
| Monitor (used/basic) | $50–$120 |
| Encoder Board (Zero Delay) | $10–$25 |
| Buttons & Joysticks | $30–$60 |
| PC (Raspberry Pi / used) | $50–$150 |
| Wiring & Misc | $30–$50 |
| Paint / Basic Finish | $40–$80 |
| Total | $290–$635 |
Add in tools you might need to buy (jigsaw, drill, router) and you're looking at $400–$800 all-in for your first build.
Mid-Range Tier: $800–$2,000
This is where most serious builders land. You're using better wood (birch plywood or a mix), a decent gaming monitor, quality encoders like the I-PAC, Sanwa or IL joysticks, and a proper mini PC with enough power to run PS2/GameCube era games smoothly.
| Component | Mid Range |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Wood (Plywood) | $150–$300 |
| Monitor (gaming grade) | $150–$300 |
| Encoder Board (I-PAC) | $40–$80 |
| Buttons & Joysticks (Sanwa/IL) | $80–$150 |
| PC (Mini PC, 16GB RAM) | $200–$400 |
| Vinyl Artwork | $100–$250 |
| Wiring & Misc | $50–$80 |
| T-Molding & Finish | $50–$100 |
| Total | $820–$1,660 |
Premium Tier: $2,000–$4,500+
This is what I build for my customers. Cabinet-grade maple or high-quality birch plywood, professional vinyl artwork from a sign shop (shoutout to K&K Signs), Brook UFB encoders, premium Sanwa components, a powerful mini PC (32GB RAM, 4TB SSD), LED lighting, and — of course — Arcade Assistant built in.
| Component | Premium Range |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Wood (Maple/Premium Ply) | $300–$600 |
| Monitor (IPS gaming, 27"+) | $250–$450 |
| Encoder Board (Brook UFB) | $80–$120 |
| Buttons & Joysticks (Premium Sanwa) | $150–$250 |
| PC (B-Link, 32GB/4TB) | $400–$700 |
| Professional Vinyl Artwork | $200–$500 |
| LED Lighting System | $50–$150 |
| T-Molding & Premium Finish | $80–$150 |
| Trackball / Spinner / Light Guns | $100–$400 |
| Total | $1,610–$3,320 |
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
Here's what most "cost guides" leave out:
Tools: If this is your first woodworking project, budget $200–$500 for tools. A table saw, jigsaw, router, drill, and sander are the basics.
Mistakes: Your first build will have mistakes. Budget an extra 15–20% for replacement materials, wrong-size cuts, and "learning experiences."
Time: Your time has value. A first build takes 40–80 hours. An experienced builder can do it in 20–30. Factor that in when comparing DIY vs. buying a pre-built cabinet.
Software: While emulators are free, you'll spend time configuring them. This is exactly why I built Arcade Assistant — to eliminate that frustration entirely.
The Bottom Line
You can build a functional arcade cabinet for under $500 if you're resourceful. You can build a showpiece for $2,000–$3,000. And you can buy a professionally built, AI-powered cabinet from G&G Arcade that's ready to play out of the box.
The right choice depends on your skills, your time, and what you value. No judgment either way — that's the anti-gatekeeping promise.