Building a retro arcade cabinet starts with choosing the right Raspberry Pi, but the real challenge is planning the controls and cabinet. The first question is which games you want to play—early titles like Pac-Man and Galaga need only a simple joystick and buttons, while fighting games like Street Fighter require six buttons per player, and games like Golden Tee need a trackball or spinner. Also consider how many players you want to support, as a two-player setup can quickly become four.

Before cutting wood, mock up the control panel on cardboard to test the layout—it's a cheap way to avoid mistakes. For the cabinet itself, you can build from plywood or MDF, buy a flat-pack kit, or repurpose an existing cabinet. The electronics are straightforward: a display, joysticks, buttons, a USB encoder, a computer, storage, speakers, and power.

For the computer, a Raspberry Pi 5 (2GB model costs $65) is great for classic games, but if you want to emulate newer systems, consider an old desktop or mini PC with better graphics. Software options include Recalbox, Batocera, and Emulation Station, all of which provide a user-friendly frontend. Keep in mind that the Raspberry Pi 5 needs active cooling and lacks a 3.5mm audio jack, so plan for a heatsink or fan and USB audio.

Finally, costs add up: a basic bartop cabinet kit is around $130, a two-player control kit is $45, and a speaker kit is $30, so budget accordingly. With careful planning, you can build a great arcade machine without overspending.