Instructable Arcade Costume!

Here in Iceland there are two days for getting into costumes and getting candy from strangers; Halloween and Ashday. For this Ashday we decided to create PacMan Arcade costume and just to make it even more interesting, we made the whole project playable! 

So we made an arcade machine out of cardboard and a Raspberry Pi and it is a fantastic project that combines creativity, electronics, and programming. This Instructable will guide you through the steps to create your own mini-arcade cabinet/costume. This project is suitable for hobbyists with a basic understanding of electronics and programming. Let's get started! 

• Raspberry Pi (any model with HDMI output, but Raspberry Pi 3 or newer is recommended for better performance)
• MicroSD Card (16GB or larger recommended)
• HDMI monitor - we used 12v monitor with speakers
• Cardboard boxes
• MDF to mount the joystick and buttons
• Arcade joystick and button kit similar to this
• USB keyboard (for initial setup)
• HDMI cable
• Power supply for Raspberry Pi - we used this one
• Hot glue gun
• Cutter or scissors
• Wiring tools (wire stripper, soldering iron, etc., depending on your joystick and button kit)
• Paint
• Printed material from Classicgaming.cc
• Foam insulation for pipes to hold the costume on the shoulders

1. Design and assemble

• Design your arcade cabinet. You can find templates online or create your own design.We set the initial design up in Fusion360, file included
• Use a cutter or scissors to cut the cardboard into the shape of your costume.
• Assemble the pieces using a hot glue gun. Ensure the monitor fits snugly into the costume and that there's enough room for the Raspberry Pi and wiring, we put the batteries on the back of the costume to distribute the weight.
• Use MDF to hold the joystick and buttons as the cardboard is not strong enough when the fun begins.

2. Prepare the Raspberry Pi:

• Download the RetroPie image from the official RetroPie website.
• Flash the RetroPie image onto the MicroSD card using software like BalenaEtcher.
• Insert the MicroSD card into the Raspberry Pi, connect it to the monitor with the HDMI cable, and power it on.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to configure RetroPie, including setting up your keyboard and Wi-Fi connection.

3. Assemble the Arcade Controls:

• Decide on the layout of the buttons
• Assemble your joystick and buttons according to the kit instructions.
• Connect the joystick and buttons to the USB encoder that is then plugged into one of the Raspberry Pi’s USB ports.

4. Wiring Everything Together:

• Connect the battery to the monitor.
• Connect the powerbank to the Raspberry Pi.
• Run everything to see how long the batteries last.

5. Finishing Touches:

• Customize the appearance of your arcade machine. You can paint the cardboard, cover it with decorative paper, or add classic arcade imagery.
• Test out different games and emulators to ensure everything is working correctly.
• Add shoulder straps to make it easier to carry.

6. Enjoy Your Arcade:

• You're all set! Dive into your favorite classic games and enjoy the nostalgia.
• Go out and let everyone see your great costume!

• Take your time with the cabinet design to make sure it's comfortable to use.
• For a more durable arcade, consider reinforcing the cardboard with wood or using a stronger adhesive.
• Regularly back up your RetroPi configuration and game saves to avoid data loss.
• When not in use as costume, connect the Pi and monitor to power outlet so you can enjoy the arcade whenever.