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    In Progress

    Bartop Galaga Build

    Compact bartop arcade cabinet themed after the classic Galaga cabinet art. Perfect for the man cave countertop.

    Built by Gary
    Display
    19" 4:3 LCD
    Players
    2
    Theme
    Galaga (1981)
    Computer
    Raspberry Pi 4
    Build Time
    ~6 weeks (est.)
    Est. Cost
    ~$250

    The Concept

    Not every arcade build needs to be a full-size behemoth. This bartop Galaga is designed to sit on a countertop or bar and provide quick pick-up-and-play sessions. The entire thing is themed after the original 1981 Galaga cabinet art.

    Design Decisions

    Going small changes everything. The 19" LCD is a 4:3 ratio — crucial for retro games that look stretched on widescreen displays. The control panel fits two players with minimal joystick-to-joystick spacing (it's cozy, but it works for versus games).

    Current specs:

  1. Display: — 19" Dell 4:3 LCD (pulled from e-waste)
  2. Computer: — Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB) running RetroPie
  3. Controls: — 2 joysticks, 12 buttons (6 per player)
  4. Audio: — 2x 3" full-range speakers
  5. Power: — Single 12V/5V combo supply

    6. Build Progress

    ✅ Completed:

  6. MDF cabinet cut and assembled
  7. Galaga side art vinyl applied
  8. Control panel drilled and buttons installed
  9. Raspberry Pi mounted and RetroPie configured
  10. Speaker holes cut and speakers mounted

    11. 🔨 In Progress:

  11. T-molding installation
  12. Marquee backlight (LED strip behind printed translite)
  13. Final wiring cleanup and cable management

    14. 📋 To Do:

  14. Clear coat the cabinet exterior
  15. Print and install bezel art around the monitor
  16. Final game testing and input mapping

    17. Why Bartop?

    The beauty of a bartop build is accessibility. It takes up almost no space, costs a fraction of a full cab, and can be moved anywhere. I'm planning to bring this one to retro gaming meetups.

    Expected Completion

    About 2 more weeks if I stay on schedule. The hardest part is already done — now it's just finishing touches and polish.

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