dreamarcades
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The most unwieldy Wii arcade stick ever
Dream Arcades sells complete PC arcade cabinet kits meant for use with MAME and official arcade compilations; they also sell kits without PCs so you can use your own -- or the console of your choice. The company has announced that all of their kits, which start at $589 and top out at a heavy-in-quarters $4000 (for a system that includes a projector) will now include support for every current console, including, of course, the Wii -- via console-specific adapters sold separately.You're totally welcome to stand in front of an arcade cabinet (or sit down at one of the cocktail units) and waggle -- in fact, now that we think about it, both arcade cabinets and Wii motion controls lend themselves to standing. But the real attraction here is the ability to play Virtual Console games on a real arcade cabinet, with real arcade controls.Well, sort of real arcade controls. Instead of the high-quality Sanwa or Seimitsu buttons and joysticks that arcade stick nerds prefer, Dream Arcades uses cheaper knockoffs of Happ parts, which are already considered inferior. Most people won't care, but if you're dropping $1200+ on one of these, you might want to look into some replacement parts.[Via GoNintendo]
Dreamcade Vision 120 includes DLP projector, console support
Dream Arcades has been on a rampage of late, and just over a month after we caught wind of its Dreamcade 2.0 arcade cabinet, the outfit is looking to take over our basement with the Dreamcade Vision 120. This multigame unit packs over 145 classic titles such as Centipede, Dig Dug and Ms. Pacman, and comes with a built-in DLP projector that features 2,000 lumens, a 2,000:1 contrast ratio and a 1,024 x 768 native resolution. Additionally, you'll get a 120-inch portable projection screen, programmable Ultimarc interface card, an authentic arcade control system and HDMI / component inputs that enable users to hook up their console of choice to play on the big screen. Sure, this masterpiece may set you back four grand, but just think how many quarters you'll save in the long run.
Dream Arcades intros cocktail Dreamcade 2.0 arcade cabinet
Those wild 'n crazy kids over at Dream Arcades are at it again, and just when you thought you had your holiday budget ironed out, along comes the four-player cocktail Dreamcade 2.0 to put you back in the red. This arcade cabinet features an "integrated trackball, lighted buttons, a Windows-based DreamPC and a collection of more than 145 licensed games including classic titles from Midway, Digital Leisure, Atari, Namco and Capcom." The 2.0 version of the Dreamcade boasts a 21-inch "real arcade monitor," tinted safety glass and the ability to connect your own console. Sure, it'll cost you $1,899, but that's a small price to pay for all this retro.[Via I4U News]
100-inch Home Video Arcade Center, a classic gamer's fantasy
Earlier, we showed you some instructions for converting an arcade machine into a console game. But surely there are some of you out there that would say to us: "But Engadget, I like the plastic joystick alongside my big, colorful, and indestructible buttons. I wish I could play more games in that manner." You're well spoken. Oh, and this one's for you: those arcade-lovers at Dream Arcades in Folsom, California have just come out with a 100-inch Home Video Arcade Center that includes a big ol' portable projection screen. It's basically a PC fitted inside this control stand, and includes classic games like "Asteriods," "Missile Command," "Pac-Man," "Street Fighter II," and it will even play PlayStation and Xbox games as well. Kind of counter to the anti-MAME mods we're hooking up, and that hardware doesn't come cheap, as you might imagine -- we're talking $4,500 (plus shipping) at the introductory price, which will soon go up to the five G mark -- but there's just nothing like that authentic arcade feel.[Via T3]
