Build a Home Game Room Kiosk with MiSTer or Raspberry Pi
Original kiosks are rare and heavy. A lot of collectors build their own kiosk style station instead, or run a modern setup inside an empty original cabinet. Here are the three ways to do it.
Option 1: a real console
The most authentic choice. Use an original console, controllers and, ideally, a CRT. If you are not using a CRT, see our guide to scalers.
Option 2: MiSTer FPGA
MiSTer is an open source project that recreates classic consoles in hardware using an FPGA board, the Terasic DE10 Nano. It behaves very close to the original systems and can output to CRTs and modern screens. It costs more than a Raspberry Pi but is closer to the real thing.
Option 3: Raspberry Pi
A Raspberry Pi running emulation software is the cheapest route and easy to set up. It is great for a casual game room. Only use games you own.
Make it feel like a kiosk
- One button start. Consoles with a mechanical power switch, like the NES, SNES, N64 and GameCube, boot as soon as they get power. Leave the switch on and control everything from one switched power strip, and the whole kiosk turns on like it did in the store.
- Tethered controllers. Mount controllers to the cabinet so they are always in reach.
- A lit header. A backlit sign on top does more for the look than anything else. LED strips run cool and last longer than fluorescent tubes.
- Hide the cables. Route power and video inside the cabinet with one cord out the back.
Related kiosks
Sources: MiSTer FPGA project