Last Starfighter cabinet build

Droidboy

Droidboy

Sr Member
RPF PREMIUM MEMBER
This has been rattling around in my head for way too long, so I picked up 3 sheets of 3/4" mdf and got to work on this Saturday.

It's based on the blueprints available online along with some additional reference material I was able to get from a friend. So far so good. The complex shapes I cut on a CNC machine, and everything else I did on my table saw. Granted, so far I'm only on the super easy bits, but it's been fun.

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Awesome! Loved the movie, I clearly remember getting the story book for christmas in the 80ies, always loved the Starfighter design and the idea behind the movie. I sooo longed for a computer with graphics as good as shown in the movie. Love the history of how the movie was made, too.
How are you going to do the cabinet graphics, paint them on or have them printed onto sticker sheet? I know that you can buy replacement graphics sheets for pinball machines. Drawing them up and having them printed out should be not too hard.
 
DaddyfromNaboo said:
How are you going to do the cabinet graphics, paint them on or have them printed onto sticker sheet? I know that you can buy replacement graphics sheets for pinball machines. Drawing them up and having them printed out should be not too hard.
Click to expand...


I'm going to have the graphics professionally made. There are several companies out there that do arcade side art for MAME cabinets, so there is no point trying to recreate the wheel.

As far as the actual graphics, Rogue Synapse did graphics several years ago and I've had those saved on my computer for way too long...so I'll be using them.
 
Great job so far!

Outside of using the art for the 'game' itself.

I would think about adding a Raspberry Pi (3).. and making it a fully functional/working arcade cabinet. (and you can switch between whatever game ROMS you add to it)

I dont recall the exact/actual 'game play'.. but I could probably reproduce it as a REAL WORKING GAME, using Adobe Flash if there is a desire.
 
xl97 said:
Great job so far!

I dont recall the exact/actual 'game play'.. but I could probably reproduce it as a REAL WORKING GAME, using Adobe Flash if there is a desire.
Click to expand...

There is actually a full game out there, and it's beautiful. Evii did it several years ago. I've been sitting on that for a long time too.


Gregg
 
The build part of my Last Starfighter cabinet is done. I'm gonna say I have about 30 hours into it at this point.


This morning I had the most difficult part, creating pockets for the controls. I decided to laser cut a jig for my router, and it worked pretty well. If I had to do this 10 more times, I'd sure I'd figure out a better way to do it...but this worked for a one off.


Now to let everything set, and start applying the bondo and get it ready for paint.

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Last edited by a moderator:
Gixxerfool said:
Stupid question, was there ever a full game made or was it just the scenes used in the film?
Click to expand...

Like 2 decades ago now I actually researched this and wrote a FAQ. :)

The answer is No, no actual arcade cabinets were ever made aside from the one IN the film, and the replica made for the DVD release,
which Doc Estil was able to buy! The programming and hardware were about 75% complete before Atari cancelled the project.

Droidboy, do you have any notes relating to the mods you did to the blueprints?

Great looking project, will be stalking this thread with interest! :)
 
A couple of notes so far:

Materials used:

3- 4x8 sheets of 3/4" MDF
1 -2x4 sheet of 1/2" MDF
Bondo
Set of casters

Tools used:

Table Saw
Compound Miter Saw
Nail gun (16 and 18 gauge nailers)
Drill
Router
Handsaw
CNC Machine
Random Orbital Sander

The side panels, monitor bezel and base were cut on a CNC machine as I noted before. Doing this probably saved me a full day of cutting and at least an extra sheet of material. I cannot recommend this enough if it's an option. I use a local sign shop that does engraved signs to do a lot of CNC work for me.

As far as mods go to the blueprints that are out there, I reached out to Philip Wise who has been working on this for a long time. He was able to get me enough measurements to get started, but for the control area, you're pretty much on your own. You just have to make it all fit...and even then I missed some things.
 
DWVinny said:
Subscribed! this is awesome! Sorry if I missed it but, Do you plan on making this a mame cab or? And FYI if you didnt already know there is a LS game downloadable for free here : http://www.roguesynapse.com/games/last_starfighter.php
There was also a home port for the original NES but its terrible. :p
Click to expand...

This will be a dedicated cabinet for the Rogue Synapse game. That being said...I'm thinking about building another cabinet that will be modified to be a full on MAME cabinet, but keep the LS look.

Gregg
 
Wish I had your wood working skills and tools. I (like so many others) have wanted my own Starfighter cabinet ever since Rogue Synapse made the actual game. I did some searching around, and have not found anyone that could actually make such a cabinet for me for sale. If you ever decide to create a kit and/or sell some of the harder cut wood pieces, I am sure there are a lot of people (such as myself) who would buy them.
 
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