Swap Arcade Folds Full Arcade Action Into Everyday Furniture

Les Cookson drew on memories of after-school arcade visits with friends when he set out to create something his family could enjoy together. He knew many homes lack room for a bulky machine that sits idle most of the time. So he designed Swap Arcade, a unit that starts as ordinary storage furniture and opens into a complete two-player arcade cabinet within seconds.

Closed doors give the Swap Arcade an ultra clean look that resembles a wooden cabinet and fits effortlessly into any living area, bedroom, or office. When closed for business, the device is 36 inches tall, 29 inches wide, and 13.5 inches deep. Simply lift it slightly and the upper piece will swing open, revealing the display and controls. Meanwhile, the hidden side panels will slip back into position, and the arcade shape will be visible again. When open, the entire thing measures 70 inches tall, 28 inches wide, and 14 inches deep. Not bad for a box that weights only 100 pounds but moves smoothly on its aluminum pivot frame.

Inside, you’ll discover a large 27-inch HDMI screen with built-in stereo speakers, and at the core of the system is a Raspberry Pi 4 running Batocera software. This includes no fewer than 100 starter games to get you going. More exciting than that, backers will be able to help choose the games after the campaign ends. If you can’t wait that long, you can always add thousands more classic titles to the mix or simply plug in your Nintendo Switch, PlayStation console, or PC using the included Brook Zero-Pi board. Meanwhile, the two-player control panel makes use of the dependable Sanwa joysticks and eight buttons on each side, as well as a few extra function keys to assist you get around.

All of that technology is housed in a durable cabinet composed of MDF, hardwood, plywood, and a metal frame that has been pre-assembled to save you time. Cookson, the mastermind behind the Swap Arcade, has established a reputation for selling hundreds of complicated optical devices via his company DrawLUCY. He’s collaborated with Practical Industries for larger manufacturing runs and has already completed a couple previous crowdfunding initiatives. You can anticipate the same amount of attention from your Swap Arcade, which comes in natural, walnut, dark tobacco, and unfinished wood tones.

Early bargain hunters will be glad to learn that Kickstarter contributions begin at a relatively affordable $1,197 for a single device, with delivery due in October 2026. The campaign launched on May 12th and has already surpassed its $15,000 goal thanks to a lot of early support. If you prefer to construct your own thing from scratch, there’s a basic DIY electronics kit available.
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