Converting a PS2 Into an Arcade Cabinet: DIY Roadmap

A rewarding DIY project. High-level roadmap:

1. Cabinet

• Build: MDF/plywood, CNC or hand-cut. Plans: ArcadeCab.com, Build Your Own Arcade Controls (BYOAC) forum.
• Buy: Pre-cut kits (Recroommasters, Arcadeshop) or used commercial cab (refurb).

2. Display

• CRT (Authentic): 15–19" 4:3 (Sony PVM, JVC). Heavy, scanlines, zero lag. Hard to find.
• LCD (Practical): 19–22" 4:3 or 16:9 with integer scaling. Low latency (<5ms) critical.

3. Controls

• Joystick: Sanwa JLF / Seimitsu LS-32 (Japanese) or Happ/IL (US bat-top).
• Buttons: Sanwa OBSF-30 (30mm) x 6–8 per player.
• Encoder: Brook Universal Fighting Board (PS2/PS3/PS4/PC/Switch) or IPAC-2 (PC only). PS2 native: hack a DualShock 2 PCB (tedious).

4. PS2 Integration

• Slim PS2 (SCPH-70000+) preferred: cooler, smaller, internal IRX mods for ESR/OPL.
• Video: Component → SCART/HDMI upscaler (OSSC, RetroTINK) → Monitor.
• Audio: RCA → Amp + Speakers (or monitor pass-through).
• Power: ATX PSU or Mean Well 12V/5V for monitor, amp, PS2 (via PicoPSU or original brick).

5. Software

• FreeMCBoot (memory card exploit) → OPL (Open PS2 Loader) → Games on internal HDD (network adapter) / USB / SMB.
• Custom splash art, attract mode videos.

6. Legal/Safety

• Own original discs for ISOs.
• Ground everything. Fuse AC inlet. Ventilation gaps.

Start small: Brook board + Sanwa parts + LCD + PC running PCSX2 → validate layout → build cab.