Here is the arcade machine I propose:

When picking a design for the 50″ arcade cabinet, I thought that starting with a normal ‘modern’ arcade machine form-factor (one with a thinner body to accommodate a larger screen) would be a good start.

For the aesthetics, I thought going with classic SNES and Atari games for the side decals would look nice, and bring a nostalgic look.

Because I think using a 4k HDR tv for just Atari games would be a bit of a waste, I think the best option would be using a gaming PC as the host for all games. A PC is especially nice because along with modern titles, you can emulate practically any system ever made, and to make it even better, a PC’s excessive amount of processing power allows for upscaling of games made for a lower native resolution.

Here’s an example of a PlayStation 2 game I upscaled to 1440p from 480p (not bad coming from a CRT!):

For controls, I thought it would be a nice touch to incorporate the classic feel of ‘real’ joysticks and buttons, which can be connected to a microcontroller that talks to the PC. In terms of storage and security, there are cabinet doors on the front of the machine for external remote and PC access. The body of the console will be built around the TV, so there would be no non-destructive way to remove the TV without access to the mounting device from within the cabinet, deterring any theft. Finally, for safety, the arcade machine will feature an internal power bar, so only one cable will go to an outlet (yes, one outlet is more than enough power to dedicate to a PC and a TV), to reduce tripping hazards. I think a simple solution to the cabinet tipping would be to all some L-shaped mounts on the back, where the cabinet could be bolted or weighed down, tipping horizontally is very unlikely due to the width of the machine.

Overall, I think this would be an interesting project and a good blend of classic and modern gaming technology.