I\u2019ve always wanted to own my own arcade machine. Ever since I saw the movie BIG. An apt title for sure \u2013 the idea that I could one day purchase a cabinet for personal use was big. Huge even, considering the cost and space needed to house such a machine. It\u2019s safe to say that I didn\u2019t get one for Christmas that year. Nowadays, things are a bit different though. And not just because I\u2019m an adult with disposable income.
There are several companies that specialize in producing licensed cabs on a smaller scale. A lot of them, as seen in our Best Arcade Cabinets list, provide solid experiences. Take SNK\u2019s MVSX Arcade Machine \u2013 this nostalgia box offers 50 classic games, a decent sized screen, and authentic joystick/button placements. All in a machine that can sit comfortably on a countertop or coffee table.
SNK\u2019s MVSX is a solidly built cabinet. The wood paneling feels sturdy enough to forgo any real damage aside from some chipped paint. Dropping it is still out of the question of course. I just don\u2019t see it shattering if bumped or banged while being moved about.
Actually, I wouldn\u2019t even worry about the paint. The exterior seems to have a glossy finish that\u2019s somewhat scratch resistant; I might have bumped or banged the MVSX when I moved it to my office. It still looks great. The red paneling could\u2019ve used a bit more flair though \u2013 I would have loved to see Haohmaru from Samurai Shodown or another classic character envelop a side or two. That said, the box art from multiple SNK games on the marquee was a nice touch.
Weighing 28lbs, with modest dimensions \u2013 the width, height, and diameter sit at 19.5, 25, and 15.8 inches respectfully \u2013 the cabinet isn\u2019t as imposing as its full-sized counterparts. This makes finding a home for the machine that much easier. The same thing goes when you add the 32-inch, DIY base. Shipped alongside the MVSX for review, this base helps to complete the arcade aesthetic. It sports glossy red paint, left and right player arrows, and a cool makeshift coin door.
The idea is to mimic what it felt like to stand in front of these MVS (Multi Video System) arcade machines years ago without taking up too much space. And for the most part, it works. Sliding the MVSX into a corner behind my desk, it stays fairly out of the way. I can easily pull it from the wall, allowing two people to comfortably play together. And though your mileage may vary in terms of height \u2013 the arcade/base combo is around 5 feet tall \u2013 the average person shouldn\u2019t have to bend very far to reach the sticks.
Speaking of controls, the MVSX sports the classic Neo Geo MVS joystick and buttons layout. Those of us who remember the old SNK arcade machines \u2013 or were lucky enough to own the console/AES (Advanced Entertainment System) version \u2013 should feel right at home. The buttons, moving from red at the bottom left to blue at the top right, slope upwards on the right side of each joystick. They all are positioned in a way that allows players to rest their hands on the base of the cabinet and still be able to easily hit all of the needed buttons.
Most of SNK\u2019s games use this four-button setup, so it shouldn\u2019t take fans long to get back into the swing of things. The controls should resonate with newcomers as well given how they\u2019re customizable. By hitting the Options/Back button, housed at the top of the control panel, you\u2019ll be able to bring up the required menus. Once there, you can change the color-coded A, B, C, and D buttons however you see fit. There are two extra white buttons, below the colorful ones, that can also be customized. This is rather helpful when playing one of SNK\u2019s many fighters; there are times when I prefer my punches and kicks on opposite sides, for instance.
The spacing between first and second player\u2019s controls can be a little tight. You might need to lean a bit so that both people can stand
