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Cardboard arcade cabinets could be the next must-have home furnishing for gamers

Cara Clegg Oct 27, 2015
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The company that brought us the Danbocchi—cardboard sound proof cubicles so you can karaoke to your heart’s content without annoying the neighbors—is back with yet another crazy cardboard creation we can’t help but find ourselves wanting.

Yes, gamers, now you can actually build a retro arcade gaming table in your own home!

After the surprising success of these specialist cardboard boxes for singing in, creator VIBE is looking to branch out into more creative cardboard goods for the home, and has recently announced its next product, named Gamebocchi.

With its parent company BANDAI NAMCO celebrating its 35th anniversary recently, there has been a wave of nostalgia for retro gaming and arcade games. Back in the day, before affordable home consoles and smartphones, people had to head to the video arcade for their gaming fix, which led to companies producing a wide array of different styles of game cabinets. There was even a “cocktail table” style of machine which was particularly popular in bars from the late 70s to early 80s, and which have been making a comeback recently as coffee tables for interior-design conscious nerdy types. VIBE has come up with the idea of providing a lower cost alternative made out of—what else—cardboard.

▼ VIBE’s official Twitter account shows retro game fans and the Tokushima Prefecture mascot (above) trying out the Gamebocchi.

ゲームぼっちをプレイ。
レトロゲームな感じたまらんですね。 pic.twitter.com/DHQdQXYZ61

— 小嶋慎太郎 (@kozyex) October 11, 2015

Most table arcade machines were constructed of wood and metal and used cathode ray tubes, meaning they were very heavy. However, Gamebocchi will be constructed from durable honeycomb cardboard and will ship as a kit that you assemble yourself, making it easy to set up and move about in your own home. The surface will be a hard acrylic panel instead of glass which will be able to fit an LCD monitor of up to 22 inches.

You’ll also be able to hook it up to your own gaming hardware, and VIBE plans to release optional parts such as a touch panel screen and special controller. Gamebocchi measures W86×D58×H67 cm and costs approximately 100,000 yen (US$835). Other than that there hasn’t been much info released about the product yet, but we can confirm that it’s due to go on sale towards the end of November.

I’m not sure if this will take off, especially at such a high price point, and there are no detailed photos of the prototype as of yet, but it’s an interesting idea and we’ll be keeping a look out for more info.

Source: Hachima Kikou, PR Times
Top Image: Game Bocchi Official Twitter