Cardboard Arcade

Why did we make a cardboard arcade? Because it's just plain fun! This project is so customizable, quick, and easy. The real question is, why would you not make a carboard arcade?

In this project, we'll use the iPad as the game system, so any game you have on your iPad can be played with your homemade retro arcade system. The potential is unlimited!

You will need:

1. Large box
2. Extra Cardboard Scarps
3. iPad
4. Duct Tape
5. Scissors
6. Pencil
7. Markers (Optional)

Position your iPad where you would like it to fit on top of the large box and use the pencil to trace around it. Remove the iPad and use scissors to cut along the lines that you just traced with the pencil.

Using a piece of extra cardboard scraps that is just larger than the frame you just cut out, and use the duct tape to tape it to the inside of the box to prevent the iPad from falling into the box. Next, carefully place the iPad inside the frame. When you’re done, trim more extra cardboard straps until they are strips just longer than the iPad and a few inches thick, and tape them to the front of the box so that the iPad will not fall forward. If possible, one of the flaps should be adjustable so that you can take the iPad out afterwards.

At this point, you can use the markers to decorate your creation. We decorated ours before this step, as you can see in previous pictures, but decided that now would be the ideal time to decorate if we choose to make this again. We chose to decorate ours with characters and icons from video games, but you can do whatever you want.

You're almost ready to game! Let's set up the iPad to make sure we are ready. There are a number of ways you can play video games on an iPad.

The first option is to use Steam. If you have an account on the Steam Gaming engine, you can download "Steam Link," and use it to connect your iPad and any device running Steam. You can control the game you choose to play from either the computer, or the iPad. The second option is to use PlayStation Remote Play in a similar way to using Steam. There may be a way to connect your iPad to an Xbox as well, but I am not familiar with it.

Of course, the easiest way is to download apps like Crossy Road to play directly on the iPad. You get to choose whichever option works best for you.

Enjoy your new creation!