If you're looking to scratch that retro itch, the multicade 60 in 1 is probably the first thing that'll pop up on your radar, and for good reason. It's basically the "greatest hits" album of the arcade world, packed into a single circuit board that's no bigger than a paperback novel. I remember the first time I saw one of these running in a custom cabinet at a buddy's house; I couldn't believe how much nostalgia was crammed into such a tiny piece of hardware. It's honestly the perfect starting point for anyone who wants that authentic 80s feel without having to turn their basement into a full-blown warehouse for fifty different machines.
The beauty of this setup is that it focuses on the "Golden Age." We're talking about the era of vertical screens, high scores, and games that were designed to eat your quarters. Instead of having a thousand games you'll never play, this board gives you the ones you actually remember.
What Exactly Is the 60-in-1?
To put it simply, it's a Jamma-compatible PCB (printed circuit board) that contains sixty of the most iconic vertical arcade games from the late 70s and early 80s. When people talk about building a "multicade," this is usually the heart of the project. It's designed to be a "plug and play" solution for old cabinets, but these days, most people are using them to build brand-new, smaller cabinets for their man caves or game rooms.
The cool thing is that it uses the original game ROMs, so the gameplay is exactly how you remember it. The sounds, the glitches, the patterns—it's all there. It isn't like those cheap plug-and-play consoles you find at big-box stores that feel laggy or sound "off." When you fire up a multicade 60 in 1, it feels like the real deal because, electronically speaking, it basically is.
The Games You Actually Want to Play
Let's be real: nobody buys an arcade machine to play some obscure titles they've never heard of. You want the heavy hitters. This board delivers those in spades. You've got Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man, which are obviously the stars of the show. Then you've got Galaga, which is arguably the most addictive space shooter ever made.
But it's the variety that makes it a winner. You can jump from the frantic climbing in Donkey Kong to the bug-blasting chaos of Centipede in about three seconds. You also get some gems like Dig Dug, Frogger, BurgerTime, and 1942. It's a curated list. Since all these games originally used a vertical monitor, they all fit perfectly on the screen without any weird stretching or black bars on the sides. That's a huge plus for the purists out there.
Setting It Up Isn't as Scary as It Looks
I know that looking at a circuit board with a bunch of wires sticking out can be intimidating if you aren't an electrical engineer, but the multicade 60 in 1 is surprisingly user-friendly. It uses the Jamma standard, which has been the arcade industry's go-to since the mid-80s. If you have an old cabinet, you literally just slide the board onto the edge connector and you're halfway there.
If you're building from scratch, you'll need a power supply, a harness, and a monitor. Most of these boards now come with a VGA output, which is a lifesaver. It means you can just use an old computer monitor instead of hunting down a heavy, dangerous, and expensive CRT tube. Sure, a CRT looks more "authentic" with those scanlines, but for a first-time builder, a modern LCD is a lot easier to deal with. Plus, the 60-in-1 board actually has a setting to mimic scanlines if you really miss that old-school look.
The Joystick Dilemma
Here's a tip from someone who's spent way too much time fiddling with these things: pay attention to your joysticks. The multicade 60 in 1 features a lot of games that were designed for 4-way joysticks (like Pac-Man or Donkey Kong) and some that used 8-way joysticks.
If you try to play Pac-Man with an 8-way stick, you're going to get frustrated because the game won't register your turns correctly if the stick is hitting a diagonal. Most people solve this by getting a "switchable" joystick or just sticking to a dedicated 4-way if they're hardcore Pac-Man fans. It's a small detail, but it makes a massive difference in how the machine feels to play.
Why 60 Games is the "Sweet Spot"
You might see boards online that boast 412 games or even 3,000 games. While those sound great on paper, they often lead to what I call "choice paralysis." You spend forty minutes scrolling through a menu of games you don't know, play ten seconds of one, get bored, and switch.
The multicade 60 in 1 is different. It's a manageable list. You know every game on there, and you know how to play them. It makes the machine feel like a focused piece of entertainment rather than a messy computer file system. Also, these boards are incredibly stable. Because they aren't trying to emulate complex 3D graphics or high-end 90s hardware, they rarely crash and they boot up in seconds.
Customizing the Experience
One of the most fun parts of owning a multicade 60 in 1 setup is the customization. Since the board is so standard, you can find tons of artwork kits online. You can go for a "multicade" theme that features a collage of different characters, or you can pick your favorite game—say, Galaga—and dress the whole cabinet up to look like a dedicated machine.
You can also tweak the settings for each individual game. Want to give yourself five lives in Frogger instead of three? You can do that through the on-screen service menu. Want to turn off the "bonus life" at 10,000 points in Pac-Man to make it harder for your friends? Go for it. It gives you the kind of control that arcade owners used to have back in the day.
The Social Aspect of High Scores
There's something about a physical arcade cabinet that brings people together in a way that a console on a couch just doesn't. When I have people over, they naturally gravitate toward the multicade 60 in 1. It's the glowing buttons and the attract mode music that gets them.
The competition for high scores is real. The board saves the top scores, so you'll find yourself trying to beat your brother-in-law's Galaga score at 2:00 AM on a Tuesday just for the bragging rights. It turns your home into a little neighborhood hangout. It's not just about the games; it's about the vibe.
Final Thoughts on the 60-in-1
At the end of the day, the multicade 60 in 1 is the most bang for your buck you can get in the hobby. It's affordable, it's reliable, and it features the games that defined an entire generation. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast looking for a weekend project or just someone who wants to play a perfect game of Ms. Pac-Man after work, this board is the way to go.
It's a piece of hardware that respects the history of gaming while making it accessible for modern homes. It doesn't try to be anything it's not—it's just pure, unadulterated arcade fun. If you've been on the fence about starting your own arcade build, honestly, just go for it. You won't regret having those sixty classics ready to play at the flip of a switch.