# Arcade1up MOD - NBA JAM - The Build Process - Part 1 of 2 **Source:** RetroRalph **Type:** video **Published:** 2019-06-21 **Duration:** 10m 34s **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Fp3IExmhvo --- ## Analysis RetroRalph documents the assembly process for Hollywood Marquis's NBA JAM Arcade1up mod kit (Part 1 of 2), focusing on building a custom riser and extending the front kick plate channel. The video emphasizes the kit's clear instructions, thoughtful packaging, and accessible assembly process that requires no power tools, with RetroRalph demonstrating each step from unboxing through cabinet mounting. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Hollywood Marquis packaged the kit very carefully to prevent damage during shipment — _RetroRalph, opening unboxing segment; observed no damage upon receipt_ - [HIGH] The kit requires no power tools for assembly — _RetroRalph, opening statement; reiterated throughout build process_ - [HIGH] All hardware pieces are labeled (front, back, left, right) making assembly straightforward — _RetroRalph, riser assembly segment; demonstrated labeling system_ - [HIGH] The custom riser makes the cabinet appear as one seamless piece rather than separate riser+cabinet — _RetroRalph, final assembly; contrasted with standard Arcade1up appearance_ - [HIGH] Guide rails on the riser help align the cabinet during mounting and prevent misalignment — _RetroRalph, riser assembly and cabinet mounting segments; demonstrated functionality_ - [HIGH] The front kick plate extension required routing out an existing channel deeper into the cabinet — _RetroRalph, cabinet modification segment; showed routing process with provided tool_ - [HIGH] Emilio (Hollywood Marquis creator) is offering a cabinet or upgrade kit as a giveaway for the channel — _RetroRalph, closing remarks; stated Emilio made the offer_ - [HIGH] The community response to the first Hollywood Marquis cabinet video was very positive — _RetroRalph, closing segment; noted strong feedback and questions from viewers_ ### Notable Quotes > "We don't need power tools? You damn right, no power tools. Now shut up and let's do it." > — **RetroRalph**, opening > _Sets the tone for the build as accessible; no special tools needed_ > "So props to them for packaging it so neatly... you really can't mess it up. It's super simple and straightforward" > — **RetroRalph**, unboxing/assembly segment > _Emphasizes kit design quality and ease of assembly_ > "This is actually really great. It does really, really help get that thing up there. So this was kind of a genius design" > — **RetroRalph**, riser assembly > _Praise for guide rail design solving alignment problem_ > "It just makes the machine look like one long, big piece... It just looks seamless. It looks like one entire clean cabinet" > — **RetroRalph**, final assembly/aesthetic evaluation > _Key selling point of the custom riser design_ > "Emilio is super excited too he's totally blown away by the response so it's gonna be really important that you put your comments below" > — **RetroRalph**, closing remarks > _Shows creator enthusiasm and encourages community engagement_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | RetroRalph | person | Video creator/host; Arcade1up enthusiast documenting the build process and providing commentary; known for arcade modifications and reviews | | Emilio | person | Creator of Hollywood Marquis NBA JAM Arcade1up mod kit; provides clear instructions and thoughtful design; offering giveaway kit to channel | | Hollywood Marquis | company | Manufacturer/designer of NBA JAM Arcade1up Big Up upgrade kit featuring custom riser and extended kick plate | | Mark Kim | person | Referenced as someone who helps RetroRalph and watches his videos; likely spouse or household member | | NBA JAM | game | The theme/IP for the Arcade1up modification being documented; classic arcade basketball game | | Arcade1up | company | Manufacturer of compact arcade cabinets being modified with Hollywood Marquis Big Up kit | ### Topics - **Primary:** Arcade1up cabinet modifications and custom builds, Kit design and assembly accessibility, Custom riser construction for arcade cabinets - **Secondary:** Arcade restoration and modding community, Product packaging and customer experience ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.85) — RetroRalph is consistently enthusiastic about the kit quality, clear instructions, smart design decisions, and community response. Only minor friction during the routing process (physical difficulty lifting cabinet due to back issues) but framed as humorous rather than critical. Strong praise for Emilio and Hollywood Marquis throughout. ### Signals - **[community_signal]** Strong positive community response to first Hollywood Marquis cabinet video with significant viewer questions; Emilio responding directly to feedback and offering giveaway kit (confidence: high) — RetroRalph: 'from the feedback on the first video you guys really dig this cabinet... Emilio is super excited too he's totally blown away by the response' - **[market_signal]** Arcade1up modification market showing active third-party accessory ecosystem with Hollywood Marquis as premium upgrade provider offering multi-component kits (confidence: medium) — Hollywood Marquis offering complete upgrade kit with riser, extended kick plate, bezel, marquee, routing tool, and instructions; positioning as premium modification - **[announcement]** Hollywood Marquis NBA JAM Arcade1up Big Up upgrade kit officially revealed through RetroRalph video; multi-part build documentation confirms product exists and is available (confidence: high) — Complete unboxing, assembly, and installation process documented with finished cabinet shown - **[product_strategy]** Custom riser designed to create seamless one-piece aesthetic vs standard Arcade1up riser which is wider and deeper; positioned as premium aesthetic upgrade (confidence: high) — RetroRalph demonstrates visual comparison: 'it just looks seamless. It looks like one entire clean cabinet versus the riser on the 1UP, which is wider, obviously, and deeper' - **[product_concern]** Kit demonstrates high-quality design with clear labeling system, comprehensive instructions, and intelligent mechanical solutions (guide rails for alignment) (confidence: high) — RetroRalph repeated praise: 'really clear actually', 'super simple and straightforward', 'kind of a genius design' for guide rail alignment system --- ## Transcript Alright guys, you asked for it, so here it is. The Hollywood Marquis Big Up Part 1 of 2 Build Video. Let's do it. We don't need power tools? You damn right, no power tools. Now shut up and let's do it. Alright guys, it's time to unbox this thing. So it comes in a really, actually a really small, compact package. I was expecting it to be in a little bit larger package, but the guys over at Hollywood Marquise have packed it really, really nice. Nothing was damaged in shipment, and clearly they take a lot of pride in making sure that it gets to you safely. So I was pretty stoked about that. You know, it's sometimes an art to be able to do something like this and package it the way they did. So props to them for packaging it so neatly. All right, so in the kit you're going to get this tool kit that is the riser hardware and bezel hardware and you get some instructions with it. The instructions are really, really clear actually. Everything was really simple. I got to give them serious props again for that. All these boards were actually taped together so there's no way they were going to separate in the package and they stayed nice and tight. So after you remove this like packing tape type stuff from it, they're all ready to be assembled. Okay, so we can start the riser assembly now and it's really quite simple. It's got a notch side to it and then all the pieces are actually labeled and then all of the parts that go with each section had little baggies with labels on them. So you really can't mess it up. It's pretty simple and straightforward and the instructions they provide are really easy to follow. So those pieces, which I'll show you in a minute, all say front, back, left, right. So you know exactly where you need to put things. I was just putting this in to make sure I got it all together correctly and it looks good. So these two pieces, these pieces say L and R, those are guide rails that help you get the one up cabinet on. So this was kind of a genius design because otherwise it'd actually be really hard to get the cabinet on top and make sure it's perfect. It might fall off. So this is actually really great. It does really, really help get that thing up there. So after I'm done with this, it's it's gonna be on to the next step But I just I just drilled these holes in a little bit and here it is. So John Youssi left and then you'll see front and You'll see everything else is labeled right and then the then there's also labels in the middle and then back for the back panel So it makes it super simple and you can really mess it up when you do the assembly Hey guys so we going on to the next set of steps This is where it gets a little bit more tricky but Emilio still did a really great job explaining things so I think I shouldn have any problems with this So the riser complete we good to go but now I gotta get to the NBA Jam Cab, and I need to take some things and move some things around, because what we're going to need to do is we're going to need to route a channel that goes further down the cab so I can put in this front kick plate. Because as you guys know, on the arcade one-up panel, there's actually a channel there that this thing sits in between and it stops. So we want it to go all the way through because now that kick plate is longer. So what I'm going to do is I'm going to take this back panel off a little bit. I got to put this guy sort of on its side so I can see if I can get a different angle on it so I can then route out with this little routing tool that he gave me route out that channel. So I'm going to go do that real quick, get this thing into position, and then we'll get right back to it. Oh, damn, that's way heavier than I thought it would be. I haven't actually picked it up since I did the modification. Holy crap. All right. Oh, shit. Something's pulling off. What's going on? All right. All right. All right. I got this. Sorry. It's a family show. I didn't mean to swear. Apologize. We're all big boys. But if you're underage, I'm sorry. Oh shit. God, my back. Oh, because my back's so bad, I can't even really like lift right. So it's definitely not good. If Kim is watching this, she's going to be a little upset, but, and she does watch. So cool. Can't wait to hear that. Anyways. So, but if she was here, she would help. She always helps. All right. I'm going to route this hole out now and we'll see how this thing goes. All right, guys. So I am back and I got my trusty tool right here. And this is the part where this slot extension tool is going to make this go all the way down. So this groove is going to go all the way down. So according to the instructions here, I'm going to saw back and forth in a straight line with the existing slot, which is right here. And the first few passes might be a little difficult, and then it should get easier as I go. So wish me luck. This isn't something I've really done before, but it doesn't scare Retro Ralph. I got this. So let's give it a shot. I am using the riser as sort of a bench, but if you don't have a riser, then you could probably improvise with a table or something like that. So far so good. Oh that right First couple passes were a little difficult because things going okay right now Alright I making progress here Now, key is, don't go too far. Right? It's got to go as deep as the existing channel, but not deeper than that. But, so far so good. I'm definitely going to need a vacuum in a little bit. Which, one thing you guys probably don't know about, is Retro Ralph is good at building things bad, bad, bad, bad at cleaning up. up. Bad at cleaning up. Alright, let's give it a little bit more. Let me check the depth. It still looks like I got a ways to go there, so keep on cranking. Alright, we're gonna speed things up just a little bit here because this took a little bit, but honestly just take your time. It's not bad. I just was afraid, hey I don't want to break through it, like go all the way through. You don't have to worry about that. Just take your time with it and you'll be fine. A little pro tip would definitely be get a vacuum like John Youssi in me in the video it'll help a lot just cleaning it up and then you'll kind of see how deep you are into that channel and you know it looks like I'm about good there so I'm gonna stop and do the other one all right so we finished the other side and it looks clean so I think we're good I think we got both of them complete and we're on to the next step which should be a lot easier than these other steps but keep in mind I'm just joking this wasn't actually very difficult it was pretty simple so even though it wasn't something I had done prior it's no sweat we got this all right so I have to flip the cabinet back so I can put the the cabinet on the new riser that we just built so you'll notice those two guide rails are really gonna help me put this on here and it was funny because when I lifted it up I actually was slightly off and I couldn't figure it out until it was it was caught on something but anyways those those side rails really did help get me get it aligned and then once I figured it out it was good to go and it was on there. So not a big deal. Pretty easy. Okay guys, so we're on to the next step. Now I did secure the CP down before we started this because I didn't want to, I didn't want anything to fall out or whatever. And because it's a JAMMA board, it would have been kind of a pain for me to undo everything. So I just took a little shortcut there, but now it's time to remove this because I want to put that front graphics in. And the kit also comes with a replacement monitor bezel so we're gonna have to take that out too so and the marquee also is replaced during this kit so we gotta do that as well so now's the time we're gonna take some things apart here alright guys here's the moment you've all been waiting for so I'm just trying to tuck the CP out of the way and I actually did the wiring so tight on this on this cabinet with buttons joysticks and and and all the other wiring that it really hard to maneuver in there But anyways I going to get it here in a minute And then what we going to do is install that front kick plate So a lot of people, when I did the first video, were wondering how did this cabinet get so tall. And it's because of that custom riser. And it's the same width as the cabinet. So when you put this front kick plate in, it just looks seamless. It looks like one entire clean cabinet versus, you know, the riser on the 1UP, which is, you know, wider, obviously, and deeper than the 1UP cabinet. So that's how it gives it that streamlined look. All right, I'm going to take the camera off the tripod and give you guys a closer look real quick. So now you can see the dramatic effects that has that elongated kick plate. It just makes the machine look like one long, big piece. But we still have a lot of work to do because we've got to get the rest of the modification complete So i'm going to stop here and this is going to be a two-part series So let's just stop we'll wrap it up real quick And then uh, i'll give you some final thoughts and we'll go to part two in the next episode Hey guys that about wraps up part one of a two-part build series for the hollywood marquees Big up upgrade kit. So hopefully you guys enjoyed that. I think it answered some questions that everyone had from the first video I felt that there was a lot of interest and there was a lot of questions around you know how does the cabinet get so big and the riser is really the answer to that which you saw the build process for here I'm really digging this cabinet it seems like from the feedback on the first video you guys really dig in this cabinet so that gets me all stoked and excited which is awesome so Emilio is super excited too he's totally blown away by the response so it's gonna be really important that you put your comments below on this video and the review video so that he can chime in and answer your questions and since I had some first-hand experience I will actually try to answer as many of those questions as I can as well so one really cool piece of information is Emilio offered a cabinet or an upgrade kit for the channel that I can use as a giveaway I'm not very good at giveaways so I'm gonna figure out how to do that so stay tuned on that but there will be a part two to this coming up in the next couple days which will complete the process so thanks for joining guys like comment and subscribe definitely don't forget to um turn on notifications so you can be informed of future videos and that's it for now take care and we'll see you on the next one _(Acquisition: youtube_groq_whisper, Enrichment: v3)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 5c57f41c-e06e-4029-b9b2-1bb485c8a9da*