If Arcade1Up is all about bringing full-size arcade vibes into your living room, Numskull takes a slightly different—but equally nostalgic—approach. Known officially as Numskull Designs, the company has carved out a loyal following by creating highly detailed, quarter-scale arcade cabinets that are designed as much for collectors as they are for playing. Think of them as miniature love letters to the golden age of arcades.
Founded in the UK, Numskull started out making licensed gaming merchandise, but they really hit their stride with their Quarter Arcades range. These machines don’t try to modernise the arcade experience—instead, they obsessively recreate it, right down to the artwork, proportions, and even the feel of the controls.
What Are Numskull Quarter Arcades?
Numskull’s signature products are their ¼-scale replicas of classic arcade cabinets. Standing at around 17 inches tall, they’re small enough to sit on a desk, shelf, or tabletop—but large enough to be fully playable. These aren’t toys or novelty items either; they’re made from real wood, feature authentic cabinet art, illuminated marquees, and run the original arcade ROMs via bespoke emulation.
Each cabinet focuses on one iconic game, staying faithful to the original experience rather than bundling multiple titles together. That attention to detail is a huge part of the appeal. Many models even include DIP switch access, just like the original machines, allowing players to tweak difficulty and game settings.
They’re also fully self-contained, with built-in speakers and rechargeable batteries, meaning you don’t need to keep them plugged in while playing—perfect for moving them around or simply keeping your setup neat.
Classic Games, Carefully Chosen
Numskull has built strong relationships with major publishers, allowing them to produce officially licensed cabinets from some of arcade history’s biggest names. Their catalogue includes classics like Space Invaders, Bubble Bobble, BurgerTime, Galaga, Dig Dug, and even the famously mysterious Polybius.
Each cabinet is designed to match the original as closely as possible. In some cases, that means recreating unique visual tricks—like the mirror “Pepper’s Ghost” effect used in the original Space Invaders cabinet—to ensure the experience feels authentic, not just nostalgic.
Numskull also leans into collectability. Limited editions, anniversary releases, and numbered runs are common, making some Quarter Arcades just as appealing to display as they are to play.
Built for Collectors, Not Just Players
Where Numskull really stands out is in its mindset. These cabinets aren’t trying to replace emulation on a console or PC. Instead, they’re about capturing the full arcade experience in miniature form. As highlighted in industry coverage, the company’s philosophy is that retro games are already easy to play digitally—what’s special is recreating the look, feel, and presence of the original machines.
That’s why details like coin doors, cabinet screws, accurate control layouts, and faithful artwork matter so much. Even when modern compromises are made—like USB charging—they’re done carefully, so they don’t detract from the overall illusion.
How Numskull Fits into the Home Arcade Scene
Compared to companies making larger cabinets, Numskull’s machines are more about personal spaces than game rooms. They’re ideal for desks, offices, shelves, or collector displays, and they don’t demand a lot of room or setup time. You can unbox one, charge it, and be playing in minutes.
For many fans, the appeal is simple: these cabinets feel like owning a tiny slice of arcade history. They’re playable, portable, and packed with character—perfect for anyone who loves classic games but doesn’t have the space (or budget) for full-size machines.
The Takeaway
Numskull may not be chasing mass-market living room dominance, but that’s exactly why their products stand out. By focusing on authenticity, craftsmanship, and collectability, they’ve created arcade cabinets that feel special, personal, and deeply nostalgic.
If you’re the kind of retro fan who appreciates the details—the artwork, the proportions, the history—Numskull’s Quarter Arcades offer a unique way to bring the magic of the arcade home, just in a perfectly shrunken form.
Find the range by clicking here.
