The Distraction Contraption is a custom arcade machine I designed and made in 2011 as a gift to myself. It was built around an old computer using laser-cut MDF, acrylic, LEGO gears, and roadside electronics. I was inspired by a smaller arcade machine from Sam Seide.
It was built with a small-form-factor PC, custom designed graphics and UI, spinners for Pong and Arkanoid, some secret horn taunting action, and authentic vintage controls I rescued from a ditch by the road.
I also wrote a couple instructables around it, one of which was featured. The project made the blog rounds when it came out, which was neat.