Crazy Expensive Retro Gaming Briefcase

The video opens by reframing a previous DIY arcade build as something more than a simple kit, presenting the Cary42 by Love Hulten as a handmade, premium project rather than a mass produced device. The host notes that the Cary42 is not just a DIY effort but a crafted product created by a Swedish artist known for limited production retro gear, and it carries a strong emphasis on artistry with a mother-of-pearl inlay featuring Miz and Pac-Man. The enclosure is described as American walnut with a flawless integration of woodwork and inlays, showcasing a high level of precision and finish that outshines typical commercial cabinets. A hardware tour follows, highlighting a 12-inch display, twin 10-watt speakers, a Raspberry Pi running RetroPie with custom tweaks, and a small USB flash drive containing a curated set of games, along with a plan to allow adding more ROMs. The video then demonstrates the input and output layout, including two HDMI ports, multiple headphone jacks, and internal patch cables that connect the screen and audio system, along with a clever pulley mechanism to prop the lid for play. The host discusses the screen quality, noting it is a TN panel with limited viewing angles and some motion blur, and explains that the actual user experience benefits from tweaking the emulator settings to reduce input latency and improve image fidelity via shader work that imitates a CRT look. Despite the favorable hardware and aesthetic, a major caveat is revealed: the audio routing is non-standard, with the 6.5 mm jack powering the LCD and LED indicators rather than the speakers, which leads to mono sound for most games unless adjusted, a flaw the team suggests could have been mitigated with better default configuration. In conclusion, the Cary42 is celebrated more as an art piece and conversation starter for retro enthusiasts and collectors than a practical, high-value gaming machine, with a base price of 2599 euros before tax and a rarity factor tied to its limited production, which the host implies justifies the premium for a select audience. The sponsor segment with Mack Weldon is briefly integrated, followed by a closing note that the video aims to inform potential buyers while acknowledging that the device’s allure hinges on craftsmanship and scarcity as much as on hardware performance.

Topics · technology · gaming · hardware · design