Top 5 Arcade Cabinet Kits in Canada for 2026
Published on Thursday, January 1, 2026
An arcade cabinet kit is flat-pack furniture, not a games machine. You get the cut and drilled cabinet panels, the hardware and usually a marquee holder; the screen, the board or PC, the joysticks, buttons and artwork are separate purchases. That distinction drives the budget more than anything else. Real list prices sit higher than most people expect: LEP1 Customs prices its upright kits from about US$365.74 for a 23-inch cabaret to US$626.99 for the 32-inch LVL32 models, and Rec Room Masters lists its Upright Xtension DIY kits at US$880, with the older 32-inch Gameplay Edition around US$749.99. A fully assembled Xtension arcade machine from the same maker is US$1,195, which is the useful yardstick for what the kit route actually saves you. Canadian buyers should add cross-border shipping, duty and GST/HST on top, then budget again for a monitor and controls before the cabinet plays anything.
Top Picks Summary
Xtension Classic Arcade Cabinet Kit
The Xtension Classic Arcade Cabinet Kit stands out due to its modular design that allows for easy customization and upgrades. It's built with high-quality materials, ensuring durability and a professional finish. The kit includes everything needed for a complete arcade experience, making it ideal for both novice and experienced builders. With its excellent support and community resources, it's a top choice for DIY arcade enthusiasts.
ProArcade Retro Kit
ProArcade Retro Kit offers a unique combination of nostalgia and modern gaming technology. This kit allows users to recreate classic arcade games while incorporating contemporary features like customizable controls and connectivity options. Its user-friendly setup process makes it accessible for anyone looking to build their own arcade. The quality of materials and retro design make it a standout choice in the DIY arcade market.
$200 – $300
DIY Arcade Cabinet Kit by LEP1 Customs
The DIY Arcade Cabinet Kit by LEP1 Customs is known for its outstanding build quality and customization options. It caters to gamers who want to not only relive their childhood arcade memories but also have a personal touch in their designs. The kit includes detailed instructions and premium materials, ensuring a seamless assembly process. Their commitment to customer support further enhances the experience for builders.
Gameroom Designs Classic Arcade Cabinet Kit
Gameroom Designs Classic Arcade Cabinet Kit is celebrated for its authentic arcade feel and robust construction. It comes with pre-cut wood and essential components that make assembly straightforward, even for beginners. With various design styles available, users can choose an aesthetic that matches their game room. This kit is particularly favored for its attention to detail and vintage arcade experience.
Rec Room Masters Xtension Arcade Cabinet
The Rec Room Masters Xtension Arcade Cabinet is distinguished by its innovative design that prioritizes both aesthetic appeal and functionality. It features a versatile layout that accommodates a wide range of gaming setups, making it adaptable to various user needs. The high-quality finish and material selection ensure longevity and a professional appearance. This cabinet kit is a favorite among gamers looking to enhance their recreation spaces.
Pre-cut, square panels that assemble without a workshop, a control panel cut for the stick and button standard you have chosen, and a vendor that states clearly what the kit does not include.
What you are actually buying with an arcade cabinet kit
Kits vary less in quality than in what they leave out. Knowing which parts are missing is the difference between a weekend build and a half-finished cabinet in the garage.
The kit is the cabinet: pre-cut MDF panels, fasteners and usually a marquee holder. Monitor, control hardware and the game board or PC are almost always sold separately.
Screen size decides the model. LEP1's LVL23 and LVL24 cabarets are built around 23–24 inch panels; the LVL32 series takes screens up to 32 inches, and prices step up accordingly.
Control panel style is a commitment. Vendors cut panels for either HAPP or Sanwa-style mounting, and some models are sold specifically as Tankstick-ready or Pandora's Box-ready.
Bartop and upright are different builds. A bartop sits on a counter and takes a smaller screen; an upright is floor-standing, heavier to ship and needs real floor space.
Player count changes the panel, not just the price. Two-player and four-player kits use different control panel cutouts, so decide before ordering rather than after.
Cross-border cost is real. US vendors quote in USD; Canadian buyers should confirm shipping, duty and GST/HST before comparing a kit against a pre-built machine sold locally.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an arcade cabinet kit actually cost in Canada?
More than the headline number suggests. LEP1 Customs lists its upright kits between about US$365.74 (LVL23 cabaret) and US$626.99 (32-inch LVL32 models), and Rec Room Masters lists its Upright Xtension DIY kits at US$880. Canadian buyers pay those prices in USD and then add cross-border shipping, duty and GST/HST — and the screen, board and controls are still to come. Budget the full build, not the kit.
What comes in an arcade cabinet kit, and what do I still have to buy?
The kit is the cabinet: pre-cut MDF panels, fasteners and usually a marquee holder. You supply the monitor, the game board or PC, the joysticks and buttons, the power strip and the artwork. Some vendors sell models pre-cut as Pandora's Box-ready or Tankstick-ready, which means the panel fits that hardware — not that the hardware is included.
Which kit is the easier first build?
A flat-pack cabaret or bartop is the gentler start. LEP1 Customs' LVL23 and LVL24 cabaret kits are the cheapest in its upright range at roughly US$365.74–$376.19, they take a smaller and cheaper screen, and there is less panel to align than on a full 32-inch upright. Step up to the LVL32 series once you know which control panel standard you want to live with.
Which arcade cabinet kit works best for fully customizing artwork?
LEP1 Customs is the pick here. Its kits ship as bare MDF in upright, bartop and cabaret formats with several control panel layouts, so side art, marquee and panel overlay are all yours to specify. That flexibility is the point of a kit — but it also means artwork is a separate cost and a separate order.
Conclusion
Kits reward people who enjoy the build. If you want a machine playing this weekend, a pre-assembled cabinet is honestly the better buy once shipping, duty and the parts you still have to source are counted. If you want to choose the screen, the sticks and the artwork yourself, a flat-pack kit is the cheapest route to a cabinet that is genuinely yours. Confirm current pricing and Canadian shipping directly with the vendor before ordering — these are low-volume makers and prices move. Use the search bar if you want help narrowing down a specific build.