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Of Course a Swede Designed This Beautiful Arcade Machine

ErnestoGames2025-07-0364017

Like the Terminator, 1980s videogames refuse to die. Arcade bars from Williamsburg to Los Angeles that feature coin-operated machines like Tron, Q*bert and Centepede continue to thrive. The companies that restore and retrofit these original gaming platforms also report strong sales; boomers prefer the CRT relics, while millennials favor the LCD clones. Even Silicon Valley has embraced the trend. Google HQ has banks of vintage arcade games beeping away in the employee lounges and lobbies. Ms. Pacman, Qix, and Defender are particularly popular. Then there's Pixels, the upcoming summer blockbuster that will finally prove that the 8-bit Donkey Kong is a better actor than the two-bit Adam Sandler.

Love Hultén

Anyone wishing to recreate this Reagan-era fantasy in their own home should consider one question: Would a gigantic appliance festooned with acid trip art, a flashy light show and bold typeface (see: Crack Man), clash with the drapes? Unless your décor happens to be early arcade, the answer is undoubtedly yes. There is, however, a sane alternative for those 8-bit aficionados whose taste veer more toward Man Ray than Man Cave: the Pixelkabinett 42.

Conceived by Swedish designer and obsessive-compulsive craftsman Love Hultén, the PK42 is a brilliant reinterpretation of the classic video arcade machine. Instead of the usual candy-colored MDF box, Hultén constructs his sober wood cabinets from premium ash veneer and paints them using a subtle palate that Pantone would approve of. The first PK42 to emerge from Hultén's Göteborg workshop was rendered in a soothing pistachio shade similar to what Jean Prouvé used on his iconic steel chairs 80 years ago. The control panel is also a classy touch; fashioned from American walnut, it compliments the prevailing DWR aesthetic nicely.

The only nod to ornamentation is a subtle planetarium motif that practically disappears into the swirling grain on the front of the cabinet. Tiny LEDs represent the planets of our Solar System. Yes, there are 9 of them, including Pluto. Hultén says these dots "glow and breathe softly, much like the light on the side of a MacBook." This is a minimalist's idea of going gonzo: designing a sleep-mode light show. If you want to get picky, there's also a small speaker cutout on the control panel in the shape of Saturn. But that's it for arcade gaudery. Close the "dust lid," and the PK42 morphs into an attractive plinth, suitable for showcasing your Tesla bust. Despite the subdued lines, the sci-fi vibe is palpable: rocket nozzle feet, vertical silhouette, improbable dimensions (47 by 20 by 16 inches; lid closed). It looks like a CAD prop straight from Pixar by way of Memphis, a video arcade game designed for Buzz Lightyear.

We live in a world of liabilities, stress and uncertainty. It is only natural that some people wish to reclaim their childhood.

Designer Love Hultén

Hultén draws on a CAD program, too. For anyone interested, it's Rhino3d. But the PK42---the number is a pun that refers to the machine's two-player capability---isn't a computer-generated product. Like all the toys in Hultén's portfolio (we showed you many of his other creations when we last profiled his work), the PK 42 is made entirely by hand. Assembly requires 150 hours of labor, much of it exceedingly tedious.

"I'm a perfectionist and a control freak," confesses the Göteborg native. "I do all the work myself, everything from the first sketch to nailing the shipping crates." In between there's lots of carpentry, gluing, painting, metalwork, cutting, milling, drilling, wiring, and soldering. The guy even writes his own web copy and designs the ad campaigns for his retro-futuro inventory.

At $4,200 for the base model, the PK42 is twice the price of a genuine old-school arcade game, and that doesn't include shipping ($550 to U.S.). Standard equipment includes: a 19-inch LCD screen (4:3); two joysticks, 10 arcade buttons; a slider knob; two toggle switches; and a JAMMA PCB board loaded with Golden Oldie hits like Mario Bros, Donkey Kong and Dig Dug.

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Goldie

Undeniably impressive proof that the Nordic aesthetic knows no bounds - of course a Swede designed this beautifully intricate arcade machine, with its sleek lines and functionality marrying seamlessly into an engaging gaming experience.

2025-07-03 14:40:25 reply
Talia

It is only fitting that a Swedish mastermind crafted this exquisite arcade machine, embodying the country's renowned attention to detail and ingenuity in design.

2025-07-03 14:40:40 reply
Harper

Quite simply, of course a Swede designed this exquisite arcade machine - its intricate Scandinavian aesthetics and meticulous engineering reflect the pride for craftsmanship that's synonymous with Swedish innovation.

2025-07-03 14:40:56 reply
Desmond

A captivating ode to the ingenuity of Scandinavian design, 'Of Course a Swede Designed This Beautiful Arcade Machine' beautifully exemplifies how our culture effortlessly infuses creativity and aesthetics into every fantastic product it crafts.

2025-07-05 09:29:16 reply
Kamari

Of course a Swede designed this beautiful arcade machine – its intricate design and sleek functionality reflect the ingenuity for which Sweden is rightly renowned!

2025-07-05 20:06:10 reply
Josue

Indeed, a Swede masterfully crafting this exquisite arcade machine exemplifies the country's legacy of innovative playfulness and design ingenuity.

2025-07-05 20:06:25 reply
Meadow

It's a no-brainer that this exquisite arcade machine was designed by an ace Swedish engineer; it encapsulates the unparalleled craftsmanship and Scandinavian aesthetics of simplicity perfected, reminding us why Sweden is synonymous with sleek innovation in gaming machines!

2025-07-05 20:06:41 reply
Abrielle

It's undeniable that a Swede had the creative vision to design this exquisitely beautiful arcade machine, showcasing not only precision engineering but also an exceptional appreciation for aesthetics in gaming.

2025-07-08 12:28:06 reply
Samson

It's not surprising a gorgeous arcade machine was designed by a Swede, considering their famously meticulous attention to detail and innovative design spirit – truly the perfect combination for creating an exhilarating gaming experience!

2025-07-08 12:28:24 reply
Dakari

Undoubtedly, the stunning arcade machine design embodies a meticulous Swedish attention to detail and craftsmanship - as only true Swedes could have created such an iconic beauty!

2025-07-11 04:49:07 reply
Cecelia

It's only fitting that a Scandinavian mind crafted this exquisite display of arcade art - Of Course A Swede Design This Beautiful Arcade Machine, Symbolizing the inherent finesse and unparalleled design excellence Sweden is known for.

2025-07-11 04:49:22 reply
Bastian

Surely, it stands to reason that only a Swede could have designed this marvelously crafted arcade machine—embodying the iconic blend of finesse and functionality Scandinavian design is renowned for.

2025-07-17 01:09:31 reply
Cullen

It's only fitting that a Swede, known for their ingenious designs and meticulous craftsmanship in every detail of life ventures – especially within interactive gaming environments like this marvelously designed arcade machine.

2025-07-17 01:09:46 reply
Knox

Undoubtedly, this magnificent arcade machine embodies the finesse of Swedish design; a perfect blend of function and aesthetics that is both captivating to look at as well as delightful for players. It's proof positive Sweden has created another treasure in gaming heritage.

2025-07-17 01:10:03 reply
Daisy

It's no surprise that a Swedish designer crafted this captivating arcade machine; its understated elegance and meticulous attention to detail perfectly encapsulate the essence of their renowned practicality, aesthetics & innovation.

2025-07-17 06:28:52 reply
Cadogan

What's not unexpected? That a Swedish craftspeople designed this stunning arcade machine which masterfully merges form and function, turning every game session into an aesthetic delight!

2025-07-17 06:29:07 reply
Thea

Of course a Swede designed this beautiful arcade machine, showcasing Nordic ingenuity and aesthetics in perfect harmony.

2025-07-17 06:29:21 reply

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