Playing classic arcade games through emulation makes thousands of titles easily accessible, but there’s one small part of the original experience that’s usually missing: actually dropping a coin into the machine. Chronic Concepts has a rather cute solution with the TinyBrights Insert Coin Cube Gen 2, a compact USB accessory that lets real coins add credits to supported arcade emulators.
The idea is straightforward. Instead of pressing a keyboard shortcut or controller button whenever you need another credit, you can insert a physical U.S. quarter into the Coin Cube. The device then sends the appropriate input to the connected system, adding a credit just like the coin mechanism on an original arcade cabinet.
For anyone building a home arcade setup, it adds a little more authenticity without requiring a full-size coin door or complicated wiring.
The Insert Coin Cube Gen 2 connects over USB-A and can be used with PCs, Macs, smartphones, and other compatible hardware with the appropriate adapters. Chronic Concepts lists support for popular arcade setups including MAME and RetroPie.
There are some fun extras beyond simply accepting quarters. Pressing the familiar “Return Coin” button illuminates the unit, while inserting a coin can trigger one of 15 selectable sound effects. Users can also load custom sounds and adjust settings such as volume and lighting brightness.
The Cube accepts U.S. quarters, but Chronic Concepts includes a compatible token for anyone who doesn’t want to keep a pile of change next to their emulator setup.
Coins don’t necessarily have to stay inside, either. They can be immediately returned through the front chute so the same quarter or token can be used repeatedly. Alternatively, players can leave their coins inside and effectively turn the little device into a miniature arcade-themed piggy bank.
Configuration is handled through Chronic Concepts’ web app, allowing users to adjust the accessory for their particular setup. The Coin Cube is also offered in four colors, giving buyers a few options for matching it with a desktop, retro gaming station, or custom arcade cabinet.
At launch, the TinyBrights Insert Coin Cube Gen 2 is priced at $29.99, before shipping and any applicable import or customs charges. Chronic Concepts also plans to release a mounting unit and wiring harness in October, which should make the accessory easier to incorporate into dedicated arcade cabinet builds.
The Coin Cube obviously isn’t necessary for emulation, as you could accomplish the important part with the press of a button. That’s also what makes the concept fun. Arcade emulation already recreates the games themselves extremely well, while accessories like this can restore some of the physical interactions surrounding them.
There’s something fitting about firing up an old arcade ROM, hearing the coin drop, and watching that familiar CREDIT 1 appear after feeding an actual quarter into the machine.
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