A great arcade cabinet should feel exciting before you even press Start. Pixelcade adds one of those details that gets an immediate reaction: the marquee above your screen changes to match the game.
Instead of one permanent sign representing your entire collection, your cabinet gets a new identity as you explore it. Add animated artwork and supported in-game effects, and that space above the monitor becomes part of the experience.
What does a Pixelcade do?
Pixelcade is a dynamic arcade marquee system. Connected to your arcade computer and its game-selection software, it displays artwork for the selected game or system. With compatible Batocera integration, it can change while you browse and when you launch a game. If matching game artwork is unavailable, a system logo can appear instead.
Our photos show the idea in action: one cabinet displays system artwork, while another shows Crystal Castles above the game screen. The sign helps the whole cabinet feel connected to what is on the monitor.
Why it is such a fun arcade upgrade
- Every game gets a sense of place. A multicade can feel more like a collection of individual machines when the marquee follows your selection.
- It restores part of the arcade atmosphere. Colorful illuminated signs were a big part of what made an arcade room memorable.
- It gives guests something to notice. The changing artwork makes browsing the game list part of the fun.
- It complements a custom build. Your cabinet artwork establishes the personality; the marquee adds movement and variety.
LED, LCD, and animated marquees
The LED marquees pictured here have a visible pixel-grid appearance that fits classic arcade art beautifully. Pixelcade also offers LCD marquees for more detailed artwork and video.
| Display | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Pixelcade LED | A bright, retro pixel-art look with game logos and supported animations. |
| Pixelcade LCD | Detailed still artwork and video marquees when matching videos are available. |
Some marquees animate; others are still images. The result depends on the display, installed artwork, and settings. Pixelcade offers an optional paid LED art pack with additional animated marquees. That LED pack is separate from LCD artwork.
An animated logo can make a familiar game feel fresh without changing the game itself. Think of it as giving your cabinet another little piece of personality.
DOFLinx: effects that react to the game
Pixelcade can do more than show a game's name. DOFLinx—sometimes referred to informally as “DOFLink”—adds effects tied to events inside supported games. Depending on the game and display, these can include explosions, score information, or other game-specific visual moments.
That is different from an animated marquee looping above the screen: a DOFLinx effect responds to something happening during play.
On Batocera, Pixelcade documents DOFLinx support for select games launched through the FBNeo system. Windows support uses select MAME games. It does not work across every emulator or every game. Configure supported effects in the arcade computer's Pixelcade Companion under Settings → In Game Effects, and check the current compatibility information.
Customize it from your phone
Pixelcade Companion is available for iPhone, iPad, and Android, and also works in a web browser. Keep your phone on the same network as the arcade computer.
Use it to browse artwork, upload custom images, choose a default marquee, send scrolling messages, and manage updates. A family game-room name or a welcome message is a fun place to start. Available controls depend on your hardware and software version.
On Batocera, try http://batocera.local:8080 in your phone's browser, or replace batocera.local with the arcade computer's IP address.
Supported widgets can also display information such as clocks, weather, or sports scores when you want something besides game artwork. Some require internet access or a service account. These widgets are separate from DOFLinx game effects.
How to install Pixelcade on an American Gear Company arcade
The walkthrough below is for an AGC arcade running Batocera. Cabinet dimensions, mounting arrangements, and existing wiring vary by model and build year. If your machine already has a working Pixelcade, you can move straight to customization.
1. Confirm the fit before ordering
Send AGC your cabinet model, serial number, and a clear photo of the current marquee. Confirm the display size, mounting hardware, and power arrangement for your specific machine. Do not assume a kit designed for another manufacturer's cabinet will fit.
2. Mount the display and connect it
Shut down Batocera and unplug the cabinet before accessing the marquee. Follow the mounting instructions supplied for your AGC cabinet and Pixelcade kit; support the display securely and keep ventilation clear.
For an LED unit, connect its controller to the arcade PC by USB and use the power hardware specified for that kit. A mini PC may need a separate approved power supply rather than an internal desktop-PC power connection. USB data alone does not replace the required display power.
LCD units have a different hardware setup, including their own controller and USB or network communication. Follow the LCD instructions for that model.
3. Install the Batocera integration
Connect the arcade to the internet. From another computer on the same network, open a terminal and connect using:
ssh root@batocera.local
If the name does not resolve, use the machine's IP address. Enter its configured SSH password. Batocera's default is linux if it has not been changed.
Run the stable installer below, or copy the current command from Pixelcade's Batocera setup guide. Follow its prompts and reboot when finished. Use that current guide rather than Pixelcade's older legacy Batocera page.
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/alinke/pixelcade-linux-builds/main/install-scripts/setup-batocera.sh && chmod +x setup-batocera.sh && ./setup-batocera.sh
4. Test the automatic switching
Browse a few systems, highlight several games, and launch one. The marquee should follow your selections when matching artwork is installed. Then exit the game and check browsing again.
5. Set up your extras
Open Companion, choose your default artwork, and check for updates. If you want DOFLinx effects, use a supported FBNeo game and configure In Game Effects. Test automatic marquee changes first so you know the basic connection is working.
Quick troubleshooting
Nothing lights up? Check the kit's power and USB connections. Only one game lacks artwork? Check whether its artwork exists and whether the game name matches. Your phone cannot connect? Check that both devices share the same local network and try the arcade's IP address. No reactive effects? Confirm DOFLinx support for the exact game and emulator being used.
Make your arcade feel more alive
Pixelcade is an atmosphere upgrade. It will not make a game run faster, but it can make the cabinet feel more complete—from the first game you browse to the last round of the night.
Planning a new American Gear Company arcade or upgrading one you already own? Contact American Gear Company with your model and serial number so we can help confirm the right Pixelcade setup for your build.
Technical references: Pixelcade LED User Guide · Pixelcade LCD User Guide · Pixelcade for Batocera · DOFLinx effects. Technical information checked October 27, 2026. Installation menus and support can change.
