Are you the type who can’t enough of coffee tables?  I shouldn’t really be talking about new coffee table options – I am actually getting rid of the stuff I have now as I won’t have space for furniture in the near future, but this coffee table from Surface Tension is too good not to share.  Dubbed the Arcane Arcade Coffee Table, this beauty can be made according to your own unique preferences.

It can function as a “real” coffee table, of course, so anyone can justify the purchase (well, maybe).  The kicker comes in the gaming functions.  Get ready…

Let’s start with the surface – it’s made of toughened glass, but that’s only so that the LCD display underneath will be protected.  You can choose between the 19-inch screen or the 26-inch one.  With the screen underneath the table’s surface, it is but understandable that you might not want to put anything on top of of it.

It doesn’t end there, though.  The table comes with a standard computer:

• Intel® Pentium Dual Core CPU
• 500GB hard disk
• 802.11g wireless network adaptor
• 2GB Ram
• DVD/CD-RW drive

In terms of software, this is what you get with the standard package:

• Powered by Powered by Windows 7 Home Premium
• GameEx intuitive front-end
• Apple iTunes jukebox
• Taito Legends 1&2, Midway Arcade treasures Deluxe and Atari Anniversary Edition
• MAME™ compatible retro-gaming platform
• Firefox web browser

If you want something more powerful, you can always choose to upgrade.  Alternatively, you can retro-fit the whole thing – at the expense of the above.  For this retro-fit option, you’ll have to forget all of the above in exchange for:

• 19″ LCD TFT 178° x 178° viewing angle
• RJ45 Ethernet 10/100Mb connector
• HDMI output
• 2 USB 2.0/1.1extension ports for plug & play capability
• 2 x 30W amplifier with unique discreet speaker design
• Sanwa joysticks
• Happ illuminated Trackball
• Ultimarc arcade spinner
• Programmable keyboard encoder

If you still have other custom features that you want, you just need to mention it. *Drool*

Now on to the practical stuff – how much is this going to cost?  Tables start at £2,599 (about $4,000) including VAT and delivery.  At least the delivery’s “free”! (Yeah like that’s gonna make a big difference.)

Evil Mad Scientist has done just that and come up with Tabletop Pong.

It’s a definite work in progress, but you can read the fascinating journey including photos and descriptions of the construction process.

Check out the video of it in action:

Obviously, some real world elements have crept in to the design — because the table isn’t quite level gravity takes its toll on the ball. Perhaps this makes the game even more playable (or fun, at least)?

In order to keep the ball moving (or to encourage it along) the paddles are powered and can detect when the ball has hit them. The play area is acrylic and the walls are beryllium copper finger strips which help the ball to bounce.

I definitely want one of these!

Via

If these were still available they would be on the shelves among the Pockies, Wispas and Pot Noodles in the indie coffeeshop I _also_ manage.

Via Jason Liebig who does an awesome job archiving pictures 80s packages on his Flickr.

VRI Technology built in Logitech’s force feedback wheels and pedals to the smart seat chassis constructed from polished stainless steel, anodised aluminium fittings and a fully-adjustable seat.

It should work with Xbox, PS3 and PC and a variety of racing games. The rig is available now in the UK for ?699.99, with add-on accessories including the VR3 Gearshift Mount, VR3 LCD Stand, Logitech G25 Racing Wheel and Logitech Driving Force GT.

Take a closer look at the rig in our gallery.