A contributor-built plan for the original, full-size Mortal Kombat II cabinet is a useful reference for its shape and construction, but it is not a desktop-cabinet plan or an official Midway blueprint. For a true tabletop build, redesign and verify the dimensions around your screen, controls, and available components before cutting. The reference calls for 3/4-inch MDF for most parts and plywood for selected structural pieces; it also flags details, especially the control-panel layout, that need independent confirmation.
Start by choosing the cabinet scale
“Desktop” can mean a compact cabinet that sits on a table, while the best-documented construction reference here is for the original dedicated, full-size cabinet. Classic Arcade Cabinets says its MK II measurements came from a contributor and that a cabinet was cut from the drawings. Treat those plans as a practical geometry reference, not as factory specifications. The page also says MK II shares a cabinet with Killer Instinct 2. Classic Arcade Cabinets: Mortal Kombat II cabinet plans
Do not reduce the full-size drawings by a single percentage and assume the result will work. A smaller screen changes the viewing angle and cabinet proportions; smaller controls can change reach and player spacing; and a reduced base may make the unit unstable. A desktop redesign needs to accommodate the actual monitor, controls, speakers, wiring, and any other components you intend to install.
What the reference plan provides—and what it does not
The page lists CAD/CNC drawings and PDF plans intended to print at scale, including side panels and other difficult-to-cut parts. Before using any file, check its units, print scale, material thickness, and fit against the stock you will use. Make a full-size template or test print and verify critical dimensions before committing to a cut.
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- Arcade-Favorite Games: 3 Mortal Kombat arcade titles ship on this cabinet, Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat II among them, so the ladder, the hidden fighters and the finishing moves live on the countertop
- Real-Feel Joystick and Buttons: Full-size arcade controls sit under your hand the way the original cabinets did, which is the point of buying an arcade machine instead of playing arcade games on a phone
- 7" Full-Color LCD: A 7 inch full-colour screen keeps the sprites sharp and the frame rate smooth, and the viewing angle suits a table top or a bar top where you stand over it rather than sit
- Portable with a Built-In Handle: A top-mounted carry handle and a countertop footprint mean it moves between a desk, a shelf and a game room unaided, far smaller than full size arcade machines
- Multiple Power Options: Run it on 4 AA batteries, not included, or plug in a Micro-USB cable, and it arrives fully assembled with nothing to build, among the easier gifts for a retro gaming household
The plan page describes its cabinet accuracy estimate as 93%; that is the site’s own estimate, not an independently measured engineering tolerance. Its builder note reports adjusting the control-panel recess and struggling to determine the monitor-side angle. Use a dry fit and a template check rather than treating those areas as settled dimensions.
- The page says the SketchUp drawing has the wrong coin door.
- Its illustrated revision uses a flat front kick panel rather than an angled style.
- The page suggests the MK II button placement may match MK III without the run button, but says this has not been confirmed.
For those reasons, do not drill a button pattern from the page alone. Check against an original panel, reliable kit documentation, or a verified tracing before laying out holes.
Rank #2
- 14 Classic Games Included: Play Mortal Kombat I–3, Ultimate MK3, and 10 more retro hits like Rampage, Paperboy, and Gauntlet for nonstop arcade action
- Authentic Arcade Feel: Real-feel joysticks, responsive buttons, and dual speakers deliver a true arcade experience in the comfort of your home
- Crisp 17-Inch Display: BOE color monitor showcases every detail, from pixel-perfect punches to vibrant retro graphics, just like the original machines
- Wi-Fi With Multiplayer: Compete online with friends or players across the country using built-in Wi-Fi leaderboards and online multiplayer features
- Premium Cabinet Design: Over 5 feet tall with a sleek finish, light-up marquee, and molded faux coin door for a nostalgic look that stands out in any room
Materials in the reference construction
Classic Arcade Cabinets specifies 3/4-inch MDF for most components and 3/4-inch plywood for selected structural parts. Confirm actual board thickness, grade, sheet dimensions, and the cut list against the particular plan files you use; do not assume nominal thickness or a material substitution will preserve the fit.
| Material or part | Use described by the plan |
|---|---|
| 3/4-inch MDF | Most cabinet components |
| 3/4-inch plywood | Base, front-panel extenders, cross braces, front panel, and back base |
| 1-by-1-inch pine | Skids, supports, and blocking |
| Larger cross brace | Near the monitor glass |
This is a material outline, not a complete bill of materials or cut list. The cited page does not establish a full budget, build time, or wiring specification.
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Rank #3
- 13 Classic Games: Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat II, Mortal Kombat 3, Ultimate MK 3, Rampage, Joust, Wizard of Wor, Gauntlet, Rootbeer Tapper, Defender, Bubbles, Paperboy, Klax
- 4 Feet Tall, with 15.6” IPS Color Monitor
- Dual Speakers for crisp arcade sound
- WiFi Leaderboards to challenge the world, Online Multiplayer
- Real feel Joysticks and Buttons
A practical build sequence
- Choose the target footprint. Decide whether you are reproducing the full-size cabinet geometry or designing a tabletop unit. For a desktop version, measure the exact screen and controls first, then set the base and cabinet proportions around them.
- Validate the drawings. Confirm units, print scale, and panel thickness. Compare dimensions across the CAD/CNC files and PDFs, and make a template for critical cuts.
- Resolve uncertain details before cutting. Verify the control-panel holes and player spacing from a reliable reference. Decide whether the front kick panel and coin-door appearance should match the version you are building.
- Dry-fit the shell and monitor area. Check the monitor-side angle, screen clearance, panel recess, and control reach before final assembly. Adjust templates as needed rather than forcing parts into place.
- Cut and assemble using the specified material roles. Use MDF for the majority of components and plywood for the listed structural parts, with pine for skids, supports, and blocking. Confirm each part’s fit before fastening.
- Complete the component layout only after fit checks. Confirm that the screen, controls, and other intended components fit and can be accessed before closing the cabinet. The available plan information does not provide a verified wiring guide.
Check the original kit manual for primary specifications
A scanned 76-page document titled Mortal Kombat 2 Kit (16-44029-101, Oct 1993) is available as a potential primary reference: Mortal Kombat 2 Kit manual scan. Its dimensions, wiring details, and technical specifications are not established here. If you need authoritative measurements or electrical details, inspect the scan and verify the relevant page directly rather than inferring them from the community drawings.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When a ready-made tabletop unit makes more sense
Arcade1Up’s MK II Countercade is a compact commercial alternative, not a scratch-built version of the original cabinet. Its manufacturer page lists Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat II, and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, a 7-inch full-color LCD, and dimensions of 8.74 × 9.45 × 13.19 inches. The page currently labels it sold out, but availability and price can change; check the live listing. Arcade1Up MK II Countercade
Rank #4
- Dimensions (approx.): Interior Width: 20.75", Exterior Width: 21.75”, Exterior Height: 21”, Exterior Depth: 18”
- Available in HAPP (HAPP joysticks and 28mm buttons) or Sanwa (Sanwa Style joystick and 24mm start/coin and 30mm action buttons) Style
That option may suit someone prioritizing a ready-made tabletop machine. A custom build is the more flexible route for choosing materials, proportions, screen, controls, and appearance, but it requires drawings and component-fit checks. Arcade1Up’s general FAQ describes 17-inch LCD screens for its machines and links to support videos for its own products; those details are not specifications for an original full-size MK II cabinet. Arcade1Up FAQ and support resources
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The world of POP! is getting bigger—and smaller—with Bitty POP! collectibles!
- Expand your Mortal Kombat collection with Bitty POP! Arcade Scorpion! Bitty POP! figure is packaged in a hard acrylic display case with a detachable bottom lid.
- The detachable bottom lid doubles as an acrylic base, to which the Bitty POP! figure is adhered.
- Remove Bitty POP! Scorpion from his case so he can take his place in the Bitty POP! Arcade Display! The Bitty POP! case can be stored inside the Bitty POP! Arcade Display, directly below POP! Scorpion. Vinyl figures are approximately 0.9 and 3.5 in (2.3 and 8.9 cm) tall.
- Warning: Choking Hazard. Collectibles are small. Not for children under the age of 3 years old.
Decide what “ultimate” means for your build
- Scale and footprint: Choose full-size reference geometry or a genuinely redesigned desktop footprint.
- Viewing and controls: Fit the screen angle, control-panel dimensions, player spacing, and reach to the intended users.
- Construction: Account for the reference’s MDF and plywood roles, your cutting method, and the verified thickness of your stock.
- Appearance: Decide whether original-style artwork, coin-door details, and an angled kick panel matter, then verify those details separately.
- Documentation: Use the community plans as a starting point; consult the kit manual scan directly for any specifications you need to rely on.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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