R-KAID-R is a portable arcade console, finished in wood and brass, limited to only 50 copies in each trim. It’s not only beautiful, but designed to last, to make electronic entertainment seem less ephemeral. [via Uncrate]
R-Kaid-R (Arcader) is a manifestation and a tribute to the arcade. A handmade hybrid made from solid wood, mixing yesterday’s game physics with the digital spectrum of today. Through a study in material values from historical perspectives, Hultén wants to resuscitate a fading culture and create curiosity towards the origin of video gaming, pushing gaming into a new context, making the arcade an artistic equivalent to the painting on your wall.
The R-Kaid-R is an exclusive toy for the dedicated gamer. A link between the present and the past. A true gaming jewel.When not in use, the machine is folded into a protective vessel, shrouded in mystique. A processed gemstone glistens inside, waiting to be unveiled. Protected by a tailored leather shoulder bag, R-Kaid-R is no doubt the ultimate portable arcade setup. The R-Kaid-R is also a reaction to today’s electronics industry, where products adapt to economic efficiency and throwaway excess. By working with materials that, without regular maintenance and daily care, grows a unique patina, the expiry date of a product is extended. The product will breathe through time, rather than get suffocated by it. This handcrafted machine comes in different material concepts, inspired by material values from historic and cultural perspectives.
An 800×600 8″ LCD display is built-in, and it gets 8 hours of life per charge. The game Cave Story is included free of charge, as is a USB charging cable and DC adapter. The system is configured to support MAME, Neo Geo, 8- and 16-bit home consoles, and all the other usual suspects one must find and install oneself. The price of permanence is €2499 (~$3400)
There’s an extensive gallery showing off all the options; a few of my favorites are below!
