This tiny wooden arcade cabinet turns your Switch 2 into a retro dream

If you’re a retro gaming enjoyer like I am, you’ll be happy to know that iMP Tech has unveiled the Mini Arcade Elite, a premium desktop arcade cabinet designed to turn your Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 into something a little closer to the coin-op machines of old.

Set to launch in October 2026, the Mini Arcade Elite supports the original Nintendo Switch, Switch OLED, and Switch 2, with your console docking directly into the cabinet and acting as its display.

This isn’t simply a plastic shell surrounding your Switch, either. iMP has opted for a traditional wooden arcade cabinet chassis, complete with a light-up marquee, and even an expanded control deck in an effort to give your hands more room during longer sessions.

The controls themselves feature a premium, responsive joystick alongside tactile arcade-style buttons, making the setup particularly suited to fighters, shoot ’em ups, platformers, and the pretty healthy collection of retro titles already available across Nintendo’s consoles.

Switch 2-specific functionality hasn’t been forgotten, with dedicated support for both Wake and Chat, while that aforementioned compatibility with the older Switch models means you won’t need Nintendo’s latest hardware to get involved.

Perhaps the most interesting feature, though, is how open the Mini Arcade Elite is to modification. iMP says the internals have been designed for easy access, allowing those of you who know your way around an arcade stick to swap out buttons and upgrade the joystick with their preferred components.

The whole cabinet measures 26.5cm tall, 27.4cm wide, and 27.1cm deep, so despite the move to a sturdier wooden construction, it’s still compact enough to sit on a desk rather than demanding a dedicated corner of your house.

The Mini Arcade Elite follows iMP’s existing Mini Arcade Pro, which similarly supports Switch, OLED, and Switch 2, but takes the concept in a much more premium direction with its wooden construction and larger control area.

If you’re heading to Gamescom 2026, you will be able to get an early look at the Mini Arcade Elite, with iMP showcasing it at the event.