Miniature toys and gadgets make me feel like a giant. There's something so exciting about seeing smaller versions of the gaming tech that we've grown up with - you all know how excited I got about the GameCube Nano, after all. But when you're faced with a perfectly crafted set of 1/4 scale gadgets that take you right back to the golden age of gaming, well, that's another thing entirely!
Arcade gaming has always fascinated me since I was a child. The bright lights of the machines, the buzz of a hundred different tunes playing at the same time and still being able to hone in on every note of the game you're playing on. We've all made memories on these machines in some shape or form, and having the space to have one in my house has always been a dream of mine.
While lugging a real-size Bubble Bobble arcade machine and a Pepsi vending machine into my attic office isn't on the cards, Numskull have saved the day. Their quarter scale arcade cabinet range is perfect for players who love arcade gaming but don't have a whole room to dedicate to massive machines, and with their collection continually expanding and including miniature accessories like gumball machines and radiators, you don't need a whole room to replicate an arcade hall anymore, just a corner of one!
I've spent some time getting to grips with the Bubble Bobble Quarter Arcades cabinet and this fun Pepsi vending machine USB hub to give you an insight into how they feel and work. Let's check them out!
Bubble Bobble Quarter Arcades Cabinet
The Bubble Bobble Quarter Arcades cabinet from Numskull is the perfect mini arcade to have in your game room or office. It's well built, sturdy, well-designed, has great speakers, and boasts a brilliant display. The controls are a little fiddly if you have big hands and you have two people playing at once, but having the chance to recreate the feeling of the arcade in your own home is priceless.
- RRP: £169.99/$212.49 (currently on sale at £119.99/$149.99 as of 14/01/2026)
- Dimensions: Height: 17” (44cm) x Width: 6.5” (16.6cm) x Depth: 8.8” (22.5cm)
- Weight: 3.2kg
- Available From: Numskull, Amazon
Yes, this is as good as it looks. The Bubble Bobble Quarter Arcades cabinet is an absolutely fantastic recreation of the classic Taito arcade that some of our readers might have used back in the 80s. It's a wooden cabinet just like the original and is branded in the same style with the same colours.
Just look at that Bubble Bobble banner. And yes, it lights up when you're playing, all accompanied by that classic Bubble Bobble theme tune playing from the integrated 3W speakers. The finish on the wood is incredibly smooth, and the unit itself isn't incredibly heavy. Ok, it's 3.2kg, but it's not going to pull your back muscles when you lift it out of the box or move it from the floor to your desk, etc.
I know the picture below isn't the most exciting shot of all time, but I want to show you how simple this thing is to set up. One USB-C cable, an On/Off switch, and a volume wheel - that's all there is to this. There's no downloading ROMs, updating files, or troubleshooting to be had. Just turn it on, play using the built-in display, and away you go!
One of the best bits about this arcade cabinet is that it has an internal rechargeable lithium battery, meaning you don't have to have it plugged in all the time to play it. Can you imagine bringing this on a train journey with you and having all of the carriage lining up to have a go?
Control's Anyone Can Use
Arcade controls are simple for anyone to use. There's something about the use of a joystick that is instantly accessible to anyone, and even though these are on the small side, you can still grab them with a thumb and forefinger and get enough purchase on them to control Bub and Bob through the different stages.
The 'Bubble' and 'Jump' labelled buttons make it simple for people who have never played the original game to get to grips with it too. And yes, they can withstand some serious button mashing!
The display is superb - I can't fault it one bit. It's bright enough to play underneath my Velux window with light shining down onto it, and perfect when the curtains are closed and I want to recreate that dingy arcade hall feeling. Bub and Bob's sprites look fantastic, as do the enemies and level stages throughout the game.
Then again, it is the same game you'll have played in arcades, so why expect anything different!
In a cool twist, you add credits to your game by pressing the coin return button on the coin slots. There aren't any actual coins to put in and out of this machine, and you won't have to collect a stack of quarters when you do want to play, but I like that Numskull have utilised this little feature.
If you do want little miniatures to put in and out of a product, however, then the next part of this review will suit you perfectly!
Pepsi USB Hub
This 1/4 scale Pepsi vending machine is a brilliant replica of the units you might have found in arcades and shopping malls throughout the 80s. As well as having a fun mini Pepsi can dispenser, it acts as a USB power hub for 5 devices, making it the perfect solution for powering all of your Numskull Quarter Arcades!
- RRP - £99.99 (Currently on sale for £79.99 as of 14/01/2026)
- Dimensions - Height: 17.7” (45cm) x Width: 7.5” (19cm) x Depth: 6.1” (15.4 cm)
- Officially Licensed 1/4 Scale Pepsi Vending Machine with LED Lights
- USB Ports - 5x USB
- Available From: Just Geek
I mean, how cool is this thing? I know that some of you might be thinking that it's a bit ostentatious, but that's the whole point. USB hubs don't need to be almost 18" tall, but if you're going to start collecting quarter scale arcade cabinets, then you might as well have a hub that makes your attic look like a miniature arcade in the process!
This Pepsi vending machine USB Hub faithfully replicates the design used on Pepsi's full-size vending machines throughout the '80s. As well as having 5 USB Type A slots inside to power 5 different devices (with handy cable slots to keep everything neat and tidy), it also acts a light thanks to the LED lights in the front panel, lighting up just like it would have done back in the day to atttract thirsty gamers to spend their cold-hard cash on a cold can of Pepsi.
This USB Hub has been made with incredible attention to detail, from the coin slot and the instructions on how to use the machine, right down to miniature cans that fall through and land in the collection tray at the bottom. Ok, you can't drink from these cans, but they're a nice little touch and fun to show friends. Twinned with the other miniatures Numskull offer like the barstool, trash can, and fire extinguisher, it finishes off a perfect miniature gaming world.
If I were creating a miniature world for my collectibles, then I would want something like this to tie it all together. I've had this vending machine switched on while gaming on the TV just for some background light and it adds a really nice glow to the room. It's not blinding by any stretch of the imagination, but comforting enough to help you relax and also take the strain off your eyes if you normally just game in the dark.
Final Thoughts
If you're looking to add a bit of retro nostalgia to your living room or game cave and don't have the space for large, bulky cabinets, then you should definitely consider these Quarter Arcades products. Heck, you should consider them even if you do have space, because you can sling them under your arm and take them anywhere with you. They're brilliantly crafted and a fun yet stylish showpiece for any room too.
The USB Hub is big for its actual purpose, I know, but in context with other arcade units or retro tech, it looks perfect. I'd like to get the 7-Up one for the other side of my cube unit just to have the set now!
I know the level of quality to expect from Numskull products, and they've smashed it out of the park with these two units once again. If you love Bubble Bobble, then you won't be disappointed. And if you have multiple Quarter Arcades cabinets at home, then give them the power solution they deserve!
