Arcooda 26″ 4K Display – Brackets for Nova Blast Monitor Replacements

One question I get every time I mention Arcooda displays is “can this replace the lacking panel in my Unico Nova Blast“? And thanks to some testing by Arcooda and their customers, the answer is yes, as long as you’re using Arcooda’s 26″ 4K version; As a note, the 26″ 1080p version won’t fit, as its a different size. If you haven’t purchased the display yet, simply select “26inch 2880×2160 Nova Blast Monitor Bracket” on the right (3rd option down) when buying the display and it’ll be included for free. If you already own the “4K”, 26″ display, you can purchase the bracket separately for $13. More info below the links:

26″, 2880×2160 Display: https://www.arcooda.com/buy/26-inch-Arcooda-4-3-Ratio-Arcade-LCD-Monitor-15khz-24khz-31khz-up-to-2880×2160-4K–20217
Nova Blast Bracket-Only: https://www.arcooda.com/buy/26inch-2880×2160-Nova-Blast-Monitor-Bracket-20240
Unico Nova Blast: https://link.amazon/B0jeLlRa8
26″ 4K Review: https://retrorgb.com/arcooda-26-43-2880×2160-4k-lcd-arcade-monitor-tested.html

As always, when discussing Arcooda displays, it’s important to explain their context, as the price delivers sticker shock to many people. Basically, they’re high-end, industrial panels with circuitry designed specifically for the retro gaming signals we use. When used as a drop-in replacement for CRT’s in arcade machines, they’re actually cost-effective, since nothing else is required other than a cheap RGB adapter; No re-wiring, superguns, scalers, etc.

That said, the scenario of installing a $700 display in a $1300 machine that already has an LCD panel is an interesting one. Based on feedback I’ve heard from people that own a Nova Blast (I’ve never personally used one), the machine build (metal) and controls are actually very good. Unfortunately, I’ve heard constant complaints about the display and as I stated above, every single time I mention Arcooda, people ask if their displays can fit into the Nova Blast. So while buying this on top of the Nova Blast is definitely “sunk cost syndrome”, I totally get it – You’ll now have a smaller / lighter arcade machine than a CRT-based one, with none of the maintenance…and all components were just purchased online like any normal product. That last statement will only make sense to people who’ve tried to buy/import used candy cabs, but it’ll cut deep for those of us who’ve been burned.

So while this is an overall expensive solution, I think it’s more proof as to why Arcooda displays should be considered “expensive, but not overpriced”: It takes a lot to get a modern-retro displays right and as Unico seems to keep learning time and time again, you can’t cut corners if you want an actual, playable display. Totally cool if any of this stuff isn’t for you, but they definitely have a place.

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