Buying Arcade Classics? 26
spock123 writes "I grew up in the 80s and spent most of my time playing the old arcade classics (Pacman, Galaga, Asteroids, DigDug, etc). Now I feel a sudden urge to own one of these guys - but I can't figure out where and how to buy them. =Do the SlashDot readers know about companies selling 80's arcade machines? Where's the best place to buy? Recommendations, links and experiences are welcome."
heh (Score:1)
Advice from a VAPS member. (Score:4)
Do *NOT* ask those members if you can buy their equipment. But rather, talk to them to gain advice. Many will let you visit, and play their games...
Buying arcade games is not for the faint of heart. You need to be comfortable with taking apart a TV set, 'cause the monitors are usually internally open, exposed, with lots of high-power sources lying around.
You should be comfortable working with hardware. You should know how to solder, how to fix/repair electronics... Knowing how to troubleshoot an electrical circuit is useful...
Transporting arcade games is a logistical nightmare. You will need a truck. You will need friends. Good friends. Lots of them. You will discover, very quickly, just how good those friends are. And how strong. Games typically weigh on the order of 200-300 lbs.
Plan on blowing $100 or more for a good appliance dolly up front. Something with stair-climbers and straps. The sort of thing you use for hauling around a full-size refrigerator.
Be careful about laying games down on their back, coffin-style. Sometimes things are not as well attached as they should be. (Had a CRT like that once...)
Now, you are ready to start shopping.
Check your local paper for auctions in the classifieds. I've found video-game auctions being held locally (or nearby at any rate) at a frequency of about once a year, and acquired most of my games through them. Several for under $50. (Yes, the truck rental to move them home cost me more than that.) One thing to watch out for at auctions: Sometimes the bidding gets hot, and you lose all track of what something is worth. I've walked away from auctions before, when I've said hey, what the hell, this is far too much money for that...
Periodically, there are major video game auctions held around the country. You can try to track those down too.
Alternatively, try online sales. rec.games.video.arcade.marketplace is a good place to start...
Just one thing: Try to examine the product before you buy. I've seen games that were absolute crap, that had been stored outside, with monitors that were completely burned in (to the point that the phosphorus had come off the inside of the monitor), yet they were still listed as "good". Needless to say, one look and I said no thanks.
Also, check the controls. Check everything you can. Try to see whats broken. Besides, it's fun to play the games...
And yes, MAME is a lot easier to deal with...
Arcade info (Score:3)
Go into a bar (Score:2)
Or they might be a bunch of jerks and tell you to buzz off. Won't know 'til you ask.
Video classics with a 5 year warrenty (Score:4)
Dreamcast solution (Score:1)
Re:Video classics with a 5 year warrenty (Score:2)
Yeah, the prices were a bit nuts. But I believe I got what I paid for.
Advice from (another) VAPS member. (Score:2)
I would try going to a few auctions, and purposely underbidding on some stuff to get a feel for how they work.
Beware eBay. You will spend as much (or more) as from a company like TNT, and get a much dicier product.
I'll second your advice about being able to solder. If you always get a cold joint, get some practice.
Yes, MAME can be easier, but the ROMs are probably not legal for you to have unless you have the game. In which case, why would you want MAME?? I thought about building a MAME-cab, but decided against it. MAME is best for trying a game to see if the game is really as good as you remembered.
But remember that you have an 'investment' for life. Go to your local arcade, and check out how they are abused, and they keep on running. Once your machine is up and going, it takes very little to keep it in good shape.
Re:mame (Score:2)
When deciding whether or not to buy a game. Mame can give you a general feel for the gameplay and appearance. Of course, without the ROM file, THIS IS ILLEGAL.
Mame can also serve as motivation to finish that cabinet resto.
Finally, there are some cabs that you will never find, or be able to restore, or that are truly out of reach (Star Wars cabs come to mind).
Mame is to the real thing as masturbation/blow-up-dolls are to the real thing.
(Again, I don't discount the work done on MAME. It is truly an amazing emulator. It just isn't a replacement for a cab)
Re:Auction Sites (Score:2)
I have created a FAQ just to answer that question. (Score:3)
MAME and ROMs (Score:1)
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If you are in the UK... (Score:1)
I bought a 4-player Gauntlet machine a while ago (not from the above), but I can't remember where from...
[Disclaimer : I'm in no way affiliated with Arcade Heaven, etc etc]
I collect the old games myself. (Score:2)
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Re:Dreamcast solution (Score:1)
AMEN! (Score:2)
Re:Auction Sites (Score:1)
Auction Sites (Score:1)
Abuse the Money-Hungry (Score:1)
A friend of mine used to keep Track and Field in the back of his truck under a tarp, go to a friends house and run an extension cord out to it.
Moral:...um...I don't think there is one.
We lose the good we oft might win
By fearing to attempt
Here are a few links (Score:1)
Tips... (Score:1)
Some tips:
When looking for games, I've found that the highest priced ones were located in smaller stores in upscale suburbs. These are usually better maintained, but you'll end up spending three or four times as much than if you bought one, with maybe some small blemishes, from a warehouse or distributor.
If you're buying from a dealer or warehouse, a non-working game is usually a good sign that it's difficult to fix. If the pros haven't taken the time to fix it, it usually means that the bad part is difficult to find. Don't count it out though - you might be able to find parts on eBay or via the newsgroups.
Try your local bowling alleys, bars, etc. Don't expect these establishments to give up games just because they're older -- people still pump quarters into older games. However, someplace going out of business might give you a good deal just so they don't have to deal with a big beast of a game.
Look for auctions.
Buy a soldering iron.
Learn about CRTs.
Find a strong friend with a van or truck.
Buy a huge handtruck... like the giant UPS ones, maybe bigger.
Most imporantly: read rec.games.video.arcade.* [google.com] and associated FAQs. These are priceless
Good luck!
superauctions (Score:1)
There is also a lot of information (FAQ's) about buying arcade machines from auctions and other places at www.spies.com/arcade/info [spies.com]
Twitch Games (Score:1)
our very own rob (Score:1)
Rob Malda has a few of his own and has built a mame machine, and also built the cabinet himself.
It looks very nice and he has it kind of well documented with links to the places to get any plans and other stuff you may need. have fun
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Kenny Sabarese
Left Ear Music
AIM: kfs27
irc.openprojects.net #windowmaker
mame (Score:2)
I think (but I could be wrong) finding and buying the original cabinets is going to be pretty hard and expensive.
Ryan T. Sammartino
i've helped a friend with his (Score:2)