Buying an Arcade Cabinet Video Game (any tips?)


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Dark Archive Bella Sara Charter Superscriber

I figure this is as good a place to ask as any. I just got a new office and the size and set-up are just begging for an arcade cabinet style video game. Anyone have any recommendations about how to shop, where to look for such products? I've done some googling and seen a few consoles with a ton of games, but they tend to be a bunch of 80s era stuff. I'd like to have something more mid 90s, like the old TMNT arcade games, the D&D games, the Avengers/X-men game, etc. I don't suppose there's an all Capcom machine out there or anything is there?

Dark Archive Bella Sara Charter Superscriber

Apologies for the double post - it didn't look like the first one took.

Scarab Sages RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32

Depends on how much you're looking to spend.

Most arcade cabinets are going to be 80's games. I bought my girlfriend a Galaga arcade game - completely refurbished - a few years back. Cost me approximately $1700 IIRC. (No, I'm not the most unromantic slob on the planet, she's actually a Galaga fiend.)

For a few extra bucks, the guys I bought it from put 4 games - Ms. Pacman, Frogger, and Donkey Kong, in the cabinet. I live in California, and had to have the thing shipped from Florida - so be careful with that as well. Choose a good shipping option, make sure it's insured, get whatever extras you need to make sure it won't be damaged during travel.

I would go on Ebay, find a reputable company that sells them (some companies literally sell nothing but these cabinets) and call them. They can probably build you whatever you want. If you don't care what the cabinet looks like (I bought all original 1982 art) you can save a lot of money if you just go with a basic black cabinet. You can also have them place several games on one cabinet for you, but the price goes up exponentially.

Call them, have them run some quotes by you.

Happy hunting!

Dark Archive Bella Sara Charter Superscriber

Thanks. I was thinking somewhere in the $2k-3k range. That's good to know regarding the build your own console. Who did you go through for Galaga? Would you recommend them?

Scarab Sages RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32

Sebastian wrote:
Thanks. I was thinking somewhere in the $2k-3k range. That's good to know regarding the build your own console. Who did you go through for Galaga? Would you recommend them?

I went through Apollo Amusements, and dealt with the owner Mr. Russo directly. I would recommend them highly. They have several items for sale on Ebay, and they have a 100% positive feedback rating.

Link

There should be some contact info. on their site.

I've also heard BMI is pretty good - never dealt with them though, but I considered it before I made my purchase.

Link

Dark Archive Bella Sara Charter Superscriber

I gave them a call and they sent me a flier for a system with 3,000 games, including all NES titles, all Sega Gensis titles, and a bunch of other features. Thanks for the lead Eyebite.

Scarab Sages RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32

Sebastian wrote:
I gave them a call and they sent me a flier for a system with 3,000 games, including all NES titles, all Sega Gensis titles, and a bunch of other features. Thanks for the lead Eyebite.

Glad it helped!

Dark Archive RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32

Sebastian wrote:
I gave them a call and they sent me a flier for a system with 3,000 games, including all NES titles, all Sega Gensis titles, and a bunch of other features. Thanks for the lead Eyebite.

Holy s!$&! ALL NES and Genesis titles?!? How much does a machine like that run? Like $10k???

Dark Archive Bella Sara Charter Superscriber

Fatespinner wrote:
Holy s%&~! ALL NES and Genesis titles?!? How much does a machine like that run? Like $10k???

$5k plus shipping and handling. It's also a juke box and does like thirty other wacky and unnecessary things.

Sovereign Court

A friend of mine got a 4 player X-Men game in his house, it was amazing to play that game again after over a decade. I'd love to get my hands on the D&D game.


Or the old Gauntlet game... (sigh)

Ultradan


Ultradan wrote:
Or the old Gauntlet game... (sigh)

"Wizard needs food... badly! Valkyrie is about to die!"


"Red Wizard shot the food!"

On a related note, has anyone had experience with refurbished pinball machines? I've been itching to get my hands on a Black Knight machine, but I'm afraid the upkeep will be prohibitive.


I've wanted something like this for a long time. The all NES/Genesis games makes me cream my panties... but for 5k... I doubt my wife would like it very much. Let alone me trying to explain why the living room is the best place for it.

Grr.. noooo... we have to get a pool and a playground for the 44 inch person of the house. Doesn't she get enough.. I mean.. girlscouts.. fieldtrips... goodness. At least I might get a tikibar out of the deal.

:D

It's hard being a good father/husband when there are things like this out there.. haha

Edit: I'm not really selfish.. honest. I'm joking. Although a machine like that would be cool.

Sovereign Court

Riley wrote:

"Red Wizard shot the food!"

On a related note, has anyone had experience with refurbished pinball machines? I've been itching to get my hands on a Black Knight machine, but I'm afraid the upkeep will be prohibitive.

I just read an interesting article in the NYT about pinball machines and how making and restoring them is a dying art with only a few companies left that do that. I'll see if i can dig it up...


Callous Jack wrote:
I just read an interesting article in the NYT about pinball machines and how making and restoring them is a dying art with only a few companies left that do that. I'll see if i can dig it up...

Found it here. Thanks for the tip!

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