6 replies to this topic

[atari2600land]

So I've been reading in about people who own arcade machines, and I think "Wow. I want one too." So I go to Craigslist, and the only one I can find in Salem is this:arcade machine that plays more than 60 games. While that's cool and everything, I just want one that plays ONE: The one it says it's playing on the side. Besides, do all of them cost $1800, or can I get one that's about $1000 cheaper? It's just an idea at this point, and I'll have to do some more investigating, but I'd like to hear your guys' stories on how you got yours and how much you paid for them.

[Cebus Capucinis]

Space Invaders - $180
Asteroids - $300
1942 - $300
Xybots - $200

Just keep looking on Craigslist, they're bound to show up, but they do only last a couple of hours for the most part!

[Cassidy Nolen]

You should be able to get a dedicated Ms. Pac at an auction these days for 350-500. I would think the newsgroups like rec.games.video.arcade.marketplace will have some in your area too. A multicade like you posted here should be no more than about 800-900, working all the way with a warranty. They simply are not that valuable anymore. You cannot run them on route without fear of lawsuits and nobody on earth wants to touch repairs on those boards (not that they break that often, its all modern hardware).

The harness for Ms. Pac has been most likely removed. If that is the case it would be very hard to ever restore that back (not impossible, just hard). Not really worth that money, imho. For what its worth, I got a super clean Pac Man, working all the way and all original (no new overlays, paint, etc) in probably 8 out of 10 condition for 350 at auction. They are out there, just have to have patience and persistence.

Cassidy

[jhd]

Cassidy Nolen, on Sun Dec 26, 2010 10:58 AM, said:

A multicade like you posted here should be no more than about 800-900, working all the way with a warranty. They simply are not that valuable anymore. You cannot run them on route without fear of lawsuits and nobody on earth wants to touch repairs on those boards (not that they break that often, its all modern hardware).

I have seen a few of these muti-game systems turn-up in obscure locations (e.g. the local Greyhound Bus Depot). Indeed, the operator's contact information was prominently displayed on the front of the machine.

I understand that these are technically illegal (in terms of copyright law); presumably this operator was willing to take the risk in return for the amount of revenue the machine would rake-in.

How much enforcement is there, realistically? Does Namco, Midway, etc. have operatives searching for these machines? Is there a posted reward for turning-in rogue operators?

[DE2600]

Cassidy Nolen, on Sun Dec 26, 2010 10:58 AM, said:

You should be able to get a dedicated Ms. Pac at an auction these days for 350-500. I would think the newsgroups like rec.games.video.arcade.marketplace will have some in your area too. A multicade like you posted here should be no more than about 800-900, working all the way with a warranty. They simply are not that valuable anymore. You cannot run them on route without fear of lawsuits and nobody on earth wants to touch repairs on those boards (not that they break that often, its all modern hardware).

The harness for Ms. Pac has been most likely removed. If that is the case it would be very hard to ever restore that back (not impossible, just hard). Not really worth that money, imho. For what its worth, I got a super clean Pac Man, working all the way and all original (no new overlays, paint, etc) in probably 8 out of 10 condition for 350 at auction. They are out there, just have to have patience and persistence.

Cassidy

I have yet to see a multi-cade any where near that cheap. In the Sea-Tac area they are getting $1500 and up. I hope the price comes down to the 800-900 dollar level around here, I want one.

[keilbaca]

These turn a huge profit.

The board itself you can get for $150 or so. The thing even has a 20 pin connector for it, for a pc power supply, and a VGA output right on the board.

You can get a decent empty cab for dirt cheap, I got an empty Qix for $75 when I had it.

You can buy a CRT computer monitor for $25 at goodwill, if that.

A Jamma harness is $10. You just need the harness to hook up the speakers and controls.

You can easily build yourself up one of these for dirt cheap. People are just lazy and due to the classic interest, you can very easily turn a $300 project into a $1200 profit.

[Chuck D. Head]

Keep looking, you might need to expand your search a little. I've seen a number of $300-400 decent arcades in the Portland area. A guy at PRGE had a Dig Dug there for $300 and more at home to sell.