7 replies to this topic

[nightwheel]

Hey folks, I found what seems to be a working Kangaroo cab locally.

While I know a thing or two about what to look out for, when buying regular video games and consoles. I know almost nothing when it comes to what to look for when buying a Arcade Machine.

So here are my questions......

- What are things I need to check first on the cabinet?
- Whats is a decent price for a working Kangaroo cab?
- What is the best way to check to see if the controls are working properly and in good shape? And to add to this question, how much would it cost to fix the controls if there is a problem?
- What the best way to move it if I do decide to buy it.

If you need to know some details about the machine, do ask. I want to know as much as possible before making a purchase such as this.

Edited by nightwheel, Sat Feb 5, 2011 5:34 PM.

[rmaerz]

nightwheel, on Sat Feb 5, 2011 5:33 PM, said:

- What are things I need to check first on the cabinet?

Take the door off the back and look for rodent nests, turds, etc...

nightwheel, on Sat Feb 5, 2011 5:33 PM, said:

- Whats is a decent price for a working Kangaroo cab?

Not sure...I wouldn't pay more than $250 for one

nightwheel, on Sat Feb 5, 2011 5:33 PM, said:

- What is the best way to check to see if the controls are working properly and in good shape? And to add to this question, how much would it cost to fix the controls if there is a problem?

Play it. If it's the controls themselves, they are easy to fix. New buttons w/ micro switches cost $2.50 and you just swap out the old ones with the new ones. Same with joysticks (just make sure you get the appropriate joystick for the game).

But, if the problem is on the circuit board, that's a whole different matter.

nightwheel, on Sat Feb 5, 2011 5:33 PM, said:

- What the best way to move it if I do decide to buy it.

It'll fit in a large size pickup or minivan. Some cabinets have wheels on the back (but not many). If it doesn't have wheels, you'll need a dolly. You should have two people load/unload from the vehicle and move it to the location.

You should fire up the machine and look at the video. Don't worry about burn-in on the monitor - you want to look for a bad picture (wavy lines, discoloration and other abnormalities). If it has anything wrong of that nature the boards will need to be rebuilt (figure $150 if you shop it out).

I would not be too worried about fixing the wood on the cabinet itself. Those are easy fixes.

If you have pictures, links etc for this machine I'd like to see them.

[nightwheel]

Well there is no link for it since it's being sold locally at a Flea Market style store. And the person who runs the booth it's in has a price tag or $250 on it.

Here are some pictures I took of it today:

[Mirage]

Looks like it's in real nice shape. Do you actually like the game Kangaroo? That would obviously be real key. I've never been a fan of that game at all myself.

[rmaerz]

If I'd like Kangaroo or had the means to house it for my collection I'd buy it. The damage to the cabinet is minimal and the control panel overlay isn't all that bad.

The pictures make it look like a fair deal.

[Fafaflunkie]

From what I judge from the photos you took, that is well worth the price. The question, of course, is whether or not you like Kangaroo, and of course one can't judge the shape of the controls or the coin slots by just looking at the photos. Ask the seller to let you play it and inspect the insides for any signs of decay. If all checks out, go for it! If anything else, you can rip the guts out of it and turn it into a MAME cabinet with the old beige box you probably have in the attic somewhere...

[nightwheel]

Glad to hear that it "looks" like a good deal.

For right now, I don't have the money. And I won't till either Tuesday or Wednesday. So I still have a day or two to think about this.

And I'm really torn between this machine or pre-ordering a Nintendo 3DS. But like I said, I have time to think about it. (That is if it's gone by then.)

(Fun quick note, the corner of a box you see in the first picture. Actually contains a antique Russian field radio system. Or so the price label said on it.)

Edited by nightwheel, Sun Feb 6, 2011 11:00 PM.

[[d2f]Iggy*SJB]

Given that I actually like that game, if I were in your position, I'd ask if I could put a $50 deposit on it, and bring the balance in at an agreed upon time. Newer systems can be gotten anytime.... arcade cabs, not so much.