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Buying Arcade Classics?
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."
Start off with VAPS (http://www.vaps.org/), the Video Arcade Preservation Society.
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...
check out TNT Pinball. They have a ton of games,in all sorts of enclosures (mmmm, outrun cockpit...). they also come with a warrenty. They are a bit expencive though, in comparison to ebay and the like.
"Even Prophets don't know everything"