Author Topic: Advice needed on arcade cabinets  (Read 293 times)

January 21, 2014, 09:09:22 AM
Read 293 times

Zelimpdna

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I've been thinking about getting an arcade cabinet for some time now, looking at ebay and gumtree (our version of craigslist, I guess) but not really having much luck.

Today my wife came across a company called Highway Entertainment, which seem to offer quite a few.

I had thought I'd want one out of an arcade, but I'm thinking maybe getting something like this might be better as they also sell replacement parts etc and have a warranty.

So here's the three that I've picked out:

Pick 1 - http://www.highway.net.au/arcade-machines/arcade-cabinets/485-game-arcade-combo-blast-city-cabinet/6723-28.html

Pick 2 - http://www.highway.net.au/arcade-machines/arcade-cabinets/game-wizard-vewlix-arcade-machine/11250-9.html

Pick 3 - http://www.highway.net.au/arcade-machines/video-games/gamewizard-saturn-arcade-machine/16424-1.html

However, I know VERY little about arcade cabinets, and don't really know what to look for. So any advice would be extremely helpful!

January 21, 2014, 10:35:30 AM
Reply #1

e_brugal

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I was viewing the first one and sow the price that say $44,000 and I was  :o is that in dollars, and then I realized that the page covert the currency to the country that I am lol, the price was in Dominican pesos lol  :P, I now change it to dollars

January 21, 2014, 10:59:03 AM
Reply #2

Dr.Agon

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it all depends on what you want to do with it, if your going to use actual arcade boards on it you'll want them to look as good as they can, which means you want a CRT, most arcade games made before about 2006 were designed to be displayed on a CRT, so they look their best on one. (as will classic consoles released before the xbox 360/ps3)

if your going to MAME it, then most emulators will have scanline options, modern consoles were designed for LCD's, so they will display better on them.

then of course you have to think about size, weight, e.t.c.

January 21, 2014, 11:00:32 AM
Reply #3

Arseen

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I think the 3rd looks best.

January 21, 2014, 11:33:09 AM
Reply #4

subzero187

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I love arcade gaming. Out of the cabinets that you linked here, I like the first one. The Astro City cabinet. I think those prices are pretty high.

But, if you want the true arcade experience, I would suggest looking for a machine of your favorite game, fix it up, and either Mame it, or start collecting the actual boards of the games you play. Right now, I have a dedicated MK3 arcade machine and I interchange the boards through that machine. .

I wanted to do the whole mame thing at first, but it just is not the same for me. Actually owning the games means much more. It is the same for us collectors and users of the cover project perfer to have the actual carts so we can display them in our collection.



I've been thinking about getting an arcade cabinet for some time now, looking at ebay and gumtree (our version of craigslist, I guess) but not really having much luck.

Today my wife came across a company called Highway Entertainment, which seem to offer quite a few.

I had thought I'd want one out of an arcade, but I'm thinking maybe getting something like this might be better as they also sell replacement parts etc and have a warranty.

So here's the three that I've picked out:

Pick 1 - http://www.highway.net.au/arcade-machines/arcade-cabinets/485-game-arcade-combo-blast-city-cabinet/6723-28.html

Pick 2 - http://www.highway.net.au/arcade-machines/arcade-cabinets/game-wizard-vewlix-arcade-machine/11250-9.html

Pick 3 - http://www.highway.net.au/arcade-machines/video-games/gamewizard-saturn-arcade-machine/16424-1.html

However, I know VERY little about arcade cabinets, and don't really know what to look for. So any advice would be extremely helpful!

January 21, 2014, 11:58:25 AM
Reply #5

Zelimpdna

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Given that it looks like they will come with a lot of the games I wanted to play on it, I'll probably just leave it as it is, rather than MAME it.

If it's a relatively simple thing to do, I wouldn't mind hooking a console up to it, but I already have a nice big CRT for my older consoles so it's not a must-do. Is it easy to do? And then would I be able to quickly and easily change between playing from the arcade board or the console? Or is it a big rewiring job?

subzero187, my initial plan was to buy an old machine like you have, but considering the price of them, I quite like the security of these ones with a warranty etc. I'm not 100% set on the idea yet, there is still that internal debate about buying an old one, similar to how I prefer to play original consoles rather than emulators or clones. I'm just also wary of the fact that I have a hard enough time funding my console game collecting, without then adding arcade boards as well!


January 21, 2014, 12:06:59 PM
Reply #6

segamer

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Well, I could only give you two pieces of advice. If you intent to collect Arcade Boards, 99% of PCB boards you'll find will be Jamma compatible. So, make sure any cabinet you are considering is Jamma. The other thing is to make sure you have 6 buttons.

January 21, 2014, 12:17:40 PM
Reply #7

Zelimpdna

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Yeah, I saw a repro TMNT arcade cabinet that I fell in love with, until I noticed each player only had 2 buttons.

I saw a repro Tron cabinet that had four players, each with six buttons. Are there many like this? Most six button cabinets I've seen only have two players.

January 21, 2014, 12:32:27 PM
Reply #8

Arseen

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I'd like to have fullsize X-men 6 player cabinet with the wide (or 2 normal actually) screen.

January 21, 2014, 01:11:54 PM
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BadChad

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I'd like to have fullsize X-men 6 player cabinet with the wide (or 2 normal actually) screen.

Yeah, that would be a bad ass arcade to own. But the cabinet is just so damn huge, you'd have to have a lot of extra space. Then again, you could always live in the damn thing with the amount of empty it has inside! ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnbZgcRtVCA

January 21, 2014, 02:14:37 PM
Reply #10

Arseen

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Yeah.

But I'm still planning on building myself a house in near future.
When I do I can easily build humangous basement, 25*25 metres should not be too bad, especially if I build it in 4 parts with strong dividing walls.

January 21, 2014, 02:27:29 PM
Reply #11

fiatbravodriver

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I created mine with the plans on http://www.arcadecab.com/.



Id suggest anyone give it a go. If I can make one anyone can.

J
Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/m97kauk

If you love thecoverproject please also support Nintandbox.net A great FREE site for Game Boxes.

January 21, 2014, 09:26:11 PM
Reply #12

wiggy

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I'd like to have fullsize X-men 6 player cabinet with the wide (or 2 normal actually) screen.

This.

A local arcade/bowling alley had one when I was in middle school. LOVED playing it.

January 21, 2014, 10:18:43 PM
Reply #13

UncleBob

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theunclebob@hotmail.com - 618.384.6938