Starting Your Own Arcade Collection
If you grew up in the heyday of arcades, like I did, they probably hold a fond place in your heart. Certainly they're nostalgic, but it runs a lot deeper than that. It is without a doubt a piece of your childhood.
If you're thinking about starting your own arcade collection, fair warning!: You're going to be hooked the moment after you plug in your first machine.
Sure you could get yourself XBOX 360, PS3, Nintendo Wii, or whatever the latest, greatest, super fancy-schmancy video game console is out there. Guess what? It still doesn't hold a candle to arcade classics like Donkey Kong, Mortal Kombat, Gauntlet, etc...Sure, the graphics & sound quality might be sharper on the consoles. But what's the most important aspect of gaming? GAMEPLAY!!
The one thing that is lacking in console games is this all encompassing experience. Think back to those old arcades. The cabinet entirely surrounded you. It was almost like a capsule. All the sights and sounds that you were picking up was from this cocoon-like cabinet.
I know what you're probably thinking. "Yeah, but a console takes a few inches of space, you need a lot of room for arcade games" Very true. I can't deny it. Arcade games take up space. But for the true gaming fan, what's a little space in exchange for a life-long hobby. Hey, I'm sure for collectors stamp collecting takes up space too, but if you love what you're doing, what's the difference?
Ok, if you're just starting out, what are some things that I should know about before I jump right in. Well let's see:
• 1) Space, Space, Space!! Not sure if you heard me the first few times on this but you do need space in your house to get into collecting arcade machines. Don't worry! Find enough space for a couple of machines and after the fun you'll have with those, all of sudden your house tends to become more open. Hmm... funny how that works.
• 2) Be handy. Lets face it, if you're buying a 20 year old arcade machine, you might get the occasional glitch. It comes with the territory. Think about buying a 20 year old car. You're going to have to get under the hood once in a while.
Especially if you're getting a machine that's been in an arcade during its entire life. Think of all the bratty kids treating that joystick like it was their own personal pull-up bar. The machine is going to be tired and is going to need some TLC.
There are literally hundreds of places you could go online for a missing part or manual for the machine that's a little under the weather.
If you're repair skills are somewhat lacking, I guarantee you could find someone in your city limits that can fix arcade games. Think about everytime you walk into a 7-11, laundromat, pool hall, etc, you see arcade games, don't you? Well, chances are the owners of those machines have people that work on the games.
• 3) Where/Who do I buy the machines from? Well....Thank goodness for the internet. There are many sites that sell arcade machines. Where I recommend purchasing arcade games is eBay. It may seem like a no-brainer, but, well....it is a no-brainer. eBay is the best place to purchase games for several reasons:
• Selection - When you go to another website you are only going to see what that particular seller (chances are he sells on eBay too), and only that seller, has available for sale. Going to eBay you will see hundreds, if not thousands of listings on arcade machines for sale.
• Price - If you're just starting your collection, boy did you come in at a good time. Arcade games are selling for a lot less than they used to and eBay is where you will get the most competitive pricing. It makes sense. The more competition the better the prices are going to be. Don't you just love the free market?
• Feedback - This is the most important reason for buying machines through eBay. You can actually see what kind of reputation a seller has. If you went to any businesses' website do you honestly think they're going to report any problems they've had with previous buyers. Of course not!!!
But in eBay you get to see every single seller's feedback score. If you're looking at a particular machine that interests you, then look at the seller's feedback and if it seems like he's had some problems in the past with buyers, that's your cue to move on to the next one. Because chances are, someone else in eBay is selling the very same game and has a much better reputation with buyers.
If you're new to eBay, make sure to check out my video for useful tips on buying merchandise from eBay.
To see the current listings on arcade machines for sale on eBay just browse around this site. You'll found countless listings on new, used, and vintage arcade machines for sale.
• Price - If you're just starting your collection, boy did you come in at a good time. Arcade games are selling for a lot less than they used to and eBay is where you will get the most competitive pricing. It makes sense. The more competition the better the prices are going to be. Don't you just love the free market?
• Feedback - This is the most important reason for buying machines through eBay. You can actually see what kind of reputation a seller has. If you went to any businesses' website do you honestly think they're going to report any problems they've had with previous buyers. Of course not!!!
But in eBay you get to see every single seller's feedback score. If you're looking at a particular machine that interests you, then look at the seller's feedback and if it seems like he's had some problems in the past with buyers, that's your cue to move on to the next one. Because chances are, someone else in eBay is selling the very same game and has a much better reputation with buyers.
If you're new to eBay, make sure to check out my video for useful tips on buying merchandise from eBay.
To see the current listings on arcade machines for sale on eBay just browse around this site. You'll found countless listings on new, used, and vintage arcade machines for sale.
