Any arcadelads on here? I'm having this bad boy delivered on Friday, 100% original hardware in working condition and a DEXTER Laserdisc replacement board too!
I have a few friends who have built their own cabinets out of Mame on raspberry pi if you consider that the same. Or is that sacrilege in your circles?
Building your own is fine, it's taking a rare cabinet, junking any parts still in it and turning it onto one of those multi game machines that's sacrilege.
I really like checking arcades for the old games, but the owners often have the pricing all wrong. I'd happily sink £2 into a machine at 10p a credit but 50p? what the fuck?
I had this little idea some years ago of running a 'modern' arcade with a global electronic leaderboard to encourage competition and play time. Members would get free credits on selected games, plus leaderboard prizes. Cheap retro games to draw in players, more expensive modern games for the hardcore competetors. Every other week you'd run an event on a the retro machines to drum up interest and draw customers. Once a month run a modern machine tournament to pay the electric bill. You'd sell it as a social club - they say gamers are lonely these days, right?
>>23195 That's a shame, I'd quite like to buy an old cabinet just because they are usually beautifully decorated.
Was also thinking of buying a used bandit to fiddle with the settings (using one of those keys) so it doesn't pay out very often but lets me on the board.
I used to fantasise about owning proper arcade machines when I had my own place as well as the money. Then I worked in a venue with lots of arcade machines and they seem like a total ballache. Always breaking down, one of them even ransomly set on fire. If I was more technically minded I would probably enjoy the challenge, so kudos those willing to put the work in.
There are loads of arcade venues opening up these days, usually offering free play machines with a fixed admission fee. If you're anywhere near Manchester, Arcade Club in Bury has a truly exceptional collection of vintage and modern cabinets.
AFAIK Heart of Gaming in Croydon is the last remaining proper arcade in the big smoke. Flip Out (also in Croydon) have a huge selection of pinball tables, but check the opening times.
Used to go every few months when it was in Acton and I lived in Newcastle, then went by one time and it was just gone. Was a bit heartbroken, so glad to hear it reopened recently. Heading there in the next few weeks.
Are you part of the community? I was always too shy to speak to people but it seemed like loads of people knew each other and had a lovely atmosphere.
