Key Questions to Ask When Ordering Shooting Game Arcade Equipment

In the past, we've gone to great lengths to create guides that would help any potential entrepreneurs to build their arcade establishment without dying in the process. Opening up an arcade is no small feat, especially in this day and age, where the presence of traditional arcade businesses are all but extinct. Nevertheless, with the proper know-how, and a good measure of luck, getting initiated in this business is not only possible but profitable as well!

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However, not everyone is keen on opening an arcade business; some people just want to collect machines. Heck, it's even possible that most of you would-be buyers are simply looking for a cost-effective machine that can give you the best bang for your buck, and hill to fill out that last bit of space available in your game room. Unfortunately, those that are new to this world and don't know what to look for in an arcade machine (either new or used) might have a really rough time finding a good deal. Furthermore, the possibility of getting scammed or buying overpriced products from unscrupulous merchants is a very real threat to the uninitiated.

For these reasons, we've decided to create a buying guide of sorts, where we'll list some of the most important tips to keep in mind the next time you're browsing the market for a good arcade cabinet. If you're looking for an arcade machine, please consider the following:

The Reputation of the Firm

This one goes without saying: The track history of the business you're looking to buy from will speak loads about the quality of the product you're going to receive. There's a massive difference in the safety of your purchase when you're buying from a recognized firm than, say, conducting business with someone on eBay or Craigslist. Now, this isn't to say that the merchants on these platforms are dishonest, but there are usually fewer measures to protect both buyers and sellers in these platforms. Furthermore, in the odd case that you meet someone looking to earn a quick buck, it will be easier for them to do so through these marketplaces, at your expense.

That being said, here at PrimeTime Amusements, we live up to our name by providing the best arcade game sales and rental solutions in the country. Founded in and headquartered in South Florida, our business represents the interests of a wide variety of markets from around the world. We have a significant presence in not only North America, but South and Central America, Europe, and Africa, as well. We hold our customer's satisfaction in the highest regard and are constantly striving to improve the quality of our services, whether they be arcade sales, rentals, or game room design and furnishing consulting services.

The Price of the Machine

This is where it gets tricky. Despite the relative lack of arcade establishments in recent days, the production of arcade machines and amusements is still very much alive. However, some of the most popular machines and games can only be found in refurbished states, still in their original cabinets. Similarly, there are still some guys that have updated versions and are still being manufactured to this day. Furthermore, there currently exist multicade machines that feature a compilation of many games packed into one cabinet, thus saving the buyer from the hassle of potentially having to spend valuable time and money on securing a rare and valuable game.

For all the reasons mentioned above, the price arcade machines and amusements usually vary wildly. Depending on the title, a game could go anywhere from a few hundred bucks to upwards of ten thousand dollars, though arcade cabinets seldom go over the twenty thousand mark, unless they're collectibles or rare versions of vintage games. If you're looking to buy a specific game from an online marketplace, be sure to factor in the taxes on the final price, as these can usually hike the price up quite a bit and some sellers may not include them in the publication. Furthermore, depending on the state you reside in, you may have to pay an additional tax on top of the final purchase price.

In other words, be sure to read up on your state's tax legislation, and to clear up any questions or concerns about the product with the seller before pulling the trigger on that new machine.

The Type of Game You Want to Buy

This one revolves more around personal preference, though the seller can also give valuable information to help you make the best purchase for your money. Some of us may have a distinct preference on what type and genre of games we're looking to buy, while others may simply desire to acquire a game with great replay value to fill the gap in the gaming room. Whatever your preference may be, the most important part is to acquire a game with longevity, which won't get stale after a few rounds, and that will last you the most because of its diverse gameplay or engaging mechanics.

If you're still not sure which game to buy, feel free to reach out to us through our contact page; our knowledgeable and experienced agents are always glad to lend a hand and to help you find the right title for your needs.

What to Expect After Your Order is Placed

So let's say you found your ideal machine and you placed your order. Depending on the marketplace, your order should be processed immediately, and the time you have to wait to have fun with your new machine will usually be the time it takes for it to be shipped to your home. However, if you're buying from a retailer like us, some machines or amusements are commissioned directly from the manufacturer so that you receive a brand new product at your doorstep. This process can take anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the machine. Regardless, refurbished are almost always immediately shipped, and will take around 3 to 4 business days to arrive at home.

One thing that must always be considered when making a purchase is the room you'll want to set your machine in. Arcade games are big, and the ones that don't require assembly will usually need big enough doorways or hallways in order to be set in their final destination. Before paying for your machine, please make sure to study its dimensions to determine whether it can be easily transported to the game room, or if you'll have to contact a third-party mover to help accommodate your new purchase.

What do I do After my Machine Arrives?

Well, play it, of course!

However, some arcade cabinets or amusements may require simple assembly before powering. Some machines such as pinball games, air hockey tables, and foosball amusements, among others, may require additional assembly that could take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour before being able to enjoy them. Luckily, the instructions are always shipped with each and every one of our machines and, should you misplace them in the future, our agents will always be happy to help you set up your game through the .

I've been reading a thread started by @illawarra_steelers asking about how people got into pinball. It's great to read about the stories and memories from back in the day so I thought I'd do a similar thread for us arcade enthusiasts.

Just copy/paste and add your story. I look forward to reading them.

I'll kick it off to get it started.

1. Earliest arcade memory?

2. Where did you play? (Milk Bar, Arcade etc.) Describe your old hangout.

3. What was playing on the jukebox?

4. All time favourite game? Why?

5. Favourite game in your collection? Why?

6. What game are you into at the moment?

7. How long have you been collecting?

8. First game and how did you find it?

9. Do you still have it?

10. What are you currently working on?

11. What is on your wanted list?

1. Earliest arcade memory?

The local shops always had a few games but the earliest memory of a real arcade was on a family holiday in the early 80s to the Gold Coast when we visited Grundys (where Timezone is now). Wow, that place was awesome.

2. Where did you play? (Milk Bar, Arcade etc.) Describe your old hangout.

We had two milk bars close to home. One always had a couple of stand up cabs that they changed fairly regularly and a Sprint 2. The other had a separate games room that had a good mix of pinnies and arcade games and a jukebox. I remember pumping a fair few coins into Track n' Field here. I also ate a lot of greasy potato cakes after school and had my first drag of a ciggie here.

Sometime in the mid 80s a dedicated arcade opened in town. I remember seeing Dragons Lair for the first time and being blown away. I also remember how quickly that thing chewed coins.

3. What was playing on the jukebox?

John Cougar, Joan Jett and Juice Newton.

I remember later in the 80s that whenever we were leaving we would pump a few coins in the jukebox and put Foster and Allen's 'Maggie' on repeat.

4. All time favourite game? Why?

Mr. Do!

I played this a lot back then and I still have good memories of this game. I still play it a lot now. I like that this game is different to most in that it has multiple ways to finish each level.

5. Favourite game in your collection? Why?

Sprint 2. This is such a fun game, just jump on it and go!

Played it a lot on my teens and loved it. Everyone that looks at it goes 'Yeah, I remember that one. That's where you drive like this...' (Then they hold their hands in steering wheel position and swing wildly each way).

6. What game are you into at the moment?

Usually whatever game is currently running in the MGL. Current games are Ghouls n Ghosts, Bubble Bobble, Gunsmoke and Lady Bug. (If you haven't heard of the MGL then check it out at the bottom of the main page in the Mame section)

7. How long have you been collecting?

I've always been into gaming at home on pc and consoles. I built my first Mame cabinet a few years ago. I imported my Sprint 2 from the USA a couple of years ago. I also have a Namco Aqua Jet and a touchscreen jukebox I made that has mainly 80s music.

We also have Xboxes networked for the modern stuff as well as some old consoles set up (Sega, Nintendo, PlayStation)

8. First game and how did you find it?

Sprint 2 came from John Yates in Illonois USA. I watched a video of John's arcade and saw he had one. Gave him a call and he said he had one he was restoring. Had a mate who had room in a container he was bringing over. Everything worked out nicely and now I have my favourite game from my youth.

9. Do you still have it?

Yes. It's a keeper.

10. What are you currently working on?

I've built a few Mame cabs for mates. About to start another one.

11. What is on your wanted list?

Not sure. I thought I wanted an Atari Stunt Cycle for a long time but I'm not sure it would be as exciting as I remember it if I owned it.

I'd like a full on driving simulator. I have seen some of the new ones combined with virtual reality and they look awesome.

1. Earliest arcade memory?

Being on holidays in Canberra with the family when I was a little kid, probably sometime in the early s. We were staying in some crappy caravan park and they had a little arcade room with a few machines. The only machine I remember was a generic woodgrain that had Ghosts and Goblins in it. There were older kids hanging out in the arcade room and they told me that if you kneed the coin slot hard enough, you would get a free game, they even showed me how to do it. I got a pretty sore knee, but I also got a lot of free games :) It was my first intro to the bullshit hard world of coin chewing arcade games.

2. Where did you play? (Milk Bar, Arcade etc.) Describe your old hangout.

I was born in , so I missed the golden age by a long time. When I was a teenager I spent a lot of time at the Timezone in the city, the one that used to be right next to the Hungry Jacks in the middle of the mall. I went to school at State High, which was just over the bridge in West End. We used to walk over the bridge after school and spend an hour or two in the arcade before catching the train home. There was also a fish and chips store over the road from school, we used to duck over to get chips. They had a Street Fighter Alpha 2 machine in there which was just dominated by all the Asian kids. You didn't even dare play unless you were Asian, or knew the Asian kids well enough to prove yourself. One of my mates used to be pretty good and he taught me the basics. I still suck to this very day, despite owning a dedicated SFIV cabinet.

3. What was playing on the jukebox?

Jukebox? They were long gone by the time I was in arcades. However, I was listening to a lot of metal and lame ass nu-metal. Lots of Tool, Devin Townsend, Strapping Young Lad, Korn and Rob Zombie.

4. All time favourite game? Why?

Jesus, that's tough. What I actually played in arcades when I was a kid, it would be Metal Slug 2, Virtua Cop 2, Point Blank or Sega Rally. I also really loved Dungeons and Dragons: Shadows over Mystara. Why? Because I was good at those games and could last a while on a single credit. Point Blank was my jam, it was cool showing off on that game, good times. My all-time favourite now would Espgaluda II. Gotta love CAVE games.

5. Favourite game in your collection? Why?

My Tempest cabaret cabinet. I barely even play it, but the vector monitor is so amazing and every time I have a games night, people are drawn to those bright vector lines. I also managed to pick it up for an absolute steal and whenever I look at it I just kind of feel warm and fuzzy knowing how little I paid and how much it is worth. I also love my Firepower pinball, which is a very new addition.

6. What game are you into at the moment?

Firepower pinball, CAVE shmups and Donkey Kong. I have one small cocktail inside the house, which has a 60-in-1 in it that boots straight to Donkey Kong. It's the game I play the most these days, as I can just sit there with the TV on the in the background and crack out a quick game or two. My goal is to actually beat 100 000 one day, I have only made it to 90 000. Yes, I am not very good at Donkey Kong.

7. How long have you been collecting?

Around 4-5 years or so.

8. First game and how did you find it?

Upright LAI MAME cabinet that I bought off Ebay for $500, I think around or . I'd wanted a MAME machine for ages, would never be able to build one, and I found one advertised around the corner. I had to own it. Picking it up, we had to take the control panel off to fit it out the door. I knew NOTHING about CP wiring, I didn't even know what a ground was. It was a nightmare getting it all hooked back up again. Trying to figure it all out is how I found this forum :) My first post was a giant HELP ME thread.

9. Do you still have it?

Yes, it's been upgraded to a new PC and a new 4-player CP for NBA Jam showdowns. I'll never sell it, as I will always want a 4-player machine around. I also upgraded the tube and chassis to a shiny Jomac chassis and beautiful 26 inch NEC tube. It was my first tube and chassis swap, then I went and did it on every other machine I ended up buying.

10. What are you currently working on?

I am not technical enough for serious projects, but raysco just fixed up my Firepower for me and this weekend I will be hopefully rebuilding the pop bumpers on that.

11. What is on your wanted list?

Anything cheap and close. I am currently out of room, but I am thinking of selling something to make room for something new. I would love a nice Fish Tales pinball or an original Donkey Kong cabinet. Both of those are well out of my price range right now.

1. Earliest arcade memory?

Pretty sure it was Space Invaders, and I know I was young so it would have been around -80. Space Invaders was released in 78, so I'm guessing by '79 that it probably would have landed on Australian soil by then. I would have been 6 at the time and played my first game at the Sale Golf Club in Victoria. With my bad memory, I could have also played Sprint 2 before Space Invaders - we used to holiday at a place called Seaspray, and the local milkbar had a Sprint 2 machine - had to beg for 20 cents to play this. Never touched the pinball machine because the big kids who smoked were playing it, and besides, I was too short to see the playfield :)

2. Where did you play? (Milk Bar, Arcade etc.) Describe your old hangout.

I never really played them that much in the early days. I didn't get much allowance and my parents didn't like me wasting money on games :) I occasionally was able to sneak away to the bowling alley where they probably had 15-20 machines, and if I was feeling really cunning I'd sneak to the arcade (which was a real no-no) which was called "Playtime Arcade". I really only got to play arcade games only after my parents agreed to first site one, and then two arcade machines in the milk bar that they owned - probably around ish I think.

3. What was playing on the jukebox?

NFI - I wasn't into music until a fair bit later on - I'm still not really into music that much. I guess if there was something on the jukebox that I liked, it was probably something by Michael Jackson or Madonna - hey I was only around 10 by this time.

4. All time favourite game? Why?

Guess? No we don't have time for that, It's Bump 'n' Jump. Same reason as Charlie Wehner gave when he was interviewed after beating the TG WR set in something - it was a game where I could actually make my 20 cents last more than a couple of minutes.

5. Favourite game in your collection? Why?

See point 4 - but I don't have a big collection either.

6. What game are you into at the moment?

Nothing really, sort of lost a bit of interest as of late :(

7. How long have you been collecting?

Couple of years. Maybe if the interest comes back and I also find some money I'll get back into it.

8. First game and how did you find it?

Bump 'n' Jump. Someone, can't remember who, told me to look for the original. Found it at QuarterArcade for US$100. Grabbed it. Got a generic lowboy cab from Brisbane Amusements who also thankfully knew how to hook up the board (non jamma and my pin out download instructions were all wrong) and the rest is history.

9. Do you still have it?

Yup - the lowboy is going to double as my casket when I die - I'll get cremated so I'm well aware I'll get in trouble on here for destroying a cabinet - I'll take out the PCB though, I won't burn that :)

10. What are you currently working on?

Bertillo Product Page

A hangover.

11. What is on your wanted list?

Not really into that much at the moment. I guess an original DK PCB would be cool, if it was in an original cabinet all the better. But a Sprint 2 would also be pretty cool to own, though I'm not sure if it would be as much fun as I remember. I think now, if I had any money I'd probably grab a pinball machine - but I don't think that will happen any time soon.

1. Earliest arcade memory?

That I can pin down, Double Dragon in the local laundromat in Mosman.

2. Where did you play? (Milk Bar, Arcade etc.) Describe your old hangout.

See above response.

3. What was playing on the jukebox?

N/A and i was never really into music, so i wouldn't have noticed.

4. All time favourite game? Why?

Arcade game? Black Tiger, discovered at Funland in Ulladulla on family holiday in... I want to say '87, but that's the year it was released, so maybe '88. It was just so... amazing. The fact your character had this huge spiked flail, and then also three throwing-knives, the smooth animations of those first orange orc-creatures, the responsive controls. I was blown away, and I still love it.

5. Favourite game in your collection? Why?

Don't have any dedicated machines, but two lowboy woodies I restored running MAME.

6. What game are you into at the moment?

Driving stuff. Mostly Outrun. Hopefully Sailorsat makes some Model2 progress soon, and the team behind Supermodel releases a network-capable update. Also hoping 90's Arcade Racer sees the light of day soon, that thing looks awesome, though whether it stays looking awesome on an SD CRT is yet to be seen.

7. How long have you been collecting?

CRT + consoles about 3 years, arcade hardware about a year.

8. First game and how did you find it?

@tye was kind enough to give away a big LAI four player upright that had been converted into a World Rally - not by him, of course. Originally a Turtles cab, had the manual inside. Has next to no Turtles parts left though, short of the four rectangular credit buttons - if anyone needs one, give me a shout.

9. Do you still have it?

Yeah, he located a screen I could use, though the whole rig is sitting in the garage waiting for some love.

10. What are you currently working on?

Second ghetto driving setup for networking. Sort of finished, bar the frontends, but I'm still hoping to repair that fking PVM- so I can build a third unit, and then wait for more games to work on it :)

11. What is on your wanted list?

Always after more professional-grade CRTs. And this getting released, and looking good at low res. It's a PC game, but it might work really well. Love me some drifting, and looking for more recommendations.

:D

Edited September 9, by buttersoft

1. Earliest arcade memory?

very hard to place, it would have been in the 70's, on something black and white, before Arcade machines started gathering together in centers!

2. Where did you play? (Milk Bar, Arcade etc.) Describe your old hangout.

Three main hangouts: The fish and chip shop close to my High School had Berzerk and Track and Field. But mostly it was two different Amusement centers, within about 15 minutes bicycle ride of my house. I was always an 8-ball and Pinball kid though, until that fateful day the Space Wars machine arrived in my Pinny Parlour and changed my life.

3. What was playing on the jukebox?

Black is Black. Boney M. Kiss. Fleetwood Mac. Other old shite!

4. All time favourite game? Why?

Space Wars by Cinematronics. It has an amazing history dating back to on old mainframe computers. And it is (imo) one of the most fun 2 player Arcade games ever. Most people wont set it up right in mame though, as there are 10 slots to select the type of game to play which change the game totally. If you look at the space wars control panel, the amount of ways you can play it is huge, depending on type of game selected + modification. It was way ahead of it's time in , it had a high res (x768) Vector monitor, it used fully tweakable gravity effects, it had partially and fully destructible ships.

5. Favourite game in your collection? Why?

SPACE WARS ! thanks to @wingtipvortex. About 3-4 years ago I was on a motorbike ride through northen NSW and was fuelling up, saw a missed call. Andy had called me to say he saw a Space Wars go up on the AA for sale section and he knew it was my holy grail. I immediately got on and called dibs. Forever grateful for that. it is a part of my childhood that is magical. My favourite games are all 2-player as it's the social aspect of gaming I like the most. I don't really enjoy grinding out levels by myself any more.I would much rather match it up with someone over beers. If I do flick the Arcade machine on it will be to play Berzerk, Joust, 10 yard fight, or NBA Jam. (max hangtime edition!)

6. What game are you into at the moment?

I'm more into Pinball now so I'm playing a lot of my Pin*Bot (got from AA), trying to fix a Zaccaria Magic Castle (also AA), and playing heaps on the Virtual Pinny I built in an empty Judge Dredd cab :) PC would be Grid Autosport using my driving cockpit/Playset or PES. I've also been trying to get into MTG Duels on Steam a little bit lately.

7. How long have you been collecting?

Bought my first Arcade machine in - an xxx-1 board Gottlieb Challenger clone. It's now been modded to take a PC and I have a high res CRT in there now for awesome Vector games. but I've been collecting consoles and handhelds for many years.

8. First game and how did you find it?

First 'real' game was Space Wars. See Q5 answer :)

9. Do you still have it?

it will never, ever leave my collection and I may request to be buried in it. I'm not joking!

10. What are you currently working on?

Software! I'm developing my first game! I left my longtime career, really high paid job as an IT analyst to be poor, cause the job was sucking my soul away and I was terribly unhappy and getting depressed. Thanks to an incredibly supportive wife, I'm now full time at games development and I have never been happier :D You've got to have a dream to make a dream come true, right ? The game is coming along really well, will be for PC, and will show my Arcade roots.

11. What is on your wanted list?

Bigredbird's Sprint 2 ;)

1. Earliest arcade memory?

Frogger on a cocktail cab, my uncle had one in his spare room along with an EM pin I forget the name of (Ice Hockey theme).

2. Where did you play? (Milk Bar, Arcade etc.) Describe your old hangout.

Once the bug hit I played anywhere I could find a machine. Arcade, milkbar, video store, fish and chip shop, RSL...

3. What was playing on the jukebox?

I have no memory of music playing at arcades, it was probably there but I was focused on the games.

4. All time favourite game? Why?

Probably Snow Bros, it was the first game I figured out how to play well, also it was the first PCB I repaired after buying broken. The attract mode also makes my kids laugh.

5. Favourite game in your collection? Why?

See above, will eventually build a cab for it, I currently have the PCB and the control panel and have restored the marquee digitally although not yet had it printed.

6. What game are you into at the moment?

I want to be able to put more time into Robotron (I suck but it's so fun) and have been enjoying Joust with the missus - I'd highly recommend the Jrok multi-Williams

7. How long have you been collecting?

I've been collecting arcade gear for about ten years, gaming stuff in general more like 25-30 years.

8. First game and how did you find it?

Found a cheap Japanese Snow Bros PCB on ebay, broken. Spent ages figuring out how to fix it...

9. Do you still have it?

Yes but it died again a few years later due to me not paying attention to voltages one night, I've been meaning to try and fix it again. Has since been replaced with an English language version of the PCB.

10. What are you currently working on?

Credit card sized computer to JAMMA adaptors. (plus 2 scratch builds and 5 restorations that are on-going as I rarely have time to put into them)

Other peoples games...

11. What is on your wanted list?

Original LAI Galaxian/Mooncresta control panel and monitor glass

Universal Cosmic Guerilla control panel and monitor glass

A 4 player cab for when the kids start playing

Pulstar, Magicain Lord and Nam carts for Neogeo MVS

more time to work on things

1. Earliest arcade memory?

when family involved in a business in a partnership with the relatives.

2. Where did you play? (Milk Bar, Arcade etc.) Describe your old hangout.

Everwhere

3. What was playing on the jukebox?

Human League

4. All time favourite game? Why?

Gyruss

5. Favourite game in your collection? Why?

Anything do with Sega in retro console and Arcade

6. What game are you into at the moment?

Shump

7. How long have you been collecting?

36 yrs

8. First game and how did you find it?

Tron Upright through the business of the family back in the 80' which still in storage.

9. Do you still have it?

Yes

10. What are you currently working on?

Galaga

11. What is on your wanted list?

Sun City by Sega(Candy Cab)

Been in the industry in and out for 30 yrs.

Worked in Japan back in mid 90' for 6 months.

Stopped repairing Arcade pcb boards and cabinets in .

Had a break for 10 yrs and got back into it when i went to a auction brought some Arcade machines cheap with a friend of mind.

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