John's Arcade Forum - Classic Arcade and Pinball Collecting and Restoring Discussion Forum - RETRO MAME - Nintendo Vs Forum

Hey guys,

Just wondering what were some of your first cabinets. I want to potentially buy one in the new year. I'm trying to figure out what would be a good game as far as price, and reliability. I am open to having to do repairs if I have to, so I guess something easy to work on so that I can learn with it. Any suggestions would be great! Thanks

Well, what kind of games do you like?  Get one of those!

Haha. I guess that leaves me open to anything. I really like vector games, but I saw a Tempest on craigs in South Jersey they wanted $1k which I thought was extremely high. I would not be opposed to a Nintendo playchoice either. I'm really open to anything. I like most arcade games. I'd get anything, but a fighter, unless it was MK3 cause I love that game. The way I look at it, I can play a fighter on a console. I guess I would not mind a ladybug either.

Actually the more and more I think about it I really like the Atari System 1 & 2 games. Especially APB and Marble Madness. It would be cool to get my hands on one of those. I also really like Batman arcade from 1990.

My first system was a neogeo mvs. Lots of games with a lot of variety. Ultimately get a game you like and don't pay too much for it.

If I can go back and pick a first game id get a frogger or joust

Joust would be really fun too. I think my biggest thing is I'm not 100% sure what things are worth so I don't want to overpay since I am fairly new to collecting arcade games.

pm me and i can help you with pricing.

Alright awesome. I will be sure to do so if I find something I want to buy. Thanks!

Find a crappy low cost cabinet that doesn't need much doing to it, learn Jamma wiring and everything that goes with that, buy a 60-1 board, then go from there.

And some advice from someone who made this mistake - be careful with your money - it's all too tempting to buy a load of stuff and regret it, count to 10, maybe higher, take advice, then buy.

Thanks for the tips man. I got a buddy who just lucked out and picked up a pretty turn key Arch Rivals cab for $100 from his local bar. Hopefully I can stumble onto something like that myself one of these days.