A question you multiple vids and pins owners

[rainman154]

There are some games that only get played when other people come over, or my 2 1/2 year old wants it on. I just don't enjoy them.
I have found that I have an increased amount of ADHD after having so many games. I play one for about 2 min, then another for 1 min, another for 4 mins... it's kinda sad.

 

[sosage]

the cacophony of beeps, buzzes, conversation and laughter

That's definitely a big part of having so many machines. You're going to wind up concentrating on one more than the others, but they all provide an atmosphere. Some people won't admit it, but part of the fun is managing the entire thing. Not just fixing the games, but messing with the line up, deciding which one's attract mode should be one, which one should be louder, etc. We're all kind of running the hole-in-the-wall arcade we think we'd like to run. For most of us, that means having a lot of machines.

 

[rainman154]

That's definitely a big part of having so many machines. You're going to wind up concentrating on one more than the others, but they all provide an atmosphere. Some people won't admit it, but part of the fun is managing the entire thing. Not just fixing the games, but messing with the line up, deciding which one's attract mode should be one, which one should be louder, etc. We're all kind of running the hole-in-the-wall arcade we think we'd like to run. For most of us, that means having a lot of machines.

Agreed. Messing with them was part of the fun.
Kinda like going to a strip club with monopoly money.

 

[westal_sage]

Well I have 7 - 4 vids and 3 pins. I find that they kind rotate around. I'll get on a kick for awhile on 1 or 2 of them, then maybe they all sit for awhile, and it'll be a new set the next time.

As far as entertaining guests, by far the most mileage comes from my Eight Ball Deluxe pinball machine. We'll play a buck a head, but the winner gets an extra buck from everyone for each game popped along the way, and each loser can erase a buck owed with each popped game. It really feels good when you have that breakout game where you light it up like Christmas tree!

 

[Paul Olson]

I haven't played much at all in the last couple of months. Donkey Kong and Tempest are down right now, and those are the ones that I usually play most. I am hoping I can get them working this weekend. I have been putting it off since they both need cosmetic work that I don't want to do, but I think I will just get them back working for now.

I know that DK, Tempest, Stunt Cycle, and Hydro Thunder are going to stay for quite a while, and I do play them, just not constantly. Millipede is probably going to stay as well. I think the rest, all though I like most of them, might be up for trade before long. I want to get 2 or 3 nice pins, and I need to trade or sell some games to do it.

The ones that might be traded are Time Crisis 3, Gyruss, Gaplus, Pole Position cockpit, Neo Geo, Hangtime (still a non working project), pacman cocktail, tetris cocktail. I listed these to see what it actually looked like. There are some pretty good games there, but not guaranteed keepers like the main 4. Gyruss is probably the closest keeper of all of those right now. I like all of those games, and if I had a ton of money and space, they would all stay, but it is time to make some changes and see if I miss anything. I haven't owned a DMD pin yet, and I want to. I plan to play a lot of Hydro Thunder in the near future. I am looking forward to that.

 

[p1899m]

For me having many games means I go in phases and tend to get on kicks of playing different games for a while. I try and actually make it a point to play as many as possible. Of course games break down and need repairs which puts them in the not being played category but then it's kinda exciting when you get them up and running again. Kinda like getting a new game.

 

[gwarble]

That's definitely a big part of having so many machines. You're going to wind up concentrating on one more than the others, but they all provide an atmosphere. Some people won't admit it, but part of the fun is managing the entire thing. Not just fixing the games, but messing with the line up, deciding which one's attract mode should be one, which one should be louder, etc. We're all kind of running the hole-in-the-wall arcade we think we'd like to run. For most of us, that means having a lot of machines.

so true... i'd say maybe 30% play time (from me) as well... lots of fixing/improving, also recently been focusing on the arcade atmosphere which has been fun and interesting... and guests is the best way to enjoy your collection in my opinion

play wise, i focus on one or two games in weekly/monthly bursts (not planned, just happens, especially with new additions of course)... if i can get my girlfriend into the game all the better, its always better to play with company... and of course always have my favorite (robotron) to resort to

 

[PrairieDillo]

Every single one of my machines needs something done to it... On top of everything going on in life from family to work etc... this hobby takes some sort of project management to handle repairs/restorations, searches and figuring out what stays or goes.

Playing is only part of it and that's why there's always a WTB list and a list of stuff that probably needs to go. With my boys being on the cusp of learning to play games, I have been getting into smaller cabs. I have 2 short cabs another Taito Trimline now and wish I could get another 2 built. I want to stick a 13" TV into a short Nintendo cab and build a cab that looks and plays like a Playchoice but has a loader for all NES games. I've thought heavily about a Playchoice Countertop but I really can't justify it after having a PC10 before.

Once you get a mess of cabs there's always a bunch of categories. Grails/Keepers, ones you got because it was a good deal, ones to fill out your collection, projects etc...

I picked up a second outrun mainly cause it was dirt cheap/free. Think of your arcade like a totem pole and somethings going to be on the bottom.

My JROK Robotron MW gets the least play for example and I'm going to end up selling it. To me I'd rather put it's value toward a HD LCD cab for a SSF4AE/MAME fighter cab.

 

[hasenfang]

I have 15+ arcade games and 1 pin. Typically what I do is fire them all up and start at one end and play until the game is over, then move down the line to the next until I reach the end of the line. Then I will go back and play whatever I'm in the mood for. Some days you feel like spending time with one game more than another, but thats the best part about owning a bunch, you can pick and choose. However, having said all of that it also depends on how much time I have, do I have an hour to blow or as much as I want. Mileage may vary depending on what else I have going on.

 

[OTTOgd]

In all honesty... I play my games maybe 30% of the time that I am in the gameroom. 70% of the time I'm working on something... tweaking something... or just sitting there enjoying a little somthin'-somethin' looking at them.

There are some games I've probably not played in over a month. I do make sure to turn them all on at least monthly though.

Like many people with "collections" of various types... it's more about the collection...the collecting...the chase...the restoring... than actually playing them all the time.

I "DO" have a couple cabs that played at least weekly if not daily though.

This is where I fit in too. But it will be nice to have fewer projects when my 'list' is complete and the arcade is rockin'. Getting there.

Then I'll get back to work on my '70 VW beetle.

 

[Robomayhem]

I have a decent amount of games, and certain ones get more attention than others when I am there by myself. And generally the others get love when we have company.

I constantly play Robotron (via Jrok board), Asteroids, Millipede and my two pins.
When we have peeps come over, Smash TV, Tekken3, Atari Football and the 60-1 usually are populated as well. The RTR's I had saw lots of use too, but we were gong to move to a place that had only stairs to the basement, so I got rid of the RTRs .. BUT, as it turns out, we ended up losing out on the new house and therefore I sincerely regret letting all the RTRs go Time to score a couple 2049s, I suppose.

 

[sosage]

I sincerely regret letting all the RTRs go Time to score a couple 2049s, I suppose.

If you liked RTR, you'll love 2049. It's the one game my wife wants us to score some day.

 

[Robomayhem]

If you liked RTR, you'll love 2049. It's the one game my wife wants us to score some day.

Yes I totally agree that 2049 is the better game, upgrades and all. It's just that the RTRs are quite a bit more affordable. Hopefully though, I can get a good deal at a local auction on the 2049s.

 

[Silverunicorn]

Good answer. I assume most of you guys would say the same.

I thought htat too, but then I recently decided that I wanted to focus on pinball. I will keep the Frogger because that was a present for my wife, but Space Duel and Qix have already sold, and I really won't miss the Centipede if it sells.

They are games I thought I had to have, and now they sit Time for others to be able to enjoy them.


Chris

 

[SeaWolf]

I have about 70 working games but try and ply them all from time to time .
Some do get a lot more time but asteroids was the first game I ever played at the roller rink when I was a kid. Some I never played BITD but through other collerctors cough JOE M
, HANSO , MarkH, Chris M ( evil basterds you letting me play your games !) fell in love with and became on the must have list! I play them all and it keeps it from getting boring

Example: I was just looking at, Shawn's (Phetishboy) PC-10 restoration. I came to the pic of him placing it in his gameroom. A thought crossed my mind.



For all you multiple vids and pins owners. Do you find that having a huge collection, takes away from actually playing all the games you own? Do some seem to sit while others get alot of playtime? Just curious. Anyone with more than 10 machines or pins can chime in.