Advice on used games?

sgalow

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Hey all... Been just reading all over the net as I'm intent on getting into collecting old video games. I've managed to keep an old 70's pinball game going, but time for some games. That's where I wouldn't mind some advice.

There's a guy who's closing down a youth center, and has about 23 games that he's selling for about $200 a piece. There are a few exceptions of newer/nicer games, but for the most part it's a standard price. So a few-part question:

1) I'd love to start the collection with a few of them. $200 for working Centipede, Arkanoid, and/or Raiden? Is it worth it? 2 of these 3 have had the monitors recapped. The cabinets look great, and the screens are bright. Lots of wear on the panel around the controls/joystick/trackballs and such, but it's cosmetic and I'd make that a project...

2) He has a Star Wars Trilogy upright that he wants to sell for $150 but it's not working. I plugged it in, and everything comes on, sound, etc. You start playing, and the screen quickly displays some lines across it. Can still hear sound and such. Not sure if it's worth looking into this if it could be more than the monitor. I love the game, and just let one get away on the forum that was near me for $450 in great shape. That's why a $150 project may not seem worth it.

3) He has a Premium sit-down Star Wars Trilogy too. It's in great shape, and everything looks good. Screen, graphics, lights, bench... All top shape. I can talk him down some, but he thinks he's gonna get $1500 for it. I see some of the refurbished ones going for up around $2000 but that may seem high too. Even if I talked him down to a reasonable price, is this game more trouble than it's worth? Easy to repair? Break down a lot?

I'm new to it, and I'd love to start to learn to repair and such and refinish the cosmetics, and am wondering if this is the right way to start. Any thoughts are much appreciated...

Sean
 
Words of wisdom. It's only worth what someone will pay. That is a decision you have to make. Is that game worth what they are asking to you? Just like buying a car If you want to save money shop around If it is rare and the price is right jump on it.

AND WELCOME TO THE FORUM
 
Hey all... Been just reading all over the net as I'm intent on getting into collecting old video games. I've managed to keep an old 70's pinball game going, but time for some games. That's where I wouldn't mind some advice.

There's a guy who's closing down a youth center, and has about 23 games that he's selling for about $200 a piece. There are a few exceptions of newer/nicer games, but for the most part it's a standard price. So a few-part question:

1) I'd love to start the collection with a few of them. $200 for working Centipede, Arkanoid, and/or Raiden? Is it worth it? 2 of these 3 have had the monitors recapped. The cabinets look great, and the screens are bright. Lots of wear on the panel around the controls/joystick/trackballs and such, but it's cosmetic and I'd make that a project...

2) He has a Star Wars Trilogy upright that he wants to sell for $150 but it's not working. I plugged it in, and everything comes on, sound, etc. You start playing, and the screen quickly displays some lines across it. Can still hear sound and such. Not sure if it's worth looking into this if it could be more than the monitor. I love the game, and just let one get away on the forum that was near me for $450 in great shape. That's why a $150 project may not seem worth it.

3) He has a Premium sit-down Star Wars Trilogy too. It's in great shape, and everything looks good. Screen, graphics, lights, bench... All top shape. I can talk him down some, but he thinks he's gonna get $1500 for it. I see some of the refurbished ones going for up around $2000 but that may seem high too. Even if I talked him down to a reasonable price, is this game more trouble than it's worth? Easy to repair? Break down a lot?

I'm new to it, and I'd love to start to learn to repair and such and refinish the cosmetics, and am wondering if this is the right way to start. Any thoughts are much appreciated...

Sean

1- That is a STEAL for those games. Raiden is also one of my absolute faves and a SHMUP legend.

2- It depends on how much you know about repair. If you have the know how it's a decent price but in my case I am horrible at fixing ENTIRELY dead games so I can't suggest it.

3- It's really up to you. Not a bad price at all, but not an absolute steal either. Not sure about the maintenance, but if it's as impeccable as you say it is problems should be far and wide (not to mention minor).

WELCOME TO THE CULT. ONE OF US ONE OF US ONE OF US
 
Thanks

Thanks for the warm welcome. :)

I've been seriously mulling it over. The whole Star Wars Trilogy thing is mainly because it's a game I'd always wanted to have... Not too many of the newer games excite me. I have good games on the home systems... This whole thing is to build a retro arcade, and the Star Wars Trilogy is just kind of a bonus if I can find one.

For me, hearing that working games in good shape for $200 excited me. I had searched around online and seen ones going for $500 and up. Some sites out there selling refurbished ones and such for $1000. Playing them with my own eyes and liking the quality for $200 started to get the best of me. But I've only been looking for weeks (not months or years) so just wanted to see if better deals were out there...

I'm currently in soul searching mode... :)

Sean
 
And thanks

And thanks to you MasterFygar... I can't say that the games won't need work for sure, but they're working and in pretty good shape. The Raiden cab isn't in as quite of good shape as the Centipede, but these are my top 2 on the list of games the guy has for a starting point.

Something tells me the stand-up Trilogy just has a small monitor issue (I'm somewhat proficient in this stuff, but I'll be put to the test soon), but just not sure. Gotta decide if I'm gonna dedicate upcoming spare time to wanting to figure it out or not...

I appreciate all the responses (and quick too)... And love the site. Hope to be more involved as the collection quickly grows.

Sean
 
You can buy lots of great games at a good price (even free), if you are willing to wait and can strike when the iron is hot. You may find a working Game X this week in a crappy cabinet. In a year or two, you may find a hollowed out Game X. But if you want it soon and with no handiwork involved, be prepared to pay and drive.

Example; Just bought a nice Golden Tee '97 for $150 that needs cabinet repairs Nothing some biscuits, glue, and clamps won't fix.. I once got a blind asteroids cocktail for free. Didn't know squat then, so I gave it to a buddy. Another buddy once got a *nice* PacMan free when his boss wanted it out of the pool house.
 
If it seems like a good deal, you better act now. Get at least one of those.. For Centipede, you can get a reproduction control panel overlay and trackball parts for very reasonable price. Sideart is available if you want to go that far. I'd get it.
 
Thanks

Thanks for the replies. I locked up the Raiden and Centipede for now and told him I wanted them. He's only 20 miles from me, so I got pretty lucky.

Still haunted by the Star Wars Trilogy games there. I'm a sucker for that game, and still struggling. Trying to let it go though... Cheap to get the non-working upright, even though I do think it won't take much to get working again. Knowing me, it will be a giant doorstop. Hard to commit to the premium one for that much cash, even though it is in good shape.

One thing is for certain though... I am starting my collection this weekend and hope to grow and grow. :)

Thanks for all the help. I appreciate it.
Sean
 
I have seen a few star wars trilogy sitdowns for around the $600 range fully working. If you want one I wouldnt hesitate to buy that non worker for $150. Or you can just sit it out and wait for one to pop up cheap. People sell them cheap when they move and dont want to move these bigger machines with them.
As far as the other games, condition is key. Make sure they are in dedicated cabinets also.
 
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