Am I the only one that thinks Cocktail games blow?

khabbi

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Ok, I just don't get it... all these cocktail games that seem to go for higher prices than stand up cabinets, even when they are rusted out, weird looking tables... On top of just finding them ugly, I can honestly say I've never felt comfortable playing a cocktail game, and only did so when there was no stand-up available.

The only time I ever recall playing a cocktail game was at a restaurant such as the local Pizza Hut or a pub.. and nothing stood out about it or made me want one.. especially when a cool looking, full graphic cab was available!

Am I the only one here that feels that way?

Do you cocktail collectors have any comments on why you like them so much?
 
I'm not a real big fan of them either. Most the time, I find them to low to the ground, to uncomfortable to sit at, or too uncomfortable on the cp position.

I will say this:
Warlords Cocktail= Epic.
 
Ok, I just don't get it... all these cocktail games that seem to go for higher prices than stand up cabinets, even when they are rusted out, weird looking tables... On top of just finding them ugly, I can honestly say I've never felt comfortable playing a cocktail game, and only did so when there was no stand-up available.

The only time I ever recall playing a cocktail game was at a restaurant such as the local Pizza Hut or a pub.. and nothing stood out about it or made me want one.. especially when a cool looking, full graphic cab was available!

Am I the only one here that feels that way?

Do you cocktail collectors have any comments on why you like them so much?

It really depends on the game. I have a red tent, which is more like an early double-sided candy Cab sit-down that a traditional cocktail. I also have a Millipede cocktail that I really like. I remember seeing Centipede cocktails BITD, and once I installed the Braze multi-pede kit in this one, I had the best of both worlds. Millipede cocktail art is actually pretty detailed. My kids love playing it as well.
 
Some games I like as cocktails over the upright because that's how I remember playing them as a kid (Crazy Climber in particular for me).

Some are more expensive because there were so many fewer made (Joust for example).

Then there are ones that have slightly different gameplay - Warloards cocktail is 4P at once while the upright is only 2P.

That said I only have one cocktail (Moon Patrol) because it's one of my wife's favorite games, and when it's not in use it still can be a functional part of the room as a regular table.
 
People like cocktails because both players have a place to sit, they don't have to get up when players change, and you have a place to put your beer.

Kids also really like cocktails because they can actually see what is going on.

They are also easier to move around, and don't take up as much physical space, although it can be argued they take up more floor space for sure.

I like the Midway and Stern wood style cabs better than the metal ones for sure, but I agree, I would much rather have a full size game any day of the week.



Ok, I just don't get it... all these cocktail games that seem to go for higher prices than stand up cabinets, even when they are rusted out, weird looking tables... On top of just finding them ugly, I can honestly say I've never felt comfortable playing a cocktail game, and only did so when there was no stand-up available.

The only time I ever recall playing a cocktail game was at a restaurant such as the local Pizza Hut or a pub.. and nothing stood out about it or made me want one.. especially when a cool looking, full graphic cab was available!

Am I the only one here that feels that way?

Do you cocktail collectors have any comments on why you like them so much?
 
The only 2 I like are the Red Tent, and Warlords (both because they are 4 players).

Other than that, I prefer the UR for the artwork.
 
I'm more of an anti-cabaret guy, myself. Cocktails are cool- depending on the game. The Pizza Hut I frequented as a kid had a couple of cocktails (Ms Pacman and Galaga), so I've got a soft spot for them.
 
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It does depend on the game and setup.

I have a Red Tent as well which some do not consider a cocktail since you can't really use it as a table. Nintendo actually called it a "sitdown." But if it is a "cocktail" than it definitely doesn't blow (or suck).

I think the Bally/Midway cocktails are kind of cool. I remember a local pizza place where I grew up had a Ms. Pac and I would play a game or two while waiting for my order. Other than nostalgic value, I think they have a nice look to them if you have one in good condition.
 
I'm with you on not getting the appeal of cocktails. I'm tall so I always had/have to sit funny to play and my back ends up hurting. The screen always has a glare on it because of the angle and it takes up too much floor space. My wife wants one in the game room but I've never found one I have to have. I would consider an Atari X's and O's Football or a Track and Field.
 
I would consider an Atari X's and O's Football or a Track and Field.

There's very few cocktails I'd be interested in, but these two would qualify.

If I ever get the room, I might get one more than I have now. The only one I currently own is Warlords.
 
Most of my friends (especially the women) love my Ms Pac cocktail. They enjoy being able to sit down to play and have a nice place to place their drinks. Other than like Phets multipede I wouldn't want any other cocktail personally. But I do love the Ms Pac cocktail especially with Doyles sweet 96-1 kit :)
 
The only 2 I like are the Red Tent, and Warlords (both because they are 4 players).

Other than that, I prefer the UR for the artwork.
+1! They take up too much space. I only own one, Food Fight, because when I wanted to buy one it was all I could find and it is in sweet shape.
 
I don't like them, but the williams ones at least look cool. The controls look to be full size as well. I only owned one - a Space Invaders, and I was glad to get rid of it. I will have one in the arcade someday since my girlfriend wants one. If I can talk her into it, does anyone want to trade a ct for an upright DK3? Something like a Ms Pac maybe?

I like the nintendo upright cabs for the flat top. If all games had a flat surface to put your beer on, we wouldn't have ever needed cocktails.

I was a cabaret hater as well, but now that I have an Missile Command, it is starting to grow on me.
 
My basement is a bar/gameroom. It's got some uprights and a pin on one wall, a couple candies on another, and a bar and jukebox on the other. On the fourth wall is the corner of the bar, and a Ms. Pac cocktail. People tend to crowd around the bar and juke unless they're playing one of the games, and so it's natual to have some overflow to the Ms. Pac cocktail cabinet. It's nice to have it as a big heavy table with a game in it, instead of some cheap little Ikea table. For that matter, I think the latter would look out of place, whereas Ms. Pac is a great way to squeeze in one more great game in a bar while offering a table and some extra seating. I would never want more than that one, I believe, but that one fills a great little niche for me.

As for cabarets, I really like 'em; I've wanted one since i was a kid. I'd go for a Tempest cabaret if I could find one at a good price for sure. Heck, I'd probably pick up a couple others at the right price, too. I just don't see 'em come up for sale.
 
I have a Sega/Gremlin "Slimline" style cabinet that's a nice compromise -- small, but the glass is at 36" high, so you can stand more comfortably and play. The sticks seem just a little low for really tall people, but it's not an issue for most people I've had use it.
 

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I really like the Ms. Pac cocktail table. I have fond memories of playing one during the summers growing up when my grandparents would take us to Lake George. It isn't that comfortable to play but there is a lot of sentimental value in it for me.
 
I don't like them, but the williams ones at least look cool.

Defender cocktails light up like a Christmas tree in the dark.

I think it deserves to be mentioned as one of the best-looking arcade cabinets, UR or otherwise.
 
I'm generally not a fan of cocktail games myself, and I have only two left since I have sold the rest off. I will probably sell my Asteroids and keep my Tempest. I think cocktails are a novelty, but in some rare cases they do have an advantage. The only CT that I have had that I like is the Tempest. The game play is not uncomfortable and unlike most CTs it has a full size monitor, but most other games I prefer an UR.
 
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