Long time lurker, first time poster. I'd like to say a little bit about myself so I can have an identity attached to my posts in what I hope will be a long successful ride here at KLOV.
33 year old bartender/student/Robert E. Howard/Conan fan, on track to become a respiratory therapist. Up untill 2006 I was a successful independent pro-wrestler in the Wisconsin (mostly Milwaukee and Green Bay), Minnesota and Chicago. I made it to the point where I had to either commit my life 100% (in hopes of "making it" to the WWE) or walk away. At that level there was a lot of steroids and drug use going on by most of the guys. Among my group was Ken Anderson (now Mr. Kennedy), Shawn Davari, Austin Aeries, etc. I wrestled with legends such as King Kong Bundy, Koko B ware, Tito Santana, and for a while Sherri Martel was my manager. I chose to walk away because I didn't like being on the road away from my family and friends for such long periods. Plus, I had sustained a few injuries that I knew would be aggravated with that kind of rigorous schedule. I have a lot of stories for wrestling fans but I'll leave that to the off-topic forum.
So anyway, after losing my job of 15 years as a chemist to "downsizing" (while the company simultaneously erected factories in India and China), I find myself bartending on the busiest nights at the busiest bar in my county. It's good. It allows me to go to school and pay the bills and got me thinking about what I want to do for non-physical hobbies for the rest of my life.
So it came to me the other night that I should settle on a long-term hobby, and that is why I am here. I grew up as a 80's child for the most part- right at the perfect age to enjoy the glory of the late 80's early 90's arcades. I lived in my local arcade. I can still hear that fantastic montage of bleeps, bloops and zaps, the smell, the shitty carpet- it ruled! Now, I wish to begin the process of learning how to collect and restore old arcade machines.
I'll throw down a wish list of what will eventually fill a good portion of my next house's basement.
Wrestlefest - mandatory for me, probably the best wrestling arcade game I ever played. I used to destroy people with the Ultimate Warrior (and Earthquake when I tagged up)
Ms. Pac Man, Galaga, Burgertime - fairly obvious classics that really need to be in every collection
Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter 2: CE, Samurai Showdown 2 - rounds out the fighting ring
Popeye - don't ask why, I just loved the game, maybe it was the graphics on the cab
Cruisin' USA - not solid on this one, but I would like to have a driving game
Elvira and the Party Monsters Pinball - my favorite! Skull lock, the finger puppets- good stuff
Crime Fighters - I just the ability to kick a guy when he was down
There are others that would be nice like, APB, Guerrilla War, Double Dragon, Terminator 2, Afterburner, Creature from the Black Lagoon pinball, etc, but I'm trying to keep my dreams realistic.
Now the problem. I have absolutely no technical ability. I'm starting from scratch in both electronics and wood working. Being in school already, I thought about throwing in a basic electronics and wood-working course to get my going. I figure, this is going to be decades-worth of hobbying so it isn't too late to start. Besides, it will be a few years at least until I buy my next place with a game room in mind.
Saw this book on amazon. I'll probably pick it up even though many of the reviews state that it is outdated. It can't hurt, can it? http://www.amazon.com/Project-Arcade-Build-Your-Machine/dp/0764556169/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248380409&sr=1-1
I'll probably also hit the library and pick up some books on arcades, electronics and such. It seems kind of pathetic, but hey, you have to start somewhere. There is also a chance that I could land an apprenticeship gig with a guy who does restoring here in town.
I should also note that I am planning a road trip before the end of the year where I will be hitting a few major arcades that are still intact. Ground Kontrol in Oregon, The Pinball Hall of Fame in Vegas, a couple others.
After reading through a lot of the technical threads I find myself wishing for a glossary
for certain words and abbreviations. Is there such a thing? Also, would you say that the art of arcade restoration is something that you can eventually master, or is it something that you continuously learn new things?
I'll be attending Gen Con this year in Indianapolis. If there are any old-school arcade machines running, I'll be sure to take pics and post them.
That's about it. Any tips, comments or advise would be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to chatting with you all!
33 year old bartender/student/Robert E. Howard/Conan fan, on track to become a respiratory therapist. Up untill 2006 I was a successful independent pro-wrestler in the Wisconsin (mostly Milwaukee and Green Bay), Minnesota and Chicago. I made it to the point where I had to either commit my life 100% (in hopes of "making it" to the WWE) or walk away. At that level there was a lot of steroids and drug use going on by most of the guys. Among my group was Ken Anderson (now Mr. Kennedy), Shawn Davari, Austin Aeries, etc. I wrestled with legends such as King Kong Bundy, Koko B ware, Tito Santana, and for a while Sherri Martel was my manager. I chose to walk away because I didn't like being on the road away from my family and friends for such long periods. Plus, I had sustained a few injuries that I knew would be aggravated with that kind of rigorous schedule. I have a lot of stories for wrestling fans but I'll leave that to the off-topic forum.
So anyway, after losing my job of 15 years as a chemist to "downsizing" (while the company simultaneously erected factories in India and China), I find myself bartending on the busiest nights at the busiest bar in my county. It's good. It allows me to go to school and pay the bills and got me thinking about what I want to do for non-physical hobbies for the rest of my life.
So it came to me the other night that I should settle on a long-term hobby, and that is why I am here. I grew up as a 80's child for the most part- right at the perfect age to enjoy the glory of the late 80's early 90's arcades. I lived in my local arcade. I can still hear that fantastic montage of bleeps, bloops and zaps, the smell, the shitty carpet- it ruled! Now, I wish to begin the process of learning how to collect and restore old arcade machines.
I'll throw down a wish list of what will eventually fill a good portion of my next house's basement.
Wrestlefest - mandatory for me, probably the best wrestling arcade game I ever played. I used to destroy people with the Ultimate Warrior (and Earthquake when I tagged up)
Ms. Pac Man, Galaga, Burgertime - fairly obvious classics that really need to be in every collection
Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter 2: CE, Samurai Showdown 2 - rounds out the fighting ring
Popeye - don't ask why, I just loved the game, maybe it was the graphics on the cab
Cruisin' USA - not solid on this one, but I would like to have a driving game
Elvira and the Party Monsters Pinball - my favorite! Skull lock, the finger puppets- good stuff
Crime Fighters - I just the ability to kick a guy when he was down
There are others that would be nice like, APB, Guerrilla War, Double Dragon, Terminator 2, Afterburner, Creature from the Black Lagoon pinball, etc, but I'm trying to keep my dreams realistic.
Now the problem. I have absolutely no technical ability. I'm starting from scratch in both electronics and wood working. Being in school already, I thought about throwing in a basic electronics and wood-working course to get my going. I figure, this is going to be decades-worth of hobbying so it isn't too late to start. Besides, it will be a few years at least until I buy my next place with a game room in mind.
Saw this book on amazon. I'll probably pick it up even though many of the reviews state that it is outdated. It can't hurt, can it? http://www.amazon.com/Project-Arcade-Build-Your-Machine/dp/0764556169/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248380409&sr=1-1
I'll probably also hit the library and pick up some books on arcades, electronics and such. It seems kind of pathetic, but hey, you have to start somewhere. There is also a chance that I could land an apprenticeship gig with a guy who does restoring here in town.
I should also note that I am planning a road trip before the end of the year where I will be hitting a few major arcades that are still intact. Ground Kontrol in Oregon, The Pinball Hall of Fame in Vegas, a couple others.
After reading through a lot of the technical threads I find myself wishing for a glossary
for certain words and abbreviations. Is there such a thing? Also, would you say that the art of arcade restoration is something that you can eventually master, or is it something that you continuously learn new things?
I'll be attending Gen Con this year in Indianapolis. If there are any old-school arcade machines running, I'll be sure to take pics and post them.
That's about it. Any tips, comments or advise would be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to chatting with you all!




