Creating the ultimate basement arcade

rlinsky

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I am in the process of creating a basement arcade. I have room for about 12 games, (maybe 13 if I really cram them in.) For my arcade, I want games that are: enjoyable, nostalgic, in great condition, reliable, and that a group of friends would generally enjoy playing in a party setting. I have room for 3 of the 13 to be pinball, but I'm really mostly into video games. I also tend to like games that I can try to improve at, and even potentially play competitively.

I am wondering what the group here would consider an ideally "curated" basement arcade collection. I'm thinking about many issues, such as: Centipede or Millipede? Stargate or Defender? Pac vs MsPac? Sure, everyone has their favorites, but what if you could only have 12 (13) games total? I've included my current list, but I will certainly alter it if someone makes a convincing argument.

1. Galaga
2. Joust
3. Robotron 2084
4. Donkey Kong
5. Ms Pac Man
6. Centipede
7. Qbert
8. Stargate
9. Tron
10. Missile Command
11. Tempest
12. Moon Patrol
13. Dig Dug

Runners Up: Qix, Sinistar, Karate Champ, Budweiser Tapper, Frogger, Elevator Action, Cyberball, Pole Position, Star Wars, Discs of Tron, Spy Hunter... so many others I can't keep track, wish I had more room...
 
That looks like a pretty solid list to me. Certainly an example of what you may have found in a typical arcade back in the day. My preference; I would swap out the Ms. PAC for the Frogger but that's just me. I also get bored of Missle Command too easy, again personal preference. it wouldn't hurt to start with 12 and then cycle out the ones that don't get any action or that you don't enjoy anymore.

I wish I had room for 12 :(
 
Get a Nice Ms. Pac with a Arcade shop panel, Rich's Ms. Pac panel with trackball, Arcade SD. That will cover all the classic UR games and look cherry. Tempest is a must, Get a restored Defender cab with a Mutli Williams (JROK or Arcade SD PCB). Tron is amazing, get a few pins and then add some special games like GNG, Dragon's Lair, a good Taito game, etc. A good mix is better than 100% original as you need to cater to the family. Variety is better. Perhaps an Asteroids or Space Duel for extra vector glory, or a Crazy Climber UR.

Its about fun. Forget beater looking games too. Spend the money to apply art and do it right. A nice games room vs. a room full of rough original beaters will win hands down.

Another cool thing to consider is 1 gun game like Ninja Gun, Whirly Bird or Haunted House. Some old EM stuff is out of this world.

For pins get 1 newer one and forget EM or 70s stuff. They get dull fast. Go for a good 80s or 90s pin.

It takes a long time to learn from your mistakes collecting (cash and time) to figure out what works. Space is precious. If you can fit a soccer or hockey table they also add for a lot of fun. Make sure you have a good bar, beer fridge and darts. If you are not hard core again the mutigames can save your space and keep the memories alive. A custom multi vs a comerical effort will always win.

Michael
 
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"so many others I can't keep track AND FIELD!!!!!!!!"


Seriously it got the most play in my old house. Especially since we had the 4 player CT pedestal version. But even the two player simultaneous competitive version should be very attractive for muggles.
 
I think you went a little TOO "Classic Era" in your selections. I know from experience that the newer stuff often sees a lot more play at parties. Heck, Video Trivia is consistently one of my most played titles when I have people over.

1. Pac or Ms. Pac with Mike Doyle's 96 in 1 kit.
2. Multiwilliams setup in any Williams cabinet (prefer the jRok board but the 19 in 1 can do in a pinch).
3. Neo Geo 25" with multi-cart.
4. Clean 60 in 1 install with all the 8-way games turned off and with a proper 4-way joystick.
5. Golden Tee (any version with a year on it will do).
6. An upright (or countertop) Megatouch.
7. Generic Mame cabinet with 8-way sticks.
8. Grab a cheap 80s "also ran" pinball machine. (A $4000 pin isn't 8 times more fun than a $500 one).
9. Grab another cheap 80s "also ran" pinball machine.
10. Something with a gun, Area 51/Max Force combo highly recommended.
11. Out Run
12. Playchoice 10
13. Arkanoid or similar.
 
I would agree with getting a Neo Geo with a Multicart or just a 4 slot with some rotating titles. Most casual players love puzzle bobble.

Of course your game list seems to be mostly 80s and the MVS is definitely more a 90s arcade machine, but I find it to be great value for the space.
 
Nothing wrong with a few dedicated classic 80's video games. I would pick games that YOU actually like to play. Maybe add a multi-type of game (like a MAME cabinet). Have a vector or two (like a Tempest, Asteroids, etc). Must have a pinball machine(s).
 
I went with all classic era, or the Golden Days.. nothing past 1985..

I also made it a point to limit shooters, get games with alternate controls and play mechanics.
 
Help me understand MAME vs Multi-title

I am definitely sort of a purist. My list consists only of dedicated games from the classic era. I do have a flat screen TV on the wall of this room, and I've thought about putting together a MAME cabinet in some sort of a free standing pedestal to mate with the TV. Has anyone seen it done this way? Also, why do so many people do the 60-1s, multi-Williams, etc. instead of MAME? It seems that with MAME, you get ALL the games, right? What's the downside to MAME vs the multi-game machines? Also, as small as the programs are from this era, is it reasonable to expect to get essentially all of the old games on a modern MAME machine?
 
I used to have a pedestal that sat in front of my TV.

It isn't the hard drive storage space that is the limiting factor with mame machines, it is the varied control types, number of players and monitor orientations that are limiting.

People like circuit boards better than computers and the various multiboards are a lot easier to set up than mame is. Plus the 60 in 1 board usually ends up being cheaper than running mame.

I am definitely sort of a purist. My list consists only of dedicated games from the classic era. I do have a flat screen TV on the wall of this room, and I've thought about putting together a MAME cabinet in some sort of a free standing pedestal to mate with the TV. Has anyone seen it done this way? Also, why do so many people do the 60-1s, multi-Williams, etc. instead of MAME? It seems that with MAME, you get ALL the games, right? What's the downside to MAME vs the multi-game machines? Also, as small as the programs are from this era, is it reasonable to expect to get essentially all of the old games on a modern MAME machine?
 
Yeah I am in the same boat. I would really love a 40+ machine arcade. But I don't want to incur the cost of 40 machines or the maintenance that goes along with them. SO i'll be building a multi-williams. And a phoenix arcade sd multi, Depending on how impressed i am with the arcade sd I may even get rid of my DK. So in the end I can have a strong core of say 15 machines, and a few pins. Also a juke is always cool, I am talking to my local op about a cd machine i can convert to mp3's.
 
Its about fun. Forget beater looking games too. Spend the money to apply art and do it right. A nice games room vs. a room full of rough original beaters will win hands down.

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If normal people are coming over to play games & especially if the games are side-by-side, no one except arcade snobs care about stuff like this. They're too busy freaking out that "OH MY GOD YOU HAVE ARCADE GAMES" than to have time or even the thought process to say, "Oh, wow, looks like the CPO has some wear & cig burns... and I noticed a slight flaking on the bezel for that game over there..."

If you want to dump money into games for your own sense of pride and the art of it, by all means, do it. But if you think that games have to look mint for normal people to like them, that's completely off-base. Normal people don't care, they just want to play the games they remember.

Also, don't come up with a roster set in stone before you really start getting stuff. Your opinions & wants will change.
 
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If normal people are coming over to play games & especially if the games are side-by-side, no one except arcade snobs care about stuff like this. They're too busy freaking out that "OH MY GOD YOU HAVE ARCADE GAMES" than to have time or even the thought process to say, "Oh, wow, looks like the CPO has some wear & cig burns... and I noticed a slight flaking on the bezel for that game over there..."

If you want to dump money into games for your own sense of pride and the art of it, by all means, do it. But if you think that games have to look mint for normal people to like them, that's completely off-base. Normal people don't care, they just want to play the games they remember.

Also, don't come up with a roster set in stone before you really start getting stuff. Your opinions & wants will change.

I was going to say the exact same thing. From what I've seen "normal" people only care if works, it is fun, and most importantly, if they remember the game from when they were young.

As many have advised, I wouldn't even formulate a list at this point. Honestly, there's not perfect line-up as it will vary based on your tastes, your family's tastes, and the taste's of your friends. Find out what they like.

Honestly, I would start with a MAME machine and give that some time alone as a study. Analyze which games are getting a lot of play, which games they keep coming back to, etc. Then go after those games. It will also give you a chance to figure out which games you like.

As for my situation, my arcade at this point in time (I have no kids yet) is all about numero uno! I know what I like and generally... I like almost everything especially if it's cheap! Except TRON! TRON sucks!
 
When you do have kids, still collect what you like. Kids like almost any game they can get the hang of. My kids really like that my games run on tokens, I have a change machine setup to kick out 4 at a time. And it keeps little hands out of my machines.
 
This is awesome. First off I wish you the best of luck finding these games at reasonable prices. I've been eyeing may of these same games for awhile. This is doable at a discount if you are patient and are a good DIYr. I'm currently acquiring my arcade. Mine will be smaller than 12.

I changed your list just a little bit maybe you'll like what I did and maybe not.

1. Galaga
2. Multi-Williams (build it yourself art is currently printing at Backtothearcade.com) Has all the williams games you like and at a quarter of the price.
2. Baby Pacman (half vid half pinball) I love mine.
3. Track & Field (took me almost a year to find one)
4. Donkey Kong (Double Donkey Kong update) includes DK jr.
5. Ms Pac Man (put the multipac kit on it to give you Jr. Pac and Pac. I'm not sure if Super is on this one)
6. Centipede (Maybe switch to Millipede PCB so you can run the MP/CP kit)
7. Qbert (might as well get the 10-in-1 update too)
8. Pole Position (Get one now while they are still cheap). A new multi board is about to come out soon which uses the existing wiring harness.
9. Tron
10. Missile Command
11. Tempest
12. BW Tapper
13. Dig Dug

Runners Up would be put at least 1 MAME cabinet in so you can play many of the other games that didn't make the cut to toy around with. I'm about to do that.

Runners Up: Qix, Sinistar, Karate Champ, Frogger, Elevator Action, Cyberball, Star Wars, Discs of Tron, Spy Hunter... so many others I can't keep track, wish I had more room...
 
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