Do Personal Arcades Help?
- Thread starter paulliadis
- Start date
charger
New member
It's never over. Trust me i tried. When i moved here 13 years ago i sold all the games i had in my other house (approx 24 in the game room) and when we bought this house it was only 8oo sq. foot. That lasted about 2 years and ended up adding on because i missed all the games. Now 12 years later 2600 sq. foot and a 30 by 30 shop on my other lot and 130 games. and still buying.
Frax
New member
When you get to about $750-$800 it'll be working fine.
Somehow I don't think plastics or the repro playfield I'm on the cusp of buying are going to help anything. That will put this pin well over the 1000$ mark. I love the machine, and I'm intending on keeping it a LONG time, but as my first pin...man, that's some frustrating garbage. It wouldn't be nearly as bad if it was just stuff I could go in, know where the issue is, fix it and move on.
robgest
New member
I don't think you can ever have the same feelings as you had back then, but I will tell you something........ when I get out of work, I feel so good going out into the garcade and just hanging out. Even if it's just for a beer and a couple of games of pin or Galaga all by myself. Sometimes it has nothing to do with going back... its about the feelings you get doing nothing except being alive and knowing you will always have the 80's in your heart.
look around here everyone has built a space and filled it with games and whatever floats their boat...build what you like, add a lazer, blacklight a chunk of arcade carpet...dim the lights, invite over some friends and game up...guarantee you will time warp to your happy place.
B.
SanTe
Well-known member
Sounds like my place. Speaking of which, it's fast approaching time I start up the arcade party schedule at my place again. Sometime after Labor Day weekend I'll get on that. I usually only ever post invites on the private SMAC group but I think I'd like to do an open KLOV invite and see who shows up.
p1899m
New member
I live in an area where are still numerous arcades. What none of these arcade have are classic titles. Having them in my house cover the desire to play these games in their original form. But just having the games doesn't totally satisfy the need to have that old school arcade feeling. You also need the people who enjoy hanging out and playing them. Yes I still get the giddy feeling from time to time when looking at my games thinking, " I own these, they are really mine." Still without the crowd having fun and appreciating them it will eventually run it's course.
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paulliadis
Well-known member
Being alive and having the 80s in your heart. I like that.
Black Matrix
Well-known member
This reminds me of an old post that asked how many arcade games constitute a home arecade. I replied something to the effect of its however many games that it takes you to get that feeling of nostalgia and bring back those memories of when you frequented arcades in your early days. Having your own game room is worth the effort even if its only a few games but 3 would be a good starting place. And when you get to 103, it might be time to stop and go into some form of rehab. Point is, there is a lot of things that drive collectors on this forum. Primarily for me, its recreating my ideal arcade from my youth which was a Gold Mine at the local mall. For others its the repair and restoration aspect which I also enjoy very much when I am having a decent amount of luck. For others, it may be the socializing and making connections with other collectors. And for some, its introducing their kids and the youth of today to something they couldn't normally experience that meant something to them growing up. The more games you buy and the more auctions you attend and so forth, the more opportunities to experience these aspects of the hobby. I'm by no means saying go out and buy 20 games and jam them into your kitchen. But if your reading and posting on this site, it might be worth your while to pick up a couple more machines you loved as a child/teenager and see if does anything for you. For most of us here, forget chicken soup for the soul. A house full of games is closer to nitro-meth for the brain pain. And as most can attest to, the hobby really is quite addictive.
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knight76
New member
I think the key is collecting the games the immediately jump to mind when you think back to your childhood/teen days at the arcades.
For me it's double dragon, galaga, punch out, gyrus, xain'd sleena, wardner etc etc.
For me it's double dragon, galaga, punch out, gyrus, xain'd sleena, wardner etc etc.
Personal arcade rooms are therapy.
At least that's what my therapist says.
(Astro Blaster, the therapist I picked up tonight)
At least that's what my therapist says.
(Astro Blaster, the therapist I picked up tonight)
You definitely need to find a collector local and go check out their collection, I've had a great time, I've been to a couple KLOV'ers places and it's been a blast. Mind you, being in someone's house for the first time can feel a bit awkward, I worry about wearing out my welcome and stuff. If you're like me and don't have the space or are in a transition - it's worth going to someone's place for some inspiration.
I was lucky enough to play around in T-Mek's basement, he has an awesome collection of stuff - A ton of games for his age, I think he's a year or two younger than me but the dude has had his priorities straight and has a FULLY stocked arcade in his basement. I was pretty blown away and didn't know what to play first, I was overwhelmed and definitely came off awkward. LOL
I bought a DK project off MJenks in Lakewood and he also had an awesome collection of games. Some really rad stuff, I sadly didn't have time to play much, but he showed me everything. Would love to go up and drink at the Lakewood bars again.
I was lucky enough to play around in T-Mek's basement, he has an awesome collection of stuff - A ton of games for his age, I think he's a year or two younger than me but the dude has had his priorities straight and has a FULLY stocked arcade in his basement. I was pretty blown away and didn't know what to play first, I was overwhelmed and definitely came off awkward. LOL
I bought a DK project off MJenks in Lakewood and he also had an awesome collection of games. Some really rad stuff, I sadly didn't have time to play much, but he showed me everything. Would love to go up and drink at the Lakewood bars again.
SilverCoin
Active member
Every time I see the building where my Aladdin's used to be I get a mournful feeling.
Having my own 'cade means no one can ever take it away from me again..
Having my own 'cade means no one can ever take it away from me again..
TERMINATOR
Member
I started this hobby 6 or 7 years ago and it has truly helped me keep my sanity in this insane world! Not only does it bring back those fond memories when my friends and I spent countless hours in several local arcades long since gone or now litered with odd games that seem to be directed at young children or ticket redemption but it's a definite stress reliever. Even working on restoring a game helps take my mind off other things. For some the nostalgia may wear off but not for me. They may sit unplayed for periods of time but when I do play them I'm glad I still have them to play! I have a fairly good size collection now, If I had a bigger house I would have more without a doubt! It's my addiction and I enjoy it!
OHEMIO
Member
Most of us are trying to relive what we know was a better time. It was the beginning of it all for us and every year in our eyes the games were better and more advanced. It's reliving memories and moments of our youth. For our children it's connecting them to what once was.
I remember sneaking and getting caught going to arcades when I was a kid. Every game every quarter spent was worth it. It's therapy or an escape for a little while...dreams come true for most of us who wanted our own arcades couldn't afford it then but can afford it now...my take for what it's worth.
I remember sneaking and getting caught going to arcades when I was a kid. Every game every quarter spent was worth it. It's therapy or an escape for a little while...dreams come true for most of us who wanted our own arcades couldn't afford it then but can afford it now...my take for what it's worth.
Having a game room with all the games you miss, or missed, from the old arcade days does make it better. And come to think of it, it's the only way you can get close to the experience of being at the arcades that you had back in the day. Especially if there are no arcades in your area. I think you should have at least 2 arcade cabs in your collection to start your arcade "experience".
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paulliadis
Well-known member
Yeah my wife and I ate for our anniversary at a restaurant beside where "my" arcade used to be. It was painful. The restaurant has survived but the arcade is one of a million Penn State clothing stores.
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paulliadis
Well-known member
Yeah, but Space Shuttle is a pretty sweet looking pin in my opinion. There's a nice one of ebay right now for $500. I bet yours is nicer though.
