Essential Game for a New Collector??

rainman154

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What do you guys think is the essential game for a new collector. This is a game that should be in everyone's collection. What would it be??
I know it can be personal preference, but what would you say?
 
I really think we should all buy what we like not try and please a crowd but if you are asking what game will all your friends want to play or expect you to have then another question must be asked. What age group are you and your friends in? The answer could vary based on this. If they were old enough to be in the arcades in the late 70's early 80's then I would say pac man, ms pac, DK, centipede or asteroids would likely all be good titles to have. If you are younger like the fighting game era then I would think one of the street fighter II series or a mortal Kombat would be good. I will also point out that more modern driving games like SF rush and rush the rock seem to be loved by all ages from children to who knows what age. My dad's in his late 50's and likes rush.
 
Oooh, Spy Hunter... That would be a fun one.
I would say,
Donkey Kong
Pac Man
Mortal Kombat
Rampage

You really can't go wrong with those four titles. I have a Rampage, and it seems like everyone loves that game.

What else?
 
The new collector's age is a very important factor.

Maybe Donkey Kong, Ms. Pac-man, or Centipede for 30-50 year olds.

Perhaps Street Fighter 2, Neo Geo, or House of the Dead for 20-30 year olds.
 
Depends on what you mean by "collector". If you mean a serious collector who isn't afraid to spend money on nice games, then something like a Tempest, Star Wars, Robotron, etc is a must have. Everyone has a Ms. Pac, Galaga, Centipede it seems, so there's no big rush to get one. And if that's what you like and space is limited, just put a 60-in-1 in there for those common ones.

Now, if you're just talking about the typical "I want an arcade game" guy, then that guy has to decide if he's more interested in title or price. If he wants specific titles, then save his money until he can get a nice one. If he wants cheap games, then just watch CL and look for deals. Don't worry if the cheap ones aren't what you want most right away. Get them, fix them (if necessary), then use them to trade or sell when the one you want comes along...
 
It really depends on the "new" collector's age and what type of games they like. So with that in mind, it should be whatever game they think they would get the most enjoyment out of.

If some one is collecting arcade games just to have a game room of assorted games, I'd say something that is 2 player simultaneous (or more) would be essential.

And what's really essential is learning if your favorite game is one of the harder to find games and start hunting it down now, since so many are already ahead of you!
 
What do you guys think is the essential game for a new collector. This is a game that should be in everyone's collection. What would it be??
I know it can be personal preference, but what would you say?

Galaga. It's a classic and still holds up today. I love the game and have one myself.
 
The new collector's age is a very important factor.

Maybe Donkey Kong, Ms. Pac-man, or Centipede for 30-50 year olds.

Perhaps Street Fighter 2, Neo Geo, or House of the Dead for 20-30 year olds.

+1 That sounds about right. Maybe Galaga or Robotron instead of Centipede.

I'm 28 which explains my need to eventually have a nice mix of classics and JAMMA to round out the game room. DK was my first game and full restoration. It's my precious. :)
 
MAME cab will do pretty much everything mentioned so far.
Before I get a punch in the face, MAME got me into the hobby and I now have more dedicated stuff than MAME cabs.
 
I would say Super Sprint. It is cheap, and it was the most played game that I have owned by everyone but me. After that, you will have to decide what you want to collect on your own. Do you want to entertain? Then get games that are easy to play, like centipede. You could also decide that you just want to collect the games that you enjoy playing. You may be lonely in your arcade though. I started buying the games I wanted to play the most, and most guests don't want to play them. Donkey Kong and Tempest apparently are not very fun to the casual player.

It is your collection though, so buy what you want in there. You are free to change your mind as often as you want, so just learn to enjoy the process.
 
Great responses so far. I am not planning on getting a game just to entertain someone, but more because I am curious as to what title comes up the most.
I like the idea of a 2 player fighter game.
Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat comes to mind.

I agree with the age part too. But it is funny how some games do well no matter what age.
Donkey Kong and Rampage are an example of this.

I am surprised that more people have not mentioned any racing or flying (simulated) games. (Thunder Blade, Pole Position)
 
MAME cab will do pretty much everything mentioned so far.
Before I get a punch in the face, MAME got me into the hobby and I now have more dedicated stuff than MAME cabs.

I entered the hobby the same way, and this is certainly a good option. Even with a garage full of dedicated cabs, I still play on the MAME cab more than all of them combined. I just don't have the space or money to buy a wide enough selection. I will say that most of the games I end up owning are the ones I play the most on the MAME cab. If a game can't hold your attention in MAME, it probably won't be worth a spot in your arcade (if you are using the right controls in MAME, of course).
 
MAME is definitely the gateway drug to this hobby for many... it was for me as well. I also think it's good to consider games that are considered reliable and/or well documented to troubleshoot as an early acquisition.
 
MAME or MultiCade are definitely great money and space savers. They are definitely the "gateway drug" for this hobby. But there is something pretty cool about an original Centipede cab and game. You can't MAME that.
 
Put me on the "we collect what we want, there is no must have" list. With that said I'm going a little off topic. I think there are certain systems that are just really good for making things less intimidating for new collectors.

The CPS-2 system, imo, is one of the best set ups for easing someone into this madness. It has it's own little technical details that make it specialized (the regional related stuff, special kick harness, Q-Sound related things), but it's brain-dead easy to maintain and understand (outside of having to Phoenix a dead board). Even battery swap is like...as intro to soldering 101 as it gets. Comes in giant cartridges that make it even less intimidating for technophobes who will sweat when they see a bare JAMMA PCB.

I'd say MVS as well, but there is the JAMMA compatibility issue that can lead to slightly more advanced problems for a newbie to have right off the bat.
 
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