ISO: Any playable Derby Owners Club machines in the UK/Northern Ireland

varjak0

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I don't quite know how else to word this except to be blunt. I'm autistic, and those with ASD tend to have 'hyperfixations'.

One such fixation for me is Derby Owners Club. I cannot express enough how much I want to play this game. I've spent hours digging through Google for any and all information relating to this game, any machines that may still be in public arcades, information the Japan-only sequels, merchandise, etc. I avidly follow any development regarding emulation. I'm in a position where I could afford a cabinet itself, but the cost would come from shipping it (more than likely to be international freight from America) and storing the thing.

In short, I really REALLY REALLY want to play DOC. I'm looking for a Derby Owners Club to play - ANYWHERE in the UK or Northern Ireland. Doesn't matter if it's in an arcade, garage, storage unit, whatever.

Even if I can just visit and take a picture next it and see it with my own eyes, I'll be happy. I am happy to pay for the opportunity, I just need to play this game once in my life.

I've been told there was one at Namco/Funland in the 00s and I'm desperately hoping someone has a cab in storage. I've heard rumours there is one in the Silver Slipper in Gt Yarmouth but I can't confirm. My personal guess if that if it's anywhere in the UK it's in some pub in the middle of nowhere where it's been for the past 15 years and the owner has no clue about it's rarity.
 
There were a few people in the USA keeping them going in homes, but they were typically fans of that specific game only and were otherwise not arcade game collectors - so they all probably had trouble maintaining them to begin with. Space is at more of a premium where you are, so if anybody has one, maybe an outfit like Arcade Club?

The problem with running one publicly is that the mag cards aren't available inexpensively, meaning you have to charge $1-$2 for the first play (and $.50-$1 when using an existing card; it was $3/play across the board when new), and players new to the game are going to use a new card up even if they only play it once, so all of these machines were retired long ago now for mainly that reason. Hopefully some big stash of old cards shows up eventually, but right now they're still about $1/ea from Sega. The cards have the mag stripe in a different position than standard cards, so getting them custom made might be slightly harder, but there were cheap 3rd party cards available 20 years ago.

I have an 8P machine complete with boardsets and carts for both USA software releases; DOC:WE and DOC:WE EX (2006) - I leave EX in it as it's more balanced and has significantly better announcing. It's "restored" with new projection CRTs and rebuilt satellites, but the tubes in 3 of them have weak guns as some of them came from a truck stop that left the machine on 24/7 for about a decade. Dave & Busters initially bought 10 8p machines and had custom neon signs made to hang over them for their locations - I somehow found one locally but still need to repair the neon in 2 of the channel letters. The sign was not an original Sega accessory.

It's basically the center of attention when I have parties a few times a year, and sitting on it with a drink for hours with a bunch of friends with a similarly-advanced understanding of playing it is always good time. Most of my friends always keep their horse cards with them at all times.

A couple crappy pics.
 

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There were a few people in the USA keeping them going in homes, but they were typically fans of that specific game only and were otherwise not arcade game collectors - so they all probably had trouble maintaining them to begin with. Space is at more of a premium where you are, so if anybody has one, maybe an outfit like Arcade Club?

The problem with running one publicly is that the mag cards aren't available inexpensively, meaning you have to charge $1-$2 for the first play (and $.50-$1 when using an existing card; it was $3/play across the board when new), and players new to the game are going to use a new card up even if they only play it once, so all of these machines were retired long ago now for mainly that reason. Hopefully some big stash of old cards shows up eventually, but right now they're still about $1/ea from Sega. The cards have the mag stripe in a different position than standard cards, so getting them custom made might be slightly harder, but there were cheap 3rd party cards available 20 years ago.

I have an 8P machine complete with boardsets and carts for both USA software releases; DOC:WE and DOC:WE EX (2006) - I leave EX in it as it's more balanced and has significantly better announcing. It's "restored" with new projection CRTs and rebuilt satellites, but the tubes in 3 of them have weak guns as some of them came from a truck stop that left the machine on 24/7 for about a decade. Dave & Busters initially bought 10 8p machines and had custom neon signs made to hang over them for their locations - I somehow found one locally but still need to repair the neon in 2 of the channel letters. The sign was not an original Sega accessory.

It's basically the center of attention when I have parties a few times a year, and sitting on it with a drink for hours with a bunch of friends with a similarly-advanced understanding of playing it is always good time. Most of my friends always keep their horse cards with them at all times.

A couple crappy pics.
I know the chances for one to still be in a public arcade are very (very) low, but one can dream!

AFAIK the last public one, in the US, was in a Dave n Busters in a mall arcade and was removed in 2021 (and one did crop up for sale around that time). Don't remember the state but I do remember seeing it on the DOC Facebook group. Was replaced with another horse racing machine.

There are several people with DOC cabs up and running, however they're all in America. So the problem becomes getting a passport, cost of flights, transport, hotels, etc. Its incredibly frustrating.

I know DOC can use the same magnetic cards from the Naomi Initial D games, which are significantly cheaper and in larger supply. Might be helpful for your setup. Card read emulation/digitisation is in progress.

I have been searching for specialised "retro arcades" across the UK and have contacted many, but most of them focus on the 80s games and seem to forget what I call the "second arcade golden age" in the 90s/00s when 3D became a big thing. Many many popular games from that era becoming defunct and forgotten (Daytona USA being one). Anyway, I haven't heard of Arcade Club - thank you for letting me know! I'll contact them and report back.
 
When I saw the thread title I knew this was a post that would draw out pat9000. 😄 I could have sworn these were set up in Gameworks locations in the US at some point also - though I could be mixing it up with a D&B. I can still picture it and I thought it was in the Easton Columbus OH Gameworks.
 
When I saw the thread title I knew this was a post that would draw out pat9000. 😄 I could have sworn these were set up in Gameworks locations in the US at some point also - though I could be mixing it up with a D&B. I can still picture it and I thought it was in the Easton Columbus OH Gameworks.
They probably did have these at gameworks. It is a sega game after all
 
I'm moreoever just musing, but sometimes I do curse being in the UK. I waited 10 years for Alicia Online to be emulated & revived, looks like I might do the same again.

I do sometimes wonder if these ever came to the UK at all beyond the two I know of at Namco Wonderpark and Funland. Would be interested to see if anyone has more sources on that. Anyway, did contact a UK arcade game wholesaler (and did spot some Naomis in their warehouse pictures!) so here's hoping I could at least get parts.
 
I'm moreoever just musing, but sometimes I do curse being in the UK. I waited 10 years for Alicia Online to be emulated & revived, looks like I might do the same again.

I do sometimes wonder if these ever came to the UK at all beyond the two I know of at Namco Wonderpark and Funland. Would be interested to see if anyone has more sources on that. Anyway, did contact a UK arcade game wholesaler (and did spot some Naomis in their warehouse pictures!) so here's hoping I could at least get parts.
It was at least marketed in Europe (and even got its own European website)
Derby Owners Club European arcade flyer.png
 
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