It's been said before ... by many...

[Paul Olson]

I like everything but the cosmetic repairs. I take a lot of time off from working on the games just to avoid having to do that part. I am actually thinking of buying a new Donkey Kong instead of fixing the wood damage on mine.

Just ignore the games until you feel like messing with them again. They aren't going anywhere. When it starts to feel like a job, just take a break. I have went a month or two at a time ignoring the games. Now if I could just ignore this forum more, I would probably be a lot more productive.

I am thinking of selling a few more of mine to make room for pinball machines, but I can't seem to find any good ones for sale around here.

 

[kspiff]

You may want to consider that in this economy you'd take a bath on probably every game you sell. Even if the economy were good, I've learned the hard lesson that in general you can't 'get back what you put in'. These games have price ranges they go for, and if a mint, unrestored copy of a certain game goes for $500, your mint, restored copy that you put $1000 into... is still only worth $500.

That being said if you do sell your APB, can't find a local buyer, and don't mind palleting it up I'd buy it and not nickel-and-dime you (no, not holding my breath, but I really want to get an APB again so may as well put it out there).

 

[Alpha-tron]

As many who said on here, Take a break see how you feel afterwards.

Space is always an issue with this hobby, Lucky for me I got a few friends who are looking to get a space with me. Something Like a private arcade. A shared hobby is always more fun than just collecting games by yourself. As for repairs, While I do enjoy repairing, I can find old tecks who want do do a little work on the side so repairs are not an issues. Nothing worse than having a pile of games you can't play.

If you have a huge pile of projects it will just suck your time away and you won't have time to have fun.

You got have Fun in your hobby or it will become a chore.

 

[sosage]

Space can be fought if you're willing to put multiple games in one cabinet. I don't mean XXX-in-1. I mean putting multiple PCB's in a machine that supports that specific game. Like multi-Mortal Kombat projects for example. Or making a multi-pede. Or a multi-Arkanoid. I'm finding that this is definitely the way to go as I cull my own herd down.

 

[retroACTIVE]

I agree with everything said so far... and selling these things now... would likely be a bad move.

Restoration IS the hobby for me... so when I buy fixer-up-ers its because they are games I want and like and truly want to restore. I've never been the kind of collector that buys up anything that pops up on CL or wherever. Bottom line for me is my own A-R'ness gets in the way couple that with limited free time it just stops up the whole process.

On top of all this I don't really have a good plan for the game room... this kind of kills it a little for me as well. I need to get my room organized... its kind of half game room have family room... I don't like it.

 

[sohchx]

Here is where I am with my inventory... it's a piddly collection for some... but every single one of my games has been either been meticulously restored or at a minimum has been electrically rebuilt.

Star Wars w/ NOS Amp tube, rebuilt Deflection and HV (w/TO220 mod) Vector Labs Multi ... rebuilt flight yoke... everything completely restored.

Missile Command w/Takeman Panel, rebuilt Trackball and Braze Multi

Defender Completely restored (stenciled of course) w/JROK

Tempest Excellent condition w/Tubes mod.

Asteroids Deluxe... good shape... could use a touch up here and there.

Space Duel... clean... rebuilt 6100, has some bubbling of the artwork
along the bottom but no water damage

Berzerk completely restored with new Vision Pro, ZZPU multi, P360 stick and repro panel.

APB ... don't think there is another like this and I don't think I would recoup the cash I've put into this unless I find a real APB lover. This game is perfect.

Space Invaders.. another total restoration... w/Braze multi. I love this game... it's gorgeous!

Millipede ... Great shape w/Braze multi.

Who Dunit works, also have the Exidy multi... doesn't work with the Who Dunit boards.


Atari 4P football, Galaga and PP projects

Wow!! I had no idea you had this many games.I only remembered 3-4 of them from the past. I'll never forget that beautiful DKII that you had.

 

[GameyMcGame]

I'd say adjust your perspective as well. You say that your collection is piddly...

Dude, you have almost 20 total units. Thats only piddly to crazy over the top collectors.

To anyone else, its insane to have ONE game IN your home! (in a good way).

Pear it back man, keep just a couple. Problem is many of us dont do moderation well!

 

[jeffsgames]

I thought about doing the same thing. I let project pile up for years. Thought about giving up. My wife actually told me to just take a break but not get rid of anything. The kids were getting older and more interested in playing the games so that helped motivate me a little. Then I just started working on them one at a time and stopped procrastinating that that really helped me be less frustrated with it. I did get rid of several games that were games that I "got a good deal on" but weren't necessarily favorites. Down to five total projects and two games to add beyond that and I will hit my "final" lineup of the main games I love.

It's great getting some of the projects playable and decent enough shape to put in the gameroom. I've been worrying about a Centipede project for the longest time. Got a fully working machine in a bad cab. A year later got a replacement cab but white laminate over the sides. Was going to wait for a full transplant until I could afford sideart. Finally I decided I would just transplant and get the entire cab in good shape without sideart. The laminate looks decent and I just cram them together hiding sideart anyway. Should be done within a week or two. Maybe someday I'll buy the sideart but really doubt it.

As for space, I have a few games that can be sold or traded if I need to free space for my completed projects. in the meantime I have them in the gameroom for some variety. Beyond that one the biggest recommendations I would make is pick up a GOOD multi or two. More games, less space, and some are really reliable. Jrok's MW is one I have, and I want the Phoenix Arcade ArcadeSD soon. Those fill the need for a huge gameroom quite well. I'm a huge fan of the "art" of the classic games but I have a very tiny gameroom. Multi's are necessary if you like to play a variety of games! I think my collection is really focused on games with unique or specialized controls. The "wico joystick with a couple buttons" games are handled well by a multi.

Good luck. Don't make any quick decisions. You can always take a break and come back to it, but you may never get back games you sell if you make a decision out of frustration.

 

[jehuie]

While I don't do full on restorations I really respect those of you who do. I can understand why you do it too...it's the love of the game and the ability to use your own craftsmanship and skills to make them new again. Very cool.

But you can really only do that if you have space and money and I doubt that many will ever make money doing it. So you have to have the financial strength to be able to do it without stressing yourself out.

With my limited (and shrinking) income I've had to think about what I really want and then set limits on myself. For me, the priority is to have a "fun" game room so that we can have people from church, scouts, kids friends, and our friends and relatives over to just have a good time. To do that, I don't need full restorations. And I don't need "rare" games that people won't care about.

So my limits are:
1) I don't EVER spend any money beyond what I make from selling games. If I run out of money, then something has to go before I get something else.
2) I don't EVER fill up my space to the point where the game room isn't functional. If adding one more game will put it in the middle of the game room then I don't get it until something else goes.
3) If nobody plays a game when people come over then it goes.
4) If I don't get to a project in about 6 months then it's time to sell it as-is since it's just in the way.

I'll never have some of the pristine primo collections some of you guys have. I think they are very cool in the same way that I think Hot Rod's are cool. But, like Hot Rod's, I can't afford them and it's just not practical for me.

 

[FrizzleFried]

Stop circling the wagons folks... Retro... take a little time away from the hobby. It works wonders. Start with a month and go from there.

Good luck!

 

[roothorick]

The way I minimize costs is to NOT do full on restorations. I repair a game to solid as possible running condition...thats it. If it breaks down then it sits until I have time/money to spare. I let other guys do the full ground up restos...because while they are spending lots of time and money ..I'll be playing my games.

Amen brother! If a machine is 100% electrically and mechanically, and is cosmetically anywhere above "just came off an abusive route", to me, that machine is finished, to be played but not worked on.

Space can be fought if you're willing to put multiple games in one cabinet. I don't mean XXX-in-1. I mean putting multiple PCB's in a machine that supports that specific game. Like multi-Mortal Kombat projects for example. Or making a multi-pede. Or a multi-Arkanoid. I'm finding that this is definitely the way to go as I cull my own herd down.

Oh yeah. When I first got into the hobby, I swore up and down I'd be a JAMMA+JVS+cartridge systems collector with a smattering of generic and universal cabinets, resorting to dedicated cabinets only for games that can't be put in a generic without a lot of fuss. I'm pretty much hitting that mark, I have a generic JAMMA vertical, and I'm soon picking up a Die Hard Arcade dedicated to serve as my JAMMA horizontal. If you don't live in a warehouse, this is the way to go IMO. Of course, it probably helps that my tastes are newer and directly coincide with the golden age of JAMMA, but hey.

 

[jehuie]

Amen brother! If a machine is 100% electrically and mechanically, and is cosmetically anywhere above "just came off an abusive route", to me, that machine is finished, to be played but not worked on.

But Retro said the main pleasure he gets from the games is the restoration process itself. Different folks enjoy different aspects of the hobby. His aspect just happens to be extremely expensive, time consuming and takes a lot of room.

 

[TheShanMan]

Take a break from working on them and start inviting people over for game parties. I tell you, that will keep you energized and enthusiastic about this hobby - seeing gamers and non-gamers alike have a blast with your games. I've had collector parties, coworker parties, church group parties, and friend parties. And I've slowly transitioned from just playing games while everyone else plays them, to being more of a host (not playing many games) and talking to guests about the games, particularly to explain the games to people so they don't walk away from a game before they "get it". Oh, and as a side bonus, the wife doesn't seem to get burned out on me spending time on this hobby when we're having company over regularly to play games.

I've gotten to where I'm rarely taking on projects anymore so the "workload" doesn't overwhelm me and I can just work on things here and there, but I am continually working on stuff. Then again I don't get overly concerned with a game not being fully restored. My top priorities are working well, good monitor, good cpo, good marquee, and more or less clean (particularly externally). Everything else is secondary.

 

[retroACTIVE]

Take a break from working on them and start inviting people over for game parties. I tell you, that will keep you energized and enthusiastic about this hobby - seeing gamers and non-gamers alike have a blast with your games. I've had collector parties, coworker parties, church group parties, and friend parties. And I've slowly transitioned from just playing games while everyone else plays them, to being more of a host (not playing many games) and talking to guests about the games, particularly to explain the games to people so they don't walk away from a game before they "get it". Oh, and as a side bonus, the wife doesn't seem to get burned out on me spending time on this hobby when we're having company over regularly to play games.

I've gotten to where I'm rarely taking on projects anymore so the "workload" doesn't overwhelm me and I can just work on things here and there, but I am continually working on stuff. Then again I don't get overly concerned with a game not being fully restored. My top priorities are working well, good monitor, good cpo, good marquee, and more or less clean (particularly externally). Everything else is secondary.

This is great advice... funny you should say this... I've been promising a "party" for about 2 years now... my biggest issue is I keep telling myself "...it will happen when this game is done"... then inevitably I get sucked into another restoration.

Thanks for all the feedback guys... its been invaluable. Like Friz said... a little break may do me some good.

 

[jehuie]

This is great advice... funny you should say this... I've been promising a "party" for about 2 years now... my biggest issue is I keep telling myself "...it will happen when this game is done"... then inevitably I get sucked into another restoration.

Thanks for all the feedback guys... its been invaluable. Like Friz said... a little break may do me some good.

Yeah I was feeling pretty down on the whole arcade game thing recently but then my wife made this photo album on Shutterfly that was just pictures of people we've had over enjoying the games over the years. Looking at everyone having fun and watching the kids smiling and growing up around them totally energized me again. So I'm not planning to drop out any time soon.

Unfortunately, since I promised myself I'd never let myself be an "extreme" poster on here and since someone just pointed out that I'm one post away from that this will have to be my farewell post. It was good knowing all you KLOV bretheren. Perhaps I'll see you at CAX. Take care!

 

[smalltownguy2]

Take care!

Riiiiiiiiight.

 

[jehuie]

Riiiiiiiiight.

No, I'm totally serious!

EDIT: Oops. Is there a way to delete this post?

2nd Edit: There, fixed it. I just need to erase one post for every new post I make I guess....I was an extreme poster briefly though.

 

[Frax]

Man, I know people that have posted on far more niche boards than this.. Asheron's Call? Yeah..okay....they have like 20-30 THOUSAND posts.

5k isn't extreme, it's just getting warmed up.

 

[ArcRevival]

Seeing as you don't have a Red Baron that I could score then my vote is to stay in the hobby. Seriously, instead of getting out, take a look at what is preventing you from having time to enjoy the hobby and see if it can be changed.

 

[Phetishboy]

I liked arcade games long before getting into this hobby and I never feel like getting out. Overwhelmed with projects and short on time, sure, but I never feel like removing myself from the hobby completely. I don't play my games every day either, but I never feel the undeniable urge to get rid of any game that I haven't touched in a week. Am I weird? I see these threads pop up every few months and I never really understand them. Either you like what a hobby is about or you don't. All things in moderation. Do you like arcade games? Or do you just like obsessively restoring things? If the latter, find something smaller and cheaper to restore. Eventually you'll get sick of that subject matter too, then you can move your skills and compulsive disorders to another hobby that focuses on something even smaller and cheaper. Soon, you'll either be restoring things under a microscope or you'll be dead. You can't lose.