Mobile Arcade….

[tblake05]

has anyone ever thought about a mobile arcade?

Hear me out….

An enclosed trailer, with a 6 or so of the most popular arcade games….(Pac-Man, asteroids, galaga, space invaders,…..)

Could cover the walls with like movie posters from the 80's, floor with like the normal dark colored carpet with glowing designs, and put black lights in it…

Maybe use a refrigerated 5th wheel… or put in a small wall unit… power your games by a small generator. Then tow it to flea markets, town festivals and things…

It would be a labor of love but would be a fun way for someone like me, who can never afford an arcade to be able to have a little fun.

Thoughts?

 

[obitus1990]

I've seen a few "game trailer" arcades out there on Facebook marketplace. I've seen them as rentals for parties, with arcade1ups, a couple big TVs and X-box/Playstations inside and a bunch of RGb LED lighting. One I've seen has all new, scratch built generic black cabinets with LCDs in them and some kind of emulator. Don't know how popular of a choice they are for kid's birthday parties, but since I've seen some of these setups for sale just a few months after they start advertising them as being available for rent, I'd wager it's not too popular.

 

[tblake05]

I've seen a few "game trailer" arcades out there on Facebook marketplace. I've seen them as rentals for parties, with arcade1ups, a couple big TVs and X-box/Playstations inside and a bunch of RGb LED lighting. One I've seen has all new, scratch built generic black cabinets with LCDs in them and some kind of emulator. Don't know how popular of a choice they are for kid's birthday parties, but since I've seen some of these setups for sale just a few months after they start advertising them as being available for rent, I'd wager it's not too popular.

Can't imagine one ups being too popular…,

I'm thinking legacy hardware catering to the 40 something's who were kids in the 80's.

Not really looking to make a profit. Just to have a Little fun…. As a dream of mine has always been to open an arcade for a teen hangout…. But the cost of real estate or rent coupled with this generation liking cell phones so much makes arcades not profitable business. Sad

 

[DrewZ]

I like your passion for real arcades but, these old games are not going to respond well to bouncing around in a trailer and running off a generator. It would actually be cruel IMHO.

 

[ArcadeJason]

i remember one bitd that had all the games facing out and a hallway in the center where the operator could swap boards or do repairs. real crts and game pcbs and marquees. i always wanted to copy that set up.

 

[redorlando101]

I've been working on something for a couple of years (in my spare time). It involves a school bus with real hardware.

 

[tblake05]

Tr

I like your passion for real arcades but, these old games are not going to respond well to bouncing around in a trailer and running off a generator. It would actually be cruel IMHO.

Never thought of that. Good point.

 

[K3587]

A customer of mine had originally planned to open an arcade, and starting buying up stock. Then COVID happened and kinda killed that plan, so he bought a bus, gutted it, and put classic arcade machines in it. Rented it out for parties; not too dissimilar from your idea. Did it for a couple years, then decided he was making more money renting out equipment for weddings and such, so he shifted focus to that and sold me everything arcade related he had. I got about 35+ machines and multiple monitors and boards cause he needed that warehouse space back for his new venture. He tells me it's far more profitable than the bus ever was.

 

[CameronMcC]

Kids don't want vintage games like pac-man.

I have seen this model used with flat screen tvs and modern consoles. I even saw one once that had a few A1ups. But it wasn't too lucrative. Most kids own consoles. And there isn't enough birthday parties and kid events to make it lucrative.

 

[Hoppy2021]

Its been done in the past. It is not impossible to do. The main thing is what are your motivations to do it? If you are looking for it to generate some secondary income, I think it may have some strong limits. If you are looking at just a hobby, to show off what you have, and have any funds cover repairs and the odd new piece. then maybe it could work.

Things to strongly take into consideration...

1. Trailers and games are heavy. Seen trucks blow transmissions up doing exactly what you want to do. It doesn't matter how many games you have, how well you did, if A) you can't move your vehicle, or b) a repair bill wipes out a season of income. Would also have to factor in fuel costs too.

2. You are inviting the general public onto your equipment. There is a liability there. Anything from a kid tripping and getting a scuffed knee to someone getting a shock off a faulty ground. Your everyday vehicle insurance will not cover if you are using it for business purposes.

3. Most fairs, carnivals and venues want a fee to set up a booth. That fee goes up if you want it serviced with electricity. If you do get a power source, will it be enough to power everything? You might have to pay $200 for a spot, but then find out you only get 2 outlets on a 15 amp service. Also, some venues not only have a lot fee, but then a percentage of sales too.

4. You need to carry with you enough parts to fix anything on site. With limited space in any mobile set up you will want to have every cabinet working.

5. Payment. Coin operated is nice, but A) you need to carry a large coin float to cycle through daily. What if the parentss/patrons dont have cash? Are you going to use a mobile payment machine to charge them? ( so like $13 gets you a roll of quarters, and pays for the payment fees ) Or is everything going to be on free play, and you charge a flat fee to enter? If so, is it time limited, ( you have to keep track then ) Is it a 1 time fee for the whole day, or per visit? (pay, play then go for lunch come back and another fee)

 

[DPtwiz]

i had an idea for this using an enclosed car hauler. my plan was to make cabinets about 1/2 depth using lcd's and 60-1s. ac unit on the roof like a camper. lots of space and you can put games down both sides.

 

[ArcadeTechGW]

Sounds interesting.

If someone did it, I'd encourage them to "travel proof" the games by installing:
1. The screws which held the PCBs in place.
2. All bolting for the CRTs.
3. Any screws for the power supply to the base of the cabinet.
4. Reinforce any degraded MDF that is being attached to.

 

[redorlando101]

I'll launch one day.