New Restoration Questions

mwturnquist

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Hi I am new to the hobby of restoring video games and am interesting in finding out what is the best thoughts on restoration. I picked up a couple used machines in need of repair (monitor issues). My question is are video games more valuable so to speak if they are kept as they were originally built, while these are not, a surprise extra was included they came with all the original boards, control panels, manuals etc. They were originally a defender and galaxian.

-mike

PS not a bad buy for $50
 

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Hi I am new to the hobby of restoring video games and am interesting in finding out what is the best thoughts on restoration. I picked up a couple used machines in need of repair (monitor issues). My question is are video games more valuable so to speak if they are kept as they were originally built, while these are not, a surprise extra was included they came with all the original boards, control panels, manuals etc. They were originally a defender and galaxian.

-mike

PS not a bad buy for $50

Since the artwork seems to be gone or covered up on both, they would be far more valuable if they were restored to looking original. New stencils for the Defender, new vinyl artwork for the Galaxian. You'd need to pick up new (used, NOS or repro) bezels, CPO's, marquees and then find working boardsets and most likely wiring harnesses for each. Picking up original flyers and manuals are good visual and parts aides and will steer you in the right direction. These are both great classic games. That being said, the cost of restoring both will certainly hinder a huge return on your investment. You'd be lucky to break even if you decided to flip them. I would restore and keep them for a while myself.

EDIT: I see you did get original boards with each, now to make sure they work, or to pay someone to fix them.
 
Condition is everything. If there is a mint original sitting next to a mint game with reproduction artwork, of course the original would be worth more. However the vast majority of collectors would take a really nice machine with repro stuff over an original machine that looks like crap.
 
where i was going i guess is the any benefit to having like a "numbers matching machine" where things are at original as possible. All the original artwork is there it was just covered by black contact paper which seems to come off easily.
 
where i was going i guess is the any benefit to having like a "numbers matching machine" where things are at original as possible.

Sure there is. If you the condition of all of the items is good, then you're set. It's usually not that easy though. Maybe in your case it will be.
 
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