Pac-Man/Galaga Aniversary Cocktail

Syngefinger

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My brother told me of seeing this game at a garage sale this past weekend. It was by Namco and the person said it was won as a prize from a Michigan Lottery scratch off game in 2006. I do remember the scratch off game and even bought some tickets hoping to win one. Anyone familiar with this? Is it like the cheaply made cabinets like some of those multiple-game cabinets sold at Target? Or is it fairly well made and most importantly how much would this be worth. Supposedly the start button needs to be replaced but other than that it's fully working.
 
Very well-made. It's an official Namco release. I have the 20th Anniversary version. Great game, plays just like the originals. Some people here don't like the joysticks, but whatever... They are newer style, but u get used to them. New, $3,400... Used/on eBay $1,000-$1,400
 
You didn't specify if it is the 20th or 25th Anniversary edition... Basically the same, but the 25th let's u select PacMan from the main menu, whereas the 20th features the original as a hidden game. The game also has extensive operator-selectable options, such as fast or slow gameplay for the Pac games, and fast shot/rapid fire or regular Galaga, among various other features. There were commercial versions with coin mechs, as well as home-use-only versions with no coin mechs. I own the 20th Ann. commercial-release cocktail table. U can find pics in my profile section.
 
You didn't specify if it is the 20th or 25th Anniversary edition... Basically the same, but the 25th let's u select PacMan from the main menu, whereas the 20th features the original as a hidden game. The game also has extensive operator-selectable options, such as fast or slow gameplay for the Pac games, and fast shot/rapid fire or regular Galaga, among various other features. There were commercial versions with coin mechs, as well as home-use-only versions with no coin mechs. I own the 20th Ann. commercial-release cocktail table. U can find pics in my profile section.
They're supposed to be sending me pictures today, but from what I've gathered it's the 25th Anniversary edition. They said it plays Pac-Man and Galaga. No mention of Ms Pac-Man, but I assume it's there. If it looks like the one in your profile it's a nice looking game. I don't imagine finding a replacement start button would be much of an issue?
 
I don't imagine finding a replacement start button would be much of an issue?

Shouldn't be a problem - I haven't seen that particular panel, so I don't know exactly what kind of button it uses, but you can get pretty much any arcade control part easily. A standard arcade button, new, is like two bucks. And chances are, the button isn't broken - they rarely actually break. It's probably just got a wire off, or the switch popped off the back.

-Ian
 
You didn't specify if it is the 20th or 25th Anniversary edition... Basically the same, but the 25th let's u select PacMan from the main menu, whereas the 20th features the original as a hidden game. The game also has extensive operator-selectable options, such as fast or slow gameplay for the Pac games, and fast shot/rapid fire or regular Galaga, among various other features. There were commercial versions with coin mechs, as well as home-use-only versions with no coin mechs. I own the 20th Ann. commercial-release cocktail table. U can find pics in my profile section.

I got some pictures tonight. It turns out it's a 20th Anniversary. It looks to be in pretty decent shape. Probably gonna make a roadtrip in the next few nights and get a closer look. It's about an hour drive one way. I have never owned a cocktail machine. What kind of heft do these things have. Are they fairly easily moved up and down narrow stairs by a couple of strong backs? Or are they better moved by a hand cart? Can they be moved safely while on their sides (like strapped to a hand cart)?
 
I just moved a Gorf cocktail and they are pretty easy for two people to carry. Gorf is made of plywood so although heavy it's not too bad. If it's MDF it might be a pain. Just make sure the top if clipped down before you lift it. You can access the clips that secure the top by reaching in the coin door, there are two latches across the top that secure the top to the rest of the cabinet.

beware of spiders, and the monitor in there, as you won't be able to see much and it's cramped. My Gorf cocktail had a big cardboard shield so you didn't touch the monitor when reaching for the clips.

A handcart is really nice if you have one but definitely not required. I had one helper and we had no problem lifting it a few feet into the back of my hatchback.
 
Yeah, it's not too bad at all to move, actually. About 200 pounds, which is about half of what my upright Frogger weighs. That was much more difficult to get through the door, LOL! The Ms. Pac/Galaga cocktail is basically just like a REALLY heavy end-table, two strong dudes can move it no prob.

(FYI, in case the owners don't know it, it DOES have all three games on it... Ms. PacMan/PacMan/Galaga! The 20th Anniversary ones don't advertise it, but you can access PacMan with a secret joystick code. Hit the start button for either game, then at the game select screen, grab the player 1 joystick and go "up, up, up, down, down, down, left, right, left, right. left", and you'll hear a "ding ding ding ding ding", the ghost will change from red to pink, and you can play the original!)
 
if you don't like it I have a 20th anniversary Up Right with the 25 inch. I'd trade. Its HUO, but they left it on like a night light so it has some pac burn.

I'm in Davenport but might meet you half way.
 
I've found out this morning that they lost the keys to this cocktail. I'm not familiar with cocktail cabinets at all and wonder what would be involved in getting into the cabinet. Is it as simple as drilling out the old lock on the coindoor? I assume there are brackets that can be released somewhere inside the cabinet that gives access to the monitor, boards, etc?
 
Yeah. Just drill the lock. Or pick it. You can buy another lock at the hardware store - video game locks are nothing more than conventional cabinet locks. Once you open the coin door, you can reach inside and unlatch the two clamps that hold the top of the cabinet on - then it just unhinges.

-Ian
 
I picked this game up tonight. The cabinet is beautiful. Hardly a scratch on it. The glasstop has some very minor scratches but nothing serious. When I picked it up the guy said that it wasn't his idea to sell the game, but it was ok because just recently it had forgotten all his high scores and reset itself. He also said that none of the start buttons would work and was told that it was probably a wiring issue or a fuse. As I stated earlier they had lost the keys for it, which made me a little nervous, but with a little luck I managed to open the bottom coin door lock. Unfortuantely the other 2 locks are being more difficult.

After fiddling with the locks a bit more, I decided to plug it in and hope that by some stroke of luck it might start working. Nope, sure enough, it wouldn't start a game. I did notice that it was showing 0 credits. I put 2 and 2 together and decided to drop a couple quarters into the slot. Lo and behold, it showed a credit. I pushed the Galaga start button and she came to life!! The sound is very faint, put she played fine. Joystick is nice and tight and all the buttons worked as they should.

Does this game have batteries installed to save game settings? My guess is that it does and the batteries have gone bad after 5 years and in so doing, it lost all it's settings. Assuming it was set on free play originally and that if the batteries died, it would probably go back to factory settings? Might the sound also be affected by going back to factory settings? Or maybe I am completely off base and something else might be wrong, but is all sure seems to make sense?

I will post pictures tomorrow night, because without pictures, it didn't happen.
 
Maybe the previous owner just inadvertantly restored it to default settings and didn't know it? EVERYTHING on this machine is operator-selectable... Inside the coin-door is the volume knob and next to that is a red "test" button. Press the test button and that will call up the on-screen menu for your game adjustments, including the option to "restore default settings". That restores everything to manufacturer defaults, and wipes out all High Scores. Did he give you the manual for it? If not, you can download a copy of it off the Internet.
 
According to the previous owner, they had never even opened the cabinet since having it delivered from the Michigan Lottery in 2006 and that they lost the keys "years ago". I'm hoping that the manual might be stored inside the cabinet, as she said they don't recall ever getting a manual when it was delivered.

I turned the game back on this morning and it had remembered my Ms Pac-Man high score from last night. Are the high scores saved internally? If so, it's strange how the game would forget all the previous high scores and reset itself? I really want to get this thing unlocked so I can get a look at things inside the cabinet. So, there isn't a set of batteries that might need to be changed?
 
Just a heads up to a new cocktail owner, when you unlatch the top and go to fold the cabinet open, be prepared for the weight. It's really not that heavy but if you're not expecting it, the top of the cabinet with the monitor can get away from you. Unlatch it, then walk around to the other side and fold it down toward you slowly until you get a feel for the mass.
 
Just a heads up to a new cocktail owner, when you unlatch the top and go to fold the cabinet open, be prepared for the weight. It's really not that heavy but if you're not expecting it, the top of the cabinet with the monitor can get away from you. Unlatch it, then walk around to the other side and fold it down toward you slowly until you get a feel for the mass.
Thanks for the tip. I could see how that might happen, and it would just be my luck. I'll get sure to take your advice.
 
According to the previous owner, they had never even opened the cabinet since having it delivered from the Michigan Lottery in 2006 and that they lost the keys "years ago". I'm hoping that the manual might be stored inside the cabinet, as she said they don't recall ever getting a manual when it was delivered.

I turned the game back on this morning and it had remembered my Ms Pac-Man high score from last night. Are the high scores saved internally? If so, it's strange how the game would forget all the previous high scores and reset itself? I really want to get this thing unlocked so I can get a look at things inside the cabinet. So, there isn't a set of batteries that might need to be changed?

Not that I'm aware of. Didn't see any batteries when I had my cabinet opened up shortly after buying it, and it's not mentioned in the manual anywhere. My game DID mysteriously reset itself to "upright" setting one time, and I had to go into the menu and change it back to "cocktail", but it's only done that once with no explanation. There's not that much hardware inside the cabinet, just the monitor, computer board, fan, speakers, and power supply, for the most part.
 
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