Value and desirability of different pacman machines?

jcar302

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Value and desirability of different pacman machines?

If there is a list or thread somewhere, please link me, i didn't see it.
While shopping for my most desired games, i figured a pac machine would be a sure bet.
Problem is that i just don't know what they are worth.
For all intensive purposes, lets assume fair working condition.

Some that i see for sale local are:
Pacman
Pacman Plus
Super pacman
Ms pacman
Galaga/pac combo

Any of these would be fine with me to start.
In an attempt to be an educated buyer, what is the order of most valuable to least and a round about number that's a fair offer so i don't land up over paying.

I'm not worried about losing $50 on a deal, but i am worried about losing $200.

There is a couple pac man plus's for sale, that would be ok with me (unless there is any reason to steer clear), but the arcade museum lists it as a 2 out of 100 in desirability.
Fair price?

Thanks for any advice.
Joe
 
That's a very broad and subjective question. Pac games can vary widely in price depending on condition. People here could shoot you 'ranges' for working ones, but if we're talking a mix of dead, alive, beater, and home-use only, you're not going to get accurate prices +/-$200 in most cases.

Besides, before you ask everyone on the board to put in the work rattling off prices, you should put in some work posting up some specific pics of the ones for sale you're referring to.

EDIT: Oh, in fair working condition? As in unrestored, but still presentable to put in a living room? Can you be any more specific? Are these water damaged? Try to also keep in mind that it's not so much what you want to pay as what the seller is willing to part with it for these days. There are some negotiable ones out there, but they're few and far between.
 
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And not sure why I didn't ask before, but have you considered playing these titles in MAME to help make a decision? What you like vs. what I like is completely subjective. For instance I love Super Pac and hate Pac/Ms. Pac. Most people would have the opposite opinion.
 
I bought a super pac with bad boards for $75.00 then bought a board set here for i think it was $75.00 dont remember? cab is in soso condition and it needs a width coil but still playable but i got $150.00 in it.probably gonna sell it to make room for another though.
 
Ms Pacman and Pacman are the most desirable, and probably in that order. There are people that played the others when they were younger and have nostalgia for the others, but I think other than that, they are mostly ignored. The Reunion cab is new, and usually pretty expensive.

As mentioned, condition is everything on these. I got a pac cocktail that works for $50 a few months ago, but it looks pretty bad. I think the cocktails are probably the most likely to sell to non collectors, and that can bring the price up quite a bit if in really good condition.
 
I knew it was a broad topic, what i meant by fair was as you described good working condition, works or at least mostly works and looks ok, they aren't going to be show pieces.
I really don't need to play any of them in mame, i grew up playing them in arcades, that's the reason i want them.
These games will go in a finished basement, so they don't need to be perfect.

Here is one, there is another local similar condition but more money. Been on ebay for 20 days so far, no offers.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/390189751800?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Not worried about minor problems with machines, seems there is plenty of pac parts to go around and by trade i own an electrical contracting business. While i'm not an electronics expert, i could probably figure out most problems with a little help.
 
How you are describing the condition you are looking for is very much like I collect. Decent solid cab with artwork that shows the games age and adds character. I think you can find what you want in the 200-500 range. In the end its up to you how much you are willing to pay for the game if its what you want and meets your critiera. Just be aware that even buying a working .. you will still need to learn the basics of arcade repair because it will break down eventually.
 
Ok, as long as that is straight. For the most part I'd say Super Pac is about $150-350. Pac Plus and Pac Jr. I believe would be in a similar or identical range, maybe more like $200-400 as despite being probably the least replayable and desireable they are not as common. Pac-Man and Ms. Pac prices are all over the damn place (usually ignorantly overpriced), but for one as described... hmm... $250-500, with a allowance to go a couple hundred higher if restenciled or in very nice condition.

Ms. Pac/Galaga is a tough one - you may get lucky and find one for a few hundred, but I think it still commonly fetches around $500-800.
 
Pac-Man and Ms. Pac prices are all over the damn place (usually ignorantly overpriced).
You got that right.
That's why i'm so confused. I've seen games that i would consider excellent condition for $700-$800 and ones that i would consider poor condition for $1000-$1500.

Why is pacman plus less replayable?
If i wanted different pacman games, could i just put one of those multipac boards in it?
 
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You got that right.
That's why i'm so confused. I've seen games that i would consider excellent condition for $700-$800 and ones that i would consider poor condition for $1000-$1500.

Hmm I'd say for a immaculate (like home use only or similar shape) original cab $700-800 isn't too out of line. I wouldn't pay $1000 unless it was restenciled (and done damn well) and maybe had a multi-pac. But even then I'd hesitate in favor of a similarly restored Ms. Pac (personal preference).

Why is pacman plus less replayable?

Honestly I got that game mixed up, was thinking it was something else. I think if memory serves that is just a conversion for the original Pac-Man anyways so there isn't much difference save for the marquee. You might go $250-500 for a nice one.

What about Pac-Mania?? ;) (probably $250-450 there btw)
 
Hmm I'd say for a immaculate (like home use only or similar shape) original cab $700-800 isn't too out of line. I wouldn't pay $1000 unless it was restenciled (and done damn well) and maybe had a multi-pac. But even then I'd hesitate in favor of a similarly restored Ms. Pac (personal preference).



Honestly I got that game mixed up, was thinking it was something else. I think if memory serves that is just a conversion for the original Pac-Man anyways so there isn't much difference save for the marquee. You might go $250-500 for a nice one.

What about Pac-Mania?? ;) (probably $250-450 there btw)

From what i've seen and read pac plus is pacman with ghosts that sometimes disappear, some don't turn blue after a pellet and sometimes the maze disappears.
I'll look at pac mania too, haven't seen one for sale yet. Usually i see a game, look it up on the main site here and see what it's about.
 
I'll look at pac mania too, haven't seen one for sale yet.

As for that one... eh... pseudo 3D Pac-Man with radically different mazes. And Pac-Man can jump. But the ghosts can do an about face on your ass in mid jump and kill you on the landing which sort of ruins the title for me.

Besides it's hard to find, especially with decent side art.
 
Ya, i subscribed to that post so when the time came i could find it easy.

When you say "For Ms. Pac or Pac board" does that mean i can't use it on pac plus?

Hmm good question. Not sure, but if Plus is just a ROM swap (would have to check the KLOV listing again on that matter) on the same board and the kit basically replaces the ROMs as well I don't see why not. May want to inquire of the producer, or post in that thread.
 
Hmm good question. Not sure, but if Plus is just a ROM swap (would have to check the KLOV listing again on that matter) on the same board and the kit basically replaces the ROMs as well I don't see why not. May want to inquire of the producer, or post in that thread.

I believe the Pac-Man Plus kit replaced 6 EPROM's, 2 PROMs, and had a epoxy glob covered processor (that was encrypted) that replaced the regular one. (this was from looking at a conversion manual online) The conversion kit worked for both Pac and Ms Pac (since they're pretty much the same board)
 
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