POLL What is generally considered an "original" game?

[cysnake]

What is generally considered an "original" game?

What do you consider an "original" game? Does every piece have to be original? If you use repro art, or a new cab, new wiring ect is it still original? If you have a new cab, but the boards and controls are original, how would classify it? What if you have to replace a board with another one? And it has a different serial number from the original? Discuss..........

 

[ElectricDreamz]

it has to be opened NIB.

 

[Ghostlyguy]

I complied a list of the terminology that I've picked up over the years for anyone who is confused.
Originals = are inherently dedicated.... unless they came in a generic cabinet.
Dedicated = cabinet that is not generic, unless they have been
Conversion = Once you repair a damaged corner, or replace a switch -a game is considered this.
Generic = a cabinet that is can sometimes be dedicated, most times conversions, often not originals.
Project = a large percentage of your collection is this.
Mint = a plant used in various foods and drink to enhance one's enjoyment. Or not.
Not Mint = The opposite of original and certainly not dedicated.
FUBAR = most cabinet's seen on CL



Hope this helps.

 

[cysnake]

LOL! There probably arent many "originals" out there then

 

[cysnake]

I consider an original game one that uses original boards and controls. You get the same exact feel and gameplay as you would have when it was first released. The rest is all cosmetics. New cab or art is only eye candy and does not change the actual gameplay at all.

 

[ArcadeTechGW]

Original is original.

Same playfield / control panel / marquee.
Same game boards.
Same monitor.
Same cabinet.

What do you think should have more value? A game that has been well-preserved, or one that someone knocked together and stuck a MAME computer in?

For me, I'll take the originals every day. They play better, they feel right.

That's what ArcadeFUp won't ever cut it for me.

 

[cysnake]

So if you put a repro marquee on it, or a different monitor its no longer an original game? And it shouldnt be sold as an original and should be worth less?

Original is original.

Same playfield / control panel / marquee.
Same game boards.
Same monitor.
Same cabinet.

What do you think should have more value? A game that has been well-preserved, or one that someone knocked together and stuck a MAME computer in?

For me, I'll take the originals every day. They play better, they feel right.

That's what ArcadeFUp won't ever cut it for me.

 

[SFIINerd]

2000: dude, you cant make a `dedicated bombjack' game cause it came as a kit. but still cool build from scratch project tho.

2019: brand new cabinet with a couple old school parts? nice restoration!

 

[cysnake]

So, here is my example. Im building a wacko. I have a new cab, new repro art, but all the guts, boards, cp, controls, power supply, coin door, wheels, cabinet handles, ect are all original parts. Is it considered a restoration?

 

[matman]

So, here is my example. Im building a wacko. I have a new cab, new repro art, but all the guts, boards, cp, controls, power supply, coin door, wheels, cabinet handles, ect are all original parts. Is it considered a restoration?

what do you mean new cab? you created one from scratch?

If so I would consider it a custom with some original parts.

To me original would mean all parts came from the factory. (if all serials matched I would call it a true original or something)
Repro parts would be original with some reproduction
Restored parts would be [partially] restored original
etc..

but not everyone is using the same terms so in the end you just need to ask all the questions...

 

[cysnake]

Yes, a new cab copied from an original.

 

[RIPsweetmachine]

after going through the conversation a few times, i've decided that for myself, an "original" has to be an original cabinet and an original board (whichever one has the roms on it).

I think yours is exactly what it is: a new build with an original board set.

It seems to be closest to the consensus that the cabinet makes or breaks originality, not the board, but I still disagree. if it has to be one, its the board. but I don't think it has to be one. so, its both.

 

[sg6970]

All Original = Everything the way it was when it came out of the factory. Nothing replaced, Nothing new added.

The Original Monitor
The Original PCB's, wiring, interior hardware.
The Original Cabinet
All External cosmetics, glass, marquees, CP, side art.

From the tippy tippy top to the tippy tippy bottom. Period, period, period.


Now some items can be an exception to the rule like cap replacements, failed roms ram, a bolt or two that needed replacing, light bulbs, some general maintenance items and parts that are being replaced with NOS parts. But aside from that no exceptions.

 

[ArcadeTechGW]

Yes, a new cab copied from an original.

Then that is a restoration (you didn't have a cabinet, and made one) or a custom. I'd lean towards restoration.

I have seen people on here (and in person) cut the bottom that was water damaged off a cabinet, and replace it with biscuits and glue and a new bottom. They are WAAYYYY beyond what I can currently do (in terms of tools and skills) - I'm more of a clean it up and make sure it works right person.

 

[kkcloak]

it has to come off the assembly line back in the day to be original, new cabinet is a re-creation not restoration.

value is not the same has original.

 

[jcar302]

All Original = Everything the way it was when it came out of the factory. Nothing replaced, Nothing new added.

The Original Monitor
The Original PCB's, wiring, interior hardware.
The Original Cabinet
All External cosmetics, glass, marquees, CP, side art.

Now some items can be an exception to the rule like cap replacements, failed roms ram, a bolt or two that needed replacing, light bulbs, some general maintenance items and parts that are being replaced with NOS parts. But aside from that no exceptions.

This is exactly how I feel.
You can replace buttons switches etc, but you change anything proprietary to that game other than a mechanical repair, it is no longer original.


Some people on this forum have a warped sense of reality when it comes to original (survivor), restored and reproduced. I feel like they twist those words to add more value to their own games.

 

[HighScoreSaves]

I've heard the wood has soul....
New wood has no soul....







IMO...new cab and art with original "guts" are acceptable as a restoration. It's the hardware that makes it.

While others may not share this opinion, pieces that can deteriorate and be exactly copied, are fine. Obviously, using the same type of wood the original cab was made if is essential.

Just my 25¢

 

[sg6970]

I've heard the wood has soul....
New wood has no soul....







IMO...new cab and art with original "guts" are acceptable as a restoration. It's the hardware that makes it.

While others may not share this opinion, pieces that can deteriorate and be exactly copied, are fine. Obviously, using the same type of wood the original cab was made if is essential.

Just my 25¢

IDK, I would say if a factory took everything from original specs and redid the same exact game today down to the wood and inside hardware wouldn't that be a "Re-creation" ? I think what you have outlined is that very same thing no ? If your talking "New Cab".

To me "Restoration" means taking what was or still is original (Old Cab) and doctoring up with what needs repairing and or replacing with what is reproduction or to NOS and bring back into new shape as it looked and played when it was originally brand new ?

 

[sg6970]

Seems like we have several different levels of conditions states such as.

1. All Original which could include survivors & HUO's or both.
2. Resurrection's
3. Restoration's
4. Re-creation's
5 Maybe we should include "Knock-off" too because it was in the thoughtful likeness of what something was but hideously no where near original ?
6. Forgot one.. NOS - brand new still in the box game which is extremely rare. Survivor games and NOS games should not be confused with each other.

 

[PhatJay]

In order to call a game original, all components need to be original. Not necessarily to that particular machine though. I.e. if a machines k4600 monitor fails, and another k4600, from another machine is swapped in, that's ok. But if you put a new repro control panel overlay on, then it's a restoration. Not original any more. But if that cp overlay is nos, from the original run, then yes it's still original. So I guess the time period in which a part is made is the deciding factor. That part must be same type and specs as original, and be made during the original run of the machine in which the part is going.