What should I do with my original 1983 Dragon's Lair cabinet?

[4ever2600]

Hello all!

 

I own an original Dragon's Lair cabinet from 83 and it's in great shape, nice side art, marquee etc. Unfortunately I don't have a working laserdisc player. I have the original laserdisc though. Anyways, do I sell it as is, or do I sink money into it and bring it up to specs whether I convert the entire thing to a DAPHNE emulator style with DVDs or restore to it's original glory? What does it cost to approx do either? Has anyone here ever gone through this? Would like to hear some input from fellow arcade Lair fans... Thanks!!

[Mxyzptlk]

If you do end up selling, p.m. me with your price and location.

[+bennybingo]

Same here...

[SoundGammon]

How about using the PS2 and a copy of DL 1 & 2 & 3? All on DVD. Hack a controller to the panel for joystick and buttons. Shouldn't be to hard.

[racerx]

I own an original Dragon's Lair cabinet from 83 and it's in great shape, nice side art, marquee etc. Unfortunately I don't have a working laserdisc player. I have the original laserdisc though.

 

How about using the PS2 and a copy of DL 1 & 2 & 3? All on DVD. Hack a controller to the panel for joystick and buttons. Shouldn't be to hard.

 

Or you could just, you know, play the DVD version on your PS2.

 

If you have a great shape DL please for the love of all that is holy don't "hack" it at all.

[4ever2600]

Yeah, I'm not much the hack, though I do appreciate the input. That would kinda be the cheapest conversion of any I suppose. And it is such a great shape cabinet, I really don't think I could do that, being such a fan of the Bluth. As well, I don't even think I would be doing the work, more looking to possible hire someone. I'm just not that good at that. I know I'd screw something up somewhere and regret it... Anyone in the Las Vegas NV area that would like the challenge?

 

As for the two offers I had if I opt to sell it... I will definitely keep you in mind if you don't mind a weekend trip to Vegas!!

 

What would be a reasonable offer for it as is? I was thinking in the $500.00 range to include the laserdisc and player (even though the player half works).

[+bennybingo]

$500 would be very reasonable, but I am nowhere near Vegas, so that would be quite prohibitive.

 

I would suggest reaching out to local arcade machine re-sellers. Any reputable dealer would be able to provide the name of at least one good repair man. That's how I get my tempest cab fixed when it breaks. Through the guy who sold it to me, I gained a repairman who used to work at my favorite childhood arcade. He is extremely reasonable on pricing and backs all of his work with a warranty (which is amazing considering we are talking about a 30+ year old cabinet!). I am sure you can find someone in the same way. As much as I would love to buy your cabinet, I am sure that you would much rather see it in your game room...working in all its' original glory!

 

PS: If Mxyzptlk decides to pursue purchasing this from you, he's a straight up guy...expect a good transaction with him! Best of luck either way!

[nanochess]

A thing I never do with original things is to modificate them. I think them lose some (if not all!) of its value with modifications.

 

I suggest you to take some pictures before selling it. Just for the records

[Cassidy Nolen]

MANY options to use another LD player.

 

http://www.dragons-lair-project.com/

 

I'd highly suggest reading up there and seeing what your values would be as-is and what it would be modified/refitted to modern equipment.

 

You say you don't have a working LD, do you have the original and all the interface boards? If so, there are many technical docs on the web that a good electronics repair man could use to restore the original.

 

CN

[UberArcade]

I have replaced the player in my DL. I have one of the conversion cards that allows you to run a sony player in there. It was very easy to convert it over. I bought some "working" players off ebay till I got one that was actually working.

 

Dragon's Lair is one of my favorite games so I never recommend running anything but the original game in that cabinet.