128Kgames #501 Posted August 28, 2018 I may be getting older, but I'm pretty sure that the definition of "DIY" is the antithesis of "ready made, out of the box." Let's break it down. 3 sheets of 3/4 plywood @ 4x8 - $80 Various other pieces of lumber (2x4's and such) to hold your box together: $20 1 used 19" 4x3 aspect LCD monitor from ebay/amazon: $25 Raspberry Pi for gaming: $35 Mayflash arcade Controller (to use for buttons and stick) or similar pelican style arcade controls from amazon or gamestop, etc $35 powered computer speakers for audio: $15 Corded Drill: $29 Corded Jigsaw: $40 2 Cans of Black Spray paint: $10 1 box 2" coarse thread drywall screws. All of the above is everything you need, and it's EXACTLY $299. In most cases, I over estimated on price, especially the lumber. Now of course this requires the requisite skills to operate power tools, measure and plan the shape of your cab, a place to actually do the work of cutting and assembling etc. So obviously this is not for everyone. It also doesn't include nice side art or a glass bezel - but those aren't really necessary. This would be for a full size 6 foot arcade size cab, with the right proportions and controls/monitor alignment so that people over 5 feet tall won't get a stiff neck playing it. and using linux + MAME and roms, you would have THOUSANDS of games to choose from, instead of 2 or 3. We could get into the whole licensing debate, but most people really do not give a shit about that, as the licensing is only really a concern if you're planning on adding a coin slot and putting it in a public place for profit. Sure, the games would be illegal. Labor man, you completely left out the cost of labor. Anybody who's taken economics knows time is money, and all that $299 gets you is the parts, nothing more. Your price is gonna double before you're done! You're not a contractor by trade, are you? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PlaysWithWolves #502 Posted August 28, 2018 You may be able to check these out in person. Arcade 1Up Twitter says, "...more than half of the stores will also have demo units on display." 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Stamos Mullet #503 Posted August 28, 2018 Labor man, you completely left out the cost of labor. Anybody who's taken economics knows time is money, and all that $299 gets you is the parts, nothing more. Your price is gonna double before you're done! You're not a contractor by trade, are you? if you're doing it yourself, for yourself, the labor is free. Do you send yourself an invoice when you do yard work or shovel snow, or fix things around the house? Of course you don't. I have worked in the construction industry for 26 years. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keatah #504 Posted August 28, 2018 (edited) One of the things that sort of torqued me is that use of a LCD screen doesn't allow for scanlines (and I've seen no sort of BIOS/setup/firmware configuration option period, much less one that would allow for a 'retro' look). Last night I went to an actual 80s throwback arcade, and played the *hell* out of Galaga...and was quite shocked to realize that, having seen and used MAME-style scanlines for the better part of two decades, *they actually aren't that prominent in real life on actual hardware*. It's amazing how much emulation can (re)color our view on what things were like "back in the day". Scanlines are one of those things that "screams retro" because "cool" and "retro". I have yet to see an emulator (or otherwise) have its scanline intensity set correctly as a default. Every single one needs it toned down to the 10% range. Anything more looks like DollarStore K-Mart crap. Edited August 28, 2018 by Keatah Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keatah #505 Posted August 28, 2018 One of my local arcades had Quantum and Liberator. But they were hard to find otherwise. Having MAME emulate Liberator was a turning point (for me). I knew we were on our way then. Just-a-say'n. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flojomojo #506 Posted August 28, 2018 You may be able to check these out in person. Arcade 1Up Twitter says, "...more than half of the stores will also have demo units on display." Whoo doggie! That's good news. The real test will be in the playing ... and the twisting and the lifting and the banging to see how well these are made. I'm interested in seeing them in person. if you're doing it yourself, for yourself, the labor is free. Do you send yourself an invoice when you do yard work or shovel snow, or fix things around the house? Of course you don't. Not free ... it's time you could spend doing something else. I always think about opportunity cost when taking on a time sink of a project. So yeah, I kinda do send myself an invoice. Not for cash, but for time. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Austin #507 Posted August 28, 2018 Are we talking monopoly money? Come on, close? Really? This has already been covered - you're not getting a ready made, out of the box experience like this for $299, period. Just a reminder that $299 is the early-bird price. The MSRP when they are available normally is $399 for the base models. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Azathoth #508 Posted August 28, 2018 sf2 games come to an end, but there's the ability to master each character and with hard enough ai, you can get better Don't forget you cannot adjust the difficulty. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
negative1 #509 Posted August 28, 2018 (edited) Don't forget you cannot adjust the difficulty. that doesn't make a difference, most people can't beat the machine past a few rounds even on the default. same with the other games, yes, it would be nice to make some easier or harder, but most people have only played on default settings their entire lives. here are standard dip switch settings for the most common roms of ALL the 1up arcade games.. i agree, having access to the games settings, would be a nice touch.. i wrote several posts here: ------------------------------- The Not-so-complete History of Extra Men in Videogames http://www.classicarcadegaming.com/forums/index.php/topic,3057.0.html i'll just address the pertinent ones here. in almost every case, the default settings are fine, as most people couldn't last more than a few minutes on these games. i'm sure some people have mastered them by now, though. ------------------------------------------------------------- more on that later... i left off the settings for coins, and credits, refer to the links for the full settings. games ============================== Atari 1 ---------- Centipede --------- game : centipede year : 1980 released : atari dipswitch options : 2,3 [standard],4,5 shooters extra men : 10k, 12k, [standard], 15k, 20k extra men limit displayed on screen : 6 extra men limit : 6 score rollover : 999,999 difficulty : easy [standard], hard other glitches of note: of course the well known glitch of extra men for everything you shoot at 996k(*) dip switches centipede : http://www.arcade-museum.com/dipswitch-settings/7299.html Millipede --------- dip switch settings: -------------------- game : millipede year : 1982 released : atari dipswitch options : 2,3 [standard],4,5 shooters extra men : 12k, 15k, [standard], 20k extra men limit displayed on screen : 6 extra men limit : 6 score rollover : 999,999 difficulty : easy spider [standard], hard spider easy beetle [standard], hard beetle easy millipede head [standard], hard millipede head select mode : on [standard], off select mode starting score : 0, 0 and bonus life level, 0, bonus life level, and 2 bonus life level [standard] 0, bonus life level, 2 bonus life level, 3 bonus life level https://www.arcade-museum.com/dipswitch-settings/8698.html Missile Command --------------- game details: ------------------------------------ game : missile command year : 1980 released : atari dipswitch options : 4,5,6[standard],7 cities to start extra men : 0,8k, 10k [standard],12k, 14k,15k,18k,20k extra men limit displayed on screen : 0 extra men limit : 255 trackball type : small, large [standard] score rollover : 999,995 cursor speed : slow[standard], fast other glitches of note: there's a few that are very important, the extra men jump to 176, when you hit 810k (*), and also when you hit wave 256, there is 0x multiplier which is actually a 256x times cities, and missiles remaining.(*), and finally there's some extra hard waves around 101 (*a). the game resets when you hit 256 extra cities, which causes many problems for people marathoning the game, since there is no indicator of extra cities . dip switches missile command : http://www.arcade-museum.com/dipswitch-settings/8715.html Crystal Castles ---------------- game : crystal castles year : 1983 released : atari version : 2,3,4? settings : need to go into service mode game difficulty : easy , medium [standard], hard, hardest starting lives : 3 [standard], 4, 5 extra lives : yes [standard], no - every 70k [fixed value] ========================================================================= Midway 1 ---------- Rampage -------- game : rampage year : 1986 released : bally midway difficulty : free play, easy, normal [standard], hard score option : keep score when continuing [standard], lose score when continuing rack advance : off [standard], on dip switch settings : http://www.arcaderestoration.com/gamedips/7195/All/Rampage.aspx Defender -------- defender (midway/williams) -------------------------- game : defender year : 1980 released : midway / williams dipswitch options : 3 [standard], 1-99 extra men : 0, 10k (standard), 1000-999000 (1k increments) extra men limit displayed on screen : 5 men / 3 smartbombs extra men limit : 255 / same for smart bombs-> goes back to 0 if over other : starting difficulty: 0 (liberal),1 (moderate), 2(conservative) , 1-99 progressive difficulty : 5 (liberal), 10 (moderate), 15 (conservative) , 4-25,(lists 99) planet restore wave : 5 (standard), 1-99 score rollover : 999,975 glitches : there is an extra man glitch at 990k-1million, where you get an extra man for everything you shoot(*a) on standard settings dipswitch link : http://www.arcade-museum.com/manuals-videogames/D/Defender-Early-Series-Setup-Booklet.pdf Joust ------ game : joust year : 1980 released : midway / williams go into service menu: men for 1 credit game : 5 [standard], 1-99 extra men : 0, 20k (standard), 1000-999000 (1k increments) extra men limit displayed on screen : 5 men extra men limit : 255 -> goes back to 0 if over other : difficulty: 0 (liberal),1 (moderate), 2(conservative) 5[standard], 1-99 score rollover : 9,999,975 -> displays as 9,999,999 in highscore table Gauntlet --------- game : gauntlet year : 1985 released : atari version : 1,2,4,5,7,9,14? game difficulty :0 (easiest), 1, 2 (easy), 3 , 4 (moderate)[standard], 5, 6 (hard), 7 (hardest), health per coin : 700 [standard], 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 750, 800, 850, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000 ========================================================================= Atari 2 --------- Asteroids (not sure which revision it is) -------------------------------------------- game : asteroids year : 1980 released : atari dipswitch options : 3 or 4 ships, 3 standard extra men : every 10k extra men limit displayed on screen : ? extra men limit : 254(*or 255?) score rollover : 99,990 dip switches asteroids : http://www.arcade-museum.com/dipswitch-settings/6939.html Tempest ------- game : tempest year : 1980 released : atari dipswitch options : 2,3 [standard],4,5 extra men : none, 10k, 20k [standard], 30k, 40k, 50k, 60k, 70k, extra men limit displayed on screen : 5 extra men limit : 5 score rollover : 999,999 other : start on [1,3,5,7,9] or highscore levels difficulties: easy, medium [standard], hard other glitches : early rom versions let you get 40 credits if your score ended on certain digits (*b) and let you do many other things.. also, the levels end at 96, 97 (circle), 98 (square), and from then on 99 is random green levels, when you die, you transport to a new level... dip switches tempest : http://www.arcade-museum.com/dipswitch-settings/10065.html Major havoc ------------ game : major havoc year : 1983 released : atari 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Meaning ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Starting Lives free play 1 Coin Setting 2 Coin Setting Off Off 2 3 5 * On On 3 4 4 On Off 4 5 6 Off On 5 6 7 Game Difficulty On On Hard Off Off Medium * Off On Easy On Off Demo Bonus Life On On Bonus Life at 50,000 Points Off Off Bonus Life at 100,000 Points * Off On Bonus Life at 200,000 Points On Off No Bonus Life Attract Mode Sound On Silence Off Sound * Adaptive Difficulty ** On No Off Yes * ------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Manufacurer's recommended settings ** Game Difficulty increases with player skill level dip switch link : https://www.arcade-museum.com/dipswitch-settings/8601.html lunar lander ------------ lunar lander (1979) atari - you can add extra coins for more fuel (450-1800 units) ========================================================================= Capcom 1 ----------- game : Street fighter 2 championship year : 1992 released : capcom DIP SW (B) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ITEM DESCRIPTION 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | EASY OFF OFF OFF | | /|\ ON OFF OFF | | | OFF ON OFF | | DIFFICULTY NORMAL ON ON OFF | | | OFF OFF ON | | | ON OFF ON | | \|/ OFF ON ON | | DIFFICULT ON ON ON | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ dip switch links : https://www.arcade-museum.com/dipswitch-settings/9811.html game : Super street fighter 2 (new challengers) year : 1993 released : capcom Dip Switch:DSWB 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Function Option Off Off Off Difficulty 0 (Easiest) On Off Off 1 Off On Off 2 On On Off 3 Off Off On 4* On Off On 5 Off On On 6 On On On 7 (Hardest) Dip Switch:DSWC 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Function Option Off Off Off Off Speed 0 (Slowest) On Off Off Off 1 Off On Off On 10 (Fastest) On On Off On 10 (Fastest) Off Off On On 10 (Fastest) On Off On On 10 (Fastest) Off On On On 10 (Fastest) On On On On 10 (Fastest) Off On Off Off 2 On On Off Off 3 Off Off On Off 4* On Off On Off 5 Off On On Off 6 On On On Off 7 Off Off Off On 8 On Off Off On 9 dip switch links : http://www.arcaderestoration.com/gamedips/8906/All/Super+Street+Fighter+II+-+The+New+Challengers.aspx game : Super street fighter 2 turbo year : 1994 released : capcom 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Function Option Off Off Off Difficulty 1 On Off Off 2 Off On Off 3 On On Off 4* Off Off On 5 On Off On 6 Off On On 7 On On On 8 (Hardest) speeds : free select turbo 0 turbo 1 turbo 2 (default) turbo 3 ========================================================================= Capcom 2 ------------------ Final Fight ------------ game : final fight year : 1989 released : capcom Dip Switch Set B Item Description Dip Switch Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Difficulty Easiest (1) OFF OFF OFF Level 1 (2) ON OFF OFF (3) OFF ON OFF Normal (4) ON ON OFF (5) OFF OFF ON (6) ON OFF ON (7) OFF ON ON Hardest ( ON ON ON Difficulty Easy (1) OFF OFF Level 2 Normal (2) ON OFF (3) OFF ON Hardest (4) ON ON Points for 100000 OFF OFF Extra Life 200000 ON OFF 100000 & every 200000 OFF ON No Extra Lives Awarded ON ON Dip Switch Set C Item Description Dip Switch Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Number of Lives 2 OFF OFF 3 ON OFF 4 OFF ON 1 ON ON dip switch link :https://www.arcade-museum.com/dipswitch-settings/7794.html Ghosts n goblins ---------------- game : ghosts n goblins year : 1985 released : capcom DIP SWITCH 2A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Continue Mode On OFF OFF ON DIFFICULTY : easy OFF OFF normal OFF ON difficult ON OFF very diff. ON ON BONUS : 20000,70000,every 70000 OFF OFF 30000,80000,every 80000 OFF ON 20000,70000 only ON OFF 30000,80000 only ON ON TYPE: table OFF upright ON NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 3 OFF OFF 4 OFF ON 5 ON OFF 7 ON ON dip switch link : https://www.arcade-museum.com/dipswitch-settings/7938.html 1944 loop master ---------------- game : 1994 the loop master year : 2000 released : capcom, 8ing, raizing DIP SWITCH A ============ Adjustment Options 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ---------- -------------------------------------- - - - - - - - - Players Five (5) + + Two (2) * + - One (1) - + Three (3) - - Bonus 30,000; 100,000; every 100,000 after + + Ships 30,000; 80,000; every 80,000 after + - 20,000; 100,000; every 100,000 after - + 20,000; 80,000; every 80,000 after * - - DIP SWITCH B ============ Adjustment Options 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ---------- -------------------------------------- - - - - - - - - Screen Stop + Stop Normal * - Difficulty Very + + Difficult + - Easy - + Normal * - - dip switch settings : https://www.arcade-museum.com/dipswitch-settings/6766.html Strider -------- game : strider year : 1989 released : capcom DIP SWITCH (B) ---------------------------------------------------------------- DIFFICULTY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ------------------------------------------- Easy A | ON ON OFF Starts at level 3+ 1 min, 30 sec, then every 10 sec | * B | OFF ON OFF Starts at level 3+ 1 min, then every 15 sec | C | ON OFF OFF Starts at level 6+ 1 min, 30 sec, then every 10 sec | D | OFF OFF OFF Starts at level 6+ 1 min, then every 15 sec Normal E | OFF OFF ON Starts at level 6+ 1 min, then every 15 sec | F | ON OFF ON Starts at level 6+ 45 sec, then every 10 sec | G | OFF ON ON Starts at level 9+ 1 min, then every 10 sec Difficult H | ON ON ON Starts at level 9+ 45 sec, then every 15 sec ---------------------------------------------------------------- CONTINUE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ------------------------------------------- 2 coins/play NO | OFF 1 coin continue YES | ON ---------------------------------------------------------------- BONUS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ------------------------------------------- *30k, 60k, every 70k | OFF OFF 20k, 50k, every 70k | ON OFF 10k, 30k, every 30k | OFF ON 40k, 70k, every 80k | ON ON https://www.mikesarcade.com/cgi-bin/spies.cgi?action=url&type=dip&page=Strider.txt Limited Editions ==================================================== Space Invaders --------------- Space invaders (? version midway/taito) space invaders (1978) midway/taito -------------------------------------- 3/4/5/6 extras - bonus at 1000/1500 - but there were many variations and many bootlegs .. ========================================================================= Galaga ---------------- Galaga ------------------------------------ Switch #1 is used for selecting the type of 1 or 2 player games: When this switch is OFF: 1 Player Game: Press the 1 player start button. 3, 4, or 5 fighters. 2 Player Game: Press the 2 player start button. 2, 3, 4, or 5 fighters EACH. When switch #1 is ON: 1 Player Game: Press the 1 player start button. 2, 3, 4, or 5 fighters. 1 Player Game: Press the TWO PLAYER start button for a ONE PLAYER game with 5, 7, 9, or 11 fighters. SW2 SW3 ------------------------------------------------- OFF OFF Rank "A" - Easiest level of play. ON ON Rank "B" OFF ON Rank "C" ON OFF Rank "D" - Hardest level of play. SW4 SW5 SW6 (Bonus ships awarded.) Began with 2, 3, Began with 5 or 4 fighters fighters. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1st SHIP 20000 1st SHIP 30000 ON ON OFF 2nd SHIP 60000 2nd SHIP 100000 AND EVERY 60000 AND EVERY 100000 ----------------------------------------------- 1st SHIP 20000 1st SHIP 30000 ON OFF ON 2nd SHIP 70000 2nd SHIP 120000 AND EVERY 70000 AND EVERY 120000 ----------------------------------------------- 1st SHIP 20000 1st SHIP 30000 ON OFF OFF 2nd SHIP 80000 2nd SHIP 150000 AND EVERY 80000 AND EVERY 150000 ----------------------------------------------- 1st SHIP 30000 1st SHIP 30000 OFF ON ON 2nd SHIP 100000 2nd SHIP 100000 AND EVERY 100000 ----------------------------------------------- 1st SHIP 30000 1st SHIP 30000 OFF ON OFF 2nd SHIP 120000 2nd SHIP 120000 AND EVERY 120000 ----------------------------------------------- 1st SHIP 20000 1st SHIP 30000 OFF OFF ON 2nd SHIP 60000 2nd SHIP 150000 ----------------------------------------------- 1st SHIP 30000 ONE SHIP 30000 OFF OFF OFF 2nd SHIP 80000 ONLY ----------------------------------------------- ON ON ON NO BONUS SHIPS GIVEN WITH THIS SETTING ---------------------------------------------------------------- SW7 SW8 (Number of fighters to start with) ---------------------------------------------------------------- ON ON 2 Space Fighters ON OFF 3 Space Fighters OFF ON 4 Space Fighters OFF OFF 5 Space Fighters settings : https://www.mikesarcade.com/cgi-bin/spies.cgi?action=url&type=dip&page=Galaga.txt Galaxian --------------- game : galaxian year : 1979 released : namco Dip switches - extra at : main: NONE, 4k, 5k, 7k alt: NONE, 3k, 4k, 5k some versions had 7k,10k,12k,or 20k lives : main: 3,or 5 alt : 2,3 ========================================================================= Atari Deluxe --------------- Asteroids Centipede Major Havoc Missile Command Lunar Lander Crystal Castles Tempest Millipede ============================================================ Gravitar --------- game : gravitar year : 1982 released : atari Table 1-3 Game Play Options ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Settings of 8-Toggle Switch on Gravitar PCB (at D4) 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Option ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On On No bonus Off Off Bonus ship every 10,000 points < d d d On Off Bonus ship every 20,000 points e e e Off On Bonus ship every 30,000 points s s s U U On U Easy game play < Off Hard game play t t t o o Off Off o 3 ships per game N N On Off N 4 ships per game < Off On 5 ships per game On On 6 ships per game ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- < Manufacturer's recommended setting dip switch link : https://www.arcade-museum.com/dipswitch-settings/8000.html Liberator --------- ROM Version: Liberator (set 1) Print Dip Switch:DSW1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Function Option On On Lives 4* Off On 5 On Off 6 Off Off 8 On On Bonus Life 15000 Off On 20000* On Off 25000 Off Off 30000 Off Off Difficulty ??? Off On Easy On Off Hard On On Normal* dip switch link : http://www.arcaderestoration.com/gamedips/4916/All/Liberator.aspx Asteroids Deluxe ---------------- game : asteroids deluxe year : 1980 released : atari dipswitch options : 2-7, 3 standard extra men : every 10k,12k,15k or none (adds 1 to start) extra men limit displayed on screen : 9 extra men limit : 9 score rollover : 999,990 other glitches : an extra man for everything shot at 990k(*A) dip switches asteroids deluxe : http://www.arcade-museum.com/dipswitch-settings/6940.html Quantum -------- game : quantum year : 1982 released : atari service menu: difficulty level : 2 [standard], 1-5 lives per game : 3 [standard], 2-5 bonus 1: 0, 10k,15k,20k, 25k [standard], 30k, 50k bonus 2: 0, 10k,15k,20k, 25k [standard], 30k, 50k dip switch link : http://www.arcaderestoration.com/gamedips/7007/All/Quantum.aspx ========================================================================= later -1 Edited August 28, 2018 by negative1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Azathoth #510 Posted August 28, 2018 that doesn't make a difference, most people can't beat the machine past a few rounds even on the default. So the target audience is hardcore enough to drop $300-$400 on a dedicated machine but plays it casually enough they can't beat the AI past a few rounds? Makes sense. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Stamos Mullet #511 Posted August 28, 2018 Whoo doggie! That's good news. The real test will be in the playing ... and the twisting and the lifting and the banging to see how well these are made. I'm interested in seeing them in person. Not free ... it's time you could spend doing something else. I always think about opportunity cost when taking on a time sink of a project. So yeah, I kinda do send myself an invoice. Not for cash, but for time. it is time I'm spending doing something for me, that I like to do. Chances are if I weren't doing this, that time would be spent doing something I'm not particularly enthralled with, for someone else. Win win. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NE146 #512 Posted August 28, 2018 (edited) So the target audience is hardcore enough to drop $300-$400 on a dedicated machine but plays it casually enough they can't beat the AI past a few rounds? Makes sense. -1 doesn't think that most people can get very far in any game it seems Now, that's TRUE! Especially since most people includes your aunt Edna and cousin Mona. However I think that people who are fans and actually play video games (e.g. people on a video game forum like this one, and the ones who would buy a Street Fighter mini cab) would more than likely be capable of beating the game and probably better. Edited August 28, 2018 by NE146 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Stamos Mullet #513 Posted August 28, 2018 So the target audience is hardcore enough to drop $300-$400 on a dedicated machine but plays it casually enough they can't beat the AI past a few rounds? Makes sense. like I said earlier, the target demo for these is so narrow, I can't see how they are going to be profitable. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PlaysWithWolves #514 Posted August 28, 2018 like I said earlier, the target demo for these is so narrow, I can't see how they are going to be profitable. Keep in mind it's all speculation (including my own). If Tastemakers listened to this crowd, they'd have already closed up shop. Instead pre-sales are apparently going so well they're planning new cabinet lines. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Stamos Mullet #515 Posted August 28, 2018 Keep in mind it's all speculation (including my own). If Tastemakers listened to this crowd, they'd have already closed up shop. Instead pre-sales are apparently going so well they're planning new cabinet lines. Uh huh. I bet it comes with a free box of Tacos too. Joking, obviously - but they wouldn't be the first company to hype their pre-sale numbers ahead of the actual launch. We'll see. Part of me hopes it goes well and they sell well enough to launch better cabs later with better games. Part of me kinda hopes it's a flash in the pan, and I get to pick one of these up on 1/2 off discount some time in February when the big box stores are desperate to clear out unsold inventory. My thing is this - I think these are a novel idea. They're "cute". But being into this side of the retro gaming industry for a while, I know what goes into making one of these via emulation, so it's not that impressive, technically. So it just seems the target audience here is middle aged dudes who fondly remember Arcade games to the point that they are cool with dropping $350 to $500 on one, whose main selling point is convenience, but not so into it that they care about quality, size, or extremely limited selection of games for their $300+. That seems pretty narrow. Any guy who knows what MAME is and knows it's "free" is going to balk at these prices. Any guy who doesn't know what mame is, will see these and say "neat", and then probably keep walking because it's $300, and that's a lot of money for most people. My thing is - if they were closer to the $200 selling point for the existing 4ish games models, or closer to 10 games for $350 - I think that's the sweet spot. There's value there. There's definitely a market for these, but the limited number of games forcing fans to drop $350 PER machine, that makes it a pricey endeavor after 1 cab - so if 1 cab doesn't have the combination of games you really want and you know what MAME is already.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Stamos Mullet #516 Posted August 28, 2018 One thing I definitely DO NOT like here is the attitude of the people running their social media accounts. I've seen a few Twitter feeds and Facebook comments sections where people asked legitimate questions about the size, emulation, controls quality - etc. and they are met with sarcasm and dismissal from the official accounts, and then ganged up on by Arcade 1up stans/shill accounts and mocked for "asking stupid questions - CUZ THESE R TEH AWSUM!! !!11!!." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PlaysWithWolves #517 Posted August 28, 2018 My thing is - if they were closer to the $200 selling point for the existing 4ish games models, or closer to 10 games for $350 - I think that's the sweet spot. There's value there. There's definitely a market for these, but the limited number of games forcing fans to drop $350 PER machine, that makes it a pricey endeavor after 1 cab - so if 1 cab doesn't have the combination of games you really want and you know what MAME is already.... I swear I'd seen comments here (perhaps elsewhere) saying that $400 was too much but $300 was the sweet spot. Oh well. I guess we all have sweet spots. Mine is $50 per cabinet. Then I'd be rocking a whole mini-arcade downstairs and not feel guilty if they just gather dust (whether full size or 3/4). 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JBerel #518 Posted August 28, 2018 I'm gonna be the one to put the turd in the punch bowl and say I think there will be something to these units that will totally turn the enthusiasts off about them. They'll target the Bed Bath and Beyond crowd and disappear after the holidays. My first impression was that they looked neat, but something just ain't right about them. The goofy size is going to make these awkward and not long for the trash heap. You'll see a lot of them in the cabin rental places so they can claim to have a game room. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Stamos Mullet #519 Posted August 28, 2018 I'm gonna be the one to put the turd in the punch bowl and say I think there will be something to these units that will totally turn the enthusiasts off about them. They'll target the Bed Bath and Beyond crowd and disappear after the holidays. My first impression was that they looked neat, but something just ain't right about them. The goofy size is going to make these awkward and not long for the trash heap. You'll see a lot of them in the cabin rental places so they can claim to have a game room. This is where I'm at. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
128Kgames #520 Posted August 28, 2018 Just a reminder that $299 is the early-bird price. The MSRP when they are available normally is $399 for the base models. True, but I bet it stays at that price or goes lower - stores aren't going to charge the MSRP anymore than a car dealership does, not if they want to actually sell anything... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
128Kgames #521 Posted August 28, 2018 One thing I definitely DO NOT like here is the attitude of the people running their social media accounts. I've seen a few Twitter feeds and Facebook comments sections where people asked legitimate questions about the size, emulation, controls quality - etc. and they are met with sarcasm and dismissal from the official accounts, and then ganged up on by Arcade 1up stans/shill accounts and mocked for "asking stupid questions - CUZ THESE R TEH AWSUM!! !!11!!." Examples? I don't like companies with shitty attitudes either, but the only posts I've seen from them have been positive ones, which people have posted links to. If they're being douchey I have no problem calling them out on it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flojomojo #522 Posted August 28, 2018 Seems like they're still searching for the sweet spot. Bunch of games on a disc -- been done bunch of games on a download for a TV console -- done bunch of games on a cheap plug and play for the TV -- done bunch of games on a more expensive plug and play for the tv -- done bunch of games on a cheap handheld -- done bunch of games on a somewhat high priced mini cabinet -- coming soon bunch of games on a bartop of indeterminate pricing -- next year The main compeition for these things is piracy, the main obstacle to mass sales is apathy 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JBerel #523 Posted August 28, 2018 Sounds like their wholesale price is $200 so they'll retail between 3 and 4 hundred. I expect any attitude coming from the outfit is related to their push up to the holiday shopping season. They're gonna be all used card salesman and talk up all the positives until they unload their holiday inventory. If they sell well, they might talk about other models, but I wouldn't count on it. Probably consumer feedback will knock them on their heals a bit. This seems like those half scale combination pool and air hockey tables. Sounds like a good idea, but in practice it's pretty meh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flojomojo #524 Posted August 28, 2018 Sounds like a good idea, but in practice it's pretty meh. Fun enough for a holiday season or two, though. I wonder if they could be disassembled and put back into their box for storage? Ah, I think I just realized a reason for the form factor. "I'm sorry ma'am, we can't accept returns on assembled flatpack furniture. The screws strip and the pressboard comes apart. Please check the fine print of your receipt, this isn't in re-saleable condition." 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
negative1 #525 Posted August 28, 2018 I think this encapsulates thoughts and arguments presented so far: later -1 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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