Starting Again

[gpc1000]

Hi All
Around 7 years ago I had to sell all my stuff as my personal circumstance changed, I needed the money and the space! In the between years it seems prices have quadrupled - how i wish i hadn't had to sell.

So now I'm settled and my son is older I can get back into the hobby. I'm limited in space to 5 "standard" sized cabs so need to choose wisely. I already have a generic vertical jamma cab. Next I'm looking to add a horizontal cab, then I'm thinking a gun and upright racer. Maybe the 5th and final cab can be a dedicated classic game as the previous 4 will need to have multiple games in whether that's via different boards or emulation. I'd rather have original PCB's but times and cash being what they are emulation is better than nothing.

I may even try to make a cabinet myself so expect the questions to roll in although reading around the forum has educated me on a lot of different bits already.

If another lockdown ever happens again then at least we can then while away the time in the home arcade!

Graeme

 

[aeroflott]

It's a tricky one for sure (and welcome back to the hobby!).

I guess it depends if you just want to play the games, or actually want the "fun" of restoring and maintaining dedicated cabs. If the former, then as you already say, I'd suggest a couple of Jamma cabs then add your PCB or emulation solution to suit your needs.

If the latter, there's still some dedicated cabs that are reasonably priced I think. Just don't expect to get hold of the top 10 cabs (Defenders, Missile Commands, Asteroids etc) at a reasonable price.

Either way, I think there's an entry point to suit most people's needs and finances.

 

[Alpha1]

Welcome back to the hobby and welcome to the 'vac

Hope you can get the stuff you had to sell back.

 

[chubsta]

I know how you feel as I sold all of my cabs, including some classics that would be very hard to replace now - Sinistar, Gorf, Star Wars, Burgertime to name just a few - but now I make do with emulation on Raspberry Pi's, and life is much simpler and I have time to spend playing games as I am not spending time trying to fix them.

So, don't feel too sad about not having dedicated machines, I think emulation is a great way to enjoy the games, particularly if you still have the cab experience as you have. Like you though, given the way prices are I wish I had held onto mine too!

 

[andyman]

Hi All
Around 7 years ago I had to sell all my stuff as my personal circumstance changed <snip>

I had a similar experience but managed somehow to keep all of my cabs, and everything else I own, locked away in storage for 8 years...I think if I had sold them, there would be no possible way of getting back to where I was without serious £££££s which isn't going to happen...

I was gobsmacked by the prices of some things and thanks to this virus lockdown, I've had to get rid of a few things to pay my bills which I wasnt considering but hey

Cant help with any of your wish list as my classics are staying put I think but good luck in your search...

 

[pjskilllz]

welcome back, i use pc based front end to emulate all arcades and consoles and install them into cutom built by me stand ups.

any questions im glad to help.