What to look for/ask when buying an arcade machine

[flywheels]

Alright, here's the deal. When my wife and I were dating she promised me that after we got married I could buy a full size arcade machine. I've stumbled across Raiden Fighters 2: Operation Hell Drive (http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=9247) a few days ago in a classified. The pictures the guy supplied me with show that there isn't any major cosmetic damages to the cabinet. It has all of the original graphics on the sides of the cabinet, underneath the joystick area and the marquee. It is already rigged for free play (or quarters) and he told me that the joysticks are still tight and none of the buttons stick. He also told me that there were a few burned in images/words to the screen, but they were only noticeable when the machine was turned off.

Is there anything else that I need to look for specifically or ask? It'll be a weekend trip to pick it up as the seller lives hours away from me.

I was also told that this is a JAMMA system. I'm still trying to learn about these, but does that mean I could buy another JAMMA board and pop it into this cabinet and play that game? If so, is that an easy procedure...like plug and play?

Any insight/advice sure would be appreciated. e-mail (flywheels@yahoo.com) or PM if you have any words of advice/wisdom! Thank you!

[Arcade Antics]

Is there anything else that I need to look for specifically or ask? It'll be a weekend trip to pick it up as the seller lives hours away from me.

As long as it powers up and plays, you should be fine. While you're there, make sure to let it cycle through all the attract screens, play a few games in 1 and 2 player mode, etc. Check the sound, look for any glitches, and check out the screen for any interference, foldover, etc. You'll likely want to replace the monitor caps after you get it home, unless it's been done recently.

Open the back, look for any bad connections, bad wiring. Ditto the front and the control panel. Not that it would be a deal breaker, but "look under the hood" so to speak so that you know exactly what you're getting before you get it. :)

The tech-x-perts here can definitely help troubleshoot any issues that come up (if any) after you get it home.

One important thing though: before you transport it, make sure everything is bolted down securely inside the cabinet. Remove any loose screws, tokens, etc. or other garbage from the bottom before you power it up. If you've got a shop vac, clean out any debris from the bottom.


I was also told that this is a JAMMA system. I'm still trying to learn about these, but does that mean I could buy another JAMMA board and pop it into this cabinet and play that game? If so, is that an easy procedure...like plug and play?

Exactly, provided that the games you're swapping have the same monitor position (either both horizontal games or both vertical games) and you have enough buttons. :) Raiden 2 is a vertical game, so you'll want to search for other vertical JAMMA games to swap into the cabinet.