So you’re ready to achieve your lifelong childhood dream of owning a classic arcade game, or you're helping fulfill a fantasy for a loved one this holiday season. From whether you're going to go for Galaga or Street Fighter, there are a lot of questions you have to ask yourself before you buy your new (to you, at least) arcade machine--the least of which isn't how do I even get it home? Good news, we have all the tips to ensure that you get the best machine safely to your house. (And we'd go with Galaga.)
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There's a whole generation of adults who have loved vintage arcade games since they were kids, and who dream of owning one as an adult (in part to relive that part of childhood, in part to pass on the love to the next generation of kids). Ever since the release of the acclaimed documentary, The King of Kong: Fistful of Quarters, vintage arcade games are back in a really big way. But how do you find a vintage arcade game, especially an affordable one? A good place to start is always eBay because their selection of arcade games is always rotating and is a great place to locate rare finds. Also Vintage Arcade Superstore is home to hundreds of the most popular vintage arcade games and pinball machines. If you’re looking to find newer games, try Bmigaming.com for their eclectic deep catalogue of updated and newer games. It might be a long shot, but with the new surge in barcades (arcade bars, like Coin-Op in San Diego) you might find a local hangout that's looking to make room for bigger and better.
Finding the most popular arcade games:
Being in the midst of the Internet age has its perks, and one of those is being able to find everything broken down in a list. But it’s important to note that it also really depends how you ask the question, because the most popular arcade games of all time list is different than the highest grossing list. The top five of the highest grossing games starts at number five Donkey Dong, then Street Fighter II, Street Fighter II: Championship Edition, Space Invaders and number one, not surprisingly Pac-Man. If you're looking for a classic arcade machine that will have your friends over at your place all the time, choosing one of these is going to be your best bet. However, know that finding one of the most popular arcade games is likely going to cost you a bit more because of the higher demand (but can you really put a price on nostalgia?). Fortunately, there are games very similar to the most popular ones that will be easier to find and purchase and will still bring back all your youthful memories, like Ms Pac-Man or Mario Kart.
How to ship an arcade machine:
A classic arcade machine isn't your average Fed Ex or Postal Service shipment, so a little thought it going to have to go into this part. Since these games are essentially vintage electronics, you'll want to make sure your shipping company is taking every care to ensure it arrives in one piece. A big part of the shipping cost will depend how far the machine is going, so make sure to take into consideration just how much traveling the game will be doing. Also make sure to not fall for the “free shipping” pitch that some companies will offer, as there will almost surely be hidden costs and fees (not to mention corner cutting to keep the costs down) due to the nature of the machine. Your best solution is going to be contracting with a dedicated shipping company who can go over the shipping process with you. Naturally, Navis Pack & Ship is the expert for anything large, fragile, awkward, or valuable, so start your search with us!
Armed with all this new knowledge, now it's time to go out and purchase your first machine. Which game have you had your eye on? Tell us in the comments!
