Around the world, there are certain categories of games that are able to attract all types of players. These can be old people or young people. The most widespread is undoubtedly arcade machines. Despite the craze that people have for them, it is now possible to get them in stores. If you are also interested in arcade machines and want to know their prices, then you are at the right address. Let's see in this article what is the price of a arcade terminal.
What do you need to know about arcade machines?
Before you start looking for information on the price of an arcade machine, it is important that you have some information on this popular device.
What is an arcade machine?
In the 1980s and 1990s, there were machines that were capable of holding hundreds of games on their own. They were most often encountered in nightclubs, shopping malls, gaming centers and any other place where there were people. In addition to being very popular, they attracted a lot of players. These are arcade machines. Although they are still available today, they have been replaced by more modern consoles with the development of technology.
Indeed, these are large machines that look like furniture. They have a screen, a joystick and a few keys that you can use during your games. Of course, you had to pay to play it. But it is now possible to buy one in order to install it at home and be able to play it for free. Many companies still produce them with the aim of bringing back very good memories.
How many categories of arcade machine are there?
Generally speaking, there are two types of arcade machines. We have the generic arcade machine which is manufactured with the aim of making you play all the arcade games you want. Then we have the dedicated arcade machine. It is capable of containing only one type of game. In addition, it has on its external part the colors of the game it contains. However, it is important to note that there are arcade terminals that can be bartop or miniterminal.
Indeed, it is an easy concept to assimilate. We say that an arcade machine is bartop when it can be placed on a bar. In addition, they are also characterized by the fact that two people can play them at the same time. Mini-terminal arcade machines can also be placed on a bar table. However, unlike the bartop, these can only be played by one person.
What are the different models of arcade machines?
There are two models of arcade machines.
Western arcade machines
These are terminals manufactured using solid materials such as wood or metal. They appeared in the 1980s and 1990s and are very widespread in countries like France, Italy, etc. In fact, to play it you have to stand. Several brands have manufactured them in order to sell them. Among others, we can cite Atari, eurogame, newgame, etc. They contain thousands of games and are sold at a reasonable price.
Japanese arcade machines
As their names already indicate, these are arcade machines created by the Japanese. It was therefore very difficult to find them in European countries. So, you have to spend a lot to hope to own one. They are solid and resistant, because they are made of wood or metal. However, the big difference that separates them from Western terminals is that they allow players to be seated during games. They are therefore suitable for people who are able to play for long periods of time.
They are very popular because these arcade machines are of better quality. This can be seen in their finishes and their beauty. We also feel it when we see the different components like the keys, the joystick and the screen.
What do you know about the games available on arcade machines?
Arcade machines generally contain games that are manufactured with two distinct types of formats. On the one hand we have the PCB or printed Circuit Board format. It comes in the form of a plate which is capable of making the user play a single type of game. The second format is the cartridge. Here, the arcade machine has a JAMMA type connector. It is the latter that allows all games to connect. So, with a cartridge format, you are able to play all the games you want. It is also this format that most users prefer, because in addition to being resistant, it allows multiple use.
What is the most common arcade machine?
As mentioned above, there are a multitude of arcade machines. However, the most popular is undoubtedly the Pacman terminal. Indeed, the latter is capable of offering the user a wide range of games. In the past, it was highly sought after and this is still the case today. However, we can also talk about streetfighter arcade machines.
The particularity of these latter is that they only allow you to play fighting games. They also offer you a multitude of characters that you can use in your games, these can be in mode or in duo with another user. It is important that you keep in mind that apart from these two arcade terminals, there are still others. But they are less requested.
Where can you buy an arcade machine?
Despite the fact that they have been created for decades, it is now possible to obtain them. So, if you need to buy an arcade machine, there are several choices available to you. You can simply go to sites specializing in the sale of this type of device. You can also go to auctions or make an offer to someone you know who has one. However, it is advisable to take several parameters into account before making the purchase.
This is the price at which you will buy it. Indeed, given the rarity of this type of machine, some sellers may decide to inflate the prices. Availability is also important. It would be a shame if you bought a very common arcade terminal. Quality must also be taken into account. It is about seeing the condition of the machine, the finishes that have been made. Also take into consideration the appearance and size. These two parameters are important and you must evaluate them according to the location that the arcade terminal will occupy at home. Finally, we have the number of games it has. So check that you have the games that you would like to have with the terminal that you are about to buy.
How much does an arcade machine cost?
If you want to buy an arcade machine, you naturally need to do your research in order to have the necessary capital. Generally speaking, you can get an arcade machine as soon as you have a sum of between 400 and 3000 euros. However, the exact amount of your expenditure will depend on the model and the characteristics of the machine that interests you. Let's see together what the price of an arcade machine is according to the differences that exist:
The price of dedicated arcade machines
In fact, when you want to treat yourself to a high-performance arcade machine that has a multitude of games, you will have to pay around 1300 or 2000 euros. But if you do your research correctly, it is possible that with a sum of 1500 euros, you will be satisfied. But when you want arcade machines with a very low price, you can also go to second-hand sales. You will find some there that you can buy for around 400 euros. They can be new or used. However, they will be small and will only have a few games.
The price of dedicated arcade machines
If you are looking for a good quality dedicated arcade machine, you are going to have to pay a lot of money, as these are very sought after. This is due to their ancient characters. You must therefore plan between 1500 euros and 1700 euros.
The price of bartop arcade machines
When you want to buy a bartop arcade machine, you will have to invest an amount which varies between 700 and 1500 euros. This price difference lies in the fact that they are of different sizes and the fact that they do not have lower parts.
A personal construction
When you have a budget of around 1000 euros, you also have the possibility of making your own arcade machine. Indeed, there are companies which offer people wishing arcade machine kits. These can be assembled and installed by the buyer, so you won't necessarily need a specialist for assembly, as they are generally simple to install.
