Price question on Donkey Kong

[Brian12]

I am very new to this, but I asked a buddy if he knew anyone with a older arcade game I could give a stab trying to fix on my own (newbie project). He said is friend just got rid of one 3 months ago year but had another and he would ask him. He called me today and said I could have a Donkey Kong Arcade and the monitor is a Sanyo ez20  and is not working. He also said it has the new motherboard?. Is that a good price? And how much would a new monitor run me? I have not seen pictures yet, which I will post as soon as they are texted to me. Any help would be great...

Thanks,

Brian

[TimothyC]

It doesn't look like you included the price, but here's my opinion anyway:

Donkey Kongs are common, but have always been in demand and it seems like more so now than ever.  A nice working DK in a blue cab that isn't swollen on the bottom would sell for $500 to $800ish depending on condition and one in a red cab would be more.  The monitor probably needs a cap kit and likely other trouble shooting.  Hopefully you can find a competent local to come over and help with it, but if not you should be able to pay for the service from someone in your area. 

He also said it has the new motherboard?.

That statement is worrisome as it most likely means that the pcb in the game is a multi pcb (a recent board where you can play multiple games and not the pcb that DK's were shipped with decades ago) and that means it's worth less.  Or he could have meant the the original pcb was replaced (with an old, but working one) or the original was repaired and is working like new again.  Even with the monitor out you should hear the game playing blind if everything else is working.  If that's the case then hopefully just a monitor repair will have you up and running.  A completely dead DK is worth at least $200 these days (part out value is much higher of course) though it wasn't that long ago they were much cheaper if you knew people and looked around. 

Google what an original blue and red cab DK look like as well as what the 2 board pcb stack looks like (it's much bigger than the 60 in 1 that I'm betting was put in) so you'll know how original it is when you see it.  Pics would help if you can get them .

[Brian12]

Wow, thanks for that info...i did forget to mention the price. He said he would sell it for $200 and it does work, just needs a new monitor...now at least I can have a idea of what to look for when I go see it...and im hoping ill have some pics texted to me tomm so i can post

Thanks,
Brian

[pbj]

If you're on the fence over $200 on a donkey kong, I think you need to consider alternative hobbies.

[Brian12]

Well thanks, but thats why im here to learn and ask questions that I dont know...sorry your so bent over it...

[TimothyC]

For $200 you can't really lose so go get it and report back with pics 

[vwalbridge]

If you're on the fence over $200 on a donkey kong, I think you need to consider alternative hobbies.

+1

I just bought a really banged up DK last weekend for $450. I already know that I'm going to have to put AT LEAST $450 to restore it. This hobby cost real money and time.

[DGP]

A working DK for $200, run and grab it now (providing the cabinet is not water damaged).

[TimothyC]

A working DK for $200, run and grab it now (providing the cabinet is not water damaged).

If it's a real working DK in a blue or red Nintendo cab, I'd take it at $200 even if it the cab was about to fall apart .

[jdbailey1206]

Don't listen to these guys.  $200 is way over priced.  If need be I'll buy it but thats because I have the money and wouldn't want to see you make such a grievous mistake.   

[Brian12]

Going to pick it up tomorrow!

[pbj]

You done good, kid.

[Brian12]

Thank you, yall got me all excited about it and I don't even know really what to do/not to do it. And no, im not the one to start unplugging and poking things i don't know about (the gaming parts) I can handle paint and taking the coin-op off and replacing stickers. This is going to sound stupid but I have been looking at the side art to purchase and prices are jumping for 2 decals $35-$65..is there a difference in the quality or all the same?  Also I found a "conversation" on here where people posted the baby blue paint codes..there are about 4 different ones, is one better than the other?  I also know i need a Card for the panel, sticker under the bezel, and coin sticker. I can do all of that, my main objective is getting the screen working which i known nothing about. I would assume I need to get the monitor working with game before I start refinishing the outside?   any suggestions would be greatly appreciated on what needs to be done in order...

[dmckean]

Thank you, yall got me all excited about it and I don't even know really what to do/not to do it. And no, im not the one to start unplugging and poking things i don't know about (the gaming parts) I can handle paint and taking the coin-op off and replacing stickers. This is going to sound stupid but I have been looking at the side art to purchase and prices are jumping for 2 decals $35-$65..is there a difference in the quality or all the same?  Also I found a "conversation" on here where people posted the baby blue paint codes..there are about 4 different ones, is one better than the other?  I also know i need a Card for the panel, sticker under the bezel, and coin sticker. I can do all of that, my main objective is getting the screen working which i known nothing about. I would assume I need to get the monitor working with game before I start refinishing the outside?   any suggestions would be greatly appreciated on what needs to be done in order...

You might want to start a new thread in the Restoration area to get better help and document your progress.

[Brian12]

ahhh...Thank you

[TimArcades]

That's a great find for $200 man,

Also might want to make an account on KLOV there is an abundance of nintendo restorations on that forum. And parts are readily available. If your going with artwork I would go with rich he does great work 

[jennifer]

   You don't need Klove, Everything your going to need is right here.

[TimothyC]

There's a tremendous difference in the art provided by multiple sellers for most arcade games.  You can spend as little as possible and buy cheap inkjet crap from an eBay seller or you can usually buy better quality stuff from some of the main vendors.  Many people have chosen the cheap crap only to end up buying the better stuff anyway so I would advise you to buy the good stuff first. 

When I need art this is how I start my search:
1) Phoenixarcade.com -- Darin is the man when it comes to providing top notch stuff and good communication
2) ThisOldGame.com -- Rich used to print a lot of stuff for Darin and is known for his quality silkscreen work.  However communication and turn around time can vary wildly with this seller (I don't mind, but some do so that's why I'm mentioning it).
3) Arcadeshop.com -- Steven is a cool dude and always ships quick as well.  I've been pleased with every package thus far (same with the two sellers above). 
...
4) Everyone else as they're all a distant fourth compared to the sellers above.  Personally I'll always support the guys above if they have the art I need even if someone on ebay or elsewhere has it cheaper.  If you want inkjet stuff without spending too much money gameongrafix.com has a pretty good reputation though I'd never buy from them if the sellers above have it.

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated on what needs to be done in order...

I don't think there's a right or wrong way to do it, but I think it makes the most sense to sort the electronics before you restore the cab.  That way you won't scratch/damage/etc. your restored cab while you're working on getting the game going.   

[yotsuya]

Funny thing, on the paint for Janky Kong.... I just eye balled the paint samples, found one I liked, and comparing it to the other DK machines, it's pretty much spot on!

[TimArcades]

Couldn't have said it better Timothy,

That's the exact same order I use. My most recent pick up from Darin was the Tron kit was pleased to say the least

[Brian12]

Thanks Tim....I will go that route, I started a thread in restorations with the issue im having with the monitor in a video...hope its a quick easy fix, and after that I should have this game back to life in a week or 2...wood is still solid

[jennifer]

Couldn't have said it better Timothy,

That's the exact same order I use. My most recent pick up from Darin was the Tron kit was pleased to say the least

  ++1 Phoenixarcade tron kit....That's quality in a box.

[DeLuSioNal29]

For the monitor, I recommend Ian Kellogg's cap kits.  He does an outstanding job of labeling them.  You simply swap the existing capacitors on the boards.

https://iankellogg.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_4&zenid=1ed5rqa7fvf9spiv13cceslk62



D

[Brian12]

Got it up and running correctly..thank you for all the help and ideas