Price of a Neo-Geo cabinet? Auction help.

[Tritoch84]

I know this is the BYOAC forum, but you guys know almost everything arcade....

I'm thinking of starting a arcade, a small one, maybe first in my house, and then branching out, maybe. I'm not going into this thinking of making tons of money, but as long as I don't go broke, and everyone can have some fun, it would be a nice expensive hobby. In all truth, arcades have been dead or dying in part mostly because of reasons I agree with listed here

http://www.shoryuken.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34763

So, to get my feet wet, I was thinking of starting with buying a Neo-Geo cabinet at an auction, now, I've never been to an auction (for arcade machines) and have no idea how it works, so I was thinking I might just go in with a budget, and try to find a Neo-Geo cabinet in OK condition. I have no idea what price is to high for a Neo-Geo cabinet, any ideas/thoughts?

[RayB]

Depends how old it is, the condition, monitor size, # of games (slots) the hardware supports), etc, etc

[AlanS17]

Depends how old it is, the condition, monitor size, # of games (slots) the hardware supports), etc, etc

Ditto on what RayB said. He beat me to it.

[Tritoch84]

Ok, a simple old 4 slot MVS with other standered crap, or, you just list ballpark figures for certian Neo-Geo's.

Thanks.

[AlanS17]

Does it have games? Which ones?

[Baker535]

I hate to say it still, but it just depends on those different factors as RayB stated.

For example I got a steal a month ago on eBay for my 4 slot... 630$ with 18 games and one of them is rare. Just because the guy listed things poorly and it was originally listed local pickup only. He turned away a lot of bidders initially. I'm sure the auction would have gone over $1k if he described it and the games better. The Neo Geo collector crowd will pay some insane prices for items in mint shape.

Another thing to consider with your situation, you will want a 4 slot model. It is an ideal cab for what you want to do. If you don't get one you will probably get tired of changing out games... especially with your idea of a home arcade for people, you will want the selection. Nothing ruins the illusion of creating an arcade experience like having to swap out games in front of people, it just starts feeling like an overgrown console. At any given time in my cab I usually keep a shooter, a sports, a puzzle and a fighter game... works out great.

In general the dedicated Neo cabs are more desirable and their prices will reflect it. 6-4 slots usually go for the highest prices. Nice 2 slots can be almost the same price because they are just as popular for the smaller form factor. Most of the 1 slots will be conversions, the one and two slot models also could have only 19" monitors in them...

I think someone here recently listed a 4 slot in decent shape for around $500 in the B/S/T forum. It might still be available? I've been staring at prices for awhile and it can vary greatly depending on everything as previously stated. At least with the 4 slot model all of them should be 25" monitors and the hardware is desireable so that keeps the prices consistant.

Anyways I think around $500 would be a reasonable starting price for a 4-slot in good shape, with the 25" monitor working well. You might get lucky at an auction though and snag something for cheap or have some rare or high demand games included with the listing, all which all effect prices too.

Just for you to be prepared that model is very very heavy and awkward... I'm never again going to risk moving mine until I strip out everything. I don't care if it takes me two weeks to do it and I move it piece by piece. I about killed myself. You will need a refrigerator dolly also, those small ones wont cut it with that beast.

I'll probably edit this later... I have to finish up some work before I leave for the day and my thoughts are a mess. Sorry if it's confusing.

-baker

[RayB]

How old? Neo Geo has been around since the early 90's, but obviously a cab made in 1990 will be worth less than one made in 1999 (or whenever it is they stopped manufacturing..)

[paigeoliver]

Neo Geo's vary insanely in price.

Low end would be $50 for a non-working 19" conversion one.

High end would be $1200-$1500 for a 29" Candy six slot loaded with good carts (I have this!!!!).

[Tritoch84]

Thanks for your posts, I wasen't really looking for a Neo-Geo with games, but there are many factors, thanks for the prices listed, even though I know it varys on many different things.

[paigeoliver]

Also there were tons of different dedicated models. In all sizes from 13" - 29".

I have never actually encountered a dedicated US Six-Slot. Seen a lot of six slot boards in 2 and 4 slot cabinets, but never actually seen a dedicated six slot cabinet, neither at auction, on location, in anyone's gameroom, now where.

If you actually wanted to start a real arcade (the lottery is more likely to pay off than an arcade would), then I would suggest importing a whole container (or half container), full of Candy cabinets. Make sure all of them are the SAME model (and set a few aside in the back on day one as parts units), as they are cake to change the boards in and have a modern look to them.

[Tritoch84]

That why I'm viewing this as more of an "Expensive hobby" then a "money maker". I was thinking of going the candy cabinet route if I did deside to go all out and do the arcade thing, I was just thinking of some nice cabinets/machines to go in the house first, just to get my feet wet.

Great idea about those candy cabinets though, I'd only have to order parts for bassicly one cabinet, thanks.

[Baker535]

How old?

Not sure if you were asking the age of my cab? Just in case... mine was built 11/21/90. Only one owner until me. Stored/played in his home the whole time, he bought it for his son (lucky kid). It looks as good as the day it was made inside and out.

Paige,

I saw a six slot on eBay about 2 months ago... It was near where I picked mine up in Pennsylvania. Someone had it on location in his bar.  Wasn't in too bad of a shape either, considering the environment. I think It went for around $650 and had a few decent games included. You might still be able to look it up on old eBay auctions?

It's like 1.5x the width of the 4 slot. It was so bulky I didn't even want to bid on it because I knew I'd have to rent equipment to pick it up. It also probably weighs close to 500 lbs. I'm sure that's the reason the auction went for so low considering how rare it is... to much hassle for most people to even deal with it.

-baker

[Kusanagi-sama]

Neo Geo's vary insanely in price.

Low end would be $50 for a non-working 19" conversion one.

High end would be $1200-$1500 for a 29" Candy six slot loaded with good carts (I have this!!!!).

Sorry, your prices are way off.

[CheffoJeffo]

Neo Geo's vary insanely in price.

Low end would be $50 for a non-working 19" conversion one.

High end would be $1200-$1500 for a 29" Candy six slot loaded with good carts (I have this!!!!).

Sorry, your prices are way off.

In what respect ? They looked reasonable to me.  My 2-slot certainly fails inside the range given.

It IS a wide range and I thought the high end was a little high, but with a nice shiny 29" Candy and six expensive carts ...

Cheers.

[Stingray]

Neo Geo's vary insanely in price.

Low end would be $50 for a non-working 19" conversion one.

High end would be $1200-$1500 for a 29" Candy six slot loaded with good carts (I have this!!!!).

Sorry, your prices are way off.

Would you care to back that statement up by posting what you think is correct? It's very easy to just say "you're wrong".

FWIW, I believe Paige to be correct, you can pick up a dead MVS for next to nothing, you can also spend a ton of money on a newer big screen cab with a heap of games. If you just want a decent working 19" Neo-Geo, you can get one pretty easily in the $200 range.

-S