Anyone confirm this story? Ebay sale.

[philby85]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Space-Invaders-Original-Table-Game_W0QQitemZ190088041356QQihZ009QQcategoryZ3945QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Found the above item. Claims to be a very rare limited edition space invaders cocktail. Anyone verify this? Just interested tis all.

philby

[spacies]

Im not sure about that.

I have seen that same machine somewhere before.

Wasn't Pong or Gorf (maybe ) released on something similar?

[Angry_Radish]

The base looks like the base to an old pong machine I had many years ago, and the top just looks home-made (though I've been wrong before  )
Look at how that top button is cut into the chrome edging, not very professional for a limited edition...
I dunno, 0 feedback, new eBayer, and an "extremely rare" piece... nope, not buying it

[CheffoJeffo]

I guess it's possible, but I've never seen this mentionned anywhere (as opposed to, say the Defender prototypes, white Galagas or white Asteroids) and I would be somewhat surprised to find an arcade piece that rare in Oz (it has happened before, but that was kinda bizarre in itself and the seller was known to many in the collecting community).

And then there is the complete lack of artwork or instruction cards.

I'll remain skeptical.

Cheers

[jtfields]

Is it me, or does it say $.20 to play?  I didn't know video games were ever below a quarter per play.  Of course my knowledge of video game history going back that far is limited to my memory of being 8 or 9 years old at the time.

[horseboy]

It is in Austrailia. That likely has something to do with it.

[jtfields]

It is in Austrailia. That likely has something to do with it.

Oops!     Didn't notice that.

[vorghagen]

Is it me, or does it say $.20 to play?  I didn't know video games were ever below a quarter per play.  Of course my knowledge of video game history going back that far is limited to my memory of being 8 or 9 years old at the time.

Your memory is probably just fine, but here in Aus we don't have a 25c piece, never have. We have a 20c though, and many arcades were 20c to play. 5 plays to the dollar - whoohoo.

[Kevin Mullins]

That table reminds me of an octagon pinball cocktail I've seen somewhere before.
(can't think of the name though....I'll have to think about it)

EDIT: found it...not quite the same, but you can see what I was thinking of.
http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?gid=3823&puid=141

[SavannahLion]

Do arcade machines usually have weld marks?

At $1,000 and not much history behind it or the seller, I'd rather just sit on my haunches.

I don't really have much of a choice,  I have no money anyways

[Fozzy The Bear]

The image on the screen is not Space Invaders..... Not sure exactly what it is, but it isn't invaders and it appears to be colour and not plastic colour overlays.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[Hurray Banana]

That image is Galaxian (on the angled screenshot), you can make out the player ship on the left bottom and the aliens up on the right.

Don't know about the straighter screenshot.

[thennomeking]

Maybe its just me, but didnt space invader cocktails use "mini sticks" for lack of a better term?  My exposure to them has been  limited, but from what I remember the stick was smaller than that one, it looks like a generic balltop.

[Havok]

Looks like a scam...

[FrizzleFried]

That image is Galaxian (on the angled screenshot), you can make out the player ship on the left bottom and the aliens up on the right.

Don't know about the straighter screenshot.

I am not sure about that...the enemies look like Galaxian remotely...but look at the player ship...definately more SQUARE than Galaxian...like Space Invaders...like the game has been kicking ass and has removed most of the "shield areas" and all that is right most part of the enemies?

I dunno...I do know one thing...I ain't payin' $1K to ANYONE who has zero feedback sight unseen.

[Pac-Fan]

It's definitely Galaxian Part X, a hacked rom version of Galaxian running on Galaxian boards:


http://www.mameworld.net/maws/romset/galapx

[GoPodular.com]

I think it would be on the seller to show it really is a rare cabinet.  So far I have serious doubts.  The color monitor dates it beyond the original title, so I don't see it being a prototype.

Can any of the aussies around here date/place the coin door?  Taito and Midway had Space Invaders, so the coin door should be common with other cabinets of theirs.

Are there other examples of a cocktail having the glass edges fully surrounded like that?  For production, I don't know why they wouldn't use clips and save money on materials and welding time/expense.  It almost looks like the metal covers the bolts for changing the joystick.  It looks like they'd also have to notch it for the button, but it's tough to tell from the angle.

Besides, Pac-Fan is right.  That's IS the title screen from Galaxian Part X.  There's a pic of it on KLOV.  Since the seller doesn't even know what game it is, I have serious reservations about the authenticity of the whole deal.

Good catch Pac-Fan (and welcome to the forums).

[horseboy]

I'm calling ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow---.

[Fozzy The Bear]

I'm calling ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow---.

Too right it's ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow---!! when the seller doesn't even know what game it is, even when he's taking a photograph of the title screen.

There's something altogether dodgy about this one. Looks like a crap built table... probably from the period, but crap built all the same. Running bootleg hardware and software.  Not uncommon in Europe and Australia, to find bootlegs.... there were a lot of them in the arcades.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[philby85]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I was never going to bid on this, I just found it interesting. One of the guys I work with used to work as a video game tech for Leisure and Allied the biggest arcade supplier here in OZ and he smelt ---smurf-poo--- straight away.

cheers

Philby

[Encryptor]

I don't know what it is and it looks like Pac Fan is right but I do kind of like the shape anyway. It's kind of a cool looking cocktail even if it's not what they claim. Definitely not worth the $1k but I like it.

Encryptor

[knave]

If I had that I'd make a green felt cover for it and it could moonlight as a mini poker table. 

[RayB]

Technically, anything is "rare" if you make it yourself...

[Kevin Mullins]

I wrote him to ask if he had any pictures of the insides.....

My message:

Do you have any pictures of the machine opened up to view the insides?
Thanks

His answer:

NO I am sorry l do not , it's a coin operated machine that we just bypass by pressing the drop switch inside

Hmmmm.... sounds like a crap scam to me.

[Kevin Mullins]

I sent him a second message:

Can you take the top off and take a picture of it?

This machine is already being discussed on several arcade game forums, and so far everyone thinks it is a scam, some home built project. The game shown on the screen doesn't even look like space invaders....it looks like a galaxian clone of some sort. The joystick is a new style generic balltop joystick. The buttons look like the newer lighted style buttons. Everything looks wrong and your answers to our question have been vague. So if you plan to sell this machine for anything even close to what you are asking......how about give us more information.

His reply:

NO

Now doesn't that just make a buyer feel special?!?!   
Yes, I do like to bug the possible scammers on e-bay. 

[horseboy]

probable[/b] scammers on e-bay. 

Fixt

[FrizzleFried]

I also emailed the scammer.  My question:

"Hey bro...I am possibly interested in your cocktail table,  but from the screen shots it appears it is a GALAXIAN variant running not Space Invaders?"

His reply:

I was told it was space invaders when l purchased it from a demolition sale of a country pub over 20 years ago ! what can l say !!!!

Asshat.

[Loki]

If it would be a real one there would be at least some info sticker on/in it I thing, but I doubt that is the case.

[FrizzleFried]

Here is a photoshop enhanced version of the screen...I tried to get the image to come out as best as possible...not a lot of help,  but CERTAINLY not Space Invaders (I also believe it is Galaxian Part X)

[Kevin Mullins]

How's this for clarity?

(ok... so I swiped it from KLOV.... sheesh)

[spacies]

LMFAO.

Nice one Kevin.
 

[diverdown]

Question from ebay member  ..."I am really interested in this cab  Could you please take some more pics of it from all sides and a close up of the coin door and inside.  Are you happy if i arrange for a furniture company to pick it up and bring it to melb if i win. my email addy is ****@netspace.net.au  for the pics.. Thanks"

hmmm lets see if he bites

[Havok]

This guy must be getting bombarded with e-mail from all of us - I asked pretty much the same as Kevin, and just got a "NO" as a response...

It is kinda unique looking, if I was in the area, I'd offer $100...

[FrizzleFried]

I had to...I just asked em to pop the hood and take a couple photos for me...

Hehehe...

I also asked if he'd take offers of less than $1,000AU.

Hell,  it would cost me that much to ship here!

 

[Zeppo]

How do you make ebay display the question you are asking the seller?
I see the one question where someone asked if it played more than Space Invaders and he replied that it didn't.
Need to get a question to display that calls BS on the thing.

[Havok]

How do you make ebay display the question you are asking the seller?
I see the one question where someone asked if it played more than Space Invaders and he replied that it didn't.
Need to get a question to display that calls BS on the thing.

That's up to the seller. When he answers, he has the option of posting the Q&A in the auction...