Baby Pac-Man, How much?

[RandyT]

I believe the production run was 7000 units.

Go to ipdb.org to look at the production numbers.  Lists at 7000.   That's pretty high for either a pin or a vid.

Doesn't seem that high to me.  I punched in what I remember to be popular games and the numbers were double and even triple that figure.  For every one I have seen that works, I have seen 3 that don't.  And if they are as prone to failure as it appears, a good number of them probably already had a meeting with the shredder.

There may still be a number of them out there, I don't really know.  I'm just saying that production numbers don't paint the whole picture 25 years later.

RandyT

[missioncontrol]

I can verify one being flooded in NC so I guess that means there are now 6999

[Kaytrim]

I sent an email to the seller expressing my interest.  Then asking more detailed information on the monitor and pics of the playfield.  From the general location posted on the ad, it sounds like I might be able to walk from my office to see it.

I'll let you know what I find out.

TTFN

[ChadTower]

Then don't dally on pics, just hoof it over and look.

[Kaytrim]

I would if I knew exactly where to go.   I'll more than likely do that over lunch tomorrow if possible.  And I'll take my camera with me.

[Barry Barcrest]

I can verify one being flooded in NC so I guess that means there are now 6999

I think KLOV lists 66 of it's members owning one, then we have 2 on here and the 2 on bay so that's 70 and a guy on my site killed one. That's 71 as well as the one you know of. So we are down to 6928, anyone know where they are?

[RandyT]

I can verify one being flooded in NC so I guess that means there are now 6999

I think KLOV lists 66 of it's members owning one, then we have 2 on here and the 2 on bay so that's 70 and a guy on my site killed one. That's 71 as well as the one you know of. So we are down to 6928, anyone know where they are?

Sleepin wid da fishes?

[koolmoecraig]

I don't think that 7000 is a large production run.  For later machines it would be but that's because the market was collapsing. If you judge it by the era, it is quite a small run.

[Kaytrim]

If the machine was in good working condition what would be a good asking price?

[Harry Potter]

If the machine was in good working condition what would be a good asking price?

I'll ask the wife. 

[leapinlew]

If the machine was in good working condition what would be a good asking price?

If your asking for opinions, I'll say no. That game is horrible. If you could hack it and add some fun to it - it would be a lot better.

To me, the game is worth only what I could resell it for. Ask yourself, do you want a baby pacman or do you want the game if it's reasonably priced?

[koolmoecraig]

Most people who don't like it find it too difficult.  To me, being able to clear board after board of Ms. Pac-Man or regular Pac-Man reduces them to nostalgia factor games.  Baby Pac-Man is a genuine challenge that cannot be easily mastered.  A great game as long as you like a challenge.

I actually read a review once that ripped on it because there is no way to do a pattern and the ghosts are too unpredictable.  That's what makes it great!  You have to have skill and a little luck.

[ChadTower]

I don't think that 7000 is a large production run.  For later machines it would be but that's because the market was collapsing. If you judge it by the era, it is quite a small run.

Not for pinball machines and especially not among the small set of hybrids.  Remember, this isn't an Asteroids.  This is a pinball machine.  There were a lot less of them in smaller numbers.

[shardian]

I have to agree with Chad on this one. You have to consider that this game had a video game in it with its associated electronics AND a pinball game with its associated parts and electronics. That machine was probably pretty expensive to manufacture. 7000 units for that specific machine is pretty big, although there are about 50 pins that produced more units than that.

[ChadTower]

Consider that 50 among all pinball titles is a small subset.

[Kaytrim]

I got a response from the seller.  Does this sound like a cap kit could fix the monitor?  I sent a response back requesting an on-site inspection.  BTW I also got the ok from the wife as long as the purchase is $150 or less and I sell it after restoration.  (I may keep it  )

Hi!  Thanks for the interest in the Pac Man game.
Over the years, the picture on the monitor would
randomly appear after starting the unit.  Eventually,
the unit displayed only faint images or nothing at
all.  The game will start up, but again, there is no
image, and repair will be needed even beyond the
monitor in order to restore it.  I like this game, but
haven't the means to fix it.  I would rather someone
with an interest restore and enjoy it.  Thanks!  I
will post a close up of the playfield, too, and send
you them tomorrow.

[ChadTower]

Hi!  Thanks for the interest in the Pac Man game.
Over the years, the picture on the monitor would
randomly appear after starting the unit.  Eventually,
the unit displayed only faint images or nothing at
all.  The game will start up, but again, there is no
image, and repair will be needed even beyond the
monitor in order to restore it.  I like this game, but
haven't the means to fix it.  I would rather someone
with an interest restore and enjoy it.  Thanks!  I
will post a close up of the playfield, too, and send
you them tomorrow.

It's not just a cap kit.  It does need a cap kit, that is guaranteed, but this needs more than a cap kit. 

[Kaytrim]

That is why I asked for an on-site inspection.

[ChadTower]

Other than visual condition of stuff, are you in a position to make any technical assessments?  It's really, really hard for us to make any specific advisements from here with a game that doesn't come up properly.  Could be any of 100 things.

[shardian]

When you go to inspect, make sure to set up a video feed with Ken Layton. He could make a fortune I tell 'ya!

[RandyT]

Based on the language he used, I have a feeling he has a good idea what is wrong with it and how much it will cost to fix it.  "Hasn't the means" and "repair will be needed even beyond the monitor" tells me that this will be neither a cheap, nor easy fix and that's why it's on the block (and probably also why it's still there)

Seems like a risk to me, but it might be a good learning project.  If you have the wife convinced that you can turn it around later and make a profit, and you find that you have a non-working, space hogging piece of retro art that nobody wants instead, the fallout from that one should probably be considered as well.

RandyT

[Kaytrim]

I hope to get the seller talking about the machine and learning what all is wrong.  I am just guessing but there may need new solenoids for the flippers, rubbers and light bulbs for the playfield.  As long as the playfield art is is good shape I should be able to do the rest.  Joystick and button repairs/replacements are easy.  Now if the problems get into the control boards then that is another issue.  If anything else I could part it out to recoup some of my money.

On another front I also got the ok even encouragement to start building my line of custom sticks like Timoe is doing.  Once I get that up and running it will soften the blow if I get this project and it bombs.

TTFN

[shardian]

I hope to get the seller talking about the machine and learning what all is wrong.  I am just guessing but there may need new solenoids for the flippers, rubbers and light bulbs for the playfield.  As long as the playfield art is is good shape I should be able to do the rest.  Joystick and button repairs/replacements are easy.  Now if the problems get into the control boards then that is another issue.  If anything else I could part it out to recoup some of my money.

On another front I also got the ok even encouragement to start building my line of custom sticks like Timoe is doing.  Once I get that up and running it will soften the blow if I get this project and it bombs.

TTFN

That nickel and dime stuff you mentioned will probably kill your resale value. It adds up pretty quick, and to think you have to nickel and dime the video and pinball parts of a machine...

[ChadTower]

It's pretty safe to say this thing needs board work.  How much, impossible to tell from here.

[koolmoecraig]

Yeah, this is definitely a game that can nickel and dime you to death in restoration.

[koolmoecraig]

Also, any of you guys know the original retail on these?  Just curious.

[ChadTower]

"original retain"?

[shardian]

I think he means price.

[koolmoecraig]

"original retain"?

Yes. Retail.  Thank you for the correction.

[Kaytrim]

Visual inspection scheduled for lunchtime tomorrow.  Is there anything I should be looking for?  Anything that would point to problems with the control boards or the playfield?

Thanks everyone for your input and advice up to this point.

TTFN

[leapinlew]

Most people who don't like it find it too difficult.  To me, being able to clear board after board of Ms. Pac-Man or regular Pac-Man reduces them to nostalgia factor games.  Baby Pac-Man is a genuine challenge that cannot be easily mastered.  A great game as long as you like a challenge.

I actually read a review once that ripped on it because there is no way to do a pattern and the ghosts are too unpredictable.  That's what makes it great!  You have to have skill and a little luck.

I don't find it too difficult. I find it to be a not fun game. If it were fun, there would be videogame/pinball combinations all over the place.

[RandyT]

You are at a real disadvantage having no screen to work with.  There are usually diagnostics on pinballs that will flash all of the lights and fire all of the coils so it's easy to find out what's not working.  But this is probably only accessible through an on-screen menu.  Maybe you can find a manual online and memorize the steps to get it going ?

Look for trenches and excessive wear on the playfield.  You can fix up small stuff and paint it, but it's hard to make large severely damaged areas look decent again.  Start a game and listen well to make sure it sounds like things are happening as they should.  Play blind as well as you are able and watch the attract mode lighting on the pin section to make sure it doesn't look stoned.  Don't worry if a few lights are burned out.  They are cheap and usually not that difficult to replace.  Look for broken plastics, and rubbers that are completely broken.  When I bought my High-Speed it had a broken regular rubber band on one of the kickers.  The guy said it worked until the rubber band broke.  Turns out, the transistors got fried because of the shoddy repair job ("machine gunning" of the coil, I expect).  What should have been a simple fix turns into bigger problems because of this type of stuff.

Other than that, you might need some Jedi skills (and maybe some diagnostic LED deciphering tips from a manual) to see what else is wrong.

RandyT

[koolmoecraig]

Most people who don't like it find it too difficult.  To me, being able to clear board after board of Ms. Pac-Man or regular Pac-Man reduces them to nostalgia factor games.  Baby Pac-Man is a genuine challenge that cannot be easily mastered.  A great game as long as you like a challenge.

I actually read a review once that ripped on it because there is no way to do a pattern and the ghosts are too unpredictable.  That's what makes it great!  You have to have skill and a little luck.

I don't find it too difficult. I find it to be a not fun game. If it were fun, there would be videogame/pinball combinations all over the place.

No, you do.  You just wont admit it.


 
When was the last time you played one?  It's definitely the difficulty factor that led to its demise. The size of the cabinet is really more for kids.(control panel height is exceptionally low) I can't imagine kids playing it more than a few times back then and just getting
frustrated.

Fun is subjective.

[CheffoJeffo]

Most people who don't like it find it too difficult.  To me, being able to clear board after board of Ms. Pac-Man or regular Pac-Man reduces them to nostalgia factor games.  Baby Pac-Man is a genuine challenge that cannot be easily mastered.  A great game as long as you like a challenge.

I actually read a review once that ripped on it because there is no way to do a pattern and the ghosts are too unpredictable.  That's what makes it great!  You have to have skill and a little luck.

I don't find it too difficult. I find it to be a not fun game. If it were fun, there would be videogame/pinball combinations all over the place.

No, you do.  You just wont admit it.


 
When was the last time you played one?  It's definitely the difficulty factor that led to its demise. The size of the cabinet is really more for kids.(control panel height is exceptionally low) I can't imagine kids playing it more than a few times back then and just getting
frustrated.

Fun is subjective.

I know people who like it and people who hate it ... it is one of those games.

To say that people who don't like it lack skill is almost as ridiculous as overloading thread titles with asterisks or telling people that they don't know what funny is.

Oh ... and it is teh suxors.

 

[leapinlew]

Fun is subjective.

So is humor, but you don't hear anyone arguing about it or anything. I guess if fun and humor are subjective - difficulty just possibly might be subjective too?

To answer your question Kaytrim - a babypacman isn't worth the gas to go pick it up.

[koolmoecraig]

Let me clarify.  Most people who I have talked to who don't like it and most negatives reviews that I have read about it allude to the difficulty as being the main reason.

I guess difficulty can be subjective.  We aren't all created equal.

[leapinlew]

Let me clarify.  Most people who I have talked to who don't like it and most negatives reviews that I have read about it allude to the difficulty as being the main reason.

I guess difficulty can be subjective.  We aren't all created equal.

I'm impressed and saddened with your lack of yelling at me. 

[RayB]

Baby Pac should be almost as common as Gauntlet: http://www.marvin3m.com/video/atari.htm

[Kaytrim]

Thanks for all the tips Randy.  I was able to get the machine to power up but nothing after that.  Lights came on in the playfield, and marquee but no sound, no video and no actions on the pinball table.

We opened up the back and I started looking everything over.  The first thing I looked was the monitor, no neck glow.  Though after a few minutes I heard an electronic hum coming from it.  Next I looked at the power supply.  All the fuses looked to be in good shape.  Next was the board set.  The first thing I saw was the batery on the MPU board leaking.  The edge trace masking had pealed away from the board.  Gently pealing back the mask I could see some serious corrosion.  I cyceled the power and the LED flashed twice pause and twice again.  I didn't know what that meant but that it was not a good sign.  I looked at the vidiot board and it looked good overall.  The battery from the MPU board hadn't leaked onto it so nothing wrong there.  I cycled the power again and the LED flashed once pause then twice.

Next I went to the controls and play field.  The controls were all leaf switches and joystick.  Everything looked good there.  The playfield had a small ware spot near the left flipper.  The rubbers all showed signs of age and the right flipper rubber was broke.  The spinners showed signs of use as some of the paint had chipped off.  The targets all worked nicely.  I looked at the underside and the seloinds were all ok from visual inspection.

I started off by offering $100.  He scratched his head and said I'd be loosing quite a bit of money there.  I would really like $200.  So I showed him what I had found on the MPU board, explained what I would need to re cap the monitor and replace the rubbers and bulbs on the playfield.  Then I told him what the good parts were and offered him a firm $150.

We will be in contact via email in the next 24 hours and hopefully seal the deal.  Of everything only the MPU board concerns me.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[ChadTower]

High odds on the battery leakage being the primary problem.  That can be fixed, takes a little continuity checking skill and such but can be done, or you can drop in a replacement and come back to that board later.

For the monitor, start with the HV circuit and go from there, since there is no neck glow or scangun chatter.

And please, please file this away for future reference:  you cannot visually tell, with any reliability, when an old fuse is dead.  Always always always continuity check them.

You also can't visually check a pinball coil.

Based on that desc, I wouldn't have had much issue with the $200, but I specifically want a Baby Pac.