Which game for me?

[AUKev]

I am a newbie that has decided to get into the hobby after being addicted to video games from when Space Invaders came out...

I won an Ebay auction for NFL Blitz 99 that is in great shape that I got for $150. 

On my way to pick it up is a person that has Alley Master,1942 and Silent Dragon for sale.  He claims they all play great and he wants $100 each or all three for $250.  It is only about 60 miles roundtrip off my route to pickup the Blitz.

Long term I want to do a MAME cabinet for playing many of my early 80's favorites.  My custom CP was going to be a 2 player CP with a trackball and spinner.

My original thought was to do it with Blitz (no not tear it up, but build a custom CP and keep as much intact as possible for future dedicated blitz).  Now I am wondering if I should keep the Blitz as is (if in as good of shape as quoted) and do a semi-convert of one of the other 3.  I have no intention of permanently destroying a working cab, so I figure anything I do will be a temporary convert until I can build a custom cab well down the road.

Based on what little information given above, what would you recommend my course of action.  For the next 1-2 years, I will only have room at my house for a single cabinet.  Luckily I own a business with warehouse space, so I could store other cabinets in my climate controlled warehouse for free (can even have them plugged in for occasional breaks).

Appreciate your suggestions.

[Havok]

Pick em all up - sooner or later you'll get deep into this hobby, and you will kick yourself for passing this opportunity up. Sounds like a great deal. So - I would go for it!

[AUKev]

Havok, please do not encourage me.  That is the way I am leaning but I was hoping someone with experience would say "Game X is your best option".   

I do thank you for your input though.  My wife knows about the Blitz, but I am not sure what her reaction would be if I showed up with 4 cabinets.  LOL!

[Ginsu Victim]

Gotta agree with Havok here. You'll kick yourself later if you past this chance up.

However, if you're only going to have the Blitz, MAME it. It's not a classic, and there are PLENTY of them out there.

[pupu]

Wish i found a 1942 for 100 bucks, that is my favorite game.  I wouldnt pass them up for sure.

[Kevin Mullins]

Get them all....

MAME the Silent Dragon as it is most likely a conversion anyways.
Alley Master may be a good MAME candidate also depending on condition.

But the ultimate choice is yours and also depends on how much you like each game, condition of cabinets, how much work you want to put into it, etc.

I personally wouldn't MAME the Blitz or the 1942 though.

[AUKev]

Succumbing to peer pressure, in the next 24 hours I will go from a crappy laptop MAME system to owning 4 working cabinets for $350.  I have had a few conversations with the current owners and unless something is completely misrepresented, I will be the proud owner of NFL Blitz 99, 1942, Silent Dragon and Alley Master (this was basically thrown in for free).

Short term I am thinking I will leave everything as is and consider transforming the Silent Dragon to a MAME machine since it seems to be the most likely candidate.

I appreciate everyone's advice (until my wife sees 4 cabinets instead of 1) at the house Tuesday evening.  I am sure I will be leaning on this forum as I dig into multiple projects at once. 

 

[Necro]

My wife is already freaking out about getting one cabinet!   Given, now three have also popped up for me...figures.

[extendedplayarcade]

Wow that is a sweet deal!

Ebay rocks for finding sweet deals.  I find myself at work searching and wishing I had more room to fill my game room up with unwanted Coin Op Arcade machines.

Great time to look for bargains too. People doing fall cleaning.

But I totally hear ya on your wife being upset about buying one and coming home with 4.

Might have to bring a few to work.

I agree with everyone with Mame'n the Silent Dragon.   The blitz 99 is a good game and 1942 is just an awesome classic.   Alley master i am guessing is a track ball game.  You could always convert it to a dedicated trackball mame game.  Golden tee and World Class bowling are party favorites IMO.

Brent
www.extendedplayarcade.com

[DeLuSioNal29]

Yeah, I would pick them all up as well.  You could always take the ones that you think you can convert or restore and then you can sell the ones you don't want on Craig's list or something.  Either way you win.

~ DeLuSioNaL

[Ummon]

I think it's obvious that you pick them all up, stop at work on the way back and off-load the other three, bring the last one home (I'd think the Blitz, but maybe the Silent Dragon if it's similar in size and shape).