Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: swolgam on April 17, 2008, 10:50:11 am
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So i've lurked around this site for a long time now and have read alot of "arcade score" articles and have always thought why can't this happen to me.
Here is my story:
I was browsing around craigslist yesterday morning when i stumbled upon a posting for a Smash TV game. Basically guy was going to remodel basement and wanted it out of there. He said the monitor needed a new tube and it was on the fritz and didn't work and all he wanted for it was $100. Pictures were included and from what i seen the cabinet was in great condition. I immediately call the guy and leave a message as his voicemail kicked on. A few minutes later he called back and we discussed the transaction. I didn't have my van at the time so i told him i would definately come get it if he wouldn't mind holding till 4-5. He said no problem as he could tell i was anxious to buy it.
Wife comes home with van and im immediately out the door to take out the seats so i can fit this monster in. Wife asks what im doing and i told her I found a good deal that i need to jump on. She knew right away what it was and was going to veto until i told her that this was one of the games i was addicted to as a kid and since my bday is next week she should let me do it. She reminded me i still have the nba jam in my office and the killer instinct 2 hybrid was sitting in garage. I blocked that out as i set the address in my GPS and off i went.
As i arrived, the garage door was open and i could see the machine. Gentleman comes out and we look over the machine. I had all intents and purpose to offer him lower then his asking price but after seeing the cab i could not. I felt it was justified for the $100 he was asking. He fired it up and no picture but plenty of sound. I knew the monitor was bad per her listing and on phone description but i didn't care. Keys were still in the system and the coin hopper was still there as well. As im standing there he says "if it doesn't look like what you expected, ill take $75 for it." I appreciated the offer but still paid him the full $100 as I believed it was worth that.
I get home and my 7 year old gets in and pushes the cab top out as i grab the bottom and slowly release it to the ground. Don't report me to child services as she was just guiding more then anything else hehe. I open the back and inspect everything. Looks clean and intact but i do notice this button that says cherry. Didn't think it would hurt anything i pushed it in and proceeded to plug the machine up. As i flip the power switch i get nothing. I check the extension cord and make sure the GFI hadn't been tripped. As i stand there looking like Clark Griswald when he is putting up xmas lights, i again turn switch off and on and still nothing! I go back to the cherry switch and pull it out, turn machine on and I get the sound. I turn around to the front of the machine and I have a picture!!! I can't believe it, it's alive! I get so excited that i run in and grab the wife and my 2 yr old gamer and they come out and we play with the machine for about 30 minutes. My wife tells me that it was an omen that I paid the guy the full amount even when he offered a lower price and this was karma coming back in a good way!
Condition of cab is excellent, still needs locks for the coin doors and some new t-molding. Also some filler painting in some areas as well as a new monitor eventually as there is some minor burn in but nothing that takes away from the game being as great is it is.
Here is a pic and feel free to offer opinions of the story and/or cab. Thanks for reading
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Nice score! Looks to be in great shape.
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Great Score! I loved that game as a kid, and always dreamily admired the $250 price tag they put on it too at Christmas time.
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As classic as Robotron is, I play Smash TV far more.
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That guy got ripped off!
HAHA, if only some people knew what they had.
CPO looks great for as old as it is.
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Ironically he said he had a few games that he had restored down in his basement so when i got home and the screen came on i was in like ???? mode because of him restoring one. Oh well he was a great guy anyhow.
BTW does anyone know what that red and white switch is that says "cherry" on it? Ill try to post pics later today
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I am sooooooooo jealous.
Nice score!
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You should paint some nice fluffy pink clouds over that side art.
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You should paint some nice fluffy pink clouds over that side art.
>:D
To the OP -- amazing score -- that cab looks to be in great shape (and working is nice as well)!
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Total Carnage
Congrats on what looks like a steal!
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I'd buy that for a dollar!
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big money! big prizes!
no wait, small money, big prize!
PS: there is no coin hopper in there.
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grab a Total Carnage board and your good to go, beat smash tv a couple of times. the game requires some mad skills
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total carnage will work in this machine?
I mean coin drop bucket. I called it a hopper but those are for slot machines.
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Yes, they're both JAMMA+
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Thanks for the info! Im kinda new in this hobby and am still learning.
Also does anyone know what this "cherry" red and white switch on the inside of the back of the machine is?
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Any chance the switch is some kind of "door" switch? I guess it would depend on where its located. I know some machines ahve a switch that makes the machine shut off if the back panel isnt on. Just a thouhgt, but since its monitor and not whole machine i doubt it. Does the switch look like its was added or alwasy there ( i know, maybe touhg to tell). Where do the wires go?
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picture would help
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My guess would be a Cherry Switch!!!
But seriously post some pics so we can help and drool over such a great machine!