A list of the 15 most valuable arcade games in existence

[rotheblog]

Spent a lot of time researching this, finding photos, etc.  Hopefully you guys enjoy.  Photos of each of the top 15 machines and estimated values / prices for how much these games are worth.

http://www.rotheblog.com/?p=1990

[Hemi]

I'm not pleased with that list, those games may be the hardest to find because they are so old, but I think a few are not the best games to play. In this list should be a mix of good games and hard to find games in the same game.

What is the point in having a bad rare game if you won't use it. Just my take on this.

[Ginsu Victim]

Don't listen to Hemi (he missed the point). That's a great list. Thanks!

[ChadTower]

I'm not pleased with that list, those games may be the hardest to find because they are so old, but I think a few are not the best games to play. In this list should be a mix of good games and hard to find games in the same game.

What is the point in having a bad rare game if you won't use it. Just my take on this.

I'm not pleased with this post, these sentiments may be the hardest to accept because they are so rude, but I think a few are not the best sentiments to read.  In this post should be a mix of good contributions and hard to find insight.

What is the point of reading dude's list if you're going to complain that it isn't what he meant it to be.  Just my take on this.

[CheffoJeffo]

Please excuse Hemi -- he is comprehensionally-impaired and missed the part about this being a list of the MOST VALUABLE arcade games, as opposed to the BEST arcade games.

And, while I'd have to think about it some more, that list looks good to me -- thanks for the link!

[rotheblog]

I didn't post here and expect everyone to love the information.  I figured there would be some debate.

However, the popularity was not the point in evaluating these games.  So, as a result of your comment I updated my criteria so everyone is clear on the object of this list.

And there is always some debate.  Each value is based on what any collector would be willing to pay anyway...there are people out there that would pay crazy amounts of money for 90's games and never give most of these a thought.

Oh, and if you are someone who likes it, and wants the general audience to get some exposure...and have a Digg account, Digg me.

http://digg.com/gaming_news/15_most_valuable_classic_arcade_games/who

[Hemi]

Next time, PM me my opinion and I will copy and paste what you want me to say. Fair enough? I'm not downing the guy, just a few games he picked. There is no need to take it personal.

I don't like the list, what can I tell you.

[CheffoJeffo]

I don't like the list, what can I tell you.

That you actually comprehend what the list is ?

[Hemi]

I know it's supposed to be "most valuable games". But it was a list made by a person, just like me or just like you. I could have made a list like that and valued games at prices too. I would have had rare expensive games that were ALSO great games to play in my list. He chose his games, fine, not my cup of tea, but fine.

I guess what matters is you would value his list as law because it is posted on a site and I am only here talking about it.

[ratzz]

I'm very pleased with the list -- there are some beautiful arcade designs in there ... Stunning.

[Matthew Fisher]

Great list!  Seems pretty accurate to me, based on what I've seen, on eBay at least.  Just a couple thoughts:

Where would Boxing Bugs go on this list, if anywhere?  The one found in Alabama (talked about here) went for $800, but that seemed like a really good deal to me...

What about Barrel Pong, or is that considered a prototype?  One went for about $4500 on eBay a while back. 

Should the two-player Computer Space get a separate entry? 

These are certainly not criticisms, though, more like me thinking out loud.  As something of a vector fanatic, I would note that 7 of the 15 are vector games...

P.S. Sorry to be slow getting back to you (again  ); been a pretty packed summer around here.  Let's try to get together next week, if you can.  Let me know. 

[Malenko]

Next time, PM me my opinion and I will copy and paste what you want me to say. Fair enough? I'm not downing the guy, just a few games he picked. There is no need to take it personal.

I don't like the list, what can I tell you.

I think the point is he didn just blindly pick them, he did research and asked people in the business. My only gripe is he could have combined the 2 different version of the one game into 1 spot and then added a crowd pleaser like  Discs of Tron Enviromental . It was a good read nice pix and well written discriptions.

You cant please everyone, theres no point in trying.

[Hoopz]

Very nice.  I think it's well written and researched.

Though I did chuckle about the "corners" of the US and including Chicago in that.  I know what you're saying but I just found it funny. 

Thanks for taking the time to do this for everyone's benefit!   

[ahofle]

Very cool.  I have never seen an Aztarac cabinet before -- that bubble on the glass is amazing!  I wonder if there could be a MAME filter to simulate that.  I'm extremely curious to see what effect it produced.  Aztarac is a GREAT game for those who haven't tried it.

[clok]

Kinda blown away i have played or seen most of those game in little old North Dakota. Only a couple i hav never seen, the plastic Sinstar cab, the Atari one with the bubble, Blaster, and War of the Worlds. I have played or at least seent he others. Sad a couple where actualy favorites of mine for a time, I ROBOT was one i lobed to play in collage, Mystic Marathon was also one i liked and still fire up in mame (man its getting some harsh words in the links he listed). Major havok was cool too, seen that with the wierd can roller and a spinner.

I think most of the game he listed where in ther early days. I think there where few enouhg games that "new" games made the rounds. I wonder how rare some of the High tech games where when the arcades where in full swing?

I remeber a flight game that was on a half moon bas so when you flew up it rolled up the front on wheels so you pointed up some, and then rolled back when you went down, I'm pretty sure it tilted from side to side too.. never seen that one again ever.

Oh well neat list, Only a few I would watn for playing, but some interesting cab designes..  Give me a DoT StandUp Cocokpit anyday!

Clok

[MrMojoZ]

I know it's supposed to be "most valuable games". But it was a list made by a person, just like me or just like you. I could have made a list like that and valued games at prices too. I would have had rare expensive games that were ALSO great games to play in my list. He chose his games, fine, not my cup of tea, but fine.

I guess what matters is you would value his list as law because it is posted on a site and I am only here talking about it.

Just so I understand you: You are saying a list of the 15 most valuable games should include games that aren't in the top 15 most valuable games?

 

[TheShanMan]

Not familiar with most of those games, but as someone who has budding interest in collecting some (much less expensive!) games, I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you!

[Ummon]

There's no being pleased with this kind of list, except in so far as not being able to afford them. It doesn't seem to be listed by price. Also, I might think the Duramold Bubbles is about the same as the Sinistar? (Of course, Blaster was a Duramold, too...) Splat! is a cool game; one reason I need a dual two-player panel.

[TOK]

Isn't a nice Dragons Lair worth more than Mystic Marathon? Thats the only game I feel doesn't belong on the list.

[mrclean]

I'm really too lazy but of the ones on the list what games are working in MAME ?

[SirPeale]

An excellent list.  Though I'm surprised EDOT didn't make the cut.

[rotheblog]

I looked back at the post, in the criteria, and although I thought I had explained my reasoning on how the list works in terms of demand vs. price, I figured I could do it a little bit better, so I changed the wording.

Basically, if you read the post - about the exclusion of most of the super rare laser disc games, this is a perfect examples.  I got feedback that some of those laser discs could bring in several, if not close to $10,000 a piece.  But there are only a very select few people that would pay that.

I tried to strike a balanced definition of valuable between actual money and demand / perception, and that is why I didn't list the games highest to lowest in terms of price.

[Axe]

Great list, you really seem to have put together some reasearch!

I remember seeing a few of those in my youth, but being from a small northern town in Ontario Canada, we didn't get "New Machines" or "Fancy machines" all that often...  just a helluva lot of waterlogged MDS cabs with faux wood grain applied to the outside!

[RayB]

$3000 for Star Wars cockpit? I don't think so. Maybe the rare 27" monitor version.

[ark_ader]

Well Cube Quest will have to be on the list, and Esh's Aurunmilla, Freedom Fighter, and the Bruce Jenner laserdisc game can command a real price hike, with the limited available original cabinets.

I like the list but I'm in agreement with Hemi on this one and not because I'm making a typical point here, but simply to play devils advocate.

Starwars cockpits do not sell for $3000.00 I haven't seen any.  Heck I watched an OP smash one up (minus yoke) once.  I would think TESB conversion to Starwars would get more money.

When the economy is on a high and people have disposable incomes for nostalgia then these prices are predictable.  Just as when the economy sours, do we get to see the same cabs going dirt cheap.

I think the games that are not emulated will demand a higher price.  Just like reproduction furniture you can antique it, put a Chinese mainboard in there with MAME add some talcum and hey presto you have a rare classic game to sell.  Just leave the cab in my bedroom for a week and it will be as dusty as an old warehouse. 

Hey what a great idea lets make lot of money!!   

I think that list needs some revision, and not just personal favourites, but everything on the mhard to find market like Death Race.

[Ummon]

I think nearly all, if not all, those games are working in Mame.

[somunny]

Nice job and a very interesting read. 

[Doctor Ugs]

great read, thx for posting that. 

[DaOld Man]

Thanks for the work. I enjoy reading about rare arcades.
(Pay no attention to Stewie.)

[danny_galaga]

nice work (",)

these sorts of things are always going to be subjective, but you've set out your own criteria at the start so i see no problem with how it unfolds...