While arcade games may seem out-dated, they are still collectible by some businesses or people. Regardless if you want to play or show games that are nostalgic, such as Android, arcade game costs can vary greatly. Varying with the game, the rarity of the machine, and the condition, the price of an arcade machine can be everywhere.
How much do arcade games actually cost?
Arcade games, on average, can cost between $500 to $7,500. Also remember that the ones mentioned are average arcade machines and that the rarer models can cost upwards of 10,000 dollars.
If you’re on the search for classic arcade machines like Galaga or Pac-Man, the cost of these machines will be anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 for fully-restored machines.
Take for example, ThePinballCompany.com, which has a very wide selection of a number of types of arcade games. In this instance, these arcade games that are restored will retail for between 1,700 to 2,500 dollars.
Another popular arcade like the Golden Tee Golf, will typically retail for anywhere between $3,500 and $5,000 for the initial version of the machine. Golden Tee still creates arcade games to this day.
The more expensive arcade games tend to be driving arcade games. Games like Dirty Drivin’ will go for anywhere between $7,000 to $9,000 while the Nascar Team Racing games will cost something close to $6,500.
More high tech touchscreen arcade machines can cost somewhere between $2,500 to $5,000. The newer arcade games are usually table top games and take up just as much space as older arcade games.
An article on Polygon.com stated that the price of an arcade games can vary greatly, but will average around $1,000 per game. Another example, Mario Kart, will cost around $2,500 to $3,000, whereas a game like Mike Tyson’s Punch Out! will cost close to $1,500.
The below table details prices for a number of noticeable arcade games.
| Machine Name | Price Estimate |
| Addams Family | $2,500 to $4,000 |
| Area 51 | $2,500 to $3,500 |
| Asteroids | $2,100 to $3,100 |
| Burgertime | $2,000 to $3,000 |
| Centipede | $1,500 to $2,100 |
| Defender | $2,000 to $3,000 |
| Dig Dug | $1,200 to $2,000 |
| Donkey Kong | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Frogger | $1,500 to $2,000 |
| Galaga | $1,800 to $2,600 |
| Joust | $400 to $900 |
| Jurassic Park | $12,000 to $14,000 |
| Marble Madness | $400 to $800 |
| Millipede | $1,200 to $2,000 |
| Missile Command | $1,800 to $2,800 |
| Mrs. Pac-man | $2,500 to $4,500 |
| Pac-man | $1,500 to $2,900 |
| Space Invaders | $1,800 to $2,800 |
| Street Fighter 2 | $3,000 to $4,500 |
| Time Crisis | $17,000 to $23,000 |
Extra costs associated with arcade games
Because of the machine weight restrictions, a number of sellers will include shipping costs, if it’s shipped. Varying with the sort of delivery you’d like, shipping can cost between $350 and $900. Shipping that is higher end includes the machine’s full install while shipping on the lower end of the spectrum will only include a door drop off.
Arcade games usually have a number of issues, especially when it comes to the cabinet. If you decide to purchase one, make sure to include future repairs into your budget, because the cost of a technician will cost at least $100.
Other things to know
Games that are older, such as Galaga or Pac-Man, are usually going to come restored. Restored simply means, that all the parts of the game that don’t work are going to be replaced, but the original cabinet is going to come intact. If there are any cosmetic issues with the game, they will be touched up. If arcade games don’t come restored or touched up and are working, they can cost a lot more.
A usual arcade game features a coin slot near the bottom, a joystick for every player, and a handful of buttons. If the the arcade game will be used for home play (personal use), it doesn’t need a coin machine piece, but if you would like your machine to accept cash, you can have it like that. A number of games can also have up to 4 different players.
Instead of having a joystick, games like Golden Tee Golf will have a ball that resembles a gold ball instead of having a joystick, while driving games will have a shifter, pedals, a number of buttons, and a steering wheel. Each arcade game will have it’s own features.
Other options such as MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) can be considered if you would just like to play the game and don’t care as much about the machine. A MAME is an emulator that was made to essentially recreate the arcade game experience. There are a number of cool setups that give individuals the ability to play a number of games cheaply.
How do you save money buying arcade games?
Varying with the machine you’d like to spend money on, you’d come out better buying it used. If you do decide to buy the game used, you want to make sure you see it in person before you buy it to make sure it’s working.
Since there are a number of retailers who sell arcade machine, you want to make sure you look them up and get an idea of their reputation. The more due diligence you do, the smoother a transaction you will have.
If you’re looking for an arcade machine to use in your work place you could rent one from a number of places. Doing so you can make some money or break even by charging customers to play them. Doing so also allows you to switch the games you have up every once in a while so that you’re able to give customers other options.
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