Owning authentic coin operated cabinets shouldn't be picked up unless you have some basic knowledge with repairs. These things do get fussy over time and will eventually fail at some point. I own 26 machines and there are always a couple down at any given time. This hobby has turned into a second job for me but I enjoy it. Not necessarily the cost though lol. Good content and hopefully you'll have better luck down the road with another.
These classics from the Golden Age are approaching 45 years old. If you are that frustrated from it going down you are best to stick with the 1up machines. Part of the hobby is restoring them and keeping them going. Once up and running it is just a matter of time before it goes down again, probably right before you have a party 😊. Just my opinion, Good luck, thx for sharing…
Oh man, I’m sorry this didn’t work out the way you hoped brother. That’s a tough game to keep running in general so hopefully it didn’t taint your perspective too much. I mean it is true that the fixing games is a big part of the hobby but that one in particular can be a bear. Hopefully it didn’t discourage you too much and you dive back in at some point. This was a fun video to watch despite it not having the ending you had hoped for.
Thanks Ralph, didn’t discourage me too much but while Tron is super cool I was Definetly biting off more than I could chew for my first real arcade. When it comes to maintenance I will definetky be starting with something a little less complex. That being said Tron isn’t out of the picture completely and if the guy can get it working well I’ll be in the market again
Yep and why I don't own one. Friend has one could have bought it multiple times. But this is one of the reasons I don't own one. Unless you want to deal with the headaches. "Trog" already is giving me enough and regretting buying my latest Arcade game. Unless someone can come fix it *Wink Wink* I know what the problem is just afraid to damage this perfectly clean sound board.
Great video, that's one of the reasons, why I'm affraid to get a real cabinet. But you know, it is the real thing. I'm glad you had a really cool seller.
Have you ever watch Overtime Arcade? He has a great channel about refurbing these old machines. He's very responsive too. On a different note, I'm with you on that original Tron...it's a masterpiece. Wish it worked out for you.
You purchased one of the hardest games to keep going on your first try. Pick up a jamma cab with SF2 and you would have hardly any issues. Or something that has an FPGA option. If you have a crappy Qbert you can just throw a jrok in it for example. Tron doesn't have such an easy option.
About 20 years ago, i purchased an Aliens arcade game from a local seller for about $300. After owning it for over a decade, I realized the game was originally a Tron cabinet and converted back in the day (this was common in the late 80s. where they converted early 80 games into newer ones to save money). I figured this out because the one light fixture above the control panel was still there (the bulb was missing, but the decal was there, covered up by a black one on the outside). I was bummed to think they destroyed a classic worth so much for Aliens, but I understand back then, people didn't realize those early 80s games would be worth so much. Still, to me it's the equivalent of someone tearing out a rare ZL1 engine on a late 60s Corvette and replacing it with a crappy Cross Fire Injection 350 from the early 80s Vette.
That is awesome Michael B! Congrats! I bought all my 80s cabs in the early 90s. In those days they couldn't sell the 80s cabs. Everyone wanted the 90s cabs so I cleaned house!
I’m glad it all worked out for you. It sounds like to me it was as simple as bad luck and starting in the deep end. I would suggest your first game to be something that is Jamma. It’s a much easier system to trouble shoot and will help you get your feet wet into the hobby. Great video, Mike! Too bad your first experience wasn’t what you hoped.
@alonjar I don't really think 30K subscribers qualifies Michael B as a "famous UA-camr." Sounded to me like the seller was just an honest and helpful guy. I've sold things and then taken them back when the buyer wasn't happy. I don't love money so much that I'm willing to cause others grief just for a few bucks. Believe it or not, there are other people like that out there too.
Sorry to hear about your first experience with real arcades. I'm new to it as well. Good luck and hope that if this can work out or doesn't with this cab you'll find something else,
Tron is a challenging game to have, Yes when / if it returns and has the clean bill of health, you may still encounter an occasional fuse, or connection issue. These are learning curves. I found out that Tron does not like WiFi power connections, so I use the power switch only on Tron.
I own two full-size original arcade cabinets. I own The Simpsons and Michael Jackson's Moonwalker. They are both completely refurbished and in new working condition. They both work well like the 14 Arcade1up arcade machines I own. I have never had any issues.
Welcome to the original arcade cabinet owners club :) A very nice choice for a cab, love the artwork and the game has enough to it to keep you playing. But with old arcade cabs come the maintenance, I only just got another cab going myself, and another part of the classic broke down, so back to the repair bench it goes :( And yeah unless you want to get into electronics yourself, having someone you can call on is essential. Sounds like the guy was brilliant with his service though, hopefully, he can get it up and running again and it can come back into your arcade (The pinball looks very cool though ;)). There is a fully restored Discs of Tron sit-down cab here in Oz, it's a fair bit of money, but I am severely tempted. Will see how the royalties from my next book go and we shall see. In the meantime, I need to get back to fixing some of these cabs I have already :)
If I were to buy an arcade, and it started giving me issues similar to yours, is fixing those issues a difficult skill to learn. Just wondering if it is something I could tackle myself…or, should it be left to the trained professionals….?
I’m not the best person to ask lol. Honestly it depends on the time you have and your interest level in fixing it. Tron is a really difficult arcade to maintain as well
Great price. That is less than half of what I have seen it for around here. Now I look at the A1Up version sitting next to me with sadness. That D&D pinball makes me want to chuck my AtGames pinball in the trash.
And you just demonstrated why there's a lot of 1up fans and collectors. Most of us want to get things up and running in an hour or so, look good as is, and just play the frigging games. Issues with 1up controllers? Get a GRS replacement or BSA mod kit game box or Pc with standard io and use usb controllers of your choice. Yes, restoration and repair can be a rewarding hobby. But I want playing games to be the bulk of my hobby
I originally meant this as "you have a Tron and that is my grail OMG!!!!", but now I mean it as "That is the best over-the-top customer service in all of human history".
This is why I never understand people ripping on 1 up. Owning a real arcade is a LOT of work. I would love to have 10 real arcades but I would never want to deal with the headache. If you can work on it and figure it all out that’s awesome, I just personally don’t have time for that.
It [was] beautiful, and I hope you get it back. I am always looking for an A1Up TRON on sale, but it never happens. I want it mainly for aesthetics - I have Tempest Legacy with lit (and angled) marquee mod. I've always said having real arcade cabs and pins is very cool... but I want to be a player more than a repair guy! Kudos to those that have 20, 40, 100 games or more in their own personal arcade and want to maintain the history... I bow to you. I will take emulation any day and for special controls maybe make up a custom control panel to work with MAME or TeknoParrot if I really like that game a lot. GRS makes a nice TRON stick and spinner so it's very doable and at a cost far less than having the actual arcade game. I use an Ultimarc UltraStik 360 Flight Stick which is a great programmable controller for 4/8/Diagonal/49/Analog controls. I love Q*Bert (and occasionally play Congo Bongo) so the true diagonal stick without rotating a 4-way is great. It can cover most games out there and I use it to play Tron with a spinner. While it's not a big, chunky, blacklight glowing flight stick, it is comfortable and plays well with MAME.
Yeah friend has this game. He doesn't like it. But like Dragon's Lair many people just like the look of the game and not much playing the games. Also What.. TRON was one of my favorite movies of all time Michael. Come on! they literally had to make that Tech to make the MOVIE! Seriously.. you wouldn't have all the amazing graphical effects in movies or games. if it wasn't for those computer programmers making that movie! *sighs*
I think you misunderstood what I was referencing…I love Tron the movie, I was talking about how it was a box office dud but the arcade was a commercial success and good earner for most arcades.
@@MichaelBtheGameGenie yeah well again they are making a Tron 3. So I wouldn't exactly call it a dud. Just didn't make what they expected at the time. But for most it is Movie Magic. Labyrinth was given the same treatment.
Thats super sexy. If you are going to get a real cab, thats on the short, short, short list baby, congrats brother but I hope you get to keep it after a fix!
Real arcade machines are for people that either know how to tinker and fix things or want to spend the time learning. That’s why I’m good with Arcade 1up, Iircade and AtGames products. To each his own. I’m sorry it didn’t work out.
yeah Michael you have to become a tech guy when dealing with Arcade machines. Sadly most Arcade guys don't tell people this on the channels and say "everything with be fine" Trust me.. it isn't that EASY! Just like owning real multiple Pinball machines. They will go down and you have to fix them.
This is why I get the 1ups. I know REAL arcades are better but I can go to a place and play them. For the home 1ups are the way to go, if something goes it’s an easy fix. Plus they are smaller and easier to move around. Kinda curves the itch if you can’t get to an actual arcade. Hopefully everything works out with that pinball machine!
Sounds like he realized you were a UA-camr and that would be very bad for business if he sold you something bad. That is one of the reasons I do not want real arcades and pinballs. They are too heavy, and the upkeep to me anyways is not worth the time when my time is so limited. I barely have time to play games and enjoy my other hobbies that upkeep in these machines like you said is definitely a labor love something I could never have it's great for people who like to tinker, but I am definitely not a tinker lol. Hopefully you get one with less issues next time.
Love that original Tron machine. But for the issues you're having, and not having the knowledge of how to fix the issues, I would never want to get into owning the original arcade machines. Arcade1up is getting a lot of hate, and rightfully so for some of the things that have happened, but trouble shooting and fixing them is a lot simpler.
The issues you experienced, as well as size and weight are exactly what keeps me away from real cabinets! If you can't maintain and fix them yourself, it just feels like a bad idea.
I was thinking about buying an original DONKEY Kong arcade machine from Pinbulbz and Arcades. It is supposedly in excellent condition with the boards checked over and fully working. It has an LCD screen How does an LCD screen compare to a crt screen graphics wise, since it is more modern? If it is in excellent condition, and supposedly works perfectly, do you guys think that I may run into lots of problems still? I do not have the knowledge to fix this if it breaks down.
Poor seller, was a waste of time for him. What do you think that he is Macy's or something like that with refund warranty.... you are buying 40 years old stuff men, don't be ignorant...
Hi Everybody, Thank you so much for watching! Let me know what you think of Tron and the issues I had with it, owning real arcades are hard lol!
Hey, quick question, did you get this from a guy in Hamilton? I'm looking at one and I'm wondering if it's the same machine
Owning authentic coin operated cabinets shouldn't be picked up unless you have some basic knowledge with repairs. These things do get fussy over time and will eventually fail at some point.
I own 26 machines and there are always a couple down at any given time. This hobby has turned into a second job for me but I enjoy it. Not necessarily the cost though lol.
Good content and hopefully you'll have better luck down the road with another.
i Have Over 10000 Arcade Games Right on my PC 😁
These classics from the Golden Age are approaching 45 years old. If you are that frustrated from it going down you are best to stick with the 1up machines. Part of the hobby is restoring them and keeping them going. Once up and running it is just a matter of time before it goes down again, probably right before you have a party 😊. Just my opinion, Good luck, thx for sharing…
I love seeing your progress of Arcade1Ups to Pinball and real Arcades. I think this should be the natural evolution of a home arcade enthusiast.
Oh man, I’m sorry this didn’t work out the way you hoped brother. That’s a tough game to keep running in general so hopefully it didn’t taint your perspective too much. I mean it is true that the fixing games is a big part of the hobby but that one in particular can be a bear. Hopefully it didn’t discourage you too much and you dive back in at some point. This was a fun video to watch despite it not having the ending you had hoped for.
Thanks Ralph, didn’t discourage me too much but while Tron is super cool I was Definetly biting off more than I could chew for my first real arcade. When it comes to maintenance I will definetky be starting with something a little less complex. That being said Tron isn’t out of the picture completely and if the guy can get it working well I’ll be in the market again
Yep and why I don't own one. Friend has one could have bought it multiple times. But this is one of the reasons I don't own one. Unless you want to deal with the headaches. "Trog" already is giving me enough and regretting buying my latest Arcade game. Unless someone can come fix it *Wink Wink* I know what the problem is just afraid to damage this perfectly clean sound board.
Great video, that's one of the reasons, why I'm affraid to get a real cabinet. But you know, it is the real thing. I'm glad you had a really cool seller.
Have you ever watch Overtime Arcade? He has a great channel about refurbing these old machines. He's very responsive too. On a different note, I'm with you on that original Tron...it's a masterpiece. Wish it worked out for you.
You purchased one of the hardest games to keep going on your first try. Pick up a jamma cab with SF2 and you would have hardly any issues. Or something that has an FPGA option. If you have a crappy Qbert you can just throw a jrok in it for example. Tron doesn't have such an easy option.
Finally! Congrats Mike! Welcome to the club!
Thanks man!
About 20 years ago, i purchased an Aliens arcade game from a local seller for about $300. After owning it for over a decade, I realized the game was originally a Tron cabinet and converted back in the day (this was common in the late 80s. where they converted early 80 games into newer ones to save money). I figured this out because the one light fixture above the control panel was still there (the bulb was missing, but the decal was there, covered up by a black one on the outside). I was bummed to think they destroyed a classic worth so much for Aliens, but I understand back then, people didn't realize those early 80s games would be worth so much. Still, to me it's the equivalent of someone tearing out a rare ZL1 engine on a late 60s Corvette and replacing it with a crappy Cross Fire Injection 350 from the early 80s Vette.
That is awesome Michael B! Congrats! I bought all my 80s cabs in the early 90s. In those days they couldn't sell the 80s cabs. Everyone wanted the 90s cabs so I cleaned house!
Yeah, 40 year old machines can be like that. Good that he's being a stand-up guy about it. And, looks like ya got that 2nd pin out of the deal!
Great honest video and I hope in the end that guy can fix the Tron Cab and sell it back to you.
I’m glad it all worked out for you. It sounds like to me it was as simple as bad luck and starting in the deep end. I would suggest your first game to be something that is Jamma. It’s a much easier system to trouble shoot and will help you get your feet wet into the hobby. Great video, Mike! Too bad your first experience wasn’t what you hoped.
More like he's a famous youtuber who got preferential treatment. Anyone else would have been SOL. Thats the nature of classic arcade machines though.
@alonjar I don't really think 30K subscribers qualifies Michael B as a "famous UA-camr." Sounded to me like the seller was just an honest and helpful guy. I've sold things and then taken them back when the buyer wasn't happy. I don't love money so much that I'm willing to cause others grief just for a few bucks. Believe it or not, there are other people like that out there too.
@@alonjar I have over 20 classic machines and I had more problems with my Arcade1up’s than I do with these.
TRON was also my first Arcade cab. After a year of owning it I got a Sound Board Error. So yeah things happen.
Sorry to hear about your first experience with real arcades. I'm new to it as well. Good luck and hope that if this can work out or doesn't with this cab you'll find something else,
Tron is a challenging game to have, Yes when / if it returns and has the clean bill of health, you may still encounter an occasional fuse, or connection issue. These are learning curves. I found out that Tron does not like WiFi power connections, so I use the power switch only on Tron.
Wow I remember the Tron arcade game and the movie 😮😮😊😊
Yeah it's pretty neat!
@@MichaelBtheGameGenie 😁😃
I remember when Tron was brand new. My arcade also had one of those Midway monitor toppers.
So what part of “no more cabs” did you not get from the boss wife? 😂
Cool choice! I just played that cab this past weekend at 1UpBar in Denver. I get the nostalgia for sure. Reply if you can get past the second level :)
I just love the way Canadians say "cehrd". To be fair, I'm from the American south, so I am pretty sure I talk funny to Northerners.
Everybody gangsta till you enter The Grid
Sorry to hear about Tron, As you know I am a big fan of Tron as well and would also like to own one.
It was a dream come true Sterling. Too bad it didn’t work out right now but hopefully dude gets it working and maybe I’ll get a chance to buy it back
I own two full-size original arcade cabinets. I own The Simpsons and Michael Jackson's Moonwalker. They are both completely refurbished and in new working condition. They both work well like the 14 Arcade1up arcade machines I own. I have never had any issues.
Dope find! kicking my self for not buying the crazy taxi cab when starcade closed
Welcome to the original arcade cabinet owners club :) A very nice choice for a cab, love the artwork and the game has enough to it to keep you playing.
But with old arcade cabs come the maintenance, I only just got another cab going myself, and another part of the classic broke down, so back to the repair bench it goes :(
And yeah unless you want to get into electronics yourself, having someone you can call on is essential. Sounds like the guy was brilliant with his service though, hopefully, he can get it up and running again and it can come back into your arcade (The pinball looks very cool though ;)).
There is a fully restored Discs of Tron sit-down cab here in Oz, it's a fair bit of money, but I am severely tempted. Will see how the royalties from my next book go and we shall see.
In the meantime, I need to get back to fixing some of these cabs I have already :)
Congratulations!
If I were to buy an arcade, and it started giving me issues similar to yours, is fixing those issues a difficult skill to learn. Just wondering if it is something I could tackle myself…or, should it be left to the trained professionals….?
I’m not the best person to ask lol. Honestly it depends on the time you have and your interest level in fixing it. Tron is a really difficult arcade to maintain as well
@@MichaelBtheGameGenie I’d love to chat more about it.
@@MichaelBtheGameGenie obviously very expensive, but what are your thoughts on the Tron arcade made by Land of Oz?
What did you do with Arcade1up Tron cab?
Cool I just played this game for the first time on original hardware today
Great price. That is less than half of what I have seen it for around here.
Now I look at the A1Up version sitting next to me with sadness.
That D&D pinball makes me want to chuck my AtGames pinball in the trash.
And you just demonstrated why there's a lot of 1up fans and collectors.
Most of us want to get things up and running in an hour or so, look good as is, and just play the frigging games.
Issues with 1up controllers? Get a GRS replacement or BSA mod kit game box or Pc with standard io and use usb controllers of your choice.
Yes, restoration and repair can be a rewarding hobby.
But I want playing games to be the bulk of my hobby
I am speechless. I am without speech.
I originally meant this as "you have a Tron and that is my grail OMG!!!!", but now I mean it as "That is the best over-the-top customer service in all of human history".
This is why I never understand people ripping on 1 up. Owning a real arcade is a LOT of work. I would love to have 10 real arcades but I would never want to deal with the headache. If you can work on it and figure it all out that’s awesome, I just personally don’t have time for that.
It [was] beautiful, and I hope you get it back. I am always looking for an A1Up TRON on sale, but it never happens. I want it mainly for aesthetics - I have Tempest Legacy with lit (and angled) marquee mod. I've always said having real arcade cabs and pins is very cool... but I want to be a player more than a repair guy! Kudos to those that have 20, 40, 100 games or more in their own personal arcade and want to maintain the history... I bow to you. I will take emulation any day and for special controls maybe make up a custom control panel to work with MAME or TeknoParrot if I really like that game a lot. GRS makes a nice TRON stick and spinner so it's very doable and at a cost far less than having the actual arcade game. I use an Ultimarc UltraStik 360 Flight Stick which is a great programmable controller for 4/8/Diagonal/49/Analog controls. I love Q*Bert (and occasionally play Congo Bongo) so the true diagonal stick without rotating a 4-way is great. It can cover most games out there and I use it to play Tron with a spinner. While it's not a big, chunky, blacklight glowing flight stick, it is comfortable and plays well with MAME.
Yeah friend has this game. He doesn't like it. But like Dragon's Lair many people just like the look of the game and not much playing the games. Also What.. TRON was one of my favorite movies of all time Michael. Come on! they literally had to make that Tech to make the MOVIE! Seriously.. you wouldn't have all the amazing graphical effects in movies or games. if it wasn't for those computer programmers making that movie! *sighs*
I think you misunderstood what I was referencing…I love Tron the movie, I was talking about how it was a box office dud but the arcade was a commercial success and good earner for most arcades.
@@MichaelBtheGameGenie yeah well again they are making a Tron 3. So I wouldn't exactly call it a dud. Just didn't make what they expected at the time. But for most it is Movie Magic. Labyrinth was given the same treatment.
@@dragongamer2670 dud at the time, it became a cult classic. Just speaking about the financial performance in 1982 lol
Thats super sexy. If you are going to get a real cab, thats on the short, short, short list baby, congrats brother but I hope you get to keep it after a fix!
Thanks Carl!
Man rexer really got all you guys selling your 3/4 scales 😂
These games are selling for over 10 grand now.
I got mine for $2500 CND, they can’t be going for that much now
So, that arcade1up Tron is looking pretty good to you now?
Old Mechanical pinball machines are WAYYY worse bro.
hey Michael why u have not done a Review on Marvel vs capcom 2 yet ?
Nice!!
Thanks!
Epic pick up. This video is a necessary reminder that although arcade 1up, at games, iircade are not perfect, that real cabs are a serious commitment.
Real arcade machines are for people that either know how to tinker and fix things or want to spend the time learning. That’s why I’m good with Arcade 1up, Iircade and AtGames products. To each his own. I’m sorry it didn’t work out.
yeah Michael you have to become a tech guy when dealing with Arcade machines. Sadly most Arcade guys don't tell people this on the channels and say "everything with be fine" Trust me.. it isn't that EASY! Just like owning real multiple Pinball machines. They will go down and you have to fix them.
This is why I get the 1ups. I know REAL arcades are better but I can go to a place and play them. For the home 1ups are the way to go, if something goes it’s an easy fix. Plus they are smaller and easier to move around. Kinda curves the itch if you can’t get to an actual arcade. Hopefully everything works out with that pinball machine!
Curves the itch, what does that mean Corny? You only know 1ups and MVSX, there are other companies out there, Atgames.
Sounds like he realized you were a UA-camr and that would be very bad for business if he sold you something bad. That is one of the reasons I do not want real arcades and pinballs. They are too heavy, and the upkeep to me anyways is not worth the time when my time is so limited. I barely have time to play games and enjoy my other hobbies that upkeep in these machines like you said is definitely a labor love something I could never have it's great for people who like to tinker, but I am definitely not a tinker lol. Hopefully you get one with less issues next time.
When’s PDubs getting a Qbert?
I have qbert, multiple ones all kinds of cool things in the garage
Love that original Tron machine. But for the issues you're having, and not having the knowledge of how to fix the issues, I would never want to get into owning the original arcade machines. Arcade1up is getting a lot of hate, and rightfully so for some of the things that have happened, but trouble shooting and fixing them is a lot simpler.
The issues you experienced, as well as size and weight are exactly what keeps me away from real cabinets! If you can't maintain and fix them yourself, it just feels like a bad idea.
I was thinking about buying an original DONKEY Kong arcade machine from Pinbulbz and Arcades.
It is supposedly in excellent condition with the boards checked over and fully working.
It has an LCD screen
How does an LCD screen compare to a crt screen graphics wise, since it is more modern?
If it is in excellent condition, and supposedly works perfectly, do you guys think that I may run into lots of problems still?
I do not have the knowledge to fix this if it breaks down.
Try to keep it original as possible.
Poor seller, was a waste of time for him. What do you think that he is Macy's or something like that with refund warranty.... you are buying 40 years old stuff men, don't be ignorant...