Nothing screams ‘gaming enthusiast’ more like owning your own arcade machine.

While others are saving for a new gaming PC or console, others will be looking for a unique and quirky blast from the past to call their own. As traditional gaming arcades have become a thing of the past, the machines are still very much available. But they’re not cheap.

With this in mind, if you’re interested in buying your own arcade machine for your home, bar or games shed, you need to carefully consider the investment. To get the most for your money, here’s everything you need to consider before buying your own gaming machine. 

Your budget

Unlike a PlayStation or Xbox, which can be bought at a low price second-hand, you’ll struggle to find cheap arcade machines. Nor do they lose value with age, so waiting to see if the price comes down won’t help. Generally, for a fully assembled arcade machine, you’re looking at around £1,400. Of course, this also depends on what type of machine you’re looking for. Cocktail-style machines will be a lot less, while upright, cabinet machines will have a higher price tag. 

But why do they cost so much? 

Modern ones are expensive because they use state-of-the-art hardware and components, whereas older ones fetch this kind of price because of their rarity and collectability. 

Even gamers with hundreds of coins hesitate when upgrading their in-game gear, and it’s the same for buying a machine. Those in the industry understand how big of an investment an arcade machine is, but also how owning one could make a customer’s dreams come true. That’s why a lot of machine sellers offer finance options to help cover the costs through monthly installments. 

Type of machine

While arcades and barcades will have the money to buy several machines of different styles, chances are, you’ll only be able to afford one. The upright cabinet is the classic choice, but there are other styles available. For example, you could choose a bar top option, a sit-down experience, or a unique shape that takes your fancy. 

Sit-down machines are great for playing with others using a split-screen option. These are also ideal for adding a quirky feel to bars as they can double up as tables for customers to use. 

Meanwhile, bar top games could easily sit on a side table or desk (as long as it is durable enough). They’re usually less than a meter tall, making them great for compact gaming spaces. 

Logistics

It would be awful to buy your dream arcade machine, only to find it doesn’t fit into the space you’ve set aside for it. 

Before diving into design, games, and other trivial parts, you need to measure your space to understand how much you have to play with: and keep it realistic. The amount of space you have will potentially limit your options when it comes to types of machine – with bar top options requiring the least amount of room. 

And while you might’ve measured a space in your third-floor room, you’ll also need to consider how to get it there. Machine sellers might offer delivery, but it’s worth asking what exactly delivery means. Is it curb-side? Or will they help get the machine into the property? 

Similarly, if you’re buying from a vendor that only accepts collection, how will you transport the machine to your place? 

Type of games

In the classic arcade, machines would only be capable of holding the system board for a single game. But things have advanced since then. Now, arcade machines can use emulators and host thousands of different games for you to browse through at your leisure. So if you’re looking for an arcade machine solely for gaming – rather than as a collector’s item – you’ll never get bored. 

Some modern machines will also offer customisability and upgrades you can add later. You can add light guns or a trackball for specific games or restyle the artwork for the different games you’re emulating. To understand the possibilities for the machine you’re interested in, it’s worth talking to a specialist to understand what your options for upgrades are. 

Design & Graphics

One of the best parts of a vintage arcade machine is its cool, retro aesthetic. Typically decorated with neon graphics and iconic characters from the games they host, finding the perfect machine for you is purely down to personal taste. 

The varieties of design are endless. You can also find businesses that will offer customization services to change the colour of your joysticks or cover the machine with a different themed skin. Everything is customisable for a price. 

Once you’ve considered all these factors, it’s time to get shopping and get gaming.