PCB vs Port vs MAME

[PurpleTheGuy]

you used to be able to find vogatek superguns which would allow you to connect a PCB to a TV/monitor for around $70-100. you would need a compatible stick and some cables, but you can even find cheap boards (CAVE boards aren't so cheap) and get an "arcade setup" going. you'd have to search pretty hard, but there are other cheap solutions that don't require buying a cab.
I bought a strikers 1999 board for $100 (definitely under the price of a lot of your limited editions) a couple of months ago. something to also keep in mind is that the boards retain value as long as you keep it in good/working condition. I'm not gonna lose money on my (now expensive) battle garegga board unless it busts. Even then I can still probably get a good amount for it even with repairs. that would go on to fund other future board buys.

cabs can be $1000 depending on the model you pick or where you're located, but I think you can typically find some candy cabs for around $400 or so in Japan. But when you take shipping, customs, etc.. into account, that will double your price. And you never know - with cdamm from Windy City Gaming importing crates of cabs from Japan to the midwest and distributing from Chicago, they might become a bit easier to find in the midwest then they have been in the past. my new astro city cost me $700 (plus $75 shipping being in Chicago). that's pretty much the same price as 5-6 limited editions that you may or may not have.

Hmm, interesting to hear. I don't know much about PCBs and cabs, so hmm, this bit is quite intriguing to me. I guess part of the problem with my perception of PCBs and cabs (Price-wise, strictly. Otherwise, outside of this, I can't really say anything else about PCBs and cabs, since I haven't owned/played one yet, besides the arcade cabs that used to be offered in the arcades around where I live) is that the only prices I've seen on PCBs and cabs are the high prices on eBay. Perhaps there are other places besides eBay that I don't know about, it seems.

I predict you will have a cab of your own by the end of the year...You hang out on these forums and it just kind of happens...then it happens again...and again.

Well, I'll try to give it a go, though, it's going to be a far cry for me this year, sorry to say. I'll consider it at some point in the future, though, once I get some other things down first. I'll keep it in-mind, no doubt, though.

[grendelrt]

you used to be able to find vogatek superguns which would allow you to connect a PCB to a TV/monitor for around $70-100. you would need a compatible stick and some cables, but you can even find cheap boards (CAVE boards aren't so cheap) and get an "arcade setup" going. you'd have to search pretty hard, but there are other cheap solutions that don't require buying a cab.
I bought a strikers 1999 board for $100 (definitely under the price of a lot of your limited editions) a couple of months ago. something to also keep in mind is that the boards retain value as long as you keep it in good/working condition. I'm not gonna lose money on my (now expensive) battle garegga board unless it busts. Even then I can still probably get a good amount for it even with repairs. that would go on to fund other future board buys.

cabs can be $1000 depending on the model you pick or where you're located, but I think you can typically find some candy cabs for around $400 or so in Japan. But when you take shipping, customs, etc.. into account, that will double your price. And you never know - with cdamm from Windy City Gaming importing crates of cabs from Japan to the midwest and distributing from Chicago, they might become a bit easier to find in the midwest then they have been in the past. my new astro city cost me $700 (plus $75 shipping being in Chicago). that's pretty much the same price as 5-6 limited editions that you may or may not have.

Hmm, interesting to hear. I don't know much about PCBs and cabs, so hmm, this bit is quite intriguing to me. I guess part of the problem with my perception of PCBs and cabs (Price-wise, strictly. Otherwise, outside of this, I can't really say anything else about PCBs and cabs, since I haven't owned/played one yet, besides the arcade cabs that used to be offered in the arcades around where I live) is that the only prices I've seen on PCBs and cabs are the high prices on eBay. Perhaps there are other places besides eBay that I don't know about, it seems.

I predict you will have a cab of your own by the end of the year...You hang out on these forums and it just kind of happens...then it happens again...and again.

Well, I'll try to give it a go, though, it's going to be a far cry for me this year, sorry to say. I'll consider it at some point in the future, though, once I get some other things down first. I'll keep it in-mind, no doubt, though.

I just started buying PCBs and the prices on ebay are usually much higher than what you can get on private sales. I keep an eye on ebay for deals but so far have gotten all my games off forums.

[Some-Mist]

Hmm, interesting to hear. I don't know much about PCBs and cabs, so hmm, this bit is quite intriguing to me. I guess part of the problem with my perception of PCBs and cabs (Price-wise, strictly. Otherwise, outside of this, I can't really say anything else about PCBs and cabs, since I haven't owned/played one yet, besides the arcade cabs that used to be offered in the arcades around where I live) is that the only prices I've seen on PCBs and cabs are the high prices on eBay. Perhaps there are other places besides eBay that I don't know about, it seems.

you should go to one of the Austin/surrounding area shmupmeets organized on here. It's a great way to meet forum members, learn about/play on PCBs/cabs, and enjoy the niche hobby with a group of people.

I went to the chicago one for the first time last year and had an insanely fun time. it's actually what got me into the hobby