Fixed the Problem! ... for about 2 seconds ...

Just a quick update ... my friend finally made it over here last night and it looks like the fuses were the problem ... we got it working momentarily by taking out two of the fuses and replacing it with the ones from the sound(?) board.

Obviously those weren't rated high enough so all we got was the game starting up and then dead again but that seems to solve the problem (or at least the immediate one).

He says that from what he can see, the other parts look like they are in good condition and his prognosis is that (aside from the fact that one of the original fuses wasn't the same rating as the specs called for!) that the fuse may have lost its vacume because they all look to be original.

Soooooo now I am off to buy a whole new set of fuses and hope that fixes everything

Robotron - A Gift from a Great Friend ...

Sometimes you get suprised. Yesterday my former neighbor drops by and tells me that his friend was trashing a Robotron: 2084 game because "something" was wrong and asks if I want to try and restore it.

What a great day!


Robotron is one of my all time favorite games and when I open the cabinet, it looks like immaculate. I am hoping that it is only a fuse or power board problem.

Arcade-In-A-Box Interview

Gamerz-Edge has released their interview with the guy behind Arcade In A Box. This machine takes the concept of home arcade to a new level by putting everything needed to play great games with real arcade controls inside of a single unit that can plug into a home theater or television, instead of needing a big bulky cabinet.

Read More here ... http://www.gamerz-edge.com/features/articles/090406aiab.html

Every Gameroom Deserves a Personal Pinball

This post is a bit belated, but I wanted to share with my readers a very interesting company that I came across at the TS2 Conference in Chicago earlier this summer, Personal Pinball (http://www.personalpinball.com).

Have you ever thought about how cool it would be to have your own pinball?

No, I don't mean owning "any old pinball." I mean, YOUR pinball! That is exactly what Personal Pinball is offering. Forget playing Medieval Madness or Pirates of the Caribbean (though those games rock too!). This is all about the ultimate item for your gameroom.

Each of these pins is a re-conditioned 1970s-80s pinball game that features updated electronics, strengthened cabinet, and completely custom graphics and sound.

Additionally, it appears that the company also has its own line of coin-op pins with licenses from:

The "University of Minnesota"
The "Minnesota Vikings"
The "Minnesota State Patrol"

With the following coming soon...
The "Green Bay Packers"
The "Oakland Raiders"
The "Peanuts"
The "University of Michigan"

For images of their designs, please click here.

I Want This: 80's Name That Tune

Ok, I guess I should pay more attention to building the room and less finding stuff to fill it with, but this game looked pretty cool.

If you agree, feel free to check it out here.

What's the Paint?

What are some good 80's colors for my gameroom?

I am thinking about something bright and fun but not too garish that objects mounted on the wall are lost.

Any thoughts?

A Theater ... Everyone Gameroom Needs a Theater!

PROBLEM: How do you fit extra seating into a fairly narrow area that you wish to turn into a home theater?

SOLUTION: Build a riser! This was my first carpentry job and while it certainly isn't perfect, it turned out pretty good. If you want my plans let me know. Total cost for a 8 foot x 4 foot riser was about $75 including carpeting. Just waiting for the carpet to smooth out a bit and then I'll tack it down so it doesn't slide around. Also I am going to add reflective tape to the sides so people see the step.

You can't see it in this picture, but on the far side of the riser is a half step down so that while the total height is 10.75 inches, it is easier to stand up since the step is only 4.75 inches off the ground.

Can you tell we like La-Z-Boy chairs and couches?

In the beginning!

This doesn't look like much more than it is, a typical basement with typically white walls, drop ceiling and harsh fluorescent lights.

Behind the boxes of junk, you can see the start of a gameroom. In the foreground you can see my upright arcade cabinet and in the foreground you can see my Dream Arcades 3-sided Dreamcade.

So how did it all start?

I have always loved video games and I think it is safe to say that most people who grew up in the 80's at one point or another dreamed of owning their own arcade ... or at least dreamed of being able to play the games without dropping quarter after quarter to play them.

Today, those dreams can be a reality ... or maybe an obsession.

Currently I have two multi-game "mame" arcade machines that can play pretty much any game you can think of. It's a lot of fun, but something is missing. Arcade games weren't just about the software, it was the ambiance, the cabinet design, and the artwork.

My first true arcade game purchase was a 1985 Operation Wolf (KLOV Link) which currently sits in my garage awaiting a new monitor. Operation Wolf and Rush'n Attack (KLOV Link) were two of my favorites growing up and ironically they both came out the same year, 1985.

As a kid I dreamed of having these and tons of other games. Now that I have a house, I can start buying my dreams :)

Though smaller than ideal for a gameroom / home theater, our house has a great little basement that my wife and I are now working to turn into our ultimate 80's gameroom.

Over the following months hopefully what you will see is the transformation of a bone white basement with grey floors and tons of boxes full of junk into our fabulous 80's Gameroom!