Harlem Globetrotters pinball is in the house!

I got the pinball itch again last month. And, with a few extra bucks from the holiday, I decided that I would buy another pinball machine.  I quickly began to search for a pin from the 80's, as it seems I enjoy these most.  Also, with pinball prices sky high right now, these 80's pins are relatively affordable compared to anything made after 1990.  I posted a want ad on the different pinball and arcade game forums and received a few decent leads.  I also contacted my buddy that I bought my Sorcerer pin from and told him to keep his eye out for me.  Last Saturday, after my kids' soccer games, I decided to check Craigslist on my phone.  A new post came up for a Harlem Globetrotters for a decent price.  I quickly called and agreed on a price with the guy.  The next night I took a drive up north and met with the guy with the Globetrotters pin.  We talked and he mentioned he knew the guy I bought my Sorcerer off of and he happened to be one of his good friends.  The pinball hobby is indeed a small world!  After about an hour, I decided it was time to go, loaded up the pin and brought it back home.  I can't wait to get it all cleaned up and ready for my arcade party.

Winter and travel...

Are both killers for me.  With my travel schedule and the weather throughout the January and February months, nothing arcade-related gets done.  It's really OK though, it gives me some time to regroup and think about my arcade projects and the state of my game room.  I'll have a lot to do come Spring if my wife is truly throwing me an "Arcade 40th Birthday" party.

Lots of arcade-related things to do and no time...

October was the last time I've done anything arcade-related. With the holidays, my busy work schedule and the weather-I just haven't had time to do anything significant with my games. I started my multi-rotary cab and ran into some problems, so that has been sitting. I bought a free-play button contraption for my Crystal Castles and that has yet to be installed. I need to cap the monitor in my Time Pilot and I've been pushing it off. I bought a Neo Geo cabinet and I want to restore it as well. This is the part of the hobby that keeps everyone full of projects and feeling like they never get caught up...

My New Neo Geo Cabinet!

Thanks to a few KLOV members, I now have a Neo Geo MVS-2!!  David made the long trip from New Jersey to Pittsburgh to pick up the Karate Champ I sold him and, along the way, picked up the Neo Geo that I bought from Mike in York, PA.

It came with Metal Slug 4 and Street Slam, but I'll be picking up the 161 in 1 multicart for it shortly.  The monitor needs to be capped and needs adjusted- the red and green are out of whack.  It will also need a reproduction control panel overlay that I'll pick up from Quarter Arcade.  Even though Mike threw in a 2-slot marquee for it, it's too long and not tall enough.  I'll need to find another one to fit.  Here's a quick pic of it:

I've met a lot of people in this hobby and have made some good friends over the last 4 years, and this was no different.  David and his wife were a pleasure and what a great thing to do for me picking this game up in York.  I only wish we all had more time to hang out, but David didn't get back home until 1:30 AM.  Now that's dedication!

My First Arcade Game Is On Its Way Out...

Many other collectors in the hobby have told me that eventually you have to make tough decisions about games that don't get played, even if it's a game you personally love.  Karate Champ is one of those games.  I play it, but that's about it.  I recently moved Karate Champ out of the game room and back into the garage to put Mario Bros. in its place.  I put it up for sale on the KLOV forums and got a buyer almost immediately.  Arrangements have been made and the buyer will be picking up the game tomorrow.  Although I am happy that I was able to sell it so quickly, I am also a bit sad to see it go.  Nostalgia runs deep with this one.  It was a favorite of mine that I vividly remember playing back in the day at the local arcades.  It was also the first game I purchased as a collector 4 years ago.  But, as other the collectors mentioned, a tough decision had to be made.  I'm sure I'll have a Karate Champ again down the road, but for now it has to be replaced.  So long, old friend- you will be missed.

Mario Bros. Ready To Move In!

Over the last few weekends, I was able to dig into my Mario Bros.  I tore down the control panel and found that only the screws were missing on the joystick restrictor plate, so the "8-way" feel has been corrected back to the "2-way" joysticks.  I also stripped the control panel and applied the screen printed repro overlay from Quarter Arcade.

There was a lot of rust on the panel and it took a good bit of work with the wire wheel to clean it up.  Damn, the original overlay was hard to remove! After Citristrip, I had to go to the serious stuff (Strypeeze) and that didn't even take all the residue off. After about an hour, the wire wheel prevailed and the new overlay was installed.

I ordered the true, flat t-molding and, after an incident where I almost cut the tip of my thumb off, it's now installed.  I cleaned up the coin door and wired it up properly. There is a hole drilled in the door, which looks to be from a credit button. I'll deal with it for now, but I'll be on the look out for a top door for this.  I'll be picking up the Braze High Score Save kit for this shortly.  It saves the top 5 scores and adds free play to the game.

The last thing that I'm struggling with is the sides. At first, I said I would definitely redo the sides and install new side art. Then, after the kids wanted me to hurry up and finish it, I said "screw it" and deemed the sides decent enough. After installing the t-molding, I'm back to thinking the sides deserve to be refinished and side art installed... decisions, decisions...

Mario Bros. Pick Up!

I got a message from a friend on the KLOV forums that there was a nice Mario Bros. widebody cabinet about an hour and a half from me, so I gave the guy a call who had it.  After a short conversation and a few texts, we agreed on a price and I picked this baby up last night!  Here's the pic that I took at 10 PM after I got home:

The guy I picked it up from has been an arcade tech for a local operator for about 20 years.  He rebuilt the monitor and capped the sound board- this puppy looks great.  Now just a little bit of cosmetic work to be done: new control panel overlay, correct buttons, coin door swap, t-molding and side art.

Both of my boys were playing the next morning in their pajamas before I went off to work.  This one is a keeper!