Know something about game-systems
(general information)

Arcades   TechFAQs

As this is the beginners guide i will start with simple basics.

First thing to watch: Is the game u wanna buy a bootleg, or is it an original? Normally the developers name is imprinted on the pcb itself or on the chips. If u can see the name its usually(!) an original. If u see nothing then its perhaps a bootleg.
Some differences between bootlegs and originals:

Also there are boards that can be easily transformed into another game by taking out some game-roms and inserting roms from another game using the same hardware. Its a nice trick for some sellers. They buy a lousy, cheap game , buy the fitting good, expensive game, burn and exchange the roms and then sell the whole thing for a lot of money. U will see the developers name on the board and still have copied game-chips :(

Ask the seller if ur unsure BEFORE u buy...arcade-scene is usually very thrustworthy and seller will tell u whether its a bootleg or an original. Bootlegs are not a bad thing to buy, if they work properly. Its much cheaper then buying the original board. Its just not...the real thing IMHO. U have to decide for urself what u want.

Second thing to know: If u go through a sellers-list be sure to know the games "configuration". Some games come ready to play, some games need an additional motherboard or come in cartridge form (motherboard needed). For (motherboard-)systems goto the detailed information page.

Third thing: Be sure to know what special connectors the game needs and make sure the seller provides them. E.g. CPS2 fighters like Street Fighter support 6 buttons and there is an original Capcom connector for buttons 4-6. Or for example Load Runner Dig Fight B Version and PGM system supports a second cabinet which makes u able to play vs another player on a 2nd machine with only one pcb. Mortal Kombat uses 6 buttons too, Vendetta is sold as a 2 player version or a 4 player version and so on. For detailed information goto the above mentioned page, or Is It Worth It?

Fourth: Countrycodes. Some games (especially cartridge based systems) need the correct country version of their according motherboard. Taitos F3 motherboard  system for example comes as Japanese or US-version. U cant play US cartidges on a Japanese motherboard (well u can but u need to know how).  More infos on the page mentioned above.

Fifth: If u have a Jamma cab/MAK/Supergun be sure the game u buy is Jamma-compatible. Older games dont have a Jamma connector, newer games may feature different settings or could need an additional power supply. This is not a problem if u know how to make an adapter. And to make an adapter is no problem if u know standard Jamma pinout settings and(!) the games pinout settings. Simply connect the pins accordingly. If u need pinout informations goto my links page and then click Spies.com

6th: About hardware: U can buy a Supergun, MAK, or an allround JAMMA cabinet. Do you want to know more? (Join the mobile infantry!)

7th: Cover the lenses of all the optical chips on ur game/mainboards with some solid tape to prevent neonlight or direct sunlight to get to the innermost parts of the chip. Once a chip is erased u can trash it (along with the game) if u cant find the EEPROM for sale. Also these roms should be covered before sending a board overseas. Some scanners can erase them as well...

8th: Prices and starting equipment: A good universal cabinet (like the Eurogames) u can get for about 200$. Games reach from 20$ to skyhigh. U should own a Multimeter (about 10$), some spare parts like cables, buttons and perhaps 1 or 2 sticks, soldering equipment, screwdrivers in all sizes, isolation tape and a lot of free space :)

9th: For infos about cabs themselves please go here

Last: Be sure to know the usual value of the board before u buy. Compare with some sites and sales lists. If u feel the price is too high on a list ask the seller why. Usually there is a plausible explanation. Some sellers u can find on my Links page.