Just curious if there is a good website/business which anyone can buy (recent) arcade machines from, be it new or used. I don't know the protocol for buying arcade machines as I've never looked into doing such a thing before, nor know anyone who has (apart from a MAME cabinet). Are they available to the general public or do you require a business name, etc? (It would be for personal use around the home, no money, etc.) I've come across discountarcade.com but I'm curious if there's any other slightly more local to me (Australia) place which people might know about/recommend/suggest. Particularly, I'm after either F-Zero AX or Mario Kart GP (or GP 2).
If you want dedicated cabs, then Ebay & Craig's List are probably the best options. If you're not afraid of overseas shipping, there's a number of shops that have dedicated cabs in HK or Japan but that's probably taking it a bit too far.
I'd check Australian gambling laws / licenses, but if they are anything like the UK then you can legally purchase and use arcade units. It's only when you start hiring them out that (depending on what the unit is) you start to run into complications. For personal use, you can pretty much buy whatever you want / can afford. You should try looking up Australia Pinball in Google as more companies pop up that way, but the prices are incredible. F-Zero AX or Mario Kart GP are both still relatively expensive systems. There's one on UK eBay for about £1,500 BIN if I remember rightly. It's an older system (Tri Force) and is starting to come down in price quite quickly, but of all the TF titles it's the one that has held it's value. I have seen a cheaper one sold privately (about £1000) but it's hard to get. I have yet to see a second hand Mario Kart GP on eBay or privately. They are still taking a lot of money due to the nature of the cabinet / Nintendo tie-in. Sounds like you'll have a hunt on your hands and looking at the sort of prices your local guys are charging, it might be worth investigating the Japanese Import route. But that again depends on good contacts in Japan. Good luck!
If you are in australia then ebay.com.au might be helpful. Here is a link to their arcade section (more or less) Aussiearcade.com.au is also good As for f-zero and mario kart gp im afraid you'll have a tough time buying them second hand. Here is a new f-zero machine and a new mario kart machine. Also here's GP2 All in all, i reckon you're better off going to the local arcade if it's these games you are interested in.
1) Check ebay and craigslist. 2) Wander through your local pawnshop (I got my Neo Geo that way) 3) Check at local arcades (if you have them in your area) sometimes the arcade owners have a couple they want to get rid of. 4) Find the "Call For Service" stickers and call the number on them and see if they have any Cabs they might want to part with. 5) ??? 6) Profit!
http://www.zsdragonworld.com/english/product.asp?productId=499 http://www.zsdragonworld.com/english/product.asp?productId=369 Incidentally, JNC's prices over here are £2150 for F-Zero AX deluxe or twin
