F.A.Q.: Chances are good that you probably will want to buy some classic arcade machines so I have created this f.a.q. page to help educate you about them.
I hope that I have answered most of your questions about these fabulous machines. If not, please e-mail Tom at flashbackclassiccoinops@yahoo.com
Q. I sort of remember an arcade machine that I played as a kid, but am not sure of the name. I want one but can’t be sure what it was.
A- Go to the Killer List Of Video website. It has all the games that were made and will refresh your memory. If you want your memory refreshed in regards to a pinball machine please go to the Internet Pinball Data Base website.
Q. Can these machines be fixed?
A. All coin op machines were made to make $, so they were designed to last a long time and be repaired. rather than fall apart quickly after being purchased with no way to fix them (like most things purchased today). Repairs can be made & replacement parts are usually available (sometimes you have to look for a while if the machine is very old & rare).
Q. Do they require any special attention?
A. Yes, but not as much as you would think (I can explain in detail), moisture, damp basements are a problem. These machines need to stay dry!!! Moving is when most machines get damaged, so be especially careful when moving them. Play your machine, keep it dry, do routine maintenance and these machines will last a long time.
Q. Are parts available?
A. Yes, because so many games were made (remember when there were arcades everywhere), they either are still up and running in some ones home or else in a warehouse being sold complete in working order or for parts) & with the internet to provide you access to a world wide market usually a specific part is only a click or two away. Note: I have many sources for those parts so let me know what you need and I will try and find it for you.
Q. If my game breaks who can fix it?
A. We have excellent repair men who work on our machines and we would gladly refer them to you.
Q. Can you tell me how to get a specific game?
A. Usually, any machine can be found. It may take a while to find your game so please be patient.
Q. Where can I buy records for my jukebox?
A. Many people still have their 45 collection from when they were kids. If you are one of those people you can play them all again in one of my jukes. If you haven’t saved your collection then you can go to yard sales, garage sales, goodwill stores, thrift stores and auctions (boxes of records for hardly any $ is common) to find records. A record doesn’t have to be perfect to play and sound good on a jukebox. Looking for that special record for your juke becomes a “treasure hunt” and the next thing you know you have storage boxes full (see the next Q. about record supplies).
Q. I have a lot of 45’s that are in boxes in my closet. I want to use them again, will they be good enough to use?
A. Yes, they may not look the best but you would be suprised how great they sound and to be honest the scratches are kind of part of the nostalgia. You will find that your friends sold there record players but kept there records so obtaining 45's should be an easy task. Also, there are new 45 rpm records available on the internet and they usually include title strips with the purchase of the record.
Q. Do you have Nintendo, Sega, Atari, Commodore classic games?
A. No, not at this time. I do have other shops that I can refer you to who deal in them and maybe someday I will have some of the classic TV games for play at Flashback.
Q. I have a CD collection and would prefer a CD jukebox to play them. Are they available?
A. Yes, but CD jukeboxes are always more expensive and I myself prefer record jukes (I have found out as I am sure everyone else has that CD’s skip and the long time opportunity to save that music is not good) as the music available on vinyl is unlimited vinyl records are the audio medium of my choice. I especially like those oddball records made for example: disco duck, the streak, classical cluck, monster mash, tiptoe thru the tulips (I heard Tiny Tim died a few years ago and I somehow think that MISS VICKIE was no where around) the macarena etc.
Q. I see record albums on the walls in your shop, what is that all about?
A. The albums provide you an opportunity to “flashback’ to “the day”. Everyone has a favorite album or song and seeing that album leads to a story which everyone gladly shares with me which I gladly listen to.
Q. I want to put a game in my family room. Do I have to put quarters in it?
A. All coin-op machines can be changed to free-play either internally or with the use of a button to by-pass the coin op mech.
Q. How about air hockey and pool tables?
A. Right now I limit my shop to either stand up or set down arcade games, pinballs, juke boxes etc. Air hockey tables and pool tables will not be included.
Q. Are these machines 110 volt or 220 volt?
A. All coin op machines are 110 volt. I would highly recommend that a grounded circuit (three wire) be used. In commercial application a grounded circuit is required so I would do the same for in-home use.
Q. Just how big are these machines? Will they fit through my doorway?
A. These machines usually fit through a normal 32” door. I can only remember one game (a King Of Dragons arcade game) that didn’t fit. The bigger games (for example, that Suzuka that you see in one of my pics) can be broke down into three pieces and then fits through a normal door).
Q. What exactly is your shop all about? .
A. "Flashback" is more than an old gas station filled with classic arcade games. Seeing the machines and hearing the music in an “Arcade” setting takes most people on a trip down memory lane. I just the other day had a 65 year old man do the “stroll” in my shop. When grey or white haired men see my Big Bambu album with the rolling paper still intact, some say, "I smoked mine.” One day I a 65 year old lady came in and got on the "Centipede" game. She not only played it, she killed it. As I am watching her play that game it occurred to me that it wasn't the 65 year old lady playing, it was the 25 year old college student from back in "the day" Having a “FLASHBACK” - Tom
Q. I sort of remember an arcade machine that I played as a kid, but am not sure of the name. I want one but can’t be sure what it was.
A- Go to the Killer List Of Video website. It has all the games that were made and will refresh your memory. If you want your memory refreshed in regards to a pinball machine please go to the Internet Pinball Data Base website.
Q. Can these machines be fixed?
A. All coin op machines were made to make $, so they were designed to last a long time and be repaired. rather than fall apart quickly after being purchased with no way to fix them (like most things purchased today). Repairs can be made & replacement parts are usually available (sometimes you have to look for a while if the machine is very old & rare).
Q. Do they require any special attention?
A. Yes, but not as much as you would think (I can explain in detail), moisture, damp basements are a problem. These machines need to stay dry!!! Moving is when most machines get damaged, so be especially careful when moving them. Play your machine, keep it dry, do routine maintenance and these machines will last a long time.
Q. Are parts available?
A. Yes, because so many games were made (remember when there were arcades everywhere), they either are still up and running in some ones home or else in a warehouse being sold complete in working order or for parts) & with the internet to provide you access to a world wide market usually a specific part is only a click or two away. Note: I have many sources for those parts so let me know what you need and I will try and find it for you.
Q. If my game breaks who can fix it?
A. We have excellent repair men who work on our machines and we would gladly refer them to you.
Q. Can you tell me how to get a specific game?
A. Usually, any machine can be found. It may take a while to find your game so please be patient.
Q. Where can I buy records for my jukebox?
A. Many people still have their 45 collection from when they were kids. If you are one of those people you can play them all again in one of my jukes. If you haven’t saved your collection then you can go to yard sales, garage sales, goodwill stores, thrift stores and auctions (boxes of records for hardly any $ is common) to find records. A record doesn’t have to be perfect to play and sound good on a jukebox. Looking for that special record for your juke becomes a “treasure hunt” and the next thing you know you have storage boxes full (see the next Q. about record supplies).
Q. I have a lot of 45’s that are in boxes in my closet. I want to use them again, will they be good enough to use?
A. Yes, they may not look the best but you would be suprised how great they sound and to be honest the scratches are kind of part of the nostalgia. You will find that your friends sold there record players but kept there records so obtaining 45's should be an easy task. Also, there are new 45 rpm records available on the internet and they usually include title strips with the purchase of the record.
Q. Do you have Nintendo, Sega, Atari, Commodore classic games?
A. No, not at this time. I do have other shops that I can refer you to who deal in them and maybe someday I will have some of the classic TV games for play at Flashback.
Q. I have a CD collection and would prefer a CD jukebox to play them. Are they available?
A. Yes, but CD jukeboxes are always more expensive and I myself prefer record jukes (I have found out as I am sure everyone else has that CD’s skip and the long time opportunity to save that music is not good) as the music available on vinyl is unlimited vinyl records are the audio medium of my choice. I especially like those oddball records made for example: disco duck, the streak, classical cluck, monster mash, tiptoe thru the tulips (I heard Tiny Tim died a few years ago and I somehow think that MISS VICKIE was no where around) the macarena etc.
Q. I see record albums on the walls in your shop, what is that all about?
A. The albums provide you an opportunity to “flashback’ to “the day”. Everyone has a favorite album or song and seeing that album leads to a story which everyone gladly shares with me which I gladly listen to.
Q. I want to put a game in my family room. Do I have to put quarters in it?
A. All coin-op machines can be changed to free-play either internally or with the use of a button to by-pass the coin op mech.
Q. How about air hockey and pool tables?
A. Right now I limit my shop to either stand up or set down arcade games, pinballs, juke boxes etc. Air hockey tables and pool tables will not be included.
Q. Are these machines 110 volt or 220 volt?
A. All coin op machines are 110 volt. I would highly recommend that a grounded circuit (three wire) be used. In commercial application a grounded circuit is required so I would do the same for in-home use.
Q. Just how big are these machines? Will they fit through my doorway?
A. These machines usually fit through a normal 32” door. I can only remember one game (a King Of Dragons arcade game) that didn’t fit. The bigger games (for example, that Suzuka that you see in one of my pics) can be broke down into three pieces and then fits through a normal door).
Q. What exactly is your shop all about? .
A. "Flashback" is more than an old gas station filled with classic arcade games. Seeing the machines and hearing the music in an “Arcade” setting takes most people on a trip down memory lane. I just the other day had a 65 year old man do the “stroll” in my shop. When grey or white haired men see my Big Bambu album with the rolling paper still intact, some say, "I smoked mine.” One day I a 65 year old lady came in and got on the "Centipede" game. She not only played it, she killed it. As I am watching her play that game it occurred to me that it wasn't the 65 year old lady playing, it was the 25 year old college student from back in "the day" Having a “FLASHBACK” - Tom