The REAL Reason We Can't Have Great Arcade1up Cabinets

[@3rdFloorArcade]

A lot of good points here. I’m hopeful they can bring some of the smaller titles we all want but I agree it appears to be trending the wrong way.

[@lacrossed55]

Well, the other thing that impacts "dust on the shelves" is the economy. They could be marketed better for an impulse buy IF people felt they could drop cash on these things as a "cool dad' or "cool grandpa" present. Maybe PAC MAN is an example of that niche

[@UnqualifiedCritics]

100% on the economy. Even the base model 1ups are a luxury due to cost ($300+ for a few games) and size (not likely to work well in a studio apartment. Buying many cabs per household, which 1up depends on, is a mega luxury. Not everyone has that money and space even if they want all these titles. Economy goes south, 1up goes with it.

[@RubyJones-zj4fu]

Where did you go? Hope you're good 👍

[@RedBarronArcade]

What I’ve seen since the very beginning was a desire from the A1up community to have the most authentic arcade experience possible. 1up is selling nostalgia and authentic gaming that closely resembles the original arcade game. The XL cabs seemed like an attempt to upgrade that experience for their customers at a much higher price point. I could see a scenario where they do only XLs with upgrades based on community feedback, with limited runs (like they did with Burgertime and the OG Marvel). They should be doing research on the highest price point they can charge including the suggested upgrades from the community implemented into the Xls. Then do limited runs with higher price points and much higher quality cabs loaded with way more games for replayability. Personally I would pay up to 1000k for a Mortal kombat XL with 20 midway games, online play, better sticks, buttons, monitors, with authentic artwork and a quality marquee. If they did a limited run of 1500 total cabs that came with a plaque or certificate the cabs would hold their value on the secondary market and drive demand that would limit the excess stock they get stuck with. That might help open up a larger pool of game licensing and they would just have to make each product release more of an event with limited quantities available.

[@UnqualifiedCritics]

This would be perfect for hardcore fans but I don't think there are enough hardcores to sustain their current, 40+ person company and high minimum quantity orders. Hopefully I am wrong as I'd love to see a limited Q*Bert release similar to what they did with BT.

[@RedBarronArcade]

@@UnqualifiedCritics Sure that’s probably where that company is headed anyways in terms of layoffs. They will need to cut costs, and get lean and focus on a loyal core demographic. Besides, I think the core demographic of loyal fans and KZbin influencers probably had an effect on sales for cabs like Blitz, the Simpsons, Fast and Furious because those products had glaring flaws. Those same influencers could also propel a product sales numbers when 1up gets it right. They’ll have to go back to organic growth, where proof of concept gets borne out through their core demo purchasing and requesting more inventory for cabs that are exclusive or limited quantities. It’ll have to be a one step at a time approach mitigating risks while making sure that their core audience is singing their praises about a cab that they actually execute properly.

[@Pugyeg]

Great points and discussion. Well thought out.

[@darthxellaa912]

Hey UC, you make some really good points here! I agree that we probably will not see niche arcade titles in the near future. I wonder if it's time to start picking up older cabs that are still available and not a Capcom, Midway, or Namco cab. In the current state of A1Up, I wonder once Golden Axe or Tron sells out, if we'll ever see them released again.

[@UnqualifiedCritics]

I'm wondering the same thing. Starting to look like the variety we were getting was a high point, even though it didn't seem like it at the time!

[@RETROOBLIVION]

Great video as usual! 👍👍

[@ThomasGrillo]

It's obvious A1up can't possibly keep on making unique cabinets beyond what they've offered us. I think the solution is for them to maybe, as you say, make a set of IP based shaped cabinets, with access to an online store, similar to iiRcade, but go one step further. A1up could come up with a module which owners of existing cabs could install, that would allow them access to an online store, from which titles which are compatible with their particular cabinet could be downloaded to. This would allow A1up to move forward without having to worry so much about innovative new cabinets they can't afford to have produced, and which retailers likely won't want to add to their inventory. Thanks for bringing this up.

[@UnqualifiedCritics]

Good idea to retrofit for all the millions of existing cabinets they have. I doubt they'll do it, but they probably should!

[@brents5632]

This is where they could do with better distribution, we have not get half if these cabs in Australia. I’m sure they could move more if they sent mixed loads globally.

[@jordanbisasky4586]

My brain is burning calories watching this video thinking of what Arcade 1Up can do too haha Wonder if the new owners' end game is to sell to like a Microsoft (or more realistically a Wayfair?)

[@UnqualifiedCritics]

Wayfair's an interesting idea! Microsoft I really doubt it, they're buying companies in the billions of dollars to try to drive impact for Xbox (and even that working is still TBD - I say that as an Xbox fan). Arcade1up wouldn't drive meaningful impact.

[@BlueBirdE22]

The issue as well is the different form factors. I wa t star wars and tron, but what if they drop an xl soon after? Im hesitant to buy deluxe now

[@rickandcrystalshow]

Hello man, I enjoy your channel and videos.After watching this video I wanted to tell you my problems.We are running out of room,I’m not going to spend 500-700$ on products that we have to spend MORE money on” modding” just to find out in the real world,nobody cares.And my problem is after over 40 years of work ,I’ve developed arthritis in my hands and back.my arcade days are over man.great work

[@UnqualifiedCritics]

Man I am sorry to hear that. I know console gaming has some accessibility oriented controllers available these days (if you're into console) but nothing I know compares to holding the joysticks.

[@TheDeathWillCome2012]

I think the day’s of new titles are over, Arcade1Up will keep on releasing Pac Man, Golden Tee, Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat until they go out of business. I’m hoping I’m wrong. Maybe New Wave Toys will start making a version of a Deluxe, XL or maybe a full size cab. They might be the better option for new titles.

[@petergriffinelectricdrums4164]

❤👍 Agree with ya brother! I got insane Deal on XL PacMan! My Costco was Selling the XL Pacman for $199!!!!! Also I just got 4-Player X-MEN at Best Buy for AGAIN $199!! 😂😂 It must mean they’re not selling and they have too many and so they’re trying to get rid of them..

[@UnqualifiedCritics]

Holy hell 199 for an XL is amazing. Congrats.

[@petergriffinelectricdrums4164]

@@UnqualifiedCritics ❤️👍👍 Yeah lol 😂 I couldn’t believe it !! lol 😆 I at First thought 💭 Costco messed up and tagged them all wrong?? Haha 😂 but they scanned it and I paid and left 😂👍😂😂 They had 4 of the XL PacMans all priced at $199 each! Lol And Best Buy has Simpsons for $138.99!!!! I was pissed haha because I already bought Simpsons long ago for $499!

[@android131c]

it’s cuz the software development & support is the most expensive new cost. so they just re-release the same software packages in different boxes over & over. no new development costs, just new stickers costs. last few years more & more multiplayer games been coming out with no online play. i think it’s for cost reasons.

[@Subcat001]

I've only just bought my first Arcade1up cab the SF2 Big Blue. Like many people, as much as I would like to collect, I don't really have the space for multiple cabs. Realistically I could find space for 2 in my home but no more. For me they should be all on a unified platform with the ability to buy and add games. This could be done over the air via the internet, with the storefront available on the cabinet or even on the companion APP. The game choices could be limited to certain cab designs and hardware. This could allow more niche titles to be added and even modern arcade inspired indie titles. To me this is a no brainer as people are already cottoning on to the ability to modify android based cabs, so why not cash in on the desire to add more games. They could even sell kits to modify cabinets with new artwork as another revenue stream.

[@akumarev2420]

How dare you bring a rational business minded case for the current landscape. Where is your emotional argument and crying over form factor and speculation? How dare you....Great take dude. More people could use some reality checks like this. Requesting community to go to retailers just shows the utter lack of influence they have with previous retail relationships.

[@Excaidus-Metal]

It's so difficult and impossible for A1Up to get licensing for House Of The Dead 2, but Retro Shooter can put it out with many more shooter titles for almost 3 times cheaper than A1Up.

[@petermacnab1871]

They are not paying for the rights for those games.

[@Excaidus-Metal]

@petermacnab1871 I still don't believe these 90's titles are so hard to get. I never believed it. I'm sure these game developers would absolutely love to have more money come in on a 30 year old title.

[@UnqualifiedCritics]

Licensing almost definitely is not yhe issue. Its limited sales volume on a dedicated cab for a niche title when they have to order several thousand minimum from the factory. And thats assuming retailers will order it from them

[@johnbrunet9931]

Ya unqualified. I have a custom built cab with nice skin, housing a pandoras box. It takes a TON of nostalgia to get me to spend another 700$ on a cab with 3-12 games.

[@Excaidus-Metal]

@UnqualifiedCritics As far as limited sales, A1Up did it to themselves. None of these cabs should of been put out with a $700 price tag. "Should I pay $699 for this cab I want now or wait for the $299 blow out sale?" That's where we are all at with these now.

[@wizzel22]

I think that re-releasing the same 3 Cabs over and over again was a big mistake in the long run. The Standard and Pro Models didn't help, either. From my Perspective i'd like them to release one Cab with all let's say ~50 games combined from the big three. It should be a Pro Model and i would buy it for maybe $700? One can dream.... 😅

[@theoldar]

Same stuff since 2018. They've been "going under" since they shipped the first cabinets. Sooner or later the predictions will be correct.

[@UnqualifiedCritics]

Not the same stuff but that kind of dismissiveness is what I made the video about. They were making varied, interesting cabinets (flaws aside) and now they are not.

[@bonesjackson81]

Meh. Don't pay any attention to Mike B. He's a stooge. Has inside info and makes absurd content playing dumb in turn misleading with intent. I think your on the mark. When they jacked up prices they lowered the amount they sell imo. More per unit but less profit overall. They appear to be on the way out. I can't imagine anymore niche titles coming. Year maybe 2 left?

[@RedBarronArcade]

What would be the most you’d pay for your favorite Arcade1up title in an XL form of the product was perfect or near perfect? I’m talking no issues with the monitor, sanwa sticks and buttons, top notch marquees, solid quality wood or fake wood with arcade perfect artwork, 20 preloaded games instead of 10 and authentic shape/design of the cab?

[@bonesjackson81]

@RedBarronArcade xl with perfection?! $699. Thatd be for an xl Paperboy. Deluxe $399 Riser cabs $299.

[@UnqualifiedCritics]

That's pretty reasonable pricing imo as long as we're not going crazy with control or monitor quality (otherwise would be 899+ imo)

[@sf6ftw833]

Why can’t we have SF3 Third Strike