Definition of a classic

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Posted by saint on 3, 2001 at 11:31 AM:

Prompted by the message a few posts below, I posted the following message to rec.games.video.arcade.collecting...

Many collectors find converting a cabinet to a "MAME machine" distasteful... I don't wish to debate that point here per se -- in fact if you visit the site one of the first things we ask is that you *don't* destroy any classics (The manifesto: http://www.arcadecontrols.com/arcade_manifesto.shtml).

However, one person recently asked a good question - how do we know what a classic is? It's like art to me - I may not be able to define it, but I know it when I see it (Pac Man, Space Ace, Tron, *any vector*, etc...). However, a generic Nintendo VS cabinet or generic jamma cab, or even an already-mutilated/damaged cabinet of any kind I don't think too many people would object to "MAME'ing".

But that's a subjective thing - a lot of people have asked "Is this going to hurt the arcade classics scene if I convert it" regarding cabinet xyz as they just had no idea as to it's value to the collecting group. What I'm hoping to get from the group here is some sort of consensus as to what/how to define a classic. You can't go by age per se, because there are some old cabinets just not worth a hoot as is, and some new cabinets that it would be a crying shame to touch (Gauntlet Legends for instance).

So, how about it folks? What makes a machine a classic to you? What can I tell people when they want to know if they're about to commit a sin or not? All feedback greatly appreciated!

--- saint
Build Your Own Arcade Controls FAQ
http://www.arcadecontrols.com/

P.S. Arguments that converting any cabinet is a sin or that people should just build from scratch are interesting points to debate in a different thread, but won't help in this context. The simple fact is that people will be doing conversions, so the most useful responses will be how to help guide their choices. I will be posting the results from this on the FAQ if they are useful :)

Thanks!

We'll see what kind of responses it generates :)

--- saint

Follow Ups:

I will make enemies...but here is my opinion...and a bit of history that has gotten me here... Mr Arcade 5/04/2001 (0)
Classic is... NThero 5/04/2001 (0)
Re: Definition of a classic )p( 5/03/2001 (0)
How much your arms hurt after playing it! NT Dudah 5/03/2001 (0)
Make sure you can undo it... (more) ChrisDFW 5/03/2001 (0)
I think I can answer this... GadgetMan 5/03/2001 (0)
Re: Definition of a classic Lilwolf 5/03/2001 (0)

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: Prompted by the message a few posts below, I posted the following message to rec.games.video.arcade.collecting... : <ul> : I run the Build Your Own Arcade Controls FAQ about building arcade controls and cabinets to house emulators... I am also a collector with a modest 11 machine collection. : Many collectors find converting a cabinet to a "MAME machine" distasteful... I don't wish to debate that point here per se -- in fact if you visit the site one of the first things we ask is that you *don't* destroy any classics (The manifesto: http://www.arcadecontrols.com/arcade_manifesto.shtml). : However, one person recently asked a good question - how do we know what a classic is? It's like art to me - I may not be able to define it, but I know it when I see it (Pac Man, Space Ace, Tron, *any vector*, etc...). However, a generic Nintendo VS cabinet or generic jamma cab, or even an already-mutilated/damaged cabinet of any kind I don't think too many people would object to "MAME'ing". : But that's a subjective thing - a lot of people have asked "Is this going to hurt the arcade classics scene if I convert it" regarding cabinet xyz as they just had no idea as to it's value to the collecting group. What I'm hoping to get from the group here is some sort of consensus as to what/how to define a classic. You can't go by age per se, because there are some old cabinets just not worth a hoot as is, and some new cabinets that it would be a crying shame to touch (Gauntlet Legends for instance). : So, how about it folks? What makes a machine a classic to you? What can I tell people when they want to know if they're about to commit a sin or not? All feedback greatly appreciated! : --- saint : Build Your Own Arcade Controls FAQ : http://www.arcadecontrols.com/ : P.S. Arguments that converting any cabinet is a sin or that people should just build from scratch are interesting points to debate in a different thread, but won't help in this context. The simple fact is that people will be doing conversions, so the most useful responses will be how to help guide their choices. I will be posting the results from this on the FAQ if they are useful :) : Thanks! : </ul> : We'll see what kind of responses it generates :) : : --- saint

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