These pics are from an auction I went to in Dallas back in November. I thought some of you might like to take a look. There was a pretty good selection with lots of good classics on-hand.

The most interesting game I saw had to be "Tapper" (Auction pic 22). It's a Budweiser game where you have to fill beer mugs fast enough for the demanding bar patrons. I know this was probably meant for pubs, but can you imagine how many kids spent their quarters so they could pull the beer tap to satisfy these electronic alchoholics?

http://www.billbert.com/ross/Arcade%20Auction/

I was never a big arcade person but there are a few machines I'd love to own. I wish I had the room for a few now but that's a hobby that'll have to wait until I stop renting an apartment. Not nearly enough room here.

What is the object of this game , virtual bartender or something?

Tapper was a great game. They also had a Root Beer Tapper for the kids. The object was to slide a beer towards the patron, they would drink it and then slide the empty glass back which you would have to catch before it slid off the counter on your end.

That's a nice original "Tapper" unit with actual spigots. The original, which served Budweisers, acutally caused some outrage among parents that Midway later released a more kid-friendly "Root Beer Tapper".

Plus, you lose a "guy" everytime you smash up a mug of beer on the counter when there were no patrons to catch it. You could also die when a customer wasn't served when they reached the end of the counter, at which point the bartender will get picked up and wipe out on the counter, just like in real life.

PAL

Awesome! An original Star Wars. I loved that game

I went to the auction in Dallas last week.

pixyboi, I went to the auction last week also. There didn't seem to be as many nice arcades this time. I managed to stay for the entire veiwing period thogh

They did have another Tapper game and I got to play it this time. I really sucked at it.

These are great pics. Where did you find out about these auctions, Mr. Roboto? I'd love to get one of these classic cabinet games.

Anyone know if they have these auctions in the Boston, MA area?

Rancid, YOU'RE IN LUCK! Super Auctions, the same group that does the Dallas auction, will be in Boston on June 1st. They have a 2-hour viewing period to start the auctions off. I highly recommend going to this even if you aren't going to buy anything. You can play all the Berzerk or Tron you like for free. Be sure to bring a quarter and you might want to bring an extension cable.

I first found out about the auction last year in the Dallas paper. After that, I was on their mailing list and they call me before every auction. It's pretty funny because I'll come home and have this message on my machine from a really rickety old guy telling me to come play video games.

Everyone, here is a link to events around the US.
http://www.gamemasters-inc.com/Ddates.html

The next one in Dallas is on May 17th. I will definately be there.

AWESOME INFO, thanks Mr Roboto. I'm there.

Mother of God!

I am such a lazy a$$. I was going to go the show last week too but I could not get out of bed. I plan on going to the next show in May.

Watch out for Mr Do Rag at those auctions

That Star Wars game is the ultimate Holy Grail. LOVE.

Well I went to the auction in Columbus last weekend. Does anyone have any more sites that list upcoming auctions? There is nothing listed for OH for the rest of the year.

I'll be going to the auction this Saturday in Dallas and yes.. I now have a digital camera..

And now for the magic question: How much do they get for these things? Obviously, they're several hundred dollars a piece, and popular ones would be at least a thousand, but is there a rabid collector mentality that drives these machines beyond the reach of the meer mortal?

Jason, it really depends on several factors.

When I went last time, Ms Pac-Man machines ran about $400-$500.. there was one machine that was totally re-conditioned, repainted, new buttons and panels.. went for like $1200.

The Bally/Miday games seemed to hit $800 a pop, espically since there were only a few there. Neo Geo cabinets range from $150-$500 depending on, I actually have no idea on this one.. the first auction I went to they were selling dirt cheap, the last one however they all sold pretty high.

I didn't stay for the pinball machines.. the auction itself is long and tedious, we usually go for the retro playground aspect.

Hey pixyboi, when you go to the auction can you see if they have an orginal Lucky & Wild

I plan on going to the Dallas show as well. I would like to find something descent to pickup in the $200 - $300 range.

Does anyone know how I can tell if a arcade board and monitor is JAMMA compatable?

There was also a 3rd version of Tapper, featuring Suntory which, according to the company's web site, is "Japan's leading producer and distributor of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages."

I have all 3 versions on MAME, and love them. Never even heard of them till I saw the ROMs.