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Although quite a few people have played arcade machines, very few people actually own them. With the new generation of Arcade 1Up machines being available, all of that is changing!
The Arcade 1Up machines are revolutionizing the way people are able to play arcade machines. They allow people to have an arcade machine in their homes for only a fraction of what one single arcade game would cost.
So what if I purchased an Arcade 1up machine, and I cannot get it to turn on?
If your Arcade 1up machine is not turning on you should check:
- Your power-supply cord (inside and outside of the machine
- Your power outlet (plug in another item to make sure it’s working)
- Your video screen (make sure the cord has not come lose or the screen hasn’t been damaged)
- Your motherboard (make sure nothing is damaged or has come lose)
If you recently purchased your Aracade 1up machine whether from online retailers or in a store you will want to return the machine rather than dealing with these possible fixes. Virtually all stores have a guarantee of some sort that the product will arrive working so if your Arcade 1up machine doesn’t… just return it.
Now I know sometimes these machines will have a warning inside that will tell you not to return the item to the store and to contact them for warranty service but that’s not something that you have to actually do. If you recently bought the machine just return it and get a new one.
The majority of the time when an Arcade 1up machine won’t turn on it is because of a power issue. If you are hearing the gameplay but don’t have anything on the screen then you should check the video screen. If after checking your cords, plug, and video screen your machine still isn’t working then you will want to take a look at the motherboard.
Things can get pretty technical at this point so if you are worried about messing something up then calling an electrician or technician at this point might be a good option. Or if the tech will be super expensive you might want to just tear it apart yourself and see what you can do.
Arcade 1Up machines are a great invention, and allow people of all generations the ability to own an arcade machine in their actual homes. In this article, we will take you through how to fix common issues that they have as well as a little bit of history behind the arcade machines.
If you would rather watch a video than read an article then be sure and check out the one below.
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How To Stay Safe While Working On Your Arcade 1up Machine
Before you take your Arcade 1up machine apart you will want to take some safety precautions. The following measures will help keep you safe while you are fixing your machine.
1. Unplug It
Anytime that you are working on an electrical device there will be an electrical shock hazard. To help reduce this risk you will want to remove the provided plug from the outlet. It doesn’t matter if the machine has a grounding type plug or what type of outlet you have.
Unplug the power input before doing any diagnosis of the issue or before you take anything apart.
2. Shut Off The Breaker
As I mentioned above the issue might be with your main outlet not working properly. Maybe you tripped the breaker or the breaker itself isn’t working right. Maybe your plug has had some direct exposure to water or high heat that has caused it not to function properly.
If you plug another device into the outlet and it is not working you will want to shut off the breaking entirely before you start to replace the outlet.
3. Follow The Manufacturer’s Instructions
I know, I know, no one actually reads the instruction manual on anything anymore because it is such a hassle. But before you go tearing apart your Arcade 1up machine you will want to at least look at the troubleshooting steps that it offers as well as any important safety information.
I’m not suggesting that you have to read the entire manual but you should at least read the parts that refer to power issues.
4. Avoid Hazards Nearby
Avoiding direct water contact while you are repairing the machine isn’t too difficult of an issue but staying away from high humidity is certainly an issue in many parts of the country. If possible when you are handling power components, the motherboard, etc. make sure you work in a low-humidity environment and keep any liquids away from the machine.
Some other hazards that you should avoid while working on the machine are heat sources (such as heat registers), direct sunlight (which could cause issues on the inside of the machine), and even placing the machine in a safe place (so that it doesn’t tip over due to vibration or movement while you are working on it).
Some people even recommend using an anti-tip bracket to ensure it doesn’t fall over and hurt you or damage the unit.
5 Common Arcade1up Machine Issues (How To Fix Them)
These arcade machines may not turn on for many reasons. The common issues that many of the Arcade 1Up machines face are:
1. No Video Or Audio
This is one of the most common issues caused by malfunctions in the power supply or the outlet in which it is plugged in. The machine won’t turn on if there is not enough power. The first thing you should check if this happens is the outside of the machine where the power cord is plugged into the wall.
Although this may seem pretty stupid, you may be so excited about finally getting your machine set up, that when you plugged it in, you did not make sure that the plug was actually plugged all the way into the outlet.
The second thing you should check is the power cord itself. You should look it over and make sure that the cord did not get cut or nicked while the box was being moved, or opened.
If there is not a cut or any issues with the power cord, you will want to follow the cord into the machine to make sure that it is connected correctly. If there is a cut in the cord, the cord should be replaced immediately to avoid a fire.
A new power cord can easily be purchased on Amazon.
2. The sound is working, but you don’t have video
This is another common issue with these machines. When you plug in the monitor of the machine, you will need to make sure you followed the directions exactly and plugged all of the cords into the correct places.
3. The video is working, but you don’t have sound
The first thing you should check is the game board to make sure that the volume setting is not turned all the way down for some reason. The second thing is to check the cable that runs to the speakers or speaker and make sure they are plugged in properly and do not have any cuts in them.
If all the above points are not the reason, the chance is that your system has a damaged amplifier or a short in the system. If this happens, your machine may still be under warranty, and you can either call the manufacturer or return the item and exchange it for a new one at the store.
4. The joystick will not work
If your joysticks are not working, you might have a problem with the cords inside the machine. These cords connect the gaming board to the monitor of the machine. You will definitely want to check it over to ensure the wires are connected properly and to ensure that they do not have any frays or cuts in them as well.
If the buttons on your machine are not working, it could be very simple or very complex. Of course, everyone hopes that it is something simple but that isn’t always the case. If your buttons do not work at all, or only work part of the time, you are going to want to get them fixed.
If they are not working at all, it could be the wires are either cut or frayed or even in the build process one was forgotten to be connected. If that is the case simply plug the wire back in. If all of the wires are correct and you still do not have working buttons, it may be a sensor or something more serious where you will need to contact the manufacturer and have them come and fix the machine or replace it.
What Arcade 1up Games Are There?
Arcade 1up machines are incredibly popular since they have the lowest price around for arcade games and contain many of the popular games of yesteryear that are a perfect fit in your family game room. If you are considering getting an Aracede 1up machine you might wonder which titles these instant conversation pieces come in.
Currently, there are Aracde 1up arcade machines that have the following games:
- Attack From Mars Pinball
- Big Buck World
- Capcom Legacy
- Centipede
- Defender
- Dragon’s Lair
- Golden Axe
- Golden Tee
- Killer Instinct
- Marvel Pinball
- Marvel Vs. Capcom 2
- Mortal Kombat
- Mortal Kombat 2
- Mortal Kombat 3
- Ms. Pac-Man with Riser & Light Up Marquee
- Ms. Pac-Man/Galaga
- NBA Jam
- NBA Jam: Shaq Edition
- NFL Blitz Legends
- Outrun
- Pac-Man (includes Pac-Man, Pac-Land, Pac-Man Plus, Super Pac-Man, Pac & Pal, Pac-Mania, Galaxian, Galaga, Dig Dug, Dig Dug II, Mappy, & Rompers)
- Pac-Man Plus
- Paw Patrol
- Polaroid Instant Photo Booth
- Pong
- Ridge Racer
- Space Invaders
- Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back Pinball
- Terminator 2
- The Simpsons
- Tron
- Turtles In Time
- X-men
All of these arcade machines can be purchased with a matching riser and will typically have an Atari logo as well as other graphics on the sides.
History Of Arcade Games
Arcade games were popular before the invention of video games. An arcade machine is a coin-operated entertainment machine typically installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and malls. It is also known as a coin-operated game. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electromechanical games, redemption games, or merchandisers.
The first popular arcade games included early amusement-park midway games such as shooting galleries, ball-toss games, etc…
In the 1930s the first coin-operated pinball machines emerged. These machines differed from their later more modern electronic machines. Most pinball machines switched to using electronics both for operation and for scoring in the year 1977.
Recently the Arcade 1Up machines have revolutionized the arcade industry to allow people to have arcades in their homes. Check out this build and gaming experience of the Pacman arcade 1up machine!
Does An Arcade Machine Need Maintenance?
Arcade game machines require proper maintenance in order to function properly. Maintaining arcade machines can seem overwhelming for inexperienced users.
These machines require proper maintenance as the insides of the cabinets of the machine are often riddled with cables, PCB boards, and components that pose a danger due to high voltages. The skip on the maintenance of arcade machines will break down the games in the long run.
Arcade machines use high-voltage components and if used improperly can cause bodily harm or damage to the machine. The old CRT tube monitors that carry voltages are capable of killing a person if handled improperly. So, it is better to call for a professional to maintain your arcade machine.
Although all of that changed with the Arcade 1Up machines. They are brand new, and can easily be handled and carried by a single person. The machine itself would only require very little maintenance every few months of vacuuming or blowing all of the dust from the inside of the machine.
Conclusion
To an extent, you can troubleshoot and service your own arcade machines, but if not done properly, there are chances for danger. You should always take extra precautions by using proper tools and safety equipment. If you are not confident, the best thing you can do is to call a professional and let them service the machine.
The professionals are more than capable of servicing any and all arcade machines. There are many professional services that will guide you to troubleshoot the problem of your arcade over a phone call, or you can take the machine to them. Although most of the time these machines do not have any problems, there could be the chance you received a defective one.