Midway standup arcade now available at Target
by Alan Rose 
{ Dec 4th 2005 at 3:30PM }
Back in October, we reported Target would be getting in on the retro arcade action with the Midway standup arcade. Well, it's finally here. Today's Sunday circular is advertising the unit for $397, which is also available via Target.com for the same price (plus a nice hefty shipping fee).
Manufactured by Hong Kong-based Big Electronic Games Limited, the Midway standup arcade is 62" tall, about two feet deep, and sports a 14" screen. The 12 pre-installed games include Robotron 2084, Sinistar, Joust, Rampage, Defender, and Wizard of Wor.
Given the diminutive size of the screen and cabinet (compared to traditional cabinets) — and the fact that each of these games are available in the budget priced Midway Arcade Treasures collections — your eyes, neck, and wallet will probably favor the console counterparts.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mullinator @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
Obviously not designed as a practical gaming machine. Personally I would consider it a jukebox of the gaming world, decorative and meant to bring back memories.
Aresef @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
I've seen it at Targets for the last couple weeks. And it was turned on for people to try. Good times. Nice novelty, but would I buy it? No, not when I could get most of those games on Xbox Live Arcade or Midway Arcade Treasures for much less.
Tom @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
"Given the diminutive size of the screen and cabinet (compared to traditional cabinets) — and the fact that each of these games are available in the budget priced Midway Arcade Treasures collections — your eyes, neck, and wallet will probably favor the console counterparts."
Don't forget your back, trying to lug that thing home.
trustrsx @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
I played this at the local target and the controls were terrible. Felt stiff and unresponsive. The screen appeared to be just a regular tv.
Beanie @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
I was wondering when this was gonna be posted. I played around with it a couple weeks ago and I wasn't impressed. The controls were really unresponsive and just felt really cheap, along with a crappy display. You do get what you pay for... all $397 worth.
Chris lackey @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
I tried it out at Target a little while ago as well, and the control stick and buttons felt very cheap and didn't seem like they would hold up to any wear and tear. Also, I am 6 feet tall, and had to hunch over quite a bit to play it in a very uncomfortable position. I would not recommend this purchase, although the actual box it comes in unassembled seemed somewhat manageable. I would say good for 11-17 year olds, but overall not worth the price.
gutzman @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
on a somewhat related note, my arcade in Portland OR, has this standup arcade machine that has about 50 or so games on it, old and new. (from more than a few development companies)
For instance, there is a MegaMan fighting game which is pretty amazing that is apparently brand spanking new. Anyone have any information about if this game is playable outside of the arcade machine?
SandraCisneros @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
Are you talking about Power Battle? Because that is on the MegaMan Anniversary Collection as an unlockable. I've seen one of those machines I think...with like Street Fighter, Ghouls and Ghosts, and a whole bunch of things?
Probably one of the most worthwhile things in the arcade.
thettrash @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
I saw this just today in the games section at target. It's really small. I would have to try and play games with my knees.
Nick @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
@5
we have this at our local arcade and it has TONS of awesome games
they are made by http://ultracade.com
http://shop.ultracade.com/customer/product.php?productid=27&cat=260&page=1
i wish i could justify 4k for this machine but it doesnt seem right
DeathX @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
Taito is apparently making a similar beast but they are selling at bj's (like costco but more red) I believe it has bubbe bobble on it and i'm pretty sure bust a move + space invaders dx for sure, I forget what the price is/was as it was like a month ago when I saw it.
Aaron Bird @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
There is a review at retroblast http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/biggames.html
Oshi @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
I saw one of those at the local target and I must say it is pretty small.
DG @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
I saw the tapletop version at Dick's of all places, and was pretty underwhelmed. It might work at the end of a bar, but otherwise, it'd be kind of silly for home use, and easily replacable by Mame.
ZeroCorpse @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
A MAME cabinet. Oh joy.
Been there, done that.
MrNeilEsq @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
A slight warning for purists. "Tapper" plays at half resolution on this device, and looks poor, as it seems to have been downsampled without antialaising. It's not even that I've been spoiled by MAME, it just really looks jaged and flickery. It controls well, even if the joystick is a bit stiff. I would definately go with a home port. Even the N64 version of Midway classics is superior.
Vexorg @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
I saw this at the local Target, and quite frankly, it's junk, especially considering that I was able to buy a real JAMMA cabinet with a 25" monitor for $250, including the game that was in it (Strikers 1945.) If you know where to look, it shouldn't be too hard to come up with something similar for $200-300 or so, then put a MAME rig in it. You'd spend a bit more in the long run, but you'd have something that won't fall apart if you look at it funny... Should you actually want one of these, just wait a few months, and you'll almost assuredly find one at a garage sale for $50.
Deth @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
How does one play Robotron on that? do you have to move in the direction you are firing? how lame...
Hevy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
Deth, I played Robotron on it just yesterday at Target. It uses the two joysticks for control. This would work just fine if the sticks weren't so unresponsive, but, well, therein lies the problem.
Everytime I'm in Target, I like to play a game of Robotron or Wizard of War. If this product were any good, then Target would probably have to kick me out of the store every night. I'd play all day. But since it's not, I usually just play a game or two and move on.
Exidor @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
Well, I guess I'm the only one, but I think this thing is pretty cool. I've seen it and played it several times, and actually went to purchase it tonight, but didn't have any way to get the giant box home (I'm going back tomorrow with a friend and his truck.) I'll agree that it's a little small, but if placed on a stand like in the store then it's fine. For me, it accomplishes what I want out of a system like this. I've always wanted an arcade machine (would prefer Donkey Kong, though), but I'm not a hard-core purist about it. For my budget this recreates the arcade experience for me well. Plus, if I'm so inclined in the future, I bet I could modify it pretty easily.
D Man @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
I played Rampage on it the other day. The controls actually remind me of the last time I played Rampage back in the 80s. I couldn't get the all of the directions to work even then.
Sloopydrew @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
It sucks. I was one of the first people to say I'm getting one in the thread about it a few months ago, but now that I've played it at Target, all I can say is, once again, it sucks. Even propped up 3 feet on a stand (sneaky bastards), it isn't tall enough, the controls are HORRIBLE and the screen looks like a tiny old-fashioned television. It's really bad. I wouldn't buy one on clearance for $100.00.
david proud @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
Exidor, I purchased this too. I like it so you are not the only one. I wanna start messing with it and modifying it. Sure its not as big as a traditional arcade cabinet but the size is perfect for my small gameroom But for 372$ out the door I am very happy.
I am very interested in finding a website/forum with other users who are interested in modifying this thing. I would like to change the controls to haap and possibly change the screen out.
Dave Hand @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM
Got one and I like it. Yes it is small and everything said so far is true. What I bought was a piece of furniture for my home game room that looks cool from 5 feet away with all those bright graphics and the flashing attract mode on the monitor. Oh, and it happens to have a dozen old games that will make you laugh when you play them. The games are on a Cartridge and when I took the back panel off, it looks like the brains are in the Cartidge. Inside the box it's just a simple cartidge reciever, monitor and power supply. If anybody figures out if there are any monitor adjustments please post it. I imagine more cartridges will be made available in the future. I also plugged my little $15 Namco Pacman, Dig Dug etc game into the A.V. jack and use the arcade's monitor to play on. Any info on future cartridges?
Pam Holaway @ Dec 22nd 2005 12:48PM
I happened to get the Midway arcade as a gift. Yes, very retro and fun to play the old school games! The kids love to play it because it's nothing like the games of today! My question? It came with a cartridge. I was wondering if there are more cartridges that can be purchased and played on this same machine. I have gone out and looked a little, but I haven't seen any cartridges that are made just for it. Any ideas?!
Thanks!