For those of you who own a machine, is it worth it?

[thecatz]

Originally Posted by DJCykon

I think an ITG2 machine would be worth it because of r21. That alone would make the up-keep on the machine worth it in my opinion.

+1 , even if DDR 37 would come out , with R21 , always new sims , new themes , and still best mat quality around.

If you buy a machine , buy an ITG2.

[Blackraven]

Another issue is about parts and servicing.

Unless you can fix everything by yourself and know where to get the appropriate parts, then you'd need official support from Konami (if you're from America, then this is possible via Betson). Dunno if they offer warranty though (but with products as expensive as these, they should at least offer this for free)

Another thing is resale value after 'x' number of years

If you want it to have a higher initial retail value, then it's best that you buy a brand new unit.

Unfortunately, brand new cabinets made by Betson (though quite decent) are a farcry from the actual brand new cabinets made by Konami Japan.

To quote from a personal experience, the SN1 Asian Version unit that we have in my country (the one shown in the pic a few posts back) was a brand new cabinet from Konami Japan (with the flatscreen, card slots, brand new metal pad, everything brand new). Best part is that given that it has been played and used on for numerous times, the pads still worked swell..........for 12 months or 1 full year WITHOUT REPAIR. After that period though, the sensitivity kinda wore off.......though when there were lesser people, the sensitivity began to improve again (like it had some kind of "semi-healing" properties )

Fast forward to 2008 and we installed SN2 US version onto the machine (upgrade) and my do the dance pad and parts feel like their still brand new. Amazing

That's the advantage of getting a brand new cabinet (from Konami Japan that is).

Though as mentioned by many, you need more money for it. It may also depend though on how frequent you're gonna play on it (something to compute for).....though it kinda helps as you have nothing to lose if you fail a stage and that you can set it to any game difficulty that you want.

Personally, I think that it is worth it........but you must think first as to how much you have to give up/sacrifice before making any transaction for this.

[ΩOMEGAΩ]

you are also forgetting, and I just thought of it, what if DDR upgrades stop after SN2 since there is a new cabinet, it could be possible that X will only run on the new dedicabs, and may not have upgrades for older machines (I doubt it, but its still something to think about).

[Blackraven]

Originally Posted by ΩOMEGAΩ

you are also forgetting, and I just thought of it, what if DDR upgrades stop after SN2 since there is a new cabinet, it could be possible that X will only run on the new dedicabs, and may not have upgrades for older machines (I doubt it, but its still something to think about).

So it will go the way of Initial D version 4 (is that what you're saying?)?

Well..............you do have a point.

But if indeed that happens well...................I guess it may be best to buy a brand new cabinet. Initial cost will obviously be more expensive........but it makes up for it with lower frequency of maintenance (due to the newer components being more pressure-resistant than second hand or older cabs). Kind of like what I mentioned earlier about brand new machines lasting longer than older units (hey our SN1 unit lasted a full year without signs of sensitivity loss or arrow failure and I think that there were no repairs done to the machine).

It saves time and effort....and this means that the only maintaining that you need to do is to clean the machine (so that it will continue to look SHIIIINNNYYYY!!!)

[ΩOMEGAΩ]

or that would be a time to grab a machine a arcade operator is going to throw out like an asshole.

[thecatz]

Originally Posted by ΩOMEGAΩ

you are also forgetting, and I just thought of it, what if DDR upgrades stop after SN2 since there is a new cabinet, it could be possible that X will only run on the new dedicabs, and may not have upgrades for older machines (I doubt it, but its still something to think about).

That's why ITG 2 Cab is probably the best choice , when X is gonna come , you'll easyly get X sim for your cab =/

[yosh]

I have an ITG 2 dedicated cab. I think it was worth it. I was able to add way more songs and the pads are nice.

[「dj.TK」]

Can I have it when you're done?

[ΩOMEGAΩ]

to bad not one ITG2 machine can be found on the market... Plus they are expensive. I would have to basically get a loan for a machine at the rate I am paid >_<

[June.H]

Uh yeah, if you're talking about upgrades and going in for the long haul, and ITG 2 machine is anything but the WRONG way to go then. Stop trying to justify yourself with that, if you want a Stepmania cab, you can do that with any DDR machine as well.

[ΩOMEGAΩ]

See I always thought about taking a old computer, running stepmania on it, and making a cabinet, along with 2 blueshark pads. I just never seem to get around to it.

None the less, I fell that once I do all that, I will still just keep going to an arcade every week, so there really would be no point since I want the real deal. I guess I am just weird...

[June.H]

Except that it's one thing to play at home, it's another to play on a machine. One of the things that people like is playing on a machine in a public area is a different experience than playing at home, even if you have an arcade machine at home. The thing is, why the hell would you bother "getting an ITG 2 machine an hack it so you have 'all the latest songs plus more!!!'" when you can really do that with any old DDR machine as well for half the price?

[Tetris]

Originally Posted by DJ LongCat

I like how all of the 16 year olds are gonna open up an arcade sometime in their lives.

My father owned an arcade in the Sunnyvale Mall here in California. It did pretty damn well. It was open until the mall closed.

So it can be done if it is in the right time and location. You just need to have luck and it's a process of trial and error, like making hit songs... No musician can ever tell if their song will score big, or if it will be a dud, they still do it anyway. If they fail once, then they try again sometime else. Owning a business like this is the same. Trial and error, guess and check. If it doesn't work out the first time (and 99.9% chance it won't), then try again a few years down the line in a different location.

Source: My own father's personal experience.