> Home > Master Selection Guide > Game FAQ's > Multicade / MAME Arcade Game Primer

MultiCade / MAME Video Arcade Machines  |  Information Page      

                                                                          

Beware of purchasing any "Multicade" or "MAME" video arcade machines that come
advertised with having Pac Man, Ms. Pac Man, Galaga, Donkey Kong and/or Frogger.  

We get tons of calls every month asking why this vendor or that store offers "XYZ" games
in their "Multicade" game units, and why we don't carry the same games - Its very simple :

IT IS TOTALLY ILLEGAL TO DO SO IN ALMOST ALL CASES.

Absolutely NONE of these games can be sold in their true arcade versions, except by
purchasing a standalone unit directly from Namco, the original maker of these games,
who still make these games for both the home and commercial markets. Namco does
not permit anyone to sell or include these games in any commercial-quality machine!
The only way anyone can sell you such games legally is by using a PC CD-ROM disk
in a Windows or Xbox-type setup, which is far from the real arcade game experience.

Anyone selling these types of units are almost always doing so illegally, by using either old, bootlegged or counterfeit software, and/or hardware boards, usually made in China. Most
of these games are cheaply constructed, have questionable quality control and warranties,
and the fact that the person or firm who are selling them knows they are doing so illegally
should tell you something about the honesty and reputation of that store or individual. We
see lots of these types of illegal games advertised on Craigslist, eBay and other websites

When in doubt about purchasing any advertised multicade game, you can contact us
directly at 1-800-746-2255 and we will be more than happy to advise you if the video
game you are thinking of purchasing might be a counterfeit or illegal bootleg copy.

Be aware that no legitimate arcade game dealer, distributor or service center in
the country will work or repair these type of illegal games for a number of reasons.

As far as "MAME" machines go, although these are not illegal when shipped without games,
most "MAME" games need to either be sold illegally by the manufacturer, or the buyer (you)
must spend a great deal of time finding (or buying) illegal "MAME" games online, then needing
to download these bootleg copies into your MAME machine, then having to "set up" the illegal
games with a keyboard and mouse, which is far too complex for the average user. And in the
end, all have is a cheap PC clone knockoff of the real arcade gaming experience - or worse.

None of these so-called illegal "Multicade" machines come anywhere close to matching the AUTHENTIC ARCADE EXPERIENCE afforded by purchasing true commercial-quality video
game machines from the only two fully licensed and legal manufacturers of these games.


Click here for Legal and Authentic Multiplayer Video Arcade Machines For Sale !

Click here to learn more about Pac Man, Ms Pac Man and Galaga Games (6 in 1 Games)