I think we are at the peek of the market for retro arcade and pinball. Once the 40 odd year olds are 50 and 60 odd . The interest will die off pretty quickly. In 20 years these games will be worth a small fraction of asking prices now. Just my prediction.
This was true 20 years ago, and also true 10 years ago. It is also true NOW.
Pinball was never designed to be a home commodity. They were purely equipment that was produced to make profits for operators. When I remind myself of the dark days in the early 90's when 90 original 50's Bally Bingos, Williams sys4/6 and GTB sys1 were thrown into landfill, I cringe and wish that didn't happen. But it was reality. What do people do with their cars when they have outdone their usefulness ?
But Pinball has a way of surviving. I don't think the next generation will embrace it as we do.
Having said that, many new faces - and younger faces - are entering the market. It is always in decline, even when there is still huge demand. A real contradiction.
The home market has never been stronger.
