Numskull Quarter Arcades Space Invaders Collector's Edition Mini Arcade - 1/4 Scale Authentic Wooden Replica, Original ROM, Rechargeable Battery & 3W Speakers for Retro Enthusiasts

I remember first hearing the bass thumping from one of these arcade machines from across the pizza place, looking up in awe at the imposing monolith, and while still staring, asking my parents, "Do you have any quarters?"There are about a zillion mini arcade machines out there. All of them are either a wood or plastic box with decals, a tiny LCD screen, and controls that are not really useable. Nobody should be getting one of these things because they think it is the best way to play the game. This one, however, goes way beyond the superficial decoration that all of the others are. If you are considering purchasing one of these Space Invaders machines then you probably already know why this particular attempt at replicating it at a small scale is different than other attempts. It looks very cool, has real props and lighting inside the box to pull off the effect, and is much better in reality than video of it portrays. Certainly, it is not a cheap novelty, but if you are considering just one of these things to represent the classic age of arcades, this is the one. I am really glad that Numskull took a risk on this and hope they don't stop innovating.

I bought this little replica to add into my collection. Full disclosure, I already have several others of these and I like them all. This one in particular is a very faithful replica of the original because it has a small LCD in the horizontal position that uses a mirror to reflect a hologram like image on the back. This way when you play it looks like the aliens are floating above the planet. This is particularly unique and I really really like how they did it. The overall quality fit and finish of this replica is beautiful. I would definitely consider buying this if you have any interest in it. I went with the original cabinet versus the second because there wasn't much difference and I prefer the original look and aesthetic.

If you are a big fan of Space Invaders, this is a great product. Look, sound, feel, the Pepper's Ghost Effect, it's all here for you to enjoy. Biggest problem is the price, as you can do a lot of other things with $300. Hopefully, Quarter Arcades will figure out how a reduce the overall price for future products. Perhaps a less expensive second edition.

It’s really small for the amount of money you spend on it. And they changed the colors. It’s yellow on the game when it should be orange.

My 4th QA machine. Doesnt disappoint. A little hard to see over the blacklight overlay.

I've now purchased six Quarter Arcade games. The early ones were exceptional quality, but it's really fallen off with no apparent controls as the business has scaled. Dig Dug was a mess, needing to go through four different ones before finding a "good enough" one. Same issue with Space Invaders. Misaligned cabinet pieces, chipped wood edges, scratched stickers out of the box. This isn't acceptable on a $300 collector-grade item. The designs and engineering details are great, they just can't seem to manufacture them. I want to love these and buy more of them, I just can't until the quality problems are addressed.

Almost. That's the best I can say for Numskull's latest attempt to bring the vintage arcade experience home, albeit in miniaturized, 1/4 scale size. As usual, the company nails the miniaturized, "Quarter Arcade" look, duplicating the shape and aesthetics of the original machine down to the barest detail. It's almost worth buying the unit for this exquisite eye-candy alone.But it's $300…and for that price, people are buying not just for the pretty casing, but for the classic, playable game waiting inside—and most notably, the famed "Pepper’s ghost effect" that uses mirrors to reflect Invader's graphics (the cannon and marching aliens) across its matte-printed background. The result is a 3D-ish, almost shadow box illusion that is extremely impressive (impressively immersive!) when witnessed in person. And Numskull, per the company’s own words, struggled for years to replicate this exact effect for the home user. Supposedly, the company has finally succeeded.Except, did it? Upon my time with the machine, I found the graphics uncomfortably dim, as if I were looking not at the painted scenery to observe them, but through. Half the viewing area is covered by a printed moon base nestled within a hollowed-out canyon of sorts, and ideally, the cannon and protective barriers should be superimposed perfectly on top, creating the illusion that they exist within the boundaries of the environment. But upon play, they actually seemed to be behind the scenery, like ghosts not completely phased into existence—drifting between opaque and transparent. In short, the moon base becomes more like an inkblot in which the player must strain the see the moving vessels weaving within. Imagine trying to watch a small, ivory fish flit slowly around a murky pool. You can see it, but the exercise soon becomes tiring…annoying…not fun.An important caveat: I’m not familiar with the original “Part 2” (actually called “Deluxe” in the States) machine. And so…perhaps, maybe, possibly…the original cabinet suffers from the same dim proceedings. If so, one might forgive Numskull for touting its achievement in perfectly capturing that original pepper effect. But I have played the original Space Invaders machine in person, and I know, for a fact, the pepper effect worked incredibly in that one. Presumably, the game’s original developer Taito would have also gotten it right in the sequel/update.But who knows? All I can say is that, as it stands, this particular 1/4 scale machine is too bothersome to play over an extended stretch of time, that pepper effect not being especially effective. Obnoxious, in fact. And for $300, that’s a hard sin to forgive. It’s one of those instances where “almost” truly isn’t good enough. Also, be forewarned: the screenshots and videos shown by “reviewers” and YouTube influencers alike make the ghostly effect look stronger than it really is. Cameras somehow capture the graphics in a way the human eye can't match.Again, maybe my unit is faulty. Maybe the original 1979 coin-op is inherently flawed. But my gut feeling is that, whatever calibration Numskull used to set the graphical vibrancy on its original Space Invaders miniature (both are available to be purchased), it simply used the same exact technical parameters for this second machine—and due to the difference between the shadings of the two machine's backdrops, the calculation didn’t carry over perfectly. More tinkering was required. Indeed, although my unit is getting returned for a refund, I’m half-tempted to buy Numskull’s attempt at the first Space Invaders machine for comparison’s sake. The effect, I bet, is stronger for the initial model. And if it is, I’ll keep it.Had there been a way to adjust the luminosity of the graphics and/or the LEDs, this unit could have been remarkable. But there’s nothing here but the cabinet and the game—no viewing options of note. And for that, unless fans are content with just the admittedly-nice exterior aesthetics…and some compromised playability…this is a machine best left to memory.A shame. Even a tragedy, really.But $300 is…$300.For more information and pics, please visit the website Lost Nostalgia.

Nice item for the collection A++++