Melbourne: 100+ Retro Arcade Cabinets Up for Auction, No Reserve
Arcade Garage, Australia’s largest retro arcade, is selling 100+ machines at Donington on October 5. Featured lots, prices, fees, logistics, and buying tips.
An exceptional collection of arcade cabinets and amusement games from Arcade Garage, the retro arcade in the Welcome to Thornbury precinct in Melbourne, was auctioned off by Donington Auctions on Sunday, October 5, 2025, with no reserve price. Nearly 200 lots, including classics like Daytona USA, Mortal Kombat, NBA Jam, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as well as rare pieces and PCBs, were offered online with on-site visits and trials beforehand.
In brief: Donington Auctions sold over 100 retro arcade cabinets from Arcade Garage in Melbourne, no reserve, on October 5, 2025. 193 lots announced (machines + parts). Highlight: the Shooting Zone game compatible with Master System, extremely rare. Example result: a Namco Pole Position reached 3,100 AUD (excluding fees). Guide below: key lots, prices, fees, transport, buying checklist, trends.
Context: Why This Sale Matters
The Donington Auctions press release officially announced the “no reserve” auction of Australia’s largest licensed retro arcade, which is rare in this segment: it is a flow of operational machines leaving an active venue, with maintenance history and actual use (official announcement). The volume (over 100 cabinets, 193 lots announced in total including parts and PCBs) serves as a liquidity test for the post-pandemic Australian market, while transport costs, reduced commercial spaces, and the “barcade” trend have reshaped supply and demand. Another point: no reserve protected the prices, attracting private buyers, operators, bars, and media studios. The auction took place online on October 5, with prior inspection at Donington and trials possible at Arcade Garage. Local and specialized media coverage increased interest, citing popular titles (TimeExtension) and an extremely rare copy of Shooting Zone presented as one of the highlights of the sale. In short, the sale ticks three key boxes: scale, diversity, and “end of operation” context.
Origin: Arcade Garage and Welcome to Thornbury
The machines came from Arcade Garage, a space integrated into Welcome to Thornbury (520 High St, Northcote), advertised as “the largest licensed arcade in Australia.” The site specifies its event-oriented purpose, bar and food trucks, with programming aimed at the general public and retro enthusiasts. The arcade operated in a licensed setting, which generally implies a level of maintenance compatible with continuous operation: coin mechanisms, stored boards, robust controllers, rotation of titles, and breakdown management. The closure of Arcade Garage, linked to a change in the owner’s situation according to Donington, explains the grouped release of machines. This origin is strategic for the buyer: “in service” cabinets often benefit from regular maintenance and an inventory of spares (power supplies, chassis, screens), even if operational wear is higher. Melbourne’s arcade culture, already visible through other venues and competitions, provided a local buyer base, supplemented by interstate bidders. The “ready to play” nature of some lots lowered the technical barrier for bars, studios, corporate break rooms, and beginner collectors.
Highlight Lots and Rare Finds
The Donington catalog mentioned classics from the 90s and benchmark racers. Daytona USA remains the multi-seat icon by Sega AM2, sought after for its ties to the Model 2 and multiplayer gameplay. Out Run embodies the hydraulic sit-down or cockpit generation, where the experience is as important as the PCB. On the beat ’em up and versus side, Mortal Kombat and similar titles regularly appear in selections, very “plug-and-play” for bar entertainment. Among curiosities, Shooting Zone is noted by Donington as very rare, operating with Sega Master System cartridges, with fewer than a dozen known copies and a reported past transaction around 10,000 AUD (indicative). Added to this are PCBs and spare parts that are hard to find, often decisive for restoration (screen chassis, power supplies, I/O boards, sticks, buttons, overlays). The variety also covered Neo Geo MVS multi-slot cabinets, prized for their modularity and SNK game library. The overall “barcade-friendly” thematic coherence (fighting games, racing, co-op) made the sale a one-stop shop to equip a venue or quickly expand a playable collection.
Prices, Fees, and Example Results
The auction was announced without a reserve price, meaning that each lot could be sold at the amount of the highest bid, whatever it may be. The buyer’s fees communicated by Donington for this type of sale amount to 19.5% + GST (21.45% VAT included) for lots other than the automobile, to be added to the “hammer price”. Regarding results, for example, a Namco Pole Position (single driver, software Pole Position II) was sold for 3,100 AUD excluding fees on the corresponding lot page, which places the machine within an expected range for a functional unit with serviced chassis and PCB (lot sheet and result). The very “bar-ready” classics retain a premium, especially if the aesthetics are clean, the screen calibrated, and the electronics recent. Seated and deluxe drivers can fetch higher prices depending on the condition of the motion system, the rarity of parts, and the cost of removal. Popular versus titles (e.g., Mortal Kombat) maintain solid liquidity, but the quality of the tube, absence of marked burn-in, and cleanliness of the JVS/JAMMA wiring strongly influence the final price.
Transport, removal, and weight constraints
The catalog specified dedicated removal windows and specialized carriers for Melbourne, Victoria, and other states (listed on the lot pages), with height/volume limits depending on vehicles. A standard upright cabinet often weighs 90 to 130 kg, a seated cockpit can exceed 150 kg, and a twin or multi-seat easily surpasses 250 kg. Plan ahead: measure doors/elevators, ramps, sliders, straps, roller trays, and have a team of at least 2-3 people. The carriers mentioned by Donington handle various sizes, from single to double cabinets, and can coordinate interstate transport. Regarding risks, transportation affects CRT screens and side panels; packaging and securing are crucial. Finally, some lots include digital card readers removed after the sale: consider coin mechanism solutions or free play usage depending on your project. The total acquisition cost thus includes: hammer + buyer’s fees + applicable GST on fees + transport + possible consumables (sticks, buttons, T-molding) and initial maintenance.
Condition, maintenance, and technical checks
Donington listings emphasize that the house offers no condition guarantees, and inspection is encouraged. For a CRT cabinet, check: geometry, color purity, focus, presence of burn-in (image ghosting), and the history of serviced chassis. Inspect the power supply, grounds, JAMMA/JVS connectors, the condition of sticks/buttons and control panels (overlay), as well as the sturdiness of the cabinet (MDF swelling, corners, water damage). For cockpits: pedals, wheel/FFB, seats, harnesses, and sensors. Some listings mentioned serviced PCBs or recently rebuilt chassis, good indicators of maintenance. If needed, plan for recalibration, a cap-kit, and preventive replacement of the flyback. Purists will prefer to keep the CRT; others opt for suitable LCD screens, to be decided based on use and desired authenticity. Finally, some units used in bars have a card mode and free play integration: anticipate the final use and local compliance.
Buying strategy: anti-surprise checklist
Before bidding, define your usage goal: collectible item, daily arcade machine, commercial operation, decoration/TV stand? Set the total budget including transport, consumables, and a maintenance cushion. Read the entire listing; save the full-resolution photos; note past interventions (chassis rebuild, PSUs, I/O boards) and missing parts. On site, test all controls: P1/P2 inputs, sound, coin mechanism, attract mode, and service menus. Estimate the sandability/paint of the panels, availability of bezel/marquee, and repro costs. If aiming for a twin or cockpit, measure doors and turns, and budget for a carrier. On the auction side, set a limit and let the system do its work; no-reserve sales can create opportunities as well as cause bidding frenzies on cult titles. For Neo Geo MVS, rely on the reputation of the motherboard, slot condition, and foreseeable recap needs. Finally, organize the electrical installation (outlets, power strips with switch, possible UPS) and room ventilation.
Retro Arcade Cabinet Market Trends
Since 2020, “ready-to-play” cabinets with decent CRTs and neat aesthetics have experienced a resurgence, driven by barcade culture, streaming, and the search for local social experiences. In Australia, the relative scarcity of heavy parts and inter-state logistics widen the gap between average units and “clean” machines. Sega/Namco drivers remain sought after, especially functional twins; beat ’em ups and versus games maintain a broad demand base. PCB lots are gaining value due to component production halts and the difficulty of sourcing reliable NOS. Media coverage of this auction by specialized press shows that group sales from operators are monitored, as they set local price benchmarks and free parts for restorers and venue creators. Expect a more selective market on condition and immediate playability, and a premium on iconic titles with original cabinets, complete artwork, and documented history.
Practical Information: Schedule and Terms
The sale took place on Sunday, October 5, 2025 online, with possible inspection at Donington and trials at Arcade Garage before closing (Donington announcement). Bidder registration is mandatory on the house platform. Buyer’s fees of 19.5% + GST (21.45% VAT included) apply to relevant lots, to be added to transport costs. Pickup slots and specialized carriers are listed on the lot pages. For buyers outside Victoria, plan for groupage costs and longer delays. Official communication mentioned 193 lots in total (machines, parts, PCBs), ranging from cult cabinets to maintenance hardware. For overall information and lot-by-lot results, refer to the Donington sale catalog.
Alternatives, Resources, and Tools
If you missed this auction, keep an eye on: Donington’s “Past Auctions” sales, local listings of Australian arcades, and specialized auction platforms. The precinct sites Welcome to Thornbury and Melbourne media often report on operator movements. For documentation, the Wikipedia pages of Daytona USA and Out Run provide a useful technical/historical reminder before inspecting a machine. For preservation and PCB diagnostics, MAME and its community remain a key resource for understanding systems and compatibilities. Finally, follow retro video game media to spot arcade inventories going to auction in advance; TimeExtension, for example, reported the sale well before closing.
FAQ
Did the lots have a reserve price?
No. Donington announced a “no reserve” sale. Each lot went to the highest bidder, buyer’s fees extra.
How many lots in total?
The official communication mentioned 193 lots (machines, parts, and PCBs). The online catalog showed pagination close to 195 at closing, according to internal organization.
What fees apply to buyers?
Buyer’s fee 19.5% + GST (i.e., 21.45% VAT included) for applicable lots, to be added to the hammer price. Plan for transport and consumables.
Example of a realized price?
A Namco Pole Position “single driver” (software Pole Position II) reached 3,100 AUD excluding fees, according to the lot page.
Can a heavy arcade cabinet be delivered?
Yes. The catalog lists specialized carriers Melbourne/Victoria and interstate with height restrictions. Anticipate weight, access, and handling crew.
Conclusion: the dispersal of Arcade Garage by Donington provided a rare barometer of the Australian arcade cabinet market, with a wide and playable offer. To seal the deal, apply the purchase checklist, anticipate logistics, and follow upcoming auctions.