It’s back! The Arcade1Up Star Wars arcade machine replica is being reissued. Question is, do you trust the Arcade1Up build quality and company ethos?
While my memory is hazy, I’m pretty sure the Atari Star Wars arcade machine is the first I ever played on; it is certainly the first I ever actually liked. In fact, I remember my dad giving me 50p to go on the cockpit version of the game (rare, as my grandma usually took me to the arcades so she could play bingo) and dragging me out of it after a single go.
In those days, 50p was at least 5 credits. :`(
Those machines are rare now (my visit to 4Quarters in Newcastle last December revealed only the 1990s Star Wars Trilogy machine), which is why Arcade1Up’s 2019 replica proved so popular.
In fact, following a poor reaction to its 2023 preview, the announcement of an Arcade1Up Star Wars machine reissue has taken many by surprise. The replica 3/4 sized cabinet includes a replica yoke and three games: Star Wars (1983), The Empire Strikes Back (1984), and Return of the Jedi (1985).
The machine features:
- The original Atari arcade hit!
- 3/4-size cabinet with included machine riser.
- Authentic control yoke with trigger & thumb buttons.
- Intuitive game select menu.
- 17-inch sloped screen.
- Original arcade artwork.
- Down-firing stereo speakers.
- Dummy coin door & illuminated marquee.
- Single player only.
- Fully licenced.
- Requires some assembly.
However, some commenters on the announcement video are not impressed:. Here’s an example of a particularly disappointed viewer:
Show some love? Arcade1Up sells incomplete falsely-advertised arcade cabinets that are a shell of the nostalgic memories we had growing up. You haven’t come out with a new cabinet because you cannot afford new licenses. Major retailers are liquidating cabinets you just released in 2022. And now you want some love for cleaning up some customer-returned cabinets? It’s the rerelease of the rerelease of the release of the original release… show us some love!
Overall, however, reaction has been positive. But the method of sharing the release is odd, to say the least.
Listed at $599 on the Arcade1Up site, the Star Wars replica arcade machine will likely be available in the UK via Arcade1Up’s Amazon shopfront.
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.