1. Community Is Important.

I'm fortunate to have a handful of friends who have an appreciation for classic arcade and pinball machines, and who also have the know-how to fix circuit boards and other game components. For the cost of supplies and a case of beer, I can generally get things repaired, but not everyone has friends like that. Luckily for them, there are lots of resources available to people who want to learn how to restore or keep their games going strong for years to come. Online forums like KLOV (killer list of video games) and many others allow individuals to learn how to keep their games functioning and looking good. 

2. Be Prepared to Fix Stuff (or Pay Someone a Lot to Do It for You).

Vintage arcade and video games require maintenance in order to continue looking good and working properly. Most of these games saw a lot of wear and abuse when they were originally used commercially, and it's common to find really beat-up examples. Considering the environments these games were used in, it's not surprising to find them with gummed-up insides from having sodas spilled on them, names scratched into the sides, and other damage.

3. Bargains Are Out There, But They Come With a Downside.

Like many things in life, having a lot of money negates many of the challenges of collecting video games. Chances are, a person with a bank account that mirrors Fort Knox doesn't have to worry about whether his old Kiss pinball machine will fit in the back of some friend's small truck when it's time to move a game. He just pays movers to do that for him. A person who is willing and able to buy a vintage game that's in nearly perfect condition or that has been masterfully restored won't have to worry about condition issues, as will someone who is bargain shopping for games on Craigslist.

4. You Might Want to Hold Off If You Move Often.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but moving arcade games and pinball machines around is a huge pain in the ass. They weigh hundreds of pounds each and are large objects that contain fragile components. Imagine having to move a large wardrobe or entertainment center that's still loaded down with stuff, and you'll get a good idea of how much fun it is to move vintage arcade games around. It's one of those jobs you only really want to have to do once, and if the circumstances of one's life mean that moves across town or between cities are going to be frequent, a person might want to hold off on buying a whole bunch of old arcade machines.