Rare Version Eagle Arcade Game
Two months ago a user at Coinopspace.com – Arcade Community & Forum mentioned that they owned a ‘prototype’ version of Centuri’s Eagle, a different version of the cabinet that was more rare than the final version which has vinyl sideart. Come to find out there is a photo on Klov.com and at Arcadeflyers.com of the same cabinet, which the latter flyer picture might explain the follow story and information a little bit better.
What was the actual limited quantity of these rare Eagle cabinets?
I wasn’t able to find much of anything on RGVAC or Google concerning a ‘rare, different or prototype Centuri Eagle cabinet’. But that doesn’t mean that this topic wasn’t discussed sometime in the past. If this version of the Eagle cabinet made it into the Centuri flyer then there were a small quantity of them made. If anyone has any links to posts / websites that talk about production runs on Centuri games, Eagle, or any information on the breakdown of the vinyl sideart vs. stenciled artwork let me know. If you remember, last year QuarterArcade sold a set of NOS Eagle artwork on eBay, it only went for $39.00.
Here is what the machine looks like from the photo Dan T. provided and the Eagle flyer at Arcadeflyers.com (Image Credit: AF Dan H.);
Here is Dan’s story on this game, and thanks to Dan for letting me share his photo and his story of his out of the ordinary arcade game.
It started in June of 2005 when I met a guy who started working for his buddy, who was an auto mechanic. I saw the Eagle machine in an old Grumman (box) truck, next to a dedicated Pole Position II. I asked my new friend about it, here’s the info I got from him:
He (auto mechanic) bought out an arcade in the spring of ’05, which was located in Berlin, NH…WAY up in the state, close to the Canadian border (he doesn’t recall the name of the arcade). I eventually bought it the following Oct. 2005, and it’s been in my gameroom ever since.
Only 50-odd of these early run Eagle cabinet models were made.
The story snippet is pretty short, so anyone that can shed light on this including Dan, please do, leave a comment or email me.
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Comments
Here is what I was told at the auction by a game junkie after I bought one of these early machines.
The numbers may be somewhat off or swaped around but it should give you a general idea. The early cabinets like the one pictured above (below the flyer) that has the painted artwork was about 200 produced. Also the one pictured above has a 25" Electrohome monitor. I think around 50 were made with the 25". Centuri took the picture for the flyer of an early game with a 25" monitor but knew all future games would use a 19" so they listed the specs as a 19" monitor in the flyer. And last but not least, the control panels… Very early ones had metal control panel overlays with different artwork. In the flyer picture you can see it. The picture of the game below the flyer has a vinyl control panel overlay. I was told only the first 10 or 20 games had the metal CPOs.
The one i purchased has the 25" monitor & metal CPO. It is awating restoration in storage at the moment. Email me at ok09071969 at AOL dot com with questions or comments. I am not a member of the BBS here.
MY NAME IS JONATHAN CAIN I LIVE IN THE BRONX IN NEW YORK I GREW UP PLAYING ARCADE GAMES EAGLE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES I HOPE ONE DAY I CAN BUY ONE FOR MY APARTMENT I LOVE VIDEO GAMES I HAVE A PLAYSTATION-2 X-BOX AND X-BOX-360 ALSO A DREAMCAST AND A NINTENDO-64 AND NINTENDO GAME CUBE AS WELL BUT I MISS THE OLD SCHOOL GAMES LIKE-EAGLE MOON CRESTA GORF BERZERK CRAZY CLIMBER GALAGA. THESE NEW GAME SYSTEMS NEED TO BRING BACK THE OLD SCHOOL SOME HAVE AND I HAVE THEM BUT I MISS EAGLE. E-MAIL ME IF ANYONE’S SELLING A SMALL EAGLE ARCADE MACHINE COCKTAIL SIZE-john43virgo@verizon.net thank you.
That’s my game pictured. Great article, Jeff. Well done!
The only thing I can add to this subject is that the number of these cabs exceed 50, but are less than 60. I basically go on the general premis of 55 of the early models were made.
I’ve had an all original (but not prototype) for 25+ years now. I am finally ready to let it go, so I just listed it on Ebay. Please spread the word – I’d like it to go to a fan of this game and not get junked or converted.
I have a Eagle machine in my basement my father who has passed bought it from a bar in like 1985 I had no idea there was only so many made. Mine has the metal over lay by controls and the cabinet pictured is identical. So many years of fun.
Jerry – Thanks for sharing.
Eagle arcade games aren’t that sought after and are fairly common, but this particular cabinet is definitely more uncommon. Appreciate you leaving a comment.
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March 27, 2009
Notice the size of the monitor (in the picture) and that it is listed as being 19″ -in the flyer’s description.
This is what is “so rare” about the first 50 games produced.
I’ve been looking for one, for many years!