The Holy Grails of Gaming: The 10 Rarest Arcade Cabinets Ever Made
- Steven Campbell
- Jun 1
- 3 min read
Arcade cabinets are more than just gaming machines—they're pieces of history. While classics like Pac-Man and Street Fighter II are relatively common, some cabinets are so rare that they’ve become legendary among collectors. Whether due to limited production runs, experimental designs, or being lost to time, these machines are the "holy grails" of arcade gaming.
In this post, we’ll explore the 10 rarest arcade cabinets in existence, their backstories, and why they’re so coveted today.
1. Nintendo PlayChoice-10 (1986) – The Ultimate NES Arcade
Why It’s Rare:
A unique dual-screen arcade machine that let players choose from 10 different NES games (later expanded to 12).
Only a few hundred were made, and many were converted into other cabinets.
Highly sought after by Nintendo collectors.
Estimated Value: £5,000–£15,000 (if fully intact)
2. Polybius (Myth or Reality?)
Why It’s Rare:
A legendary arcade game rumored to have existed in the early '80s, supposedly causing hallucinations and amnesia in players.
No confirmed original cabinet has ever been found—most "Polybius" machines today are fan-made recreations.
Estimated Value: Priceless (if real)
3. Atari Airborne Avenger (1975) – The Lost Prototype
Why It’s Rare:
One of Atari’s earliest laser disc-based arcade games, predating Dragon’s Lair.
Only one known prototype exists, owned by a private collector.
Never officially released due to technical issues.
Estimated Value: £50,000+ (if sold)
4. Sega Holosseum (1992) – The Holographic Fighter
Why It’s Rare:
Used real holographic projection to create 3D fighters.
Extremely expensive to produce—only a handful were made.
Most were destroyed or dismantled due to maintenance difficulties.
Estimated Value: £20,000+ (if found)
5. Nintendo Vs. Unisystem (1984) – The Dual-Game Arcade
Why It’s Rare:
Featured two games in one cabinet, with swappable ROMs (e.g., Vs. Super Mario Bros., Vs. Duck Hunt).
Many were converted into other machines, making original units rare.
Estimated Value: £3,000–£10,000
6. Exidy’s Death Race (1976) – The Controversial Killer
Why It’s Rare:
The first video game ever banned for violence (players ran over "gremlins," which looked like people).
Fewer than 50 original cabinets are believed to exist.
Estimated Value: £10,000–£30,000
7. Namco’s Galaxian 3 (1990) – The 6-Player Theater
Why It’s Rare:
A massive arcade experience with a projection screen and hydraulic motion seats.
Only a few were made due to its enormous size and cost.
Estimated Value: £50,000+ (if operational)
*8. Atari’s Cosmic Chasm (1983) – The Vector Rarity
Why It’s Rare:
A vector graphics game that was ported to the ill-fated Vectrex console.
Extremely low production numbers—only a few confirmed survivors.
Estimated Value: £8,000–£15,000
9. Sega’s R-360 (1990) – The Spinning Flight Simulator
Why It’s Rare:
A full-motion arcade cabinet that rotated 360 degrees while playing G-LOC: Air Battle.
Only a few hundred were made—most didn’t survive due to mechanical failures.
Estimated Value: £25,000+ (if working)
10. Midway’s Tapper (Budweiser Edition) (1983) – The Beer Cabinet
Why It’s Rare:
Originally sponsored by Budweiser, featuring real beer-branded artwork.
Later replaced with a "root beer" version due to controversy.
Original Budweiser editions are incredibly hard to find.
Estimated Value: £5,000–£15,000
Why Are These Cabinets So Valuable?
Extremely Low Production Numbers – Many were prototypes or commercial failures.
Unique Technology – Holograms, motion systems, and laser discs made them expensive to produce.
Cultural Impact – Some were banned or controversial, adding to their mystique.
Survivor’s Rarity – Many were destroyed, converted, or lost to time.
Do Any of These Still Exist?
A few of these machines are in private collections, museums, or arcade preservation groups. If you ever see one in the wild, consider yourself lucky—you’re looking at a piece of gaming history!
Would you hunt for one of these rarities, or do you know of another ultra-rare cabinet? Let us know in the comments! 🕹️🔍
(Looking to start your own arcade collection? Check out our guide on [How to Buy & Restore Vintage Arcade Machines]!)