Over a thousand arcade games, including numerous pinball machines dating back to many decades ago, are going on public auction beginning this weekend.
The items will be sold because the Museum of Pinball in Banning is preparing to close its door definitively.
The museum will host live and online bids on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on the floor of the facility, which can be found at 700 S. Hathaway St.
In July, the nonprofit organization announced that due to the COVID-related restrictions, their financial situation went south, and they’ve run out of options.
They even tried to relocate the approximately 1,100 vintage pinball machines and digital arcade games to a location in Palm Springs but failed to do so, according to reports.
The museum has numerous gems, including the largest collection of classic pinball and arcade games on the planet.
There are games like “Magic Girl,” “Addams Family Gold Special,” and “Big Bang Bar.”
There are also digital arcade games like Atari’s “Star Wars Cockpit,” Exidy’s “Death Race,” “PaperBoy,” and the “Bally Midway Discs of Tron.”
The auctioneer estimated the value of the museum’s collection at over $8 million.
John Weeks, the museum’s owner, said:
“While it’s disappointing to see the Museum of Pinball close its doors, I am confident that Captain’s Auction Warehouse will steer the games in the right direction as we’ve worked together for many years.’
Bidding will begin at 3 p.m. Friday in the museum and online.
Extra auctions will be held on Saturday and Sunday, starting from 11 a.m.
Also, there will be access to product previews between noon and 3 p.m. Friday and between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on the weekend.
Whatever doesn’t get sold will be available for grabs during a final bid event set for September 24-26, the museum officials said.
