# AMAZING HOME ARCADE (September 2021)

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2021-09-03  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/amazing-home-arcade-september-2021

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## Analysis

Jeff Kinder, a legendary LaserDisc and arcade restoration expert, opened his exceptional home arcade collection to the NJ Arcade Collectors group. The collection features immaculate classic arcade machines including rare Atari dedications, LaserDisc classics like Dragon's Lair and Space Ace, vector games, and several pinball titles in pristine condition, showcasing masterful woodworking and restoration craftsmanship.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Jeff Kinder's collection includes a dedicated 1983 Atari Major Havoc and a dedicated 1982 Atari Quantum — _Direct observation by writer at the collection_
- [HIGH] The collection contains a rarely seen 1985 Road Runner Atari System 1 cabinet — _Direct observation; writer notes this as exceptional rarity_
- [HIGH] Jeff Kinder has dedicated versions of Cinematronics LaserDisc games Dragon's Lair and Space Ace — _Direct observation at the arcade_
- [HIGH] The collection includes RDI Video Systems' LaserDisc game Thayer's Quest — _Direct observation; writer notes this as extremely rare_
- [HIGH] The pinball machines in the collection include Whirlwind, Fun House, and Black Knight 2000 — _Direct observation by writer_

### Notable Quotes

> "The control panel overlays are as smooth as a baby's bottom. It's as if these games just rolled off the factory floor."
> — **Author (Knapp Arcade)**
> _Demonstrates the exceptional restoration quality of machines in Jeff Kinder's collection_

> "This has to be the best collection of classic Atari games that I have ever personally seen."
> — **Author (Knapp Arcade)**
> _High praise for the concentration and quality of rare Atari dedications in the collection_

> "That's probably the only one of those that I'll ever see in my lifetime."
> — **Author (Knapp Arcade)**
> _Emphasizes the extreme rarity of Thayer's Quest LaserDisc game in private collections_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Jeff Kinder | person | Legendary LaserDisc and arcade restoration expert with an exceptional home arcade collection in New Jersey |
| NJ Arcade Collectors | organization | Arcade collector group that visited Jeff Kinder's home arcade for a gathering |
| Knapp Arcade | person/content_creator | Author/content creator documenting home arcade visits and collections |
| Whirlwind | game | Pinball machine in Jeff Kinder's collection |
| Fun House | game | Pinball machine in Jeff Kinder's collection |
| Black Knight 2000 | game | Pinball machine in Jeff Kinder's collection |
| Dragon's Lair | game | LaserDisc arcade game featuring Don Bluth animations in the collection |
| Space Ace | game | LaserDisc arcade game featuring Don Bluth animations in the collection |
| Thayer's Quest | game | Rare RDI Video Systems LaserDisc game in the collection; writer describes as potentially unique sighting |
| Donkey Kong | game | Multiple versions in collection including custom Donkey Kong 2 cabinet |
| Major Havoc | game | Dedicated 1983 Atari arcade cabinet in the collection |
| Quantum | game | Dedicated 1982 Atari arcade cabinet in the collection |
| Road Runner | game | Rarely seen 1985 Atari System 1 cabinet in the collection |
| TRON | game | Arcade game in hidden passage way of the collection |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Arcade restoration and craftsmanship, Home arcade collections, Rare and classic arcade machines
- **Secondary:** LaserDisc arcade games, Pinball machines in collector settings, Atari arcade cabinets

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.92) — Overwhelmingly positive tone with extensive praise for the collection quality, Jeff Kinder's craftsmanship, and the rarity of machines on display. Author expresses genuine enthusiasm and gratitude.

### Signals

- **[community_signal]** NJ Arcade Collectors group organizing visits to member home arcades, fostering community connection and knowledge sharing (confidence: high) — Group gathering at Jeff Kinder's home arcade organized for collective appreciation and play

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## Transcript

Last night the legend in the world of LaserDiscs and arcade restorer extraordinaire Jeff Kinder was kind enough to open up his epic home arcade to the NJ Arcade Collectors group for a gathering.

Check this place out! Super skilled in the world of woodworking and restoration, the games in Jeff’s collection are absolutely immaculate. The control panel overlays are as smooth as a baby’s bottom. It’s as if these games just rolled off the factory floor. There isn’t enough superlatives to describe their condition.

Beyond their great condition, some of these games are super rare. There was a dedicated 1983 Atari Major Havoc, a dedicated 1982 Atari Quantum and a huge row of Atari System 1 cabinets, that included a rarely seen 1985 Road Runner. This has to be the best collection of classic Atari games that I have ever personally seen.

As I mentioned, Jeff has been very active in the LaserDisc game scene over the years so of course he had dedicated versions of the Cinematronics classics Dragon’s Lair and Space Ace, featuring iconic Don Bluth animations. Next to those two was a game that I had never personally seen before…RDI Video Systems’ LaserDisc game Thayer’s Quest. That’s probably the only one of those that I’ll ever see in my lifetime.

Everywhere one turns there’s something amazing to see, a row of vector games here, a row of Donkey Kongs including a custom Donkey Kong 2 cabinet, there. Track and Field next to Hyper Sports. Punch-Out! next to Super Punch-Out. A solid group of pinball machines, including Whirlwind, Fun House and Black Knight 2000. A hidden passage way leading to a TRON.

What a collection! It was an honor to have been able to see it and play a few. Thanks to Jeff for hosting. If anyone is within driving distance of New Jersey and they have a home arcade they’re interested in sharing, I’d love to check it out. Let me know.

Thanks for reading and if you’re interested in this sort of thing, make sure to check out the archives of all of my trips to arcades over on the new website www.KnappArcade.org

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: fc7b694d-6c36-47ad-9e2f-fcd07d9d3781*