So, I've been thinking (mostly because it's 6 AM and I'm running on 0 hours of sleep), I've always wondered about those old coin-op arcade games. Y'know, like Donkey Kong and Street Fighter and Metal Slug or whatever the heck. And what better place to ask than a joint with a bunch of old folks on it (well, in comparison to me, anyways)? What with an arcade near my place, I've been thinking of getting into this a bit. Any of y'all got any interest in the coin-op stuff or know some websites/forums/whatever where I can nab more info?

Sure,try the local laundromat.

what kind of info?

I'd say if you're looking to buy I'd go with either a street fighter or a neo geo, They're the most compatible with other PCB's (games), and you wouldn't for the most part have to install more controls. I used to have a SF2 world warrrior and a 1 slot neo geo machine.

I'm thinking along the lines of various games and the strategies to take them on with (so I don't have to waste all that many coins/credits at the arcade), hence why I ask for a forum or somesuch since people often can offer valuable tips, feedback, 'n' whatnot.
If any of y'all know anything about it, feel free to speak up, I just figured that GOG was more of a PC sorta place.

Which games do they have specifically that you're looking to play?

I'd kill for one here but I can't imagine my guest would appreciate it. :P I still miss the sound, smell, and over all vibe of being in an arcade when I was a kid.

I think one of the reasons I never became a rock star was because the basement the band practiced in also had an original TRON cabinet, hence we never got any actual practice in.

If money was no object then I'd buy as many machines as possible and run a massive arcade even if at a staggering loss, only so that I can play at my hearts content after hours with an endless coin supply.

But until then, I have to settle for emulators. I've had some success with MAME and managed to get Golden Axe, TMNT, several Metal Slugs and I think also Sunset Riders to work.

Why take the loss when you can play them at your own home, and set them all to free play? :P

My house if I ever win the lottery.

Well, because I still want it to feel like an arcade, which I don't think it would if I was the only one playing there :P
Plus, as the owner I'm curious what it would feel like to walk around the mere mortals to whom I would be known as the 'nameless one with infinity coins'

I've heard that a lot of the newer record-setting arcade game players (e.g., Hank Chien on Donkey Kong) have honed their skills by using MAME and abusing the crap out of save states to work out the techniques they should use to rack up their scores. I'm not saying their skills aren't real (and I use MAME, too), but it sort of gives me a new appreciation for the older guys that got good simply because they had a talent for it and were willing to spend a lot of money on a machine. I dunno, I guess it's like the video game world's equivalent of PEDs or something.

There are some older classics such as Rampage and Galaga, but I'm also looking into some of the Neo Geo games which I can buy online such as King of Fighters or Samurai Showdown or whatever that thing was with the blade.

Don't follow that logic, sure you have to watch your money. BUT if you're going to own the machines anyway, why take a huge loss by opening an arcade, when you can set them in your home and set to free play. You'll get the same skill as if you were playing for coins if/when you own the real machines.
That would be my best advice buy whatever home ports of the games they have, you'll get better via experience.

Absolutely. I have a massive collection of MAME roms, but not a physical stand up unit...YET. My faves are generally classic beat 'em ups like King of Dragons, Black Tiger, Magic Tower, D&D series, Knights of the Round, Bad Dudes, Crime Fighters, Golden Axe, X-Men, The Simpsons, TMNT and Turtles in Time, etc.

I also enjoyed the side scrolling/platforming games like Shinobi and its sequel, Shadow Dancer, along with its predecessor, Rolling Thunder. Contra and Metal Slug are also excellent additions to any coin-op collection.