melchman's guide to: Midway Cabinets
Prerequisites: None
Sources: Experience

Midway Cabinets

Some of the most popular classic arcade games are Pac-Man, Galaga and Ms. Pac-Man. All these games were manufactured by Midway and they have very similar cabinets. Many times I find conversions done to to the wrong cabinets. If you are going to convert a cabinet, get the right cabinet for your conversion.

Galaga vs. Galaxian (Pac vs. Ms. Pac)

The Pac-Man cabinet is the same as the Galaxian cabinet on the wooden level. Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga are similar on the cabinet level. Ms. Pac is still plywood and Galaga is pressboard.

Because the outlines of Ms. Pac and Galaga are identical and the outlines of Galaxian are identical the photographs below will serve as a guide for both types of cabinet.

Photographic evidence

Below you will find a side by side comparison of Galaga (in black) and Galaxian (stripped to the wood). Click the pictures to get the full size JPEG.

Galaxian Item Galaga and Ms. Pac-Man
Cabinets
Slight Curve for the player Deeper curve (Plunging Neckline)
Shorter in the Front Higher Crown
Taller in the Back Softer Shoulders
Marquee (Internal)
Base or Floor of the cabinet No Photo
Control panel latching system
No Photo Monitor Frame