Condition ratings are subjective and vary from seller to seller. Photos are always the best indicator of an item's true state. Use this guide as a baseline when describing or evaluating a listing — every value below is one the listing flow itself uses.
These values apply to whole machines. The listing flow shows this set when the seller picks pinball, arcade, or a multicade custom build.
Confirmed order for an unreleased title or upcoming production run. Has not yet shipped — delivery date and any deposit terms come from the seller.
Factory sealed, shipped direct from a distributor. Never owned, zero plays. Factory warranty applies if applicable.
Factory sealed, purchased new and stored by a private owner. Never opened, zero plays.
Removed from original packaging for inspection but never played. Effectively new.
Indistinguishable from new. No wear, no fading, no modifications. Typically a very low-play home unit.
Home Use Only with provenance the seller can document — original receipt, shipping records, or a verifiable ownership chain. See the HUO section below.
Home Use Only claim without documentation. Common for machines that have changed hands over the years. See the HUO section below.
Home Use Only provenance, but the machine has issues that need addressing before it plays well. Buyer should expect to invest time or money.
Professionally restored to original factory specifications. May include reproduction artwork, new chrome, or refinished cabinet — as-new appearance and function.
Some restoration work done — for example a new playfield or refinished cabinet — but not a top-to-bottom rebuild. Seller should list exactly what was restored.
Professionally cleaned and serviced. New rubber rings, fresh bulbs, cleaned contacts, re-waxed playfield. May show cosmetic wear but mechanically refreshed.
Recent service work done in specific areas (e.g. new rubbers, replaced bulbs) but not a full shop job. Seller should call out what was and was not addressed.
Normal wear for a used machine. Fully functional with honest cosmetics. Minor scratches, some fading. A solid daily driver.
Noticeable wear and aging. Works but could use attention. Some issues present but playable as-is.
Heavy wear or partial function. Needs repairs to be fully operational. Sold as-is.
Operated commercially — arcade, bar, FEC, or similar public venue. Expect route wear: cabinet dings, faded artwork, well-used controls. Condition varies widely; lean on photos.
Plays end-to-end but has small known issues (a flaky switch, an intermittent bulb, a cosmetic blemish). Honest as-is daily-driver with a short to-do list.
Boots and plays in some form, but with significant known issues. Buyer should expect a real project to get it back to reliable working order.
Needs significant work. Non-functional, gutted, or incomplete. Suitable for restoration projects or as a parts donor.
These values apply to parts, accessories, and mods rather than whole machines. The listing flow shows this set when the seller picks the parts/accessories category.
Brand new in factory or original packaging, unopened. Typically NOS (New Old Stock) or a current-production part.
New and unused, but the original packaging has been opened — for inspection, photos, or to verify the part before listing.
Cleaned, repaired, or rebuilt to working condition. May include replaced sub-components. Seller should describe what was refurbished.
Pulled from a working machine and confirmed functional by the seller. Shows honest wear consistent with its age.
Pulled from a machine but not bench-tested. Sold as-is — buyer assumes responsibility for verifying function.
Known non-working. Suitable as a donor or for restoration projects. Sold strictly as-is.
HUO means the machine went directly from the factory or dealer to a private home and was never operated in a commercial or public setting such as an arcade, bar, or laundromat. The listing flow exposes three explicit HUO conditions above so sellers can be precise about both provenance and current state.
The seller can provide proof of home-only provenance — original purchase receipt, shipping records, or a verifiable ownership history. Pairs with the HUO Documented condition above.
The seller claims home use only but cannot provide documentation. This is common for machines that have changed hands multiple times over the years. Pairs with the HUO Undocumented condition above.
HUO is a provenance qualifier as much as a condition rating. A home-use machine can still need work — that's what the HUO — Needs Work value captures.
