The Vision: The "Holy Grail" Imports Are Coming

​Four Swords Retropub has just leveled up. We’ve completed our renovations and moved into our new unit to give you a better experience. Now, we have the space to do something big.

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We have the unique opportunity to acquire three legendary Japanese arcade cabinets that are almost impossible to find in the United States. These aren't just games; they are massive, multiplayer experiences that you can't replicate on a home console.

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We’ve already taken the plunge and secured these machines. They are coming to our floor. But importing heavy hardware from Japan, sourcing vintage CPUs, and paying for freight shipping isn't cheap the total invoice for this project will easily clear $20,000.

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We are running this campaign as a massive pre-sale. We need your help to cover the heavy lifting of freight and customs. By backing this project, you are pre-purchasing your gameplay at a discount and helping us bring these beasts to Marquette without burying our small business in debt.

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The Lineup

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We aren't buying generic cabinets. We are bringing home a specific "Dream List" of Japanese arcade hardware:

Derby Owners Club (4-Station Setup): The cult-classic horse racing RPG. Train your horse, save your data, and race against friends in a massive multiplayer setup. We will have 1 of only 2 available to play in all of North America!

Cho Chabudai Gaeshi ("Table Flip"): The viral "anger management" game. Yes, it has a physical table controller that you literally flip over to destroy the on-screen environment. It is hilarious, rare, and incredibly fun.

Bishi Bashi Channel: The ultimate Japanese multiplayer mini-game collection. Fast-paced, chaotic, 3-player button-mashing fun that is highly competitive and perfect for drawing a crowd.

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THE FUNDING MILESTONES

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Since the games are officially secured, every dollar raised goes directly toward paying down the massive logistics, freight, and hardware invoices.

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BASE GOAL: $6,000 — The Domestic Freight Fund

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The Milestone: This base goal ensures the campaign is a success and gives us the immediate cash flow needed to cover the domestic freight shipping to get Derby Owners Club onto the floor as fast as possible.

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MILESTONE 1: $11,000 — The Naomi Hardware Fund

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The Milestone: Derby Owners Club is a beast. Hitting this tier covers the complex internal hardware required to get the 4-player setup actually running, including the rare CPU, 4 separate Sega Naomi motherboards, and the specialized link cables.

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MILESTONE 2: $15,000 — The International Freight Fund

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The Milestone: Hitting this tier covers the massive shipping invoice for getting Cho Chabudai Gaeshi (Table Flip) and Bishi Bashi Channel across the ocean and through US Customs.

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THE ULTIMATE GOAL: $20,000+ — The Clear Board

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The Milestone: If we hit $20,000, the entire acquisition and shipping invoice is essentially covered by community pre-sales!

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Why Back This Project?

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Because Four Swords Retropub has always been about more than just high scores—it’s about the people standing next to you.

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We believe an arcade should be a true community hub. A third space where rivalries are born, friendships are forged, and memories are made in person. We carefully selected this specific lineup of games because they are social anchors designed to bring people together in a way that online gaming simply can’t.

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In a standard arcade, playing Derby Owners Club or Bishi Bashi Channel could cost you $2.00 to $4.00 per credit. On our floor, these premium machines will be set to Free Play. You pay your entry, and you play as much as you want. We operate on a $15 All-Day Free Play model.

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By backing us, you aren't just donating you are pre-buying your passes at a discount to play these games the moment they arrive! You are investing in the culture of our city. You are helping us build a space where people actually talk to each other, compete with each other, and celebrate together. Please help us bring these social experiences home.

 

Risks and Challenges

We are experienced arcade operators, not first-timers. We have successfully sourced, repaired, and maintained cabinets for years (including our recent move and renovation). However, bringing in vintage hardware always carries inherent risks. Here is how we plan to handle them:

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1. Freight & Logistics

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The Risk: Shipping massive cabinets like Derby Owners Club involves pallets, trucks, and potential bumps in the road. Delays in freight or customs processing are possible.

The Plan: We are working with trusted importers who specialize in arcade amusements. We have buffered our timeline to account for potential shipping delays. If a machine is held up in transit, we will provide weekly updates to all backers so you know exactly where the truck or ship is.

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2. Vintage Hardware Maintenance

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The Risk: These games run on Sega Naomi-era hardware. They are 20+ years old. CRTs (monitors) can be temperamental, and link-boards can be finicky after transport.

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The Plan: We don't just buy games; we fix them. Our team has extensive experience servicing CRTs, recapping power supplies, and troubleshooting Naomi hardware. We have budgeted a portion of the funds specifically for spare parts and maintenance. If a machine arrives with a monitor issue or a board fault, we have the technical skills to repair it in-house rather than waiting on expensive outside contractors.

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3. Installation & Space

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The Risk: Derby Owners Club is a beast of a machine. It requires significant floor space and precise assembly.

The Plan: We recently completed a full renovation and move to a new unit. We have pre-measured our entryways and floor plan to ensure these specific cabinets fit. The space is ready and waiting; we just need the hardware to fill it.

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4. Fulfillment

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The Risk: Getting rewards to backers.

The Plan: Since our primary rewards are Day Passes and Memberships, fulfillment is low-risk. We will issue digital vouchers immediately upon the campaign's success, which can be redeemed at the front desk. You won't be waiting months for a physical product to ship; you can come play as soon as the doors open.

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Two-Wave Fulfillment Plan
To get games on the floor as fast as possible, we are splitting acquisition into two waves. Derby Owners Club is our domestic/fast priority and will be on the floor first (Target: Early Spring). Cho Chabudai Gaeshi (Table Flip) and Bishi Bashi Channel are coming via freight and will arrive in 'Wave 2' (Target: Early Summer).