Check out that rad '80s superbike seat! Hang-On saw the players mounted on a fake GP machine as they played. Photo: Mecum Auctions

Money’s tight these days. We’ve got a recession on, high inflation rates, you know the drill. So why not diversify your income? Now’s your chance to get your hands on one of the top money-making arcade games of the 1980s, Super Hang-On, with the cabinet seen above up for auction at Mecum’s Orlando auction this week! Install this in your garage, and you can lay claim to all the spare quarters in your neighborhood … or sit back and admire the glory of one of the coolest arcade machines of the 1980s, a ground-breaker in many ways.

The original Hang-On had three things going for it at its 1985 debut:

First, it had a rock soundtrack, far beyond the beeps and bloops typical of that day’s video game music.

Second, it was a motorcycle racing simulator, with a kinda-sorta 3D-perspective (see it in the gameplay below).

Third, instead of a lame button-pad controller, players actually straddled a scaled-down motorcycle to make their control inputs!

Of course, Hang-On was a massive success, vacuuming in quarters from kids’ wallets all around the world. It was the top-grossing arcade game in the US in 1985 and 1986, and also Japan’s top-grossing arcade game in 1986. Machines were in high demand, since they brought in big bucks. There were subsequent arcade sequel releases, including Super Hang-On. See that game’s improved play below:

The original Hang-On and its successors also saw ports to home consoles, and the forced 3D perspective inspired other classic motorcycle games like the Road Rash series. If you’re curious to know more, there’s a decent write-up on the series here at Wikipedia, and more in this YouTube video. This game?

The cabinet here is for sale at Mecum’s Orlando auction, and at time of writing, bidding is at $50. The advert said it was manufactured by RS TAICHI Inc., and is in “unknown working condition.” Maybe it’s a fixer-upper then? The keys come with it, at least. Photo: Mecum Auctions Photo: Mecum Auctions Photo: Mecum Auctions Photo: Mecum Auctions Photo: Mecum Auctions Photo: Mecum Auctions