Arcade operators employ multifaceted strategies to address the inevitable challenge of hardware obsolescence in their aging machines. Most develop comprehensive lifecycle management plans that begin before purchasing equipment, prioritizing cabinets with better part availability and documentation. Many establish relationships with specialized component suppliers and maintain extensive inventories of critical spare parts like CRTs, power supplies, and custom chips.

The retrofitting approach has become increasingly common, where operators upgrade original hardware with modern replacements while maintaining authentic gameplay. This includes installing LCD monitors with proper scaling filters, replacing proprietary power systems with standardized units, and implementing solid-state storage instead of failing mechanical drives. Some operators utilize FPGA-based solutions that perfectly replicate original hardware behavior without depending on scarce components.

Emulation serves as another viable solution for severely obsolete systems, though purists debate its authenticity. Modern emulation cabinets can provide remarkably accurate experiences while offering improved reliability and additional features like game collections and online connectivity. For irreplaceable rare machines, some operators create complete digital backups of ROMs and drive contents to facilitate future preservation.

Community collaboration plays a crucial role, with operators sharing technical knowledge, schematics, and reproduction part sources through dedicated forums and associations. Some larger operations even commission custom reproduction runs of discontinued components. The most successful operators view obsolescence management not as a cost burden but as an essential investment in preserving gaming history and maintaining customer satisfaction through consistent, reliable operation of their attractions.