A person is not learning anything, if they acquire a dealer restored game. This is fine when a person has been in the hobby for ages and lack of time due to other time requirements, or even a rare game that is otherwise unobtainable.

Those advocators are enthusiasts with reduced motivation with wanting to play.
Do what most people did before the last iteration of 10+ year new collectors that decided to become owners..

Acquire a complete non-working EM game (find a local collector to help), and teach yourself electrical circuit theory.
Research proper solder techniques.
Watch my video regarding basic tools and equipment on Youtube, or others.
Find a local technician or collector to advise you to avoid common mistakes.
If you have questions, ask, don't guess.
Start practicing, and restore the game in question.

Not only will you be wiser, but it will help you not only troubleshoot your own game, and give yourself experience when you decide to buy more games potentially in the future.

If you are really serious acquire Randy Fromm's books. Restoring games is not easy, it is hard work with skills to do it right, as you don't want unreliable hacks.

Congrats on the Gladiators! That is a solid game to start with and sounds like you got it for a reasonable price. Let the fun begin...

OK I will agree here but some people just want to play! Some guys really don't have a lot of time to become a tech or to become tech savoy. And yes those folks really should buy a NIB game. But everybody doesn't have 8-10k for a new game. I have an EM (Gold Rush) in my garage right now that I am trying to get up and running. It was brought to me in parts. I am now considering bring a crack EM guy in on this one because it has me chasing my tail. These things can really "put it on ya" sometimes!

I completely disagree with this. A dealer bought game can be a great way to get your toes wet, especially if the dealer offers warranty service... which allows the owner to watch and learn from repairs.

Why do feel the need to constantly draw a line in the sand between older and newer collectors... trying to create some notion about “real collectors” versus posers. That schtick is tiresome and old. It’s completely unnecessary - and belive me, there are plenty highly motivated and intelligent new collectors that have entered the hobby on a different path.