Materials and equipment required
Table of Contents
To begin started, most arcade proprietors will need the following equipment and materials:
Games for arcades ($20,000 – $100,000)
POS (Point of Sale) System ($300 – $2000)
Bulk arcade tickets ($30 – $64)
Tokens for the arcade ($500 – $2000)
Ticket rewards range from $500 to $1000.
Ticket counter ($50 – $100)
Depending on the size of your arcade, you should spend $50,000 to $100,000 for initial purchase expenditures. The bulk of your expenditures will be spent on purchasing various arcade games. If you wish to add a new theme to your arcade, such as a barcade, you will need to account for the cost of alcohol as well as the licence fees for selling alcohol.
Important Decisions
Choosing the correct gaming machines is likely the most critical purchase you will make when opening an arcade. We describe the most important factors to consider while making this purchase and present some common solutions.
Considerations for Buying Arcade Games
Create a Theme for Your Target Market
It is critical to consider your target consumer while deciding on the kind of games to acquire for your arcade. Are you attempting to appeal to elderly consumers that like the nostalgia of vintage arcade games? Are you attempting to entice families who may choose more multi-player, family-friendly games? Perhaps you’re attempting to attract young people who just want a cool place to hang out.
Keep a theme in mind regardless of who you want to attract to your arcade so you can concentrate your purchases and make the most of your initial money.
Pre-Owned or New Games
There are several secondhand arcade games on the market. These may not only save you money, but they can also give your arcade a retro vibe, if that is the mood you want to create.
Newer gaming machines might be more expensive, but they are sometimes less expensive in terms of maintenance expenses. Both solutions provide a broad range of alternatives.
Make Use of Your Space
When selecting arcade gaming machines, keep your space constraints in mind. There are a variety of monitor sizes available, so when designing the floor layout for your arcade games, consider how your displays will appear and what the focal point of your arcade will be.
There are many different sizes of gaming machines, such as standup, upright, or bigger, sit-down, or even cocktail table. Plan on 50 square feet per game and at least 2 feet of room in front of each machine so that each participant has enough space.
Video Game Categories
Arcade Machines with Video Games
These machines are the foundation of every arcade company; a standard video arcade experience includes a variety of classics. Popular games such as Street Fighter and Pac-Man are examples.
Machines for Playing Pinball
Pinball machines, another famous mainstay of arcade gaming, remain a consumer favourite even when more technologically sophisticated games are available. You may buy pinball machines that are mechanical, digital, or a hybrid of the two.
Games of Redemption
Customers are enticed to keep earning tickets in order to exchange them for a prize in redemption games. Whac-A-Mole is a popular example of this style of game. This is a terrific feature of arcade games that encourages consumers to keep playing in order to collect enough tickets for the rewards they want.
Games that are interactive
Dance Dance Revolution is a popular interactive game that encourages consumers to use their bodies in ways other than their hands, making it an excellent choice for more family-friendly arcades. Billiards and air hockey are two more prominent examples.
Merchandise Games
Merchandise games provide players with quick reward upon completion. This contains the iconic crane and claw machine to get different plushies. These games are another another excellent arcade choice for families or young couples.
Best Shopping Locations
Most arcade game owners will have to go via a middleman distributor to make their purchases. Given the size of most arcade games, internet distributors may be the way to go if there are no physical stores in your region. Another alternative is to research various arcade game manufacturers and their national distributors. It is often good to be able to check equipment in person first to confirm quality before making a purchase.
Primetime Entertainment
This website provides a wide range of arcade game alternatives, from redemption games to vintage video arcade games, as well as useful tools for arcade operators. They generally sell new games and give a 90-day guarantee with no return policy. The organisation also provides excellent shipping services and guidance. This might be a wonderful place to start organising your arcade for new company owners.
Arcades for Monkeys
Monkey Arcades, one of the largest providers for old arcade games, provides a diverse selection of games at lower, more reasonable pricing. The variety of Monkey Arcades also enables owners to locate discontinued classics or create a more retro feel in their arcade setting. However, like with any used things, machine quality might be suspect. Before making a purchase, look over machine photographs and confirm functioning.
Gaming by BMI
BMI Gaming, dubbed the world’s biggest gaming emporium, provides an astonishing array of gaming alternatives. It offers some of the most recent gaming machines on the market, making it an excellent choice for owners who want to stay current.