Foot traffic is uneven. Fridays run hot, Tuesdays can be slow, and families arrive in short bursts before dinner. The right mix of games smooths those peaks and helps every hour pay its way.
If you are shortlisting machines for a new space or a refresh, compare actual lineups, costs, and service terms early. Scanning commercial options for arcade cabinets gives you a sense of proven titles, sizes, and maintenance needs, which makes the rest of the decisions easier.
Start With Your Business Model And Players
Write down who comes in, when they arrive, and why they stay. A bowling center with weekend parties has different needs than a downtown bar that fills up after 9 p.m.
A family entertainment center might lean on easy to learn video titles, a few ticket games, and one or two showpiece cabinets. A barcade may lean on head-to-head fighters, retro hits, and a few compact prize pieces.
Map each player type to a handful of game styles. Quick rounds work for queues, longer play fits lounge seating. Co-op titles encourage group spend. Competitive titles keep regulars returning.
Decide if you want a small, high-spend core or a wider, casual audience. This choice drives the mix and price points.
Set basic targets on day one. Examples that help owners compare options:
- Average credits per hour you expect from each unit
- Target weekly revenue per square foot for the game area
- Ideal mix by category, for example 50 percent video, 30 percent redemption, 20 percent pinball and specialty
Keep notes concise. You will use them when you look at dimensions, power, and budget.
Use Data To Choose Your Mix
Start with what already earns in similar venues. If you have sales history, sort the past year by earnings per week and retention, the rate at which a title keeps bringing players back after the first month.
If you are new, talk to operators who serve sites like yours and ask for top quartile titles for your format and region.
Build a simple comparison sheet for each candidate machine:
- Footprint in square feet
- Typical weekly revenue range in similar locations
- Power draw and heat output, helpful for HVAC planning
- Average round time, helps with throughput
- Service intervals and common parts
Then run two quick checks:
- Space efficiency: expected weekly revenue divided by square feet. A strong single seat cabinet that earns well in three feet of width can beat a large showpiece if space is tight.
- Payback window: total cost divided by expected weekly net, revenue minus parts and labor. A realistic goal for many venues is a payback window that fits your lease or season plan. Track actuals after install and swap weak performers fast.
Remember to keep variety. Even top earners can cannibalize each other if you place too many of the same style. Players like rotation, head-to-head choices, and a few surprises.
Check Power, Space, And Access Before You Buy
Measure twice. Many cabinets are taller or deeper than photos suggest, and corners, pillars, and low bulkheads steal inches you thought you had.
Confirm door widths, elevator limits, and ramp slopes so delivery is smooth. Place high visibility pieces on main sightlines, not hidden behind seating.
Plan for circulation. Leave at least three feet of clear path along aisles so guests can pass, and allow room behind stools for standing players. If you serve families, plan stroller routes and places to pause without blocking play.
Check power early. List each cabinet’s voltage, amperage, and plug type. Group higher draw titles on separate circuits, and keep wiring neat with labeled drops.
Budget Beyond The Sticker Price
The purchase price is only part of the picture. Create a total cost line for each machine that includes:
- Freight and delivery, including elevator work or stairs
- Setup, anchors, or protective floor mats
- Spare parts kit for the first six months
- Surge protection and network cabling if needed
- Ongoing supplies, tickets or card stock for redemption
- Labor hours for routine cleaning and checks
Estimate a yearly service budget based on vendor guidance and operator feedback. Track that number by cabinet. Machines that are cheap to buy but prone to downtime often cost more than stable earners with a higher price tag.
If the vendor offers financing, compare the monthly note to realistic net earnings. A tighter payment schedule can be fine if the title has proven pull and your site’s traffic supports it.
Document warranty terms in plain text. Note coverage length, what parts are included, response times, and who pays shipping on returns. Put this summary in your maintenance binder so staff can act fast when a part fails.
Plan For Operations, Safety, And Support
Great lineups do not run themselves. Set simple routines your team can follow on busy nights. Daily wipe downs, weekly tightening of bolts, coin or card audits, and a quick test play by staff catch small issues before they grow.
Keep a visible “out of order” tag and a log for each unit to record date, symptom, and fix. Clear notes reduce repeated work.
Mind noise and hearing safety in compact spaces. Measure typical sound levels during peak hours and adjust volumes so players can hear effects without blasting nearby tables.
Assign a single point of contact for parts and repairs. Stock the wear items that fail most often on your chosen titles, such as buttons, joysticks, flipper rubbers, ticket sensors, and fuses.
Tape a QR code on the inside of each coin door that links to the manual. Train two people, not one, to do the basics so vacations do not stall repairs.
Think about events and promos while you place machines. Group two or three head-to-head titles near a board for high scores. Rotate one cabinet to a “new this month” spot to spark repeat visits.
If you run party packages, build a quick checklist for hosts to guide groups through a five minute arcade kickoff that sets rules and keeps traffic moving.
Finally, line up vendor support before the first truck arrives. Confirm who you call for install questions, what hours they are available, and how to escalate if a shipment is damaged. A clear contact tree saves hours on go-live day.
Final Thoughts
A smart arcade plan starts with your players, then blends data, layout, total cost, and service. If you pick titles that fit your space and audience, place them where people can see and reach them, and support them with simple routines, you give every game a fair shot to earn.
Keep tracking actuals, retire weak performers, and refresh a few spots each quarter. Over a year, those steady choices build a lineup that guests trust and return to, and a business that runs cleaner and with fewer surprises.
