What Are the Most Profitable Arcade Machines? Equipment Planning Advice from a Manufacturer in Business Since 2013

Choosing profitable arcade machines is not simply about buying the most popular products. A successful arcade or family entertainment center needs the right mix of machines in the right locations.

The entrance should attract attention, the central area should encourage customers to stop and play, and the deeper parts of the venue should give them a reason to stay longer.

Based on Skyfun’s experience in amusement equipment and venue operation since 2013, this article explains how to plan an arcade equipment mix according to different areas of a venue.

Why Does the Equipment Mix Matter in an Arcade or FEC?

If a venue contains only one type of machine or too many similar products, it cannot really offer the experience customers expect from a comprehensive arcade or family entertainment center.

A well-planned arcade needs enough variety to keep customers interested and attract different types of players.

For example, the venue should include simulator machines such as racing simulators and shooting simulators. It should also have sports games such as basketball arcade machines and air hockey tables.

Prize-based machines are another important category, including claw machines and capsule toy machines. A suitable number of ticket redemption machines should also be included, especially in venues targeting families and younger players.

Following current market trends, many arcades and FECs are also adding VR arcade equipment to create more immersive experiences.

However, there is no single equipment combination that works for every venue. The final arcade equipment mix should be planned according to:

•  Available floor space

•  Target customers

•  Local spending power

•  Customer age groups

•  The venue owner’s budget

A balanced mix helps the venue appeal to a wider audience while reducing the risk of relying too heavily on one type of machine.

Entrance Area: Use Music Games to Attract Foot Traffic

Based on our previous experience operating arcades, we usually place music-based arcade machines near the entrance. These may include dance machines or other interactive music games.

Music arcade machines have a strong rhythm and create an energetic atmosphere. This is especially noticeable when a group of players competes against one another.

A lively competition can encourage people passing by to stop and watch. Some of these spectators may then enter the venue and become paying customers.

For this reason, music and dance arcade machines can be effective products for generating foot traffic at the entrance.

The goal of the entrance area is not only to generate direct revenue from one machine. It should also create energy, improve the visibility of the venue and encourage more people to walk inside.

Central Area: Place Your Signature Attraction Here

The central area should feature the venue’s signature attraction. This machine should represent the best experience the arcade has to offer.

It could be a popular new product or a higher-value attraction. More importantly, it needs to offer strong playability and visual appeal.

A suitable signature attraction should encourage customers to stop, watch and want to try the experience themselves.

Skyfun’s recently launched Skydiving VR can meet these requirements. It is a modern VR attraction with a futuristic and eye-catching appearance.

The machine supports two players and creates a strong sensation of weightlessness. Its exciting experience can make players scream and naturally attract attention from other visitors.

A product like this can become the visual focus of the venue, encouraging more customers to gather around and try the attraction.

When selecting a machine for the central area, venue operators should consider more than its appearance. Popularity, player capacity, session length and replay value can all influence how much revenue the machine generates.

Rear or Large-Space Area: Create a More Immersive Experience

For the rear section of a venue or an area with more available space, we recommend installing a large-space VR attraction.

This type of VR system supports multiplayer experiences and can offer both player-versus-player (PVP) and player-versus-environment (PVE) game modes. It can accommodate up to 12 players at the same time.

The system includes several games, including shooting and zombie-themed experiences. These are familiar and popular themes that are easy for customers to understand.

Large-space VR is different from conventional VR equipment. Instead of remaining seated or standing in one fixed position, players can walk around and interact inside an area ranging from several dozen square meters to more than 100 square meters.

The virtual scene matches the physical play area at a 1:1 scale. As players move through the real space, their movement is reflected inside the virtual environment, creating a much stronger sense of immersion.

This type of gameplay is still relatively new and is currently popular in European and North American markets.

Placing a large-space VR attraction deeper inside the venue can encourage customers to explore the full arcade. Multiplayer games can also increase group participation and extend the amount of time customers spend at the venue.

How Different Arcade Machines Work Together

The most profitable arcade machines are not always the same for every business. Profitability depends on how each machine supports the overall customer journey.

Music games at the entrance help attract attention. A signature attraction in the central area creates a visual focus. Large-space VR in the rear encourages customers to move deeper into the venue and stay longer.

Simulator games, sports games, prize machines and ticket redemption machines then provide additional choices for customers with different interests and budgets.

This is why equipment selection should not be treated as a list of individual purchases. It should be planned as a complete venue experience.

Skyfun’s Complete Arcade Planning Service

Skyfun provides a complete one-stop service for arcade and family entertainment center projects. We can develop an equipment and design plan according to the customer’s budget and available floor space.

We can provide an initial floor plan within three hours—the fastest response time in the industry.

Our team can assist venue operators with:

•  Location selection

•  Arcade equipment planning

•  2D floor plans

•  3D visualizations

•  Renovation recommendations

•  Decoration drawings

•  Door-to-door equipment transportation

•  Equipment installation

•  Staff training

After the venue is completed, we can also provide an amusement venue operation plan to help the customer manage and operate the business.

From location planning and machine selection to transportation, installation and training, Skyfun provides a turnkey solution for opening or upgrading an arcade or FEC.

Plan the Right Equipment Mix for Your Venue

If you are planning a new arcade or upgrading an existing family entertainment center, choosing machines one by one without an overall plan can lead to wasted space and an unbalanced customer experience.

Skyfun can recommend a commercial arcade equipment mix based on your floor space, target customers, local market and investment budget.

Contact the Skyfun team and send us your venue size, floor plan and basic project requirements. We can help you build an equipment plan designed around the way customers enter, play and move through your venue.

Contact Skyfun for a Customized Arcade Equipment Plan