A commercial arcade machine should not be selected only because the game looks exciting in a demo.<\/p>\n
Once it enters a game zone, FEC, mall, restaurant or entertainment venue, that machine becomes a working business asset. Customers will use it repeatedly, staff will need to operate it, technicians may eventually need to service it, and the machine has to justify the floor space it occupies.<\/p>\n
That is why a proper commercial arcade machine buying guide needs to look beyond appearance and purchase price.<\/p>\n
At Funtime, we recommend evaluating how the machine is built, who it is designed for, how much operating space it requires, what kind of maintenance it needs and what happens after installation.<\/p>\n
Here are 12 areas we believe commercial buyers should check before placing an order.<\/p>\n
A machine intended for a private games room does not face the same workload as equipment installed in a commercial game zone.<\/p>\n
Commercial machines may be used repeatedly throughout the day by customers of different ages and playing styles. Buttons, controls, cabinets, seats and physical components therefore need to suit frequent operation.<\/p>\n
Before buying, ask how the machine is constructed and what type of venue it is designed for.<\/p>\n
Our wider range of commercial arcade machines<\/a> includes different formats for game zones, FECs and other entertainment environments, but each product should still be evaluated according to its intended use.<\/p>\n Do not plan using cabinet dimensions alone.<\/p>\n The player also needs space.<\/p>\n A racing game may require room to enter and exit the seat. Air hockey needs a player at each end, while physical games involving batting, kicking or throwing need additional movement clearance.<\/p>\n For example, a commercial Air Hockey Table<\/a> needs enough room around the table for two players to compete comfortably without blocking nearby machines or customer pathways.<\/p>\n Before ordering, calculate the complete operating footprint:<\/p>\n Machine + player area + spectator space + circulation + maintenance access.<\/p>\n This gives you a much more realistic picture of what actually fits.<\/p>\n A visually impressive cabinet may attract attention once, but the game itself determines whether customers want another attempt.<\/p>\n Play the machine before buying wherever possible.<\/p>\n Ask whether the objective is easy to understand, how long one session takes and whether the score or result gives the customer a reason to try again.<\/p>\n A strong machine does not necessarily need complex gameplay. Some of the most commercially useful experiences are simple challenges customers understand within seconds.<\/p>\n The important factor is whether the machine gives customers a clear, enjoyable experience rather than simply looking attractive from a distance.<\/p>\n A machine can be excellent and still be wrong for your venue.<\/p>\n A children’s entertainment area, college-focused game zone, premium resort and corporate recreation space do not necessarily need the same equipment mix.<\/p>\n Consider the customer’s age, physical ability, gaming familiarity and reason for visiting.<\/p>\n A larger sports attraction such as a Cricket Simulator<\/a> may make sense where active sports entertainment is part of the venue concept, while a smaller location may benefit more from compact reaction or retro games.<\/p>\n The machine should serve your customer profile rather than forcing the customer to fit the equipment.<\/p>\n Commercial customers will not handle equipment as carefully as a private owner.<\/p>\n Look at how the cabinet, frame, control panel, doors, mounts and other frequently handled parts are constructed.<\/p>\n Pay particular attention to components customers interact with repeatedly, such as joysticks, buttons, steering wheels, bats, sensors, pedals and handles.<\/p>\n At Funtime, we manufacture arcade equipment through our in-house manufacturing operations<\/a>, covering areas such as fabrication, electronics, programming, assembly and testing.<\/p>\n For a buyer, understanding how the equipment is manufactured provides much more useful information than judging quality only from graphics and lighting.<\/p>\n Do not wait for the machine to arrive before asking the electrician where it will connect.<\/p>\n Every shortlisted machine should have its electrical requirements recorded during layout planning.<\/p>\n Also confirm whether it needs:<\/p>\n For multiple-machine projects, we recommend completing the game zone setup plan<\/a> before finalising electrical points.<\/p>\n Planning machines, power and layout together usually creates a much cleaner installation than trying to adapt the property after equipment has arrived.<\/p>\n The gameplay may work perfectly, but commercially the machine also needs to start when the customer pays.<\/p>\n Depending on your venue, you may operate using cards, QR-based payments, coins, tokens or another central game-management system.<\/p>\n Confirm how the machine will integrate with your chosen payment method.<\/p>\n Ask whether the quoted equipment includes the required payment interface and whether any additional configuration will be needed.<\/p>\n This is particularly important when buying machines from different sources. Customers should not need to understand several completely different payment processes across one gaming floor.<\/p>\n Maintenance access is rarely the most exciting part of an arcade machine demo, but it becomes extremely important once the machine is operating.<\/p>\n Find out where technicians access:<\/p>\n Then check whether your planned machine position leaves enough room for that access.<\/p>\n A machine placed tightly against a wall may look efficient until a technician needs to reach a rear service panel.<\/p>\n Serviceability should influence both the machine purchase and final floor layout.<\/p>\n Do not wait for the first breakdown to discover whether replacement components are available.<\/p>\n Ask which parts experience normal wear and how they are supplied.<\/p>\n Depending on the machine, this might include controls, sensors, cables, buttons, accessories or specific mechanical components.<\/p>\n You do not need to buy every possible part on day one. However, operators should know which inexpensive, frequently used components are worth keeping locally and which larger parts can be sourced when required.<\/p>\n Spare-parts availability is part of the machine’s long-term commercial value.<\/p>\n Delivery is not always the end of the purchase.<\/p>\n Some machines may require positioning, assembly, calibration, payment-system setup or technical checks before they are ready for customers.<\/p>\n Ask what the supplier includes.<\/p>\n You should also understand whether your staff will receive guidance on operating the machine, completing basic checks and reporting faults properly.<\/p>\n For a new game zone, having a clear handover process can prevent small operational mistakes from turning into unnecessary downtime after opening.<\/p>\n Most commercial venues can build a strong arcade using standard machines.<\/p>\n There are situations, however, where the space, branding or customer experience requires something different.<\/p>\n A mall activation may need a branded concept. An unusual property may require different physical dimensions. A business may want a unique interaction that does not exist in a standard catalogue.<\/p>\n2. Check the Real Space Requirement<\/h2>\n
3. Evaluate the Gameplay, Not Just the Machine Design<\/h2>\n
4. Make Sure the Machine Fits Your Target Audience<\/h2>\n
5. Inspect Cabinet and Component Quality<\/h2>\n
6. Check Power and Site Requirements Before Ordering<\/h2>\n
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7. Understand Payment-System Compatibility<\/h2>\n
8. Ask How the Machine Is Serviced<\/h2>\n
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9. Ask About Spare Parts Before You Need Them<\/h2>\n
10. Understand Installation and Training Support<\/h2>\n
11. Decide Whether You Need Standard or Custom Equipment<\/h2>\n