What is the most common arcade game? | Insights by PALM FUN

What is the most common arcade game?

Short answer: historically and culturally the single most iconic and widely distributed arcade title is Pac‑Man (Namco, 1980). For modern redemption‑focused locations, the most common machine category you will encounter on floors worldwide is the prize/crane (claw) machine — followed closely by ticket redemption staples such as Skee‑Ball, basketball shooters, and skill‑based ticket games. Why the difference? Pac‑Man is the most famous single title in classic arcades, but operators of family entertainment centers, malls and FECs favor claw machines and ticket redemption because they drive impulse play, are easy to restock with prizes, and adapt to wide customer demographics.

1) Which redemption machines are most profitable and why?

Top categories for revenue in most redemption floors:

• Claw (crane) machines — high impulse play, flexible prize mix, low perceived risk for players.
• Skee‑Ball and bowling/simulators — steady repeat plays, family groups, tournament potential.
• Basketball shoot games — strong dwell time, good for token or card systems.
• Skill‑ticket games (shooters, racers, timed challenge) — strong ticket yield per play when well‑tuned.
• Merchandiser/prize dispensers — high margins on merchandise if prize sourcing is efficient.

Why these perform: low/minimal maintenance footprint (compared with CRT arcade boards), easy prize management, clear perceived value to customers and adaptability to cashless/cash payment systems.

2) What KPIs should you track before reordering machines?

Essential KPIs and how to use them:

• Plays per day (or per week): raw play volume.
• Average revenue per play (ARP) and price per play: helps project gross intake.
• Revenue per machine per day/week/month: primary income measure.
• Revenue per square foot (or per location): compares machine productivity across spaces.
• Tickets dispensed and ticket payout percentage (tickets dispensed value ÷ cash intake): evaluate prize economics.
• Uptime / Mean Time Between Repairs (MTBR): measure reliability and service cost impact.
• Redemption conversion (tickets → prize claims): controls prize inventory planning and shrinkage.
• Cashless transaction rate: important for modern payment infrastructure and lower cash handling costs.

Useful formulas (operator standard):

• Gross monthly revenue per machine = plays per day × price per play × 30
• Net monthly income = Gross revenue − variable costs (prizes, tickets, electricity, credit fees) − estimated maintenance
• Payback period (months) = Machine purchase price ÷ Net monthly income

3) Buy new, lease, or buy used — which is best?

Decision factors:

• Capital available: buying new gives longest service life and warranty but requires higher upfront capital.
• Risk tolerance: leasing or rent‑to‑own shifts obsolescence and some repair risk to lessor, useful when testing new titles or short‑term events.
• Downtime tolerance: used machines are cheaper but may need more repairs and spare parts; ensure tested condition and spare parts availability.
• Cashless and telemetry needs: new machines commonly support cashless operators, remote telemetry and OTA updates — often required for modern operations.

Best practice: create a total cost of ownership (TCO) for each option that includes purchase/lease costs, expected uptime, maintenance, parts, and expected revenue impact over a 3–5 year horizon.

4) What technical and regulatory considerations matter when repurchasing?

Technical checklist:

• Footprint, clearance and weight: ensure transport and floor fit before ordering.
• Electrical requirements: confirm voltage, current draw, breaker requirements and if a dedicated circuit is needed.
• Payment systems: accept cash, token, or modern cashless/contactless payments; integration with your site card system matters.
• Telemetry & remote management: remote diagnostics, play reporting and price changes save labor and optimize floors.
• Parts availability and modularity: prefer vendors with common spare parts and field‑replaceable units.

Regulatory & legal considerations (must verify locally):

• Prize and ticket regulations: some jurisdictions restrict redemption of certain prizes or require clear disclosure of odds (for games with chance elements).
• Gambling laws: games of chance versus skill distinctions matter — consult counsel for conversion of skill levels or monetary prize policies.
• Safety & standards: compliance with UL, CE, RoHS or local electrical/safety certifications.

5) How to negotiate with manufacturers and secure spare parts?

Supplier negotiation and post‑sale support tips:

• Negotiate package deals (machines + parts kits + extended warranty + training) — vendors often discount on bundled orders.
• Ask for an SLA for response time on critical parts (ticket dispensers, power supplies, bill validators, motors).
• Request telemetry/demo access and ask whether the vendor provides API/SDK for integration with your cashless system.
• Secure a parts kit for each machine model (common wear parts: motors, belts, ticket dispensers, LEDs, sensors, PCBs).
• Confirm lead times and local spare part stocking; for used purchases, ensure availability of consumables and refurbishment options.

Procurement checklist (quick reference)

• Define target revenue and payback period per machine.
• Measure actual floor traffic and conversion for placement planning.
• Confirm electrical and physical site readiness.
• Specify payment types (cashless preferred) and telemetry requirements.
• Negotiate warranty, parts kits, training and response SLAs into the contract.
• Plan prize assortment and replenishment cadence and track ticket economics.

Example ROI calculation (illustrative)

Example — clearly labeled illustrative numbers only:

• Purchase price: $5,000
• Average plays per day: 60
• Price per play: $1.00
• Gross monthly revenue = 60 × $1 × 30 = $1,800
• Estimated monthly variable costs (prizes, tickets, electricity, credit fees) = $600
• Estimated monthly maintenance/reserve = $150
• Net monthly income = $1,800 − $600 − $150 = $1,050
• Payback period = $5,000 ÷ $1,050 ≈ 4.8 months

Use your real plays/day, price and cost numbers to create an accurate site‑specific projection.

Maintenance and operations best practices

• Keep a small on‑site stock of high‑failure consumables (belts, motors, ticket rolls, LEDs).
• Schedule regular preventive maintenance and cleaning (coin pathways, sensors, motors).
• Implement remote diagnostics and mobile service workflows to reduce downtime.
• Train floor staff to perform common quick fixes and how to document faults for warranty claims.

Placement & merchandising tips to maximize returns

• Place claw machines near entrances or high‑traffic impulse areas; keep prize assortments fresh and visible.
• Group high‑yield ticket games in tournament zones to encourage repeat play.
• Use clear signage for price and prize value; transparency improves trust and conversion.

Closing advice: combine solid KPI tracking, a procurement checklist, and vendor SLAs to turn each new machine purchase into a predictable revenue asset. Before signing purchase agreements, run scenario payback calculations using your real site data, and insist on telemetry and parts support in the contract so you can measure and optimize performance from day one.