Opening a new arcade or family entertainment center requires careful equipment planning.
A successful entertainment venue usually needs more than one type of arcade machine.
Operators may combine claw machines, gashapon machines, racing games, shooting games, redemption games, air hockey, prize machines, and other attractions.
However, purchasing too many unrelated machines can make the venue difficult to manage.
A structured buying checklist can help operators plan the equipment mix before placing a wholesale order.
1. Define the Venue Concept
Start by identifying the type of entertainment center you want to build.
Possible concepts include:
Family entertainment center
Traditional arcade
Claw machine store
Shopping mall entertainment area
Children's entertainment venue
Game center
Indoor amusement venue
The concept determines the type of equipment that should receive the most floor space.
2. Measure the Available Space
Create a basic floor plan before purchasing machines.
Record:
Total floor area
Ceiling height
Entrance location
Emergency exits
Electrical points
Columns
Walls
Storage areas
Customer circulation paths
Leave sufficient space between equipment for customers and staff.
The goal is not simply to maximize the number of machines.
The layout should also provide a comfortable customer experience.
3. Divide Machines Into Categories
A balanced arcade can contain different equipment categories.
Prize Machines
Examples include:
Claw machines
Prize machines
Scissor machines
Capsule Machines
Examples include:
Gashapon machines
Capsule vending machines
Blind-box machines
Video Arcade Games
Examples include:
Racing games
Shooting games
Interactive video games
Competitive Games
Examples include:
Air hockey
Basketball games
Other two-player games
Different categories can attract different customer groups.
4. Plan the Claw Machine Area
Claw machines can be used as a major attraction in many entertainment centers.
Operators can combine different configurations:
Single-player claw machines
Double machines
Multi-player machines
Large prize machines
Compact claw machines
Use different sizes where appropriate instead of installing identical machines throughout the entire venue.
5. Add Gashapon and Capsule Machines
Gashapon machines can provide another type of prize experience.
They may be positioned:
Near entrances
Near claw machine areas
Along corridors
Near checkout counters
In dedicated capsule zones
Their relatively modular configurations can also make them useful for filling smaller areas.
6. Consider Competitive Arcade Games
Not every customer wants a prize machine.
Competitive games can create direct player-versus-player interaction.
Possible equipment includes:
Air hockey
Racing games
Shooting games
Basketball games
These machines can provide variety within the venue.
7. Match Equipment to Customer Age Groups
Different equipment can attract different customers.
For family venues, consider equipment that can be enjoyed by:
Children
Teenagers
Parents
Groups of friends
For youth-oriented venues, interactive and competitive games may receive more attention.
The equipment mix should reflect the customer profile expected at the location.
8. Check Payment Systems
Before ordering, determine how customers will pay.
Possible systems include:
Coins
Tokens
Cards
QR payments
Cashless systems
If several machine categories are installed, consider whether the payment experience should be consistent across the venue.
9. Consider Prize Management
If the venue uses claw machines and redemption games, prize inventory becomes part of the operation.
Plan:
Prize storage
Refill schedules
Prize categories
Prize costs
Display areas
Inventory management
A dedicated storage area can make daily operations easier.
10. Check Electrical Requirements
Every machine should be checked for:
Voltage
Frequency
Power consumption
Plug type
Electrical load
For a large entertainment center, calculate the total electrical requirements before finalizing the equipment layout.
The manufacturer's specifications should be used for the actual planning.
11. Consider Machine Maintenance
Commercial arcade equipment may require routine maintenance.
Before purchasing, ask the supplier about:
Spare parts
Troubleshooting
Control boards
Motors
Payment components
LED components
Technical manuals
Remote technical support
For international operators, remote support and spare-parts availability can be particularly important.
12. Check Shipping and Installation Requirements
For imported equipment, determine:
Packed dimensions
Gross weight
Packaging type
Number of cartons
Container requirements
Shipping terms
Also confirm what assembly or setup is required after delivery.
If machines need special electrical or venue preparation, this should be considered before shipment.
13. Decide Which Machines Need Customization
Not every machine needs to be customized.
Standard machines may be sufficient for some equipment categories.
Customization can be useful for:
Store branding
Chain locations
Shopping mall projects
Promotional campaigns
Special entertainment concepts
Possible customization includes:
LOGO
Colors
Stickers
Cabinet graphics
Lighting
Exterior appearance
14. Compare Multiple Suppliers
When purchasing equipment wholesale, compare suppliers based on more than price.
Check:
| Item | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Factory | Production capability |
| Product | Complete specifications |
| Price | Full configuration |
| Customization | Available options |
| Payment | Supported systems |
| Packaging | Export protection |
| Shipping | Packed volume and weight |
| Spare Parts | Availability |
| Support | Technical assistance |
| Warranty | Terms and coverage |
This can help reduce misunderstandings during the purchasing process.
15. Request a Complete Equipment Proposal
For a new entertainment center, it may be more efficient to send the manufacturer:
Venue size
Floor plan
Target customer
Equipment categories
Estimated quantity
Budget range
Customization requirements
Destination country
The supplier can then provide equipment specifications and a quotation based on the project requirements.
For larger venues, buyers can also request a proposed equipment layout.
Sample Arcade Equipment Mix
A medium-sized entertainment project could potentially combine:
Prize Area
Claw machines
Prize machines
Scissor machines
Capsule Area
Gashapon machines
Capsule vending machines
Arcade Area
Racing machines
Shooting games
Competitive Area
Air hockey
Basketball or other interactive games
The actual combination should be adjusted according to the venue and target customers.
Why Work With an Arcade Equipment Manufacturer?
Working directly with a manufacturer can simplify communication for larger projects.
A manufacturer may be able to provide:
Multiple equipment categories
Factory-direct pricing
OEM/ODM customization
Product specifications
Spare parts
Packaging
Export support
Technical assistance
For buyers planning a complete entertainment center, sourcing several machine categories from one experienced supplier may also reduce the need to coordinate with multiple factories.
Fanhong Arcade Factory
Fanhong Arcade Factory is a commercial arcade equipment manufacturer in Guangzhou, China.
The product range covers:
Claw machines
Gashapon machines
Capsule toy machines
Prize machines
Scissor machines
Racing games
Shooting games
Air hockey
Vending machines
Other arcade equipment
The factory supports wholesale orders and OEM/ODM customization for selected equipment.
For new arcade and entertainment center projects, buyers can provide venue information and equipment requirements to discuss suitable machine configurations.
Final Arcade Equipment Buying Checklist
Before confirming your order, check:
☐ Venue size
☐ Floor plan
☐ Target customers
☐ Equipment categories
☐ Machine quantities
☐ Machine dimensions
☐ Electrical requirements
☐ Payment systems
☐ Prize requirements
☐ OEM customization
☐ Spare parts
☐ Packaging
☐ Shipping
☐ Technical support
☐ Warranty
☐ Final quotation
Conclusion
Planning arcade equipment for a new entertainment center requires a complete view of the project.
Instead of selecting machines individually, operators should consider the venue concept, floor layout, customer groups, equipment categories, payment systems, prize management, maintenance, customization, and logistics together.
A well-planned equipment mix can create different experiences for different customers while making better use of the available space.
If you are planning a new arcade, family entertainment center, shopping mall project, or claw machine venue, contact Fanhong Arcade Factory for commercial arcade equipment catalogs, wholesale pricing, OEM/ODM options, and project support.
WhatsApp: +86 19928309481
Email: Fanhong668@gmail.com
