Best Arcade and Redemption Equipment for Centers

Best Arcade and Redemption Equipment for Centers

Why choosing the right arcade and redemption equipment matters for your bowling alley equipment mix

Selecting the right arcade and redemption equipment is no longer an afterthought for modern centers. Entertainment venues that combine bowling alley equipment with a well-chosen arcade floor increase dwell time, diversify revenue streams, and offer cross-selling opportunities. The right mix of games — from skill-based redemption machines to immersive simulators and prize merchandisers — can improve per-guest spend, reduce peak-hour bottlenecks, and create memorable experiences that drive repeat visits. This guide helps operators identify the best equipment categories, evaluate suppliers, estimate costs and ROI, and integrate arcade systems with existing bowling alley equipment.

Understanding product categories within arcade and redemption equipment

Arcade and redemption equipment generally fall into several functional categories. Knowing how each category complements bowling alley equipment helps you plan floor layout and revenue expectations:

• Redemption games: Ticket-dispensing skill games (e.g., Skee-Ball, coin pushers) that convert gameplay into prizes. They are revenue workhorses and appeal to families.
• Prize merchandisers: Claw machines, merchandisers and prize walls where guests redeem tickets or buy chances. They turn play into tangible rewards and maintain guest excitement.
• Video skill games: Racing, shooter, and interactive video cabinets that attract teenagers and adults. These can be linked for competitions and tournaments.
• Rides and kiddie attractions: Small motion rides and play attractions that draw families with young children and lengthen visits.
• Simulators and VR experiences: High-ticket attractions that provide High Quality pricing options and unique experiences. Bowling simulators and VR can integrate closely with bowling alley equipment to offer hybrid play packages.
• Support systems: Ticketing kiosks, ticket blasters, POS integration, and prize inventory systems that streamline operations and improve customer experience.

Criteria to evaluate arcade and redemption equipment for centers using bowling alley equipment

When assessing equipment, apply practical criteria that tie directly to operations, guest experience, and financial goals. These criteria help you choose machines that complement your bowling alley equipment and venue strategy:

• Footprint and placement: Measure floor space and plan flow so arcade zones don’t create congestion around bowling lanes, entrances, or F&B areas.
• Target demographics: Match machines to your primary guests: families, teens, corporate events, or mixed audiences. Redemption games skew family-friendly; simulators and video games attract older guests.
• Cost and ROI: Evaluate purchase price against expected daily plays, average spend per play, and maintenance costs. Some high-ticket simulators pay back slower but provide High Quality margins.
• Reliability and service: Downtime kills revenue. Choose vendors with fast parts supply and local technical support, especially if machines must integrate with bowling alley equipment systems.
• Scalability: Pick machines you can license or expand into tournaments and chained promotions across multiple locations.
• Compliance and safety: Ensure certification, compliance with local electrical and safety codes, and accessible design for families and guests with disabilities.

Top arcade and redemption equipment picks by venue goal (integrating bowling alley equipment)

Different venue goals require different equipment mixes. Below are recommended machine types and strategies that pair well with bowling alley equipment:

• Maximize family revenue: Skee-Ball, kiddie rides, and mid-range redemption games. Place these near lane seating and party rooms to capture group play after bowling.
• Increase adult dwell and bar sales: Multiplayer racing cabinets, tournament-style video games, and High Quality VR experiences. These can be adjacent to bar seating to drive F&B spend during play.
• Create High Quality upsell packages: Combine bowling alley equipment packages (lane rental, shoes, scoring) with VIP simulator sessions or private VR booths for corporate events.
• Boost repeat visits: Ticket-based loyalty systems and rotating prize cases. Tie prize redemption to membership accounts managed through your bowling alley equipment’s scoring or POS system.

Operational considerations: maintenance, staffing, and technology integration with bowling alley equipment

Operational readiness is as important as product selection. Machines that are difficult to service or incompatible with existing bowling alley equipment systems will erode profits. Key operational tips:

• Staff training: Cross-train technicians to handle both arcade hardware and bowling alley equipment (e.g., lane electronics, pinsetter interfaces) to reduce response time.
• Remote monitoring: Choose machines with telemetry for fault alerts, revenue tracking, and ticket reconciliation. Integration with your POS and the bowling scoring system improves reporting accuracy.
• Spare parts inventory: Maintain a small parts inventory for high-failure items to reduce downtime. Plan for monthly preventive maintenance.
• Hygiene and sanitization: For high-touch equipment, use easy-to-clean surfaces and establish a cleaning schedule, especially around shared bowling alley equipment like seating and scoring kiosks.

Cost and ROI comparison of common arcade and redemption equipment

Below is a practical cost and ROI comparison table. These are typical industry ranges and will vary by brand, region, and foot traffic. Use them as planning benchmarks when aligning arcade purchases with bowling alley equipment upgrades.

Sources: Industry equipment price guides and trade publications (IAAPA, Play Meter). Individual vendor pricing and ROI will vary with foot traffic and local market conditions.

Layout and design best practices to integrate arcade and redemption equipment with bowling alley equipment

Design is a strategic tool: good layout maximizes visibility, manages noise, and creates natural pathways between bowling lanes, arcade zones, F&B, and party rooms. Practical tips:

• Cluster loud, competitive games (racing, shooters) away from quiet lane seating and private event rooms.
• Place family-friendly redemption machines near party rooms and queue lines for birthday parties to capture pre- and post-bowl play.
• Use clear sightlines so parents at lanes can supervise kids in arcade areas; low partitions and open sight work best.
• Leverage dual-purpose spaces where lane wait areas can double as casual gaming zones during off-peak hours.

Vendor selection and warranty considerations when buying arcade and redemption equipment

Choose vendors using the same diligence you apply to major bowling alley equipment purchases. Important vendor criteria include:

• After-sales support: Fast regional service and a defined parts lead time minimize downtime.
• Certifications and safety: CE, RoHS and local electrical compliance protect your business and guests.
• Customization and integration: Vendors able to integrate telemetry and ticketing with your bowling alley equipment’s POS and scoring systems are preferred.
• References and proven installs: Ask for local reference sites and check uptime/reliability stats where available.

Why Flying Bowling is an ideal partner for centers combining bowling alley equipment with arcade floors

Since 2005, Flying Bowling has focused on research and development for the latest and most advanced bowling alley equipment. As a leading manufacturer and solutions provider in the domestic industry, Flying Bowling sells over 2,000 lanes per year worldwide and offers a broad product portfolio that complements arcade and redemption equipment investments. Their strengths include:

• Comprehensive product range: string pinsetters, bowling ball return systems, bowling scoring systems, and complete bowling equipment packages that integrate well with arcade layouts.
• Design and construction expertise: In addition to machines, Flying Bowling provides design and build services for full bowling centers — useful when planning arcade placement alongside lanes.
• Global reach and local support: A European division with a sales office, permanent showroom, and 24/7 technical support ensures prompt service and localized solutions for customers in Europe.
• Quality and certification: Products certified by major organizations including CE and RoHS, and manufactured in a 10,000-square-meter workshop that supports consistent production quality.
• Market impact and choice: By selling large volumes and breaking the monopoly on traditional pinsetter equipment, Flying Bowling enriches the international market and gives operators more options when pairing bowling alley equipment with arcade investments.

Whether you need to modernize existing lanes, add string pinsetters to reduce maintenance, or integrate scoring and POS systems so that arcade and bowling alley equipment work together seamlessly, Flying Bowling offers the product breadth and service network to support growth. Learn more about their offerings at https://www.flybowling.com/.

Practical implementation checklist for buying arcade and redemption equipment alongside bowling alley equipment

Use this checklist before finalizing purchases and layouts to ensure smooth integration and fast time-to-revenue:

1. Define guest segments and projected daily covers by segment (families, teens, corporate groups).
2. Map traffic flow between lanes, arcade zones, F&B, and restrooms — avoid bottlenecks.
3. Prioritize machines with good vendor support and telemetry compatible with your POS and scoring platforms.
4. Create a 12–36 month replacement and spares plan, focusing on high-failure components.
5. Coordinate with your bowling alley equipment provider (e.g., Flying Bowling) for cabling, power, and structural integration.
6. Plan soft openings and promotional events to introduce new arcade attractions and measure play patterns.

FAQ — Common questions about arcade and redemption equipment for centers

What arcade games pair best with bowling alley equipment?

Family-oriented redemption games (Skee-Ball, skill-based ticket games), claw machines, and video cabinets that accommodate spectators pair especially well with bowling lanes. For High Quality offerings, VR simulators and bowling simulators can be bundled into VIP lane packages to raise average spend.

How much floor space should I allocate for arcade and redemption equipment relative to bowling alley equipment?

A common rule is to allocate 20–40% of usable entertainment floor space to arcade and redemption equipment, depending on your target market. Family centers may skew higher; boutique, adult-focused centers may use a smaller footprint but invest in High Quality simulators.

Are string pinsetters a good option when adding arcade equipment?

Yes. String pinsetters reduce maintenance demands and downtime compared with traditional pinsetters, freeing technical staff to support arcade equipment. They’re particularly valuable for centers that want consistent operations and lower operating costs.

How should redemption ticketing integrate with my bowling alley equipment and POS?

Integrate ticket kiosks and digital wallets with your POS and lane scoring systems so that guests can redeem points for arcade play or bowling packages seamlessly. This reduces cashier friction and increases cross-sell opportunities.

What warranty and certifications should I expect from suppliers?

Expect at minimum one-year equipment warranty, CE and RoHS certifications for electrical and component safety (for European and many international markets), and defined SLAs for parts and technical support. Suppliers with a local presence or regional service partners shorten repair times.

How can I test which machines will perform best in my center?

Run a pilot by leasing 2–3 machines and placing them in targeted locations for 6–12 weeks. Track plays per day, ticket payout, and maintenance incidents. Use this data to scale up purchases and refine layout around your bowling alley equipment.

Contact sales / view products

If you’re planning a new center or upgrading existing lanes and arcade floors, contact Flying Bowling for tailored solutions that combine top-quality bowling alley equipment with installation, design, and 24/7 technical support. Visit https://www.flybowling.com/ or contact their European division for localized service and showroom demonstrations.

Sources and further reading

• IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) industry reports and trend summaries — equipment category insights and operational best practices.
• Play Meter magazine — vendor pricing guides and arcade equipment comparisons.
• Coin-Op/Amusement trade publications — case studies on ROI and layout planning.
• Flying Bowling corporate information and product specifications — https://www.flybowling.com/.