Redemption toys and prizes are the backbone of any successful arcade. Whether players are trying to amass as many points as possible or tickets they can on Skee-Ball, shooting down alien invaders, or hopping into the Jumbo Jumpin’ game, they love the challenge of redemption games and when players become winners,, they seem to want even more prizes.  Quite simply, winners become players – and that’s where the best types of prizes offered come in.   

Why Is Ticket Redemption Important in Your Arcade?

Arcades are most notably known for their guest experience, and driving that experience are the prizes they offer.  Redemption and prize arcade games are popular because they reward the player with a number of tickets or points that are proportional to how often and successful they are at playing the games.

Since players enjoy redemption games, they get to experience the thrill of winning twice: first when they post a high score and secondly when they receive a string of tickets for their hard work.  

The Four Types of Redemption Prize Players

The key to a successful arcade is to embrace redemption games and tailor the prizes to the different types of players. There are 4 different types of players that you should be aware of: 

• The Standard Player

• The Exchange Player

• The Saver

• The Collector

The Standard Player

The standard player is the type of player who only comes to an arcade for specific special occasions, such as for a birthday party or field trip. Standard players tend to be under the age of 11 or 12. 

Because standard players are younger and come to arcades less often, they will want instant gratification. At the end of the field trip or birthday party, they will be the first to sprint to the redemption toys and prizes to redeem their tickets for whatever catches their eye.

Compared to other types of players, standard players generally bring in the least revenue for arcades. The parents of standard players typically only spend $5 to $20 per child per visit. 

The Exchange Player

Exchange players are typically a little older than standard players, usually in the 11 to 14 range. Since the players are a little older, they are more goal-oriented and are able to hold off gratification. 

This type of player will play at the arcade semi-frequently. They may not save up their tickets over multiple visits, but they will pick out a single prize and work towards winning enough tickets to buy it. 

Compared to other types of players, exchange players may be more focused on the redemption toys and prizes than they are on enjoying the game. However, this type of player can vary depending on their age and their interests. Most exchange players win between 350 and 1,200 tickets before they redeem them for a prize. 

The Saver

Savers are typically in their teens. They usually frequent the same arcade in pairs. The best thing about savers is that they are normally loyal to one particular arcade, especially if the arcade is near their school or within walking distance for them. 

Savers will visit an arcade repeatedly and save up their tickets from each visit until they have enough tickets for a specific high-value redemption toy and prize. Teens who save up their tickets normally wait until they have between 1,200 and 3,600 tickets to redeem them. 

The Collector

As the name sounds, collectors will save up all their tickets until they have more than 3,600 tickets, then use them to buy a top shelf item. After they buy one item, they will return to the arcade to earn enough tickets to buy another high-value item. 

Collectors are normally in their late teens or 20s. Compared to younger players, they will be more strategic about selecting their prizes and maximizing their ticket return on games. Unlike savers, collectors are comfortable coming to the arcade alone.

Collectors and savers can be very similar. The key difference is that collectors are repeat savers. While savers will focus on one prize, win it, and be done, collectors will keep going until they win all of the redemption toys and prizes, they desire.

Choosing Prizes for Each Type of Player

Prizes for the standard player

The standard player will be interested in small, colorful redemption toys and prizes, such as fidget toys, individually wrapped candy, and licensed toys with characters that are familiar to them, such as Paw Patrol or SpongeBob. Most players in this group only accumulate between 5 and 350 tickets on their visit, so it is best to have a variety of small prizes for them to choose from.

1. ICEE® Popping Candy comes in four flavors: cherry, blue raspberry, green apple, and orange. Each packet is 1.75 inches by 2.75 inches, so they are perfect for younger kids. 
2. Fidget Stretchy Strings are the newest in the fidget toys trend. They glow in the dark and can be stretched, wiggled, knotted, and tossed. Fidget Stretchy Strings come in 6 eye-catching colors: blue, yellow, orange, red, pink, and green.
3. DC Comics™ Punch Poppers are endless fun for standard players. When they squeeze the handle, the character’s fist will fly. A&A Global carries DC Comics™ Punch Popper in Wonder Woman, Superman, and Batman designs. 
4. Glitter Bead Balls are fun sensory and fidget toys because they contain tiny bead balls that will pop out when the ball is squeezed. There are endless ways to play with Glitter Bead Balls so they will be very desirable to standard players.
5. PAW Patrol™ 5in Knobby Balls are popular with young players because they feature Paw Patrol characters. The knobs also make the balls easier to catch and throw for small hands. 
6. Ninja Swords 24in come with a cloth-wrapped handle, a sheath, and a shoulder strap. There are 3 colors that players can choose from: red, green, and blue. 
7. Alien Twist-N-Lik ® has all the yumminess of a standard push up candy, but with an out-of-this-world twist. Standard players tend to enjoy candy more than other players, so they will love the alien-shaped blue raspberry, sour apple, and strawberry flavors. 
8. DC Comics™ Justice League™ 3in Slime are perfect for standard players because they combine the calming enjoyment of fidget toys with the mightiness of licensed superhero toys. A display box comes with a random assortment of characters, which may include Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg. 
9. Dimple Sports Popper Spinners are a sporty twist on the classic fidget spinner. In addition to the rotational movement, Dimple Sports Popper Spinners have 3 poppers for players to fiddle with, as well as a sports-inspired design to appeal to sports fans. There are 4 different styles: basketball, football, soccer, and baseball. 
10. Foam Shot Dart Blasters are a necessary redemption prize for all young sharpshooters. All players must do is pull back the orange slide, pull the trigger, and watch the yellow darts fly up to 20 feet. 

Prizes for the Exchange Player

The best way to tailor to exchange players is to stock mid-level prizes that are unique and appealing. Licensed toys are ideal for exchange players, as are interesting and eye-catching toys, which give kids multiple ways to play. 

1. Snap And Release Silicone Pop is great for exchange players because they are a tier above other fidget toys. Each Snap and Release Silicone Pop can be pressed together with one hand, then players get to watch them pop apart. It’s addictive fun for hours. 
2. Dimple Popper 3 Pop Spinner Camo/Animal Pattern is another appealing fidget toy that combines the popularity of fidget spinners with the versatility of popper toys. Each display box comes with 24 toys in a random assortment of colors and patterns, which may include camo, zebra print, fire, blue, and green.
3. Finger Football Games are a unique twist on the classic tabletop game. Each kit contains a football to flick and a field goal that will suction to almost any surface. 
4. Color Changing LED Ice Cream Cone 5 in is a battery operated, ice-cream shaped lamp that flashes red, purple, green, yellow, and blue.
5. Color Changing Smoosh Ball 4 in is an extra big stress ball, filled with foam, that changes color when players squish it and hold it. 
6. DC Comics™ Inflatable 18 in Knobby Balls are ideal for exchange players because they appeal to older kids and are larger than other knobby balls. DC Comics™ Inflatable 18in Knobby Balls are shipped ready to inflate; they come in 5 different character designs: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern. 
7. Rick and Morty™ Dartboard with Ball and Darts is a kid-friendly foam dartboard that can be hung up and enjoyed anywhere. The package comes with the dartboard, which is marked with points, as well as both balls and darts to hit the target.
8. Pokémon™ Sword & Shield Chilling Reign Booster is a must-have addition to a player’s collection with over 190 cards to add to their strategy. 
9. Desktop Pool Table 17 in is a one-of-a-kind prize! The tabletop pool table is 17 inches long and comes with a set of balls, a rack, and 2 pool cues. 
10. Glow-in-the-Dark Ping Pong Poppers shoot glow in the dark balls with a single pump. Using air pressure, the popper sends the glowing balls flying. 

Prizes for the Saver

The key to appealing to savers is to stock high-value items that require a bit more maturity to use, as well as items that are unique. Tech gadgets as redemption toys and prizes are a great way to encourage the savers to be loyal to your arcade. 

1. ZURU Robotic Spider/Cockroach is the ultimate prize that is well worth saving up for. It comes in both spider and roach designs and can crawl realistically across any surface. The ZURU Robotic Spider/Cockroach is guaranteed to catch the eyes of all the savers. 
2. Raindrops® Candy Pizza is not a normal pizza, it’s a candy pizza. This realistic, sweet miniature pizza is an excellent prize for savers because it is unique, tasty, and a great upper-level redemption prize. 
3. Transformers® Authentic Action Figure 4.5 in is a very desirable redemption prize because it can be transformed from a car to a character in seconds. A&A Global stocks both the Transformers and their enemies, the Deceptions. 
4. ZURU™ 5 Surprise Series 3 Mini Brands are surprise prizes because each circular package contains 5 surprise miniatures of the most popular candy brands. There are over 100 brands in the series, including Jolly Rancher, Hershey’s, ICEEs, and Otter Pops. 
5. Bow and Arrow 4pc Set 22 in is the perfect prize for players who want to channel their inner Katniss Everdeen, Hawkeye, or Legolas. The kit includes 1 bow and 3 arrows to shoot. In the hands of an archery master, the bow can shoot arrows over 30 feet. 
6. LED Smartphone Ring Light 10 in is a popular tool for making internet videos. It has 10 different settings, 3 lighting modes, a stable tripod, a flexible phone mount, and is powered with a USB cable. Every kid and teen want to be a YoutTuber or TikTok star, so players will be desperate to win this prize!
7. Gaming Headset with Microphone is another excellent high-tech, high-value redemption bin prize. With an adjustable headpiece, comfy ear pads, and noise-blocking properties, players will be eager to save up their tickets for this prize. 
8. LED Gaming Keyboards elevate the gaming experience by lighting up in several different colors. Unlike other keyboards, it is completely silent, and the feet are completely adjustable. 
9. Cool White Metal Motion Lamp 13 in is a twist on the classic Lava Lamp. When the lamp is turned on, the blobs inside will move and morph into hypnotic shapes. It is a great addition to any kid’s bedroom, so players will be excited to win it. 
10. Nintendo® Super Mario™ vs Bowser™ Checkers & Tic Tac Toe Game is the complete kit for Mario fans to battle it out at either checkers or tic tac toe. 

Prizes for the Collector

Collectors will be interested in novelty prizes that are useful, exciting, and licensed. The more licensed prizes you have for collectors, the better because they will be excited to get the entire set. 

1. Franklin® Hard Court Basketball Official Size is the exact size of the official basketballs used in the NBA. Each basketball is painted with a graffiti design that will fit in well on basketball courts, school yards, and cul-de-sacs. 
2. Nerf® Mega XL Big Rig Whistler Blaster shoots the biggest Nerf darts, which are guaranteed to help players win all their Nerf battles.
3. Coca-Cola® Mini Hot Air Popcorn Maker is the perfect prize for the collector because it is a fun and useful novelty item. It can pop up to 8 cups of oil-free popcorn.  
4. Pokémon™ Single or Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX League Battle Deck Set is the ultimate Pokémon card expansion pack set. Every Pokémon trainer will be excited to add this winning deck to their collection. 
5. Marvel Avengers® Kawaii Slow 2 Qt Cooker is ideal for young adult collectors because it combines the characters of childhood with the daily chore of cooking as an adult. It will appeal to comic fans who see the Marvel Avengers® Kawaii Slow Cooker and realize that they can’t live without it. 
6. South Park Monopoly is another one of the best redemption toys and prizes for young adult collectors. It allows players to play as their favorite South Park characters and slowly take over the town of South Park. 
7. Ms. PAC-MAN® 6.75 in Micro Player is how players can bring a piece of the arcade home with them. Based on the timeless classic game, the Ms. PAC-MAN® 6.75 in Micro Player is boxed in collectible packaging so players can either enjoy playing with it or add it to their personal collection of novelties. 
8. Bionik™ XBOX Series X/S™ Pro Kit is everything a pro gamer needs to crush their online opponents. The kit includes a CLR-50 headset, a controller, and all the gear and cords necessary to keep the game going. 
9. Mandalorian 12in R/C The Child Quadcopter is a one-of-a-kind Grogu-themed drone that is able to fly in all directions and handle any flight condition. Because of the internal gyro, the drone will always fly smoothly. 
10. RGB Gaming Mouse is another great addition for collectors to add to their PC set up. The ultra-precise mouse moves smoothly and lights up in different colors. 

Stock Up on the Best Redemption Toys and Prizes Today! 

The best way to ensure the success of your arcade is to stock up on prizes that appeal to the 4 different types of players. Browse A&A Global’s extensive catalog of redemption toys. If you have any questions, please contact A&A Global or find a sales rep near you.