For retro arcades
Retro Arcade Management Software
Retro arcade software for timed play on cabinets and consoles, prepaid wallets, and a snack counter on the same till.
playdesk for retro arcades
Timed play and a prepaid balance
playdesk suits arcades that charge for time on a machine or a console rather than per coin. Set cabinets or retro consoles up as stations with a timer, and let regulars keep a prepaid wallet they spend down over several visits.
Birthday parties and group nights can be booked ahead on the same calendar. Reports show which cabinets and consoles bring in the most, which helps when you're deciding whether that second Street Fighter machine was worth it.
Live sessions
3 activeTimed play and snacks go through one till.
Before & after
What changes when you switch
The usual headaches at retro arcades, and how playdesk deals with each one.
Old way
Play time sold at one counter and snacks at another.
With playdesk
Timed play and snacks go through one till.
Old way
No record of which machines earn their spot on the floor.
With playdesk
Reports show revenue and occupancy for each cabinet or console.
Old way
Party bookings for the arcade floor taken by phone.
With playdesk
Take party and group bookings online, on the same calendar as walk-ins.
Old way
Cash handling for every small purchase.
With playdesk
Regulars top up a wallet once and spend it across visits.
What you get
What retro arcades use most
Booking Management
Take bookings at the front desk and from customers with an account. Availability takes in your opening hours, your slot rules, other bookings and whatever is being played right now.
Point of Sale
Sell food, drinks and accessories against a running table, court or PC. Each order is linked to the right space, and can be linked to the right player too.
Session Management
The timer starts when the game does and the bill follows it. No stopwatch at the counter, and no arguing over how long a game ran.
Customer Wallet & Credit
Regulars can top up a wallet in advance or run a tab and pay later, up to a limit you set. Every top-up and payment is on a ledger.
Customer Records
See who your regulars are, what they book, how often they come in and what they spend.
Reports
Daily takings, what sold, and how busy each space was. The dashboard compares the period you pick with the one before it.
Pricing
Pricing for retro arcades
$14per machine, per month
One plan with everything in it. You pay for the machines you have, and if you add or close one, the next bill changes with it.
- No setup fee and no contract
- 14 days free, no card needed
FAQ
Questions about playdesk for retro arcades
How much does playdesk cost for retro arcades?
$14 a month for each machine, with every feature included. A venue with 8 machines pays $112 a month. There's no setup fee and no contract, and in some countries the price is lower.
Can I see which cabinets earn the most?
Yes. Set each cabinet up as its own station and the reports show revenue and occupancy for each one, so you know what to expand or retire.
Can customers book retro arcade cabinets and consoles online?
Yes. Customers with an account can book retro arcade cabinets and consoles themselves, and your front desk adds phone bookings and walk-ins to the same calendar. Everyone sees the same availability, and two people can't take the same slot.
Is session time billed automatically?
Yes. The timer starts with the session and bills the time actually played at that space's rate. Paused time isn't charged, and you can set a minimum charge. Nobody needs a stopwatch.
Does it include a point of sale?
Yes. Food, drinks, retail and add-ons go through the same POS and onto the same bill as the session. Kitchen orders show up in a live queue on the kitchen's screen.
Can I try playdesk before paying?
Yes. You get 14 days free, and you don't need a card to start.
More solutions
Other Pod venues we support
Gaming Centers
Gaming center management software for per-minute PC and console billing, prepaid wallets and a snack counter, all on one till.
Gaming Lounges
Gaming lounge management software for PS5, Xbox and PC setups, with timed sessions, food orders sent to the kitchen and one bill per group.
Esports Venues
Esports venue software for booking team blocks of PCs, running tournament nights next to walk-in play, and billing it all from one till.
VR Arcades
VR arcade software for pod bookings, per-minute session billing and group bills, so a party of six pays once and splits it their way.
Get started
Ready to run your retro arcades on playdesk?
14 days free, and you don't need a card to start.
- Free 14-day trial
- No credit card required
- Cancel anytime