How Much an Arcade Machine Weighs (September 2026)? Weight Guide

If you have ever tried to lift an arcade cabinet, you know the feeling. That thing is heavy. Knowing how much an arcade machine weighs before you buy, move, or build one saves you from injuries, shipping surprises, and cracked floors.

On average, an arcade machine weighs between 44 pounds (20 kg) for a mini tabletop and over 1,600 pounds (725 kg) for a full-sized driving cabinet. Standard upright arcade machines typically range from 165 to 300 pounds (75 to 136 kg). Cocktail table arcade machines fall in the middle at 100 to 150 pounds (45 to 68 kg).

Our team has spent years around coin-op machines, from vintage CRT cabinets to modern Arcade1Up units, and the weight difference between types is staggering. A tabletop unit one person can carry with ease, while a driving simulator might need a forklift.

In this guide, we break down arcade machine weight by type, explain exactly why these cabinets are so heavy, help you calculate whether your floor can support one, and walk you through how to move an arcade machine without wrecking your back.

How Much an Arcade Machine Weighs by Type?

Arcade machine weight varies enormously depending on the cabinet type, monitor technology, and internal hardware. Below we cover every major category so you can find the exact weight range you are dealing with.

Standard Upright Arcade Machines

Standard upright arcade cabinets are the machines most people picture when they think of an arcade. These are the classic stand-up cabinets you would find lined up in a 1980s arcade.

A standard upright arcade machine weighs between 165 and 300 pounds (75 to 136 kg). The variation comes from the cabinet material (plywood is lighter than particle board), the monitor type (CRT adds 50 to 100 pounds versus LCD), and the game hardware inside.

Community members on the Arcade Museum forum consistently report that a typical full-sized classic cabinet weighs around 250 to 300 pounds. One UK Vacuum Arcade community member measured an original classic cabinet at 5 feet 8 inches tall, 34 inches deep, 25 inches wide, and right around 300 pounds.

Tabletop and Mini Arcade Machines

Tabletop and mini arcade machines are the lightest category. These compact units are designed to sit on a desk or table and are popular for home use and small spaces.

A tabletop arcade machine typically weighs around 44 pounds (20 kg). Mini arcade machines, the small countertop models, can weigh as little as 1 to 5 pounds (0.5 to 2 kg) for the truly tiny ones, up to about 25 pounds (11 kg) for larger countertop models.

Cocktail Table Arcade Machines

Cocktail table arcade machines sit low to the ground and function as both a game and a table. Two players sit across from each other, and the screen flips orientation between turns.

A cocktail table arcade machine weighs between 100 and 150 pounds (45 to 68 kg). The weight is distributed across a wide, flat base, which makes them more stable than uprights but harder to grip during a move.

Driving and Racing Arcade Machines

Driving and racing arcade machines are the heavyweights of the arcade world. These full-motion simulator cabinets include a seat, steering wheel, pedals, force feedback motors, and sometimes dual screens.

A driving arcade machine can weigh anywhere from 500 to over 1,600 pounds (227 to 725 kg). A standard single-seat driving cabinet typically runs 500 to 800 pounds. Dual-screen or motion-platform models can exceed 1,000 pounds, and the largest commercial units push past 1,600 pounds.

These machines often require professional rigging equipment to install. Never attempt to move a full-sized driving cabinet alone.

Shooter Arcade Machines

Shooter arcade cabinets house light guns or mounted weaponry and typically use large rear-projection screens or big CRT monitors. The extra hardware adds noticeable weight.

A shooter arcade machine weighs between 300 and 600 pounds (136 to 272 kg). The large cabinet footprint and mounted gun hardware push these well above standard uprights.

Dance and Rhythm Machines

Dance machines like Dance Dance Revolution feature metal dance pads, steel framing, and large display screens. The construction needs to support repeated jumping from players of all sizes.

A dance arcade machine weighs between 400 and 700 pounds (181 to 318 kg). The heavy steel pad platform accounts for a significant portion of that weight.

Pinball Machines

Pinball machines are technically a separate category from video arcade machines, but most buyers consider them together when planning a game room.

A pinball machine weighs between 250 and 350 pounds (113 to 159 kg). Modern machines with complex playfield features tend toward the heavier end of that range.

Arcade Machine Weight Chart

Here is a quick-reference weight chart covering every major arcade machine type. We include both imperial and metric units for easy reference.

• Mini arcade machine: 1 to 5 lbs (0.5 to 2 kg)

• Tabletop arcade machine: 44 lbs (20 kg)

• Countertop arcade (large): 15 to 25 lbs (7 to 11 kg)

• Cocktail table arcade: 100 to 150 lbs (45 to 68 kg)

• Bar top arcade: 30 to 50 lbs (14 to 23 kg)

• Standard upright arcade: 165 to 300 lbs (75 to 136 kg)

• Deluxe upright arcade: 300 to 400 lbs (136 to 181 kg)

• Shooter arcade cabinet: 300 to 600 lbs (136 to 272 kg)

• Pinball machine: 250 to 350 lbs (113 to 159 kg)

• Dance/rhythm machine: 400 to 700 lbs (181 to 318 kg)

• Driving/racing cabinet (standard): 500 to 800 lbs (227 to 363 kg)

• Driving/racing cabinet (deluxe): 800 to 1,200 lbs (363 to 544 kg)

• Commercial driving simulator (full motion): 1,200 to 1,600+ lbs (544 to 725+ kg)

Keep in mind these are typical ranges. Individual machines can fall outside these numbers based on specific construction, monitor size, and added features.

Why Are Arcade Machines So Heavy?

Arcade machines are heavy because they were built for commercial durability, not portability. Every component was designed to withstand years of public use, coin handling, and occasional rough treatment. Here are the six main reasons arcade cabinets pack on the pounds.

1. Cabinet Construction Materials

The cabinet shell itself is typically built from thick plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), or particle board. These materials alone can account for 50 to 150 pounds of the total weight. Plywood cabinets from the golden age of arcades tend to be the lightest. Particle board cabinets, common in later years, are the heaviest per cubic foot.

2. CRT Monitors

Vintage arcade machines use cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors. A 19-inch CRT monitor weighs 50 to 70 pounds. A 25-inch CRT can weigh 80 to 100 pounds. That is a single component adding the weight of a small adult to the cabinet.

3. Internal Hardware and Power Systems

Inside every cabinet is a power supply, game board or computer, amplifier, wiring harness, and cooling fans. The power supply alone can weigh 10 to 15 pounds. Add a sound system with heavy magnets and speakers, and you are looking at another 20 to 40 pounds of internal hardware.

4. Control Panel Hardware

The control panel includes joysticks, buttons, trackballs, spinner knobs, and sometimes steering wheels or light guns. Metal control panel overlays, heavy-duty joystick bases, and wiring add another 10 to 30 pounds depending on the complexity.

5. Coin Mechanisms and Money Handling

Commercial arcade machines include coin mechanisms, bill acceptors, ticket dispensers, and token hoppers. These metal components are built to resist tampering and abuse. A full coin handling system can add 15 to 25 pounds.

6. Steel Reinforcement and Weighted Bases

Many cabinets include steel brackets, reinforced corners, and weighted bases to prevent tipping during aggressive gameplay. Driving cabinets and dance machines go further, with steel framing and bolt-down points designed to anchor the machine during intense motion.

Factors That Determine Arcade Machine Weight

Even within the same category, two arcade machines can weigh very different amounts. Several factors push the needle up or down.

CRT vs LCD Monitor Weight

The single biggest weight factor is the monitor. Replacing a CRT with an LCD screen drops 50 to 80 pounds from the same cabinet. This is why modern retro-build machines using LCD panels are significantly lighter than their vintage counterparts.

Cabinet Material: Plywood vs MDF vs Particle Board

Plywood is the lightest cabinet material per square foot. MDF is denser and heavier. Particle board is the heaviest of the three and also the most prone to damage. Forum users on Arcade Museum consistently note that particle board cabinets are the worst for weight-to-strength ratio.

Cabinet Size and Number of Players

A single-player cabinet uses less material than a two-player or four-player cabinet. The wider control panel, extra controls, and larger side panels of multiplayer cabinets add weight quickly. A four-player cabinet like The Simpsons or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles can weigh 50 to 80 pounds more than a standard single-player upright.

Game-Specific Hardware

Some games include specialized hardware that adds significant weight. Driving games have force feedback motors, steering assemblies, and pedal sets. Shooter games have mounted guns and recoil mechanisms. Dance machines have steel platforms. Each of these adds weight specific to the game type.

Power Supply and Sound System

Larger cabinets often include bigger power supplies and more powerful amplifiers with heavy subwoofers. A cabinet with a dedicated subwoofer enclosure and 100-watt amplifier system will weigh noticeably more than one with basic speakers.

Reinforcement Features

Cabinets designed for commercial use include extra bracing, kick plates, and sometimes internal steel frames. Home-use cabinets from brands like Arcade1Up skip much of this reinforcement to keep weight and cost down.

Arcade1Up Weight Breakdown by Model

Arcade1Up machines are 3/4-scale replicas of classic arcade cabinets designed for home use. They are the most popular modern home arcade brand, and the question of how much an Arcade1Up weighs comes up constantly on Reddit and forums.

Based on Arcade1Up product specifications and confirmed by community data from r/Arcade1Up, here are the typical weights by model type:

• Arcade1Up standard upright (with riser): 60 to 65 lbs (27 to 29 kg)

• Arcade1Up countercade (no riser): approximately 40 lbs (18 kg)

• Arcade1Up pedestal: approximately 90 lbs (41 kg)

• Arcade1Up deluxe/party mode: approximately 90 to 110 lbs (41 to 50 kg)

Reddit users in the r/Arcade1Up community note that the challenge with these machines is not just the weight but the size. A standard Arcade1Up cabinet box is roughly 4 feet long, which makes it awkward for one person to handle even at 60 pounds.

Many users add weight to their Arcade1Up cabinets to make them feel more solid and stable. Common approaches include attaching a heavier base, adding sandbags inside the lower cabinet, or mounting the unit on a custom platform. We cover specific tips for this later in the DIY section.

The riser, which elevates the cabinet to standing height, adds approximately 10 to 15 pounds to the total assembly weight. Most of that is MDF construction.

Vintage vs Modern Arcade Machine Weight

If you are choosing between a vintage arcade cabinet and a modern reproduction, the weight difference is dramatic. This affects everything from shipping cost to where you can place the machine in your home.

Vintage Arcade Cabinets (1980s to 1990s)

Vintage cabinets with CRT monitors, plywood or particle board construction, and original hardware typically weigh 250 to 350 pounds. The CRT monitor alone accounts for 50 to 100 pounds of that total. These machines were built for commercial arcades and are designed to survive decades of public use.

Modern Reproduction Cabinets (2000s to present)

Modern reproductions like Arcade1Up cabinets use LCD screens, lighter MDF construction, and simplified internals. These typically weigh 40 to 90 pounds. The weight reduction comes mostly from the LCD monitor swap and thinner cabinet materials.

Modern Commercial Cabinets

New commercial arcade machines built for arcades, bars, and entertainment centers are still heavy. Modern driving simulators, dance machines, and large-format games weigh just as much as their vintage equivalents, sometimes more due to added screens, lighting, and motion hardware.

The bottom line: if you want the authentic arcade feel, expect vintage weight. If you want something you can move into a second-floor apartment, modern home-use machines are the practical choice.

Can Your Floor Support an Arcade Machine? (Floor Load Guide)

This is the question no competitor answers, and it is one of the biggest pain points we found in forum discussions. People buy a 1,500-pound driving cabinet and then wonder if their living room floor can hold it.

Most residential floors in the United States are rated for 40 pounds per square foot of live load. This is the building code standard for living areas and bedrooms. Commercial floors may be rated higher, typically 50 to 100 pounds per square foot.

Here is how to calculate whether your floor can handle an arcade machine:

Step 1: Find the machine’s footprint.

A standard upright arcade cabinet is about 25 inches wide by 25 inches deep at the base. That is roughly 4.3 square feet. Divide the machine weight by the footprint to get pounds per square foot (PSF).

Step 2: Calculate the load.

A 250-pound upright on a 4.3-square-foot base applies about 58 PSF. This is above the 40 PSF residential standard but spread across a small area, which most floors handle fine. A joist directly under the machine helps significantly.

Step 3: Check for problematic scenarios.

The real danger comes with heavy driving cabinets. A 1,200-pound driving simulator on a 6-square-foot base applies 200 PSF. That is five times the residential floor rating. You need to either reinforce the floor, place the machine on a ground-level slab, or distribute the weight across a larger platform.

Step 4: Consider point loads.

Even if the overall PSF looks acceptable, the weight concentrates at the machine’s feet. Place a sheet of thick plywood under heavy machines to spread the load across more joists.

If you are placing multiple machines in one room, add the total weight together. Four standard uprights at 250 pounds each is 1,000 pounds in a relatively small area. Position them over joists, not between them, and consider consulting a contractor for heavy installations.

How to Move an Arcade Machine Safely?

Moving an arcade machine is one of the most common pain points in the arcade community. A 250-pound cabinet is too heavy for casual lifting and too awkward for standard furniture moving techniques. Here is our step-by-step guide based on community best practices.

What You Need Before You Start

• An appliance dolly with straps (non-negotiable for anything over 150 pounds)

• Moving straps or a forearm forklift for gripping

• Furniture sliders for hardwood or tile floors

• A ramp if you need to navigate steps or load into a vehicle

• At least two people, three for anything over 300 pounds

• Work gloves with good grip

• Moving blankets to protect the cabinet and walls

Step 1: Remove Loose Components

Take off the control panel if it detaches. Remove the coin door, marquee, and any loose internal hardware. Every pound you can remove before the lift makes the move safer.

Step 2: Secure the Monitor and Internals

If the machine has a CRT monitor, it can shift during transport and crack the cabinet or damage itself. Secure the monitor with packing foam or straps inside the cabinet. Remove the game board if you know how, and transport it separately in anti-static packaging.

Step 3: Tilt and Slide onto the Dolly

With two people, tilt the cabinet back slightly. Slide the appliance dolly underneath the base. Strap the cabinet to the dolly at two points: the lower body and the upper body. Never rely on a single strap.

Step 4: Move Slowly and Communicate

One person controls the dolly while the other spots and guides. Take corners wide. Go backwards down steps, never forward. If you encounter a lip or threshold, pause and lift together rather than forcing the dolly over it.

Step 5: Unload and Position

Once in position, slide furniture sliders under the machine before removing it from the dolly. This lets you fine-tune the position without lifting. Remove the sliders once the machine is in its final spot.

Safety Warnings:

• Never attempt to move a CRT-equipped cabinet alone. The weight distribution is unpredictable and the monitor can shift suddenly.

• Never lift from the control panel. It is not structural and will detach or break.

• Never move a machine with the glass marquee or bezel unprotected. Replacement glass is expensive and hard to source.

• If the machine tips past 45 degrees, the CRT can break free internally. Keep cabinets as upright as possible during the move.

Shipping Weight vs Operational Weight

One detail that trips up many buyers is the difference between shipping weight and operational weight. These are not the same number.

Operational weight is the weight of the machine fully assembled and ready to play. This is the number we have been discussing throughout this guide. It is what the floor feels when the machine is standing in your game room.

Shipping weight includes the machine plus all packaging material. The pallet, cardboard crate, foam inserts, and stretch wrap can add 50 to 150 pounds to the total. A 250-pound arcade cabinet might ship at 350 to 400 pounds.

For commercial driving cabinets, the shipping weight difference is even larger because the machine may ship partially disassembled. The seat, monitor, and control assembly might ship separately, each in its own crate.

If you are calculating freight shipping costs, always use the shipping weight, not the operational weight. TNT Amusements, a commercial arcade dealer active on the Arcade Museum forums, made a name for themselves by weighing every game on a commercial scale before shipping. Their data helped buyers estimate freight costs accurately instead of guessing.

When buying from private sellers or auction sites, always ask for the shipping weight and dimensions. Many sellers only know the operational weight and underestimate the cost of crating and freight.

Tips for Making a DIY Arcade Cabinet Feel Solid

One of the most common threads on r/arcade is builders asking how to make a DIY arcade cabinet feel as solid and heavy as a commercial unit. Modern LCD panels and thin MDF just do not have the heft of a vintage CRT cabinet.

Here is what the DIY community recommends for achieving that authentic, solid feel:

Choose Plywood Over MDF

Plywood is stronger per pound than MDF and gives a more resonant, solid feel when you tap the cabinet. Use 3/4-inch Baltic birch plywood for the best strength-to-weight ratio. MDF is cheaper and easier to cut, but it feels hollow and is more prone to stripping screws.

Add Weight to the Base

A cabinet that feels top-heavy will feel cheap no matter how well you build it. Add weight to the lower section. Sandbags, steel plates, or even a built-in shelf loaded with game accessories can bring the center of gravity down and make the cabinet feel planted.

Target Weight Ranges

For a tabletop DIY arcade, aim for 20 to 30 pounds for a solid feel. For a full-size standing cabinet, aim for 70 to 100 pounds minimum. Anything lighter will wobble during aggressive gameplay.

Use a Real Control Panel

A metal control panel overlay adds weight and rigidity that wood alone cannot match. Many DIY builders use 16-gauge steel panels mounted to a wooden base. This gives the satisfying tactile feel of a commercial cabinet and prevents the panel from flexing during intense play.

Reinforce the Joints

Use corner braces, T-nuts, and wood glue at every joint. A cabinet that creaks or flexes when you push on it will never feel solid. The reinforcement adds minimal weight but dramatically improves the perceived quality and stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

So, how much an arcade machine weighs depends entirely on what type of machine you are dealing with. A mini tabletop might tip the scale at 44 pounds, while a commercial driving simulator can hit 1,600 pounds or more.

The standard upright arcade cabinet that most people picture weighs 165 to 300 pounds. That range covers the vast majority of machines you will encounter in home collections, bars, and retro arcades.

Before you commit to buying or moving any arcade machine, confirm its weight, measure your doorways and hallways, and check your floor load capacity. Gather the right equipment: an appliance dolly, straps, and at least one other person. The arcade community has seen too many injuries and damaged machines from people underestimating these cabinets.

If you are building a DIY cabinet, target at least 70 pounds for a standing unit to get that authentic solid feel. Use plywood, reinforce your joints, and add weight to the base. The effort pays off the first time you play and the cabinet does not budge.

We will keep this guide updated as new arcade machine models and weight data become available. If you are planning a game room, bookmark this page and come back when you are ready to calculate your floor load and plan your layout.