This floor vs the names people search — who actually sells a rec-room cabinet?

The Arcade Co crates Polycade, Dreamcade, X-Arcade, Skee-Ball, and Stern. Arcade1Up and AtGames are the mass-retail names people Google. We compare them. We do not stock them. Dream Arcades is both a search name and a SKU on this cart (Vision 32 $3,999 list, Vision 40 $4,599 list).

How much does a home arcade machine cost on this matrix?

This floor: $199 Tankstick to $15,000 JJP Collector pinball. Stern Pro tables are $6,999. Core cabinets $2,000–$4,599. Arcade1Up lives in the $300–$600 countercade band. AtGames Legends Ultimate class is commonly $400–$900. Freight is extra except Polycade’s published $250 continental on one Sente.

Is Arcade1Up still in business?

Arcade1Up still occupies Walmart, Best Buy, and its own DTC. Retroarcade.com reported in July 2026 that Arcade1Up wound down operations late 2025. Treat support and spare parts as uncertain. That is one reason this floor does not stock it. We compare published size and price so you can see the gap.

Licensed menu vs open PC vs empty crate — which column am I in?

Dreamcade: 300+ licensed titles in the Windows front-end; you cannot add your own ROMs. Polycade: open PC, Steam/GOG/your library. X-Arcade Machine 32: empty American cabinet, 73 inches, 400 lb, $2,000, you add the computer and the games. Brand notes below spell the same split.

Do I need a liftgate for delivery?

Yes on assembled uprights, alleys, and pinball. Polycade Sente is a 90 lb parcel-class crate ($250 continental). X-Arcade Machine 32 is 400 lb. Dreamcade ships assembled. Skee-Ball is length. Stern pinball is a pallet. Inspect on the truck. Photograph damage before you sign.

Compare home arcade machines

Side by side

If you want a licensed 3/4-scale cabinet under $600, that is Arcade1Up at Walmart. If you want a rec-room cabinet with a real control panel, start at Polycade Sente $2,499 (open PC) or Dreamcade Vision 32 $3,999 list (licensed menu in the crate). The Arcade Co does not stock Arcade1Up.

The Arcade Co is a dealer for Polycade, Dream Arcades, X-Arcade. We do not stock Arcade1Up or AtGames.

Most people who type “arcade machine” get Arcade1Up. Here is the honest matrix: mass-retail countercades versus the crates we actually sell. Maker-published numbers or labeled typical. No invented laboratory.

This floor vs the names people search

	The Arcade Co	Arcade1Up	AtGames	Dream Arcades
On this cart	Yes. Polycade, Dreamcade, X-Arcade, Skee-Ball, CGC, Tankstick.	No	No	Yes — Vision 32 / 40 at list
Typical cash	$199 controller to $15,000 JJP Collector pinball. Core cabinets $2,000–$4,599.	$300–$600 class countercade / 3/4-scale	$400–$900 class depending on SKU and sale	$3,999 / $4,599 list (promos exist on their site)
Games in the crate	Depends on SKU. We print it. Empty X-Arcade is empty.	Licensed pack per title	AtGames library / storefront	300+ licensed in the menu
Controls	Sanwa on Polycade. Commercial-grade on X-Arcade. Dreamcade factory deck.	Retail deck	Consumer deck	Factory 2- or 4-player
Weight / path	90 lb Sente to 400 lb X-Arcade. We ask about the stair.	Living-room unbox	Consumer freight	Assembled upright. Liftgate.
Power	110V residential on this floor	Consumer 110V	Consumer 110V	110V, Windows 11 PC inside
Freight honesty	Polycade $250 published. Everyone else quoted. Liftgate written.	Parcel-class retail	Consumer shipping	Assembled freight. Measure the door.

If you can only buy one

Polycade Sente $2,499 if the Saturday is Steam and Sanwa. Dreamcade Vision 32 $3,999 list if the Saturday is 300 licensed titles with no ROM conversation. Skip Arcade1Up if you want a control panel that lasts and a dealer who will still answer email. Full 2026 awards: Best Home Arcade Machines 2026.

Brand notes

Arcade1Up

Typical money: Countercades and 3/4-scale cabinets commonly $300–$600 at big-box, with deluxe / riser bundles higher. Public, discounted, and not on this floor.
Games: Licensed packs vary by title. Not an open PC. Not 300+ in a Dreamcade menu.
Notes: The name people type. The Arcade Co does not stock it. We compare it so a rec-room buyer can see the gap.

AtGames

Typical money: Legends Ultimate / Gamer Mini class often lands in the $400–$900 street band depending on SKU and sale. Pinball and home rec-room line exist. Not on this cart.
Games: AtGames licensed libraries and storefront. Different stack than Dream Arcades’ US-assembled PC front-end.
Notes: The other mass-home brand. We compare. We do not race their homepage.

Dream Arcades

Typical money: Vision 32 $3,999 list (maker also publishes a promo). Vision 40 $4,599 list (promo exists). The Arcade Co shows list.
Games: 300+ licensed titles in the custom front-end. Retro Reload is a separate path as the maker discloses.
Notes: The licensed turnkey upright on this floor. We match list. We do not go under a public promo to win a text.

Polycade

Typical money: Sente $2,499 standard PC. Marquee $2,699. Freestanding + marquee $3,399. Striped $3,895. Upgraded RAM/SSD steps from there.
Games: Open PC: Polycade store, Steam, GOG, your library. You own it.
Notes: The designed steel multicade. Architectural Digest for a reason. Not a toy.

	Polycade Freestanding Sente + Marquee	Dreamcade Vision 32	Skee-Ball Home Arcade Premium
Maker	Polycade	Dream Arcades	Skee-Ball
Cash	$3,399	$3,999	$4,499
36-mo estimate	$95/mo	$112/mo	$125/mo
Power	100–240V	Standard 110V residential	110V home alley
Weight	Stand + cabinet, residential liftgate	Upright with wheels, tilt-to-move	Full home alley. Residential path required.
Dimensions	Freestanding pedestal + 25.5" cabinet + marquee	32" HD upright (31" viewable). Measure the door and stair turn.	Home arcade alley. Confirm live length at order.
Games	Open PC: Polycade store, Steam, GOG, your library	300+ licensed titles in the Dream Arcades menu. Retro Reload is a separate path.	Skee-Ball scoring. Five 2.75" balls included (maker packet).
Licensed	Open platform. You own the library.	Licensed in-box. Additional platforms may need separate accounts.	Skee-Ball (Wisconsin). Real alley, not a carnival knockoff.
Freight	$250 continental / $500 HI/AK (Polycade published)	Quoted. Assembled upright freight, not parcel.	Quoted. Alley crate + optional $949 white-glove.