Coin Pusher vs Ticket Arcade Games: Which Fits Your Venue?
By M&P Amusement | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Comparisons
Compare coin pushers and ticket redemption games using real cabinet examples. Learn which earns better, which fits your floor, and which players each one serves.
Quick answer
Choose a ticket redemption game like Treasure Quest when you want a compact, high-turnover cabinet that appeals to casual players and families. Choose a coin pusher like Pearl Fishery when you have more floor space and want a longer, more immersive play session that builds repeat visits. If you can only add one cabinet, match it to your floor plan and player mix rather than chasing a single profit number.
How the two game types actually differ
Ticket redemption games reward a short burst of skill or luck with tickets. Treasure Quest, for example, is a four-foot pirate-themed spinning wheel where players spin left or right to land on jackpot or high-value spots. Play is simple, rounds are quick, and the cabinet is designed to keep a line moving.
Coin pushers are a different rhythm. Pearl Fishery combines the classic push mechanic with a multi-layered big-ticket game: players drop small pearls down a pin board into multipliers, win tickets, and release Big Pearls onto the play field for a super bonus jackpot. That layered structure keeps players at the cabinet longer, which changes your floor traffic pattern.
Space, footprint, and placement
Floor space is often the deciding factor. Treasure Quest is described as a four-foot pirate-themed spinning wheel, so it fits into tighter rows and can be placed near high-traffic aisles. Pearl Fishery does not have a supplied footprint in the catalog facts, so measure your available depth and check the cabinet dimensions before committing to a coin pusher layout.
Placement also affects play style. Ticket games work well at the front of the floor where passersby can see the wheel spin and understand the goal in seconds. Coin pushers often perform better in a dedicated zone where the sound and motion do not compete with quick-play cabinets.
Player appeal and session length
Ticket redemption games cast a wide net. Treasure Quest's simple spin mechanic and colorful cabinet design make it easy for a first-time player to step up and win something. Despicable Me Go Bananas takes a different angle on the same category: it is a hammer ticket redemption game where players whack Minions as they pop up, with dimensions of 106 inches high, 24 inches wide, and 48 inches deep at 350 lbs. That reflex-based play appeals to kids and adults who want a physical challenge.
Coin pushers attract players who enjoy watching a play field build up. Pearl Fishery's pin board and multiplier matrix give those players multiple ways to win tickets and a reason to stay for one more drop. The trade-off is that a coin pusher may not convert a quick walk-by player the way a spinning wheel or hammer game can.
What to check before you buy
Start with your power and ceiling height. Despicable Me Go Bananas is 106 inches tall, so confirm clearance before ordering. For Pearl Fishery, the catalog lists an Amount Of Players option, so decide whether you want a single-player or multi-player configuration before checkout. Treasure Quest and Ms. Pac-Man do not list available option types in the supplied records, so treat those as fixed configurations unless you confirm otherwise with the seller.
Then look at your ticket redemption flow. If you already have a redemption counter and prize wall, a ticket game slots into your existing system. If you do not, a coin pusher still pays out tickets, so you will need a redemption setup either way. Ms. Pac-Man is a video arcade game with a brand new flat screen monitor, and it does not pay tickets, which makes it a different kind of purchase entirely.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Ticket redemption: quick wins vs. short sessions: Treasure Quest and Despicable Me Go Bananas deliver fast rounds and easy-to-understand goals, which keeps a line moving but may not hold players for long stretches. Best when your priority is throughput and first-time player conversion.
- Coin pusher: deeper play vs. more floor space: Pearl Fishery builds a multi-stage experience with multipliers and a super bonus jackpot, but coin pushers generally need a dedicated zone and more room than a four-foot wheel. Best when you have space and want longer, repeatable play sessions.
- Video arcade: no tickets vs. classic appeal: Ms. Pac-Man offers maze-chasing play and a brand new flat screen monitor, but it does not pay out tickets, so it serves a different revenue and prize model. Best as a complement to a redemption floor, not a replacement for it.
Cabinet facts that affect your decision
- Treasure Quest Ticket Arcade Game: Treasure Quest is a four-foot pirate-themed spinning wheel ticket redemption game where players spin left or right to land on the jackpot bonus or other high-value spots. Compact footprint and instant-read play make it a strong candidate for front-of-floor placement and quick turnover.
- Pearl Fishery Arcade Coin Pusher: Pearl Fishery is a coin pusher with a pin board, multiplier matrix, and Big Pearls that unlock a super bonus jackpot game, and it offers an Amount Of Players option. The layered play and player-count choice suit venues that want longer sessions and can dedicate more floor space.
- Despicable Me Go Bananas Ticket Arcade Game: Despicable Me Go Bananas is a hammer ticket redemption game measuring 106 inches high, 24 inches wide, and 48 inches deep at 350 lbs. The tall, narrow profile needs ceiling clearance but fits narrow aisles, and the reflex play targets a different player than a wheel or pusher.
Which one fits your venue?
Choose this if
- You have limited floor space and want a compact ticket redemption game like Treasure Quest
- You want a coin pusher with multi-stage play and a player-count option like Pearl Fishery
- You want a tall, narrow reflex game like Despicable Me Go Bananas for kids and families
Look elsewhere if
- You cannot accommodate a coin pusher's larger footprint or dedicated zone
- You need a ticket payout and are considering a video game like Ms. Pac-Man
- You have low ceilings and are considering a 106-inch-tall cabinet without checking clearance


