For Custom Arcade Builders
Stand Out in the Custom Arcade Market
Every builder ships the same frontends. NFC cards give your cabinets a selling point nobody else has.
Differentiate your products. Reduce support calls. Reach buyers who want family-friendly.
Target
Cabinet Builders
Scale
Side hustle to small business
Key Benefit
Product differentiation
Platforms
Batocera, Windows, LaunchBox
The Problem: Same Product, Same Price Pressure
You build custom arcade cabinets. So does everyone else on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Etsy. And you're all shipping the same software: Batocera with EmulationStation, or Windows with LaunchBox/BigBox.
When every cabinet runs the same frontend, customers compare on price. That's a race to the bottom.
What you're up against:
- • You differentiate on build quality, controls, and craftsmanship. But if the software experience is the same as everyone else's, you're leaving money on the table.
- • Customers call asking "how do I find [game]?" because the menu system isn't intuitive to non-hobbyists. Every support call is time you're not building.
- • Tech-savvy buyers who understand frontends are a small slice. Families and gift-buyers are a bigger market, but they bounce off complex UIs.
- • A good frontend looks great in a listing, but "tap a card" is an easier demo than walking someone through menus.
The Solution: A Feature Your Competitors Don't Have
NFC cards give you something to show that nobody else is shipping. Customer picks up a card, taps it on the cabinet, game launches. That's a selling point.
For Your Business
- • Unique feature to justify premium pricing
- • "Tap to play" demo stops people in their tracks
- • Fewer support calls about navigation
- • Customers can expand on their own after purchase
For Your Customers
- • Kids can use the cabinet without help
- • No learning curve for family members
- • Physical cards they can collect and organize
- • Gift-worthy: works out of the box
The demo pitch: "Pick any card, tap it." That's it. Customer gets it immediately. No explaining EmulationStation navigation or how to exit a game.
What Changes for Your Business
| Aspect | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Competition | Price war on identical products | Unique feature to justify premium |
| Support calls | "How do I find [game]?" | Fewer navigation questions |
| Target market | Tech-savvy hobbyists only | Families, gift buyers, non-technical |
| Demo experience | Navigate menus, explain UI | "Pick a card, tap it" |
| Post-sale support | Ongoing "how do I..." questions | Simpler starting point for new users |
Integration
Zaparoo works with the software you're already using. No need to switch frontends.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Platforms | Batocera, Windows (LaunchBox/BigBox), SteamOS |
| NFC reader | USB readers available in the Zaparoo Shop. Contact us for bulk pricing. |
| Software | Zaparoo Core is free and open source. ~30MB footprint. Integration typically takes a few hours. |
| Card writing | Phone app or web UI. Pre-configure before shipping, or let customers add their own. Contact us for bulk provisioning requirements. |
| Lock-in | None. Zaparoo is a layer on top of your existing launcher. Works with generic USB NFC readers. |
Business Model Options
Standard Feature
Include NFC in every cabinet. Justify a higher base price. "All our cabinets ship with tap-to-play."
Premium Tier
Offer as an upgrade option. "Add NFC for $X." Customers who want simplicity will pay for it.
Starter Pack
Ship with a set of cards for included games. Customers can write their own cards after for any games they add.
Practical Considerations
Reader Placement
USB cable runs inside the cabinet. Read range is around 2cm (3/4in) depending on reader, material, and placement. Metal interferes. Results vary, but many builders have made it work in their cabinets.
Most mount under the control panel or in a side cutout. Test your specific setup before committing.
Cards
NFC cards and card packs available in the Zaparoo Shop. Contact us for bulk pricing and custom printing options.
Generic NTAG cards also work if you prefer to source your own.
Building Custom Arcade Cabinets?
Whether you're selling a few cabinets a month or running a full operation, NFC cards can help you stand out. Let's talk about what integration looks like for your setup.