Is it worth buying all the arcade machines in GTA 5?
As a long-time Grand Theft Auto fan, this is a question I‘ve put extensive thought into. After crunching the numbers and testing strategies in Online, my verdict is…it depends.
For the average player looking to maximize profits, there are better investments than arcade machines. But for die-hard completionists willing to spend big, an upgraded arcade can be rewarding.
Let‘s delve into the pros, cons, and key factors around this major purchase.
Passive Income Breakdown
The main appeal of fully upgrading your arcade with machines is passive income generation. At max capacity, you can earn up to $5,000 GTA$ per day without effort. Seems great at first glance – but how does it compare against other options?
According to trusted GTA money guru "The Professional", a maxed out nightclub with 5 technicians can bring in up to $45,000 per day. Even more lucrative are bunker sales, netting $135,000 in profits every 2.5 hours if upgraded.
To put the numbers in perspective:
| Business | Max Passive Income Per Day |
|---|---|
| Fully Upgraded Arcade | $5,000 GTA$ |
| Maxed Out Nightclub | $45,000 GTA$ |
| Upgraded Bunker | $216,000 GTA$ |
With a complete arcade costing $3.76 million in purchases and upgrades, that same investment could boost a couple core money-makers instead.
However, GTA Online finance guru "GhillieMaster" explains:
"I still think the arcade machines are worth it if you have everything else. $5k completely passive is still good passive money on top of businesses."
This highlights an important cut-off point – arcade machines make far more sense when you already own other major assets. For new players with limited funds, invest in CEO offices, bunkers, and motor clubs first. Reap their profits, then indulge in arcade machines after building a robust criminal enterprise.
Heists and Handy Utilities
There‘s more to your arcade than just passive income…it also unlocks the extremely lucrative Diamond Casino Heist.
With optimal strategies, experienced crews can reliably earn $2 to $3 million per finale. Even taking a modest 50% cut as leader, that still amounts to $1+ million profit per run – recouping your arcade investment in just a few scores!
Top GTA Online group Dynasty demonstrates this with their $93 million lifetime heist earnings.
Beyond heists, the arcade grants access to handy management tools:
- Master Control Terminal: Monitor and manage all businesses remotely
- Max Garage Space: Store a huge fleet of weaponized vehicles
These let you operate criminal ventures without leaving the property. Definitely beneficial once you‘re juggling bunkers, biker shops, hangars, and more!
Verdict – Recommended for Heist-Happy Moguls
Weighing all factors for and against arcade machines in GTA Online, my verdict is…
For new players with only a few million in the bank, invest in money-makers like CEO offices and vehicle warehouses first.
But for boss-level kingpins rolling in $100 million revenues from multiple businesses already, upgrading your arcade to maximum capacity makes perfect sense:
- Generate up to $5k completely passive daily income
- Host the lucrative Diamond Casino Heist as often as possible for $1 million+ scores
- Monitor criminal networks from one convenient location
$3.76 million is hardly a drop in the bucket for established moguls. And the prestige of owning a complete high-tech arcade, fully loaded with games and attractions, delivers lasting entertainment and memories with your crew.
So while arcade machines themselves aren‘t the most profitable passive investment, when combined with everything else your fully upgraded arcade enables, the sheer fun, convenience, and badass factor makes it absolutely worth it!
As a fellow gamer and GTA enthusiast, I highly recommend buying all arcade machines…once you‘ve already robbed your way onto the Forbes Billionaires list ;).
Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Do you own an upgraded GTA Online arcade? How has the experience compared against other money-making methods so far?
