The machine you choose makes a bigger difference than most people realise. The wrong pick sits in the corner untouched. The right one pulls people away from their drinks, creates genuine competition between colleagues who’ve never spoken outside of a Teams call, and gives everyone something to talk about on the way home. That’s what good company party entertainment is supposed to do.
Corporate Arcade Hire is Melbourne’s only corporate-first arcade hire specialist — with a dedicated in-house print team to match. We’ve seen what works across EOFY parties, product launches, team days, and conference after-parties. Here’s what we’d recommend if you’re planning a company event in 2026.
Before getting into specific games, it’s worth understanding what separates a great hire from a forgettable one in a corporate context. Three things matter most:
Instant pickup — guests shouldn’t need a manual. The best machines for company parties have gameplay that anyone can understand in under ten seconds, whether they’ve never touched a controller or they’re the office gaming devotee.
Group-friendly format — games that let people take turns, watch, cheer, and compete keep energy in the room. Solo-only experiences that face away from the crowd don’t get the same traction.
Professional presentation — at a company event, everything reflects on the brand. A premium, well-maintained machine (especially a custom-branded one) signals that the event was properly thought through. A worn-out machine signals the opposite.
A multicade machine — whether cocktail-table style or traditional upright cabinet — loaded with 60+ classic titles is consistently the strongest performer at corporate events. Games like Pac-Man, Street Fighter, Galaga, and Centipede work because almost everyone has a reference point, even if they haven’t played in decades. That familiarity removes any barrier to getting involved.
The cocktail table format in particular works well at standing events and networking functions — it draws people in naturally, creates a shared focal point, and keeps social energy flowing around it rather than pulling attention away from the room.
Best for: EOFY parties, networking events, standing cocktail receptions.
Air hockey is one of the highest-engagement hires at any corporate event, and it’s consistently underrated. It’s fast, physical, immediately understood, and genuinely competitive — which means it brings out personality in people who wouldn’t naturally compete in other settings. The noise it generates (the puck, the celebration, the friendly trash talk) creates atmosphere in a way that quieter games simply don’t.
It also works well in terms of flow — rounds are short, turnover is fast, and you’ll rarely see a queue build up the way you do with single-player setups.
Best for: team building events, office parties, more energetic functions.
A racing simulator — particularly a full-motion or twin-seat setup — is a statement hire. It pulls people from across the room by pure visual interest before anyone has even sat down. The competitive format (head-to-head between colleagues, fastest lap leaderboard) gives it a natural structure that sustains engagement across the full event.
For corporate clients who want something that photographs well and creates standout moments on social media or internal comms, racing simulators consistently deliver. The option to custom-brand the surround panels adds an additional layer of polish that general party hire companies can’t offer.
Best for: product launches, brand activations, events where visual impact matters.
If the event is a brand activation, product launch, or any function where the company’s identity needs to be front and centre, a custom-branded arcade machine is the strongest possible hire. This is where Corporate Arcade Hire’s in-house print team makes a genuine difference.
Rather than a generic stock machine, every surface — side panels, header, marquee, even the control panel overlay — can be designed and printed in-house to match your brand assets. The result looks like part of a planned event rather than a rental that showed up on the day.
Brands use this for trade show stands and expos too, but at a company party it’s equally effective: it reinforces the company identity, creates a strong photo opportunity, and ensures the machine actually fits the event aesthetic rather than clashing with it.
Best for: brand activations, product launches, EOFY parties where the company brand should be visible. → See branded machine options
Not right for every company party — but when the crowd and the event format suit it, a dance machine creates some of the most memorable moments of any corporate event. The combination of music, movement, and public performance pulls enormous energy from an audience, and the peer support (or friendly mockery) that naturally emerges from colleagues watching each other play is exactly the kind of social dynamic a good company event is designed to create.
Read the room before recommending this one. For a formal black-tie dinner: probably not. For an energetic EOFY party with a younger team: it can be the highlight of the night.
Best for: energetic team events, end-of-year parties, younger or more casual company cultures.
Tell us your event date, venue, and approximate guest count. We’ll confirm availability and come back with a specific machine recommendation and a free quote within 24 hours.
A rough guide for Melbourne corporate events:
One well-chosen machine, correctly positioned, is enough. Placement matters more than quantity at this size.
Two to three machines, mixing formats (e.g. a multicade + air hockey + racing sim) ensures there’s always something available without queues building.
Speak to us. Larger events benefit from a planned layout, and we can advise on machine selection and floor positioning to keep engagement consistent across the event.
A rough guide for Melbourne corporate events:
Yes — and this is one of the things that genuinely sets Corporate Arcade Hire apart from general party hire companies. Our in-house print team handles the full branding process, from artwork setup through to final production. You don’t need an external print supplier, a separate design agency, or a complex approval process across multiple parties.
For a company party, branded machines work on two levels: they look professional and intentional, and they create a natural photo opportunity that guests actually share. If there’s a logo, a product, or a campaign that should be visible at your event, a custom-wrapped machine is one of the most cost-effective ways to ensure it gets noticed.
We make the process simple. Tell us about your event and we’ll handle the rest — delivery, professional setup, testing, and collection all included.
For most corporate parties, a classic multicade (60+ games), air hockey, or a racing simulator delivers the best engagement. The right choice depends on your guest profile, the event format, and the venue. Custom-branded machines are the strongest option if brand presence matters.
As early as possible for popular dates — EOFY in particular books out quickly. For most events, two to four weeks’ notice is workable, but earlier is always better. Contact us with your event date and we’ll confirm availability immediately.
Yes. Corporate Arcade Hire is Melbourne’s only corporate-first arcade hire specialist with a dedicated in-house print team. We handle the full custom wrap process — from your brand assets through to final production and installation. No external suppliers required.
Yes — we deliver to all major Melbourne corporate venues including the MCEC, Crown Events, CBD hotels, office function spaces, rooftop venues, and warehouse event spaces. Every delivery includes professional setup, testing, an operational briefing, and collection after the event.
We make the process simple. Tell us about your event and we’ll handle the rest — delivery, professional setup, testing, and collection all included.
