The Ultimate GTA 5 Arcade Location Guide: Choosing the Best Spot in 2023

The question isn’t just if you should buy an arcade in GTA Online, but where. While the game might tell you location doesn’t matter for core functionality, that’s a fib bigger than a FIB agent’s expense report. The best Arcade location in GTA 5 for 2023 is Videogeddon in La Mesa. Its proximity to the casino, essential businesses, and key heist prep locations makes it the undisputed champion.

Why Videogeddon Reigns Supreme

Videogeddon’s dominance boils down to its strategically advantageous location. Let’s break it down:

• Casino Proximity: The primary reason to own an Arcade is to launch The Diamond Casino Heist. Being close to the casino minimizes travel time, significantly speeding up your heist prep. This is not just about convenience; it translates into more heists completed in less time, maximizing your earnings.
• Central Location: La Mesa sits smack-dab in the heart of Los Santos. This central positioning makes it easier to access various businesses, contact points, and other crucial locations across the map. Whether you’re resupplying a business, meeting a contact for a mission, or just looking for a quick getaway, La Mesa keeps you in the thick of the action.
• Heist Prep Efficiency: Many of the prep missions for the Diamond Casino Heist require you to travel around Los Santos. A centrally located Arcade like Videogeddon puts you within striking distance of numerous potential mission locations, reducing travel time and streamlining the entire heist preparation process. Imagine the time saved not having to trek from Paleto Bay for every single scope out.
• Reasonable Price: At $1,875,000, Videogeddon strikes a perfect balance between affordability and location. While Pixel Pete’s in Paleto Bay is cheaper, the cost savings are quickly negated by the increased travel time for everything. You’ll recoup the difference in price quickly with efficient heist runs.
• Nightclub Connections: If you own a nightclub, particularly one in or near the city, Videogeddon’s location can be a game-changer. Nightclub popularity missions are easier when you’re already centrally located, and managing your nightclub business becomes less of a chore.

Beyond Videogeddon: Other Arcade Options

While Videogeddon is our top pick, other Arcade locations offer unique benefits.

Eight-Bit Arcade (Vinewood)

Priced at a hefty $2,530,000, Eight-Bit in Vinewood is the most expensive option. Its central location offers convenience, but the high price tag makes it less attractive than Videogeddon, especially since the benefits are fairly similar. You’re paying a premium for the Vinewood address.

Insert Coin (Rockford Hills)

At $2,345,000, Insert Coin is another pricey option in an upscale neighborhood. Like Eight-Bit, it offers a decent location but doesn’t justify the high cost compared to Videogeddon. It’s essentially a slightly less expensive version of the Vinewood Arcade.

Warehouse (Davis)

Priced at $2,135,000, the Warehouse in Davis offers a location closer to the southern part of the map. This might be useful if you frequently engage in activities in that area, but overall, the central location of Videogeddon makes it a more versatile choice.

Wonderama (Grapeseed) and Pixel Pete’s (Paleto Bay)

These are the two cheapest options, but their remote locations make them significantly less desirable. While Pixel Pete’s is obtainable for free with Twitch Prime, the constant travel time to Los Santos for heist preps and other activities will quickly become frustrating. Wonderama shares the same disadvantage. The savings upfront aren’t worth the long-term inconvenience. Consider this extra time spent traveling for each heist and prep work!

Why Location Does Matter: Busting the Myth

Many players claim Arcade location doesn’t matter because the Arcade’s interior and functionalities are identical regardless of location. While this is true for the interior, it ignores the crucial element of travel time. GTA Online is a game of efficiency. The less time you spend traveling, the more time you spend earning money.

Consider these factors:

• Heist Prep Time: As mentioned earlier, a central location significantly reduces the time spent traveling to various prep mission locations. This translates to faster heist completion times and more profit.
• Business Management: If you own other businesses, such as nightclubs, warehouses, or biker businesses, a centrally located Arcade makes it easier to manage them. You can quickly travel to resupply your businesses, sell goods, or deal with any emergencies.
• Daily Activities: Even outside of heists and business management, a central location makes it easier to participate in daily activities, such as completing daily objectives, participating in events, or simply exploring the map.

Ultimately, the “location doesn’t matter” argument is based on a narrow view of the Arcade’s function. While the interior is the same, the surrounding environment significantly impacts your overall gameplay experience.

The Diamond Casino Heist: The Core of Arcade Ownership

The primary reason to buy an Arcade is to launch the Diamond Casino Heist. This heist is one of the most lucrative activities in GTA Online, offering the potential to earn millions of dollars with each successful run.

Here’s why Arcade location matters for the Diamond Casino Heist:

• Scope Out Missions: The initial step in the Diamond Casino Heist involves scoping out the casino and gathering intel. A central location allows you to quickly travel to the casino and complete these missions.
• Prep Missions: Once you’ve scoped out the casino, you’ll need to complete a series of prep missions to gather equipment and resources. These missions can take you all over Los Santos, and a centrally located Arcade makes it easier to reach them.
• Escape Routes: After completing the heist, you’ll need to escape the casino and evade the police. A central location provides more options for escape routes, making it easier to lose the cops and reach your getaway vehicle.
• Team Coordination: If you’re playing with a team, a central location makes it easier for your teammates to reach the Arcade and participate in the heist.

Final Verdict

While all Arcades offer the same core functionalities, the location significantly impacts your overall gameplay experience. Videogeddon in La Mesa offers the best balance of affordability, location, and access to key activities, making it the best Arcade location in GTA 5 for 2023.

Remember, investing in a good location is an investment in your time and efficiency. Choose wisely, and you’ll be raking in the cash in no time. For more information about the impact of video games and learning, check out the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Arcades in GTA 5 Online:

1. How much passive income can I earn from my Arcade?

You can earn up to $5,000 per in-game day (48 minutes in real life) if all your Arcade machines are active. The income is stored in a safe, which can hold a maximum of $100,000.

2. Does the type of Arcade game affect passive income?

No, the type of Arcade game doesn’t affect passive income. The game only counts the number of active Arcade games.

3. Do I need to be online for my Arcade to generate passive income?

Yes, you need to be online for your Arcade to generate passive income.

4. How do I collect the passive income from my Arcade?

You can collect the passive income from the safe located in the office area of your Arcade.

5. Can I customize my Arcade?

Yes, you can customize your Arcade with different floor patterns, wall designs, and lighting options.

6. What is the main purpose of buying an Arcade?

The main purpose of buying an Arcade is to plan and launch the Diamond Casino Heist.

7. Can I do the Diamond Casino Heist solo?

No, you cannot do the Diamond Casino Heist solo. It requires at least two players.

8. What is the maximum payout for the Diamond Casino Heist?

The maximum payout for the Diamond Casino Heist can reach up to $11.37 million on hard difficulty.

9. How do I get Pixel Pete’s Arcade for free?

You can get Pixel Pete’s Arcade for free by linking your Twitch Prime account to your Rockstar Social Club account.

10. Is it worth buying all the Arcade games?

It’s not necessary to buy all the Arcade games for passive income, but it adds variety and can unlock trophies.

11. What are the different approaches for the Diamond Casino Heist?

The different approaches are: Silent & Sneaky, Aggressive, and The Big Con.

12. Which Diamond Casino Heist approach is the easiest?

Many players consider “The Big Con” using the Gruppe Sechs disguises as one of the easiest approaches.

13. Can I move my Arcade to a different location?

No, you cannot directly move your Arcade. You need to buy a new Arcade and then you’ll be asked to replace your old one.

14. What other businesses should I consider investing in besides the Arcade?

The Auto Shop is another highly profitable business in GTA Online, offering various ways to earn money. Also, Nightclubs are great passive income businesses.

15. What are the pros and cons of each Arcade location?

• Pixel Pete’s (Paleto Bay): Cheapest, but remote location.
• Wonderama (Grapeseed): Affordable, but also remotely located.
• Videogeddon (La Mesa): Best overall location, reasonable price.
• Warehouse (Davis): Good for southern map activities, but not as central.
• Insert Coin (Rockford Hills): Expensive, decent location, but overpriced.
• Eight-Bit (Vinewood): Most expensive, good location, but not worth the premium.