Arcade vs. Mall — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 5, 2024
Arcade focuses on providing entertainment and gaming experiences, typically housing various video games and amusement activities, while a mall is a large shopping complex offering a wide range of stores, services, and sometimes entertainment options.
Difference Between Arcade and Mall
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Arcades are entertainment venues that specialize in video games, pinball machines, and other electronic amusements, often attracting a crowd looking for leisure and gaming activities. On the other hand, malls serve as large shopping centers with a variety of retail stores, eateries, and sometimes cinemas, catering to a broader audience seeking shopping, dining, and entertainment under one roof.
While arcades are known for their gaming atmosphere, offering both classic and modern video games for single and multiplayer experiences, malls provide a more diverse experience with clothing stores, electronic shops, beauty salons, and food courts, making them a one-stop destination for a wide range of needs.
Arcades usually require tokens or a card system for playing games, making them a go-to spot for gamers and enthusiasts looking to enjoy specific gaming experiences or win prizes. Whereas malls might include an arcade or family entertainment center as part of their entertainment offerings, alongside movie theaters and children’s play areas, broadening their appeal to families and shoppers of all ages.
The social environment in arcades is often centered around gaming and competition, fostering a community of gamers who share similar interests. Malls, however, emphasize shopping and casual socializing, attracting groups of friends, families, and individuals for various purposes, from shopping sprees to casual dining.
Arcades are generally smaller and more focused in their offerings compared to malls, which are designed to be expansive, housing numerous stores and services to cater to a wide range of tastes and needs. This distinction highlights the targeted appeal of arcades versus the broad appeal of malls.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Focus
Entertainment and gaming
Shopping and services
Typical Offerings
Video games, pinball machines
Retail stores, restaurants, cinemas
Target Audience
Gamers and entertainment seekers
Shoppers, diners, movie-goers
Payment Model
Tokens or card system for games
Direct purchase in stores
Social Environment
Gaming-centric, competitive
Diverse, casual socializing
Compare with Definitions
Arcade
A venue with a variety of video games and amusement activities.
The arcade was filled with the sounds of laughter and electronic beeps.
Mall
A destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
The mall was their favorite place for family outings.
Arcade
A place for gaming enthusiasts and social gatherings.
The arcade became their go-to spot for weekend hangouts.
Mall
A large shopping complex with various retail stores.
They spent the day exploring the new stores in the mall.
Arcade
Often features prize games and redemption centers.
After playing skee-ball, they traded their tickets for prizes at the arcade.
Mall
Often features specialty stores and chain retailers.
The mall's diverse stores catered to all their shopping needs.
Arcade
May include classic and modern video games.
From retro classics to the latest VR games, the arcade had it all.
Mall
Includes services like food courts and cinemas.
After shopping, they caught a movie at the mall's cinema.
Arcade
To provide with or form into an arcade
Closed off and arcaded the narrow street.
Mall
Can be a social hub for friends and families.
The mall was bustling with groups of friends and families enjoying their day.
Arcade
Specializes in coin-operated games.
He spent his afternoon playing pinball at the local arcade.
Mall
A large, often enclosed shopping complex containing various stores, businesses, and restaurants usually accessible by common passageways.
Arcade
A series of arches supported by columns, piers, or pillars, either freestanding or attached to a wall to form a gallery.
Mall
A street lined with shops and closed to vehicles.
Arcade
A series of arches employed for decorative purposes.
Mall
A shady public walk or promenade.
Arcade
A roofed passageway or lane, especially one with shops on one or both sides.
Mall
Chiefly Upstate New York See median.
Arcade
A commercial establishment featuring an array of large mechanical or electronic games, such as pinball machines or video games, that charge players money before each game.
Mall
A pedestrianised street, especially a shopping precinct.
Arcade
A section within another establishment, as at a bowling alley or movie theater, that features such games.
Mall
An enclosed shopping centre.
Arcade
(architecture) A row of arches.
Mall
(obsolete) An alley where the game of pall mall was played.
Arcade
(architecture) A covered passage, usually with shops on both sides.
Mall
A public walk; a level shaded walk, a promenade.
Arcade
An establishment that runs coin-operated games.
Mall
A heavy wooden mallet or hammer used in the game of pall mall.
Arcade
(transitive) To cover (something) as with a series of arches.
Mall
(obsolete) The game of polo.
Arcade
A series of arches with the columns or piers which support them, the spandrels above, and other necessary appurtenances; sometimes open, serving as an entrance or to give light; sometimes closed at the back (as in the cut) and forming a decorative feature.
Mall
(obsolete) An old game played with malls or mallets and balls; pall mall.
Arcade
An arched or covered passageway or avenue.
Mall
To beat with a mall, or mallet; to beat with something heavy; to bruise
Arcade
A covered passageway; often between streets with shops or stalls
Mall
To build up with the development of shopping malls
Arcade
A structure composed of a series of arches supported by columns
Mall
(informal) to shop at the mall
Mall
A large heavy wooden beetle; a mallet for driving anything with force; a maul.
Mall
A heavy blow.
Mall
An old game played with malls or mallets and balls. See Pall-mall.
Mall
A place where the game of mall was played. Hence: A public walk; a level shaded walk.
Part of the area was laid out in gravel walks, and planted with elms; and these convenient and frequented walks obtained the name of the City Mall.
Mall
Formerly, among Teutonic nations, a meeting of the notables of a state for the transaction of public business, such meeting being a modification of the ancient popular assembly.
Councils, which had been as frequent as diets or malls, ceased.
Mall
A public access area containing a promenade for pedestrians; as, to gather near the Washington monument on the mall in Washington.
Mall
The paved or grassy strip between two roadways.
Mall
A shopping area with multiple shops and a concourse for predominantly or exclusively pedestrian use; in cities the concourse is usually a city street which may be temporarily or permamently closed to motor vehicles; in suburban areas, a mall is often located on a convenient highway, may be large, contained in one building or in multiple buildings connected by (usually covered) walkways. Also called shopping mall
Mall
To beat with a mall; to beat with something heavy; to bruise; to maul.
Mall
A public area set aside as a pedestrian walk
Mall
Mercantile establishment consisting of a carefully landscaped complex of shops representing leading merchandisers; usually includes restaurants and a convenient parking area; a modern version of the traditional marketplace;
A good plaza should have a movie house
They spent their weekends at the local malls
Common Curiosities
What is an arcade?
An arcade is a venue dedicated to entertainment, primarily featuring video games, pinball machines, and other electronic games.
How do arcades and malls differ in their primary focus?
Arcades focus on providing gaming and amusement activities, while malls are centered around shopping and a variety of services.
Are malls only for shopping?
No, malls offer more than shopping; they provide dining options, entertainment facilities, and sometimes even health and beauty services.
What is a mall?
A mall is a large shopping complex that houses a wide range of retail stores, eateries, and often entertainment facilities like cinemas.
What kind of social environment do arcades offer?
Arcades offer a gaming-centric social environment, ideal for those interested in video games and competitive play.
Can you find arcades in malls?
Yes, arcades can sometimes be found within malls as part of the entertainment offerings.
Do you need to pay to enter an arcade or mall?
Entry to malls is generally free, while arcades may require payment to play games, either through tokens or a card system.
Which is bigger, an arcade or a mall?
Malls are typically larger than arcades, housing numerous stores and facilities under one roof.
Is an arcade a good place for a date?
Yes, an arcade can be a fun and interactive date option, especially for those who enjoy games.
Can arcades be considered a form of exercise?
Playing certain games in arcades, especially those that require physical activity, can be a form of light exercise.
Are malls suitable for children?
Yes, malls are suitable for children, offering a variety of shops, food options, and sometimes play areas and entertainment suitable for younger visitors.
What makes arcades unique?
Arcades offer a unique gaming experience, with a variety of electronic games and a community of gamers.
Do malls have seasonal events?
Yes, malls often host seasonal events, sales, and decorations, especially during holidays and festive periods.
Can arcades be found outside of malls?
Yes, arcades can be standalone venues or part of other entertainment complexes, not just within malls.
Do malls have food options?
Yes, malls often have a wide range of food options, from food courts to sit-down restaurants.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
