The merchandising division of Bandai Namco Amusements Europe had its own display at the EAG show.
Darrell Simmonds, EMEA sales manager - prizes, told us that "plush remains king" of the prizes and merchandising business in British FECs.
“Most arcades these days have between 10 and 24 crane machines or other games that deliver prizes,” he said.
The latest trends include products licensed by the Minecraft game and there will be a new series of Netflix-associated brands in April.
“Licensed brands are well worth the extra costs,” said Simmonds, “and we have some in-house licences of course in the ubiquitous Pac-man, the king of the generic lines. Every arcade you go into you will see Pac-man plush prizes - the character is now 45 years old!”
His division now supplies merchandise prizes from a few pence up to £50 value jackpot awards. The picture shows Darrell Simmonds (left) with Waka Waka Pac-man plush and colleagues Alka Mandal and John Beresford.