When to Use Claw Crane Machine？

June 05,

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Claw machine arcades, or crane machines, have been famous in game rooms and arcades for decades. 

In recent years, claw machine arcades have gained even more popularity, thanks to the rise of social media and online videos showcasing players winning coveted prizes such as plush toys and other collectibles.

 In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know about claw machine arcades, including how they work, tips for winning, and where to find them for sale.

What are claw machine arcades?

Claw machine arcades are amusement machines that allow players to try to win prizes by maneuvering a mechanical claw over a stuffed animal or other small items. Game rooms, arcades, and other entertainment venues typically house these machines.

Players control the claw and try to pick up a prize by inserting tokens or coins, which provide a set amount of time to play the machines. A joystick or other controls control the claw, and the goal is to position the claw over the desired prize and then lower it so that the claw can grab it and drop it into the prize chute.

Another popular term for a claw machine is the "crane claw." This name comes from the fact that the claw resembles a crane, with a long arm and a pincer-like claw at the end. 

Plush toys and other Prizes

One of the most popular prizes in claw machine arcades is plush toys. These soft and cuddly items come in various shapes and sizes, from classic teddy bears to cartoon characters and beyond.

Other common prizes include small electronic gadgets, keychains, and other collectibles. Check back regularly to see what new items have been added to the claw machine arcade. The items can vary depending on the location and the season.

Tips for winning

Now we know how satisfying winning is, and while there's no guaranteed way to win a prize in a claw machine arcade, some tips and tricks can increase your chances of success. 

Here are a few strategies to keep in mind:

1. Pick the right machine

The first step to winning at a claw machine arcade is choosing the suitable machine. Look for machines that have recently been restocked with prizes, as they are more likely to have a good grip and be easier to grab. Additionally, avoid machines with weak claws or poor grip strength, as these will make winning much more difficult.

1. Claw strength

One of the critical factors determining your success in a claw machine arcade is the claw's strength. The claw's strength can vary depending on the machine, so paying attention to how it behaves when controlling it is essential. 

Some machines have solid and reliable claws, while others may have weaker claws, making winning a prize more difficult. Hence, finding the best settings for your playing style is worth experimenting. You can also adjust the claw's strength using the machine's controls.

1. Pay attention to the prize

Look at the prize you want to win before you start playing. Ensure it n is placed in a position that is easily accessible and not buried under other prizes. Also, check if the object has any parts that may get caught on the sides of the machine or other items, as this can cause the claw to slip off.

1. Be patient

One of the players' biggest mistakes when trying to win at a claw machine arcade is rushing their moves. Take your time and be patient. Watch the movement of the claw and wait for the right moment to make your move. Take your time and grab the prize as soon as you see it.

1. Aim for the weak spots

Take note of any weak spots in the pile of prizes. Aim for these spots, as they will give you a better chance of successfully grabbing the prize. If any items appear loose or wobbly, they will likely be easier to hold.

1. Control the Claw

One of the most important aspects of winning at claw machine arcades is mastering the control of the claw. Don't just randomly move the claw around and hope for the best. Take the time to observe how it moves and responds to your movements. Practice moving the claw back and forth and get a feel for how it works.

1. Use the double tap technique

The double tap technique is a famous trick players can use. This involves tapping the claw button twice quickly, which causes the claw to tighten its grip on the prize. However, be careful not to overuse this technique, as it can cause the claw to lose its grip on the prize.

1. Don't give up

Winning at claw machine arcades requires patience and persistence. Don't give up if you don't win on your first try. Keep playing and practicing; you will eventually develop the skills needed to succeed.

Arcade claws and game rooms

In addition to traditional game rooms and arcades, claw machine arcades have become popular in many modern game rooms and family entertainment centers. 

These venues often offer a variety of claw machines with different prizes and themes, providing hours of entertainment for players of all ages. Some game rooms even offer the option to rent claw machines for parties and events, making them a fun and unique addition to any gathering.

Are you ready to be a winner? 

It doesn't matter whether you're an experienced player or a newcomer to the world of claw machine arcades; there's no denying the appeal of these classic amusement machines. From plush toys to collectibles and everything in between, there's something for everyone in a claw machine arcade. 

With patience, practice, and strategy, you can increase your chances of winning and take home a prize to cherish. And if you're a true fan, plenty of options are available to own your machine and bring the fun of the arcade home. 

With these awesome tips and tricks, you're all set to give our claw machine a shot. Swing by

Gamestate

and show off your skills - who knows? you might just walk away with some amazing prizes!

Crane games, also known as claw machines or UFO catchers in Japan, are arcade games where you maneuver the claw to try and win a prize, usually either by grabbing it or knocking it off a ledge. A mix of skill and chance, often the thrill of getting the prize beats the prize itself (at least for me).

To be honest, for the longest time I never really bothered to play these machines, thinking they were rigged and just ate money. But I was proven wrong last summer, when I played one on a whim and actually won a prize! Since then I have been on a mission to master them, and here is what I have garnered so far.

Play crane games remotely for free

To avoid blowing too much money, I recommend first practicing remotely using the Taito Crane app. While nothing beats playing in real life at an arcade, it really helps you get a feel of how the claws move and grip.

The Taito Crane app has practice machines you can play for free, as well as machines you can actually win a prize and they will ship it to you (within Japan). While you need tickets or Taito Coins to play the prize machines, you can get three free play tickets if you install the app through the link below and register your number:

Main types of crane games

Three-arm claw

The most fundamental crane game of all, known as 3&#;&#; in Japanese. You move a three-arm claw to grab the prize and drop it into the opening. There are two main types of claws: The UFO Catcher Triple (shown below) and the Deka-Kure (&#;&#;&#;&#;), which is a thinner, twisty type claw. There are also various setups for the &#;get zone.&#; Some only have an square opening in the corner, while the smaller (easier) ones can have the entire front section as an opening.

Strategy: The first thing to know about these machines is that are almost all &#;&#;&#;[kakuritsu-ki]. This means that the claw is designed to be weak/let go until a certain &#;payout&#; value, when it will grip tightly until the opening. Nobody knows what value that is, it could be 20 plays or 60 plays, depending on the arcade and machine.

Since you will likely go bankrupt if you rely on the payout all the time, the key to these machines is either to 1) wedge the claw in a gap or tag or, 2) study how the claw drops the prize, so that you can grip it in such a way that it falls, or moves gradually, toward the opening. The smaller crane machines may be easier than the big ones, as the distance from the claw to the prize is less and therefore easier to estimate. The prize is also much smaller and lighter, improving your chances of getting a good grip.

However, the larger ones often allow you to make use of a &#;stop&#; function by pressing the button again while it is descending. This essentially tells to claw to stop its descent and grasp at that point. Many pro crane gamers utilise this function extensively to move the prize as desired or grab its tag.

There are also some variations, where the claw has two pincer-like arms rather than three prongs. These are even simpler to position as there is no twisting, just an open and shut grip. However, their arm power tends to be rather weak, and if the prize is heavy it may fail to move it much.

Forward drop

In &#;&#;&#;&#;&#; machines, the prize is resting at a forward front angle on bars or a ledge, and the aim is to push it off.

For more information, please visit Claw Crane Machine.

Strategy: These are not meant to won in one play, but rather over a few calculated movements. Rather than attempting to lift the prize:

• Position the claw near the middle-front and off to a side to gradually turn it diagonally.
• Keep turning until front edge hangs off enough diagonally                  
• Use claw to push down the corner protruding off the bar in the front

Drop through bars

The aim of &#;&#;&#;&#;&#; machines is to drop the prize through the bars it is resting on. The prize is commonly in the shape of a rectangular box (figurine), a cylinder, or a plushie.

Strategy: The strategy differs slightly depending on the shape of the prize. Like the forward drop, these are not meant to won in one play but over a few movements. If the prize is rectangular, the general strategy is:

• Grab at the prize from its middle and off slightly either left or right
• (if the prize is resting flat) Grab at bottom edge leaning parallel on bar. Start from high up as claw may slide.                       
• (flat) Once the bottom edge is leading delicately on bar, use the claw to push down OR go to the top and grab at it from off centre (the crane head should help to push it down)
• (if the prize is on its side) Grab off centre multiple times until it turns almost flat or only a corner rests on bar. Then use same strategy as when it is flat.

For cylinders, you need to first create an angle, otherwise it will just keep rolling back and forth across the bars.

For plushies, the strategy is to grab at it off center to twist it into a position until the centre of mass is through the bars. You can also try to lift the entire thing and hope it drops in a favourable position. Once there, you use the claw to push it down.

Hanging prize&#;

There are few variations to this type (&#;&#;&#;&#;) of crane game. The most common are a box suspended by two rings on its side with two other rings on the top (four ring box), or a prize dangling from a double ring configuration.

Strategy: For the four ring box, lift from the two top rings, with claw slightly toward the back and toward the direction of the wider bars (i.e. the claw&#;s home position). Then grab at a side ring until it moves into a delicate angle on the bar. Once there, use claw to push down the box, positioning it as close as possible to the delicately leaning side.

Ring

As its name suggests, this type of crane game involves using the claw to grab at a ring attached to the prize in order to pull it into the opening. I have never played this type of machine because the prize is usually some jumbo snack or figurine I have no interest in.

Corner balance drop&#;

The prize in &#;&#;&#;&#; crane games is usually a plushie or soft object resting in the corner of a L-shaped ledge. The aim is to push it over the ledge. Sometimes there is also a bar diagonally across the opening.

Strategy: First, use the claw to the roll the plushie off the platform. You can achieve this by grabbing the skinniest part (or the fattest part the claw can successfully extend around) of the plushie to turn it at angle so it hangs more and more off edge. Once the prize is resting delicately enough on the ledge/bar, use the claw to push it down (and away) from the platform repeatedly until it falls.

Takoyaki balls

In this machine you have a round tray full of ping pong ball sized-holes resembling a takoyaki pan (hence the name), and another bowl full of balls. The crab-shaped claw can only move left and right. You move the claw to the bowl full of balls and attempt to grab as many balls as possible. The claw will then automatically move to the takoyaki pan and drop the balls. If one ball falls into the prize hole (circled in red) then you get the prize.

Strategy: The more balls you can grab, the more chances one will make it into the prize hole. I don&#;t really like playing this machine type because it seems more akin to playing slots to me, where it is more due to luck rather than any involvement of skill. Maybe there is a way to position to claw to grab more balls, but it seems rather uncontrollable.

Interesting setups&#;

These type of games (&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;) feature random setups like a ball on chain you use to knock the prize off, or the prize resting on a balloon. Strategy obviously varies depending on setup, but most likely hinges on the general principles of centre of mass, how the prize falls, and gradually shifting into position.

Prizes won

Despite sounding like an avid gamer, I am nowhere near a pro either. I only go to arcades occasionally, and am still learning what works and what doesn&#;t. If you have better hacks, I&#;m happy to hear them. But here are the prizes I have won since August just playing casually.

Ebinyan Mofusand (3 plays)

The first prize I ever won at a UFO catcher was last summer, when I got this Ebinyan Mofusand plushie in 3 plays.

I had no real strategy except trying to grip the prize as securely as possible. It was kind of a fluke to be honest. But the thrill of it and dopamine hit from getting a prize set me off on a path to learn how to play these things properly. Especially since I still have yet to win a prize from the revered big crane machines.

Kirby (6 plays)

A few months later, I got this Kirby. My strategy was just to move Kirby to the opening bit by bit since I wasn&#;t sure how to grip it well. But I happened to grip it pretty well in the 6th play and it made it to the opening. Only thing is that it bounced into the machine below on the way down, so we had to call over a staff to retrieve it for us.

Mofusand x Sanrio (7 plays)

Have a soft spot for Mofusand since it was the first crane game prize I ever won. This one I played while trying to find somewhere warm while waiting for a dinner meetup.

Luigi pouch (1 play) + Cinnamoroll (1 play)

I got both of these after a week of practicing on the Taito Crane app, and I am happy to say it paid off!

Other wins

• Foongus (1 play) &#; somebody had left it in a favourable upside down position to the right of the opening.
• Sumikkogurashi (6 plays) &#; this one was won in a pincer-type machine
• Namagaki Tsuburana Hitomi Japanese Restaurant (1 play) &#; This is a vibrating plushie!
• Konezumi (4 plays)
• Chiikawa (3 plays)
• Mini axolotl keychain (9 plays)
• Pompompurin (1 play)
• Wooper Looper axolotl (12 plays)

Summary: General tips

• If you are a beginner, you should first trying playing at the small claw machines. Some arcades even have labels showing which ones are easy to get.
• For the big claw machines, you can ask staff to reposition the prize to its start position before playing. If you are adamant about getting the prize, you can also get the staff to put it in an easy-to-get position after you&#;ve spent a certain amount of money playing for it.
• Many crane games are not meant to won in one play. So you could save some money by buying a set of plays. For example, some arcades offer 6 plays for 500 yen, essentially giving you a free play. You can also save money by scouring the machines and seeing which prizes other people may have already moved into a favourable position before they gave up.
• With the possible exception of traditional crane games, using the claw to push down and/or gradually position the prize is more often the key than lifting it up randomly and hoping for the best. Although the latter can also work at times, if you are lucky enough to get the payout.
• Some games are not worth it; the claw is too weak or the prize is cheap. Know when to walk away. Also, almost every prize can be found resold on Mercari if you really want it.

Not into crane games? Check out other gaming-related articles to see fun ways to spend time in Tokyo.

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