Claw Machines in Japan: UFO Catcher, Are You Up for It?

During my trip to Japan, I came across various claw machines to grab stuffed animals, especially anime figures, absolutely everywhere. The arcade stores were crowded, and there were shops solely dedicated to claw machines and similar ones, next to floors of regular video games. In Brazil we know these as crane games or teddy-bear grabbing machines. In Japan, these machines are called UFO CATCHER. The teddy-bear grabbing machines in Japan have various prizes besides plush toys. There you can find anime and manga figures, bags, clothes, chocolates, and even ice cream. A play often costs 100 yen, and some cabinets offer six tries for 500 yen. People of all ages play them, and regulars can take a prize home without dumping hundreds of yen. The shop still sets how hard each cabinet is, so a good angle helps only when the prize is actually placed to move.

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Types of claw machines - UFO Catcher

There are various types of claws and also other machines with the same purpose. Let's see some of them below: The pincer - This claw has only 2 arms that close in a pincer motion. The machines with pincers have prizes at every price point. The strength of the arms is very weak, and the claws have little grip, which makes it difficult to grab the prize. Single finger - This claw has only one finger and works the same way as the pincer. To grab the prizes, you need to fit this single claw into a ring to hold and lift the object. Suspended prizes - Some machines have prizes suspended in various ways. Some are hung on a rod, and you can try to grab them, push them, and knock them down. Others are on top of a platform, and your goal is to try to cut a ribbon or fit a geometric figure into the perfect space for the prize to fall. There are various types of claws and different games. There are other types of machines where the prizes are inside capsules.

My experience with these machines

My experience with these UFO catcher machines in Japan was not very good. Walking in the neighborhood of Nipponbashi Denden Town in Osaka (the local equivalent of Akihabara), I came across several stores of this type, and in all of them there was a pretty girl dressed as a schoolgirl to attract customers. One of them caught me with a little card I didn't know you had to play to claim. During this fun, I ended up using my beloved yen coins. I tried harder, and the girl with that voice saying Ganbatte made me spend 3,000 yen. I had tried a bit on the claw and saw that it was complicated. Then she took me to a machine that seemed easier; I had to fit something into a circle, but it was not easy at all. In the end, I couldn't grab the figure of Sinon from Sword Art Online. And to be more ironic, she let me do a test once, and during that test, I managed to grab it on the first try. Stay away from these machines; they are addictive, even though I only continued playing because of the girl. A player with a good eye can still take a figure home without spending much, especially when staff reset the prize. In the store I went to, the girl gave me the option to choose the prize, and then she placed it inside the machine. I really wanted to have grabbed that figure.

Tips to win at UFO Catcher machines

Look for easy machines. Many people end up trying to grab the prize but give up right when it is hanging close to falling. Look for those machines that already look close, even if you spend a little trying; it will be much more advantageous than trying to push a prize from the start. Keep an eye on the employees. The employees always keep an eye on the machines; if they see that a machine has already yielded many wins, they change the difficulty or place a prize in an easy position. Keep an eye on the employees to pick the best machine. Analyze the prizes. You need to pay attention to the size and shape of the prizes. Ask yourself: is this prize too big or heavy for this claw? Is this prize too small for the claw to grab? Can I use the claw to push the prize instead of grabbing it? Watch someone play first. Keep an eye on someone else's game to see if that machine is suitable for you. Observe and ask yourself: How fast does the claw move? When does the claw stop grabbing? Does the claw change position? By paying attention to others' games, you can devise your own strategy.

What is the goal of UFO Catchers?

I think everyone should know that these claw machines are made to generate profit. When the claw never holds the way we want, or simply lacks the strength to lift the prize, a win can feel out of reach. Japanese amusement rules keep most prizes at a retail value of about 1,000 yen. Shops can still set the claw weak until the cabinet has taken enough money. That is why a machine that looks easy can swallow 3,000 yen, and why asking staff to move a prize is part of how these floors work. If you say 景品を取りやすい場所に置いてくれますか？ (Keihin o toriyasui basho ni oite kuremasu ka?), they may leave the prize in an easier position. Most people play these cranes just for fun. If you want to play this UFO CATCHER, think only about the fun, forget that you will spend money, and bring a predetermined amount. If you have ever had the experience of playing on these machines, we would love to see it in the comments.