We're sorry, this video is no longer available. =[ That's what I said.
I wonder, what happens if the 'close to the exit/right prize' has already been picked up and offered to a good home? Are they quickly replaced? Is there no other method to the madness!?
I'll try these out some time! Now if we only had a couple Japanese vending machines around... -wanders off-
Healthy Living
· 7 months ago
I've often wondered that aswell. I guess you just need to try it and find out!
Viet
· 2 years ago
@Eevee
Generally the staff will replace it immediately (from our experience). If not, you can always ask them.
The coolest moment I've had with these machines was when I won two prizes back to back. After winning the first prize, the arcade peon went in to set up another prize. Bad mistake on his part since I still had two tries left on my credit :)
koichi
· 2 years ago
@Eevee Ah, lame-o on the video problem. I can watch it just fine, it must still be processing.
Viet
· 2 years ago
@Erin
You're right. It was Koichi playing it.
koichi
· 2 years ago
@Viet I dunno, I think the picture above is more definitive evidence than anything I've seen so far...
Also, video should work now. I accidentally set it to "private"
kevinnwhat
· 2 years ago
lmao, the first picture hahah
fredy
· 2 years ago
I like how the third picture still has the censor on it! HAHA. Nice... I now know how to win one and will hopefully be able to use this knowledge next summer! This was a good, fun article. Good job Viet! And good job with the vid Koichi, hope you feel better. Erin, good job with the other articles! Whatever happened to Lee?
Viet
· 2 years ago
@fredy
Thanks for the compliments. This article was definitely a team effort. Fixed the image.
Erin
· 2 years ago
Fredy:
Thanks, and Lee's whereabouts are confidential.
Ariander
· 2 years ago
My younger sister is definitely addicted to American claw machines... I'd hate to think about what would happen if she should ever go to Japan and sees the UFO catchers with cute critters like those stuffed dogs. I don't think I'd ever see her again unless I visited an arcade. Really great article, pictures, and video, you guys! (:
howard
· 2 years ago
you can win porno? wow
Ken
· 2 years ago
I forgot what city I was in , maybe Asakusa, but the arcade employee was watching me play, and after every failure, he opened up the case, and moved the prize closer and closer to the exit hole. After about five tries, I finally got it!
I then saw another couple try right after me, and he did the same thing.
kevinnwhat
· 2 years ago
"you can win porno? wow"
japan = horniest race ever? lol :p
Erin
· 2 years ago
Howard and Kevin:
I honestly don't think you can win the AVs. To do so, you'd have to get it perfectly balanced on the claw, lift it, and move it over to the drop slot without them falling off. Which is not to say that these machines don't make a lot of money, haha. Still, I think your efforts would be much better spent trying to win a stuffed animal or phone strap.
lonna
· 2 years ago
OH MY GOD!!! I want that gloomy bear!!!! SO UBER CUTE!!! ::SIGH::
I never knew these things about UFO catchers, never even had heard the term before. When I go to Japan I defiantly see another obsession in my future!!!! THANKS for the great article!!!
ショーゴ
· 2 years ago
they're so much cuter than the ones in america.
Zaakro
· 2 years ago
We have them at the local Gameworks (which is owned by Sega) and it is ran the same way it is in Japan. They refill it after you win something and they make it pretty easy to win. I have won tons of prizes from these machines but I have also lost alot of money as well.
Viet
· 2 years ago
@Zaakro
They have these at my local Gameworks (Seattle) also. But every time I've visited there the prizes don't seem winnable.
Tyler
· 2 years ago
In America, it's not called UFO Catcher. I take it you were in Japan when Viet caught that stuffed animal. It just LOOKS like a Japanese icon. But I've won plenty of 3-4 prong ones in America. I do agree that the ones with like jewlry in boxes and stuff is soooo hard to get, but for the candy ones, they're awesomly easy. (That's cause they WANT you to win)
Louisa
· 2 years ago
This was quite the fun article!
Sadly, here in Canada, we don't have anything as cute as UFO catchers, nor are the American claw machines very popular here. I think I've only really seen one in the city I live in, and the store it's located in is being demolished soon. Hah. Shady indeed. In the machines you do find have prizes so lame and so ugly, they're soooo not worth the money. >_>;
I want a stuffed Kapibara. D:
Dr_Pepper
· 2 years ago
Helpful article! I'll remember this when I go Slime Hunting in Japan. Thank you!
Sarra
· 2 years ago
the UFO catchers in Japan are ALOT better
Tyler
· 2 years ago
U know whut, I don't know 'cause i've never been to japan but the 1's in america are pretty bad...not pretty bad, really bad although almost every time i win
Rebekah
· 2 years ago
Weak prongs; The reason why everyone should head to Rhode Island. While there once on summer vacation I won five stuffed animals from a claw machine, and only spent $6. Haven't been back since, but still. Definitely worth it, I think the owners wanted me gone from the store. xD If I ever get to visit Japan I'm definitely trying every UFO Catcher I find out. I wanna come home with 50+ toys, just to see the expression on the airplane staffs' faces. xDD
Ste
· 2 years ago
Y'know, I thought it would be too cheeky to actually ask the staff to make it easier, but my friend went ahead and asked them! It was something like...
"Sumimasen... nankai mo yatta kedo, torenai n desu. Toreru you ni shite kudasai..."
Something like that. Anyway, he moved it a bit closer to the exit (well, practically balanced it over the edge for me), and I won on my next turn!
Viet
· 2 years ago
@Ste
Awesome! I'm glad the tips worked out for you.
Raflyn
· 2 years ago
I haven't been here in so long...but I have time now.
Loved this one...now I know! I never tried them before because I was so deathly afraid of the black holes. I'm excited to obtain a new addiction! ^_^
Ste
· 2 years ago
Thanks, Viet! I won again today, a big ol' Rirakkuma! :D
But! I had one credit left and nothing else was 'winnable', so I left it and walked once around the game center to see if the guy would set something else up... but he didn't! And not only that, but he pressed the button to waste my last credit! :O
I was kindof annoyed and this is the only place I could turn. :P
Emily
· 1 year ago
very interesting article. wish there were such ufo catchers in wisconsin rather than the crappy ones here that have glas plates around the hole to prevent the pushing of objects in. :(
the video was awesome too :)
Mai
· 1 year ago
Must remember this when I go to Japan this summer :). I'm going to write it down into a notebook for memory XD. Although, looking at the little claw-machine games in America, I don't think that we Americans understand the concept of gravity, therefore they do not set up the prizes like that :X. But my friend has won A LOT of stuff from using that little metal claw to grab things.
Haf
· 1 year ago
Hey, nice video and nice explanations. I actually never thought anyone could win a single thing from these machines, but you proved me wrong. :) Guess I'll keep my eyes open the next time my girlfriends drags me to a purikura machine or however those are called. Would be the greatest thing of the evening to give her one of those cute animal thingies. ^^
wow this site is awesome it makes me want to go to japan more cuz America is so boring and ive never seen or hear of ufo catching but i want to try it out
Viet
· 1 year ago
Hi Asian Kid
Welcome to the site. I'm glad you are enjoying out content ;)
SOMEONE
· 1 year ago
I SAW YOUR VIDEO AND YOU SAID A GUY WITH THOSE WEIRD PANTS AND BAG YEA? I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE OF THEM IS THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE ONLY IN JAPAN?
JapanFrk
· 1 year ago
Wow i wanna go to japan!! my cousin is going not me -_T arrggh i'm gonna send her this video so i can get a cute stuffed animal ^_~ yay! lol xD
mmnessa
· 1 year ago
I just wanted to say thanks for the "tips" lol, when we went to Florida I tried and I got 4 different stuffed animals ON A ROW!, for just 50 cents ^_^
juanas
· 1 year ago
Well i want to go to Japan and play UFO CATCHERS T^T but the sad reason is that my mom and dad and sisters and me don't know how to speak Japanese and anyways its expensive. Stupid parents...
Stephen
· 1 year ago
Very cool. I don't know anyone who has won the U.S. type, but whenever I get over there, I'll try the Japanese versions. thanks for the fun tip!
Christina
· 1 year ago
WOW! Well now I have another reason to want to go to Japan. What arcades were you guys playing at? Do some of the machines have those stupid plastic barriers (like ALL of them do in the U.S.)?
Rooeru
· 1 year ago
I hate these ufo catcher things. Your video was cool and funny but i suck at them. I never ever win. But the next time i go somewhere with those, I WILL use your tips. maybe they will work . oh, and now i want to go to japan even more then i use to.
Tomususan
· 1 year ago
I wish I could win on something like this
Tomususan
· 1 year ago
There are only stuffed Animals or hats like your panda hat too?
gohkal
· 1 year ago
Sadly I drop about $50 USD everytime I go to Osaka. The first time I went to Sega center in Dotonbori the entire staff congratulated me as I won a Fist of the North Star mini-pachinko bank. But after I figured it out I ended up walking out with 2 bags full of prizes (half a suitcase). As mentioned in the article the smiles, ringing of bells, bowing, attentive service eventually turned into stink eyes, and the feeling that I had come down with leprosy. Needless to say I'll paying them a visit when i go back in November ;)
Nhi
· 1 year ago
:o! There's this game center in Arlington/Dallas, Texas, where one section is FILLED (okay, exaggeration) with the UFO Catchers. I won a cute penguin from one of them (I love it! :3), but it was actually pretty easy to get, and since I got it before ever seeing this article, I didn't use the 'Gravity' method. XD I simply did the normal (and usually, fail) way, which was to get it over my goal and watch it go down. What do you know, I got it! :D
I've also won another one in a normal 3/4 pronged/clawed machine, a US version. It was 2 tries for a dollar and my guy friend tried first and he didn't get anything. So then I tried and I got this cute tie-dye-ish bear! :3
Anyway, will bookmark this, so I can try my luck at other ones. ;D
Laura
· 1 year ago
Hey Dude. nice tips I wanna play one of these Ufo catchers they seem fun My friend went to japan and play those but only one me a damn fish T^T I want a Rirakkuma T^T There adorable D:
Amanda
· 1 year ago
Thanks for the tips! I'm a self proclaimed UFO catcher addict. My husband always rolls his eyes when I see something I just have to try for! Unfortunately, not really knowing what you're doing can lead to spending $50 or so to win two Rirakkuma teddy bears. =/ (The real fun was fitting them into my suit case later...). I just really glad to see someone making a guide in english for these things! Maybe one day, I'll figure out the trick to the ones with the delicately balanced toys that seem to be hanging over the edge.
Keeby1
· 11 months ago
I'm a professional UFO Catcher. I'm a UFO Catcher addict also. The mall by us used to have an arcade with 35 UFO Catchers. Every time I'd win something they'd put another one in the case. This might sound unreal but once I won 4 prizes on ONE PLAY of UFO catchers. I'm VERY expeirienced with UFO catchers AND claw machines. I am a new blogger to this website. MY EXPEIRIENCE:
In 2004 I spent: $119.00 and I ended up winning 178 stuffed animals. In 2005 I spent: $158.25 and I ended up winning 103 stuffed animals. In 2006 I spent: $358.75 and I ended up winning 431 stuffed animals. In 2007 I spent: $298.50 and I ended up winning 309 stuffed animals. In 2008 I spent: $402.50 and I ended up winning 459 stuffed animals.
That's a total of 1,480 stuffed animals over 5 years... Bow down to my awesome might.
Over these five years I also won large plastic balls from the arcade at my mall (before it went completely broke) filled with tickets wadded up inside of them.
Over the 5 years the tickets from claw machines and UFO catchers was: 6,836 tickets.
I never actually counted how many boxed items and scarves, sunglasses, hats, shirts and all sorts of other crap I've won from those things. The best part is, is that all of the money I spent except for about $50 was my parents money they LET ME use.
I've found out that: #1 Wal-Mart UFO Catchers suck #2 You can't find Rirrakuma in American UFO catchers... Crap #3 Japanese UFO Catchers...AWESOME
One time I saw a man waste $60 on a UFO Catcher to walk away with... NOTHING :-O Then he forked over another $20 and won a stupid teddy bear, because I watched he gave it to me.
I'm so glad I FINALLY found a UFO Catcher's (enthusiast?) website!!!!!
koichi
· 11 months ago
This has to be the best comment ever!
Keeby1
· 11 months ago
The one thing I found out that's really neat about UFO Catchers that I read on a PROFESSIONAL UFO Catcher's website is that the "elbow" (curved edge) of a UFO Catcher is the one thing you really need to keep an eye on. REASON: Draw an imaginary line straight down from the "elbow", and THAT'S ACTUALLY THE EXACT PLACE the claw opens to.
If you DON'T understand what I mean, or just want to see an example go to YouTube and type in the search box: "UFO Catcher" and click on the first video you see in your search results. For those of you who don't speak Japanese (like me) the video will show you examples, and the P.U.C. (Professional UFO Catcher) will show you how she does it. The other women in the red top and black skirt is just interveiwing the P.U.C.
Please...for the sake of your precious coins.... WATCH THE VIDEO!!!1
Keeby1
· 11 months ago
THANKS SO MUCH!!!!
Keeby1
· 11 months ago
if you want to see a funny video of a claw machine... idk where to find one BUT I do know of a weird claw machine video on youtube. Search Abandoned Claw Machine and click on the first thing you see. It's gross and funny. Don't worry, there aren't roaches inside of it or anything.
Keeby1
· 11 months ago
This Comment is straying off the path from UFO Catchers but it's awesome anyway.........
The exact company that created the first UFO catcher recently created a fun new CLAW game for people in Florida, Main, California, Japan and Korea. You mighta heard of it before. Its called... The Main Lobster Game and it's a specially designed Lobster Claw Machine. I know kinda stupid right, but for $2.00 you could end up with a lobster dinner. The stupid part is, in case you DO win a LIVE LOBSTER there isn't even a net or a bag to hold it in after you win it. I feel so sorry for those poor lobsters because the FIRST and most important- ORIGINAL Lobster Claw Game was gentle and non-harming to the lobsters. The new Korean version can actually hurt them. One video I saw on YouTube (just one) there actually was a lobster claw game with a dead lobster in it. Poor lobster. they just get jabbed at ALL DAY. I even saw a UFO Catcher online with Live Turtles Lobster AND Goldfish ALL IN THE SAME UFO CATCHER!!!!!!!!! O-M-G WHAT HAS THE WORLD BECOME!!!!!!!!!!!
jefftheworld
· 11 months ago
Where are a lot more tips and tricks for becoming a pro UFO catcher. On my trip to japan I was able to get boxed items and items far from the dispenser outlet as well. One key to playing these types of games is arriving early and finding the right machines. Look for tall stacks, items with folds or loops that can be grabbed as well as items near the outlet. Tall stacks can be useful because you can use the opening movement on the claw to knock things off - generally the claw opens halfway down, but if you position it far to the opposite side you want to push the stack, you can knock the item over. Also, look for the 'keystones' of the machine, as sometimes you'll find that removing one item will cause others to fall into the outlet.
Of course, the real 'trick' is all in the unteachable abilities. That 6th sense that you start to gain after repeated play. You just start to know when you can push you luck and when you can't, when you can rely on pure skill and when the odds (and the prizes) are stacked against you.
If you're really interested in the ins and outs of the Japanese Arcade scene, check out the book Arcade Mania by Brian Ashcraft. It's a great read that deals in equal parts about the games and the culture.
anonymousCLAW
· 10 months ago
When I worked at an amusement park 22 years ago I would take the spare change riders would leave behind on the seats of my spinning ride (which we used to call "tips") and play the claw machines. I got good enough to get something almost every other time, at 50 cents a pop, mostly plush dinosaurs sold in the gift shops there for $5. Quite a bargain, and guess what all my nieces and nephews got that Christmas? The secret was the position of the object in relation to its shape. The flatter the better (more surface to grab onto). I can still play those particular machines and get stuff, but not nearly as often.
When I was in Las Vegas 12 years ago the claw machines in the kids section of the Excalibur were unusually "loose," dispensing good-sized Looney Tunes characters left and right for not much money. It was more fun than the slot machines.
Keeby1
· 9 months ago
I found that winning UFO Catcher's is easy if you try for stuff close to the prize slot.
indian smartphones
· 8 months ago
I dunno how it works..I'll try this and say..The article looks like team effort and nice job..Hope i'll win in UFO catcher using this.. UFO Pants
Airplane charger
· 8 months ago
Thank you for these tips. They really helped me to improve my catching skills. It helped me impress ome girls at the beach by winning them stuffed pandas. Video is not working.
I have never tried this method before, though! Problem is, that Japanese Catcher’s tongs to grab things with were a lot different than the american ones I see everywhere. The japanese one looked like it only had two tongs, looked plastic too. Looks a bunch easier to do this guy’s method and “push” the prizes closer to the exit for you. But, who knows, maybe it’s simple with the metal-like, 4-or-so tongs as well!
it seems that you don't care to the wealth of your family, even your parents money you spend for that.
Healthy Living
· 7 months ago
That's a funny post - I hate using those machines - I can never seem to win!
Shrooms
· 6 months ago
Sorry guys, but the next time you go to Japan, you'll be extremely disappointed that most of the UFO catchers will not be as convenient as the ones you see in that video. This comment speaks truth. It's nowhere as easy as this video makes it out to be. Shrooms
koichi
· 6 months ago
Has it gotten harder in the last year or something? There's *always* at least a couple machines that are easy to win, you just have to find them. Even the hard to win ones are easier than the American ones.
Mexican mushrooms
· 6 months ago
Sorry guys, but the next time you go to Japan, you'll be extremely disappointed that most of the UFO catchers will not be as convenient as the ones you see in that video. This comment speaks truth. It's nowhere as easy as this video makes it out to be.
Forex Signals
· 6 months ago
I have NEVER won at these machines - personally I think they are all rigged!! Certainly they are in the UK, anyway! Maybe I should head over to japan to try them out....
hotmale
· 6 months ago
There are alot of those in Singapore as well =)
Estelle Yeak
· 4 months ago
^__^ Thank you so much ^^ I found the article so helpful I went and hunted down a place that has ufo catchers just like Japan in Singapore too ^^ They really put the rilakumas in a prime location to push into the bin!! <33 And after I won, the shop assistant took the rilakuma and put it back in the exact same position, giving me a new onsen rilakuma <33 I had so much fun and I posted an article about it on my lj, linking the youtube video to that article. I hope you don't mind. ^^ The link is below if you'd like to see XDD
man this is awesome! I never won anything from those stupid machines ever since i was 6. I guess i'm gonna take your tipis and have a try. Thank you so much and thank god this is in english
All Comments
I WAS NOT PLAYING IT!
=[ That's what I said.
I wonder, what happens if the 'close to the exit/right prize' has already been picked up and offered to a good home? Are they quickly replaced? Is there no other method to the madness!?
I'll try these out some time! Now if we only had a couple Japanese vending machines around... -wanders off-
Generally the staff will replace it immediately (from our experience). If not, you can always ask them.
The coolest moment I've had with these machines was when I won two prizes back to back. After winning the first prize, the arcade peon went in to set up another prize. Bad mistake on his part since I still had two tries left on my credit :)
Ah, lame-o on the video problem. I can watch it just fine, it must still be processing.
You're right. It was Koichi playing it.
I dunno, I think the picture above is more definitive evidence than anything I've seen so far...
Also, video should work now. I accidentally set it to "private"
Thanks for the compliments. This article was definitely a team effort.
Fixed the image.
Thanks, and Lee's whereabouts are confidential.
Really great article, pictures, and video, you guys! (:
I then saw another couple try right after me, and he did the same thing.
japan = horniest race ever? lol :p
I honestly don't think you can win the AVs. To do so, you'd have to get it perfectly balanced on the claw, lift it, and move it over to the drop slot without them falling off. Which is not to say that these machines don't make a lot of money, haha. Still, I think your efforts would be much better spent trying to win a stuffed animal or phone strap.
I never knew these things about UFO catchers, never even had heard the term before.
When I go to Japan I defiantly see another obsession in my future!!!! THANKS for the great article!!!
They have these at my local Gameworks (Seattle) also. But every time I've visited there the prizes don't seem winnable.
Sadly, here in Canada, we don't have anything as cute as UFO catchers, nor are the American claw machines very popular here. I think I've only really seen one in the city I live in, and the store it's located in is being demolished soon. Hah. Shady indeed. In the machines you do find have prizes so lame and so ugly, they're soooo not worth the money. >_>;
I want a stuffed Kapibara. D:
I'll remember this when I go Slime Hunting in Japan.
Thank you!
If I ever get to visit Japan I'm definitely trying every UFO Catcher I find out. I wanna come home with 50+ toys, just to see the expression on the airplane staffs' faces. xDD
"Sumimasen... nankai mo yatta kedo, torenai n desu. Toreru you ni shite kudasai..."
Something like that. Anyway, he moved it a bit closer to the exit (well, practically balanced it over the edge for me), and I won on my next turn!
Awesome! I'm glad the tips worked out for you.
Loved this one...now I know! I never tried them before because I was so deathly afraid of the black holes. I'm excited to obtain a new addiction! ^_^
But! I had one credit left and nothing else was 'winnable', so I left it and walked once around the game center to see if the guy would set something else up... but he didn't! And not only that, but he pressed the button to waste my last credit! :O
I was kindof annoyed and this is the only place I could turn. :P
wish there were such ufo catchers in wisconsin rather than the crappy ones here that have glas plates around the hole to prevent the pushing of objects in. :(
the video was awesome too :)
Welcome to the site. I'm glad you are enjoying out content ;)
I never ever win. But the next time i go somewhere with those, I WILL use your tips. maybe they will work .
oh, and now i want to go to japan even more then i use to.
I've also won another one in a normal 3/4 pronged/clawed machine, a US version. It was 2 tries for a dollar and my guy friend tried first and he didn't get anything. So then I tried and I got this cute tie-dye-ish bear! :3
Anyway, will bookmark this, so I can try my luck at other ones. ;D
I wanna play one of these Ufo catchers they seem fun
My friend went to japan and play those but only one me a damn fish T^T
I want a Rirakkuma T^T There adorable D:
MY EXPEIRIENCE:
In 2004 I spent: $119.00 and I ended up winning 178 stuffed animals.
In 2005 I spent: $158.25 and I ended up winning 103 stuffed animals.
In 2006 I spent: $358.75 and I ended up winning 431 stuffed animals.
In 2007 I spent: $298.50 and I ended up winning 309 stuffed animals.
In 2008 I spent: $402.50 and I ended up winning 459 stuffed animals.
That's a total of 1,480 stuffed animals over 5 years... Bow down to my awesome might.
Over these five years I also won large plastic balls from the arcade at my mall (before it went completely broke) filled with tickets wadded up inside of them.
Over the 5 years the tickets from claw machines and UFO catchers was: 6,836 tickets.
I never actually counted how many boxed items and scarves, sunglasses, hats, shirts and all sorts of other crap I've won from those things. The best part is, is that all of the money I spent except for about $50 was my parents money they LET ME use.
I've found out that:
#1 Wal-Mart UFO Catchers suck
#2 You can't find Rirrakuma in American UFO catchers... Crap
#3 Japanese UFO Catchers...AWESOME
One time I saw a man waste $60 on a UFO Catcher to walk away with... NOTHING :-O
Then he forked over another $20 and won a stupid teddy bear, because I watched he gave it to me.
I'm so glad I FINALLY found a UFO Catcher's (enthusiast?) website!!!!!
If you DON'T understand what I mean, or just want to see an example go to YouTube and type in the search box: "UFO Catcher" and click on the first video you see in your search results. For those of you who don't speak Japanese (like me) the video will show you examples, and the P.U.C. (Professional UFO Catcher) will show you how she does it. The other women in the red top and black skirt is just interveiwing the P.U.C.
Please...for the sake of your precious coins.... WATCH THE VIDEO!!!1
The exact company that created the first UFO catcher recently created a fun new CLAW game for people in Florida, Main, California, Japan and Korea. You mighta heard of it before. Its called... The Main Lobster Game and it's a specially designed Lobster Claw Machine. I know kinda stupid right, but for $2.00 you could end up with a lobster dinner. The stupid part is, in case you DO win a LIVE LOBSTER there isn't even a net or a bag to hold it in after you win it. I feel so sorry for those poor lobsters because the FIRST and most important- ORIGINAL Lobster Claw Game was gentle and non-harming to the lobsters. The new Korean version can actually hurt them. One video I saw on YouTube (just one) there actually was a lobster claw game with a dead lobster in it. Poor lobster. they just get jabbed at ALL DAY. I even saw a UFO Catcher online with Live Turtles Lobster AND Goldfish ALL IN THE SAME UFO CATCHER!!!!!!!!!
O-M-G WHAT HAS THE WORLD BECOME!!!!!!!!!!!
Of course, the real 'trick' is all in the unteachable abilities. That 6th sense that you start to gain after repeated play. You just start to know when you can push you luck and when you can't, when you can rely on pure skill and when the odds (and the prizes) are stacked against you.
If you're really interested in the ins and outs of the Japanese Arcade scene, check out the book Arcade Mania by Brian Ashcraft. It's a great read that deals in equal parts about the games and the culture.
When I was in Las Vegas 12 years ago the claw machines in the kids section of the Excalibur were unusually "loose," dispensing good-sized Looney Tunes characters left and right for not much money. It was more fun than the slot machines.
UFO Pants
Airplane charger
forex strategies
Shrooms
least a couple machines that are easy to win, you just have to find them.
Even the hard to win ones are easier than the American ones.
http://bunnylysis.livejournal.com/2042.html