Arcade claw machines are the ultimate confidence trick in neon lighting: all glittering prizes and upbeat music, daring you to believe you have the steady hands of a surgeon and the luck of a lottery winner. The toy you want is right there, practically posing for you, and the claw hangs above it like a promise. Even when you slide the contraption over the toy with slow and careful movements, you can fail to grab a prize.
All too often, the claw will graze the toy without actually picking it up. Or even worse, it can fall from the flimsy metal arm before reaching the drop. If that sinking feeling is all too familiar – and you have lost countless coins in the process – listen up. An arcade worker has shared three tips which can help you win from the machine.
1. Target the Limbs
It may seem like a good strategy to target the bulkier sections of the toy, but it is actually wiser to focus on the smaller parts. The expert said: "In order to get a good grab it is important for the claw to completely close around the plush. This is impossible if you are aiming for a large part of the plush, like the head."
2. Nail the Technique
If you are struggling to get a grip on a smaller section of the toy, try the "swinging" method to alter the rotation of the claw. By manoeuvring the joystick in a swinging motion, the expert managed to position the claw directly over the smaller part of the toy's body. Another handy trick is the "double-tap" method, which "allows you to stop the claw exactly where you want to. Once the claw has reached your desired position, simply hit the grab button twice."
3. Pick the Right Toy
Finally, the arcade worker suggests targeting the plushies closest to the prize chute. For instance, you can align the claw so that it is "slightly over the prize chute in an attempt to drag or swing the plush over into the prize chute when it picks it up."
So there you have it, three easy tips to boost your chances at the arcade. Now the only thing left is to head to the arcade and reap the rewards!
