How to Win at UFO Catchers

by 132 Comments

UFO Catcher Image 1

Aight maggots. It’s time to edumacate you in the fine art of UFO catching. I’m about to present to you tips on how to net yourself a cute stuff j-character without spending a lot of moolah. Koichi spent ¥5,000 figuring out the tricks of the trade so the lot of us wouldn’t have to. But before I indulge you with such delicious tips, I’ll bore you with some background information on these arcade machines (sorry, nothing is free!).

In the US (and maybe Canada?), you may be familiar with its cousin generically named the claw vending machines. Typically the claws are three to four prongs and have ridiculous low gripping power. Prizes are positioned in the prize area in such a way that the only way of succeeding is to grab onto the object and hope that the prong latches onto something or its sad gripping power is just barely enough to carry it to the outlet.

So what makes the US version different from the Japanese? Not much. There is still the weak gripping power. However, the first thing you’ll probably notice is the two-prong claw. TWO-PRONG?!?!?! How the hell are you suppose to grip around an object with just two prongs? Well, you don’t for the most part. Here is where the main difference lies: Majority of the time when looking at the sea of prizes in the casing you’ll find the “winnable” prize sitting almost right next to the exit hole at a higher elevated position. This is done on purpose. The Japanese arcade peons like to give you a chance of winning. They WANT you to win. All that is required is to understand the mechanics of the two-prong claw.

UFO Catcher Image 2

The trick is the utilization of the force from the prongs when it open/closes/descends and the use of gravity.The claw typically opens up midway descension and closes before it ascends back on. You’ll also notice that the claw has a wide range in the open position. The use of the claw depends on the positioning of the object.Sometimes you’ll need to pull the prize towards the hole by either latching a prong to some opening on the object or position it over the object by some offset amount so that when the claw closes it’ll push the object towards the exit . Or you’ll have the descending prong push straight down on the objects side so the weight gets shifted, letting gravity do its job.

UFO Catcher 3

Check out this video for more information:

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUFpxulU8rg']

Games typically run at ¥100-¥500 for one to three plays, depending what is at stake.

Oh, one more thing. Don’t bother with the UFO catchers with AV DVDs (READ: Mystery person pictured above). You are better off saving the yen and purchasing them at a “DVD/CD/本屋” (you’ll know what I mean if you ever attempt to visit one).

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  • http://www.tofugu.com koichi

    This has to be the best comment ever!

  • jefftheworld

    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

    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

    I found that winning UFO Catcher's is easy if you try for stuff close to the prize slot.

  • http://mobiletimes.in indian smartphones

    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..
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    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.

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  • http://www.theforexvillage.com/forex-strategies.html Adam

    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!

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  • http://sippadvice.co.uk/ SIPP

    Man, the ones here in the UK are awful – I've never one anything in my life! Looks like I need to head over to Japan and win me some UFOs!
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  • http://www.sunglassesuk.com/ Sunglasses

    it seems that you don't care to the wealth of your family, even your parents money you spend for that.

  • http://megtour.com/health/the-cause-of-allergies-hygiene/ Healthy Living

    That's a funny post – I hate using those machines – I can never seem to win!

  • http://megtour.com/health/the-cause-of-allergies-hygiene/ Healthy Living

    I've often wondered that aswell. I guess you just need to try it and find out!

  • http://www.shayanashop.com/Magic_Mushrooms/ls-Magic_Mushrooms-1024-pm14.aspx Shrooms

    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.
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  • http://www.shayanashop.com/Magic_Mushrooms/ls-Grow_Shrooms-1025-pm14.aspx Mexican mushrooms

    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.

  • http://www.tofugu.com koichi

    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.

  • http://12y.net/forex-signals/free-forex-signals/ Forex Signals

    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

    There are alot of those in Singapore as well =)

  • http://www.facebook.com/bunnylysis Estelle Yeak

    ^__^ 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

    http://bunnylysis.livejournal.com/2042.html

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  • paranoia

    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

  • paranoia

    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

  • becca

    the japanese ufo catchers are alot better, they want you to win! and the prizes are ALOT freakin better. plus in the american ones the are PACKED in against eachother and the only way a toy can get into the hole is by the claw.

  • Anonymous

    wow then Japanese UFO catchers have found there way to Sandeigo I’ve seen them in movie theaters with products like domo plushies  

  • Anonymous

    wow then Japanese UFO catchers have found there way to Sandeigo I’ve seen them in movie theaters with products like domo plushies  

  • Jonathan Dookie

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  • Paul

    Coming from America, I always thought those machines were made to be unfair, so I never tried them for about a year, while here in Japan…  Funny story… The day I did try them (in company of a couple friends) I won almost every time I played!  I played 5 games and won 4 of them,.. One of them being a HUGE Gizmo gremlin doll.

    Unfortunately, I discovered that arcade was just being kind apparently, because all of the local places with UFO catchers only have a few prizes laying in a barren box, all positioned in a tricky to get way.

    I think the general rule is to trust your intuition.  Assume that it’s going to be tough, but if you really feel like you can win something, go ahead and give it a shot!

    I was at an Ito Yokada (grocery/department store) and every one of their machines were made to rip you off.. Either that, or someone went around getting the only winnable prize not long before I was there.

    The reason I came here is that I’m searching for info/tips/tricks on other types of UFO catcher, or similar machines…   Ever been to GEO?  There are 3 or 4 different types of games where the prizes are all games and game consoles..  I feel like I can win if I keep trying, but I want to know if there’s some digital, invisible boundary preventing me from winning no matter how high my skill is..

    Does anyone have experience with other, UFO Catcher-like prize machines?

  • Lachlanthomas1

    r the japenese ufo catchers easier to win than the american ufo catchers

  • Anonymous

    Yes. Like the article and videos show, they are indeed much easier.. made to win…  At least some of the prizes.   Of course, there are a variety of machines, but you can most certainly win, often on your first try.

    And, in case you didn’t see it mentioned, you can actually ask the staff to move the prize closer so you can win it!…  I haven’t done this myself, but just the other day my Japanese friend was talking about it.

  • ms

    I’m from the Philippines and a newbie UFO catcher.  I just started four months ago and has no plan of stopping yet :D. I posted the pictures of the stuffed toys I get (mostly plants vs zombies characters) in one of my blogs at http://www.cuddleski@blogspot.com.  I love this game!  Although playing this game is fun and sometimes addicting, I still have to limit myself in spending too much Peso (that’s what we call our currency here). Tips on how to win at the claw machine is not a guarantee of winning but it also helps so that next time you want to play, you will have a greater chance of getting those cute and cuddly toys. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kevin-Holman/100003213476192 Kevin Holman

    I am betting I know where you went to. I think it is called the tilt arcade in the parks at Arlington mall in Arlington Texas and they have a ton of claws ranging from a big choice to a tilt bus, a ufo catcher, a claw machine that has cases the hold a card inside for redemption of tickets, a large claw machine, a small claw machine, and care bear claw machine! That place has 1 UFO catcher that is filled one side with Domo’s and the other side is filled with Puss in Boots toys. I won Puss in Boots, and Humpty Dumpty out of the UFO catcher with about $5 today. I does take a little bit of skill I first tried to win a domo and said heck why not try for a puss that was wedged and it pulled him out of the wedge and then he was on his side I won him on the second try and then I said what the heck I will try for Humpty Dumpty and got him too but he took about 3 or 4 tries and I think he fell out of the claw right over the prize chute just before the prize chute was to open :) the rest of the $5 I tried to win a second puss in boots. I also won some other stuff out of the big choice which surprisingly has a strong grip and is not rigged! I won two things that were at the front in a few tries got a pac-man of the first try and got two Kung Fu Panda toys out of the front row by just moving the claw to the right and not moving it forward! This claw machine does not have a joy stick you have to use arrows a right arrow to move the claw right and a forward arrow to move the claw forward so it truely is skill.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kevin-Holman/100003213476192 Kevin Holman

    I just did five years after your post! got two things out of it!

  • Renee r

    hahaha you are so awesome

  • Bani

    I asked an employee there to move the prize I wanted, and he did. It took me a lot of tries, but I managed to get it at the end.

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