By tyone,sauce
Claw machine in Japan is, in my opinion, a way to get figure with limited budget and correct technique. However, finding one claw machine that don't scam your money is not easy, and require some knowledge to avoid scammy machine.
Geography Location
Generally speaking, arcade open at majour tourist hub is usually full of unfavorable claw machine. You can determind easily by the cost to pay each round; 200 yen or above to play one round is considered unflavourable.
On the other hand, arcade open at no where that require you to find a car to get there is usually full of surprise.
Machine Type
Claw machine with three claws, in my opion, is very difficult to operate and considered unflavourable. Most of them are set with very little strength, and I would avoid them.
Usually, i play with one that is like this:
Particullarly the left machine, i call it a bridge type.
You would want to determind the spacing between the tube, and if extra plastic tube exist to increase fiction to get a preliminary analysis. If the space look tight or extra plastic tube exist, you would know the machine is not flavourable. However, from last visit, I can see many has extra plastic tube....
Still, another major factor is the strength of the claw. If the object is hardly able to lift at first try, you would know that this claw machine is unflavourable.
Another type is , i call it, with enough money you would get your price.
This aim for the, circular thing, i don't know what it called. Not my favourite as it look easy to play, but usually cost many trial to get a prize.
Another type is random one, some example are:
I play with the ring one, as the chance to get the prize is not as low as I expected. However, avoid the one that the ring and hook look very small and impossible to be pairred.
technique to play with bridge type
The aim usually si the corner of the box:
Sometime, the object may get stuck like this:
Determind the strength of the claw and and height/width left to decide if it is flavourable to continue. I can only say that in this stage is where people usally waste money on. It is important to give up when it is not savable.
extra tip
If you are hungry, you can find one that is for beginner and full of tower of snack.
Also, the one which is a konami iced claw machine (i don't know what it is called) is a way to get some ice cream. Usually appear in rural arcade center.
You may also want to aim for the gap of the box, if possible. Sometime, it may oneshot it even on weak strength claw.
My final word
3 claw machine is terrible, as it is determind more by luck. Only those with two claw can challange player skill on space determind. I hate 3 claws machine!!!!!!
