Have you ever walked into an arcade and seen those claw machines filled with plush toys and wondered, “What are crane games?” Well, you’re in luck. Crane games, also known as “claw machines,” are popular arcade games that challenge players to maneuver a claw and pick up a prize.

A crane game, claw machine, toy crane, or skill crane is a type of arcade game known as a merchandiser, commonly found in video arcades, supermarkets, and movie theaters. It consists of a cabinet with a joystick and buttons to control the movement of a claw, which is designed to grab prizes placed within the machine. The player must use skill and strategy to grab a prize before time runs out, or the claw may lose its grip and the prize will drop.

Basically, most crane games are designed so the claw is randomly (and only once in many games) strong enough to let players win. Some even have special features such as a timer and a weight detector to help the player increase their chances of winning.

Claw refers to the four finger technique some gamers apply to play games instead of using their thumbs. Using two fingers takes time to switch between controls, which can be difficult to do in a crane game.

Like what you’ve read? Check out this video on claw machine tips!