No, not Unidentified Flying Objects. We're talking about "crane games" here. Anyone that's played them knows how much of a bitch it is to actually nab something with the claws. My advice? Look for loops to hook into, and think about nudging rather than lifting.
An advantage even better than my sage advice will come to visitors of a new Japanese Sega arcade. At the soon-to-open Sega World Kokoe Amagasaki, UFO catcher players will actually get to handle sample prizes before playing. This will let them devise strategies by giving them an idea of how the prize feels. They'll also get some idea of where to draw the line at credit insertion. For example, if it's a junk plushie, you know to stop at $5.
You know one I see all the time in Japan that's not worth going after? A big-assed bag of chips. After about 2 credits, you could have already bought your own non-stale bag.
[via Andria Sang]
Dale North is Destructoid's Editor-In-Chief, a founding editor, and specialist in Japanese gaming. An accomplished musician, Dale was reporting from Japan during the earthquakes of 2011. Luckily, he got the fuck out alive and is home in America now with his wife and beloved corgi, Einstein. Dale is also a co-founder of Destructoid's sister anime site
Japanator. Likes Corgis, Sega Saturn, PSP, iPhone, Photographic tools.
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Contest:
10:20 AM on 10.19.2009
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQE1RdOTBNY
I did recently see a woman win at a Hatsune Miku one, and I realized the claw was performing well since she did it a few times. I had been losing on the Evangelion Rei one, so I tried the Miku one and won.
I had to google Vocaloid later when everyone told me what it was since I had no idea.
I still hate the UFO catchers Sega has stateside, though. It's really rare for there to be anything remotely grabbable and they charge you a buck a play. ... And I'm still sore about losing that totally fucking awesome Dr. Doom plush in one.
@Chronic Login: You have given me a new idol to worship, sir.