3 Useful Tricks to Start With.
Sunday, March 12, 2017 | 1:49 AM | 0 comments
Sometimes, UFO catcher machines have poor designs and loopholes for us to exploit. Yup, it's totally fine to do it as long as you get the toy into the chute. So, what's in store this week?
1. Grab the Base Board!
Check out this video where they grabbed the acrylic base board to make the toys bounce off! It's so interesting, I have to try it the next time I see the opportunity.
Be careful though, if you keep winning prizes from the same machine, the staff may choose to switch off the machine or ban you from playing. That happened to us in Tokyo - twice! We tried to sneak in a couple of hours later but the staff was able to recognize us instantly =.="
2. Grab a Limb
Some toys have gaps for the claw machine to pull it sideways. It's kind of hard to explain in words. So watch this video for a clearer idea!
The player slots one claw into the "thigh gap" of the Rilakkuma plush toy and the closing action of the UFO machine helped to pull the toy towards the dropping point
This trick works especially well on plushies that are rigid enough. Those plush toys that have gaps and holes (imagine a doughnut) works well too. Fortunately, you can use this trick on most Rilakkuma plush toys. We got 5 wins using this method at Shinjuku ;) definitely doable.
3. Hook the Tag
Now, this is tricky and requires a bit of skill and luck. If you see the prizes having a loose tag with a plastic hoop that can allow the UFO machine claw to fit in, chances are that it is possible to win it by hooking the plastic hoop.
Source: http://onlyinjapan.tv/crane-game-secrets-revealed-japans-ufo-catcher-academy/
See the action!
Of course, there are other tricks out there. We have just touched on the 3 simple and straightforward ones that you can apply anytime.
Stay tuned, for we are going to feature some tricks to get BOXED toys next! ;)
Interesting UFO Catcher Machines in Japan
Saturday, September 19, 2015 | 6:47 AM | 1 comments
I'm finally back from my exchange / travelling trip in Japan. I'm really excited to share some of the cool machine setup that I encountered in many different parts of Japan. Scroll down and you'll see the detailed description of each UFO catcher setup :)
If you have any other interesting ones to share, feel free to email pics and description to me at Donuthings@gmail.com and I will add them to this post. Don't forget to let me know how to properly credit you by providing me your name, or website details.
Note: Game centres usually do not allow photography, so to supplement this post, I took some images from the web.
Have fun with this post!
Me at AEON Mall, Akita, Japan
Basically, you have to use the UFO claw to pick the detergent bottle up and the claw will move to the area on top of the ball to drop it.
It's not a sure-win setup, because the prize may bounce back onto the platform.
Only prizes which drop down are counted as a win :)
It's interesting isn't it? Akita's a rural prefecture in Japan and I think their main target audience are housewives and not teenagers. That explains the kind of stuff they have in the UFO catchers.
AEON Mall, Akita, Japan
This is becoming a very popular setup around Japan! You will need to use the claws to scrape the yellow plastic plate off from the rod. It takes many tries and it probably costs more than 1000円 to get it. It's very common to see people give up playing because it takes many tries to see progress.
Taken at a locally run game centre, Dotonbori, Osaka
It looked so easy! Honestly speaking, my friends and I did not win this after countless attempts. It's a painfully slow process and I believe it will require another 10 tries to make it drop.
THIS VIDEO shows a similar setup :)
AEON Mall, Akita, Japan
This is very easy! Just roll the disney tsum tsum purse down either side of the machine and it is considered a win.
(Click the video to play)
Credits:
I LOVE THIS SETUP.
Basically just let luck decide if you win. I like it a lot because if you play enough times, you are guaranteed a prize. The ping pong balls must fall into one of the marked grooves of the takoyaki tray. Usually the marked groove is of different colour, or it is labelled with words like 'Win' or 'Prize'. Best of all, you get to choose which prize you want from the machine. Akita and Osaka has a lot of this kind of machines.
Manga Souko, Akita, Japan
Live fish in the containers. Didnt see anyone play this machine...
I saw a couple of such 'live catches' in Tokyo in their local shopping arcades too. Interesting.
More to come :)
Basic things before you put the coin in!
Sunday, August 3, 2014 | 4:57 AM | 1 comments
So you've spotted your favorite stuffed toy and you're all ready to catch it - only to realize that the toy can't be picked up and carried to the chute.
It's very common, even we have fallen into this trap before and spent unnecessary amounts on NOTHING.
Before we get started, you'll have to understand that there are more than 1 specie of UFO catchers out there in the market of Singapore. The type of claw/ machine determines HOW you are going to catch the toy.
Type 1: UFO catcher (2 legged)
Popular in Japan, this is the fairest UFO Catching can get.
Techniques for this include pushing, lifting parts of the toy, and grabbing things up (it's quite rare to be able to grab)
You'll realize that the moment you try to grab the toy, the claws just slide off. That doesn't mean it's unfair. It's just a change of strategy. We'll talk about it in a while.
Type 2: Claw catcher (3 legged)
Not exactly the fairest type of machines around...
They usually set it to have 1 win after a number of tries. Eg: 20 tries, 1 win
So people realize that these claws can pick the toy up, but the toy drops the moment the claw withdraws. Some say the claws are weak - yes. But on the 20th try the grip is stronger and the toy stays grabbed and is able to make its way to the chute and dispense as a prize. (this is just an example, it could be the 30th, 40th...) In Singapore, we have seen people throwing $30 and get nothing. You can spot these machines in some of the shopping mall arcades.
So what we usually do before we put our coin(s) into the machine...
For UFO catchers (2 legged)
Check these aspects of the claw:
a) Strength of the claw
b) Amount which the claw descends
c) Shape of the claw tip
a) Check the strength of the claw by either watching someone else play or testing it yourself. You'll need 1 to 2 tries to see if the claw is strong in grabbing or pushing. This will determine if the machine is worth your money. If you see the claw sliding off the toy no matter how you try to push or grab it, it's probably not a good idea to continue.
b) Sometimes toys are placed in a way that it requires you to push it downwards. This is important because the amount which the machine descends will mean how much it can push the toy downwards into the chute. Some machines are set to only descend 4cm, some more than 10cm. The moment you realize that the claws of the machine cannot reach the toy, it's time to either run or ask the crew to re-position.
At Marina Square Prize Stage: The UFO catching machine was able to descend enough to press the head and arms, but not the legs.
c) The claw tips can come in 2 possible shapes.
Machine A makes a huge difference as to whether you can lift the toy up to move it. Sometimes it's possible to grab toys with this kind of claw tip.
Machine B is less advantageous for grabbing. It's more useful for pressing as it has a pointed tip that can aid in pressing, like the ted stuffed toy!
2. For claw catcher machines (3 legged)
One thing to note is that these machines can pick the toy UP but it will let go before it moves to the chute. Means that the toy will drop back to the same position and roll around upon impact.
Check these things:
a) Layout of the toys
b) Presence of 'wheel of fortune'
Some scenarios where your odds are dependent on the positioning of the toy and overall layout:
(Case 1) This 3-claw machine has its toys placed in a way that once you grab it up, it will drop and chances are it will roll away from the chute. Look at the chute size, it's blocked by other toys, how is the smurf going to drop into the chute? In many Singapore arcades, they often have a clause saying "prizes are only considered won when it falls into the chute".
This arcade definitely isn't being quite fair. Possible scenarios are that if the toy gets stuck above the chute, the claw will not be able to reach the toy as the starting position of the claw is often away from the chute. (Note that this image is captured before the coin is placed into the machine. Once you put a coin in, the claw will move to the right as a starting position. Most machines do not allow it to move back into the chute position once the game is activated). To sum up, if the toy gets stuck above the chute, it's not considered a win.
Another thing to take note of is the gradient of the slope around the chute. In case 1, the area around the chute is sloped downwards. The toy will roll away from the chute and that decreases your chances of winning the toy.
(Case 2) However, when the path towards the chute is a relatively flat plane, grabbing the back of the stuffed toy will give you a chance to push it or flip it towards the chute. Some toys are also placed to hang slightly towards the chute. I feel that the odds are better for these layouts.
The arrow will start to spin when you insert a coin. When you hit the button to drop the claw, the arrow will stop, landing on once of the numbers on the plate.
From experience, the +1s and -1s are actually not of any use. We have observed enough people playing to notice that even if they land on a +2, the toy was not picked up by the machine. Sometimes they land on -2 and the toy was picked up. Of course, if you land on FREE GAME or CHANCE, you'll get another try or a sure win. But then again, we seldom see people land the arrow accurately. Perhaps the operator could set the odds and the wheel is just a puppet to make users feel that the machine is not as rigged and manipulated.
Conclusion:
The reason why Singaporeans feel that UFO catchers are scams and complete waste of money is because many arcades are too focused on profits rather than user retention. You've probably noticed that many arcades and prize centers withdrawn lots of ufo catchers and claw catchers because people stopped playing them altogether. The rate of winning is just too damn low. Most arcades in Singapore also use claw catchers instead of UFO catchers because the profit margin is higher. They can manipulate the odds of winning in claw machines where UFO machines are more difficult to do so.
In short, Claw machines are more luck-based and UFO machines are more skill-based. Do you agree? :)
Well we can't fully blame the operators because they have high rents to pay in Singapore. But won't it be a waste of fixed cost and investment if no one plays the machines? I guess it's really a hard balance to strike. Hmm.
Machine B is less advantageous for grabbing. It's more useful for pressing as it has a pointed tip that can aid in pressing, like the ted stuffed toy!
2. For claw catcher machines (3 legged)
One thing to note is that these machines can pick the toy UP but it will let go before it moves to the chute. Means that the toy will drop back to the same position and roll around upon impact.
Check these things:
a) Layout of the toys
b) Presence of 'wheel of fortune'
Some scenarios where your odds are dependent on the positioning of the toy and overall layout:
Case 1
(Case 1) This 3-claw machine has its toys placed in a way that once you grab it up, it will drop and chances are it will roll away from the chute. Look at the chute size, it's blocked by other toys, how is the smurf going to drop into the chute? In many Singapore arcades, they often have a clause saying "prizes are only considered won when it falls into the chute".
This arcade definitely isn't being quite fair. Possible scenarios are that if the toy gets stuck above the chute, the claw will not be able to reach the toy as the starting position of the claw is often away from the chute. (Note that this image is captured before the coin is placed into the machine. Once you put a coin in, the claw will move to the right as a starting position. Most machines do not allow it to move back into the chute position once the game is activated). To sum up, if the toy gets stuck above the chute, it's not considered a win.
Another thing to take note of is the gradient of the slope around the chute. In case 1, the area around the chute is sloped downwards. The toy will roll away from the chute and that decreases your chances of winning the toy.
Case 2
(Case 2) However, when the path towards the chute is a relatively flat plane, grabbing the back of the stuffed toy will give you a chance to push it or flip it towards the chute. Some toys are also placed to hang slightly towards the chute. I feel that the odds are better for these layouts.
b) If you noticed, there is a 'wheel of fortune' at the back of these claw machines.
The arrow will start to spin when you insert a coin. When you hit the button to drop the claw, the arrow will stop, landing on once of the numbers on the plate.
From experience, the +1s and -1s are actually not of any use. We have observed enough people playing to notice that even if they land on a +2, the toy was not picked up by the machine. Sometimes they land on -2 and the toy was picked up. Of course, if you land on FREE GAME or CHANCE, you'll get another try or a sure win. But then again, we seldom see people land the arrow accurately. Perhaps the operator could set the odds and the wheel is just a puppet to make users feel that the machine is not as rigged and manipulated.
Conclusion:
The reason why Singaporeans feel that UFO catchers are scams and complete waste of money is because many arcades are too focused on profits rather than user retention. You've probably noticed that many arcades and prize centers withdrawn lots of ufo catchers and claw catchers because people stopped playing them altogether. The rate of winning is just too damn low. Most arcades in Singapore also use claw catchers instead of UFO catchers because the profit margin is higher. They can manipulate the odds of winning in claw machines where UFO machines are more difficult to do so.
In short, Claw machines are more luck-based and UFO machines are more skill-based. Do you agree? :)
Check out how this lady got the Rilakkuma soft toy!
(Please mute this video if it is too noisy for you)
(Please mute this video if it is too noisy for you)
Saturday, August 2, 2014 | 11:07 AM | 0 comments
Hello everyone! We just started this blog and we will be adding lots of cool stuff soon. We're still settling the designs and links so everything will be working well once we start posting!
Just to kick things off, we want to introduce places in Singapore where you can find fair UFO catcher machines to catch original items ( You know those Rilakkumas, Disney stuff, Sanrio merchandises).
We will update this as we gather more information when we go around hunting in Singapore :)
1. Superbowl
Yes Superbowls has fair and playable UFO catchers. Most of their machines feature a 2 legged mechanism and you press 2 buttons to navigate the catcher. It's exactly what is used in Japan! Very fair in our opinion. Look out for their UFO catcher 7 or something. Most of them are SEGA machines.
Superbowl outlets with SEGA UFO catchers:
A. Jurong Safra's Superbowl
B. Marina Square Superbowl (The arcade area opposite the bowling area)
C. Mt Faber Safra Superbowl
*Note that Toa Payoh's Safra Superbowl has no UFO catcher machines.
(above) SEGA UFO catcher 7 at Mt Faber Safra Superbowl, Singapore
2. Marina Square Prize Stage
We would recommend putting your coins into the 2 facing the corridor; as highlighted in the image. They usually place Rilakkuma stuff toys and recently they have Ted the bear too! You can try the UFO catcher machine with LINE figures inside. The pictures below shows the best and fairest machines at Prize Stage! The prizes there are really attractive and quite up to date. They are all original too! The staff there can only help to put the toys back to original position if you were to ask them for help.
From our painful experience, we only found that 1 machine is borderline fair. It's the UFO catcher 7 machine. They sometimes shift the machines around and they don't allow photo taking so I'll post as soon as I can sneak snap a photo of it heh.
The annoying part is that the toys are not the best ones you can expect and the shop crew often place the toy far away from the chute. But hey the toys are original from Disney / SEGA. It usually takes more than 3 tries to get one toy on lucky days. The moment you notice no progress (in some cases, the toy can be so front that the claw cannot reach), it's best to walk away and come back another day because the shop crew won't bother to help re-position the toy.
Next post: We'll talk about some basics of UFO catching. Stay tuned!