What Are The Claw Machines Called?

Claw machines are commonly known as "crane games" or "claw cranes". They are arcade games where players control a claw-like device to grab toys or prizes and place them in a designated area. These machines are popular in arcades, amusement parks, and entertainment centers.

Ever since the modern invention by William Barlett revolutionized arcade games back in the 1930s, the game where you allow players to move a claw to where they wanted it to be has evolved into one of the best arcade machines of all time. It has been called the toy crane, some the claw game. But what is it really called?

 

 

Technically, the machine falls under the general name, a merchandiser, a type of entertainment machine found in a lot of supermarkets, restaurants, video arcades, shopping malls, movie theaters, and bowling alleys. It has many parts but, mainly, its components are the printer circuit board (PCB), currency detector, power supply, joystick, credit/timer display, gantry assembly, wiring harness, coil and the claw assembly. Usually, there are three fingers for the claw but in Asian versions there are two and rarely, in some cases in Western ones, four.

Back in the mid-80s, a similar game was called “The Digger” where you could win a prize by digging through sand using a “crane” operated machine inside a wooden box with glass panels.

 

 

As for the official name of the machine, it has been called the claw machine, claw crane, skill crane, toy crane, claw game, and, in Asia, the UFO catchers. But regardless of the name, the main purpose of the machine is to provide quality merchandise (thus the name merchandiser) to anyone who’s skills will be tested – their hand and eye coordination – as well as how lucky they are at these games.

Since the introduction of the arcade machine into the public, the name has also evolved into things that make any kid and kid-at-heart glee for games. I guess, you can call it whatever you want as long as you’re enjoying it alone or with friends. Regardless of what you call it, all that matters is that you’re having fun with the arcade machine as much as you want to.