Is It Impossible to Win In a Japanese Arcade?? | Game Center

[@TokyoCreativePlay]

Was it worth it? We want to know your favourite arcade game, let us know!!

[@AkwarT]

Dance Dance Revolution ^_^

[@jjnimaroff]

Takio and Chunithm. But DDR is a classic

[@SigiL2]

I'm an absolute Wacca addict (arcade rhythm games in general really)

[@freekborgerink7810]

no, is was noth worth it. dont lose your money on grosery products, on chance. just go to the supermarket. nice video overall.

[@ChrissiTee]

Cho chabudai gaeshi!!! The table flipping game Typing of the Dead is quality too but incredibly hard with a japanese keyboard lol

[@ZaleARogers]

Take Chris Broad to one of these, and see how many times he curses the place out.

[@danwong2191]

Only about 2 million times

[@Mwoods2272]

All of the big name J vloggers are gone. I would be nervous about the future if I worked there.

[@ZaleARogers]

Seran K Pachinko is a lot different from this. This is a lot more "cute" or "girly" than pachinko.

[@Kelvin_Foo]

No table flipping game though, that's quite old now.

[@justalbedowithadrip6574]

Gd idea

[@Justice72097]

i never knew cup soup could make people so happy 😂😂

[@noeinroad7294]

I never knew cup soup could be soooo expensive!

[@7coloreddrops]

@@noeinroad7294 Cheep poor cup soups make us so sad. I recognized with this video.

[@Morichai]

Gotta say I’m a bit disappointed that the games played didn’t really show some of the wonderful prizes you can only get in Japan like limited models and plush and instead it was food you could get anywhere in Japan and a teddy bear that looks like pretty much any teddy bear in the world. If it wasn’t for Emma and Natasha being so lovely and fun the video wasn’t really worth watching for people super Interested in what you’ll find in Japanese arcades. I’d love to see another one that looks at the cute prizes that people like me play online and pay out the nose for just for the chance to win 🔔

[@abbiegilfilen3449]

seconded

[@Grokmal]

I don't know if it's the same in Japan, but in the US, those games are rigged. It was proven in a documentary that the store owner can program how often a customer can win.

[@drofumidragon5580]

Jakenbake used to play crane games all the time on stream. He believes they are rigged. Something along the lines of: The strength of the crane arms only work every once in a while.

[@Helvetica_Scenario]

They're totally rigged. If they weren't, it would only be a matter of time before someone "got good" at it and could clean out a machine purely on skill. This is why they add the random element to it.

[@foomp]

It really depends on what you're trying to win, but generally speaking you'll pretty much never win your prize in one go, at the very least. The games in Japan are usually trialed by the employees every time they set up the prize. You'll sometimes see them playing the game for 10+ minutes trying to make it drop (i.e. expect to spend $50 or more). I've won a simple one in 2 attempts (like a Pokemon beach towel). Definitely a win/win on that, since that thing likely went for at least $10. Some types of crane games are easier than others, depending on the size/weight/shape of the prize, but yeah.

[@SurgStriker]

@@drofumidragon5580 that's exactly how it works. It was shown that the claw will only maintain it's grip once every X tries (and the owner can change how often it does). So if you were a master, and could perfectly land that claw exactly where you wanted every time-you still could only win when the claw held on. You can watch the claw wiggle a little when the tension release kicks in on the impossible attempts

[@GreatSageSunWukong]

They have to be for tax collection reasons, you sure as hell wouldn't want to be running at a loss, or be accessed of money laundering, in the UK in the early 80s when I used to help fix arcade machines, the fruit machines just had a 4 choice dip switch system for the chance of winning ratio and although possible to work without one, it was illegal to have gambling machines for public use without one, very heavy fines. Now days its all software with alot more options and all the arcade machines are connected to wifi to watch their take and pay out and record it for the tax man.

[@Matando]

Having actually read the owner's and service manuals for certain crane games I can say with certainty that it's not a skill based game. They're programmed to allow only 1/50, 1/100, 1/500, 1/1000 tries depending on the prizes inside them.

[@KuroRyuu86]

maybe, in Japan its a lil different though. They use different tricks and all type of claw techniques to make it challenging. Like putting an item between two rods. Or on a string, or the ball in the cup games.

[@ScuffedSoju]

Lost $200 and never will I try it again. $200 is around 300-500 tries, this was back in 2016 so might have changed. Frick Boa Hancock, never again. To make it worse a guy came in and won first try right beside.

[@SurgStriker]

I heard much lower estimates (as in 1/3 to 1/10, though it depends on value of the items). What happens is any claw game has it rigged so that the claw will only maintain it's proper tension (effectively meaning it only actually grabs and holds) once per X attempts. So say it was set to 1/10, 9 times it won't hold on, then the 10th it will-but if you failed to get a good grab that time you failed anyway and it's wasted. So it's both skill and luck-because you need the luck to use it during a valid attempt, then the skill to make it work that time. If you watch closely, you can usually see the moment the claw suddenly goes slack and drops the item on the impossible attempts

[@Matando]

@@SurgStriker yes this is correct. The probability varies greatly between manufacturers, models, and prizes.

[@miyukiszu]

@@ScuffedSoju yo same, when i went to Japan i tried to get the Boa hancock figurine and i wasted about 100 dollars just for it

[@NatashaElle]

This video was SO INTENSE looool we gotta go back to get the melty kiss...

[@HammerDownUnder]

take many many thousand more Yen lol

[@galeriusbrutus1470]

I wish Natasha would step on me...

[@kammymarie13]

6:00 I've never been so excited about someone else winning instant soup before 😂

[@markjohnson8030]

I won 4 figures while in akihabara, best day ever!

[@groofay]

My god, the claws in the claw machines are so weak. I had no idea.

[@jeff1313]

Yeah they really are, seems it about finding a machine with a prize that's close and making small nudges. A friend showed me playing the Toreba app that lets you play and win things from these games in Japan. He won a couple things but it takes practice. Even after watching him and him advising I still didn't win.

[@Pado01]

Basic claw machines are money driven and will only tighten up once a certain amount has been deposited into the machine. Always best to jump onto one after someone has dumped a heap of money into it

[@Mwoods2272]

@@Pado01 usually after 20 tries it gets tighter.

[@Pado01]

@@Mwoods2272 Yeah I was lucky enough to get a huge dragonite plushie with 100円. Felt bad for the person before me...

[@KuroRyuu86]

Ive won games with 200 to 600Yen. But it depends where you go.

[@siirilydia]

We actually did win a decent amount of anime figures and other anime stuff, stuffed toys and candy, with just a reasonably small amount of money.

[@EnigmaDave]

16:02 "It was worth it for the fun." Truth.

[@jellypopcorn]

I love the game centres in Japan! I feel a bit embarrassed getting so excited about some of the games. But we just don't have big game centres in Australia! It's always so bright and fun inside. I love watching the "pro Japanese arcaders" play the rhythm games and the battle games

[@foomp]

I wouldn't feel embaressed about that. Even the locals get hyped pretty often playing those things... at least in groups.

[@MissMechaZero]

They key is to actually ignore the center "pull" part of the crane. By using the outside left or right of the arm as it pushes up, you can get items to move and fall more quickly. My Japanese friends taught me all these strategies when I lived in Tokyo!

[@laurengedye1]

natasha + emma duo is elite

[@kaltask1]

Never seen anyone so happy winning candy 😂 I feel that most of the cranes games in arcades are a hoax 😅

[@dizzymint277]

As a self-proclaimed soup person, I am so happy to see people cheering for winning soup. I'm cheering with you

[@kasiMasipasi]

You guys should do another video at the arcade place in Saitama called Everyday UFO Arcade. It supposedly has over 300 crane games and a lot more generous to beginners. I would love to see the Tokyo Creative team do more crane game challenges! Thank you all for the amazing videos, and looking forward to more!

[@rmannayr2129]

THIS JAPANESE ARCADE WAS SO COOL!

[@amypond3971]

I really loved the ones that had only 2 or one claws they really are more skill based as you basically just have to rotate your prize till it falls down a gap! In the 2 times I've been to Japan I've won some "coke-cola" brand headphones, Disney glass clock/paper weight, FMA mustang figurine, Pokemon plush, big Luffy figure and also a mini luffy!

[@didjaseemyjams1582]

Haha they are so similar in reactions! 😂 Must be best friends

[@russrh]

Emma's face is the best throughout

[@vanessabergamin1260]

You should watch Kawai arcade masters you could have gotten many tips from them lol, like how the food games are the tougher ones to win and that the majority of UFO catchers are rigged. I recommend watching then try again. I loved watching how excited you got about it lol.

[@100RAmen]

11:55 "Don't worry, it goes into OUR bag" dang dang dang dang dang soviet anthem plays

[@tccandler]

Doubt it.

[@phengov943]

Are you talking to me? Mate?

[@leewhite4578]

Natasha is adorable. Both you made this a great video. I tend to win loads on these things

[@Towkeeyoh]

Crane games online or offline brings out the best of TC... lol love it. MOAR!!!

[@NissanR33Ztune]

LOL - when you see Nat in a thumb nail and you just want to watch so to lift your spirits ....

[@deanospimoniful]

Man I remember trying to collect every plush in these UFO catchers when I was playing Yakuza. Good memories.

[@fatman2486]

These two are the best duo

[@apeckx5090]

This brings back great memories of my trip to Tokyo last summer. Game centers are definitely a money pit but you shouldn't rate it based on the haul but on the experience. My buddies and I had a blast at these centers and it was well worth it imo

[@ThePsychoghost]

Lol Natasha and Emma are so fun 🤣

[@Towkeeyoh]

Couple more episodes of this, we’re gonna see these 2 girls spiral into gambling addiction.... 😹

[@rmannayr2129]

IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT!

[@rey187]

lol natasha, gotta love the revelation of ultra-kiasuness and indignation at those darn UFO catchers

[@spzimefrk16]

Lol I love how you guys focused so much on the food-related games. That’s the opposite of what I did- I avoided them because I can buy it in the store for less, but I spent a lot on figurines and plushies and keychains and such haha

[@siedenburg1]

I think it's not that hard. Every time I went to the arcade I get at least my invested money back. In most cases you could ask the staff so reset or place the item different, so that it's easier for you to win. Also many of them are skill based, it will get better after time and than you can fill your bag with 10-15$ instead of over 50.

[@eggegg8181]

For me it’s difficult although maybe I just suck!

[@siedenburg1]

@@eggegg8181 Depends on the arcade type, i play them only in japan, other ones, like us or uk ones are mostly scam

[@jennymccally5374]

hahahaha "gentle caress" at the teddy bear crane game...too funny

[@bogotogo2786]

That was actually a very fun video. Good job. It was like I was there

[@kimekim12345]

If people want an extensive list of game centers to visit: Akihabara - Sega 5, 2, 4: The staff are really nice and chill, if you ask for help they are more than happy to give tips Ikebukuro - Taito & Sega: The taito they visited in this video is really good. The staff are really nice if you're having trouble. Shinjuku - Taito East Exit and Game World: Staff can be hit or miss, check to see if the staff are helping others. If so, worth playing that day. If you want my review of other game centers, feel free to ask :)

[@kimekim12345]

Game center to AVOID: Akihabara - Sega 1, Taito Station & Hey Hirose: Many machines are set to 200 per play and the staff will make it hard to win or outright ignore you Ueno - All of them: Almost all the game centers here have either rude or unhelpful staff

[@erumi36]

Natasha wins da soup... Natasha wins da dance... Natasha wins..... Our hearts.

[@travelphotos7662]

Taito Game Stations and Sega game centres are pretty cool. It takes time and money to practise and build skill but it is possible to win the crane games and to win quite easily. The staff are usually pretty helpful and will reposition items if they look like you'll just be wasting money after a certain point. If you walk away, the games are usually reset by staff (often quite quickly). I found the crane games with the the figures the easiest to play and win for the amount of money I put in (i.e. I got to a point where it was on a par with spending money on the game compared to buying the figure on the secondary market).

[@tonyterril3049]

This was awesome! There’s a Round 1 that just opened in Eugene, Oregon. I feel the same way with your guys’s winnings. My wife and I’s favorite arcade game is Mario Kart racing that has 4 people linked together!!!

[@Wyrdwad]

FAVORITE ARCADE GAME, YOU SAY? ;) I'm pretty obsessed with Sega's rhythm/fighter/RPG, O.N.G.E.K.I. It's complicated, but incredibly fun because it basically tries to be everything at the same time. You control three avatars, whom you move around on a track. You're trying to keep them on that track, while also dodging the enemy's projectiles, and ALSO hitting notes in time with the music (including notes you have to punch the sides of the machine to hit) in order to attack your enemy... and you gain experience and money for doing so, which you can then use to level-up and gain new abilities, as well as unlock new avatars and actually print out collectible cards at the "Card Maker" machine that's sure to be nearby. It's absolutely ridiculous how many genres Sega tried to incorporate into this one game, but the thing is... it kind of worked! It's genuinely super-fun, and I try to play it every time I have the chance. I highly recommend checking it out next time you're at a game center that has it!

[@GardensOfChina]

If you want to see people that are super skilled at this, search for the crane couple on their Japan trip. They make it look so easy

[@starlightvampire]

Natasha's blush is always so on-point.

[@Jay-B1750]

You two are absolutely hilarious together, the Japanese machines look way better than the UK ones 🤣😂

[@angielinevargas2824]

1:11 love this momment

[@kbg-]

I really like the rubberband rubber tip prize machines. it feels more hands-on and less luck-based. Also, those machines are never based around the "win in one" mentality and are more "work toward your prize" types. It boils down to it being more of a discount on your prize rather than outright win. Say you really want the figure of Miku and it sells for 2k-3k yen in the shops if you win it in say 5 attempts you paid 500 yen for it. Obviously, you can also overpay sometimes or straight up come out with nothing but that's just the nature of the game. The best I ever did was to pull Reimu from Touhou in 4 attempts. while the worst was when I spent near 2k on Raider from Fate and gave up. It's all for fun anyway.

[@richardarthur-nycstories]

I would cry if I paid $50 for two cups of soup and a few snacks :)

[@TheCreepypro]

really cool to see this I love arcades but in the west we just don't have as many anymore and even when we did they never have as much variety as they do in Japan which is a shame love you guys playing a rhythm game those are always more fun in arcades!

[@onebladeprop]

I found that on some smaller UFO catchers you can hit the button again when you want it to grab. If you let the claw crater it's almost guaranteed not to get it but if you time it right you can get the claws to slide under the toy.

[@danwong2191]

I like Chris O but feel that TC content has leveled up since the rest of the team took the lead

[@Mwoods2272]

Most of the other J vloggers are gone too.

[@rocketkitty3357]

My husband got a Giant Chancy plush for ¥100 out of a machine with the spinning lights and paddles. I was so freaking excited! Then I had to carry it back on the plane 😆

[@BUBBABLACKMEAT]

I really want to see an ACTUAL japanese train driver sit and play Densha De Go! in an arcade...i think that would be amazing to watch.

[@kelsielizabeth]

for someone who is generally unlucky, i got weirdly lucky with crane games in japan! there was one where i literally saw it from the sidewalk, walked in to try it for fun and won a medium plush on the first try 😅 i think they're so fun though!

[@idcthatyourup]

Dude I love the editor

[@Ackchyually]

I really enjoy Natasha videos.

[@MollyDollyy774]

That entire building is a Crane Game playground!

[@KuroRyuu86]

Ahhh Taito Station, You took all my money when i was in Japan. ITS not worth it....but its IS worth it. Its the rush and the same excitement you guys had that makes it worth it. Usually the Food games are there if your not having such luck with the others. It does hurt when you spend 30-40 dollars on one game, and then you go to the shop next door to have the same item cheaper xD. Its still fun.

[@SnoogyWoogy]

I won a decently sized Bowser figure from a game center in Hiroshima. I spend 3,000 yen getting it. Could have probably been won with 500-1000yen by someone who knew how to use that game . It was the one where the box hung by a ring on a stick and you controlled a hook that would swing back when it went down and you needed to hook the little ring to pull it forward. I had no idea how far it would swing back and it took a few tries to get the hang of it. Despite having seen the same figure being sold in those anime/figures pawn shops for 1500yen I dont regret winning my own. It was SO exciting and it was such a rush. My friends were standing beside me running and grabbing more change since i was so close and there were some guys circling us waiting for me to give up and step away. Some other people did stop by also though and cheered me on which was so nice and exciting and just added to the whole experience. To me, that was 100% a memory worth 3000 yen and now this 1foot tall Bowser hangs out on our shelf in the living room with the little capsule toys we got in japan too, looking like hes protecting the little conga line of pastel pokemon while holding a Disney Ursula Sailor moon wand.

[@originelltnamn]

Love your videos! I hope I run in to you when I visit Japan in September. You are the fucking best!

[@LJComposer]

I found one arcade in London that uses a card system similar to Taito. You can choose to store your tickets from the machines digitally as well.

[@kellynguyen353]

Your outfits are so cute, I love you guys!

[@yezly_07]

Love the edit for this video😂👌🏼

[@elstoleno]

I knew it was the Ikebukuro Taito Station straight away, we won a huge pile of chocolate there our first trip ^-^ Can’t wait to go back this summer 😁

[@sunderzilla]

I was genuinely happy when Emma won the soup 😊

[@yasurikressh8325]

If TC ever creates a Twitch account, they should make the first second of this video into a gif and loop it whenever they gain new donations or subscriber.

[@CaptainLuckyDuck]

I won a big, plushy, anime pillow on, I think, my second go on one of the crane machines.^^ It was one of the highlights of my trip to Japan. XD

[@furrysophie8997]

I went past an arcade in Tokyo, it was like a rocket launch when the doors open, when the doors closed, you could actually hear the birds, it was in...sane

[@annboivindabiose6028]

Does the prices worth it? Not at all but darn girl, the FUN you had was priceless so at the end it was $50 well spent =D

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

The genuine joy is awesome :) I gotta get to a game center, Toronto only has 1 good one and it's been closed for the whole year cuz of the vaaarus.

[@LyKrajuska]

I'm on the edge --- of gloooryyy and I'm spending all my money with soooup

[@ezenart]

It seems way more fun to spend your money upstairs in the videogame section tbh

[@redoctober6521]

As long as you had fun it was money well spent /I had some really good luck at the Taito Game Center in Asakusa with the one-arm claw and the stoping the rotating light in the right spot games

[@whitejapan372]

Was this at the Taito Station just outside the West gate in Ikebukuro? It looks super familiar.

[@Delaney-and-the-Starlight]

I wish you had a guide for this. How you two are playing the big games is stressing me outtttt

[@thewingedboy]

Just wanna say it's actually a really good thing that Japan doesn't have ticket games as ticket games are the reason we don't get much rythem games in Australia as arcades make more money off a game that is super quick then they would off games that are for fun and take more time also for recommendations on games I'd recommend Jubeat, Sound Vortex and the Classic Dance Dance Revolution they are all very fun

[@mcpy2000]

1:01 My PASMO has a thick anime sticker on it so I can recharge it using this machine instead of going to any man booths in stations. It is so much fun & convenient.

[@dinoo1099]

Elaborate pls

[@joongiefan]

my hubz and I LOOOVE playing in the arcade because we know a trick on many of the machines so we like getting plushies (but we have to control it obviously or else we can't bring it all home to the states)

[@cuteafcrafts4258]

I played in a bunch of arcades in japan a week ago and I feel like I won a good haul compared to playing the same amount in America. So imo it was worth it. The value of the prizes I won was worth more than what I spent. I think I spent about 20000yen and earned about 40000 in prizes so I’m happy with it. The string cutter arcade game and the one that you push the stick off the pole at my favorites.

[@cutiepiechan]

I could watch you two read a phone book, I love you guys. But I'm sad you didn't get the bear!

[@Andy.Kobayashi]

I love black thunder! 😋

[@sneakyswede3379]

Last time i was in Tokyo (a year ago), I actually won a shit tonne of figurines for my sister. Even had to buy a new suitcase for all our winnings. My favorite prize games are the barbercut and the crane games with one prong.

[@itseveryday8600]

These machines are programmed to only give out only a certain amount away. It has an automated mechanical release system that will let go of your prize, as per the setting by the store owner. So catching one is not based on skill, but being there at the right time.

[@Kiara007]

I never saw sense in playing ufo catcher, etc with snacks inside them. Because I know they have a set price in konbinis or donki. So why would I spent ten times as much to maybe get one package out? I get that consumables don't take up space, like a plushie or figure does, but in that case just go for the games, honestly. And it's always good to first test how weak the claw is. If it's too weak, walk away immediately. The ones with two pinchers are usually a better pick than the ones with three, because those are almost always weak. You always have to nudge your prize to the hole, it's never going the whole way when you grab it. Ask the staff for help or resets, when you price is not moving or unreachable. I've had staff being very helpful after I tried many many times to get a Dedenne plushie, which always rolled back into reset position. It takes time and practice and usually a lot of luck. With 50$ and the right pick, you should be able to win at least 3-5 prizes.

[@a.w.e.5263]

I went to a canadian mall today and spent $20 in one claw machine store got a rillakuma plush and a my melody plush...we tried $10 at a different claw machine store and unfortunatly didn't win. And than $6 won random cute japanese xharacter face masks so for $36 2 plushies and 3 reusable children's face masks.....a big thing with arcades is honestly food machines are traps! People go into it thinking they are easier so often there are things like sticky tape, rubber grip maps or even putting and elastic on the claw so it bounces when it gets to the top. I like gem push games and claw machines the best....

[@MrSmoiler]

THIS IS LIKE 7 DOLLARS...WOOORTH ITT!!! picks up finger nail size chocolate

[@deangagatr3886]

The Edge Of Glory 💓💓

[@DarthRic_]

The UFoO catcher claw machines are indeed usually on skill but how the arcade makes money is winning in one or even two plays is usually next to impossible as the claw is weak and requires you to spend like 5+ plays nudging the prize until it falls in. So you end up spending much more than what its worth

[@Jacobtburger]

Looks like so much fun

[@annamello2887]

any Tokyo Creative video: a random commenter: BuT ChRis BroAd

[@user-tt4fc6ml6d]

dream team love these two

[@Philson]

Just keep spamming the same machine, or beg an employee to help you.

[@abitofpaprika]

You HAVE to play this again!

[@rapthor666]

Preferred the actual games over crane games, because i or the machine didn't do what i wanted. And yea, IT'S LOUD and awesome

[@calebnewsome1173]

“What a RUSH in an unhealthy way!” ~Emma

[@alittlezZzen]

ALL THAT NOIIICE !!!!!!!

[@NekoShogun]

Oh interesting! I live in over of the rare places that has a Round1 in america and they have a Groove Coaster cabinet, but it doesn't have the vibration pad you stand on.

[@lisanaga9369]

See Emma and Natasha, hit "like" before watching the video😁