The Incredible Claw Machine 2023

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, claw machines, those mechanical monsters that promise colorful prizes but inevitably dispense nothing but frustration, anger, and misery, are still popular in arcades around the world. After all, if you work at it long enough, you’re going to get that stuffed teddy bear you’ve had your eye on. It might cost you $50, but it’s yours at last.

The Incredible Claw Machine, the new game by Mike Sooch, replicates not only the thrill of grabbing and retrieving a prize from the toy-packed Prize Pit, but also the aforementioned frustration, anger, and misery. After all, you might be forced to Drop your prize, it could be Stuck in the pit, or you might find your entire machine Out of Order. (“Sorry for the inconvenience.”)

In this game for 2 to 4 players ages 6 and older, players first extend a Claw into the Prize Pit by constructing a Claw Sequence of two cable segments and a Claw. After they retrieve a Prize from the Pit, the challenge isn’t over. They then have to retract the Claw Sequence, one card at a time. Only then is the Prize in their possession. Some prizes have Bonus abilities to help players even more! Your Claw Sequence might be fitted with a bright, shiny, new Claw or one that’s old, battered, and bandaged. The winner is the first player to possess THREE Prizes from the pit.

The Incredible Claw Machine is cutthroat, sinister, and is destined to sever even the strongest bonds of friendship. You'll love it!

—description from the designer