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日本語/Japanese  Mon 09/17 14:11 JST
Are you bored with playing rigged UFO Catcher where prizes are glued to the machine? Even UFO catcher with live lobsters are boring eh?
Well be bored no more because Robo Catcher is here.

Instead of just controlling a claw that moves left n right, you get to control a robot that wanders around the prize area to pick up a goodie. Looks much cooler and more fun to play than the average UFO Catcher but one thing doesn't change - you end up sticking in something like 7 dollars just to get hold of a prize worth 10 cents.

Would love to see them put some Gundam armor on this one. Actually Acguy would look cute. Interesting to see what other types of Catcher machine they think of next.
Below : The Robo Catcher in action
Below : Compare that with the standard UFO Catcher
These pics were taken at the Amusement Machine Show last Saturday by my man Frankie.
Categories
Polls
kurz in Malaysia
Student
Registered on 2007/09/04 00:58
though i have this ufo catcher in my country i never tried it.
but when i went to japan i did try it once cause they have varieties of it n it looked inviting.
but i gave up after one try cuz suddnly i felt like, oh wth..lol
(ID #57076) Posted on 2007/09/17 14:29
PoWeR in Your Spawn
Spawn Camper
Registered on 2007/08/28 05:12
made me waste like $10 once .... sad lol, just to get a small "tiny" stuffed toy >_
(ID #57078) Posted on 2007/09/17 14:36
skankywonders in California
Student
Registered on 2007/08/09 05:36
Holy- This is soooo much better than the annoying UFO, I always spend a fortune on it and never get anything in the end. The Robot looks hard too, but it seems more fun because its a robot getting your prize. 

It WOULD look somewhat kawaii if it were a Acguy. 
(ID #57079) Posted on 2007/09/17 14:47
Spearmint in 114N10355E
Freelancer
Registered on 2007/08/22 19:33
seems like the robot version is more 'fair' in terms of grabbing power compared to the standard claw type. in some arcades over here i've seen claws that's just basically following the contours of the toy while grabbing (if you can call it that) before retracting back up to the top. 
(ID #57080) Posted on 2007/09/17 15:08
syrix in U.S.
student
Registered on 2007/03/21 09:30
Hehe, everyone is learning about this new UFO Catcher now, I just posted about this on my blog yesterday lol.
(ID #57081) Posted on 2007/09/17 16:02
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
I like this idea, as it is not a one shot-credit. Classical UFO catchers leave you with a certain sense of frustration that is predictable, as the claw is programmed to be clumsy. 
Upon seeing people winning prizes in the video, it makes me a bit happier, since I always believe you can only lose in that type of games.

With the Robot Catcher, you almost have a guaranteed prize (which depends more on personal skill), but I guess there is a limited time with each credit, given the timer.

In the end, in both cases I wonder what the value of those prices is... Yes, I may be too pragmatic at times.
(ID #57082) Posted on 2007/09/17 16:04
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
*prizes (darn!)

@syrix: Shameless plug, eh? I'll wait for your next post. *laughs*

Whenever I see that robot, I can't help but laugh... It looks so awkward when it walks and grabs a prize Link-style (Ta-da-da-dahhh~!). XD 
(ID #57083) Posted on 2007/09/17 16:13
R-1 in the "Hagane" docking bay
Personal Trooper
Registered on 2007/07/05 20:49
Sigh, back here, the prizes tend to be too heavy for the claw to hold on to, though I've had a few lucky grabs. 
(ID #57085) Posted on 2007/09/17 16:40
DRAGUN in Arizona, USA
Design Consultant
Registered on 2007/08/23 04:44
Im not allowed to play these games, I just get really lucky (there is no skill involved in the claw-catcher games out here) and win every time I play. Then I get asked to stop playing. Kind of messed up huh? My friend used to vend these machines out, and he paid about $.20 USD for each "prize". They buy them in huge bulk and distribute them around to machines. So, since playing one game is $1 USD, they always turn a profit. Bastards. Then robot one looks cool though, Id probably try and see if I can get the robot to fall over the edge so I can keep that. Muah ha haha.
(ID #57089) Posted on 2007/09/17 17:26
Edward in Michigan U.S.A.
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
Registered on 2006/12/24 12:02
I like this one!  Hmm, needs better prizes for seven dollars a try...

I'm not sure what is more interesting, the little girl or the robot. ^o^  As always mom to the rescue!

No, here we just have the usual - prizes glued to the bottom of the machine - UFO Catchers.  Actually one of the the local supermarkets has a UFO Catcher in the entrance of the store.  I watched kids give it a try before and that machine is the most rigged one I have ever seen.  I'm surprised the claw isn't glued to the top of the machine. ^^;
(ID #57090) Posted on 2007/09/17 17:39
V1lt R in US
Honda technician, baby.
Registered on 2007/01/05 13:22
UFO catches make me mad. I spent $3 USD trying to get a purple Yoshi. It's still sitting in that machine too. I got the crab on the first try, but the Yoshi never happened.
(ID #57091) Posted on 2007/09/17 17:56
Sektmet in UAE-Duabi
Cyber Gamer
Registered on 2007/09/16 04:53
whene it come to that catcher and me, I really have a bad history with, I had spent about 21$ to get staffed devil Bear, I really liked it. any way, in the end i didnt get and i breake the ctacher and go a way, I was really angrey to the bon after that i payed for the damege and gone home without it. T_T

advice : dont waste time and money on something like that, you maybe got the same end like me.
(ID #57092) Posted on 2007/09/17 18:35
Bum
Registered on 2007/07/11 20:57
hmmm, same crappy prizes and impossible odds, but this time it's with a robot? well, I'm sold
(ID #57094) Posted on 2007/09/17 20:06
lanie-emon in Keldabe, Malaysia
Mandalorian in training + Otaku...
Registered on 2007/06/05 11:28
Fair enough. I might be tempted to spend couple of bucks to get whatever junk inside ^^.
(ID #57095) Posted on 2007/09/17 20:52
Ranth in Vegas
Researching drug to conceal weaknesses
Registered on 2007/09/15 13:32
I always thought the UFO catches look easy and I always try to get something outta one .. but I end up trying again and again all for that one false hope..
now that I see this Robo catcher it also looks easy...
(ID #57096) Posted on 2007/09/17 21:15
Hatix in Antwerp, Belgium
IT, Programmer, ...
Registered on 2007/04/25 05:14
Was never too fond of these machines, as they are obviously made difficult on purpose. It's pure luck if you catch anything. Although I'm tempted to say that this robo catcher looks easier ;p
Might give it a try when I'm in Japan.
(ID #57097) Posted on 2007/09/17 21:42
Bayonette in Manila, Philippines
College Student
Registered on 2007/03/14 20:26
Looks so cool. But I think that controlling this one would be difficult.
(ID #57098) Posted on 2007/09/17 22:45
Registered on 2007/09/17 09:02
T_T that looks so fun D:.
wish there's robot catchers here XD

I get addicted to UFO catchers very much, but only got good luck on 2 good machines XD.... I spented 20$ and got 9 dolls and 1 panda bag on a Casino Ship(Guardian went to gamble so yeah..) and another was a Deli near Chinatown of New York that has heavy grip which u can get a doll almost every try (I won over 20 for the price of 7$ XD...)
(ID #57100) Posted on 2007/09/17 23:10
-XYZPDQ in Pennsylvania, United States
Student Engineer
Registered on 2007/01/01 14:12
No they arn't, but I gurantee that within the next two years the amusement park I used to work for will be putting these things in.

Yes the entire gimmick is to pay a lot of money for something that varies from 10 cents to a dollar ^^. That's how all amusement park prizes work, actually.
(ID #57101) Posted on 2007/09/17 23:24
Barsona in California USA
NEET (no, student...)
Registered on 2007/08/03 08:36
that is hilarious...
although I suck at these UFO machine's, the only time I won something was a pikachu plush....
got it on my first try to...
(ID #57104) Posted on 2007/09/17 23:39
kintaro in Pineville North Carolina
Student
Registered on 2007/04/24 20:19
That is just.. wow. I love prize grabbers, and that is just a dream come true! ROBOTS + PRIZE GRABBING = !!! Another reason for me to go to Japan.
(ID #57105) Posted on 2007/09/18 00:00
Lazy Fiend in Small dot on Earth
Part-time Slacker, Part-time Student
Registered on 2007/01/08 12:59
A coordinator could operate that with ease...
(ID #57106) Posted on 2007/09/18 00:21
HentaiBlade in Hanoi,the capital of VIETNAM
Registered on 2007/08/24 10:16
In my country, we don't play thiese much but ...it realy interseting ^^
(ID #57108) Posted on 2007/09/18 00:39
iMM in Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Publisher
Registered on 2007/07/08 14:32
This would be worth it just to have a go at the robot. It does seem that the robot gives you a better chance of succes than the ufo.
(ID #57110) Posted on 2007/09/18 00:53
Tragic comedy in Singapore
Animator/ graphic designer
Registered on 2007/04/10 22:55
i think its a pretty awesome gimmick!
whio knowas it might turn out to be a tool for finding those with innate robot co-ordinating skills..
(ID #57112) Posted on 2007/09/18 00:58
Matt in Hong Kong
Car customizer
Registered on 2007/02/10 15:13
I would so love one of these in HK dat way i wont have to spend a hour or more for one stuff doll.
(ID #57114) Posted on 2007/09/18 01:07
10116222 in QC, Manila, Philippines
Not sure anymore
Registered on 2007/01/28 21:37
I want to try Robo Catcher. If we have it here, it would be more encouraging to try out the "penny-eater" machine :) and watching Robo move is worth it especially when Robo hands over a prize.
(ID #57115) Posted on 2007/09/18 01:21
Uradox in Nagoya / Perth
Procurement officer / Teacher
Registered on 2007/05/12 15:27
Haha cool :) Have not seen this yet
Its interesting during lunchtime the amount of business men that come play those prize catching machines. 
They ace them as well, going from machine to machine getting kids prizes!! Then I try and waste 3000yen to get 1000yen worth of candy :(
(ID #57118) Posted on 2007/09/18 02:09
Timerswing in Mexico
Student
Registered on 2007/08/25 10:37
Super cool....would wanna try one of those
(ID #57119) Posted on 2007/09/18 02:41
shippoyasha in NYC
NEET
Registered on 2007/06/10 15:34
I know I come off across as a creep playing it by myself to earn cute plushies, but beyond Virtua Fighter 5 sessions, I stalk the UFO catcher section and see how many times people play before winning. The old 'wait and pounce' technique.
(ID #57122) Posted on 2007/09/18 04:35
Sotb in Malaysia
Manufacturing
Registered on 2007/08/22 12:29
I hate this stuff! It is plain rip off of my money!
(ID #57123) Posted on 2007/09/18 05:19
ngee_khiong in Kuching, Malaysia
Student
Registered on 2007/05/16 12:35
Getting 10 cents from 7 dollars? Maybe they should call it the robo slot machine instead ^o^
(ID #57127) Posted on 2007/09/18 08:41
BeLe in Davao, Philippines
.NET/Web Developer
Registered on 2007/01/03 16:36
Just the UFO catcher type around here.  Whatever they'll think of next it'll still be a ripoff.  I don't know why people are so into this anyway.  I'd rather spend my money on other important stuff...like figures and games :D
(ID #57128) Posted on 2007/09/18 08:42
animes in cephiro
mahou kishi
Registered on 2007/01/23 14:30
the ones here are very old and used machines from Japan :(
(ID #57129) Posted on 2007/09/18 09:53
the1iam in 新嘉坡市四美町3区
大学生
Registered on 2007/04/12 04:09
It's fun, but with the amount spent trying to get it (unless you are very lucky), you would probably save more just buying from stores.
(ID #57142) Posted on 2007/09/18 12:35
Collector in Central Putrajaya
Desktop Support Analyst
Registered on 2007/07/08 16:48
wish could try and play this robo catcher..btw,whats the catch?
(ID #57143) Posted on 2007/09/18 12:40
gordon in 新加坡 Singapore
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
Registered on 2007/06/11 14:57
yes we do have UFO catchers here in singapore, mostly at the arcades.

btw, this robo catcher looks cool. look at the smile on that girl's face when her mum (or elder sister) catches one. she's good! ^^
(ID #57146) Posted on 2007/09/18 13:20
XSportSeeker in Brazil
Hikikomori
Registered on 2007/08/22 05:30
I don't even know if there are still UFO catchers in Brazil.. but they were probably old used ones from Japan or something like that.

I saw the Robo Catches on some tech blog news a while ago... looks great!

I'd shure try catching something...

But above all things cool I saw on gaming centers the one I liked the most was the taiko machine.
(ID #57166) Posted on 2007/09/18 19:53
Boris in USA
Interactive Media Design and Graphic Design
Registered on 2006/12/26 00:12
thats very cool i would love to see on here, I never played UFO one because everyone says they are rigged
(ID #57223) Posted on 2007/09/19 14:09
Henry in Makati, Philippines
anime/cosplay events organizer
Registered on 2006/12/25 19:17
lol that's a cool catcher game ^^

we've got some UFO catchers here but i'm not skillful or lucky in that game lol
(ID #57275) Posted on 2007/09/20 05:21
lostandfound in a UFO... catcher...
Part human, part student, 100% loser
Registered on 2007/10/22 02:10
The UFO catchers here are freakin' rigged!! There's one where the prixes are in boxes... How do you grab boxes!! The soft toys are too small too...
(ID #69476) Posted on 2008/01/13 02:10
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