Japan UFO Catcher

   (178)
      
日本語/Japanese
Wed 2008/12/17 13:29
Always knew that the UFO Catchers over here had cool stuff but didn't know how cool and the variety of goodies they had.

Was in Shinjuku the other day where you can find a load of UFO Catcher centers filled with goodies galore including this Sega Haruhi Ver.2 - review of this catch at this burogu and more pics at GA Graphic.
I think this one cost about 100 yen to play. Some you pay 200 yen for one try, some is 100 yen for a few tries etc.

Do you get decent stuff in UFO Catchers in your gaff?
Lum and the name of this character completely slips my mind - "name that character" desu.
Gouf and Zaku up for grabs too.
We get food in our UFO Catchers too.
Mmmmm. Green tea Kit Kat.
More snacks.
UFO Catchers come in all sorts of shapes n sizes.
These are probably for the kids as the height is quite low. They like to encourage kids to gamble to prep them for a life of Pachinko.
Lupin n Zugog - me forgets his name.
Used to love the Lupin movies but the ones of late have been a bit "meh" as they say.
Gundam girls.
Kamen Rider.
More Gundam girls.
Dragonball goodies.
We got Ritz in Japan too.
Pink Aliens.
Ice cream UFO Catcher.
With this UFO Catcher, you need to control the arm and get it to hit the button which drops the pig to its death. This one costs 500 yen for 1 try. Looks easy but...
Pedo bears.
More Pedo bears.
Pedo Octopus.
Pedo Moyashimon.
Pedos.
More kiddy gambling machines. Which brings me to a question. Would you consider this gambling?
Alien VS Predator stuff. Have not seen the film but hear its crap?
Gachapin Pedo.
First time here?
If you are new here, you may want to keep up with more of the same via RSS or Danny's other networks. (dont show again)
AddThis Feed Button

Heard about these underground bicycle parking cylinders but never seen on...(more)
Sun 12/14 12:24 comments (189)
Bit late with this weeks Week in Tokyo but be knowist that this series wi...(more)
Fri 12/12 13:57 comments (129)
Seen the Free Hugs in Tokyo for many a moon now but this was the first ti...(more)
Mon 12/08 21:03 comments (152)
There are a few things I miss about living in London. Walks by the river ...(more)
Sun 12/07 10:54 comments (156)
Polls
gordon in 新加坡 Singapore (Registered on 2007/06/11 16:09)
五〇一軍团 TK8316 Singapore Garrison Public Relations Officer
speedknight in Singapore (Registered on 2008/11/15 12:15)
NSF(LCP)
our one here is SG really CMI all i see is soft toys......
(ID #415360) Posted on 2008/12/17 13:22
lostandfound in Singapore (Registered on 2007/10/22 03:22)
Part trooper, part -timer, 100% loser...
Not only that but I think that they also loosen the robotic arms making it hard to grab the prizes... UFO catchers here are rigged I tell ya!
(ID #417772) Posted on 2008/12/19 13:19
xdx in thereddot (Registered on 2008/02/16 14:19)
yea... usually when I see someone actually getting a soft toy from the machine is because the soft toy got hooked on the robotic arm, and not because of the arm gripping..
(ID #418780) Posted on 2008/12/20 11:04
Pride in Singapore and totally hating it (Registered on 2008/09/09 00:29)
Student
I want that too!

Feldt is <3

Meh, I seldom see UFO catchers with anime/movie-related stuff here in Singapore.

Most of them contain kiddy toys and candies.
(ID #415508) Posted on 2008/12/17 15:10
TheAndySan in Ohayo (Registered on 2008/10/23 16:01)
Blogger & Former Tentacle Support
I see one too; Haruhi!!

Or Lupin. Or Dragon Ball. Damn, I want so much, lol!
(ID #415523) Posted on 2008/12/17 15:25
bell in singapore (Registered on 2008/04/02 19:12)
Me too want feldt.....
The UFO here is mostly candies and soft toys. Not even close to what japan have.
(ID #416143) Posted on 2008/12/18 04:33
tintin-san in シンガポオル Singapore (Registered on 2008/05/12 02:27)
大学生
But we have those that can win PSP, NDS and handphones right? Although it's kinda rubbish cause the machine decides when it will let you win..
(ID #416150) Posted on 2008/12/18 05:01
bob dobillina in London (Registered on 2008/12/19 06:44)
Statistician
the pig is the best
(ID #417460) Posted on 2008/12/19 06:45
Tachikaze in Brooklyn, New York (Registered on 2007/12/26 06:46)
University Student
I would love to play if they had prizes like that but I've never seen any in the city. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough =X
(ID #415333) Posted on 2008/12/17 13:14
iron2000 in SG (Registered on 2007/12/20 00:56)
Saw a mobile phone in one the last time I've been to an arcade.
Don't think I see figures in one here before.
(ID #415337) Posted on 2008/12/17 13:16
Turkguy19 in USA (Registered on 2008/09/23 13:17)
Engineering Student
I want the microbes! ^_^
(ID #415339) Posted on 2008/12/17 13:16
Yaku in Chinatown, Los Angeles, USA (Registered on 2008/08/27 16:01)
Student, part-time slave
WOW, those UFO catchers have a lot of better prizes than what I can find in LA. They are so varied, they even have one with figures or ice cream!

Japan sure has a lot of interesting things, I would play these UFO catchers a lot more if I lived there.
(ID #415341) Posted on 2008/12/17 13:17
Freedom Gundam in United Kingdom (Registered on 2008/02/04 01:39)
College Student
After enjoying ice cream, the thought "wow that would have tasted better if I had earned it" had never crossed my mind...

Always interesting to see what sort of stuff you get in those games in different countries, however one thing remains the same...

YOU HARDLY EVER WIN GOOD PRIZES ^_^
(ID #416136) Posted on 2008/12/18 04:18
Yaku in Chinatown, Los Angeles, USA (Registered on 2008/08/27 16:01)
Student, part-time slave
Universal rule, that one, can't mess up with it ^^U

Also, UFO catcher universal rule #2: you probably (will) need to spend 5 times what the prize actually cost (even more if the prize is crappy).
(ID #416840) Posted on 2008/12/18 17:53
gordon in 新加坡 Singapore (Registered on 2007/06/11 16:09)
五〇一軍团 TK8316 Singapore Garrison Public Relations Officer
oh btw, Alien VS Predator was alright, though not as good as the Alien and Predator solo series. Alien VS Predator 2 is crap. they should move the series to space instead of fighting it out on Earth and with space marines like in Aliens.
(ID #415348) Posted on 2008/12/17 13:18
kokost in Canada (Registered on 2008/09/20 07:43)
Student
Wow... all the UFO catcher prizes look good. Hell, even the green tea kitkat sounds better than getting some random stuffed animals you normally find here!
(ID #415350) Posted on 2008/12/17 13:19
i'm mr. danger in Florida (Registered on 2007/08/17 10:57)
student , otaku and awesome blogger
knowing me, i would play the ones with the figures until I get 2 of each figure. 
(ID #415352) Posted on 2008/12/17 13:20
Cirno in Markham, Ontario (Registered on 2008/08/10 06:47)
Used to be quite a fan of the candy pushers back in my days in the arcade ^^.  Only prevailed in a couple of UFO catchers, i think nowadays here it's more about those light bulb stopping games, where a series of light bulbs in a ring flashing by real fast and you have to press the button at the prize bulb.
(ID #415355) Posted on 2008/12/17 13:21
Dancing Queen in Southern California (Registered on 2008/01/08 13:22)
Blogger, Figure collector, Baby Photographer?
there is a UFO catcher in my local super market now but as usual they messed with it and it doesn't hold on to anything. But in Vegas in the GameWorks they have a few UFO catchers with some awesome prizes and they didn't mess with them either. I was able to get a few Hello Kitty plushies for myself and my brother's fiance last time i went. UFO catchers would be more popular here but there is more often than not someone who opens up the machine and makes the grabby thingy loose... 
(ID #415363) Posted on 2008/12/17 13:23
Gibson in California (Registered on 2007/05/28 04:42)
Student artist
I spend over 100+ dollar at Vegas on those darn machine
(ID #415366) Posted on 2008/12/17 13:26
Yaku in Chinatown, Los Angeles, USA (Registered on 2008/08/27 16:01)
Student, part-time slave
Agreed, UFO players should be able to take a prize home once in a while, but no one will want to play a game that is rigged from the beginning, one of the biggest turn offs to play catchers around here.
(ID #416088) Posted on 2008/12/18 03:08
Gibson in California (Registered on 2007/05/28 04:42)
Student artist
What are the chances of someone getting a figure from one of those machine. It would be nice if there was some figure ufo machine in LA
(ID #415365) Posted on 2008/12/17 13:25
Robostrike in Waterloo, Ontario (Registered on 2008/01/03 05:50)
System Design Engineering (UWaterloo)
I heard a lot of failures @ UFO catching from Fumika ^_^.  So I'm going to say it's going to be difficult to win X_X.  Wish I could win some of those prizes.  Are they really that hard to get?
(ID #415367) Posted on 2008/12/17 13:27
Lelouch Lamperouge in ClovisLand (Registered on 2008/08/21 07:05)
former Emperor of Britannia
already got the Feldt Grace DX Figure the other day.
On UFO CATCHER....
WHY!!!!
WHY ARE UFO CATCHERS IN JAPAN ARE SO AWESOME T_T
(ID #415371) Posted on 2008/12/17 13:29
Terrorhunt in the Fortress of Solitude. (Registered on 2008/11/16 00:51)
Otaku-in-training
Wish they have this at Malaysia. Looks fun.
(ID #415372) Posted on 2008/12/17 13:29
Akidora in KL, Malaysia (Registered on 2008/09/02 08:57)
NEET
we do have UFO catcher at some of the arcade centers... However, the prizes is not as fabulous as what you get in Japan T.T 
(ID #415416) Posted on 2008/12/17 14:10
lerry[maru] in Kuala Lumpur, MY (Registered on 2008/09/15 01:22)
Seleção IX
True. We have some where you can get Choclairs.. LOL
(ID #415440) Posted on 2008/12/17 14:21
raptor_cZn in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Registered on 2007/12/12 23:05)
Pre-U Student
Yeah.. no actions figures inside unfortunately T_T
(ID #415676) Posted on 2008/12/17 18:56
raptor_cZn in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Registered on 2007/12/12 23:05)
Pre-U Student
Yeah.. no actions figures inside unfortunately T_T
(ID #415678) Posted on 2008/12/17 18:57
redmango in limbo (Registered on 2008/08/08 21:58)
NEET (Desktop Support / Admin)
It's definitely a form of gambling. I wished we had those in my area.
(ID #415384) Posted on 2008/12/17 13:42
タケル~ン in 雛見沢 (Registered on 2008/04/01 16:46)
デレデレ ハンター, Bullet Grazer
Gloomy bear would make a good gift for the girls for Christmas ^^.
(ID #415385) Posted on 2008/12/17 13:42
Ninja Poe Bear in California (Registered on 2008/07/10 18:18)
Studio Bleach founder/owner
Funny thing is that we have stuff like this in California, but the items tend to be cheap in quality. Cannot complain, though, since I have seen the fair paint jobs on a few of Sega's UFO figurines.

Then again... I now feel compelled to poke the pig. @_@
(ID #415396) Posted on 2008/12/17 13:55
the great paul in Brooklyn, New York (Registered on 2008/03/14 10:14)
Extremely Poor College Student
[f] 
i want that girl in pink behind haruhi
(ID #415405) Posted on 2008/12/17 14:02
Meimi132 in Leicester for Uni, Norfolk for Home. (Registered on 2007/12/04 05:29)
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
Asuka you mean? With bells in her hair? She is cute. I'd like a Negima figure...
(ID #415431) Posted on 2008/12/17 14:18
fengzz in Singapore (Registered on 2008/10/20 01:14)
Figurine Enthusiast, Uni Student
I want that haruhi sega figu!!!
(ID #415408) Posted on 2008/12/17 14:04
fengzz in Singapore (Registered on 2008/10/20 01:14)
Figurine Enthusiast, Uni Student
not forgetting do want on Rilakkuma for her too
(ID #415420) Posted on 2008/12/17 14:10
wcloudx in Singapore (Registered on 2008/01/12 04:12)
Artist
If only we have more of variety of items for the UFO Catcher here =/
(ID #415409) Posted on 2008/12/17 14:05
Felipe in Brasil (Registered on 2008/12/14 12:45)
Actor, Moviemaker and Blogger.
We don't have many machines here and the gifts are lame...
(ID #415423) Posted on 2008/12/17 14:11
Meimi132 in Leicester for Uni, Norfolk for Home. (Registered on 2007/12/04 05:29)
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
:sob: I wish prizes were this cool in the UK.... we just get fake cuddly toys...


That girl with Lum is Asuka from Negima! I recognised her bells! So cute!!
(ID #415428) Posted on 2008/12/17 14:16
聖者 in サンノゼ。 (Registered on 2008/02/27 04:03)
フリーター。
Um, don't you mean Asuna?  Oh and Danny, that's Zenigata.  Heh heh.

There are some in San Jose and San Francisco.  Unfortunately, not many of them do carry terrific prizes.
(ID #417328) Posted on 2008/12/19 02:42
ar in A PLACE THAT YOU CAN'T FIND (Registered on 2008/11/16 13:49)
student
Good goodies!^^
(ID #415436) Posted on 2008/12/17 14:19
Zou in New York City (Registered on 2008/07/08 14:07)
Student & Authorized Chicken Slapper
WTH our Claw machines only have crappy stuffed animals that probably cost 5 cents to make....God damn Japan is beating us in every corner, man was I born in the wrong country.
(ID #415447) Posted on 2008/12/17 14:27
Andrei-kun in California, USA (Registered on 2008/10/23 16:11)
Student
We have that kind of machine. But I always lose money because of trying to get the prize. It's tempting. LOL Sometimes it shows a PSP prize. It's all real you will lose the money fast. But it's for my nephew anyways, so I must try. XD
(ID #415448) Posted on 2008/12/17 14:31
Evo00 in United Kingdom (Registered on 2008/11/03 23:58)
Casshern - Student
OMG I want to go to Japan to play UFO Catcher the UFO Catcher in the uk has rubbish prizes and are cheap teddies.lol.
(ID #415452) Posted on 2008/12/17 14:33
Alphonse in Surabaya, Indonesia (Registered on 2008/07/29 19:08)
Electrical Engineering Fresh Graduate
UFO Catcher around here usually packed with cigarettes or stuffed dolls, boring as hell.
(ID #415455) Posted on 2008/12/17 14:34
Monkee in Canada (Registered on 2007/02/08 22:14)
Otaku / Student in Computer Science
Here, their's only few ufo machines
(ID #415466) Posted on 2008/12/17 14:40
faiyaka in California (Registered on 2007/10/11 09:42)
Student
i want that Feldt one bad. ufo catchers here in the US suck balls
(ID #415471) Posted on 2008/12/17 14:44
aprilius20 in Malaysia. Physically, at least. (Registered on 2008/10/26 21:55)
Student, part-time Haruhi wannabe (that bit about godhood etc)
Prizes here are limited to soft-toys. Wanna ask one thing- does Japan really have UFO Catchers with live lobsters as prizes? Saw it in GTO.
(ID #415474) Posted on 2008/12/17 14:45
Akidora in KL, Malaysia (Registered on 2008/09/02 08:57)
NEET
aprilius20 in Malaysia. Physically, at least. (Registered on 2008/10/26 21:55)
Student, part-time Haruhi wannabe (that bit about godhood etc)
whoa. @.@;
(ID #415604) Posted on 2008/12/17 16:50
number1guy in United States (Registered on 2007/11/09 06:46)
University Student
AVP really was crap.
(ID #415482) Posted on 2008/12/17 14:51
Rin in Toronto (Registered on 2008/01/04 17:29)
Student Otaku (ITM Student) and ACG NA Staff
I did play them when I went to Japan this past summer...
They are hard as hell I do say...as the arms are pretty loose...
I think I figure out how to get the prize out now...
When I head back to Japan next summer, I will conquer the UFO Catchers of Japan...

UFO catchers here in Canada are way too easy...I mean too easy...
Japan ones are more of a challenge...I wonder if UFO Catchers in other countries are different...
(ID #415504) Posted on 2008/12/17 15:05
lene in San Diego (Registered on 2008/07/29 11:14)
Student, Freelance Artist
Do want Feldt ;____; Weehhhh.

I've seen an imported UFO catcher in an arcade! It was a SEGA one. Too bad the prizes in there were crap :(
(ID #415505) Posted on 2008/12/17 15:07
silent1134 in Los Angeles, California (Registered on 2007/08/22 15:45)
???Confused???
There's a few here or there, but the stuff is not that good, or at least they kinda feel rigged...
(ID #415509) Posted on 2008/12/17 15:10
Cyberchaos in Australia, Sydney (Registered on 2008/02/17 20:43)
AdvDip Network Security - CCNA - Ironport - Security+
Too bad there aren't any in my region

i used to rock at these machines - yes, there is a secret technique, but it's pretty gay when you know what to do
(ID #415510) Posted on 2008/12/17 15:11
CShen in Richmond,B.C. (Registered on 2008/10/30 14:53)
Student
We only get ipod shuffles, cheap mp3's and cheap webcams over here though I've seen one with ds lite's PSP's, and mp4's. My brother has won a Shuffle and I've won headphones that got stuck for like 1 min before falling down. >.<
(ID #415515) Posted on 2008/12/17 15:14
Lenners in Vancouver, Canada (Registered on 2008/11/11 09:21)
大学生
OMG, those are not pedo bears, it's Rilakkuman!! Q___Q They're so cute <33
(ID #415520) Posted on 2008/12/17 15:18
game861 in United States (Registered on 2008/09/16 10:14)
Those type of things went bye bye when arcades went downhill in the U.S.
(ID #415525) Posted on 2008/12/17 15:28
FMPhoenixHawk in Michigan, USA (Registered on 2008/01/20 08:09)
Scientist, unemployed.
The ones here usually only have stuffed animals.  Nothing neat.  :(
(ID #415529) Posted on 2008/12/17 15:37
Coco the Bean in SoCal, USA (Registered on 2008/01/06 06:53)
Pokemon master
That Haruhi figure was made by sega!?  It looks way nice! :0
I cracked up at all the "pedo" comments xD
(ID #415544) Posted on 2008/12/17 15:51
Haseo in USA (Registered on 2007/12/04 15:34)
No UFO catchers in my region, which is a shame. I usually ask friends in Japan to get me stuff from UFO catchers whenever they have the chance, orz. I especially love the Gloomy Bear prizes~
(ID #415547) Posted on 2008/12/17 15:55
marvin (Registered on 2006/12/25 00:54)
whoa, and all I got from UFO catchers in Japan was a dozen winnie the pooh stuff toys. ^^;

Pedo Octopus? have to wash my head now because of the dirty thought about fuzzy tentacles.
(ID #415552) Posted on 2008/12/17 16:03
keilu in Philippines (Registered on 2008/02/01 14:46)
bum
oh! me saw lacus clyne! me want one! XD

anyways, in our neck of the woods....most of the UFO catchers i see are usually carebears or disney characters....havent had any luck with it though :(
(ID #415566) Posted on 2008/12/17 16:18
CaTZ in Indonesia (Registered on 2007/02/10 16:25)
Game Designer & 2D Artist
I wish there's an ufo catcher liek that here T_T
(ID #415572) Posted on 2008/12/17 16:24
quicoto in Spain (Registered on 2007/12/10 20:32)
Blogger
i don't have that kind of shop here, lucky you ;P
(ID #415581) Posted on 2008/12/17 16:33
Hidden Oasis in California, United Sates (Registered on 2008/10/28 13:51)
College Freshmen
When I went to Japan I saw some guy actually winning figures. He wasn't picking it up so much as he was knocking it over. So me and my friends ended up just going for the stuffed animals. My friend ended up getting two of them with one try when the back side of the machine (where they stack all of the dolls) wasn't packed tightly enough, and he somehow knocked the whole thing down. Those games are really addicting.
(ID #415584) Posted on 2008/12/17 16:35
cloudy in Los Angeles (Registered on 2008/08/09 18:46)
Student, I hate school. FML
UFO catcher in my palce suck no good stuff...
but I gota try haruhi when i get to Japan.
we have game call stackers lots of good prices like ps3, wii Ipod touch, computers, etc.
(ID #415588) Posted on 2008/12/17 16:37
Harts in Estonia (Registered on 2008/06/02 15:38)
Student
>Alien VS Predator stuff. Have not seen the film but hear its crap?
More or less it is crap yes.
(ID #415596) Posted on 2008/12/17 16:40
FatBastard in directly responsible (Registered on 2007/11/04 19:28)
Hotdog Repairman
"Pedos." LOL 

We have them here, but I've never seen anyone play one. Probably cause they're full of crap
(ID #415600) Posted on 2008/12/17 16:46
Omu in Rethundo Island, Spain (Registered on 2008/05/14 04:44)
Full Time Japan Lover
Over here, they are full of crappy Plushes. Because of that they aren't very popular :S

And, no I don't consider using them a form of gambling.
(ID #415605) Posted on 2008/12/17 16:52
Zakaさん in アメリカ?日本かも??( ゚Д゚) (Registered on 2008/11/11 20:36)
王オタク x 天才様
There aren't many UFO catchers around in Cali, but I've won a number of things in Japan from them ^^

And AVP was pretty crappy. It was only good for the special effects and action.
(ID #415608) Posted on 2008/12/17 16:53
chun in need to be in bed (Registered on 2007/01/09 15:45)
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
we have some here at some of the asian malls but not as exciting as those in Japan ^^;
(ID #415610) Posted on 2008/12/17 16:54
chun in need to be in bed (Registered on 2007/01/09 15:45)
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
one thing I'm suddenly reminded of tho, I recall seeing a group of grown men tilting those UFO machines in order to get some plushies out of the machine o_o; so maybe that's why it never really continue to be a big hit, it encourages crime :P
(ID #416243) Posted on 2008/12/18 08:22
zyuan in the coolest driver's high! (Registered on 2007/10/12 13:55)
student
UFO catchers in the USA are rigged and sucks a great deal. Most cost $1 for one try and inside are just garbage. 
(ID #415611) Posted on 2008/12/17 16:54
punynari in Yokosuka, Japan (Registered on 2008/09/20 06:53)
US Navy Sailor
Agreed.  Not worth the effort at all.  You can get much more interesting stuff in Japan, even saw Miku leeks.
(ID #415638) Posted on 2008/12/17 17:27
NzYoghurt in New Zealand (Registered on 2008/12/13 21:21)
Animation Student
UFO catchers rule. Around my area they are common in malls and quite often give out prizes, but the cost outweighs the prize in most cases. The weirdest one I have seen is a game that catches live gold fish in a small net!
(ID #415616) Posted on 2008/12/17 17:03
Koshiko in Sydney, Australia (Registered on 2007/08/03 13:49)
website/graphic designer
Poor Moyashimon plushies have been pedo-fied ;_; I have Oryzae, so cute~

I've seen a few machines around Sydney, but nothing like ice-cream or figures =o
(ID #415622) Posted on 2008/12/17 17:10
ar in A PLACE THAT YOU CAN'T FIND (Registered on 2008/11/16 13:49)
student
only saw doll ufo machine and candy here!!!^^;
(ID #415625) Posted on 2008/12/17 17:14
nauXolo in USA (Registered on 2008/12/05 21:18)
Student
some of the best japanese figures (the more rare sought after ones) come from these machines.... and lotteries. i wish we had better ones here in America. at least in asia, they give you a chance to win. in america, it's plain highway robbery, where it'd take at least 10 bucks to get one even if you are the best player in the world, merely b/c you would have to move the plush close to the hole before tipping it over.
(ID #415628) Posted on 2008/12/17 17:16
ar in A PLACE THAT YOU CAN'T FIND (Registered on 2008/11/16 13:49)
student
wants haruhi and asuna kagurasaka or felt or zaku or gouf wants all of them!!!!o_0
(ID #415629) Posted on 2008/12/17 17:17
R-1 in a happy place. (Registered on 2007/07/05 22:01)
Personal Trooper
Good gravy. Truly choice prizes. All we got back here are knock-offs of stuffed toys. And the odd fake Rolex.
(ID #415637) Posted on 2008/12/17 17:24
Evil King in Vlaardingen, the Netherlands, Earth (Registered on 2007/12/19 01:36)
Student and full-time otaku
No catchers here, let alone with stuff that sweet in them ^^;
(ID #415652) Posted on 2008/12/17 18:09
pus2meong in Atlantis. No, I mean Indonesia XD (Registered on 2007/12/15 18:46)
Self Employee NEET
ufo catcher in my place is suck... :(
(ID #415655) Posted on 2008/12/17 18:14
ar in A PLACE THAT YOU CAN'T FIND (Registered on 2008/11/16 13:49)
student
agreee
(ID #416217) Posted on 2008/12/18 07:32
spidr245 in Everywhere, Anywhere, and sometimes There too (Registered on 2008/08/25 17:08)
Ninja / Engineer / Sensei / 魔法少女 (What!?! I can't be, I'm a guy...)
Maybe if the catchers looked nice and actually had worthwhile stuff inside, they would catch on better...Hmmm...business idea coming into mind...@_@
(ID #415656) Posted on 2008/12/17 18:15
Kururu_luva in Richmond, BC Canada (Registered on 2007/01/20 18:17)
 Truly awesome prizes (as expected from japan). I seriously want those relax bears and those microbes *_*
(ID #415657) Posted on 2008/12/17 18:22
seth.frostheart in Malaysia. Singapore. Bangkok. Shanghai. (Registered on 2007/01/08 02:23)
Motion Graphics Designer
the ones in malaysia has prizes ranging from cheap soft toys to even handphones or gaming consoles. though good luck winning the more expensive prizes. machine seems rigged overall, even for the cheapo soft toy ones ^^;
(ID #415662) Posted on 2008/12/17 18:31
eksuterru-kun in Malaysia (Registered on 2008/12/07 13:08)
Programming Student
awww man. those UFO catchers at japan sure beats the crap out of the one here in malaysia.
the prizes are lame and like seth said they're rigged, booo
if only UFO catchers were that good i'd think that it would be a lot more popular.
but there are some shops selling japanese stuff with gret gachapon machines tho
(ID #415677) Posted on 2008/12/17 18:57
Lethia in シンガポオル (Registered on 2008/10/18 03:58)
Kawaii Pink Stuffs FanGirl, Cat Lover, Otaku, MP3 Hunter, Matcha & Afternoon Milk Tea Addict.
all UFO Catcher in here only has soft toys, mostly disney too & I think the prize not always changing everymonth like in Japan. The soft toys not as nice as japan ufo catcher soft toys too :( sad.

Speaking of Japan UFO Catcher, I got lots of things from there ^_^ managed to get some haruhi puchi figures & gloomy bears plushies when I was there.
(ID #415682) Posted on 2008/12/17 19:03
WiseFreeman in DC Cloning Laboratory (Registered on 2007/11/07 19:20)
DCX001-Prototype
Ice cream UFO catcher?! now that's special.........
(ID #415683) Posted on 2008/12/17 19:04
ZaCkAnOiYa in singapore (Registered on 2008/06/09 22:18)
student....
hrmm? haha japan's gt lots of creative stuff in their ufo's huh? in sg dun really see much creativity although i hav seen all the machines mentioned above xept the 'drop piggy 2 death' bt machines here cost alot as much as 2~3 sg dollars per try!! well hav seen gundam 00 goodies in machines b4 here though
(ID #415685) Posted on 2008/12/17 19:07
Minaru Chou in Philippines (Registered on 2008/09/25 11:11)
Programmer Trainee
Whoa.

I don't think I can handle UFO catching for food. I'm not good at it so I don't think I can afford to lose or waste money.

Cool information though
(ID #415695) Posted on 2008/12/17 19:21
Pyoro in Singapore (Registered on 2007/08/23 01:35)
Student
lol and i just watched fuko playing with the ufo catcher in one of the episodes in clannad!
(ID #415704) Posted on 2008/12/17 19:27
Patrick Tan in Malaysia (Registered on 2008/09/13 19:56)
Student
eeee.. me wan those moyashimons!
the ice-cream looks yummy..
i didn't noe there's an ice-cream catcher.. @___@
(ID #415712) Posted on 2008/12/17 19:42
Mark Rowberry in Tewkesbury, England, United Kingdom (Registered on 2008/11/12 06:09)
Artist
My brother loves playing on them, I was tempted to get him a little one for Christmas. We only have them here during our annual fair.
(ID #415715) Posted on 2008/12/17 19:49
Elefenoa in a hut in Singapore (Registered on 2008/12/08 23:47)
Student
Those prizes are attractive. Moyashimon plushies!!
(ID #415731) Posted on 2008/12/17 20:12
ELTboy in Singapore (Registered on 2008/05/18 13:48)
Me.
The sheer varieties of UFO catchers are amazing. Not to mention the prizes. Wish we have more of these kinds here.
(ID #415738) Posted on 2008/12/17 20:22
Onii-chan in his imouto's room (Registered on 2008/11/28 23:32)
So how do you catch that super big pig o.o
(ID #415754) Posted on 2008/12/17 20:46
Alphonse in Surabaya, Indonesia (Registered on 2008/07/29 19:08)
Electrical Engineering Fresh Graduate
poke it till it surrender and fall down ^^
(ID #415887) Posted on 2008/12/17 22:54
litokid in Toronto, Canada (Registered on 2007/11/25 10:46)
university film student
It looks like it ends in a stump - you poke that square platform atop the pig to release it, I think.

LOL at Pedos. xP UFO catchers around here are filled with things nobody wants. The only ones with decent prizes are so rigged and difficult that I liken it to gambling.
(ID #416399) Posted on 2008/12/18 11:02
AndyH in Birmingham, UK (Registered on 2006/12/25 11:20)
3D artist
Pink aliens? PAedo bear? Its Gloomy bear and Rilakkuma!
(ID #415756) Posted on 2008/12/17 20:52
Blowfish in Close to Dyusseru,Karlsland (Registered on 2008/06/12 03:42)
Physical Therapist
I never tried myself at UFO Catchers...Youll usually find them at fairs filled with cheap popular franchise fake cuddle figures.Didnt feel the need to own a Peekatchu or somethin like that^^
I didnt know that you could win foos or even icecream in the catchers over there!
Id still buy the Sega Prizes through shops tough.I dont think id manage to get anything out of an ufocatcher
(ID #415770) Posted on 2008/12/17 21:05
suki in Cape Town, South Africa (Registered on 2007/08/22 23:15)
Graphic Design student | Receptionist | Otaku
UFO catcher's here have cute but, regular gifts.. T_T
(ID #415782) Posted on 2008/12/17 21:20
aquilla in The United Kingdom (Registered on 2008/10/23 04:56)
Unemployed Dollfie enthusiast
We get them at arcades and funfairs over here but they're mostly filled with stuff I don't want. Stuff like winnie the poo, south park and random teddy bear plushes.
(ID #415785) Posted on 2008/12/17 21:22
Ekowc in Finland (Registered on 2007/07/15 18:25)
Ordinary soul (student)
I won Sega Haruhi from UFO catcher on my first try @__@
After that I spent 500 yen on something else but didn't win anything.

Whee!
(ID #415791) Posted on 2008/12/17 21:26
Anonymous (Registered on 2008/12/16 03:27)
we don't get the cool prizes like in japan. :(

I won two of those moyashimon plushies when I was there

we watched a few ppl try and get that pig and tho it was easy too but when my mate had a go it was lulz.

plus in japan they have a person watching the UFO catchers and they make it so you are able to win. here the ufo weights make it impossible. they even let us cleaned out a ufo catcher @ joyolis :P
(ID #415826) Posted on 2008/12/17 22:04
Patches in Ohio- USA (Registered on 2008/10/21 01:30)
Future College Student
The UFO machines in my area(called prize grabbers here) don't have jack in them. Yeah, there might be plush toys in there but not stuff this sweet. I had no idea that Japan had prize grabbers this sweet. I guess this is just another thing to look forward to when I move there! As for the children's game, I would call it gambling; however, we have arcades with tokens and you exchange those for crappy prizes.
(ID #415835) Posted on 2008/12/17 22:16
Neutron in A place with many dangerous materials. (Registered on 2008/11/17 15:20)
Simple Program Creator, 3D Designer (Without animation), Flammable Organic Gas Producer, Oxygen consumer
UFO catcher in my region = C.R.A.P.
i never get the stuff inside the box....
once i get the stuff inside the box...it's broken down...oh my
i lost my money and energy....damn UFO catcher....
(ID #415838) Posted on 2008/12/17 22:22
kawaii-clamp-fan in England (Registered on 2008/12/09 21:13)
Teacher
Ahh.. how I miss Japanese UFO catchers - here in the UK its pretty much impossible to ever win anything in our machines ^^;

I remember when we were in a Shinjuku arcade in the Summer, one of the attendants put the toy I wanted right next to the chute so I just had to know it in - that was fab ^_^
(ID #415861) Posted on 2008/12/17 22:37
aseps in japan (Registered on 2008/08/10 11:09)
have some ufo catchers in my region, and have really good prizes. the latest have i played i get one Wii.
(ID #415866) Posted on 2008/12/17 22:41
Shockerz in Malaysia (Registered on 2008/10/12 22:34)
Student
I want the pedo Moyashimon!
(ID #415869) Posted on 2008/12/17 22:45
XSportSeeker in Brazil (Registered on 2007/08/22 06:42)
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
Pedo wut? xD

Rillakuma does not approve of this message.. :P

Anyways, in Brazil, you usually can find a couple of UFO catchers in shoppings... but they all have crappy prizes.
They usually fill with generic awful looking stuffed toys...
I've personally never seen someone using an UFO catcher in Brazil.

I remember trying to get something from them in a trip to US, and I also tried in my trip to Japan... got nothing though.

But the ones in Japan are really tempting.
In Brazil, it's just a waste of money. I think sometimes the crappy stuff they shove in UFO catchers are even cheaper than the prize you pay to try to get it.
(ID #415875) Posted on 2008/12/17 22:48
JustRobert in Indonesia (Registered on 2008/04/20 02:53)
future president(hopefully)
been to japan tried the catcher ended up spending more than 5000 yens didn't get any prize. what a rip off and the catcher here doesn't have a good prize
(ID #415882) Posted on 2008/12/17 22:51
J-Singstar in Singapore (Registered on 2008/12/04 15:24)
Secondary School Student
These things are just thieves in disguise.I don't ever wanna try my luck on these things...):
(ID #415900) Posted on 2008/12/17 23:11
wildflug in Manila, Philippines (Registered on 2008/05/08 23:49)
Dyslexic Social Studies student, struggling gundam modeler and gamer
Nah, some guys really have a knack with these kinds of things
(ID #415961) Posted on 2008/12/18 00:09
coffeebugg in the coffee shop across the street (Registered on 2008/05/22 19:23)
Web monkey, coffee addicted cerberus, Chef Vader
coolest thing I've seen in a UFO catcher here was a Nintendo DS. I like that one with the Eva Cat girls and of course, sega haruhi.
(ID #415940) Posted on 2008/12/17 23:39
nyoron (Registered on 2007/04/24 17:29)
University Student
Man i've seen many of those around and it is difficult as hell to get the prize. My friend spent over 10,000 yen on a machine before, but he could have probably got it for cheaper if he bought it instead. 
Also, the store attendants would position the prizes to make it seem like it can easily fall (but actually doesn't). Of course once in a while you do get lucky.
(ID #415946) Posted on 2008/12/17 23:44
wildflug in Manila, Philippines (Registered on 2008/05/08 23:49)
Dyslexic Social Studies student, struggling gundam modeler and gamer
UFO prizes here range only from stuffed toys to candies, but I do get the stuffed toys I want when I'm determined I have Mirmo and Rima stuffed toys sitting on my desk, I think I went or 3 tries when caught them.

Here n the Philippines, there are some skilled guys who get what they want in one go(almost always), then they sell those toys for an outrageous price
(ID #415964) Posted on 2008/12/18 00:13
Cavalock in Singapore (Registered on 2008/02/23 15:54)
Copywriter
when i was in Uneo, i played the used-pantsu UFO catcher!!! it was outside a sex shop along the market in Uneo. Unfortunately, after 7 tries, i couldn't grab a single one of those used pantsu in the capsules!! :(
(ID #415989) Posted on 2008/12/18 00:33
davidc in Brisbane, Australia (Registered on 2008/06/27 17:37)
IT Crowd
We have them in most shopping centres, but they only have either chocolates or really crappy stuffed toys.  My little boy loves playing the chocolate one's (he is only 4)
(ID #415991) Posted on 2008/12/18 00:37
tails in New York City (Registered on 2008/07/29 12:56)
Half Engineer, Half Student, All Robot
Just want to say...Green Tea Kit Kat FTW. I bought a pack at Mitsuwa once. Brought it home and put it in the freezer. So good. Too bad next time I went there, they didn't stock it anymore and it's hard to find anywhere else. =/
(ID #416026) Posted on 2008/12/18 01:42
6pack (Registered on 2008/03/20 13:55)
[f] 
lol at ice cream ufo catcher. it must be a form of gambling since you pay money to try and win something. and usually not everyone wins the first time. many dont win even after paying more than the cost of a single item inside the machine. so it is a form of gambling. 
(ID #416050) Posted on 2008/12/18 02:01
Jollepoker in Sweden (Registered on 2008/01/08 23:40)
Nandeyane~
Dunno if it's answerd, but that figure's name is "Asuna Kagurazaka" from the manga/anime "Mahou Sensei Negima"
(ID #416051) Posted on 2008/12/18 02:07
セイバー♥fangel in Hong Kong (Registered on 2008/12/07 12:36)
Graphic Designer
UFO catcher in HK so super cheap. They arrange everything so that nothing would come by luck alone.
However I have seen an ep of "TV Champion 2" about UFO catcher expert. All I could say they are good, but I'm sure their skills are no use in HK. Since in Japan everything is kinda arrange and refilled so that it is quite possible to get stuff by luck. I have done it before in Japan. All I could say is that they have great exclusive stuff in Japan!
Matteas in Prague, Czech Republic (Registered on 2008/10/25 07:58)
High school student
Awesome. I didn't know there was so many different UFO catchers in Japan. Moyashimon catcher is nice. But, I couldn't help laughing when I saw those food catchers. It must be like: "Let's see, what I'll have today for snack. O ma gaaad, green tea Milky Way, I hate this but it can't be helped, I have to eat it now."
(ID #416075) Posted on 2008/12/18 02:42
Kaimax in Indonesia (Registered on 2008/08/28 00:43)
University Student
I...WANT...TO...GO...TO...JAPAN!!!

Ufo catcher in my country sucks, they arrange so that you "CAN'T" pull them up, and they don't bother to refill it.

personal experience: Once, I've got a double catch.
(ID #416086) Posted on 2008/12/18 03:05
Snafu Slick in South Carolina, USA (Registered on 2008/06/12 10:05)
Motivational Speaker
They suck so bad. Though I have seen one catcher from Japan in a fun park. It made me happy when I got a bear like the pink aliens :)

(ID #416089) Posted on 2008/12/18 03:08
Quen in ニューヨーク (Registered on 2008/08/13 10:51)
I've so far managed to never try using a UFO catcher before, but I doubt I'd be able to resist in that place... ^^
(ID #416093) Posted on 2008/12/18 03:10
JoltFiend in Southern California (Registered on 2007/05/02 17:33)
QA Lead
One Lum figure please!
(ID #416101) Posted on 2008/12/18 03:23
AT1987 in Thailand (Registered on 2007/12/03 03:33)
Gachapon is more popular than UFO catcher in Thai. A long time ago there are many UFO Catchers from Sega. Because ithe buyer think it's not fair for buyer who want Sonic plush doll to pay a lot of money to catch it so it begin to fade out.

Now there aren't any Sega UFO catcher in Thailand. There are Bandai and Yujin Gashapon instead.
(ID #416138) Posted on 2008/12/18 04:19
KyokoHunter in UK (Registered on 2008/06/08 21:26)
Civil Servant
I find the idea of getting food from a UFO catcher a bit strange - how does it shape up pricewise to actually buying the food from a combi store? I'd go for the Ritz crackers though, they taste great. And if they did Nendoroids, I'd almost be in heaven - except the catcher might drop the box and dent it >.<
(ID #416141) Posted on 2008/12/18 04:30
Karasu-kun in オタキュブ (Registered on 2007/07/27 13:13)
大学生徒
I've always liked UFO Catcher and their ilks' prizes simply because they're usually really imaginative and unorthodox. At least before they were, I haven't followed them for many moons. One of my favorites was whenever Lotte put out these LCD clock/keychain things that looked like packs of their gum, in like 1997 or 98, I still have it on my desk today, little LCD dolphins jump across it to count the seconds. ^_^
(ID #416182) Posted on 2008/12/18 06:19
Pandaman0529 in Jersey (Registered on 2008/12/09 11:46)
Student
wow i want the haruhi figure
(ID #416186) Posted on 2008/12/18 06:28
CEO kerororo (Registered on 2008/02/27 07:54)
I see gloomybear T____T

all we have here are cheap soft toys .. =.='
(ID #416196) Posted on 2008/12/18 06:56
thefrikking in Spain (Registered on 2007/08/18 07:42)
Ork Warlord
Once again, I`m envious of your asian people, you have lots of funny stuff there!!
(ID #416216) Posted on 2008/12/18 07:31
Toxyn in BC, Canada (Registered on 2008/10/16 14:00)
IT Student
I've seen a few around here, but they're all full of crap.
(ID #416230) Posted on 2008/12/18 07:58
kenjiharima in MOE LAND (Registered on 2007/11/29 03:48)
Web Designer, Boxer, StreetFighter, Anime Collector and Gamer
Same here...Mentos and other Junk food and old plush dolls. >_>
(ID #416238) Posted on 2008/12/18 08:19
supercoqui in Japan (Registered on 2008/11/26 08:17)
Application Engineer, Information Security
Where are those UFOs at? they got good stuff! I went to one in Shibuya last weekend and all they had was crap. 

By the way, anyone playing the Jumbo?
(ID #416233) Posted on 2008/12/18 08:08
Koji98 in Arlington, Texas (Registered on 2007/11/04 13:43)
Your local Otaku Cashier.
The only stuff in UFO catchers where I live are stuffed animals and random toys like a ball or something.
(ID #416274) Posted on 2008/12/18 09:21
NPC in Rocklin, CA (Registered on 2007/12/06 16:43)
JR. College Student
UFO machines are common here, but not THAT common. Usually nothing good in them either...
(ID #416324) Posted on 2008/12/18 10:18
Henry in /usr/bin/ (Registered on 2006/12/25 20:29)
anime/cosplay events organizer
we've got some UFO catcher machines here but they are not that popular and some machines gives out from snacks to electronics.

UFO catcher items in japan are definite awesome!!!
(ID #416397) Posted on 2008/12/18 11:01
Cillia Claraford in CA (Registered on 2008/11/14 10:22)
Just Some Anime Fan
off topic but danny choo do you have a gaia online profile we can make anime famous from there :p
(ID #416398) Posted on 2008/12/18 11:02
Mitsu in Las Vegas (Registered on 2008/12/05 14:37)
Student
We have a lot of UFO catchers here, but they don't have good prizes. Last time, I saw one with Pokemon stuffed animals. 
(ID #416440) Posted on 2008/12/18 11:41
uncreative (Registered on 2008/08/16 01:50)
A lot of Wal-Marts have Sega UFO Catchers.
(ID #416471) Posted on 2008/12/18 12:04
exurbanotaku in America (Registered on 2008/01/11 05:47)
Consultant
UFO Catchers are a rarity in my community.  We used to have a couple of machines at our local Wal-Mart, but for one reason or another, they were removed.  Of course, all of the prizes were pretty crappy nothing like what was featured in this article.
(ID #416742) Posted on 2008/12/18 16:10
Akiba-Kid in California, USA (Registered on 2008/01/17 12:47)
Online Shop
One time I was in Osaka and there was this UFO catcher game with Special Sega Rei and Asuka Summer Figure set I really wanted to get.  I think I spent about 2500 yen, came very close to get Asuka figure but it slipped away...  Ever since that day, I stay away from the UFO Catcher games T_T
(ID #416782) Posted on 2008/12/18 16:53
Asterisk-CGY in Cali (Registered on 2008/09/18 10:12)
TBD
Holy snap Lum and Moyashimon. Man that's awesome. So waiting on Moyashimon S2. 
(ID #416824) Posted on 2008/12/18 17:35
kona.kona in Singapore (Registered on 2008/10/16 02:06)
Student
Singapore's one is not even close... omg. If Singapore's UFO catchers had those prizes, I'll probably play them every week. Too bad I kind of suck at it. Played that block stacking game to get a Nintendo DS, lost $50 in one single day. Never touched an arcade-related machine after that lol.
(ID #416901) Posted on 2008/12/18 19:18
evolutionayu in Singapore (Registered on 2007/05/17 15:00)
conscript (the end is getting near)
The stacking game is sooo rigged I gave up on my first try. Some friends and I were so sure we had the last one timed when we played but the machine will simply make you lose no matter what. 
(ID #417830) Posted on 2008/12/19 14:14
Teclo in England (Registered on 2008/10/27 07:41)
I FEEL ASLEEP
Well that's weird; everyone I know always gets to a certain point and usually always wins one of the worse prizes (keyrings and stuff like that). As I said below, my one friend won a DS on his first go.

I don't think it's rigged per se, it's just made to be ridiculously hard unless you have great timing, and even then you'll still find it hard to get the better prizes. UFO Catchers, however, are a complete joke in this regard. If you look at the "fingers" on the crane, you'll see how weak they are; you'll aim perfectly, the claw will descend and the fingers will go perfectly around your prize, only to limply release it when the crane ascends again. It's often like trying to pick up a brick with two drinking straws.
(ID #418413) Posted on 2008/12/20 03:05
Teclo in England (Registered on 2008/10/27 07:41)
I FEEL ASLEEP
It's not really a case of them being popular or unpopular over here. I mean, you see them in seaside arcades and bowling alleys and basically any sort of "entertainment area" so they're common enough but not really a sought-after attraction. I think if you said "UFO Catcher" to someone here, they wouldn't know what the hell you were talking about - I don't think *I'd* know what they were called if it wasn't for the odd Japanese videogame I've played that has them in. People just refer to them as "those grabby machine things" or "those rip-off machines where you win some shit cuddly toy".

One of the reasons they never really got established as a fun thing to do over here (and thus didn't get to the stage where they actually had desirable prizes) is that the only people that would really want to win toys from a rigged machine over here are little kids and they can only spend what their parents give them. Not many parents are going to stand by and watch their kids waste money on a dodgy machine where you can win a prize worth about £2 at best.

You get much more modern versions of them in which you have to stack up blocks on a screen. It's very hard to get a high stack going but if you do, you win a Nintendo DS. My friend won after putting in just £1! 
(ID #417095) Posted on 2008/12/18 22:51
The Lyrical Loli in Los Angeles, California, U.S. (Registered on 2007/10/14 16:44)
Kokoro Kotonoha's personal trainer
UFO catchers around here are only great when Anime Expo comes around. Other than that the UFO catchers available are full of cheap stuff.
(ID #417392) Posted on 2008/12/19 04:30
lion1116 in Vancouver, Canada (Registered on 2008/10/03 15:27)
Comp. Eng. Student
oh wow. so awesome, the ones in vancouver have crap prizes. : + they are kinda rare to find. eSpot & the arcade at metro has one or two I think ..but not worth playing overall..

The ones in HK arn't too bad though, I went to some mall where they had a pretty good selection of UFO catchers with okay prizes :D
(ID #417442) Posted on 2008/12/19 05:56
E (Registered on 2008/11/05 08:24)
Cleaner
I was at the Tokyo Ocean Park one time, and I tried and tried to get a Rillakun bear. But you know how those UFO catcher arms are so weak and don't grab-it's a trap! A kind man who worked there saw my total fail and opened up the UFO machine and handed me one. That made my day. Danny, a little FYI-those "Pedobears" you mentioned are actually "Rillakun" bears. BIG difference there. 
(ID #417484) Posted on 2008/12/19 07:09
E (Registered on 2008/11/05 08:24)
Cleaner
Oh yeah, green tea and black bean Kit-kat rulez! You gotta taste them to believe it.
(ID #417485) Posted on 2008/12/19 07:10
cosplayadattebayo in Middleofnohere, Arizona (Registered on 2007/04/18 13:23)
Jounin/Engineer in Training
UFO catchers...? Strange, but looks neat.
(ID #417627) Posted on 2008/12/19 10:38
andra in Singapore (Registered on 2007/11/06 15:31)
中学生
I think the UFO catcher is quite popular over here, I only seen mostly plushies and sweets.

how on earth are you going to catch the Ritz tin!!? ^^;
(ID #417841) Posted on 2008/12/19 14:41
section09 in New York City (Registered on 2008/12/20 02:27)
Graphic Artist/Designer
I scored a plush recently in one of them. I gave it away as a secret santa gift but I only spent $1 on it haha. The limit was supposed to be $20! Schemer.... 
(ID #418412) Posted on 2008/12/20 03:04
froggy in France (Registered on 2008/11/21 01:54)
Marketer
hey nice place, where is it ?
(ID #418457) Posted on 2008/12/20 04:28
cemex in Melbourne, Australia (Registered on 2008/06/29 22:43)
Teacher's Assisstant/Economist
The only ones we have give out plushies or chocolate
(ID #418625) Posted on 2008/12/20 08:25
Ararara-ra in Valhalla (Registered on 2008/11/07 03:12)
Student Teacher
Last time I went to Korea (specifically Pusan), the one thing I have thought to be a fantasy or a joke appeared in front of my eyes... Fish UFO catcher.

Good luck trying to catch the eel.

(ID #418704) Posted on 2008/12/20 09:52
chibikykiske in florida (Registered on 2008/01/08 12:33)
tagger/cashier/delivery
strangely enough the closest places with ufo catchers here are at local wal marts.

and an arcade all the way across town. but the wal mart 5 minutes away from me has one.
(ID #418948) Posted on 2008/12/20 13:43
James (studiosushi) in Paris (Registered on 2007/07/07 22:09)
pixels & photography
lol @ pink aliens
(ID #419374) Posted on 2008/12/20 22:04
Stephanie in her own world... (Registered on 2008/12/16 09:32)
Anime/Jpop idol
I love UFO Catchers! I feel a lot of my money goes into those machines when I travel out to Tokyo! When I was there in November I was lucky and won the Rei Ayanami "Aero cat" figure! :)
(ID #419664) Posted on 2008/12/21 03:47
oniman in ..in..in..somewhere.. (Registered on 2008/11/25 21:37)
Student, Newbie Blogger, Aspiring Writer
the UFO catchers in my place is filled with useless crap. and oh yeah, candies. the irony.
(ID #419723) Posted on 2008/12/21 04:49
unit78 in Tampa, Florida (Registered on 2008/06/21 08:40)
Ronin - Looking for #1
Id go crazy for those zakus, zgok, and that gouf...and those awesome kamen riders!!!
(ID #420856) Posted on 2008/12/22 04:20
swirljem in Shanghai (Registered on 2008/12/17 04:18)
Technical Sales
Never won anything big playing UFO catchers in Japan... ~_~

I still don't know how people manage to grab a 18 inch tall figure out of these machine with those flimsy grippers!

Great thing about UFO catchers in Japan is that the prizes are at least desirable.  I remember the Circus Circus hotels in Las Vegas and Reno - they have many catchers machines but the prizes there are terrible - usually poor quality stuffed animals you hardly want.
(ID #425776) Posted on 2008/12/26 13:39
at in new york, ny (Registered on 2008/07/18 10:26)
Anime Figure Collector
I would so fail in any of those catchers. -_-
(ID #429161) Posted on 2008/12/30 10:44
rnurmin in Silicon Valley, California (Registered on 2007/09/05 06:35)
Analyst
Oh my, that is a big pig... 0_0
I enjoyed playing the UFO catchers in Japan. My wife is crazy for those things. I believed we spent close to $100 last year just from playing x_x
The nice thing about playing those is that once you played a couple times and if you still didn't wint the prize, you could ask for the employee to position the prize to a spot that you could get right away. I guess that's the consolidation after spending a lot. There is a youtube video that shows some best strategy to win the prize.
If you're not a fan of UFO catchers, some shops in Akiba sells the goodies seperately.
(ID #431562) Posted on 2009/01/01 07:50
Arieru-chan in Australia (Registered on 2007/11/09 07:51)
Part time retail - Full time otaku
I want that Buruma! <3
(ID #431693) Posted on 2009/01/01 10:36
lxlguy in Colorado (Registered on 2008/12/11 16:54)
I wish we had UFO catchers like that as well. If only...
(ID #435088) Posted on 2009/01/04 15:44
King of Eroge in USA (Registered on 2008/06/23 17:02)
Otaku
Someone above mentioned Lobster UFO catchers. I have seen a Lobster UFO catcher in Maine, USA. I took a picture of it, though it's hard to see.

Wow, the quality of some of those figures looks so nice! >.< I wonder how much it would cost me to try to buy elsewhere? I will probably never get to go to Japan, but if I could I'd definitely give a machine a try. If I ever won a figure from it, that figure would hold so much sentimental value to me. ^^ I'd be so excited.

Here in the United States, I see these "Claw Machines" (which is what I hear everyone here call them) at places like Wal-Mart. Not only are the machines very unattractive compared to Japans, the also have the worst prizes. If it cost 1USD to play, the prizes aren't even worth that 1USD in most cases. I've only won once before, cost me 2USD and it's the worst looking teddy bear ever. xD It's also a small prize too since he stands like 5 inches.
(ID #439140) Posted on 2009/01/07 21:33
Bill Cooney in Head in Japan, Feet in Australia (Registered on 2009/01/05 23:31)
Account Manager by day, ???? by night
In the pink is Asuna from Mahou Sensei Negima. Lum, Asuna and host of other figure girls are all part of a release of Shounen Sunday's 50th anniversary. You can find piles of these very figurines in shops like Liberty, Hobby Figure, KBooks, Mandarake and other shops in Akihabara and Nagano for about ¥1000.

UFO Catchers are pretty serious business in Japan - people who are very adept at them can consistently win. They take about 5 - 10 prizes of each kind and haul them to a second hand shop that buys them for about ¥500-¥1000 a piece and resell them for 2-4 times that.
(ID #439243) Posted on 2009/01/08 00:15
HarukaMoe in canada (Registered on 2008/09/14 11:11)
student
I wanna try all of them....
(ID #440041) Posted on 2009/01/08 13:40
ArcSaber in Singapore (Registered on 2009/01/11 23:05)
Currently a stupid NSF
I wana try the Kit Kat UFO machine. Looks interesting :D but on second thought will it be betetr if I juz buy them xD
(ID #444443) Posted on 2009/01/11 23:11
darthchilli in Vancouver, Canada (Registered on 2009/04/06 22:11)
Marketing Sales Promotions
Only in Japan, where the UFO catchers have prizes that are placed strategically so that it is POSSIBLE TO WIN
(ID #553222) Posted on 2009/04/07 20:56
Argyle in Toronto, Canada (Registered on 2008/12/24 03:54)
Otaku Programmer/Gamer/Artist/Photographer
ALL THESE GOODIES!! OH SOO LITTLE MONEY T______T
(ID #568880) Posted on 2009/04/18 17:20
A look at some of the figures at the Comike. First up is this gorgeous fi...(more)
Fri 01/04 23:04 comments (44)
Could School Mizugi combined with shotguns be the latest craze to sweep t...(more)
Sun 02/03 04:55 comments (61)
Starting off this weeks installment in the morning at Shinagawa station. ...(more)
Sat 10/25 22:20 comments (192)
I always get offers of free figure samples (which I gladly accept) but ...(more)
Tue 06/05 23:37 comments (77)
In a meeting at Ebisu earlier on this week - everybody has an iPhone ^^; And a closer look at that ...(more)
Sat 07/04 23:07 comments (12)
Tis the rainy season in Japan right now meaning that many house and shop entrances across Japan star...(more)
Sat 07/04 11:31 comments (99)
The Mirai Suenaga Merchandise project has changed gears and is back on the project timeline. I've be...(more)
Fri 07/03 22:16 comments (94)
Kotobukiya liked the photos of the rooms that you submitted so much that they want to publish a book...(more)
Fri 07/03 14:50 comments (140)
Subscribe
Subscribe to RSS or get dannychoo.com delivered to your inbox.
Recommended
(refresh)
View advertising info
and site stats here.