ClawCADE claw machine arcade opens at Roosevelt Field mall

A crane with a claw hand hovers over your desired prize. You're armed with nothing but a joystick to help maneuver it left and right, and a button that drops the claw. It lands as you wait to see if the fingers grasp the item long enough to drop it into the prize drawer. A double tap on the button tightens the claw's grip.   It all happens within 30 seconds.

This is the excitement that occurs while operating a claw machine at ClawCADE, a new arcade which opened at Roosevelt Field in Uniondale  last month. The arcade is located on the concourse level of the mall near other family-friendly entertainment destinations such as Glow Golf and the Roosevelt Field kids play area.

"This is not your typical retro arcade," says chief entertainment officer Ryan D’Amico. "Claw machines are a phenomenon that’s been happening in a lot of Asian countries as well as Canada. We’ve taken their concept and put our own Americanized twist on it."

The 10,000-square-foot facility features 80 claw machines that come in five sizes with more than 120 styles of prizes. It's the first location on Long Island.

"This is our flagship store and our current focus, but we plan to have multiple locations in the future," says D’Amico, who also co-owns Laser Bounce in Levittown and Q-Zar in Carle Place. 

HOW IT WORKS

Save your quarters at home as these machines are operated via game cards which guests can fill up to $200. Each card gets loaded with a chosen number of credits, for example a $10 game card is equivalent to 40 credits. There’s also bonus credits at various levels ($25 spend gets you 10 free credits, $200 spend gets 250 credits). Each claw machine costs between 4 and 14 credits to play.

"You can walk out with four plush animals on a $10 card," says D’Amico, of Floral Park. "They are really easy to win, which is why we provide our guests with a shopping cart. You are literally going to fill it with your amount of winnings."

But not all claw machines offer the same experience. JJ Bot the Avatar has a robot who greets people from inside the game. "He will ask you what your name is and follow you around," says D’Amico. "You can actually move him around to pick up your prize too."

There’s also a 10-foot by 10-foot claw machine called the Taj Mahal that gives out big prizes.

Keep whatever you win or trade up for something else at the prize counter where there are tiers. "We have licensed brands like Disney, Pokemon, Mario, Squishmallows, Sonic, as well as typical stuffed animals," says D’Amico. "But our prizes are not just plushes. We have high-end collectibles, trading cards, PlayStations, various electronics like iPads, AirPods and iPhones among the whoopee cushions and hand buzzers. If you don’t win them, you can buy them."

THE OTHER HALF

Although the claw machines serve as the main attraction, they only make up half the facility. The other side showcases 60 machines that range from Skee-Ball to pinball to virtual reality arcade games.

"We are split 50-50. Half is a traditional arcade with the current popular video games," says D’Amico. "The games get switched out every few months to keep it fresh."

Some titles include multiplayer video games like Space Invaders Frenzy and Raccoon Rampage, Jaws and John Wick themed pinball machines as well as four virtual reality games Fast & Furious Arcade, Bigfoot Mayhem, Godzilla Kaiju Wars and Virtual Rabbids.

The design of ClawCADE has a futuristic vibe with bright blue, purple and pink colors plus special effects lighting throughout the facility as pop music plays in the background. No food is sold on the premises, however bottled drinks will be available for purchase.

Selfie stations are located at different spots including a padded bench with mascot Toby the Toybox, a gigantic claw that is coming to grab you and LED backdrops with the ClawCADE logo and slogan "Grab the Fun."

PARTIES AND SPECIAL EVENTS

Birthday parties are available at three levels — Freestyle Party, Classic Party and Deluxe Party — with private rooms where pizza and cake are provided.

"When you have your party here, your name will be scrolled across our 80 different machines wishing you a happy birthday," adds D’Amico.

Claw tournaments will be held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and there are plans for a meet and greet in October with professional claw machine players/social media stars Angel & Crystal from "Plush Time Wins" on YouTube.

"We expect ClawCADE’s appeal to range from families with young children to classic gamers," says Kathy Smith, director of marketing for Roosevelt Field. "Over 70 of the latest and greatest arcade games will deliver the newest technology in graphics and sound."

On opening day Deanna Vitola-Keil, 37, of Lynbrook treated her daughters Maggie, 4 and Lucy, 2, to a day trip at ClawCADE.

“When you walk in, it’s full of energy. There are claw machines everywhere, all lit up and filled with toys,” says Vitola-Keil. “My girls especially loved the ‘play until you win’ machine, which is a lifesaver for the parents!”

The girls won six duck toys and two Spider-Man plushies to take home.

“They were so excited and even asked if we could go back the next day,” says Vitola-Keil. “It’s really special to watch them get so caught up in the fun!”

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.