Sega app lets players control a claw machine in Japan to win prizes that are delivered to their home

A new app from Sega is blending the nostalgia of old-school arcades with the convenience of mobile gaming.

In a new app called Sega Catcher Online, users are able to control a real-life claw machine in Japan, by watching a live video feed and entering commands from their phone.

Players are granted just two movements – forward and then either left or right – before the claw is dropped and their fate is sealed. 

Sega Catcher app lets users control a claw machine in Japan. Prizes, or at least on per week, are delivered to their doorstep for free

To sweeten the deal, prizes, which include that are grabbed in the game will actually be delivered to winners’ doorsteps free-of-charge. 

Since the merchandise is coming from Japan, Sega says players will have to wait about a week to receive any prizes they win in their efforts.  

Players are also given only one free delivery per week, but additional deliveries can be purchased with the requisite amount of points.  

Prizes vary but may include everything from tote bags to plush dolls of beloved Nintendo characters like Kirby, artwork, and more.

Sega Catcher, however, is not totally free as users will be required to load the app with ‘Sega Points’  or ‘SP’ for short, that can buy and spend on playing the game. 

One round at the game costs between 100 to 200 SP which costs about $2 in real life money. 

Players are also rewarded for checking their app frequently and are given points for  checking.

For players not ready to dive head-first into the game, there is also a free practice machine where newcomers can get their bearings.

As noted by Engadget, there have been other similar games, like an online claw machine called Akiba Catcher in Japan, but none have the star power of a company like Sega.

That version was also only playable in Japan while Sega’s version can be played from anywhere in the world.