They are everywhere, in malls, restaurants, pasar malams, karaoke venues and even coffee shops, promising a tantalising bounty - from soft toys and ice cream to character figurines and wireless headsets - all for $1 or less.
Whether singly, in rows or taking up entire retail units, claw machines, decked in blinking lights and playing jaunty tunes, have sprouted islandwide.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month
No contract
ST app access on 1 mobile device
All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com
Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device
E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on October 13, 2019, with the headline Crazy about claws. Subscribe