Wii dominates iPhone in crane game war

The Wii dominates in the important size-of-crane-game metric.

(Credit: CNET)

Five dollars a pop to try and win an iPhone.

(Credit: JoeyGadget.com)

The iPhone is one of the most lusted-after gadgets, but if the size of their respective crane games is any indicator, the Nintendo Wii is still the most coveted tech--at least on the Point Pleasant Boardwalk at the Jersey Shore. When I saw the iPhone crane game images on JoeyGadget last week (via Gizmodo), I couldn't help but think of my own summer Jersey Shore trip a few weeks ago, where I saw this incredibly large Wii crane game. While the Wii game clearly dominates in size, the iPhone game costs more per play--$5 per try for an iPhone and only $2 per try for a Wii. I also spotted some Xbox 360 and PS3 crane games during my visit, but they were the same size as the iPhone game and didn't get front-of-the-arcade treatment like the Wii game. And as you'd probably guess, I didn't see anyone come close to actually winning a Wii.

More pics after the jump.

(Credit: CNET)

(Credit: CNET)

(Credit: CNET)

[Alansmallen]

Really good deal!

For $5 for three plays. You have to play less than 150 times before winning to make it worth while. You could easily get it within 50 tries for a third of the price of a Wii. Same with the iPhone. I suddenly have an urge to go down to the shore.

[bigmc6000]

Not quite the case

You're assuming that each try falls into the realm of a increased probability but in actuality every single try you take has the exact same odds as the try before because of how it's set up. There is no guaranteed jackpot so the odds will never change. You're also assuming you'd get better and that would eventually equal success. As the poster after you pointed out he's dropped tons of cash and has still yet to win one. As with most things if it's too good to be true it probably is...

[canarack]

not a good deal

just got back from seaside. those cranes are so rigged its insane. i spent a ton of money trying to win wiis, 360s, ps3s, iphones... ended up getting laser pointers, keychains, and random crap.

[Mikeybabes]

This is not a game of skill.

For those of you who still don't know, these games are rigged to only pay-up after a set number of plays. There is a setting on each machine that allows the owners to control when a win occurs after a set number of plays. Think about it, have you seen any of these machines payout in quick succession, and would the owners allow it?
The only way to 'beat' the machine is to wait until someone wins, and literally count how many goes it takes for the next payout. Your only hope is that someone leaves the machine just before the next payout so you can claim the win.
Now, just work out at what that setting would be for it to cover the cost of the Wii, cover the rent and electricity costs, cover the costs of hiring the machine, ensure that the owners make a tidy profit as well.
Still fancy your chances? Of course there's always the chance that some sucker may have left the machine right before a payout, but how will you know?