World’s largest claw machine steals spotlight with prizes too big for kids to carry

We’ve all heard there is a secret to beating those tricky claw machines - but when it’s the biggest one in the world, you might need some extra luck!

PlayFair arcade in Cebu, Philippines has officially broken a Guinness World Records title by building the largest claw machine in the world. Looks like it is time to win a supersized stuffed toy you never knew you needed!

“Claw King” became the largest machine on record on 5 July 2025 with a measurement of 49.90 m³ (1,761 ft³). The machine is 3.88 m tall, 2.47 m wide, and a whole 5.22 m in length.

Kuya Magik, who is a partial owner of PlayFair arcade and the Head of Technical Operations, designed and constructed the machine himself from scratch. He said it took him two months of meticulous design work and about five days to assemble it on site. But it was all worth it as the visitors’ reaction to the new, massive attraction was spectacular!

"When people first see it, they're completely amazed - you hear a lot of ‘Wow!’ and see jaws drop,” he said. “Then when they play, they get so loud and excited, especially when the claw starts moving and they're watching in anticipation, waiting to see if it picks up the prize. You can hear the cheers and gasps from across the arcade."

Playfair Arcade is perched 2,000 ft above sea level on Mount Busay, offering breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of Cebu City, Mactan Island, and the surrounding seas. It's been a beloved destination since 1985 and the new Claw King attraction has quickly become a must-see for visitors.

Kuya says guests - both adults and children - are not only excited to try claw out their prize, but also fascinated by the arcade’s earned Guinness World Records title.

“When visitors see that it holds an official Guinness World Records title, it takes the experience to another level,” he says proudly. “Suddenly they're not just playing a game, they're interacting with a piece of history.”

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Kuya also shared that the in-stock prizes match the scale of the machine – the arcade stores massive stuffed toys, some measuring up to two metres tall, as well as premium boxed toys and collectibles. Some are so big that the lucky children who win them struggle to carry them.

“Winning feels monumental because the prizes are monumental,” Kuya says. “When someone walks out carrying a stuffed animal nearly as tall as they are, it creates unforgettable memories and plenty of photos!”

Visitors travel to Cebu from all over the world to experience the variety and fun. Despite the massive rise of tourism, PlayFair Arcade has been aiming to keep their prices affordable. Each round of the machine costs 50 Philippine Pesos (£0.62; $0.85).

The place welcomes everyone around the world to try out the famous Claw King, along with a variety of other arcade machines - 30 classic retro games and 11 carnival-style game booths inspired by Filipino culture. The arcade also features a few unique attractions, such as a Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth) machine and a One Piece Wanted photobooth.

With a world record to its name, Claw King proves that sometimes bigger really is better!