Taito Corp. is launching a nationwide search project to locate any remaining units of the Crown 602. Released by the company in 1965, the machine is considered Japan’s first domestically-produced claw machine.
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About the Crown 602
The Crown 602, developed and sold by Taito (then Taito Trading Co.), had glass panels on both sides and the top, allowing players to look down into the box as they played.
It is widely considered as the first domestically-produced crane game machine in Japan, although some sources beg to differ. Gameplay was similar to modern crane games. The player moves the crane to the desired position, and presses the button to lower the claw. If the claw successfully grabs a prize, it will drop it into the chute for the player to collect.
Typical prizes at the time included sweets and even cigarettes.
About the project
Over the decades, physical records of the Crown 602 has vanished from company archives, leaving behind only a few photographs. To mark the 60th anniversary of this pioneering machine, Taito is calling for information and stories from anyone who remembers that era of crane games.
Beyond simply finding the actual machine, the project seeks to look back at the spirit of innovation, craftsmanship, and entertainment culture of that era.
How to participate
Between Oct. 24, 2025 – Jan. 16, 2026, you can submit information through the dedicated form on Taito’s website or via Taito’s official social media accounts (X or Facebook) by posting with the hashtags #クラウン602 or #クレーンゲーム60周年.
The company seeks:
- Any existing information or photos of the Crown 602 (past or present)
- Personal stories or fond memories related to the Crown 602 or crane games in general
So if you happen to stumble across this legendary machine while travelling off-the-beaten path, do give Taito a heads-up! Submissions should be made in Japanese if possible.
Rewards for contributors
Grand prize: The person who provides the most valuable information leading to the discovery of an existing Crown 602 will receive a cash prize of ¥100,000 as a token of appreciation from Taito.
Memory Awards: Among entrants who share touching stories or memories related to the Crown 602 or crane games, three will be selected by lottery to receive Taito’s latest game. (The company has not specified which game.)
Winners will be contacted directly by Taito via the contact information or social media account provided at the time of submission.
Source: https://taito.co.jp/mob/topics/47029
For more on Japan’s claw machines, check out The Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Crane Games or the archives.