2026's Hottest Claw Crane & Gashapon Machine Trends

As 2026 unfolds, the global arcade scene is buzzing with excitement, especially in the realm of claw crane and gashapon machines—two beloved categories that continue to captivate audiences of all ages.   Whether you’re an arcade operator, a business owner looking to enhance your entertainment offerings, or a fan of these fun-filled machines, this year’s events and new releases are not to be missed.   And when it comes to sourcing top-tier equipment for your venture, APAGAME stands out as your trusted partner, offering a comprehensive range of popular arcade devices and essential accessories.

Kicking off the year’s key events is the EAG Expo 2026, set to take place from January 13 to 15 at the ExCel London Exhibition and Convention Centre in the UK.   This premier expo serves as a global showcase for the latest innovations in the arcade industry, with claw cranes, prize machines, and gashapon machines taking center stage.   It’s the perfect platform for industry professionals to discover cutting-edge designs and connect with suppliers—including APAGAME, which provides a diverse selection of coin operated machines such as claw cranes, gashapon machines, blind box machines, indoor basketball games, 4-player gift machines, pinball machines, premium prize machines, and scissor machines.   APAGAME’s range offers versatile options to suit different venue sizes and target audiences.

Beyond professional expos, 2026 also features fun consumer-facing events that highlight the charm of claw crane machines.   In Chiang Mai, Thailand, the One Nimman venue hosts the “Grab a Gift – Happy Grab Year!” event from December 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026.   Visitors who make purchases at participating stores in the venue receive tokens to play free claw machines, with festive limited-edition peripherals as prizes.   Meanwhile, in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, Paradigm Mall PJ launches the Candy Theme Maze Adventure from December 5, 2025, to January 4, 2026, featuring a giant life-size claw machine where participants have 10 seconds to grab as many candies as possible.   These events not only entertain the public but also demonstrate the strong appeal of claw crane machines as a draw for foot traffic—something business owners can leverage with high-quality machines from APAGAME.

On the new product front, 2026 brings a array of exciting releases for claw crane and gashapon enthusiasts.   Cometa Games is set to launch “Clawsome,” a claw machine-themed game on the PC platform via Steam in 2026.   In this unique game, players help Kraby find new friends by grabbing moving, disappearing, and even counterattacking prizes to build colorful 3D models—blending the fun of claw machines with digital entertainment.   For anime fans, the popular TV animation “Gnosia” is releasing the second volume of its “Claw Machine Acrylic Charms” in May 2026.   These charms capture the classic moment of being picked up by a claw, featuring seven new popular characters plus the protagonist Yuri in various cute expressions.   Additionally, Bandai introduces the new “MS Mechanical Bust DX” gashapon series, including the Unicorn Gundam Unit 3 - Phoenix.   Priced at 800 yen per draw, each 11.5cm-tall kit comes with normal mode, destroy mode, and a glowing internal skeleton, offering three different collectible options.

To fully capitalize on these 2026 trends, having reliable and high-quality equipment is essential—and APAGAME has you covered.   Beyond the wide range of arcade machines mentioned, APAGAME also supplies all the necessary arcade accessories, including buttons, joysticks, power boxes, coin acceptors, and ticket dispensers.   Whether you’re looking to purchase a claw machine for your store, upgrade existing equipment with quality accessories, or expand your arcade offerings with gashapon machines or other coin operated devices, APAGAME provides durable, high-performance products tailored to the needs of the industry.   With APAGAME as your partner, you can seamlessly integrate the latest arcade trends into your business and attract more customers.

2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year.