If you've ever stood in front of a claw machine, heart racing as the claw hovers over the prizes, you already know the appeal. There's something about them that never gets old, no matter how old you actually are.
Basildon isn't exactly known for its arcades, but if you know where to look there's a great spot to get your claw machine fix. Here's our local guide.
Hollywood Bowl Basildon
Hollywood Bowl at Festival Leisure Park is the go-to destination in Basildon for claw machines. They have a solid selection of them alongside a wider arcade area packed with games and entertainment. It's the kind of place where you pop in for a quick go and somehow lose an hour.
The arcade has plenty going on beyond the claw machines too, such as penny pushers, racing games and more. Of course you can’t forget the bowling itself, it makes for a great family day out.
Perfect for a family trip, a rainy afternoon, or just whenever that claw machine itch needs scratching.
Hollywood Bowl Basildon Festival Leisure Park, Pipps Hill Road North, Basildon, SS14 3WB
A Day Trip Option: Southend-on-Sea
If you want to make a proper day of it, Southend-on-Sea is only about 20 minutes from Basildon and has a much bigger concentration of arcades along the seafront and pier. Loads of claw machines, plenty of other arcade games and chips on the seafront. Well worth the trip on a sunny day.
Play a Claw Machine From Home
Not everyone can get out to an arcade and that's where things get interesting. You can now play a real, physical claw machine from your phone or laptop without leaving the house.
We're Claw Catcher, an Essex-based platform where you control a real claw machine over the internet using a live video feed. The claw machines are 100% real and not simulated! Simple on-screen controls let you move the claw, pick your moment and go for the grab, just like being there in person.
No app needed, no tokens. Head to clawcatcher.com/play and try it for free.
Whether you're heading to Hollywood Bowl or playing from the sofa, there are more ways to enjoy a claw machine in and around Basildon than most people realise.
Spotted a claw machine somewhere in Basildon we haven't mentioned? Let us know!