Clawz Entertainment

Clawz Entertainment

Reviews Summary

This claw machine arcade consistently earns perfect ratings for its fun, welcoming atmosphere and helpful, friendly staff. Reviewers highlight the fair, winnable machines where both kids and adults enjoy success, often leaving with multiple prizes. Many appreciate the ability to trade prizes for points toward larger items. The clean, well-maintained facility and staff's extra efforts (like free plays or tips) enhance the experience, making it ideal for parties, family outings, or date nights. While cashless payments are a minor drawback, the overall excitement and repeat visits speak to its addictive appeal.

About This Listing

Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Who Can Play?

Most arcades welcome all ages (some may have age restrictions for certain games)
Minors may need parent/guardian supervision (policies vary by location)
No gaming experience required - games range from beginner to expert level
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended for safety
Valid ID may be required for certain attractions or age verification
Groups and parties welcome (advance booking may be required)

*Note: Age restrictions and policies may vary by arcade. Check with your local facility for specifics.*

First-Time Visitors

First-time visitors may need to sign a waiver or register for a game card. Staff are typically available to help explain games and provide tutorials. Some arcades offer newcomer specials or free play sessions to help you get started.

Common Restrictions:

Age-Based Some games may have height or age requirements for safety reasons
Capacity Popular games may have wait times during peak hours

*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*

What to Bring

Cash or card for tokens/credits (some arcades are cashless)
Valid ID for age verification or membership signup
Phone to capture high scores and memories (check photo policies)

*Note: Payment methods and requirements may differ by arcade.*

Preparing for Your Visit

Check arcade hours and peak times online before visiting
Eat beforehand or check if the arcade has food options
Bring friends for multiplayer games and competitions
Wear comfortable clothes you can move freely in
Avoid bringing valuable items that could be lost or damaged
Check for special events, tournaments, or discount days
Set a budget for games and stick to it
Stay hydrated, especially during long gaming sessions

*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*

How to Get Started

Most arcades accept walk-ins, but call ahead during busy periods or for large groups. Check for membership deals!

Other Helpful Info

Most visits last 1-3 hours depending on games and group size
Popular games may have longer wait times during weekends and evenings
Many arcades offer unlimited play packages or time-based pricing
Some locations host tournaments and special events regularly
Prize redemption available at many arcades - save your tickets!

*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*

How Arcade Prize Games Work

Dive into the excitement of arcade prize games! Expect claw machines, skee-ball, whack-a-mole, or basketball challenges where you test your skills or luck to win tickets or prizes directly. Claw games require precise joystick control to grab toys, while redemption games reward accuracy with tickets to trade for plushies, gadgets, or trinkets at prize counters. Modern setups boast colorful displays and smooth mechanics, blending nostalgia with fresh fun. The thrill of winning and the vibrant arcade vibe make prize games a captivating draw in 2025.

Features

Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

1450 SW Vintage Pkwy Suite 125

Ankeny, Iowa 50023

Hours

Monday 12-9PM
Tuesday 12-9PM
Wednesday 12-9PM
Thursday 12-9PM
Friday 12-10PM
Saturday 11AM-10PM
Sunday 11AM-8PM

Customer Reviews

All claw machines, very winnable and fun. You can keep your wins or most wins can be traded in and up for bigger better prizes. There is a game that has a grand prize amount of points. Saw a young child win it worth 30,000 points.

Great place for older kids. 8 to adults is probably perfect. The space is quite small, but fun was had. A little expensive, but the machines are not rigged and got a plush on nearly every play. You also gain "points" every game you play that can be turned into bigger prizes. And turn in unwanted plush for point to the bigger prizes as well. Had a great time and will be back.

1st time visiting Clawz last night with our girls ages 3 & 14. Safe to say we all had a BLAST! ?? From the moment we walked in to the moment we left Hannah, Shannon, and Dan were BEYOND GREAT! Hannah was so helpful with it all.... explaining how to load play cards at the kiosks to showing us the ins and outs of the claw machines. She also threw in a few free plays when they girls would miss getting the prizes they really wanted. Dan and Shannon were knowledgeable and very patient when explaining the redempt

Fun place for kids and adults. Claw machines were fun, and you can actually win at. Had problems with one machine, and the employees were friendly, helpful, and took care of us.

Had a great time at the grand opening today. Went for lunch and decided to check this place out. We won a bunch of prizes after the staff showed us how to play. They were super nice and helpful. We will definitely come back with our kids.

All claw machines. They are new, in great working order, and work with double tap method. You can typically get a prize with 4 or so tries on any given machine so the pay out rate is very nice. They let you trade plushies in for points to get other prizes, too. My 9 year old loved it!

Truly had the best time! My toddler loved this place and was jumping up and down the whole time as we won prizes in various machines. The employees were lovely and friendly and helpful. The building was very clean and well kept. 10/10 recommend!

Heard about this place, thought the concept sounded interesting, so me, my wife & 4 little ones went to go check it out. Decided to show up shortly after 3pm when they open to beat the crowds, but it was already an absolute zoo. There had to be at least 40 people crammed in this tiny arcade. It took a good 5-10min of standing just to get to the card kiosk. Not because there was a line to use it, but because there was just THAT many people there playing or just standing around. And of course this establishme

What a fun and affordable place! Everyone there was super friendly and helpful. I went with a group of girls on a Friday night and we all had a great experience. Each one of us left with a bag full of stuffed animals to give to the kids and dogs and we only spent about $15 each. I will definitely be back!

Our family loves claw games! We've visited claw arcades all over the country and this is instantly one of our favorites. The claws are grabby and set to a fair skill level - not too hard and not too easy. The kids walked out with a ton of prizes. The staff are friendly, helpful, and generous. They gave out a few free plays during our visit. The space is very nice. There's a cool party room and clean bathrooms. It's worth a trip!

We had my daughter?s birthday party there. We did the scavenger hunt that all the kids loved. The staff members were extremely friendly and helpful making sure all the kids were enjoying themselves. Even the adults had a blast. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a spot to have a party.

This is a great idea. The kids both enjoyed the thrill of actually being able to win a claw machine. They had a good time winning and then getting to choose to keep the plush or trade up for a "better" prize. The staff was excellent, they were beyond accomodating and made the experience better for my children. Wish it was a bit bigger, but nit picking at that.

Went shortly after 3pm when they opened for the day. We were the only family there. The staff was friendly and explained how everything worked. The machines are set up so everyone will be a winner! This was a fun family experience. We will definitely be back!

As a person who loves claw machines, this place is super fun and awesome! I was only there for about 45 minutes and won a ton of stuff and had a great time! I've already recommended it to my friends and I will definitely be back several times! I also had a good conversation with Hannah over everything in there and some other things, she was super nice to talk to as well as Julie! I enjoyed everything about this place!!!

Fun for kids and adults but a bit pricey-typical for the area. Staff super friendly and helpful, especially with younger kids who need a little guidance. Similar to Dave & Busters where you trade in your claw machine winnings for ?better? prizes.

This arcade is a one of a kind experience!! My 6-year old had such a blast and can't stop talking about all the stuffed animals he won. The staff was incredible as well and was just as excited as my son when he won. I can't wait to have his birthday party here!

I went into to Clawz last weekend to check the place out. It was pretty sweet. The manager Jeremy was super helpful at showing me how everything worked. He even gave a us little trick on how to win some of the prizes. Super Cool Place!!!!!

????? We had an amazing time at Clawz Entertainment! We brought our 5-year-old son, and he was actually able to maneuver the claw games?something that can be so frustrating at other arcades. The claws are strong, making it a great value since we could actually win prizes! Even better, we were able to trade up and leave with a bigger prize, which made the experience even more fun and rewarding. The staff was incredibly nice and informative, making sure we had a great time. Definitely one of the best arcade

My boyfriend and I had a great time at Clawz! We went during the soft launch last week and the claw machines were easy to use and actually winnable! Might be slightly expensive for what some folks would like to spend at an arcade, but the games are fair. The staff were so friendly, showed us how to operate the machines, and tips and tricks! Shannon was fun and we had a great conversation! Lots of fun prizes and you can save up to a PS5 or Xbox which is crazy.

My husband and I went here for date night and had a blast. He loves claw machines and Hannah was so nice and friendly and we had an overall great time. We are going to tell all our friends about it!!!! Will be back with our kids

Such a fun place to take the kids! So many different machines to choose from, with all sorts of prizes at different values (toys, candy, stuffed animals, you name it). You can get several plays in with just a few bucks, and keep what you win, trade what you win for other prizes at the counter, or keep the points on your card until next time. One of my kiddos won 3 stuffed animals in one turn, and my other won 2 in one turn! They also have a group play where they announce the countdown and you find a machine

I was so impressed with the staff at this place!!!! My son was failing ah kind machine and one of the employees used his card 4 times to give my son an extra try. Then he gave my daughter a free stuffed animal. The machines are very doable! Not scammy

I am so happy to finally have a place like this nearby! It was so fun and cute and it's not hard to win anything. I think the points system is better than a regular arcade honestly. I am really hoping the prizes change regularly to keep it interesting!

It was so crowded. And people were so rude. (Not staff, adult customers) Might consider limited people in at one time. We were not able to even use all our ticket points because we couldn't get to machines. It was supposed to be fun, but because of the rudeness of others and not being able to play the machines, it was a frustrating experience.

We stopped here after dinner and had so much fun! The staff were very welcoming and Shannon was so so sweet. I recommend going here for a date night or taking your kids!

My boyfriend works here, but the whole staff here is still always so friendly and helpful- whether they are packed busy or not!! Claws really is so much fun to visit, and a place I will keep coming back to as a customer!! ??

Very fun time taking our daughter here! Staff was super helpful and friendly and also paid extra special attention to make sure she had the best time ever! 10/10 recommend!!!!!!

Such a fun stop! & family outing. Everyone who works there is so sweet too.

Took our grandson there and the guys that worked there gave him some great tips to get the stuffed animals. Amazing staff! Grandson loved it!

Hannah greeted us as soon as we walked in the door and talked to us about claw entertainment and showed us around the arcade and talked to us about how to play the games. Hannah did great with the kids and adults alike and was so funny and had the excitement that you would like a person to have.

Had a lot of fun taking my niece. She won several small prizes and traded them in for a big one. Definitely will be going back!

Perfect place for people who LOVES claw machines! Fun experience, earn points to redeem for even BIGGER prizes that they have, OR keep the ones you get!!!! I'm so excited to go back again!!!! ??

An absolute pleasure and blast! They don't have a way to use cash, Thats my only complaint! Not everyone has card or money on card. But it's my favorite place for date night!

My sister, niece, and I went on Saturday (3/15) and it was so much fun. The staff were super friendly and helpful. I can't wait to go back!!!

I took my five year old and he had a blast. Staff was very friendly and helpful.

Great place for kids and adults. Not like other claw machines, you actually win!

My friend and I had the BEST time here. Truly an addictive fun activity!!

Had a blast with my toddlers here! We loved it!

Such a cool and fun experience, the employees were all so friendly and helpful!

Had a great time. Staff was helpful and fun. Will definitely go back.

Awesome, the kiddos really loved this place! had a blast.

Staff were very friendly. We had a blast.

Hannah was awesome much clawz such plushes

Awesome staff and prizes!

Nice people and cool place

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s it like visiting an arcade today?

It’s a mix of nostalgia and high-energy fun! Many arcades blend retro classics like Pac-Man and pinball with modern VR games, racing simulators, and rhythm challenges — often with music, lights, and a social vibe.

Is it better to go alone or with friends?

Both can be great! Solo visits let you focus on your favorite games, while going with friends adds competition, teamwork, and laughs. Many people plan arcade meetups as a casual hangout or even date spot.

What should I bring to an arcade?

Usually just yourself and a way to pay (some arcades still use coins, others use cards or apps). If you're competitive, bring your A-game. If you're social, bring friends or meet new ones over multiplayer games.

What’s the best time to visit an arcade?

Weekdays or early afternoons are usually less crowded — perfect for focused play. Evenings and weekends bring the buzz, especially at barcades or venues with DJs, tournaments, or themed nights.

Can I meet new people at arcades?

Absolutely! Arcades attract a mix of casual players and serious gamers. Whether you're jumping into a four-player co-op or chatting between rounds, it's a fun, low-pressure way to connect over shared interests.

Are arcades still just for kids?

Not at all. While many arcades are family-friendly, there are also adult-oriented ones with full bars, 18+ nights, or vintage nostalgia themes. Arcades today cater to everyone — from first-timers to lifelong gamers.

Are there events or tournaments I can join?

Yes! Many arcades host regular competitions, retro nights, cosplay parties, and more. Whether you're into high scores or just want to watch and vibe, events add an extra layer to the experience.

What if I’m not great at arcade games?

No worries — arcades are about having fun, not being perfect. Try a variety of games, ask others for tips, and remember: the vibe is more “let’s play” than “let’s win.”

Why are arcade prize games so exciting to play?

Arcade prize games are a thrilling highlight in 2025! Claw machines, skee-ball, and ticket-redemption games like basketball offer a rush of skill and chance, with rewards like plushies, toys, or electronics up for grabs. Modern machines feature vibrant lights, digital scoreboards, and responsive controls, amplifying the fun. The lively arcade atmosphere, with cheering crowds and buzzing energy, makes every win feel epic.