Taipei is game-crazy. From pinball machines to toy dispensers, the gray city blocks are sprinkled with the neon glow of mini arcades, with enticing names such as “Happy Moments” and “Sweet Box” (?).

A crane with a claw hand hovers over your desired prize. You're armed with nothing but a joystick to help maneuver it left and right, and a button that drops the claw. It lands as you wait to see if ...

Mike Nay bought his first claw machine during the pandemic to pass the time. Once he had the strategy down and arcades reopened, he was winning hundreds of plushies. He learned he could make a profit ...