Round1 fans are calling out the arcade chain after several locations appeared to swap some of their claw machine prizes for household items like kitchen sponges, tissues, Gatorade, and ramen.
Round1 is known for its arcade games, bowling, karaoke, and crane machines, with many regulars visiting specifically for anime figures, plushes, and other licensed prizes.
However, several customers have recently posted photos from Round1 locations showing crane machines stocked with items more commonly found at Target or Dollar Tree than an arcade prize floor.
Hey @Round1USA , what flavor of meth are you guys smoking over there? You are alienating your entire customer base right now. We are all going to all going. You think we wanna spend 6+ credits on stuff we buy at Target and Dollar Tree? pic.twitter.com/KjoI7auO9U
— Kattywampus ↙️↙️↙️ (@Feanyx) May 4, 2026
Round1 claw machines filled with sponges and tissues
One post that went viral on X showed a Round1 location in Gurnee, Illinois, with machines full of blue kitchen sponges, green cleaning supplies, and rows of boxed household items.
“Hey Round1USA in Gurnee, Illinois please explain yourself,” the user wrote. “What am I supposed to do with kitchen sponges?”
Hey @Round1USA in Gurnee, Illinois please explain yourself 😾 what am I supposed to do with kitchen sponges? https://t.co/EOT0NCI4Fj pic.twitter.com/YuzzDDkxRF
— wimmie 🦩 (@wimmiebear) May 4, 2026
Another customer shared photos of machines filled with Gatorade, Pringles, Band-Aids, and other low-cost items, asking: “You think we wanna spend 6+ credits on stuff we buy at Target and Dollar Tree?”
Others claimed the change has already made the machines less appealing. One arcade-goer said they spent about 3 hours at their location over the weekend and saw “NO ONE” playing the food-prize machines.
“Who wants Gatorade & Pringles with the already up charge in credits?” they wrote.
Round1 prize selections: sponges, Gatorade, etc..
byu/tobyPuppy inround1
The backlash has also spread to Reddit, where Round1 fans have been tracking which locations appear to be affected. One post claimed the Danbury, Connecticut, location was preparing to replace skill-based games with “food prizes,” including ramen and tissues.
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“I talked to one of the workers,” the Reddit user wrote, claiming that “all skill-based games are to be replaced by the food prizes” at that location, while figures would be moved into claw machines with Round1’s yellow plush toys.
Another Reddit post showed a machine filled with sponges, Gatorade, and cereal boxes, with the user saying they were “shocked and extremely saddened” by the new prizes.
And so it begins, Danbury Round 1 will soon be replaced with ramen and tissues
byu/I_am_tofu inround1
“I’m really hoping they go back to the anime figurines soon,” they wrote, adding that the arcade had been a regular date spot for them and their girlfriend.
It’s unclear how widespread the prize change is, or whether it is permanent. Some customers have claimed staff told them the new selection could rotate, while others believe certain locations are testing the cheaper prize format.
