Operating a toy crane machine is a classic arcade experience. The primary control for the claw's movement is almost universally a joystick. This joystick allows for precise, multi-directional control. Pushing the joystick forward, backward, left, or right moves the claw correspondingly along the horizontal plane (X and Y axes) above the prizes.

Once the claw is positioned over your desired target, a separate button (often large and prominently placed) is used to command the claw to descend. Pressing this button sends the claw straight down (Z-axis movement) to attempt a grab. The claw typically closes automatically upon reaching the bottom of its travel. Some modern machines may have a second button to manually trigger the close, but the standard control scheme remains a joystick for movement and a dedicated button for the drop action.

This intuitive combination provides the player with direct tactile feedback: the joystick offers nuanced positioning, while the button delivers a decisive "go" command. So, the answer is both: you use the joystick to move the claw and a button to drop it. Mastering the coordination between the two is the key to success.