A mechanical arm generally intended for use as a toy or game element comprises a base rotatably supporting a turret. A first link connected to the turret by a shoulder joint, a second link connected to the first link by an elbow joint, and an end effector connected to the distal end of the second link. A first lever with a handgrip drives the first link, a second lever with a handgrip drives the second link using a drive cable and pulleys mounted in the interior of the first link. The end effector is controlled by a lever attached near the second handgrip. A control cable is threaded through the hollow interior of the mechanical arm to operate the end effector.