Japanese Arcades

Cantstandsya

Having spent a little while lurking here and having been impressed by some of the arcade collections on show I thought some of you might be interested in this... It's sad news I'm afraid. A bit old so maybe some of you know of this already.

For those of you who've spent time in Tokyo or read Brian Ashcraft's Arcade Mania, you might be familiar with "Game Shibuya Kaikan" a great arcade in Shibuya stocked full of retro arcade goodness and charging 50 yen per game. This was one of my favourite spots in Tokyo.

Unfortunately, on a recent visit to show a friend of mine the arcade goodness on offer we were confronted with these images.

The sign basically says - "Closed down in August after 35 years, thanks for all your support".

I thought this was terribly sad, as an arcade fanatic I loved visiting Japan and seeing the thriving scene there. Unfortunately, it seems the writing is on the wall there too and I did notice a general lessening of the buzz about retro gaming. While a retro gaming arcade in central Shibuya would obviously have pressures to keep going, it struck me as a sadly symbolic signal... The beginning of the end :-(

CiDeRmAn

That is sad news, but on this side of the pond I think the retro scene is only gaining momentum, with retro gaming going mainstream.
On the one hand this means more outlets than ever before stocking games from consoles past, on the other prices reflect the new found demand.
Another thing pops into my head though, what is it the Japanese public are playing, because they seem to be avoiding the new generation of consoles, at least not buying them with the vigor they once had for new hardware.
Are they playing new arcade games, mobile gaming gotten big? Have tablets and touchscreen games found an increasing audience there?

ondafly

another one bites the dust

ghostchant

Handheld gaming is what's huge in Japan at the moment - both traditional and phone-based.

Real shame to see that Game Shibuya Kaikan has shut down - I was there last October and saw it shut, but didn't twig that it was permanent. I wonder if it's a case of the retro game scene being consolidated in Akiba, or a general decline in popularity? I've noticed a gentle upwards creep in retro game prices in Tokyo, but that's not a Japan-only thing and the well-known places cater to tourists as much as (if not more than) locals.

Steve X2

A lot of Japanese don't really see retro games as retro. They just see a good game as a good game, new or old.
But that mentality is not as strong as it was say 10 years ago when I first visited the place.

Cantstandsya

Steve SI wrote: »

A lot of Japanese don't really see retro games as retro. They just see a good game as a good game, new or old.
But that mentality is not as strong as it was say 10 years ago when I first visited the place.

Agree with this and the likes of Super Potato etc. are still going fairly strong but compared to the first time I was there a few years ago there was definitely less of a buzz about the place. While Akihabara is still doing its thing the likes of Den Den Town in Osaka seems to be on the wane somewhat with the main street there now only featuring one retro game shop (there were at least three the first time I was there).

I think it's sort of morphing into a pilgrimage for the likes of us guys, the retro loving western gamers. I don't know about you but as a kid Japan was always this mystical video game land where my Nintendo and Sega games originated... it still holds that magic for me, I guess it's the Disneyland of 8 and 16 bit games. The effect of this is that while the Japanese seem to be losing interest somewhat the retro gaming sites are turning into tourist destinations. One example is the rise in retro game bars over there. There are a few in Tokyo that attract some locals but the one down in Osaka is run by a few Americans and seems to attract primarily tourists who want to experience Japanese gaming.

As for what they are playing now, well, from speaking with teachers I know over there the kids love their 3ds, anything with Monster Hunter or One Piece is a winner for them, they have absolutely zero interest in Vita or any home console. The older crowd have shifted to mobile gaming, free to play is massive there and developers are turning their focus away from traditional games onto these sorts of things. When I was there first it was great fun to watch train loads of people transfixed on their GBAs, DS and PSPs, now it's 95% iPhones or Android equiv and a few PSPs here and there.

ghostchant

Cantstandsya wrote: »

One example is the rise in retro game bars over there. There are a few in Tokyo that attract some locals but the one down in Osaka is run by a few Americans and seems to attract primarily tourists who want to experience Japanese gaming.

On the subject of retro game bars, are there any in Tokyo that are particularly recommended, in particular for westerners? I've never gone to any over there and am planning on trying a couple when over there next month.

Cantstandsya

ghostchant wrote: »

On the subject of retro game bars, are there any in Tokyo that are particularly recommended, in particular for westerners? I've never gone to any over there and am planning on trying a couple when over there next month.

I haven't been to too many in Tokyo as I was based further west, my comment above was based on the little time I did spend there and comparing what I saw to the obviously foreigner oriented Osaka equivalent.

Saying that, if you're in or around Akihabara you won't go wrong with Game Bar A Button. Really cool decor. It's very small though (like pretty much any Japanese bar). 8-bit Cafe in Shinjuku is another fun spot (and you can take in the Robot Restaurant while you're out that direction).

Whats the deal with the robot restaurant?
Gonna be in Tokyo myself later in the year

Cantstandsya

urbanledge wrote: »

Whats the deal with the robot restaurant?
Gonna be in Tokyo myself later in the year

The Robot Restaurant is absolutely mental. It's difficult to explain what it is because it's fairly senseless. It's not so much a restaurant as a fantastic show with a fairly rubbish meal included. If you're in Shinjuku, I strongly recommend it. It's a great laugh and I'd be surprised if it didn't end up being a highlight of your experience of Japanese nightlife.

ghostchant

Just looked up the robot restaurant there, think I'll be going to that Saw them 'driving' the robots around Shinjuku last year, hadn't a clue what it was for though...anywhere else in the world I'd need to find out but I just figured 'why wouldn't they drive creepy robots around the city in Japan'

Cantstandsya

ghostchant wrote: »

Just looked up the robot restaurant there, think I'll be going to that Saw them 'driving' the robots around Shinjuku last year, hadn't a clue what it was for though...anywhere else in the world I'd need to find out but I just figured 'why wouldn't they drive creepy robots around the city in Japan'

Yeah it's pure tourist bait (like coming to Dublin and visiting a trad music bar in Temple Bar) but we went, had a few beers there and really enjoyed it. It was funny because I'd spent the previous few days trying to show my friend that Japan wasn't as crazy and kooky as people think... then we went to the Robot Restaurant on his last night in Tokyo and undid all my hard work :-).

You can see by the reviews on Trip Advisor that most people who go love it but some people seem to just want to dislike it for what it is... I was cynical going in knowing it was a show for tourists... but I really enjoyed it in the end and, again, strongly recommend.

Myrddin

Steve SI wrote: »

A lot of Japanese don't really see retro games as retro. They just see a good game as a good game, new or old.

As it should be really

imitation

Cantstandsya wrote: »

Yeah it's pure tourist bait (like coming to Dublin and visiting a trad music bar in Temple Bar) but we went, had a few beers there and really enjoyed it. It was funny because I'd spent the previous few days trying to show my friend that Japan wasn't as crazy and kooky as people think... then we went to the Robot Restaurant on his last night in Tokyo and undid all my hard work :-).

You can see by the reviews on Trip Advisor that most people who go love it but some people seem to just want to dislike it for what it is... I was cynical going in knowing it was a show for tourists... but I really enjoyed it in the end and, again, strongly recommend.

Your making me want to go back to Japan !, the Robot restaurant opened shortly after my last trip there. Trying to convince somebody that Japan isn't kooky is a loosing battle (I would probably start outside of Tokyo !), but to me its what makes the place so awesome and unique.

I'm not really a retro collector, apart from a few old machines I have kept, but I have to say the wave of nostalgia that hit me when I saw Rainbow Islands and Bobble Bobble sitting in a Akiba arcade nearly knocked me off my feet. Its a pityI didn't go to the place in Shibuya. I didn't realize there were so many travelers in this forum. (Although I did see an Irish Chap bringing back a SNES on my return trip). Next time I'm going, I will post here for some advice !!

So what old machines have you got????

Cantstandsya

imitation wrote: »

Your making me want to go back to Japan !, the Robot restaurant opened shortly after my last trip there. Trying to convince somebody that Japan isn't kooky is a loosing battle (I would probably start outside of Tokyo !), but to me its what makes the place so awesome and unique.

I'm not really a retro collector, apart from a few old machines I have kept, but I have to say the wave of nostalgia that hit me when I saw Rainbow Islands and Bobble Bobble sitting in a Akiba arcade nearly knocked me off my feet. Its a pityI didn't go to the place in Shibuya. I didn't realize there were so many travelers in this forum. (Although I did see an Irish Chap bringing back a SNES on my return trip). Next time I'm going, I will post here for some advice !!

Haha, yeah trying to show someone the other side of Japan is tough alright, we did start off in Osaka and Kyoto though and saw some nice temples and scenery before diving into Akihabara and Shinjuku.

What to bring home is a bit like Sophie's choice. I brought back a Famicom and Disk System but am now kicking myself for not getting a PC Engine and Mega Drive... next time :-)

Cantstandsya

urbanledge wrote: »

So what old machines have you got????

Unfortunately, I've no cabs of my own :-(. I have looked longingly at what some of the guys on here have. Space constraints mean I can't but as soon as that changes I'll be stocking up.