Super Mario Gummies

Mmmmmario.

Can't say enough good things about Nintendo's marketing techniques - more than just making some delicious cola gummies, their focus on introducing and reinforcing Mario with each generation is what keeps them head and shoulders about the competition.

Every month to two month period sees a new line of candies keeping the lovable plumber within youngsters reach, and more importantly, Nintendo on everyone's lips.

6/10 - Awesome, delicious, just 4 shapes though and in no way Haribo "/
DD

Asagaya Anime Street - Persona 4

Dope little hangout for anime and cosplay lovers.

Asagaya Anime Street is a relatively new hotspot for pop culture in Tokyo, looking to cater for anime and maid cafe fans outside of Akihabara. Although having just 16 shops on a single street, it's well worth a visit - especially if you're hot on Persona.

This month into late September "Shirobako" will be celebrating the release of Persona 4 on BluRay DVD with special in store screenings and collaborative food and drink assortments. Definitely one for the fans.
DD

Game Plaza Capcom - Kichijoji, Tokyo

Much thanks to Google Maps on this one! 

A candy land of gaming goodness courtesy of Capcom with a huge floor space dedicated to all things Capcom (and Nintendo crossover related).

Located on the basement floor of a shopping center it's best to just look for the bright yellow "Loft" sign as advertising for Plaza Capcom is few and far between.

As is standard with most large arcades, UFO catchers take up a quarter of the space, photo booths another, coin games another and the remainder video games. As you'd expect, StreetFighter gets a lot of love, with most of the medals sporting a silhouette of Ryu, posters covering the floors and walls too relating to the franchise too.

Games wise, there's an extreme lack of what most arcade fans would put in their own Capcom arcade - The "Marvel Super Heroes vs Street Fighter" poster at the entrance, for instance, which turns out to be simply a poster. Few, if any, pre 2010 games .. 

It's business at the end of the day, and overwhelmingly it's a great feeling to be standing in what is as close to CapcomLand as we'll see. It just seems that with a few retro cabs as apposed to posters, something truly great could've been realized.
DD

Pokkén Tournament

Much thanks to The Fighters Generation for this post..

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=900390423322376&id=111696818858411

Playlot Joy - Kichijoji, Tokyo

The most arcadey of arcade names.

One of the best arcade hubs in Tokyo, with three top notch arcades within 2 minutes of one another, "Playlot" ticks all the right boxes.

The classic 3 floors of gaming goodness starts with UFO catchers and Taiko on the ground floor. Second floor dedicated to rhythm and gun games, and the third to the fighting game community.

As has become pretty common, some of these lesser known indie arcades are actually either part or fully owned by Taito corporation.

Although you'll struggle to find any retro classics, their affection for old school decor is a site to behold, maintaining what seems to be the original 90's color scheme and neon lights. Couple this with an onslaught of posters from video games past and present and you'll glad you came.

プレイロットジョイ
〒180-0004 Tokyo, Musashino, Kichijoji Honcho, 1 Chome−8−23, 河田ビル
http://goo.gl/maps/6etgq

Taito Station - Kinshicho, Tokyo

Kinshicho's gaming hub.

A year or so back Kinshicho would've been a gamers paradise with SEGA, Adores, Mitoya and Taito all within a 10min radius. Time rolls on though, leaving just the big two to tussle for custom.

Taito's setup, always strong, teams with patrons, catering for all kinds of gamers and prize hunters. Just a single floor but extremely spacious, this one has everything you're looking for, from Gundam and StreetFighter to every up to date rhythm game and UFO catcher imaginable. Although lacking retro games or any surprises, respect as always to Taito for knowing their demographic.

Absolutely worth popping in if you're around the way.
DD

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