ROBOTROBOT - Nakano Broadway, Tokyo

Oh hell yeah.

One of the best retro toy collections this side of Tokyo, with a bunch of classic gaming stuff. From Parappa the Rapper to Sonic to MGS, with quite a few ultra rare pieces. 

Split over a few stores (similar to Mandrake) you'll need to do a bit of legwork to find this one, but absolutely worth taking some time out to hunt down.

http://www.robotrobot.com/hub/index.html
DD

Twitter - Mizuki Hosoyamada

A bunch of reasons to be following PuyoPuyo's @hosoyamada_mizu on Twit.

Despite being a long termer at Sega Japan, few of us would be familiar with his name. The 20th Anniversary of PuyoPuyo and the recent release of PuyoPuyo Tetris have given Mr. Hosoyamada more contact with the fans than ever - giving talks at promotional events and meeting and greeting Puyo players at last weeks TGS.

His tweets are all in Japanese, but definitely worth gettin out you dictionaries for.

Check some of his gaming credits:

Production
Puyo Puyo Tetris (2014) (Producer)
Puyo Puyo 20th Anniversary (2011) (Producer)
Puyo Puyo 7 (2009) (Producer)

Design
Puyo Puyo 15th Anniversary (2006) (Director)
Sonic Gems Collection (2005) (Director)
Sonic Mega Collection Plus (2004) (Game Designer)
Sonic Adventure DX (Director's Cut) (2003) (Mission Mode Game Designers)
Sonic Battle (2003) (Planning Support)

Thanks
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) (Special Thanks)
Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) (Special Thanks)

( Courtesy of http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,162198/ )
DD

Retrotailer - Droopy

A Narnia door to 80's, 90's awesomeness.

Simply put, the best retro you shop ever. The few pictures here don't do justice to the sheer quality or quantity of western toys from yesteryear.

Might Max, Ren and Stimpy, Boglins, Mario, Sonic, Pacman, Bucky O'hare, Ghostbusters, the list just goes on and on. Some major rarities include original '94 Mortal Kombat figures (all of them, including rare ones) and Street Fighter the Movie toys (all of them, including every VanDamm outfit ever produced). All items are retail or below retail price, however, quite a few are sold as sets, meaning quite a large investment both financially and in terms of space.

Can't stress how awesome this place and the staff are.
DD

〒166-0003 Tōkyō-to, Suginami-ku, Kōenjiminami, 2 Chome−26−5
http://goo.gl/maps/k2S4U

New Cab - Transformers / Human Alliance

Much thanks to Uzy for wising us up to this one!

Pretty standard shooter but a bunch of fun, the new Transformers game dropped earlier this month in Japan. 

These pictures taken at Club Sega in Akihabara couldn't really capture just how glorious and how much love the cab makers have put into it, so definitely check it out first hand if you're around the way.

200¥ a game is a little steep but is expected with something taking up so much space. Definitely worth the investment.

クラブセガ・秋葉原新館
〒101-0021 東京都千代田区外神田一丁目１１－１１
http://goo.gl/maps/5CWV5

Sonic's 23rd Birthday - Winners

Congratulations to @Kopke @Lizzy_Silvas @AndreYin @Tracker_TD on Twitter, all winning one of these Joypolis exclusive amusement coins!

Much thanks for participatin everyone.

SEGA!

@Mr_Diddles: Mega happy returns to Sega today! Founded June 3rd 1960.

Hittin up arcade SEGA in Shinjuku tonight for anyone in the area!

#セガお誕生日 #SEGA

Arcade "ChinaTown Sega" - Yokohama, Kanagawa

Had to give a special nod to this place - still one of the biggest strongholds of the Sega brand in Japan, iconically standing toe to toe with the central entrance to Yokohama's ChinaTown.

Plenty in the way of entertainment and unmissable if around the way. Plenty of prize machines, slot games, beat em ups, fighting and gun games.

Not really a place for veteran gamers as the demographic is much more skewed towards young children and tourists trying to escape the street bussle, but great energy, non-smoking and all software up to date.

Xièxiè ChinaTown.

Arcade "Taito Inn" - Kanda, Tokyo

We kinda avoid covering major arcade chains but wanted to give a shoutout to this Taito.

A real small setup but an impressive assortment of games, UFO catchers, pinball machines and darts too.

"Taito Inn" and the black banner gives the place an older customer vibe. Even major chains like Taito have to understand their local demographic, this town being right next to Akiba needed something a little different to huddle salarymen in the area. Pinball machines are few and far between Tokyo way, and having mahjong and pachinko means it isn't attracting the younger audiences.

Definitely worth checking out.