Arcade "Vortex" - Roppongi, Tokyo

4 months back the last arcade in Roppongi shut down. It truly blows to see a place with potential just boarded up. 

Being located on the outskirts of a red light district might sound like a detriment to a game center, but actually some of the most successful indie places have that in common. Often hosts, hostesses take to the arcades before, after and during catering hours to kill time.

Signs read:
"December 27th 2013, Game Center operations will stop."
"Roppongi has become a town without a Game Center."
"Thank you for 18 years."

The best way to study Japanese

If you're looking for an in into Japanese language studies whilst buffing up on your gaming history, can't recommend "Game Center CX" enough. 

The "GameMaker" series focuses on interviews with top industry dudes, with a few gaming challenges thrown into the mix.

Got some study time free? Pop out the dictionary and try it for 20 mins. Most eps are available on YT with Japanese subtitles.

"Game COSMO" - Tsurumi, Kanagawa

Kanagawa has a hardcore gaming scene, but outside major cities even a tiny dugout like this is a pretty dope find.

Old school gamer types will love this place, one on one cabs means win or go home. One of just about every arcade cab on the market right now makes it a dope place for Tsurumi residents.

Gotto respect these indie coin pushers not going down the pachinko or slot machine route.

"Game Tiger", Nakano Broadway

Not really a gaming arcade, more of a pachinko place, but being directly across from "Big マリオ" it's worth popping through while you're in town.

Game Trader - "Big マリオ", Nakano Broadway

Independent game trading stores outside Akihabara are pretty few and far between so it's a pretty cool place to drop into. Competitive prices, some dope deals on used games and trade ins too.

50¥ PSOne games make it well worth a visit, and Nakano itself is littered with Gaming Cafés and arcades all over. 

"Amusement Land Kyonta Gon", Okubo

Real old school arcade in the heart of Korean Town, Gon has been rolling for 15 years plus. 50¥ games, old and new, one of the few arcades selling potato chips (shocking).

Thought Okubo had dropped off as an arcade town last year but realizing there are actually 3 joints in the area.. Dope.

Located just a 10minute walk from Shinjuku, Okubo is perfect for some casual games, drinks and laughs.

McDonDonalds

Current McDonalds campaign giveaways in Japan this month - Arcade items and Happy Meals! Awesome.

Throwback

Throwback is a gaming community based in central Tokyo, hitting arcades and bars biweekly - gamers, artists, animation enthusiasts, cosplayers, FGC members, drinkers, we are looking for you!