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I suggest trying to find a "retro arcade" which has older machines, often with discounted rates (eg, two credits for 100円 for a game which originally just gave

I suggest trying to find a "retro arcade" which has older machines, often with discounted rates (eg, two credits for 100円 for a game which originally just gave you one). Obviously these will usually be in more out-of-the-way places than standard arcades; I fondly recall one from my days in Nagoya that was on the top floor of a shopping center that had to have been built in 1975 at the latest. Granted, I'm sure some of them have also been hit by the troubles, but if you can find one, you can have the Japanese arcade experience without the newer gimmicks. That said, I didn't mind the cards. I think I still have a Wangan Midnight in an envelope my "Japan Stuff" folder, patiently waiting for the day when I can finally get my butt back to Tokyo.

geon 5y ago
Here in Sweden, mainstream arcades disappeared in the late 90s. But you can still find some hidden away, ran by enthusiasts. Especially pinball, probably because the experience of real steel balls bouncing around is hard to replicate satisfyingly on a screen. In my city of 80k, there is an arcade with at least 20 pinball machines. https://m.facebook.com/matchstickpinball/ https://m.facebook.com/matchstickpinball/ A slightly smaller city 2 towns over has an arcade with over 80 pinball tables and several original classic arcade videogames, like Pacman, Missile defence, Mario Bros, Asteroids. I think there’s a Sega Rally machine too. https://www.pinballseye.se/ https://www.pinballseye.se/
- anakaine 5y ago
  Brisbane Australia here. We have at least one venue in the city that is a pub dedicated to original gaming - and it is a very popular place. You can go in, choose from about 40 different craft drinks on top, order some excellent food, and play any of: - About 20 pinball machines - Original arcade games like Tron, Space Invaders, Galaga, Simpsons 4 player, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat. - NES, SEGA Megadrive, SNES, N64 Goldeneye Almost all those games are running on CRT TVs as well, and the arcade games are in their original cabinets as much as possible. When you go to the bar you can buy a bag of 20 $1 coins and each pinball and arcade game is $1. Consoles are free. Great atmosphere and great concept. People are friendly and its not uncommon to have a small crowd watching and shouting at goldeneye on the small TV in the corner as players get killed.
rootsudo 5y ago
Not per se out of the way, you just need to know how to look for them. ゲームセンター Not Arcade, it means something different - architecture. There you go. I was playing DDR for 50 JPY per 3 dances, one credit.

geon 5y ago

Here in Sweden, mainstream arcades disappeared in the late 90s. But you can still find some hidden away, ran by enthusiasts. Especially pinball, probably because the experience of real steel balls bouncing around is hard to replicate satisfyingly on a screen. In my city of 80k, there is an arcade with at least 20 pinball machines. https://m.facebook.com/matchstickpinball/ https://m.facebook.com/matchstickpinball/ A slightly smaller city 2 towns over has an arcade with over 80 pinball tables and several original classic arcade videogames, like Pacman, Missile defence, Mario Bros, Asteroids. I think there’s a Sega Rally machine too. https://www.pinballseye.se/ https://www.pinballseye.se/

anakaine 5y ago
Brisbane Australia here. We have at least one venue in the city that is a pub dedicated to original gaming - and it is a very popular place. You can go in, choose from about 40 different craft drinks on top, order some excellent food, and play any of: - About 20 pinball machines - Original arcade games like Tron, Space Invaders, Galaga, Simpsons 4 player, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat. - NES, SEGA Megadrive, SNES, N64 Goldeneye Almost all those games are running on CRT TVs as well, and the arcade games are in their original cabinets as much as possible. When you go to the bar you can buy a bag of 20 $1 coins and each pinball and arcade game is $1. Consoles are free. Great atmosphere and great concept. People are friendly and its not uncommon to have a small crowd watching and shouting at goldeneye on the small TV in the corner as players get killed.

rootsudo 5y ago

Not per se out of the way, you just need to know how to look for them. ゲームセンター Not Arcade, it means something different - architecture. There you go. I was playing DDR for 50 JPY per 3 dances, one credit.