Tokyo’s Best Video Game Arcades in Akihabara: Where to Go, What to Do

If you are a fan of racing games, this stop is sure to entertain you. Game Center’s history as a Sega arcade left many cool classics to ride, from Isle of Man TT Superbike The machine arrives rad mobile A game you play while sitting in a mini car. I could have spent at least an hour bouncing between the different steering wheels of these retro machines.

The selection of rhythm games (where you earn points by tapping the controller to the beat) was very similar to when we visited Namco Game Center earlier in the day. In Gigo 3 though, we were able to play a variety of rhythm games without feeling the need to move because other patrons were queuing behind us. It was a real pleasure trying out all the rhythm experiences for the first time, my personal favorite being Sega’s Maimai Machine. I was amazed to see nearby players pressing all eight buttons at the right times to the music and sliding their fingers across the screen to create combos – I was content playing the approachable, easy difficulty level rather than risk breaking out Sweating profusely.

Another enjoyable experience in Gigo 3 for travelers is the photo booth section. While it was mostly teenage girls perfecting their makeup, using hair curlers and trying on crunchy blonde wigs, we had fun taking photos at the booth as the software distorted our facial features. We couldn’t help but laugh at the proportions, until we looked like ghostly aliens. One booth we tried even had a horror theme with a relaxing narrative as you posed.

We played hard and never spent more than 5,000 yen (about $33 USD) at any arcade in Tokyo. Overall, our experience with Gigo 3 was affordable and engaging.

If you are traveling with children

After taking the outdoor escalator to the entrance Itchome amusement park,lie in Tokyo artificial island In Odaiba, I was surrounded by nostalgic neon tones and the most mechanical arcade games I had ever seen in my travels. Yes, it has some other gaming options, but the main attraction here is the variety of vintage machines, usually with some sort of interactive mechanical element. Despite their age and public access, most of the games here are in good condition.

The space isn’t huge, but around every corner we encountered unique experiences and happily spent a handful of yen coins. I used a small chef’s frying pan to mash the rodents while the target light flashed on the screen. My partner and I were spinning the cursor and trying to win our table tennis soccer game, which got a little too competitive. I almost hit three marbles in a row while playing the game Sailor Moon– Tic Tac Toe theme.

At Itchome Amusement Park, I saw many families with children and couples going on dates. This location is easily overlooked, right next to other family-oriented options such as LEGOLAND Discovery Center and Tokyo Fun Citybut honestly the train ride alone is worth it. We spent an hour and a half trying out the machine, and maybe could have spent another 30 minutes if the evening was less busy.

Be forewarned, any family outing at this playground is almost guaranteed to end with a trip to some nearby locations ice cream Shopping on the way back to hotel. It feels good.

Looking for other Japanese gaming centers worth visiting in Tokyo? We also enjoyed the Namco, hey skillsand Jigo #1— both in Akihabara, just a few blocks apart. For a more intimate experience, head to Takadanobaba, where Emperor Game Center There are a variety of vintage machines to choose from, and the nearby Natsuge Museum is a great spot for pinball enthusiasts.