First Experience in Japanese Arcade Buildings

Gaming culture (especially arcade games) are one of the widely known things about Japanese pop culture. Many interesting yet bizarre games are played in Japanese arcade buildings, and they attract all kinds of gamers from around the world. From casual players that just play for the fun of it to hardcore gamers that could beat the hardest levels with ease. If there are foreigners that are either visiting or living in Japan that haven't been to the arcade buildings in Japan, then they are REALLY missing out!

Japanese arcade had a variety of games that are mixed with retro games from the past to futuristic games that are changing depending on trends. Since the gaming world is getting into VR more often, there's a VR Zone in Shinjuku where you can race alongside Mario, go into a haunted hospital, and (my recommendation) testing your courage by saving a kitty while walking in a plank at a 200m (656ft) skyscraper. （＊〇□〇）……！

My experience with Japanese Arcade Buildings

I took the chance to go to an arcade building near Yokohama Station with my best friend. We first went to the crane thing because why not? We spent the first ten minutes trying to get one toy that I had a ton of close times of winning it. I spent over 600円 (about $6 American dollars) for that one toy...(◍˃̶ᗜ˂̶◍)ﾉ”

I ended up quitting the game and we went upstairs to the second floor to play a Fast and Furious arcade game. We raced each other twice and I ended up barely beating him by inches. Before we left, the game suddenly switched back to selecting the track. I realized there were two random Japanese guys that wanted to challenge me, and I thought "What could go wrong?" They destroyed me... I haven't passed either of them once...

ノ￣□￣)ノ ~┻━┻

To be fair, they do have those cards to save data whenever you play the game, so that's probably one of the biggest reasons why they destroyed me.  They're like memory cards for PS2 system (for people that remember that aching moment of their childhood).

On the third floor, we played the arcade version of Pokken Tournament, the first time I actually played the full version of the game. I didn't have the chance to play the full game when I was in America because I was too broke to get the game itself. So, I mostly go to gaming stores to play the trial version. I was mostly playing Pikachu since I am more into speed and quickness rather than power. I won the first game, and my best friend won the second and third game (but the third one was kinda controversial since we hit each other at the same time)...

We skipped the fourth floor since it deals with gambling (and neither of us wasn't old enough to gamble...), and we went to the fifth floor to see the action and strategy games. We didn't really play any games, but we were amazed by the games and confused about the instructions the gamers are making. 

We finally went to the sixth floor but it was mainly girly games. So, we immediately left. (ᗒᗜᗕ)՛̵̖

Final thoughts about arcade buildings in Japan

Overall, I had an amazing experience at a Japanese arcade building and I really would like to go there again the next time I go to Yokohama. However, a good reminder to not go to the crane games first so I won't lose about 1000円 ($10)...

If you liked this article, make sure to check my article about 5 Misconceptions About Traveling To Japan as well!