Arcade Centers in Japan Are Closing Down One After The Other

Explore the dwindling world of arcade centers in Japan and the rise of crane games. Stay updated with the latest retro gaming news.

[1Victor]

Insert a (What’s an arcade center?) JK here
With the current state of gaming it’s almost a miracle there’s arcade centers open anywhere as gaming has became as common as flies on a dead rat with all mobile games available on phone that would had been a massive coins drainage 30 years ago

[Concertoine]

This is in contrast with the arcade industry in America which is coming back from Japan is just now going through. With the 80s nostalgia and Stranger things romanticizing it for a new generation. Also, at least around me, a lot more arcade machines in bars and barcades for the generation(s) that had arcades.

For reference Im 27 and got into arcades more as an adult than a kid

[redknight80]

So sad - I so greatly enjoyed the arcades over there when I visited!

[ROCKY28]

arcades just like inside malls are a dying breed :(

[Trilithon]

if i was bezos ballin id open an underground arcade and make it free. dark and dingy with neon lights everywhere. Host tournaments for all the classics and sit in a big chair like an Outworld emperor.

[hard joe]

japan is closing down too

[CrimsonWing69]

Gone is an era. It sucks a lot, too. Like as a kid from the 90s I still recall the vibe and atmosphere of a crowded arcade. It bums me out knowing that something that will be gone forever.

[CobraKai]

Arcades in my part of California are a joke. Literally Apps on big ass screens. The last true arcade i knew of died a decade ago.

[aaronaton]

They need to change models, i've been to the arcade in Akihabara and they aren't a patch on 'Arcade Club' in Bury/UK.
'Arcade Clubs' model is that you pay a flat fee of £15, and every machine is on Free Play.

[Asterphoenix]

Enjoyed playing some games on arcade before it came over here when I visited years ago. Makes me hope they can do Lord of Vermillion on console.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

It's rare to even seen a Timezone in Australia these days, I remember when they used to be in some malls when I was a little kid, good times.

It's sad to see them die off in Japan as well, I guess it's time to add another row or two of Pachinkos then.

[RiseNShine]

At least we now have things like Arcade Time Capsule in VR, that's basically your own private arcade with UE5 graphics, it's just ridiculous how good it is, or Age of Joy for Quest 3 that lets you put arcades in your room in mixed reality.