I was used to hearing the term "Arcades" but they call them "Game Center" over here. Many Game Centers in Japan are closing down and one of the main causes seems to be because of the Wii. Folks prefer to stay at home on the Wii rather than fork out a few hundred yen per play in the game centers. I recently stopped at a game center to play Taiko no Tatsujin but never usually visit. The new generation games machines can now rival the graphics in game centers and the Wii provides the interactive experience. Do you spend time in the game centers in your region? Is Japan the only place that uses the term "Game Center" instead of "Arcades" ? News via Asahi.
Surely the wii cannot best the Gundam Simulator?
The Gundam P.O.D is the only game I would play when I go to a Japan Game Center. Too bad they don't have it here else I'll hog the machine the whole day burning my money away lol.
which a lot of people do. that game is one of the main reasons i keep going to game centers. and out run... and new shooters... and new fighters... and...
*D_Blade appears again!* (As long as it is a old-school-related topic, you can't get rid of me. Mwa ha ha!!) Ummm, I just feel that the Wii is undoubtly and effectively slowly killing Arcades, but they are not the only ones to blame. Emulation and remakes on consoles, but also the fact that many of them have their home versions and online possibilities is another thing to take into account. The last one can be the price... What went in the heads of the guys who manage "La tête dans les nuages" (A french SEGA arcade center that I have visited once when still in Paris) to raise the prices for one session to be at the (censored word, sorry for the sudden rudeness) price of two euros?! Needless to say I never played there. Well, the only games that can ever save Arcades are competition games such as the immortal DDR (and affiliated/related)... And the ability to play with the best rivals of your neighborhood. This said, I know there are Arcades downtown and am sure the prices are rather low when compared to the above example, but I will not play. ^^
By the way Danny, what are the usual prices for one session? (all different possibilities appreciated) Game Over, please insert coin... and save a dying industry.
Depending on the game I'd say 200yen average for more recent games. Older titles can be 20yen upwards to 100 - depending on space in the game center there can be overwhelming a lot of these cheaper machines. I tend to spend quite a long time in them still when I am bored :(
200 yen, seems okay to me... I'd go for the 20-100 yen ones in a heartbeat though. (Cheaper, possibly less crowded, etc.) ^^ Thanks for your input on this, Uradox. Helps me see clearer.
Yep - a few hundred yen
Thanks for the confirmation, Danny.
I find these places too loud ^^;;;; would prefer to play games and such in comfort of own home ^^;
Yes, the impossibility of sitting down when playing (simulation and DDR-related games naturally excluded) is a big point to keep in mind.
*Waits for dolphin joke. Sees none. Goes home*
they still call it arcade here, I actually have a cousin who owns a chain of gaming arcade here, he tells me business is still good. ^^
We have almost in all Shopping Centers here in Brazil, but most of them are outdated. It used to be popular... we even had illegal arcades around here running machines with no license. They're slowly dying here too. I visited... if I remember correctly, SEGA center in Akiba. Recorded a movie with my webcam of almost 4 floors before some staff told me "no photo". [:P] Did this happen to you too Danny? I'm not shure about this, but might've been related to the arcades I was filming... I'm still not shure, but I think they were for adults only or something. Anyways, Game Centers in Japan are awesome. I already knew Taiko no Tatsujin for PS2, but the arcade one is a lot better... I tried playing once. And saw this one guy in akiba playing on hard mode... he knew the stuff by heart. Anyways, I hope Game Centers don't completely die out there. They are amazing. I saw this one arcade on AkihabaraNews blog with a Gundam theme... awesome!
Arcade here, but they are very pathetic, we still see games from the 90' and nothing more, it's only for kids really. Only reason I ever used to go was to play DDR, which the machines only have the oldest mixes ever :/ Now that I have a mat at home, I haven't been to an arcade in years. Perhaps I'll try again when I'm in Japan sometime :P
that's a problem here too, we have old machines and all the good ones are ruined by the white kids here going nuts on them and eventually braking the machines -_-
You're calling old-school gamers "kids"?! *Mimics Nozomu* I'm in despair! The lack of respect that the new generation of gamers have for their older peers has left me in despair!!
I still play super mario original version. I even play pokemon yellow version sometimes...
when i was in japan, i went to game center's all the time, i personally love the environment of game centers. i love the darker area with flashing lights and loud noises, i love racing games also and unless you made a nice cockpit-like area you can't beat the car arcades.
we call Game Centers here as Arcades and there are still a lot of people who play at these places and it is still alive and kicking ^^ i guess this would be one of the few countries where Arcades can continue to survive recently, a local game center company introduced the card-based machine where users play with special trading cards which will be placed on the machine i've heard this kind of machine is popular in japan
hey Henry you talking about the Sangokushi Taisen game or the Mushi King/love & berry type game. ^^
If I may reply to that... yes, he's talking about the Three Kingdoms-based card game. It would be really nice to try that game out some time, but budget constraints keep me from doing so (I can't remember exactly how much the cars were, but I know they sort of exceed my weekly allotment for hobbies and such ^_^;). Not to mention that the machine is only available at a mall that's pretty far from where I live... :p
*I mean CARDS, not CARS. ^_^;;
ah! if it's the Three kingdom game, you have Danny to thank for that. ^^ if it wasn't for his post on the gundam version of the card game, they wouldn't have discovered all about it. ^^ lol
That, and the fact the game's mostly in kanji.
yep. the three kingdom based game ^^ we also have those love + berry and mushi king card games ^^
i remember going Mall of Asia in Manilla going timezone and some other gaming arcade there you're games are really outdated.. the only thing i can think of where you beat Australia to was Mario Kart... Arcades in Australia have slowly started to die now most people only play Maximum Tune 3, Initial D4, Tekken 6 and DDR maybe Time Crisis 4(or 5?) aswell
Lamentable, but true, only recently have we been getting the good stuff and up to date games(I still wish we had Virtua Fighter 5 here, but really, who'd play it?). We've got most of the games you've mentioned here however, and Mario Kart 2's also popping up. Always a blast. I think what's different about our arcades here is that they're more family-oriented. I could be wrong of course, but some arcades I've been to in other countries won't even let 12 year-olds in (I'm looking at you, HK).
I only go to game centers to play the Drums Mania or to kill some time before movie starts XD
I've seen a decline in the arcades around here as well (and yeah, they call it arcades). But the reason isn't because of the consoles but due to lack of maintenance and updates from the arcade shop itself. They only update around two or three arcade machines which are mostly fighters like Tekken, Soul Calibur and Street Fighter. If only the arcades here are as good as the ones in japan...i'm sure it'll still be a booming business. ^^ Not too many people here can afford the next gen consoles so arcade would be the next best thing for them.
Arcades are still pretty much alive here. I started out serious gaming on arcades, and I can tell that arcades are obviously dying everywhere. But in small countries (like Singapore) or places where the arcades are accessible and kept updated with the latest arcade releases (in terms of games) arcades are still pretty much alive and well. <a href="http://pantherrh.blogspot.com/2008/03/on-gaming.html">Something</a> I wrote based on two articles (link inside) well-written by Alex "Insomniac" Kierkegaard.
Ok either HTML does not work or I used wrong tags, sorry for the mistake and double-post.
Don't worry, I could modify the link and read the article (simply copy/paste and delete the part after "html")... Currently on the RPG one... The Arcade one almost made me cry... How could I see the business aspect of Arcades before the intrinsic good points/benefits that perspire in such places?
Haha it is ok, most people normally think in terms of business sense first. Only the ones who spend money there think of the goodness that an arcade can bring to them. After all, arcades operate on profit. Only right that you would think in money sense. Besides, over a long period of time a console is more worth it than going to an arcade, but of course, you give up on the community.
Sure there are benefits that cannot be gotten unless playing at arcades and that even online networks can't bring. I kinda have given up on consoles anyway, and new-generation ones don't appeal me at all, so it does not matter to me if I'm not in arcades or not going online... I'm bound to be out of the equation soon. O sad fate that beckons me. ^^
There aren't really many arcades here in the Netherlands,although any Bemani related (ddr,pop'n music,beatmania) will get me to a arcade.
I used to when i was still young! But then our game center here becomes jackpot machine and no more games were in there anymore then 8-10 years ago the government shut down all this so call game-center! Now no more game center in our region and it is now taken over by cyber cafe where bunch of youngster will go in to play online game
There are few of these game centers in Kuala Lumpur. Just that most of them having outdated games
i still like those arcade mahjong games that when you win over the cpu, the animated girl will strip for you... there is also a bowling version, when you score a strike, she will take off 1 piece of her clothes...so far i manage left her with only her pantsu...
Times Square has one heck of an arcade! There're many fun games over there, and I would definitely recommend it. Another place to find arcades would be Mid Valley. There are many other arcades around, but they're just not that big.
I think arcade market in USA is pretty much dead and it seems Japan is going that way as well. I think reason is because not only people can play arcade quality games at home, it's just that those arcade machines are too expensive for the arcades make decent profits now.
i used to go there to collect tickets or play shoot them ups. a great place to bring a date and have casual fun. but i think arcades, if they are unable to keep up with the next gen consoles, will fade away except for maybe a few. as people will then start looking for old school and classic games.
Never was much of one for arcades myself, though it's nevertheless a little sad to hear some of them aren't doing so well. There's one in Ximending, above all the hobby shops, which has a cool-looking Zaku game in which you get to use a neat Zaku machinegun as a controller. Might give that one a whirl at some point, though it looked like the console was a bit buggy earlier (it'd probably just been installed).
As the years go by, I've also noticed a decline in arcades around here. I used to go arcading weekly, but even I now hang around home on consoles/computer for entertainment over arcades. Here's a good article talking about Arcades and their slow road to extinction: http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_19730.aspx
Pinball games are indeed a dead genre... And arcades, except in Japan, are facing the harsh truth... Times have changed, needs and wants are different. Such is the merciless law of market.
Don't know of any arcades here. Never knew the Japanese used a different term, but when you think about it, it makes a lot more sense. Where does 'arcade' come from anyways?
In Indonesia, I think there's no fixed term for Arcade... sometimes people call them 'game centers' too, but as for the arcade center's name itself, almost none of them have 'arcade' word in it. The word 'game center' here is commonly used for the computer games center where people play online games... The game machines here are imported used machines -.- old games almost everywhere~ only a little of them are up-to-date. Such as DDR, Pump It Up (similar to DDR, originated from Korea), and several shooting games. (Time Crisis, etc.) I usually play the shooting games, but for now I like the aircraft simulator: After Burner Climax :D (2006)
After Burner Climax is awesome. Never played it myself, but just watching it was stunning already.
My arcade nearby is very old and very noisy...seem like waste of money for paying a dollor for every few minutes...computers can be like arcade buy one of those gaming pad, accesories,etc....but pac man and space invader is still classic and sometimes I play those from time to time
Old school classics FTW! I still love to play Galaga to this day. There aren't anywhere near as many arcades around DC as there used to be and the ones that are here generally are not well maintained. The ones that are charge an arm-and-a-leg: $0.75/play for a Galaga machine in Tysons Corner is ridiculous! Most of the machines are $1.00-3.00/play.
I own a Wii, but i don't see how console games can replace arcades, especially the Gundam one and the card based games. Personally, i actually quite like the smoke and noise. But i guess not everyone does.
Pretty much non existant here in Sweden..
I guess we've always called them arcades here. A lot of them have closed down here in Australia as well. There used to be a few "Timezone" (one of the big chains) in each major suburb. Now there's only a "Intencity" (which is owned by Village Roadshow) near a cinema here and there (they call themselves family entertainment centres btw). Man, I used spend so much coinage on Street Fighter IIs, Final Fight, The Punisher, Strider, TMNT, Marvel vs Capcom, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, etc. etc.
The Wii doesnt let you use awesome looking swords from that picture does it? If I went to Japan I would have to visit the Game Centers!! Arcades in the UK(that I've been to)have been pretty sucky... I still go occasionally, mostly when I'm at the seaside, with the DDR machines!! Wooooooooo!
Remember about this? Ha ha ha... *chokes and dies*
*Died too soon* -You found a note near the dead body- http://www.dannychoo.com/detail/mac/eng/image/1011/Wii+Weapons.html
I love arcades, but the arcade culture is dying in America. Ever since online gaming blew up, less and less kids have been coming to the arcade. Oh well...they're hardly worth it anymore, but I must say I'm sad to see Game Center culture dying in Japan as well. I thought it was still booming. Maybe booming in comparison to the American market.
I don't think we got a single one in my city, though I would love to go to one and try. But, Iprefer to stay at home.
The only game i play at arcades is Daytona Ver.1. *in before die old game, die!
Well, most of the arcades in Singapore are so outdated, when they still have Time Crisis 1 and Daytona Ver. 1 without the wheel and nitro mod.. No wonder people are going for the Wii.. Well, I still go there once in awhile to play the Gundam Shooter game, which is the latest of all the arcade games there..
You missed my post on the arcade community in Singapore, but you are right about the outdated part. Only TKA is mostly updated, and only Bugis' Virtualand is considered the best arcade in Singapore. All the top competition for arcade games around the island is there too. I should know since I used to play there seriously.
Actually, arcades are still pretty popular hereabouts. Not everybody can afford to own a home console, and the arcades are good fun, albeit in short bursts. They'll always be for me the places where all the weird games you want to play yet don't want own will be. Case in point: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/tokyo-found-insane-japanese-kicking-game-225190.php Counter to thst though: http://www.seanbaby.com/nes/naughty.htm
I go to the local arcade every weekend for over 4 hours with my pals. It's been like a routine for us since 2002. Now if only they bring that Taiko9 there... >_<
I could response that if i could find a arcade room in my country. It seems that all of them dissapear.
there's an arcade in almost every neighbourhood shopping centre here. in the past they have LAN gaming as well for people to play Counter strike. i think arcade is a waste of money unless u are very good at it. sometimes i think the arcade staff purposely set the game setting to very hard and give u very little lives to cheat us of our money. >.< nowadays arcades here are full of kids playing the DDR machine.
Gordon, scroll up and read my original comment regarding this.
Lol. This is how the arcade really works. Spend as little as possible. Each time you die restart the game don't go on the spot, it's pointless since you won't last as long. If you get the hang of the mechanics very well, finishing it in 1-3 coins isn't too hard. The better you do in early levels the longer you last because you're better at the game. WIth that understanding the later level enemies won't give you the WTF reaction when they do something new. If the game is stupid cheap and broken then it won't be played for a long time and will cause the company a loss. I really wish arcades are alive and well for the competetive fighting game scene. Nothing is more thrilling in the video game world than taking down an opponent who is better than you. I prefer fighting games over alot of other types of genres interms of multiplayer. The reason is that you get to learn your character well and understand the opponent well as well. It's not a matter of sitting infront of the monitor clicking for 6hours+ to get to that level or earn enough cash for that item. IT's all about learning and understanding. Strategy is important in fighting games as well and it comes with the knowledge of your's and the opponent's character. Of course, you must have the execution to do your strategy right. At times you also have to get the gist of defending properly so your opponent won't have that offensive advantage for long. Blah blah blah in the end it's all fun and good. You actually don't have to spend too much cash. You can copy other people's styles which are more solid first then after reaching that point you can go on from there with your own twist. I come to this site because I want to ask Danny how the fighting game players are like interms of character and such. Are there sore losers? Are gangsters the stereotype of arcade goers? Do high school girls kick ass?
I didn't hear the term "Game Center" anywhere around here (cause in my language it would sound silly ^^), nor in Europe. And no I don't attend to arcades, I've got my compy at home ;P
Carpetted arcades like Casino in Goodge Street, London are smelly though. There are girls who played there and they look good but still the man smell in that arcade is rofls. In short here is the equation Carpet+Arcade+Hordes of men+ Sweat+ Carpet+ Random tramps+Unwashed carpet+KFC oil = unspeakable
This guy gives a good insight on how arcade culture works though. http://insomnia.ac/commentary/arcade_culture/ Definitely a one to read and hopefully some will understand why the games are made challenging. What people want as well is massive participation in games I suppose. In MMO anything you can have everyone in your circle to team up, play together and have fun instead of queueing for a play and such. Overall gaming is just more convenient now if you ask me which is the reason why people are overall less interested in arcade gaming.
Lol did you take that off mine, I listed that in my own blog as well. But yea, the best read on how arcades work so far that I have seen. The community there, that is.
I'm sure everyone who's into arcade or obscure gaming would come across this website. :) Good for you to put Neige as your avatar btw. ^-^x
Oh yeah so totally offtopic but I love Blanc Neige, especially her Wind look.
Hmm I'm coming to Singapore on the way back home.,, I propose a duel in whatever game you're best at preferably Guilty Gear AC, Melty Blood, Tekken6 or Virtua Fighter 5. I can't play any PC games and the like though. D:
used to go to the arcades every sunday with my best bud. He said he's gonna end up in Hell one day cos he's always at the arcade with me instead of church. lol. But we got married (NOT to each other!!!) and have never stepped into an arcade since.
I like going to the arcade once in a while, it's a great stress reliever... Though sometimes, it sometimes adds more stress coz' I always keep dying and I need to pay to continue!
I always enjoyed that aspect of the arcades. Skill and effort are actually worth something (the better you are...the less money you use - a good reason to give it your best). Home consoles rob you of that experience. Like if you lose, doesn't really matter since you can always continue/retry for free.
