Tokyo’s best video game arcades in Akihabara. where to go, what to do?

If you’re a racing game fan, you’ll love this stop.Game Center’s history as a Sega arcade leaves so many great classics available for a swim Manx TT Super Bike cars to a Rad Mobile: a game you play sitting in a mini car.I could spend at least an hour jumping between the different wheels of these retro cars.

Compared to when we visited the Namco Game Center earlier down the street, the selection of rhythm games where hitting the controllers earns you points was pretty similar, although we were able to play many rhythm games without feeling the need to move because of our were other patrons queuing up behind.It was nice to try all the rhythm experiences for the first time and was my personal favorite Sega’s Maimai machine. I was amazed as I watched nearby players smash all eight buttons in time with the music, sliding their fingers across the screen as they pulled off combos; out in a wicked sweat.

Another nice experience is the photo booth section for travelers at Gigo 3. Although it’s mostly filled with teenage girls getting their makeup done, touching up their hair, and trying on crispy blonde wigs, we had a blast taking pictures in the booths and couldn’t stop laughing because the software distorted our facial features disproportionately until we looked like ghosts aliens.One booth we tried even had a horror theme with a light story as you hit the poses.

We went hard on the games and never went over ¥5,000 (about $33) at the Tokyo arcades.Overall, our experience at Gigo 3 was budget-friendly and magnetic.

Mario controls his field.

Photo: James Matsumoto/Getty

If you are traveling with children

After riding the outdoor escalator to reach the entrance 1-chome Playlandis located An artificial island in Tokyo In Odaiba, I was surrounded by nostalgic neon hues and the most mechanical arcade games I’d seen all trip. Yes, it had a few other game options, but the main attraction here was the assortment of vintage machines, often some sort of interactive, mechanical one. Despite age and public use, most of the games here were in great shape.

The space isn’t huge, but we ran into unique experiences around every corner and happily spent fistfuls of yen coins. I used the chef’s little pan to crush the rodents as the target lights flashed on the screen. My partner and I got a little too competitive, spinning the cursors and trying to win ours In a ping pong game, I almost landed three pinballs in a row Sailor Moon– themed tic-tac-toe.

At 1-chome Playland, I saw many families with young children as well as couples out on aesthetic dates.The location is easy to overlook, right next to other family-oriented options such as Legoland Discovery Center and: Tokyo Joyopolisbut it’s honestly worth the train ride on its own.We spent an hour and a half trying out the cars and probably could have spent another 30 minutes on a less busy night.

Just be warned that any family outing at this arcade is almost guaranteed to end in a nearby ride. ice cream shopping on the way back to the hotel It just feels right.

Looking for other Japanese gaming centers worth visiting in Tokyo?We also enjoyed our time Namco:, HEY Skill:and: GiGO #1— All in Akihabara and just a few blocks away.For a more intimate experience, head to Takadanobaba, where Mikado Game Center has a solid selection of retro machines, and the nearby Natsuge Museum is a fantastic stop for pinball fanatics.