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Japan, Arcades & Gaming
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jase38 View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 October 2009
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Points: 494 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jase38 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 March 2012 at 8:57pm
Takadanobaba Arcade Game Centres
Located in Tokyo's Shinjuku ward, Takadanobaba is a transport hub for commuters and with many educational institutions nearby there are a large number of students.  As we arrive at the JR platform and the doors slide open, the Astro Boy theme tune can be heard over the hustle and bustle.  Very cool.   Astro Boy was supposedly born in Takadanobaba and the JR platform uses the theme music from the TV series to signal the departure of a train. 

 

Anyways on with the arcades�.


Mikado Arcade

 

It's difficult to say which is the best arcade in Japan as it depends on the gamers tastes, but Mikado is definitely up there with the best of them, along with Taito HEY and Try Amusement Tower.  The arcade is located next to Takadanobaba Train Station tracks. 


Here are some of my personal highlights:

Space Harrier � Man I love this game.  If the arcade only had this game I'd still be happy!  Just a shame there was no Planet Harriers!

 

OutRun � hydraulic sit-down version.  Again, I will never tire of this.  Awesome.


After Burner � another Sega classic.

 

Virtua Fighter 2 � like an old friend I hadn't seen for years!  It's strange how the classic Street Fighter games are still very common in the Japanese arcades, but earlier Virtua Fighter instalments are a rare sight indeed.



Marble Madness � this was the first time I had ever played this game.  Great fun, but I was rubbish, totally unable to keep the marble on the course for any length of time!


Star Blade � I had completely forgotten how awesome this Namco classic is!  The game is very atmospheric, the visuals slick and totally immersive.  The 3D effect totally puts the new Konami racing games featuring 3D glasses to shame.


R-Type and Ninja Spirit / Saigo no Nindou � two of Irem's finest right there!


Rainbow Islands � one of my all time faves.


Ninja Warriors � another awesome find!  I remember playing this in a zoo in the UK years ago, and even back then one of the screens wasn't working!

 

Solar Assault � I had seen screen shots of this back in the day, and was very happy to finally get to play it.  The game plays better than I had ever imagined, and is very faithful to the Gradius / Nemesis series.  It's a shame Konami didn't explore this concept further.



Konami's Solar Assault - Stage 1 youtube video

< ="BLOGGER-youtube-video" id=":D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" code="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" -thumbnail-="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/b3yhMyjG_mk/0.jpg" height="266" width="320">< name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/b3yhMyjG_mk&fs=1&source=uds">< name="" value="#FFFFFF">< width="320" height="266" ="http://www.youtube.com/v/b3yhMyjG_mk&fs=1&source=uds" ="application/x-shockwave-flash">

The arcade also sells a selection of superplay DVD's and sound track CD's.


I could have spent hours here.  Easily one of my fave arcades of the trip. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Hakucho Game Plaza


This is a small arcade located on the corner of the street leading to Mikado arcade.

 
 
 


BIG BOX


This is a Taito Station located on one foor of the BIG BOX department store.  And I do mean one floor � the whole level is an arcade!

 
 
 
 



Edited by LukeWells - 30 March 2012 at 9:04pm
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jase38 View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 October 2009
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Points: 494 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jase38 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 April 2012 at 3:47pm
Shinjuku
I had read some good reviews of the Tempura Tsuahachi Restaurant in Shinjuku, so one evening we decided to check it out.  The restaurant was a bit of a struggle to find, but well worth it.  The meal was lovely, particularly the conga eel and it was good watching the chef prepare our tempura just a couple of feet away from us.



When we came out of the restaurant, it was raining heavily so we decided to take refuge in a nearby arcade, ESTADIO Paseo. 


When we entered the arcade a kind gentleman saw my wifey was wet and offered her his umbrella before promptly leaving! 




During our time in Shinjuku we also visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Building and the Park Hyatt Tokyo Hotel.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Building is truly spectacular, as are the views from the observation decks which are open free to the public.  The building was designed by Kenzo Tange.  His other projects include the Odaiba Fuji TV building and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.


View from the observation deck.


�For relaxing times, make it Suntory time�

Lost in Translation is one of my all time favourite films, along with Alien and Blade Runner.  We paid a visit to the Park Hyatt Tokyo Hotel which features in the film and had a beer in the New York Bar on the 52nd floor.  The bar offers an amazing view of Tokyo and it's just like how it is in the film, with the same atmosphere and a band in full swing.  Sadly the lovely Scarlett Johansson wasn't about though.






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Joined: 08 August 2010
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Points: 10752 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote IDCHAPPY Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 April 2012 at 5:44pm
Excellent pics buddy Clap
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Joined: 08 February 2007
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 Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote vib_ribbon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 April 2012 at 6:21pm
i get dizzy whenever i am in tokyo and your photos make me very dizzy too! but good to see that they have multi lingual signs up now in the underground, i've not been for a few years so that is news to me!
Please don't sell me anymore stuff!
Games fixed: 001 (green beret) 002 (ikari warriors) 003 (victory road) 004 (sfz2) 005 (double dragon) 006 (final fight) 007 (sky shark) 008 (ninja turtles)
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Joined: 18 June 2010
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Points: 5563 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stevearcade Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 April 2012 at 7:56pm
Amazing pictures man! For a nation that has a reputation for always having the latest technology I love that they have loads of old cab running (some really old). Also, there's clearly such a different ethos over there towards video arcades and going out to play games. I love it. Can't wait to get over there and visit these places.

Thanks for sharing all these pictures man.

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Put that in your PCB test rig and smoke it!
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Joined: 02 April 2011
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Points: 887 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Casey120 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 April 2012 at 9:52pm
Awesome , I have seen some before on A.O.

I especially like that old smelly Nanboya Arcade still kicking the early Candy's Thumbs Up
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vib_ribbon View Drop Down
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Joined: 08 February 2007
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 Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote vib_ribbon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 April 2012 at 10:23pm
what's the funny thing they have on the 3rd fire buttons?
Please don't sell me anymore stuff!
Games fixed: 001 (green beret) 002 (ikari warriors) 003 (victory road) 004 (sfz2) 005 (double dragon) 006 (final fight) 007 (sky shark) 008 (ninja turtles)
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Joined: 26 July 2005
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 Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote river9999uk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 April 2012 at 10:40pm
Awesome I REALLY want to go to Japan now! How much do I need to save up ? :-)
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Joined: 20 October 2009
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Points: 4271 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote EQUITES Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 April 2012 at 12:49pm
Awesome thread, pictures are fantastic.  I recognise many places on my recent visit to Japan in Summer 2010.
 
I'm impressed that you managed to find a Starblade!
Atari PCB's (and most non-Atari), AR2's, Vector Deflection/HV boards repaired & refurbished.
Wanted: Non-working Atari PCBs.
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Joined: 20 February 2011
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Points: 7714 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rcantor77 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 April 2012 at 1:11pm
Jase, thanks for some great pics and a very nice write up of your trip... was a great way to spend my lunch break reading through all that.

Brings back some great memories of my trips to Japan, will definitley have to go back soon to see my  friends. Still need to get to Osaka and Hiroshima, they look beautiful.

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Joined: 08 November 2010
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Originally posted by vib_ribbon vib_ribbon wrote:

what's the funny thing they have on the 3rd fire buttons?
It's an autofire circuit button, they usually say Rapid Fire or Rapid A on them.
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jase38 View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 October 2009
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Shibuya and Harajuku

Shibuya


For me there is no better place that captures the energy of modern Japan than Shibuya crossing. 


I was pleased to track down the statue of Hachiko, a dog who waited on his late master at Shibuya Station every day from 1923 to 1935, eventually becoming a national celebrity for his loyalty.  Here's a pic of me giving Hachiko a big hug!


Shibuya Kaikan Monaco Arcade is a short walk away from the intersection.



The arcade may seem a little run down and decrepit, don't let that put you off.  This is truly a gamer's arcade, featuring rows of New Astro City's with a nice mixture of classics and the latest Cave offerings.  And the best bit of all � games are set to 50 Yen per credit!  Sadly my camera battery died so I wasn't able to take any pics inside the arcade.


Harajuku


I took the Mrs to Harajuku as it is considered a fashion capital of the world, renowned for its street fashion.  The shopping district features many clothing brands, both international brands and its own.  Somewhat bizarrely and unexpectedly, the Mrs seemed to enjoy spending time in the arcades more than looking round the clothes shops!

The new OutRun game is shaping up nicely!




Meiji Shrine


Here are some pics of Meiji Shrine.  Tokyo's most famous Shinto Shrine, it is dedicated to the late 19th century emperor who opened Japan to the West.  We visited the shrine on a Sunday morning, and were lucky to catch a traditional Japanese wedding in progress.  The lush greenery and serene atmosphere is a striking contrast to the modern Japan outside.
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Joined: 22 August 2010
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Very nice Clap!  Thanks for posting!
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Points: 95 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote e030deltron Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 April 2012 at 5:42pm
Jase, Nice pics and write up, that outrun mini cockpit is beautiful. Makes me laugh All the bright lights and colour Of jap, then you get to the uk and its all grey. I did'nt hear about that Capcom UK Fight Club Tour. Where abouts are you? i'm in gorleston bout 20 miles form norwich.
WTB Star Wars upright
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Points: 602 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Theory Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 April 2012 at 6:38pm
Great photos, very similar trip to ours but with even more arcades trips fitted in! We even went to Koya-san which was as you say was a really peaceful place. I need to start planning another visit now
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Joined: 16 January 2006
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Points: 5506 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote virtvic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 April 2012 at 7:22pm
Funnily enough I went on my honeymoon in 2010 to Japan!

My favourites were Odaiba Decks ('cos of the old stuff that still looked brand new) and Taito Hey.

I wish I could have had a container to have brought back all the stuff I saw. Cry
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Neo SC-19 4 Slot

About The Cab
Well here it is!  The first cab to go in my new games room!  I picked this cab up on a cold snowy day way back in December 2010.  Due to the snow a six hour round trip turned into an epic ten hour trip.  But it was well worth it! 


Overall the cab was in very nice condition, with a beautiful burn free monitor.  The main items which needed attention were the coin mech, (not working), some rusty / corroded internal parts and worn buttons.  Also the instruction strip on the monitor bezel had darkened due to age / heat and I was really pleased to find a spare bezel complete with a good condition instruction strip on YHJ.




The monitor screen protector had some scratches which were quite noticeable during play.  I tried polishing out the scratches but with little success as they were too deep.  In the end I purchased a repro screen cover from BlingStix / FrancoB (Arcade Otaku).  I must say that FrancoB's work is consistently excellent and the screen protector is perfect.


It's a cracking little cab, and I'm really pleased with its condition.  It still has a couple of battle scars from a life inside a Japanese arcade, namely the cigarette burns inside the hood (cunningly hidden by Neo Geo stickers) and a couple of small imperfections on the body work, but I can live with these.  After all it's these battle scars which give the cab character!





Work Done By Previous Owner
1.         Cabinet shell cleaned.
2.         Neo Geo stickers added inside the blue hood to cover cigarette burn marks.
3.         Rusty / corroded carriage bolts, hood screws and marquee holder screws replaced.
4.         Sticks and ball tops replaced (LS-32's).

Work Done By Me
1.         Strip down / internal clean � the internals were quite dusty.
2.         Rusty / corroded internal support bars / brackets and coin box re-sprayed with Hammerite direct to rust metal paint smooth silver.
3.         Two new feet pads fitted - one original foot was missing.
4.         4 Slot mobo disassembled and cleaned.
5.         Monitor bezel replaced with one sourced from YHJ - the instruction strip on the original bezel had darkened due to age / heat.
6.         Scratch on back touched up with Hammerite white appliance touch-up paint.
7.         NOS 100 Yen coin mech fitted:
            NOS: Asahi Seiko                   Original: Asahi Seiko
                Model: 720-A/B                       Model: 720-A/B                      
                No. 0695668                           No: 0380637
8.         New repro monitor screen protector fitted - original screen had deep scratches.  Rusty / corroded bolts replaced.
9.         Plastic hood, marquee holder and bezel instruction strip polished with Novus.
10.       Genuine Japan �1 Play 100 Yen' sticker added to cabinet door.
11.       Carriage bolts replaced on CP end caps - old bolts rusty / corroded.
12.       CP wiring cleaned.
13.       CP, P1, P2 and select buttons replaced with the following:

            P1            Seimitsu PS-14-DN  Black rim / red button             x1
                P2            Seimitsu PS-14-DN  Black rim / blue button            x1
                Select      Seimitsu PS-14-DN  Black rim / yellow button        x1
                CP            Seimitsu PS-14-G    Black rim / red button             x2
                CP            Seimitsu PS-14-G    Black rim / yellow button        x2
                CP            Seimitsu PS-14-G    Black rim / green button         x2
                CP            Seimitsu PS-14-G    Black rim / blue button            x2
14.       Coin box lock replaced � original lock missing.

The Games
This will be my dedicated MVS cabinet, although with an MVS to Jamma adapter it can be used for horizontal Jamma games if desired. 

At the moment I have the following games in the 4 slot:

1. Viewpoint (hard as nails but one of my favourite games ever!)


2. Strikers 1945 Plus


3. Twinkle Star Sprites


4. Neo Bomber Man


As you can see the selection is quite shooter orientated.  Since getting this cab, I've been getting more into SNK / Neo Geo games.  There's a great selection of MVS titles available at very affordable prices.


It's great that the NG:DEV.TEAM are keeping the MVS format alive and I'm especially looking forward to playing Gunlord.

Many thanks to tart31 / Martyn for this awesome cab!
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Joined: 13 January 2012
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Points: 1100 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ex_Mosquito Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 June 2012 at 8:41pm
Amazing pictures/blog dude! I went to Tokyo in 09' with a mate, amazing place. It's crazy how video games are so part of the culture. I'll never get over seeing a random guy walk into Hey arcade in aki on a monday, a monday night!! And completing Ghouls n' Ghost with 1-credit and just leaving. I wish the UK had that love for 2D skill based games...
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Joined: 18 December 2010
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 Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RygarR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 June 2012 at 9:34pm
Wow, what a fantastic thread - must've been a great holiday. Thanks for posting all the pics here so the rest of us could live it vicariously!

Cry
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Joined: 29 October 2009
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Capcom Mini Cute - Pink Edition
?

Here is my Capcom Mini Cute � Pink Edition.  Luckily the Mrs took a shine to this cabinet and didn't need too much convincing!


The cabinet is in excellent condition, and looks great next to the Neo SC-19.


I haven't had to do anything bar a light clean inside.  The pink exterior has been re-sprayed and I must say a superb job was made.  The monitor is amazing � sharp, bright, clear and burn free.  The previous owner mentioned that there was a fault with the H-size pot but I haven't looked into this yet.


This cabinet originally came in three flavours � Pink, yellow and turquoise.  The cabinet is very well built and has a surprising amount of room inside for such a small cab.


Work Done By Previous Owners
1.         Ball tops and buttons renewed.
2.         Repro marquee holder fitted.
3.         CP re-sprayed.
4.         CP overlay renewed (MCS Arcade repro).
5.         Pink exterior re-sprayed.
6.         Side art in poor condition, art replaced (MCS Arcade repro).
7.         White exterior cleaned.  Small scuff on side touched up.

Work Done By Me
1.         Internal clean.

To Do
1.         Check monitor H-size pot.  Repair / replace pot if faulty.
2.         Replace sticks (LS-32's) � shafts are worn.


The Games
Unlike the Neo SC-19, the monitor can be rotated.  I love Cave games and have always been curious about Pink Sweets so this seemed like a perfect match!

Many thanks once again to tart31 / Martyn for this awesome cab!
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