A Grand Tour of the Japanese Arcades in Akihabara, Tokyo: A Picture Gallery

Japanese arcades are what American arcades dream about.

Along the main street in Akihabara, Tokyo—the mecca for all things anime, manga, video games, and maid café—the major arcades which include Taito Station and several Sega/Club Sega venues are five stories high. Even with all of the local shops and throngs of tourists and Japanese locals, these arcades stand out with their bold-red facades and towering presence.

Each floor typically represents an entire genre of games (rhythm, fighting, digital card games, racing), and the major arcades try not to compete too aggressively against each other by offering different games, apart from the numerous UFO Catcher crane games that typically fill the first and second floors. The higher floors usually house the latest hardcore games with multiple, back-to-back cabinets for Tekken 7, Dissidia Final Fantasy, Pokken Tournament, and Taiko Drum Master (just to name a spare few).

Despite how packed the arcades are, especially after work hours, it's easy to find an open seat and plop down 100 yen (about one US dollar or less) per play, sometimes two plays. Every arcade cabinet is well-serviced and well-maintained with workers ready to help if a machine sucks your money.

Most of the arcade players were young men, as you might suspect, though there were a few kids and parents around. I only saw a handful of female players, with one particular photo-booth area that was actually female-only, I suppose because there have been unfortunate incidents in the past that warrant making photo booths (which are gender-neutral and perfect for couples) into female-only areas. The other thing to note is that, like everywhere else in Japan, there are vending machines throughout the arcade selling coffee, tea, milk tea, and Coke (there is no diet soda) for about a buck. Stay hydrated, people!

Japanese Arcades in Akihabara

Beatmania

Look at that ridiculous combo! Respect!
Beatmania Close-Up

Here's a closeup of the turntable for the latest Beatmania title.
Blazblue

Finally, an arcade cabinet for Blazblue.
World Club Champion Football

This takes fantasy sports to a whole new level. Here, you play with a deck of cards made of soccer players from around the world, put them on a table, and hold matches as a manager.
World Club Champion Football Cards

Some cards are rarer than others, of course. It's all about luck and money.
World Club Champion Football Title

Just a close-up of the title. It's fairly small compared to the wide screen below it.
Code of Joker Players

See? I wasn't lying.
Code of Joker Machines

A fairly popular digital card game made by Sega.
Dance Dance Revolution Screen

A close-up of the DDR screen. If I was already tired from walking, I would have played a few rounds.
Dance Dance Revolution

The latest reincarnation of Dance Dance Revolution, which I hope comes to the States some time.
Dissidia Final Fantasy

Dissidia Final Fantasy is ridiculously popular. So it's bit sad that it didn't take as well in the States.
Dissidia Final Fantasy Audience

It's even popular to watch. I found a few female players waiting by the wings to play.
Dissidia Final Fantasy Open Spots

And the Dissidia arcade cabinets are gorgeous too.
Dragonball 2v2 Arena Gameplay

The 2v2 format doesn't play too far from the recent Dragonball Z titles.
Dragonball 2v2 Arena

The 2-v-2 arena format is fairly standard in Japanese arcade games and we're seeing Bandai Namco embrace this throughout their catalog.
Drum Mania v8

Drummania is still going strong in Japan. I wish there was a Rock Band-style Japanese game for co-operative play.
Fighting Games

There's usually at least one whole floor based all on fighting games.
Fighting Game Compilations

If a fighting game becomes a hit, it is gradually introduced in this cabinet which combines the greatest fighting games together like Ultra Street Fighter IV and Darkstalkers.
Flip That Table

Yes, this is that fabled game where you can flip a table in anger and score points for inflicting as much damage as possible.
Gitadora Tri Boost Drums

It makes Expert drums in Rock Band look easy.
Gitadora Tri Boost Guitar

This guy was playing on double speed. That's a bit insane.
Good Parenting

First off, this is a father showing his kid how to play a game at an arcade. Now that's awesome parenting.
Groove Coaster

This rhythm-based action title is a visual feast.
Guitar Freaks

Welcome to Guitar Hero's and Rock Band's grandfather.
Gundam Extreme Vs-Force

Gundam is still going strong after all these years in Japan. It's a legacy, really.
Gundam Extreme Vs-Force Screens

Bandai Namco is bringing this game to Vita in 2016.
Left 4 Dead

Oh, yes, Left 4 Dead has an arcade version in Japan.
Luigi\'s Mansion Arcade

$Luigi\'s Mansion Arcade$
And even Luigi's Mansion has an arcade. Where am I? This is amazing!
Mahjong Evolution More

No, Nick. NO!
Mahjong Evolution

I play a lot of Japanese mahjong in the Yakuza video game series. I'm glad I didn't sit down to this, or I would be wasting hours here.
Mario Kart

Mario Kart has an arcade cabinet that's fairly expensive, but it's still extremely fun.
Wangan Midnight

This racing series is based on a manga, much like the Initial D racing game you might see around American arcades.
Arcade Exhibition

Sometimes, expert players hold an exhibition of their gameplay, amassing huge crowds that are impossible to get through.
Playing Cards Video Game

There are multiple CCG arcade games available that have you collect physical cards to play them.
Pokemon Tretta

Just like the CCG game from the previous page, Pokemon Tretta requires specific pogs with Pokemon on them to play. They only cost about 30 cents a pop at a gaming store.
Pokken Tournament

Yep, this is the fabled Pokken Tournament, a third-person fighting game featuring everyone's favorite Pokemon. Can't wait for it to arrive here in the States.
Pokken Tournament Lucario

The same arcade cabinet, really, just with Lucario on the front.
Pokken Tournament Controller

A close-up look at the wide silver controller that's tethered to the cabinet. It's even wider than the N64 controller!
Pump It Up Japanese Edition

Usually, the DDR-esque Pump It Up is filled with K-pop given that's it a Korean game. This version is filled with J-pop for the audience.
Rhythm Games

Sometimes, an entire floor can be dedicated to the rhythm genre. For me, it's heaven on Earth.
Ju Beat

This rhythm game uses 16 transparent squares that you need to tap. It's trickier than it seems.
Super Mario Bros.

In case you're feeling nostalgic, you can play some retro games like Super Mario Bros. in this series of cabinets.
Taiko Drum Master

Probably my favorite rhythm game in the arcade, Taiko Drum Master has you hitting the center and the side of a giant taiko drum. Very easy to pick up.
Taiko Drum Master Wide Shot

A wider shot that includes the drums.
Taito Station

Along with Club Sega, Taito Station is among the largest arcades in Akihabara.
Tekken 7 Arcade

Lots of Tekken 7 cabinets were occupied. Very good sign.
Tekken 7 Other Side

Fighting game cabinets are placed back-to-back, so that the other player can't see what the other player is doing. That said, the arcade version of Tekken 7 has online matchmaking, so you can play against an online opponent at any time.
Tekken 7

Surprisingly, Tekken 7 is probably the most popular fighting game in Japanese arcades at the moment.
UFO Catcher

These crane games generally fill the first and second floors of an arcade, attracting more casual players.
UFO Catcher Neko Atsume

Don't tell our writer Gil Almogi about this crane game with Neko Atsume dolls, or he will lose all his money.
UFO Catcher Patamon

I'm a sucker for Patamon from the Digimon series. I tried getting him for 500 yen. It didn't work.
Virtual Fighter 5 Final Showdown Very Hard

And just in case you think you're awesome, there are specialized cabinets with Very Hard AI here.
Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown

Virtua Fighter is fairly popular as well and had a lot of promotion given that its a Sega game in a Club Sega.
Women-Only Photo Booths

Apparently, men looking at women at photo booths is a large enough problem that only women are allowed at these booths now.