Akihabara

If you’re a video game collector, you’ve either dreamed of visiting Akihabara or have already made your way there. Truth be told, Tokyo’s electric mecca isn’t quite what it once was; it used to be the best place in the world to seek out rare releases, but that was before the internet trivialized buying used games. Akiba (as it’s commonly known) has shifted with trends over time, and it doesn’t usually offer the same value or exclusivity that it once did. You’re far less likely to successfully dig in the crates for your…

Bandai Namco is set to open a new arcade in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, taking over a building previously occupied by Sega. The new arcade, set to open on March 1, will be situated in the same building that previously housed the popular Sega Akihabara Arcade 4. After Sega sold off many of its arcades in 2020 due to a downturn in the COVID pandemic, many either closed or rebranded to GiGO, owned by new buyer Genda. According to TechRaptor, the Bandai Namco arcade will feature a variety of arcade machines including…

Still not loving that logo This past September, we were sad to report that the massive Sega GiGO Building 4 arcade located in the Tokyo borough of Akihabara was closing after being a staple spot for 11 years. It seemed like an unfortunate victim of Japan’s shrinking arcade market. However, this past January, it was reported that the site would become a Bandai Namco Arcade in its place, set to open this March. Thanks to Genki_JPN on Twitter, we now have a look at the building’s new facade. The former SEGA turned “GiGO”…

No More Credits Genda GiGO Entertainment is preparing to roll down the shutters on another Tokyo arcade center. On September 25, at the close of business, the GiGO Akihabara Arcade Building 4, will wish its final players a fond farewell. As is the case with many of Japan’s dwindling arcade centers, the GiGO center has reached the end of its current lease with the building owners, with GiGO choosing to close down the arcade rather than renew its contract. Any of Center 4’s remaining roles, such as its hosting of the…