6 reasons why Tokyo is a gamer's paradise

There are lots of things to love about living in Tokyo. The food is unbelievable, the sights are gorgeous, and there is always something interesting going on. Above all, though, you have to appreciate the thriving gaming culture that Tokyo celebrates. Everything from old school to the next-gen games are incredibly popular, and have had a fairly large impact on Tokyo culture—and that’s just one of the reasons why Tokyo is a gamer’s paradise. Here are the rest:

1. Old school gaming is alive and well

Back in the day when Nintendo was king, nearly all of the good video games came from Japan. Zelda, Final Fantasy, and Mega Man, to name a few, were all personal favorites that I’d love to play again. Sure, I can get all of these games via the Nintendo 3DS’s Virtual Console, but in Tokyo, I can find the original cartridges and play them on their original consoles, just like God intended. The Akihabara district has numerous stores where you can pick up some old school consoles and games, although the best of the lot is, in my opinion, Super Potato. Definitely stop by if you’re in the neighborhood, and treat yourself to some good-old-fashioned nostalgia.

(See: Discussion: what games from before the year 2000 should everyone still play?)

2. Thriving arcades

Arcades may be a thing of the past in the west, but Tokyo has found new ways to keep them alive and well. Tokyo is full of arcades that range from small basements with a few machines, to massive seven story arcades with every game imaginable. They have enough games that each floor is dedicated to a different type of machine, and if you go to the right arcades (Shinjuku Taito, for instance), you can sometimes catch a glimpse of some fighting game superstars in action. The arcades, with their peripherals, offer an experience you just can’t get in your home, including Gundam suit simulators and shooters with interactive elements. With the work that is being done with the Oculus Rift in Japan, the arcades here in Tokyo look like they will have a bright future.

(See: Could virtual reality resurrect the game arcade in Asia?)

3. Video game themed bars

Arcades too childish for you? Why not hit up one of the many video game themed bars? The Shinjuku and Akihabara districts have numerous bars where you can get both your drink and your game on. Head on over to the 8-bit Bar or Game Bar A Button to relive your childhood favorites, only this time, drunk.