RIP A-Cho

[@N00BSYBORG]

Even as a foreigner, I realized it was over when Mikado had to ask for crowdfunding to survive the pandemic and Sega peaced out of the arcade industry. Tekken 8 didn't even get an arcade release. Which is a huge sign considering the last few Tekkens spent like a year or two in arcades before getting a console release. We knew this was inevitable but it doesn't make it hurt any less.

[@sauvagess]

As someone who was born homeless and grew up impoverished, I always told myself that I'd be able to experience the arcade wonder when I grew up and had my own money. When I was old enough to have my own money and means of transportation, I told myself Japan still has a thriving arcade scene. Maybe one day I'll be able to save up to go visit one day and experience the arcade wonder there. Imagine my emotion when this video pops up in my sub box

[@Shadowsunsi]

A-cho is gone but it's not completely over yet. You still got some time to get the Japanese arcade experience but as we can see it is "dying" unfortunately.

[@basedsketch4133]

I truly hope you get that experience I'm 41 and through my teens I had no home and very often frequented the arcade to get out of brutal winters. I miss the culture and regularscyou would meet. I hope you get that experience. Truly brother

[@joejoejoej9763]

Same bro. Didnt grow up homeless but I was dreaming I could go there when I finally would be financially stable. Used to watch a-cho till I fell asleep a lot. Sad times indeed

[@Vanity0666]

You can still go to Joyopolis

[@evilmousse1]

grew up with a high-dive at a pool, always dreamed of using it. soon as i was tall enough to use it, it was disabled. not gone entirely, they left the skeleton there to taunt me for a few years. i guess we all have our things we get to be the 1st generation not to get.

[@user-te8qh1gf3j]

side watching the a-cho vids got me through school. it was therapeutic. Street Fighter EX2 was my favorite game to watch. i'm honestly surprised arcades survived past 2020. THAT is a miracle.

[@greensky5328]

A-Cho is how I and so many others outside Japan learned how to play Melty Blood, 3S and the KoF classics and even Puyo Puyo. I'll never forget staying up till 3AM during covid half awake watching a good Nero or Urien player pubstomp. It's a damn shame, think I speak for the old game enjoying masses, especially us younger folk, when I say we would've loved to experience the magic in person.

[@y4wnd3r3]

watching old ass anime fighter footage from acho with the game audio panned all the way in one ear and the commentary audio panned all the way in the other in the middle of freshman algebra class was a cornerstone moment for me in my love of fighting games. to hear that the place that brought those memories and those experiences to me was enough to make me tear up. i don't even wanna think about how it feels for the people who went there, who had events there, who played locals there.i know arcades ahve been on the way down for years in jp but it still sucks to see the outcome man

[@strippinheat]

A small arcade here in the middle of nowhere Virginia has a selection of JP cabs and we've been holding tournaments for all sorts of fighters every two weeks on Saturdays, and Sunday general FGC meet ups every week trying to bring that experience here. Got a lot of young ones added to the group that really love the boomer shit. We do polls for what games to play next and these teenagers are picking things like Dengeki Bunko FCI over MK1 and it warms My heart. The owner did sports reporting in Japan and wanted to bring back a piece of his experience with him when he could afford it. He even named the place similar to Hirose Entertainment Yard (HEY): 6R's Entertainment Yard (6REY). It's the mid point on the East Coast between the NYC and Florida scene.

[@decksteroussnail]

Something about 25, 50 cents/yen made you play harder at the arcades. Can't replicate that online.

[@snoozium_ytp]

Never been to Japan, never experienced arcade culture firsthand, but this one hurts. a-cho is synonymous with high-level footage of old school fighting games. I'm gonna spend the next hour and a half remembering the good times by watching a NGBC tournament from 2013.

[@Wolfedge75]

I went to a-cho once in pre-pandemic times back in 2018 and was in a dour mood, but a few games cheered me back up. Looking back at it now I was _incredibly_ lucky to have the chance to have played some games there.

[@ka1nzero0o86]

I remember waking up to watch MBAA sets on the fam computer in high school and then falling asleep to it on the phone in college years. Good times

[@1polarbear]

Everything he said is true about arcade culture. I can't explain it but I also got a piece of it here on the west coast of the U.S. in the earlly-mid 2000s and even then it felt like you had to go certain days. I was extremely young but seeing everyone playing various games from the dancing games, fighting games, the railshooters, racing games, It was something special that will never exist in the same way for reasons I can't fit into a youtube comment. Thankyou Majin Obama for archiving what you can and sharing your experiences. Although it may not be understood by everyone, it will be felt by those who have experienced it.

[@arcadeguyceej6805]

as someone named "arcade guy" even i have to pull the wool off my eyes and read the writing on the walls. i love the scene, but times are changing.

[@nickkiller-0710]

Man their YT channel has so much good ass 3rd Strike footage, I'll legit miss that. Even some other obscure games would randomly show up too and have really high level gameplay.

[@benjamincaddle2018]

Unist was really top

[@jojokim4804]

MBAAC too

[@just_2swift]

I remember watching the arcade steams man 😢

[@Hype_Incarnate]

Yeah. I would always have them on the side monitor.

[@arcadebuddha]

I've been to a handful of arcades in my region. I even saw the rise and fall of one of my favorite spots in town. The friendships that spark in these places is something special. To meet on the cabinet, sometimes not even saying a word, run the set, and after it all go "Damn, great set bro" is something that can only happen in an arcade. Not some GG EZ mentality, but to actually meet the person behind the cab and spark a conversation with them about the game. To then go and play some other games, play a shmup together, play some Time Crisis or HotD together. Show them "your game" as they do so in return. Suffer through a beat em up together as you just sweat buckets but you're already locked in. Finish it off with one last Hydro Thunder race for all the marbles, and win or lose, leave friends. You may stay in touch, you may never see them again, but those moments are what makes the arcade such a mecca for gamers. I hope in some way, even if the physical place disappears, we can somehow keep that spirit alive. It's more than the FGC, it's more than eSports, it's more than rollback. It's the only place on Earth that feels like grade school recess and the Wild West all in one. Thanks for covering these topics, homie. Gotta let em know.

[@Pelimatic]

Man it's so sad to see arcades shutting down. Outside a very brief window of time around the turn of the millenium, arcades were hardly ever a thing here in Finland, but in my mind I've had this dream of the arcades in more populated countries being like a gaming mecca that I could go and visit some day. That dream is getting shattered in front of my eyes every time one of the spots closes its doors. I can only hope someone figures out a way to stop the bleeding. Thanks for recording what this place was like.

[@GregoryTheNotSoGreat]

Places like this closing shop make me even more grateful for my local scenes

[@crypton42]

This hits hard for all us melty fans. If you hit up the melty match video database, all of the tapes that you would learn from would be from a-cho. Rest in peace.

[@kenosabi]

All good things come to an end eventually. That fact doesn't make it suck any less.

[@DougtheSwede]

I was sad to hear A-cho is closing. I used to go there back in 2011-2012, mashing buttons in BBCS and P4A. Met some friendly people, had a lot of fun. Guess I'll always have the memories.

[@DoctorAkward]

Damn, I love watching their 3rd strike streams/uploads. Visited there back in 2023 and got wrecked at the game. a-cho will be missed

[@p-co1753]

Bruh, this is sad to see. I enjoyed watching A-Cho's Garou and Last Blade 2 streams. A-Cho will definitely be missed.😢

[@KaneBlueriver]

Huge loss also for the KOF community, it was one of the staple places for the series in Kansai, and where they'd hold the Duelling the KOF tournament series, which basically ran tourneys for all the games that were played competitively during a single weekend. I'm fortunate to have been able to go there a few times.

[@SapphireFGC]

i remember seeing A-cho almost every night during my middle to highschool era. Always told myself that one day i'll go to the arcades legends played and trained at. Yes majors and locals is still around, but seeing A-cho and random arcade vods is something different. Thanks for what it felt like endless hours of entertainment and learning how the Japanese played.

[@ArcChristelle]

A-cho was my go to in order to witness the Japanese arcade scene online. I always appreciate the uploads on KZbin over the past decade.

[@northofself]

I learned to play so much from studying a-cho footage. Pour one out for a real one

[@fullmetalfukumi]

Great concise video as always. And yeah I always remember reading in french game magazines in late 90s/early 00s "arcades are dying in japan" lol so it always feel weird when people still don't know

[@JameboHayabusa]

Fuckin hell man. I've never been there, but I've watched so many A-cho videos.

[@mopanda81]

It's really sad it's come to this, watching a-cho on youtube was something I've been doing for so long. The least we can do now is appreciate everyone who's still trucking and celebrate what we have. But we're in an era where even the most venerable are vulnerable.

[@renzo7042]

Going to japan next year and I want to definitely check out some arcades there! The best and most memorable arcade experience for me was funnily enough in Stockholm, probably because I was there with a bunch of my friends and we were all jumping between Tekken and Street Fighter sets... Also the amount of rhythm games I finally got the chance to play... Such a crazy night, we had to go back for a round two after a few days lol.

[@yuzukekusosaki4426]

Damn that's crazy. I was just there this November.

[@kinglowtier]

I hate seeing all of the places I loved shutting down... I'm gonna have to come back again before my big 3 (Mikado, Hey, Game Safari) are gone forever... Sad times...

[@rayciannello2268]

Really glad I made it over there this year to drop more than a few coins

[@JusticeAngel]

Damn - Kendrick Lamar

[@LoveXKnife]

Damn, I'm sad. Closing before I got to go. I remember in the college days I used to fall asleep to the match videos in the A-Cho channel.

[@scozzbaggs9224]

I used to watch their sf4 and third strike vods

[@thejunkmanlives]

sucks, i watched a lot of vampire savior from there. we all know why this is happening so i guess a better question is what could an arcade do as a business to maintain or even grow? what can they provide other then a venue?

[@yunarukami2555]

Hate to see another arcade in Japan go 😢.

[@CanadianReset]

That's a bummer I used to go there at least once a week around 2012-2014 with my co-workers. First place I ever entered a tournament too.

[@UndefinedAlias]

Damn what a bummer, moving to Kansai next year was looking forward to visiting A-Cho tbh😔. At least Osaka still has Athena to support for now

[@Harrytmik]

The best HnK streams were from A-Cho. Rest in peace, even for those who couldn't meet the place it Left a legacy of fun, competitive gameplay. You will be missed. Thanks Obama.

[@Retroman2000]

Play spot big One 2nd is my go to channel, I literally brew coffee each time they start streaming, But A-cho for me was known for insane low-tier mvc2 matches I wouldn't find elsewhere....Goodbye A-cho...Your memories will live on😢🌹🥀...TY Majin🙏

[@Redacted117]

It's really sad that by the time I actually make it to Japan for the vacation, I'll really miss out on the experiences I wanted to try out. Be it the SEGA Red Building or A-Cho. It kinda feels sad. I never got to experience the arcade culture, since it never really existed here around me, and wanted to experience the same. Heck, SEGA Red Building and A-Cho were two of my motivating factors to try traveling to Japan.

[@anothrwintr8313]

I was in high school when I discovered the MvC2 arcade cabinets at my local mall, and I fell in love with the absolute joy and wonder that these "old-ass" games offered. While everyone else hoarded the local computer shops, swearing up a storm on a game of classic DOTA, I became a regular at my local TimeZone, hogging the cabs with T5DR, GGXX Slash, MvC1, and even a stray SamSho, but something I noticed even way back then was that the culture was already in decline. Hardly anyone except me would actually pull up to these old games to fight and these old fighting game cabinets I loved ended up being little more than parking areas for people to sit on while they idly passed the time waiting for their friends or dates. That was over 10 years ago already, yet I can't shake the feeling that I discovered and came into this scene too late. Arcades are still actually a thing here in the Philippines, but the fighting game scene of it is a dying breed (it's now mostly dominated by fishing games that are curiously popular with a lot of boomers, with only a singular stray T6 cabinet surviving the snap). That's why, whenever I go out and come across an arcade with actual fighting games, I make sure to stop by, trade a few coins into tokens, and give the machine some love by playing a few games as sort of a pilgrimage to a culture I loved but sadly seems lost to time now.

[@T.I.C.T.A.C.T.O.]

Great video, sorry to hear another beloved arcade going down in Japan. Very much appreciate the listing of current active arcades. I'll be sure to hit up some of them in February

[@krodmandoon3479]

This timeline sucks, man.

[@JustTedge]

I'm heading to Japan in April... sad I won't be able to go to A-Cho.

[@SkullDreaming]

I remember winter of 2018 I was in Japan for the first (and last as for now) time and I met you guys in an after Fighting Tuesday (I was the autistic spanish guy if you remember) and I can't thank enough you guys for showing me this decaying and beautiful world. It's funny when you try to explain this to younger generations. They just don't get it, it's not just about the software, the argument of "instant accessibility in the era of information" does simply not apply. I'm not one for being nostalgic and remain in a pink tinted glasses view of past times, but it really feels like we lost something... probably forever.

[@Neko_urself]

glad i got to go to a-cho last october. played my first offline melty set against an american there.

[@MrSonicDoctor]

I can't believe this is how I found out man. I enjoyed the livestream uploads... This sucks.

[@cty_fg_stg]

Awful news, watched and learned so much from their footage for years, especially Melty. Came back from my first Japan trip last week, and had to make the decision on the 12th between skipping a day trip or going to the Melty event. I thought to myself "The tourist sites will always be there, these arcades and community events won't be around forever" and going to a-cho was the best decision I made the whole trip, regardless of the news. It was godlike, dropping 500yen for 5 hours of freeplay, playing in and watching FT10 exhibitions, everyone there was hyped up and having a blast. So grateful to be able to experience that kind of community, right before it closes. Props especially to Rakuchan for all the work he's put in for that community. Hopefully the Melty guys migrate to one of the Osaka arcades. The arcade itself was also just fantastic, really great selection of games, especially SHMUPs and fighters, with very well maintained cabs, dropped so many coins in the evenings before heading to my room. Make it out to these places while you still can, especially their weeklies/monthlies, ask some players on twitter when their events are if they don't post them. RIP to one of the GOAT arcades, at least we still have all their footage to watch back.

[@chasepalumbo2929]

Wow, I didn’t expect to be this bummed out today

[@slifer875]

Big Boss: This is good......isnt it?...

[@ZzigZaG00NIN]

Beyond community was a good way to describe it Sad to see something that means that much go out

[@SeñorBroseph]

I would love to make the trip to Japan just to visit these arcades. Watching Big one streams is just very nice to see a bunch of peeps just play.

[@keonakel9678]

Man RIP, they had a lot of really strong 3rd strike players here, and I always enjoyed watching their vods. Hopefully they can gather at one of these other arcades.

[@deelystanonfightcade2]

These are the end times. Prepare for the aftermath, be ready to be the torch bearers for the long dark night ahead. ❤

[@dazrael5658]

Managed to visit there a few months ago, sad to see it close its doors. I remember first visiting Tokyo back in 2001 and there were arcades seemingly on every street corner. Got to go to places like Shibuya Kaikan and the Try Amusement Tower, the scene was amazing back then. While there are some surviving bastions out there game center’s have been on a downward spiral for years. I’m glad that I got to see it all in its heyday.

[@neotron6490]

As the Y2Ker, im aware that many yongsters don't mind of lettin the past die over respect the elders. Unless we talk about Dave and Buster cabinets or any like of em as well, its always sucks for many classic arcades not be able to stand on relevancy for long while already overshadowed by F2P-n-Service type of game these day, even after pandemic too

[@ripplecutter233]

I remember watching a-cho videos since I was in college.. lots of third strike and I think CvS2

[@mrbuu82]

It's a shame that a-cho is going away. I learned about a-cho and Mikado from all of their tournament videos on KZbin. It looks like a-cho last posted a video on their channel about 8 months ago. Mikado has continued to stream nearly daily and sometimes will have two going at a time. I wonder if Japanese arcades would have any success in monetizing these efforts (ex: Matcherino contributions, Patreon, etc.). If the arcade culture needs to adapt, maybe different forms of monetization are the way forward.

[@Wiff_d]

damn, that really sucks. i remember when i visited japan this summer i went to a-cho and had a really fun time. but it makes sense, we were like the only ones there aside from one or two other people.

[@AmbiguousGoop]

My only regret when I went to Japan in 2019 was not stopping by Kyoto to play some 3S at A-Cho. Thankfully I got some 3S in at Shinkjuku Sportsland. I played against some random guy who was on a date. Not my fault he was playing Q and couldn’t handle my Elena😅. Non-Smokers might wanna mask up if you decide to play there though. When I went they were still smoking in the arcade and if you’re sensitive to that, beware.

[@crownmemory6945]

All these arcades/gessen closing down before i could even go to japan 😔 I can't even see the famous gamers' dejiko big ad billboard before they took it down permanently

[@ashharkausar413]

I use to watch their streams often to see high level BB. Sad to see them go...

[@El_Ace]

broooo, this video couldn't have come at a better time bro letssss fuycking gooooooooo

[@jamesnubz]

Yknow this heartbreak reminds me when Super Arcade in Azusa closed its doors for good, my mom used to drive me and my sister out to play SF4 and other arcade games. or even FFA, most of the CA arcades, the last bastions of old arcades being around whilst still being modern is Barcode which Alex Valle hosts, and of course the legendary Don's arcade, both in Los Angeles. Its crazy to see how arcades used to be.

[@TonyTheTGR]

I felt this with Arcade Infinity and Family Fun Arcade. :( What the hell can we DO...??

[@jvshotta8845]

This reminds me of an arcade called "Playdium" in Canada closed during the lockdowns. Granted it's a franchise and there are 2 of them in other cities, I just had so many memories of the Playdium in my city and I was sad to see it close. ☹

[@FlyNationTV]

Visited Play Spot last October for Fighting EX Layer. Best experience ever! 🔥 Im tight that I wasn’t able to visit A-Cho. RIP 🙏🏾

[@jimmyherold1342]

I've never been to Japan but just the concept of hanging out with others people thst play the same game makes me wish wistfully

[@SomniaCE]

What you mentioned around the 3:00 minute mark really highlights the same issue that a lot of local venues have. People don't treat spots like this as a true third space that they regularly go to throughout the week. They'll go for whatever day the local is on and then that's it. For any kind of business that's almost entirely unsustainable. Hard to really know why it has all changed so much. Do people really just value their home setups that much more? I guess so...

[@gg.no.re.]

NO! No more a-cho!?! WHERE AM I GOING TO GET MY MBAACC CONTENT NOW!?! T_T RIP to the legend, thanks for the memories

[@sorubro2193]

While getting my degree, I spent a lot of hours watching replays from a.cho. sadly, I knew this would happen eventually, the cultural, economic and generational shifts that the inclement pass of time brings are always as understandable as painful.

[@yano4473]

I feel like I'm gonna miss out on all this before I can afford to see it. been a big one watcher for yrs now.

[@freshporkbun]

genuinely broke my heart. i used to love watching alpha 3 infinites. wish i could have had a chance to visit in my lifetime.

[@jy-li1jq]

Man ive been watch bafael watching a-cho matches for the past couple years and its a dam shame to lose

[@3R9Sasuke]

I really hope the cabinets can be preserved in some way. Even if it's sold to someone of something. I would hate for all these games and memories to just sit in a landfill somewhere

[@BinBintheRiceCake]

I guess I'm a bit lucky that in the pacific northwest, arcade scenes still exist to a degree. Not booming like the past but not dying out either. But I suppose arcade culture in general will have an end date and be replaced with something else in due time. Empires inevitably rise and fall. Would be great for it not never die out in general.

[@Harperd5]

Oh man I’m sub to their KZbin and watch all the old school fighters on their channel. Always wanted to visit there if I made it to Japan. Sad reality of the times 😢

[@acebandit1231]

What would you say is the best arcades in japan right now? I really want to go this year. It sucks because ive missed so much Edit; you answered that already! Good! Thank you!

[@xyz39808]

Another arcade, GamespotVersus near Nishi-Nippori station, is a mecca for ST players

[@neogiu000]

owari da...

[@aKingofNoobs]

damn just got back from a trip from japan too. will have to check these arcades out next time I make a trip there, so hopefully they stick around

[@JimmiePitts]

I watch acho still to this day alllll the time. Is there any other jp arcades that post vods and stream matches?!?!?

[@xyz39808]

3:38 a Card could go here linking that vid

[@Mario_bland]

F. I went there last year too.

[@Anko88888]

RIP LEGEND

[@alexlovehall7796]

I actaully really wanted to go to one of these especially this one. This one hurts and hopefully I'll be able to go now or at least something else like it

[@Keirnoth]

A-Cho used to play a ton of KOF 98/2002 UM and newer KOFs. Any of the ones you listed are solid KOF hubs?

[@123451234alex]

i wish i cud go out there i wudve been there every day

[@AzraelVhae]

Where will I get my kaqn videos now?!

[@Lucario4thewin]

Reminds me when Arcade Infinity closed ☹

[@OGamelon]

Bless you

[@AB54099]

bless you

[@NelsonRodriguezFTW]

Dammit im broke

[@KenishiroMashiba]

😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@meguy7735]

this is tragic news. a cho is sf3 for me.

[@taylorbee4010]

The GOAT

[@GoohnSquad]

Nooooooooooo