Why Arcades Are Still Thriving In Japan - Cheddar Explains

[@ichifish]

As a resident of Japan I see a lot missing or under-emphasized from this analysis: 1. Japan had a huge pachinko culture and karaoke culture It's declining now but until quite recently pachinko was a ubiquitous working-class entertainment. Arcades and pachinko aren't the same thing, but having a common "adult" form of the arcade legitimized gaming arcades. The karaoke culture of singing publically (and poorly) with friends transferred to lots of goofy rhythm/team games as well, meaning that playing at arcades was always less about mastery and more about hanging out with friends. 2. Housing in Japan is really, really, small Kids don't have a lot of space at home to hang out with their friends without their parents or siblings in the immediate vicinity. North American kids might feel like that's true for them, but take a typical American house, cut off 2/3 of it, then get rid of the yard and now you're getting close to a Japanese home. Even though consoles were and continue to be popular, few homes have the kind of space for them to be in their own room (like a basement) or even in a bedroom (having a TV in the bedroom is less common here and far more kids share rooms). It's not easy to spend hours leveling up your Street Fighter skills when 1) mom is annoyed by the noise and 2) sees you spending an ungodly amount of time doing it. Better to "go to Shintaro's to do homework." 3. Japan is really, really urban Close to ninety percent of Japanese people live in a walkable-suburban or full on urban setting. It wasn't an "innovation" to locate the arcades in major urban areas: practically everywhere is a major urban area. That means kids could always walk or take public transportation and there were a lot of other attractions like karaoke or fast food in the same area. If you lived in the suburbs or countryside in the US getting to the arcade was a major hassle until you got your driver's license, and after you got your license you could go anywhere, so why go to the arcade? 4. Restaurants and bars don't have games Back to the space issue, non-arcade venues simply don't have space for games. When I was growing up in the states you could just go to the local pizza place. They might not have the latest game, but they'd have something to satisfy your itch. While that made games more prevalent generally, it leached revenue from the arcades themselves. Without that revenue they couldn't innovate. 5. Japanese arcades were expensive A 100 yen coin is about $1.00, compared to the 25 cents it cost when I was playing games in the states in the 70s and 80s. It might seem counter-intuitive, but that higher cost helped the arcades survive: more money meant better, cleaner facilities and a better gaming experience.

[@PoochieCollins]

@Josh : interesting info, thanks for the write-up!

[@kit2770]

Makes sense to me.

[@youngblisslife4308]

When I was a kid, I remember a few restaurants having arcades...Red Robins MIGHT be one of the last ones (if they still have it). I also use to roller skating every Saturday in Detroit as a teenager and we had arcades but they were converted it into a lazer tag then eventually blocked it off as attendance in roller skating dropped. It’s sad...I don’t know what these kids do for fun outside of the house nowadays

[@computronium8]

This comment is much more informative than this bs video

[@sokol7215]

@@youngblisslife4308smoking pot ?😂

[@St3v3NWL]

I think these arcades can exist because the immense population density of Tokyo and other Japanese cities. Basically an Arcade hall in Tokyo is supported by 32 million potential customers and is also easily accesible by public transportation. An Arcade hall in lets say Chicago doesn't have 1/6 of Tokyo's potential customers making it harder to survive.

[@henk-3098]

Japan has 3.6 arcades per 100,000 residents while the US has about 1.6 according to my own calculations.

[@Professor_Utonium_]

100% accurate

[@David-xt5ob]

Also smaller living spaces / apartments in Tokyo encouraging people to go out to shared spaces vs bigger homes in America where you are more likely to stay in and build an awesome going room.

[@sundhaug92]

That also means property-value is higher too, so rent is higher

[@TheCaptainSplatter]

VR arcades I feel is what would be best. Too expensive to have the same immersion as home VR. Or space for that matter. I'm talking about full suits and a pod type vr.

[@xraymind]

The pandemic is hitting Sega hard that they sold off controlling interest in their arcade business in Japan.

[@kellineburton]

Yeah. It is sad to say that last year was my first and last time to be in sega akihabara. They're might be other ones but not as good as the hamster trails one

[@nanoplasm]

@@kellineburton The Sega Game Center will continue to operate under the Sega brand after they are sold by Sega. So if all things goes well, the Sega game centers will still be there the next time you come to Akiba.

[@danielgstohl9993]

@@kellineburton The one you're probably referring to (Sega 2) unfortunately already closed before the announcement of the sale. But there are still 4 more there, Sega 5 opened just last year. The sale doesn't mean the operations will cease completely, but I wouldn't be surprised if less profitable locations will be closed. Akiba will almost certainly still have Sega arcades for the foreseeable future.

[@emmettturner9452]

Warehouse Kawasaki closed just before the pandemic (October 2019) so the idea that Japanese arcades are “thriving” is just wrong.

[@ted90909]

@@emmettturner9452 kawasaki warehouse was more of a fancy expensive indoor theme park with machines instead of rides tho, not surprised that one had to shut down

[@AnonymousFreakYT]

The claim that the NES killed arcades is massively premature. 1982 may have been the peak of arcade revenue, but while it did drop for a couple years, it went *UP* after the release of the NES, hitting its second peak in 1994, before starting a steady decline through about 2002 where it's been pretty steady since. As a kid in the '80s and early '90s, arcades were absolutely still a major force through the mid '90s.

[@thewiirocks]

Thank you! I was shocked that Cheddar decided to just ignore Street Fighter II, Mortal Kombat, TMNT, Simpsons, NeoGeo MVS games, Sega scaler games like Hang-On, Outrun & Afterburner, San Francisco Rush, Killer Instinct, Virtual On, Cruisin' USA, and Hydrothunder, JUST TO NAME A FEW. Arcades friggin' thrived after the market crash and well into the 90s. They didn't go into active decline until home systems began meeting and eventually outpacing the technological development of the arcades in the tail end of the 90s.

[@greyfox78569]

@@thewiirocks Saturn, Dreamcast, and Neo Geo killed them in the US also in the US we have a problem with helicopter parents that helicopter over the wrong things.

[@greyfox78569]

@@trunkskunT I forgot the Original XBOX to that list. All of those used slightly modified arcade hardware. The Original XBOX was running a Sega arcade board.

[@dr_ubo]

Not really. Arcades peaked at 1991 more or less (SF2 + all the other genres hitting a last hurrah). Fighting games ruled supreme over everything else after that (shoot em ups declining and other genres struggling to hit peaks except maybe racing games), but consoles were 1 of 5 factors to really knock down the appeal of Arcades. More hardcore and enthusiasts went to arcades, less common people did. Consoles did affect that. When consoles and the internet finally upgraded to bring the missing social game environment arcades died. So... mid-2000s even the bigger guys and long-running arcade developers started to suffer greatly. Rhythm games kept arcades afloat for their massively wide appeal since then. Most people here commenting about arcades not dying are not taking the context of how big they were before THEIR time. Also, numbers can be deceiving as more people knew of arcades and could potentially flood the few places that had them, but fewer people overall had arcades as priority entertainment anymore. My favorite arcade games are all from 1988-98 by the way.

[@jrt2792]

It's like they deliberately ignored home game consoles. 😒

[@DarkAngelRabbitX3]

I love arcades! The problem is the ones that exist in my area are commonly filled with broken or outdated run down machines. It’s a bummer to see limited options already and half the arcade is broken. 💔

[@ertfgghhhh]

Bad business owners- that is what the problem was in the 80s.

[@AzrialAlaria]

My personal friend owns 2 arcade locations with games that WORK!

[@spiffykitty01]

my family went to japan a few years back and the arcades were amazing! so clean and the claw machines and stuff were actually winnable-- it was a totally different experience than arcades in america.

[@issuesexplained681]

Now I kinda wanna go to a Japanese arcade

[@nanoplasm]

By end of 2020, Arcade industry in Japan is imploding thanks to Corona. There might not be much left by end of 2021 if things don't turn around.

[@AlexJ1]

I went to Japan in early 2016 and can confirm the arcades are epic.

[@julianacromey7151]

I just want to go to Japan, period.

[@Professor_Utonium_]

If you're in the USA, check out Round1, it's a Japanese chain of arcades that went overseas too

[@Alex-it7ms]

They're pretty insane

[@サザランドアンドリュー]

I've lived in Japan for nearly 8 years, and although I agree with most of the things mentioned here, I think there are some other important factors. Most arcades have a lot more than just games. As well as medal games and crane games, most medium to large arcades have purikura (print club) machines, which are essentialy photo booths that allow you to add filters, special effects and clipart to your photos. They're marketed almost exclusively to women, and most places don't allow men near them unless they're with a women. I know some women who hate games but love doing purikura. Having an extra source of income from a completely different market probably helps. Another major change is that pretty much all modern games are more connected to the internet. As well as having multiplayer, this allows games to get regular updates. This is great for music games, add they're always getting new songs, but it also means that every single arcade has identical versions. I used to love playing DDR in the early 2000s, and I loved going to arcades in London and finding the latest version imported from Japan, or an older version imported from America. There's now only one current version of DDR in Japan, so I no longer get to be surprised like that.

[@jmgonzales7701]

In japan do they always have to play arcades? home console is not as popular?

[@nanoplasm]

One unmentioned reason the game centers in Japan can sustain, or even thrive, is because many of the games are deep in progressional content. The progress are saved to your personal account on the Internet that's accessed with your IC card. So your game saves can be retrieved from any cabinet in any game centers. Recently, many new games also have a gacha/lootbox/gambling mechanism, that entice player to come back daily to roll for that rare drop with little or no actual game play (I am taking about you, FGO AC).

[@Professor_Utonium_]

Bro I haven't been able to use my Nesica or eAmusement cards in MONTHS 💀

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Why? Because it's Japan, that's why. 2:39 Ah Japanese trains, where passengers are given a certificate if a train is delayed. They're several leagues ahead of American railways

[@KRYMauL]

The Japanese trains are the best in the world the European ones can't even compete. The US ones are tied with the UK

[@jwb2734]

@@KRYMauL then the uk ones must be pretty bad considering the us is more invested in hyper loop

[@thebigpicture2032]

US was a world leader in trains until Rockefeller and GM bought them all in the 20’s and tore them down so they could sell more cars and gas.

[@KRYMauL]

@@thebigpicture2032 GM bought them and the train companies sold them in favor of freight. Then Japan came around in the 1960s and made bullet trains. The US then proceeded to invest in airports. After which the Amtrak was relegated to serving rural neighborhoods, and has yet to make a profit despite being able to fill the too long for driving and too short for flying niche, i.e. over 4 hours by car and under 2 hours by plane.

[@KRYMauL]

@@bobsemple7660 One of the main reason the California HRS is so hard to get off the ground is because the freight companies are highjacking them at every turn sighting environmental reason.

[@7GtwNYkHYs]

Man, I grew up as a counter-culture 90s kid here in the US and I seriously miss those dark and seedy arcades. What I miss wasn't the games though, what I missed was hanging out with the fringes of society, people I could relate with.

[@krunkle5136]

The internet can't be put back in the box now...

[@adewilson132]

@@krunkle5136that has nothing to do with what he said.

[@krunkle5136]

@@adewilson132 I think I was getting at how the internet is mostly why those arcades aren't coming back, especially in a cheap culture like America, where cutting costs is god.

[@TROXXOS]

I'm Japanese. I want to point that some part of this video mixxed up "Game Center"(Arcade in Japanese) and "Pachinko"(Barely legal casino). Pachinko is a huge market and there several Pachinko-ya next to main stations and streets and making 190 billion dollars per year even though gambling is illegal in Japan. But real arcades are dying in Japan as well, and it's just 6 billion. Almost all of the footages of super shiny billboards in this video are Pachinko.

[@kodaloid]

If I lived in a shoebox, I'd wanna get out more too.

[@SquallLeonhartlo]

You should mention that Sega has, in the last week or so, said that it's selling its arcade business and exiting the market entirely. Articles on this story repeatedly mention the "long slow death" of Japanese gaming arcades, accelerated by COVID-19. Things aren't looking good.

[@PreciousAlpschindler]

China is nothing but ruining the world. Great just great! SEGA is dead who next? Capcom too?!

[@happygolucky5534]

It was literally called Game Center. Kids those days called it “gei-sen”. And of course, my mother was terrified of them, so, of course , I’ve gone there.

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

Pachinko. I remember when our group the Chongryon operated several pachinko casinos. They helped fund our nuclear programs

[@BatCaveOz]

Swing and miss.

[@vaiyaktikasolarbeam1906]

MR KIM!!! How is Corona in NK?

[@mitchb4084]

Actually the comment is not as strange as people in the west know. Most of the 100 billion dollar pachinko business is owned by 3 rd generation North Koreans who have special Japanese citizenship . That money is sent back to Orth Korea. All true

[@thepenultimateninja5797]

0:01 there were not only 13,000 arcade machines in the US. The upright version of the original Pac Man alone sold about 100,000 units.

[@vibri_]

A big problem i see with arcades in the west is this mindset that arcades should be centered around toddlers and little kids. Arcades here in Argentina have been slowly but surely replacing their older simple cabinet games like Shoot-em-ups or fighting games with stuff like mechanical kiddy rides, or touchscreen arcade ports of mobile games. And apparently some US mall arcades also have this problem. The only stuff that didn't get swapped out was classic racers such as Cruisin' USA, Sega Rally, or Daytona. Of course people of all ages can enjoy arcade games, but this over-focus on the absolute youngest audiences has only made arcades seem lame to teens as well as adults who grew up when arcades were still big. Arcades could really use more engaging games for older audiences, even if it means bringing back old machines or importing japanese machines.

[@Abel-Alvarez]

^ This is a huge problem that doesn't get brought up often. Japanese arcade machines still cater to everyone, but the western ones are either retro throwbacks or ticket redemption games it's embarrassing.

[@nabii5951]

I think the pandemic has brought a rather abrupt end to the arcade.

[@derrickclark5510]

And malls.

[@sbojan83]

@@derrickclark5510 And movie theatres and gyms. A lot of places and businesses will unfortunately go under because of the draconian, ridiculous, and in most places, illegal laws set by governments.

[@bui3415]

@@sbojan83 I think they were going regardless. It was just barely holding on. There were and are a lot of issues plaguing businesses mainly from city and suburb layouts, car dependency, oil, money inflation etc.

[@HieronymousLex]

@@bui3415 I guess that makes it okay then, let’s shut everything down, fuck it

[@bui3415]

​@@HieronymousLex Not saying it's okay or not. I just think those that were unstable or financially on edge might have been pushed out by the shut down earlier than later. Particularly the industry and businesses that the OP was naming, arcades, theaters, gyms, it's pretty well known even before the pandemic that some of those were in decline. It may have been inevitable for them. It's not really that black and white and it doesn't mean we should close them or everything else out of spite but I don't think that ignoring the situation and acting like normal just to desperately save them is right either.

[@CosmicAbomination]

Those sharpie eyebrows are on fleek

[@Dustie1984]

I'd die for these eyebrows

[@fireaza]

I'm sure this video has been in production for a long time, so it's rather unfortunate that it's being released right around when Sega are struggling and announcing that they're selling off their arcade division and closing some of their most famous arcades.

[@philipdefibaugh5683]

From the late 70's to 1985 my father worked at 2 Arcade palaces (Play Palaces) in 2 different malls. Our family got FREE games and spent hours playing the most popular games of the day like Pacman, Ms. Pacman, Frogger, Defender, Donkey Kong, Zaxxon, and Popeye. Because of this I have a soft spot for Arcades, and breaks my heart to see abandoned Arcades and destroyed Arcade Cabinets. I wish the Covid-19 Virus would go away! Thank you for uploading this. My favorite Arcade game is Ms. Pacman.

[@xelefonte]

*Arcade is thriving in Japan.* *COVID enters the chat room.*

[@SatoshiMatrix1]

But COVID has had a very minimal impact on Japan, largely because Japanese people wear masks every winter even in normal times, if they are sick, or even if they are healthy in order to remain healthy. So a pandemic comes that requires people to wear masks and....oh look, they already do. And on top of it, there is no anti-mask movement in Japan whatsoever. This is why covid19 deaths in Japan are almost nonexistent compared to the west, especially the US.

[@calvinnyala9580]

@Cooler Rafael Suprayogi your nation education is good enough. The problem lies with your administration

[@alfredolozano7486]

@Omega Zero he's not wrong. After all China does come to the US to steal industry secrets and US tech. However, the government's willingless to give out loans to any 17/18 year old for any major is the biggest issue with the education system. For crying out loud, why is the tax payer paying for people's Liberal Arts degree? They won't really contribute as much to society as someone with a STEM degree. Yet a Liberal Arts degree costs about as much and the government will loan the money to kids looking to "pursue their dream", despite them being less likely to succeed than a STEM major. Even if the US ends up making education free I don't see why the tax payer should pay for useless degrees either. The return on investment will be minimal and we would be paying for people to just end up working in Mc Donalds anyway since they come out without a skill set that applies outside of academia.

[@bimomuzakki9379]

@@SatoshiMatrix1 i'm about to say that either lol.

[@Ripcraze]

@@SatoshiMatrix1 Even in Japan people touch their masks, and remove and put them on all the time, and nobody protects their eyes so it'll spread anyway. Most of them are also not obese, a flu virus isn't that deadly to a healthy population, even the older ones. The best way to fight off a virus is to be healthy.

[@nanoplasm]

Pachinko and Pachinslot are not classified as arcade/game centers. They are thinly veiled casino operated by the mafia. One of the last remaining 'legitimate' business operated by the Yakuza, besides construction industry.

[@lillyie]

1.interesting games. japanese arcades are up to date while american ones still look like they are stuck in time 2. accessibility. japan has top notch transportation meaning you can easily access lots of arcades. meanwhile in america, it's nearly impossible to get around without a car

[@voltz15]

What really blows about our scene compared to jpn is how the cultural differences post Dreamcast really made it so people just didn't want to go out to play their games. Naomi ports were practically perfect, but also consume choice was a main factor in which titles we're allowed to shop for and pick up, where the arcade industry only continued to limit your choice based on factors around operators, distributors and overall local community. Pay to play or rather pay to continue also hit with an impact. Rounding the 00's I saw games were going $2 - $2.75 - $3 per play and instead of rewarding players with continued play time for doing so well, games were set in every variety of ways to ensure 5 minutes of entertainment before they're forced to either pay continued admission or "bugger off!" The majority of gamers who play from home chose to do so and shun arcades because it is a forced pay to play model and it's restrictive in contrast to what the home environment has to offer. If we had the same busy environment as japan, then things would have obviously been different.

[@FGH9G]

So basically, dense, Transit Oriented Development, which Japan excels at, really helps.

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

There were multi-story arcades all over America over 20 years ago. They were called Disney Quest.

[@beartackle]

Makes me think back to the good old days when I went to Diversions, Funzone, the Brickyard Mall, and other stores/places in Chicago to play arcades. Those were good times. I just wish people took pictures back then so I can feel like I was there waiting to play another game of Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, X-Men, and other awesome games. 😊

[@RobertsBrainIsGone]

Those were my spots too! Fun Land at the Brickyard before all the gang stuff was my favorite place to play big screen SF2, but most of my top scores were set at Fun Zone during off-campus lunch. I used to (assistant) manage the Cyberstation at the HIP, I've got some old footage on my channel.

[@njdotson]

(Just came here to say this) I think arcades are really popular in the US too, they mostly focus on ticket-based games but the round1 US section of the chain has the same games from japanese arcades and I go there often

[@luisreyes1963]

How I envy the Japanese since they still have arcades. The closest experience to a Japanese arcade I had was a visit to the Galloping Ghost in Brookfield, IL.

[@kaitlynrauch3454]

I went to a Namco arcade that was astounding. It was like four stories tall, as well as incredibly bright and stimulating. I spent so much time winning one of those really fancy claw machines.

[@Hicks-g1m]

Arcades are not just thrving in Japan but all over south east Asia to this day that's one of the reasons why I love living here

[@RobertsBrainIsGone]

Until the pandemic, I regularly visited Round1 to play Dance Dance Revolution. Hard to believe I've been playing that game more than half my life. Street Fighter II got me into the arcade, games like Toki Going Ape Spit kept me entertained during long coin lines. I made it a point to memorize every light gun shooter from Midway and Sega so that I could flip the game on a single credit and play through the loopback, leaving RSP at the top of the list. Same went for Crazy Taxi and Outrun 2SP Super Deluxe... But Dance Dance Revolution has always kept me going back to arcades.

[@paytonturner1421]

I still don't like to go and play in an arcade, but unless there's an arcade close to my house or near my area, I won't make the trip. Plus a way to go to an arcade will help people get out of their houses and be more proactive in the world instead of being not a people person.

[@UmVtCg]

03:50 Holy shit, gaming on a washing machine. The dude even has cleaning gloves on. Emancipation really took hold in Japan.

[@keiming2277]

Their arcade game are closely linked to Japan animated series, like Gundam, LoveLive, Fate Order and initial D Anime that people love and play Imagine America come up with a arcade game series of Avengers

[@Naruedyoh]

Oh, the myth of coin shortage... It was really due to lack of access to raw material for coins

[@Str0b0]

Yep: www.academia.edu/3672374/Insert_Coin_to_Play_Space_Invaders_and_the_100_Yen_Myth

[@tangomango8474]

If I want to go to an arcade in America you have to get in a car and ride there. In Japan you can just walk to an arcade. Popularion density and zoning laws play a big role in my opinion. In America everything is far away from residential areas because of zoning laws so you need a car to go get groceries and stuff.

[@alluvialedaempfer962]

The coin shortage is an urban legend. It was due to Japan not producing a lot of 100 Yen coins during that time.

[@andyzhang7890]

This channel is like Vox's hip, more casual younger brother

[@nickmyron172]

I would say the exact opposite lol

[@jwb2734]

@@nickmyron172 that's insulting

[@bluetarantulaproductions6179]

Having arcade games at home is great and all, though it's not the same as actually being at an arcade and playing with someone next (or across) from you at the same arcade game.

[@Scaro.s]

13,000 machines seems way too low. If each one was making $400 a week (you made it sound like this was at the upper end but whatever) that $20,800 per machine per year or $270,400,000 (270.4 million dollars) which is 44 times less than the amount you say the industry made in 1982. So either you got the revenue, number of machines or average takings wrong. I don’t think it would be that hard to believe there were over half a million arcade machines in America. DO THE MATHS CHEDDAR

[@christopherjohnson6993]

they probably failed to convert the currencies correctly

[@levihalperin7649]

I think he meant 13000 arcades, not machines

[@kevinw729]

Great to see this - but I think you may have overlooked the market - the arcade sector of the 80's was replaced by the amusement trade of the 90's - your conclusion excludes the success of Chuck E. Cheese, Dave & Busters and Main Event to name three of the US mainstay amusement venues, and now the new generation of sites such as Barcade and Round1. Think you may have missed a lot of the reality of the market in the West! Maybe roll in industry specialists next time?

[@drdisrespect5318]

Also smaller living spaces / apartments in Tokyo encouraging people to go out to shared spaces vs bigger homes in America where you are more likely to stay in and build an awesome going room.

[@matthewwynne939]

Maybe it's old people like me who remember when it only took a quarter to play a game, but so many now you look down and see a dollar reader.

[@noroamingfees]

This mans eyebrows are ON POINT YO

[@AD-jq7ow]

Not sure itns on point...but defenetely noticeable

[@iSevenSimmer]

@@AD-jq7ow 💀💀💀💀💀

[@Peter_1986]

I wish that we could have arcades at universities, that would've been awesome. I would definitely hang out there and play against people during my breaks.

[@angelusvastator1297]

I'd actually enjoy university omg.

[@JDMACCC]

Girl, What on earth did you do to your eyebrows?

[@baronvonjo1929]

I wasn't paying attention. But your right. I have never seen eyebrows do that

[@andrewdunbar828]

墨汁

[@BassBanj0]

Arcades are a big thing in the UK too, I absolutely love them

[@user-pd4pw2ry9q]

I am Japanese. I think the reason Japanese arcades have survived is because there are other gambling elements. Many Japanese arcade games since 2000 eject cards unlike other countries. And many strong cards are sparkling and cool. Strong cards are hard to come by Many children want more powerful cards in games, so they invest more money than in regular games. It is the same as gacha in social games.

[@TheMajorStranger]

"But in Japan, Arcade culture is thriving" *Show Slot machine and pachinko parlor* Bruh, gambling is not Arcade, it's a scourge of society.

[@mdviperx]

Bbbbut, metal gear pachinko!!1!11!!!

[@noahdillon9908]

There’s this arcade I’ve been to twice in Asheville, you just pay for a certain amount of time and then you don’t have to worry about running out of quarters; it’s awesome

[@andrewdunbar828]

Poker machines / fruit machines 0:28 are not arcade machines and pachinko parlours 1:28 are not videogame arcades. It's not super hard to find actual arcades in Japan, but they are far from thriving.

[@cowhydrodynamics]

I went to Japan in 2019. The arcades where like something I’ve never seen

[@theshevirgo]

I spent so much in the arcades when I went to Japan I want to go back so much and go to the one that has the indoor roller coaster now. I loved the whole levels thing. I spent maybe $50 alone taking pictures (this was in the mid 2000’s when the photo booths was super popular).

[@trappercap]

Foot traffic thanks to smart urban planning and avoiding what sunk the American game industry. The reason for less arcades now is thanks to mobile gaming, the pandemic, and the bubble popping.

[@DavidStalvey]

The tax increase has also hurt the Japanese arcades since they can't really charge more money (usually 100 Yen) even though the taxes went from 7% to 10 % so the arcades have been just eating that 3% loss.

[@jatom6996]

You really don’t have to go to WWII to explain why arcades are popular in Japan and not America.... Property value is a premium in Japan and most modern Japanese dwellings seem to be very small. So it makes sense that those that live in the city don’t spend much time at home. I mean it’s not like you’re in the western US, where you can have a big home with an impressive home entertainment system AND a pool. It seems like everyone is living on top of each other in Japan

[@nanoplasm]

The fog gaming concept is a pie in the sky. The more practical application discussed in the original Famitsu article is to use the idle network connected arcade machines, such as KanColle and FGO, for cloud computing lite. During periods of closure/inactivity, the network of arcade machines can be farmed out for computing cycles. Which can be used to off set the cost network bandwidth and cabinet rentals.

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

Link to the article? It sounds EXACTLY what Prof. Frank (Simpsons) and Dr. Ludwig Von Drake (Ducktales) actually did with their inventions...

[@colinroberts2060]

Additionally, certain arcades in the United States (And possibly Canada and the U.K.) are sometimes "inceptionized" as part of a larger venue-which often contains other seemingly unrelated forms of entertainment.

[@DavyKapiji]

The only way to stay float is to keep adapting to new challenges

[@itstomatogear6806]

Congratulations 🎉👏 of being the top comment 👍😁 (as of now 😈)

[@AudreyYun]

and in korea it's just pc bangs everywhere which are basically pc arcades

[@nampyeon635]

Basically. They're internet cafes. Which don't really exist in the U.S.

[@181Xplor]

This brought a tear to my eye

[@johnsexton3332]

In 1982 there were more than 13,000 arcades in the US: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_video_games#:~:text=Meanwhile%2C%20the%20number%20of%20arcades,10%2C000%20to%20just%20over%2025%2C000. The number of "arcade machines" was many, many multiples of that. Manufacturers like Atari produced more than 13,000 cabs of the most popular games like Asteroids (47,000), Centipede (46,000) and Tempest (25,000). And that's just the upright machines, not including cabaret models or cocktails. The number of Space Invaders and Ms. Pac Man machines (and many others) was likely much higher. The total number of machines produced in the golden age of arcades was almost certainly over half a million.

[@captainobvious9233]

Ironically, the Arcade I went to in the 80s when I was little is still there - Fun & Games in Framingham Mass. It has good through many changes thought. Originally it was cool with a 'spaceship corridor' entrance that had black lights which made white clothing glow and a typical dark atmosphere with the glow of arcade machines. Then it was changed and the corridor entrance was removed, the interior a lot brighter and it focused more on ticket dispensing machines rather than true video games. Looking through though the window, the first thing you saw were tables and chairs (For the party area) which used to be in the back corner. It looked more like a doctors office than an arcade. Last time I decided to swing by and give it a look, they began reverting back to the 80s look, giving it a more sci-fi like setting again. In any case, there are two 'Free to Play' Bar and Arcades within an hour of me. It's 21+ only, but they have only 80s and 90s games there, all free. You just pay a cover charge when you enter.

[@theotherjared9824]

Because america is so much bigger than Japan, going to an arcade is a bigger time commitment to the average resident. Most have shifted to home consoles that are in their homes and are a better investment than spending money at an arcade. Since most arcade games are also on consoles anyway, the incentive other than the novelty of being at an arcade is almost nonexistant. Also, since arcades are run by independent companies, appearance and cleanliness is not always the first priority. Japan is much smaller with a more condensed population, making a trip to an arcade not as big of a deal. Many arcade games are made specifically for arcades, sometimes even just one location, giving an actual reason to keep coming back. Since the bigger arcades are owned by game companies, appearance is a top priority to make their own games look good.

[@idrinkyourmilkshake1882]

So many different things contributed to the US downfall of arcades. I think the number one thing is culture. Every arcade in the US banned drinks and food in the arcade area. It's all about keeping people around for hours.

[@moondust2365]

Anyone else who hasn't been to a "classic American 70s style arcade"? I also haven't been to a full on Japanese arcade, but it seems that we here in the Philippines did a middle ground. Since we weren't (and still aren't) as rich as Japan or America, we had to lower the scale. In some ways, that helped reduce any possible backlash since it wasn't that popular anyway. We also went with Japan and up til now have bright lights in most arcades (some white and tiled, others red and carpeted). One thing we do different is that instead of single buildings, most, if not all, Philippine arcades are within malls. Malls here are sort of an all around modern life experience with restaurants, shopping centers, grocery stores, arcades, cinemas, etc. Anyway, in the larger malls, arcades are closed within their own room, or in some cases are simply walled off on the sides but there's no front door, just open space. In smaller malls, however, arcades are on the top floor along with the cinema. These ones aren't enclosed at all. There's just a few arcade machines, horse/car rides, and claw machines out in the open. Sometimes you can just insert real coins, but in others you need to get tokens either in a booth or in an enclosed section where the prizes are as well. In the larger malls, the arcades also have things like mini basketball hoops you can shoot balls at, fighting games, and in some cases (since 2018/2019) VR headsets. There's also a few that have those dance floor things. Some even sell stuff other than the prizes from tickets earned from games.

[@pacsonic9000]

Arcades have been making a comeback here in the US. Even if it's ticket games like Dave and Busters or barcades like the Electric Starship and Time Rift both in Texas, or small arcades like Pixeljoy in Northpark Mall in Davenport, Iowa and the Quarter Drop opening January 25th, 2025 in Cottage Grove, Oregon.

[@alypixar4690]

Great video

[@StefanBacon]

I love how Round1 is invading America. I can now play InitialD any day of the week in Wisconsin!

[@HieronymousLex]

I wish they would add more classic games but it’s good for some Initial D for sure

[@TheMombieZombie]

I stopped playing US arcade games because I didn't want to pay $1 per play. Makes you wonder if so many games in places like bowling alleys sit unplayed because of the prices. ??

[@devingiles6597]

Hey, Cheddar. My favorite arcade games I like are the following: Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Superheroes Arctic Thunder The Fast and the Furious: Super Bikes Galaga

[@SergioBocanegra]

when i was a kid in the USA Between 2002 until 2006 and i spent a lot of time in arcades with other kids

[@spencerwelchii573]

My all-time fav video games are: Revolution X, Carnevil, Spy Hunter, (Beer) Tapper, House of the Dead Series, Moon Patrol, and Super Skate Bros (a modded Super Mario Bros. board from the late 1980s) where you play as two skateboarders.

[@pokevongo]

I don’t care about what this video actually says for right now, I just want eyebrows this perfect.

[@JohnRoscoeYT]

Who? Wal-Mart Joe Jonas?

[@mochammadagusnurielaffandy1149]

Lol i didnt noticed. Thanks

[@praimetjainaja5502]

Can someone explain the part 3:20, what kind of incidents happened? I don't really get it.

[@KarimElhoussami]

I wonder how many other markets declines due to America's historic hyperfixation on building every aspect of existence around private automobile usage and staunchly apposing public transportation that made markets inaccessible and thereby unprofitable.

[@strippinheat]

They must be using several year old data because arcades are now rapidly dying in Japan. Even before corona, they were hurting, but this year has seen a lot of very large amusement centers close permanently.

[@Silmerano]

My local arcades seemed to for some reason simultaneously increase all their prices and stop bringing in new games. That's when I started to lose interest.

[@ErnoSallinen]

Only 13 000 arcade machines in USA at the height of the boom? That can't be right...

[@ErnoSallinen]

After a quick research: Yep, you're talking about arcades, not arcade machines. The real amount is something like 1.5 million.

[@nanoplasm]

This is some awful timing to release this video. Sega just exited from the Game Center operation business last week, and down scaled arcade game development by shifting to home gaming. Asobox chain is out of business. Adores closed one of their Akiba store. Two arcades in Shinjuku is closing this month. The full damage of Covid-19 on Game Centers in Japan is not over yet, as GameCen businesses are still reporting massive loss.

[@HSMiyamoto]

The tie between game publishers and game arcades is a great way to max pre-home game release publicity.

[@XYZRobZombie]

LOL! i love how this video comes out just days after Sega sold off its arcades in japan!

[@joejefferies7209]

0:22 - Killer Instinct. This is why some people in North America resort to play arcade games on MAME Emulator and some buy arcade cabinets. The arcade economy back in those glory days are gone.

[@philipdefibaugh5683]

Back in the 1980's-late 1990's Bally Midway owned their own series of Arcade buildings called Aladdin's Castle.

[@Dj.D25]

There's Round 1 arcades growing around the U.S. which kind of helps, since most of the games there are from Japan. I enjoy the rhythm games most.

[@Dodener]

they just closed a bunch, my local R1 is forever closed now

[@Dj.D25]

@@Dodener I am still waiting for my local Round 1 to reopen. If only I was living in another state where they stay open.

[@Dodener]

​@@Dj.D25 nono like my local one has closed its doors, its not coming back

[@Professor_Utonium_]

@@Dodener That effin sucks, dude. I'm sorry to hear that. I feel bad for them because they just started getting big in the American market.

[@Dodener]

@@Professor_Utonium_ there are still 2 more in the area, instead of a 1 hour drive its almost 2 now for the closest

[@Tinil0]

I had to remember that the Yen was quite a bit worse compared to the USD back in the 70s. A 100 yen arcade machine would be about 40 cents when space invaders came out, though the yen was on the rise pretty damn quickly.

[@zackattackjoseph7279]

This video was the best!!! I want more like these and also someone explain fog gaming! Please please!

[@yoshikomizushima1361]

Hi from Tokyo, Actually, So many arcades are out of business in Japan＼(◎o◎)／！ Because of this Pandemic, people buys PS5 and Switch plays at home.

[@YoussefJKaram]

What about Xbox? Or is that a mostly American thing.

[@yoshikomizushima1361]

@@YoussefJKaram Xbox is not popular in Japan.

[@YoussefJKaram]

@@yoshikomizushima1361 Makes sense.

[@nampyeon635]

This would've been a good video 15 years ago. And I still wouldn't have used the word "thriving" back then, as Japanese arcades had already started a long, slow decline.

[@xplicitmike]

Barcades and arcade rooms are super popular in the states and only growing. We'll continue to see em pop up once covid clears up.

[@MrGulayLagulay]

That eye brow is eye catching

[@rahmatramadhan9874]

Because they offer experiences that frankly will be prohibitively expensive at home. Look up Starwing Paradox as an example. That cabinet is very badass.

[@junrosamura645]

Video is a little misleading because Arcade machines are still around but Arcade centers are super rare. I lived in various places in Japan and I can tell you that Arcade centers outside of Tokyo are super rare and still filled with shaddy Yakuza or Yankee types. However, you will find Taiko, Dance Dance Revolution, and some crane game in almost every supermarket that has multi levels. As someone who's lived here for many years, the days of long ago are just memories and I haven't played an Arcade in years. Great place for teenagers to hang out or take your kids to play gotcha but not much else in terms of must play games.

[@adonian]

I miss the arcade experience in America. I'm 50 and broke but I really want to get a couple of cabinets. Hope I can afford to make them, even if I have to use Raspberypi 4 or MiSTer inside for a while, then get real JAMMA boards.

[@emmettturner9452]

“Thriving” isn’t how I would describe it. Warehouse Kawasaki closed in October 2019, before the pandemic.

[@JP-1990]

Here in America, more and more of what are known as "bar-cades" are cropping up; basically, you buy drinks and play a whole bunch of games, kinda like a Dave & Busters. But there more geared towards twenty-somethings.

[@ced1106]

Good to know. The arcade centers remind me of Disney's failed attempt for a similar game center / theme park experience.

[@clemkadiddlehopper7705]

American homes are roomier and inviting to sit in for hours to play a console game. Japanese homes are little closets and they want to get out of them as much as possible, hence arcades over console games.