Encyclopedia Arcadia Japonica

"Arcade etiquette"

The 5 golden rules of proper game center mannerisms and etiquette to keep in mind while abroad.

#1 Taunting

Does your opponent speak English?

If so, avoid insults to his mother’s reputation as a 5 dollar ho, or advice such as "go and die in a toilet".

#2 Hygiene

Is there chocolate on the joystick?

Was the player before you eating half a roast chicken whilst button bashing? Is there a nicely placed ashtray in the middle of your set up, ready to jump out mid combo? Check and prep.

#3 The Weak

Punish the spammers.

Button bashers, noobs, and scrubs have all been placed here to mess with your day. Make sure to chew up their coinage and esteem.

#4 Outcomes

Economize on “shit talking”.

Save face and vocal cords by leaving it at least 2 mins before predicting outcomes. You are not Mystic Meg, don’t be a twat.

#5 Scrubbiness

Complaining about the controls, character handling or your set-up is the worst. Nobody wants to hear it; a bad workman always blames his tools.

Top Gaming Spots

Tokyo's Finest

No. 3

Shinjuku “Amusement”

If you are like me you wanna  bit of leg room while your gaming. Nothin blows more than havin some dumb-ass walk into you while trying to pull off a combo on Tekken. Nicely named Geisen “Amusement has the standard array of Rhythm, Beat em up and Shoot em up games but on the up side you don’t have to sit on anyone while you’re playin! Only 4 minutes from Shinjuku Station.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=&sll=31.728167,140.185547&sspn=38.694075,62.050781&ie=UTF8&ll=35.690367,139.702207&spn=0.001142,0.001894&z=19&layer=c&cbll=35.690448,139.702225&panoid=4KVbrQYteFVeZCgOcbfbQQ&cbp=12,160.89,,0,1.69

No. 2

Ikebukuro “Game”

Located on “Romansu Dori” about 4 minutes from Ikebukuro station, don’t be fooled by it’s size. This place is packed with gems. Many classics from the Genesis, SNES era, almost all games are 50 yen. Perfectly priced for a trip down memory lane (watch out for cramps though). Up for Street Fighter II, Alien Vs. Predator, Columbs? This is the place to go!

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=35.731734,139.709455&spn=0.002064,0.007575&z=17&layer=c&cbll=35.731737,139.709451&panoid=zZPeQr0YY2mmWPaT44v7kA&cbp=11,13.91,,0,-4.43

No. 1

Takadanobaba "Mikado"

A wide selection of the best games you never played. Games from way back when and pretty much anything you desire (Pinball machines and even an original "Outrun" arcade machine from 1988). Twice monthly, gamer tournaments are held on the upper floor making this a popular hang out for the Tetsujin. Again most games being 50 yen, and a Lawson situated right next to the center, you might find yourself havin lunch and gettin whooped by E Honda at the same time..

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=35.712754,139.703511&spn=0.002065,0.007575&z=17&layer=c&cbll=35.712755,139.703511&panoid=ZdDFN7ViwkB07MBn81thBA&cbp=11,224.32,,0,-0.99