SEGA Ikebukuro GIGO was a mammoth 9 story arcade located in Toshima, Ikebukuro, and was loved by both tourists and locals alike. But September 20th saw it close its doors for the final time after 28 years of service. And while this particular closure was due to a lease expiry, it’s become an all too familiar sight over recent years. Such is the decline in popularity that SEGA’s parent company (Sega Sammy Holdings Inc.) even sold off a whopping 85% of their arcade division last year to amusement company Genda, after suffering ‘significant losses’ due to COVID-19.
This is something that has been an issue since long before the COVID-19 pandemic though. The number of arcades in Japan stood at over 26,000 in 1986 compared to just over 4,000 in 2021. A lot of this is due to reduced footfall as home video games continued to advance to the point that they exceeded their arcade counterparts graphically. However, part of this sharp decline is also due to the rise of large multistory arcades by video game giants such as SEGA and Taito, replacing the plethora of small, locally run affairs. Whilst this means that the numbers aren’t completely representative of the reduction in popularity, the overall trend is still in sharp decline.
After visiting some of these arcades back in 2018, it’s fair to say that they offer a completely unique experience compared to what is offered here in the west. Each floor offers a different experience, with new games, new prizes and even photo booths available to enjoy. Many of these games never see official releases outside of Japan either, so you’d be hard pressed to find games such as Taiko no Tatsujin (Drum Master) and Cho Chabudai Gaeshi! (Super Table Flip!) except for in specialised places like Arcade Club in Bury.
It would be such a shame to see these arcades close for good, since they are so much more than just a place to play video games, they’re a place where friends can hang out and just have a good time in general. However, it seems that COVID-19 may very well be the final nail in the coffin for an industry already in constant decline. As of November 2021, tourists still aren’t allowed into the country and if this doesn’t change soon, then the damage will be irreparable and a sight which was once seen by many will be gone forever…
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