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Best 5 Retro Game Stores in Akihabara: Japan Arcades and More!

Best 5 Retro Game Stores in Akihabara: Japan Arcades and More!

Last updated: 21 January 2020

Did you grow up stomping mushroom men flat or being chased by ghosts in dot-filled mazes? Do your childhood memories involve blowing dust out of a cartridge, or by scouring the latest gaming magazines for tips on how to defeat that one Final Boss? Or maybe you just heard about the good old days, and want to see for yourself how good it was?

If you love the home console systems of yesteryear, Akihabara’s retro video game shops are for you! Pick up your controller and plug in your Konami Code, you’re going to need extra lives to take in all this retro video game goodness.

Table of Contents
  1. 1. Super Potato: Retro game store for all ages
  2. 2. Friends
  3. 3. Retro Game Camp
  4. 4. Surugaya Specialty Store
  5. 5. Mandarake Complex

1. Super Potato: Retro game store for all ages

1. Super Potato: Retro game store for all ages

Super Potato is the most internationally-famous retro games store in Akihabara. Part store, part love letter to the video-gaming past, Super Potato supports systems ranging from the Famicom all the way up to the latest consoles.

Their three floors of retro game goodness also include a vast array of gaming-related goods such as stuffed animals of characters, candy, and numerous game guides for the merciless digital puzzles of the past.

Even if you aren’t looking to buy, you should go to Super Potato—they have a retro arcade! Get some change and re-live your street-fightin’ glory days on the third floor.

2. Friends

2. Friends

Friends has a range of games and accessories from the Famicom up to the modern era as well as older PC games. It’s great just to dig through the seemingly-endless rows for those favorite 8-bit masterpieces from your childhood.

Friends also stocks the ultimate in stealth in-school gaming--game watches! Tap your way through an old digital classic during the next boring meeting or class—it's less obvious than a smartphone.

  • Friends
    フレンズ
    • Address 6-14-13 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021, Japan
    • Phone Number 03-5812-2471
    • Hours of Operation: Open Wednesday through Monday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.

3. Retro Game Camp

3. Retro Game Camp

Retro Game Camp has a huge stock of games, from the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) all the way up to the latest compatible consoles. If you can't make it to their retro game store in Akihabara, you can order from their online retro game store -- they ship worldwide!

They are also very conscientious about their secondhand goods -- they check the operation of each one, make sure batteries are in working order, and ensure that all game gear they sell works properly. No more wasting your money on junk retro games and no more losing your saved games!

  • RetroGame CAMP AKIHABARA
    RetroGame CAMP AKIHABARA
    レトロげーむキャンプ 秋葉原店
    • Address Shin Suehiro Building C, 3-14-7 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0021
    • Nearest Station Akihabara Station (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line / JR Yamanote Line / Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line / Tsukuba Express / JR Sobu Line)
      5 minutes on foot
    • Phone Number 03-3253-7778

4. Surugaya Specialty Store

4. Surugaya Specialty Store

Surugaya Specialty Store is part of a chain that sells goods in the otaku sphere of influence, such as comics, character items, and even AV equipment. The Suruga Shop Akihabara Store Game Hall is the place that specializes in console games from the Famicom all the way up to the latest offerings.

Of particular interest to the hobbyist is their selection of arcade game parts. With a little electronic know-how, you could set up your own retro arcade game cabinet!

  • Surugaya Specialty Store
    駿河屋秋葉原店ゲーム館
    • Address 1st floor of the Toyo Building 9-8 Toyo Building 3 - chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021
    • Phone Number 03-3256-7277
    • Hours of Operation: Open daily 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

5. Mandarake Complex

5. Mandarake Complex

The Mandarake Complex building in Akihabara is eight floors of geeky goodness, and the retro games are on the 6th floor. Mandarake has an online registration system that allows you to order goods from them as well as participate in their auctions (with almost-worldwide shipping).

  • Mandarake Complex
    まんだらけコンプレックス
    • Address 3-11-12 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021
    • Phone Number 03-3252-7007
    • Hours of Operation: Open daily 12 a.m. to 8 p.m.

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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