I grew up in the sticks, but we did have some arcades. Most were relegated to pizza huts, although occasionally we’d take a trip out to the mall. They had an awesome arcade, the kind with ski ball, every street fighter, that one Area 51 light gun game. I was part of a regular Soulcalibur 1 tournament they’d do every month. I’d go bowling with my grandma as a teenager too. The bowling alley had a very small, but extremely well curated arcade. Whoever was in charge of the arcade selection there really knew what they were doing, and I should have asked. Metal Slug, Street Fighter Alpha 3, Crazy Taxi, NBA Jam, etc. Just hit after hit.

I occasionally go to the retro arcade near me, although it’s aimed at a slightly more retro vibe than I’m into. It mainly has games from the late 70s to late 80s, but it’s still a cool time. I used to have the high score on the Bubble Bobble cabinet (trust me, jump a bunch of times in place on the first few levels, it’s important).

I’ve been to a bunch of arcades in Japan and a few in China. It depends on where you go these days. In Japan a Taito or a Gigo are always good bets. There’s only one Sega left, so that’s a shame. Namco centers are also pretty good. They’re harder to find, but little tiny arcades are always the best, but what can suck is people in there will absolutely be smoking. Every Japanese arcade I’ve visited that had Street Fighter III: Third Strike also had ash trays and permanent yellow stains everywhere.

Also, heads up, very large arcades in Japan will be set up on multiple levels. If you actually want arcade games, you’ll have to find the floor you want.

• First floor is always claw machines (or UFO catchers).
• Second floor is often photo booths, or some kind of odd hobby-game like confusing card games or those simulators where you’re a train conductor. Sometimes there will be VR stuff set up on the second floor too.
• Third floor will be rhythm games. Japanese arcades absolutely love rhythm games and you will see someone blasting their hands all over some buttons to a bouncy Hatsune Miku song or dancing like crazy on DDR
• Fourth floor will be stuff like airhockey, multiplayer stuff like the taiko drum game, etc.
• Fifth floor and above are what I call the otaku caves. They’re where the nerds are pushed. That’s where you’ll see fighting games, more action oriented stuff, retro games, whatever.
• Top floor will be something like a place to play collectible card games or maybe even something like a theater for some local idol group, if you’re into that kinda thing.

Hope you can visit a game center someday! There’s really nothing else in the world quite like them. Shout out to that lady who destroyed me in Street Fighter 6 at the Taito in Nipponbashi a few months ago.