I Want To Visit Japan (aka Osaka Game Shopping)

Post by **racketboy** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:05 pm

Drool-worthy and interesting article:
http://tokyopia.com/tk/archives/000378.php

"When it comes to games and Japan, most overseas gamers automatically think Akihabara. Recently, the Tokyo gaming community has been in a buzz over Akihabara's newest gaming darling - Super Potato. It has been the subject of countless posts, pictures, and even a tour on America's G4TechTV. However, Japan's hidden secret is that when it comes to retro games, Akihabara is not the epicenter of goodness. The true heart of the retro gaming revival in Japan is actually in Osaka's Den Den Town.

Located approximately 10 minutes walk from Namba Station in Osaka's Minami district, Nipponbashi (aka Den Den Town) is home to the Original Super Potato store, as well as its hipper cousin, Retro TV Game Revival. These two stores, located a scant 150 feet apart, represent the absolute pinnacle of Japanese retro game collector shops. It is not uncommon to see extremely rare gaming systems sitting next to a $2000 Gold Cart Shonen Jump Limited Edition Dragon Ball Z 2 and across from 1980s video game soundtracks on vinyl. While these prices may seem obscene, the selection and availability is much greater than in Akihabara. While Akihabara may be the scene of many a fanboy's wet dream, Den Den is primarily a Japanese shopping area, the game stores being even more so. Along with Super Potato and Retro TV Game Revival, stores with a definite collectors slant include Big Tiger and Sofmap #6. In fact, suburban Osaka is an even greater shopping bonanza, where small mom and pop chains have produced such bargains as a 3000 yen mint copy of Radiant Silvergun, as collectors normally do not frequent these stores."

Keep Reading & Check Out Pictures

Post by **bawitback** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:24 pm

Wow, looks like my heaven. I'm going to try to find an apartment near there. thx for sharing.

Post by **Indy_aka_Rex** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:32 pm

Psht, and here I am thinking all the money is in ebaying PS3s...

Post by **grittykitty** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:22 am

damn i really miss it there now... i was making a trip to den den town once or twice a month less than a year ago. return to me!!

sofmap is very underrated because of it's much less flashy environment, but it's deals are great. my friend bought the dreamcast skies of arcadia boxset for 1300 yen (around 12 bucks) at sofmap. suburban shops are great too, the one nearest to me sold games, music cds, instruments, used clothes, comics, and toys! i bought something from each category (excluding comics). damn i miss it

Post by **CurulleanCat** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 11:02 am

I cried a little when I was lookin at those pictures.