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What the...? Weird games in Akihabara, Tokyo
Akihabara is often described as the geek centre of the universe. It's a place where Japanese nerds (known as "otaku") visit to buy all manner of nerdy goods, such as manga, anime, video games, computers, electronics, action figures, collectables, hentai and pornography. Basically, it's the free trade zone of geek-dom. Anything and everything here is for sale: from cute, cheap Pokémon key-rings, to some of the most disgusting, unmentionable adult material you will ever come across in the world.
I'm on an extended holiday in Japan at the moment, and I recently visited Akihabara for one simple purpose: to buy retro video games. No sicko hentai. No ultra-expensive Neon Genesis Action figures. Just video games. And I bought stacks.
But along the way, I found all manner of strange gaming artefacts... some of which I never knew even existed. So I thought I would share with you some of the weirdest retro gaming goodies you can purchase in Akihabara, Tokyo.1. Nintendo R.O.B.
The Nintendo R.O.B. was a robotic accessory for the Nintendo Entertainment System, released in 1985. It was only compatible with two games, and like many Nintendo accessories (i.e. the Power Glove) it was basically a waste of money that didn't work properly. But still... it's a robot! From 1985! And at least on the commercials, R.O.B. looked way cool.
I found the above boxed R.O.B. in an Akihabara game store for 4000 yen (US$50).2. Brand New Famicom Games
The Nintendo Famicom was released in Japan back in 1983, and it remained the dominant force in video games until the release of the Super Famicom in 1990. That was over two decades ago. But there are still some retro game shops in Akihabara selling new, unopened Famicom games. Yes, brand-spanking new. Like the pictured copy of Gradius, released in 1986. Price: 6000 yen (US$75).3. Dodgy Games
As already mentioned, Akihabara is full of porno. Full of it. There are adult shops here that are literally eight stories high, catering to all manner of perverted fantasies. Many of the goods on sale here would probably be illegal in every other country in the world (and with good reason, too).
Akihabara game stores are not spared this otaku obsession with girl panties (and a whole lot more), and while searching for retro titles, you will invariably stumble across a whole sleuth of adult games that never saw the light of day outside Japan. Indeed, some stores have entire floors dedicated to this stuff:
All of the games look like pretty terrible playing experiences to me. And I don't really understand the need for them. But I thought it was an interesting point of difference between Akihabara game stores and say... your local Wall Mart. Plus some of them are cheaper than a condom (and, I assume, about 0.001% as fun). Indeed, the game pictured above is a staggering 91% off. It must have been a real commercial success in its day, huh?
There's more Akihabara weirdness to come! Click below for the next page...
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