Japan’s gaming market also attracts tourists

The gaming scene is currently experiencing an interesting trend. Many old games, primarily from the 1980s and 1990s, are popular again. This applies to both the old original games and some new editions from game manufacturers. What is a trend in Germany is a regular boom in Japan. And since many of the major game manufacturers from back then are based in Japan, the range of retro games is larger there than here.

This can be tempting for tourists to Japan who are interested in gaming, as interesting retro games are much easier to discover here.

Retrogaming is experiencing a boom

Whether Nintendo, Sony, Sega or Sunsoft, when the gaming industry began to experience its first major boom worldwide in the 1980s, Japan was the center. Consoles and video games from Japan enriched children’s bedrooms around the world and also thrilled many adults.

The children of those days are now long grown up. And gaming culture has also outgrown its infancy. The pixelated game worlds of the past have given way to elaborately staged virtual realities.

But many gamers like to think back to the good old days. And many young gaming enthusiasts can also be inspired by the charm of earlier games.

In recent years, this has led to many a dusty console being brought back out of the attic. On online marketplaces and in specialist shops, you can now sometimes get the gaming treasures from back then for prices that are significantly higher than their original value. Some of them have become sought-after collector’s items.

The gaming industry has recognized the trend and is responding to the demand for retro games with new editions and remakes, as CyberGhost reports.

In Japan, the home country of many of the hit games of the past, enthusiasm for the classic games is particularly great. Shops like “Super Potato” market retro gaming on a large scale. An offer that is also attracting more and more tourists.

Japanese retro shops also attractive for tourists

Japan is considered a paradise for fans of retro games. In the home country of games, the range is particularly large and relatively inexpensive. In large stores such as “Super Potato” you can quickly find everything a gamer’s heart desires. And there are also many small shops where you can discover real treasures. The prices for games and consoles are often far lower than those on the European market. Of course, items with original packaging and collector’s value have their price here too. Nevertheless, the offers are often tempting.

What stops many tourists from buying is mainly practical concerns. If you don’t just want to collect the games but actually want to play them at home, you have to think about the language barrier, compatibility problems and possible country restrictions. Most of the time, these are Japanese editions in Japanese.

However, it can still be worthwhile for tourists to visit Japanese game stores, as many problems can be solved with a little tinkering and research.

There are a large number of tips and instructions on how to circumvent any country restrictions and solve compatibility problems on the Internet. Many of the games offered in Japan can also be played in English. Many of the old games also do not require a great understanding of the language.

If you love retro games and are visiting Japan, you should at least pay a visit to do some shopping. Even if you don’t find a bargain, the selection there is definitely worth seeing.