[Super Potato] Retro Game Stroll in Akihabara [Akihabara News]

A corner introducing shops unique to Akihabara and unusual spots in Akihabara!
This time, if you want to buy retro games, Akihabara is the place to go! So, we visited "Super Potato" in Akihabara.

While it's nostalgic to hear that many of the game consoles and games that colored our youth are now called retro, let's take a look at some of the classic consoles and masterpieces that defined the era of gaming!

What is the joint project "Akibabura News"?

"Passion Conference" is a 30-minute live broadcast by Ichigo Animation that delivers various information about Akihabara.
Akihabara Base Camp is a blog and video streaming service that provides information on Akihabara stores and Akihabara-related information.
A collaborative project between two people who love Akihabara and work daily to revitalize the city!
We bring you the latest happenings in Akihabara using blogs, videos, and live broadcasts!

It's packed with information on Akihabara, from the latest news to hot spots, and more to help you enjoy Akihabara to the fullest!
You might discover a new side of Akihabara that you didn't know existed?

What is Super Potato Akihabara?

We previously conducted a survey on people's attitudes towards retro games.
*For more details, see the article below

What is the scope of retro games? Research into the boundaries through a survey

Please see the article for detailed survey results, but the general image of "retro games" seems to be that the SFC and games before and after that are generally recognized as retro games.
It varies depending on the era, but a broad estimate would be around the original PS?

Well, there is a specialty store for such retro games in Akihabara.
that is"Super Potato Akihabara store".

The store is packed with a wide variety of retro games, retro game consoles, gaming goods, and even magazines.

Attack on Super Potato Akihabara store!

If you go one block further from Akihabara Chuo Dori, you will find Super Potato right there.
Rather than finding it, you'll first hear 8-bit background music that sounds familiar, so you'll probably be able to figure out the general location just by getting close.

The entrance to the store may be a little hard to find, but use the exterior of the building and the sign as a landmark.
Every time I pass by here, the nostalgic background music tickles my heart.

Super Potato is a store located on the 3rd to 5th floors, with hardware and software sold on the 3rd and 4th floors and arcade games available to play on the 5th floor.

▲It's not Mario... it's Luigi who welcomes you!

As soon as you step inside the building, a wave of retro games takes you back to your youth.
Well, let's start by looking at the third floor!

[3rd Floor] The Retro Floor: Games that Defined an Era

As you can see from the entrance, the third floor is dedicated to older retro games, mainly Nintendo consoles.

We stock not only the Famicom but also the Super Famicom, the 16-bit hardware that was the demand of the times, the Mega Drive, and other gaming goods.

Here are some of the things that are particularly noteworthy on the third floor!
First up is the Virtual Boy!

Nintendo's early 3D game console.
You play by looking through the goggles, and it's like the precursor to what we now call VR goggles.
*Strictly speaking, it was completely different from VR, but it was still cutting-edge hardware for its time.

Next is the Super Nintendo Box.


Although you don't see them anymore, they were installed under the television in inns and had multiple games built in, making them similar to what we would call a mini Famicom or mini Super Famicom today.
It's supposed to be a Nintendo licensed product...or rather, is it genuine? Authentic? Really?

There are plenty of other products that will make retro game enthusiasts cry with joy!
Just how much is the content of this showcase worth?

[4th floor] Game soundtracks, DVDs, magazines, etc.

Next, let's go to the fourth floor.
The fourth floor mainly sells game merchandise, including strategy guides, setting materials, soundtrack CDs, and DVDs, and related products are also available for purchase on the fourth floor.


There was also merchandise for sale on the third floor, but it was more of a "Games > Related Products (Goods)", but the fourth floor was "Games ＜Related Products (Goods)"The product lineup is as follows:

Game music related shelves.

Nowadays, game soundtrack CDs are released by various companies, but in the past, not every title had a soundtrack, so if I found something I was looking for, I would buy it immediately.
Also, there was no online sales and the number of copies sold was limited, so if you find a rare copy, don't miss it!

This is the shelf for paper media.

Nowadays, the mainstream way to get strategy information is to browse the internet or watch videos, but in the past, the only way to get strategies was to share them with friends or read game magazines and strategy guides.
However, the true purpose of a strategy guide is to be able to view the setting drawings and text, as well as see behind-the-scenes development stories.
It's fun just to look at it as a paper document, so if you're a game fan, why not give it a try?

There are also rare items on display that you won't find anywhere else, giving you a glimpse into the museum-like aspects of gaming.
This is the commemorative version of Pokemon Yellow, production number No. 1!

And the actual ATARI2600!
This product marked the beginning of the history of home video game consoles!
It would not be an exaggeration to say that...

[5th ​​floor] A candy store with unlimited arcade games

Next, let me introduce the 5th floor.

Titled RETORO GAME CENTER, it operates as a floor where you can play retro arcade games.

This is a free play system with a time-based system, where you can play for 1 hour for 1000 yen, and there are packs available for up to 3 hours.

Also, those eligible for free play can eat as much candy as they want!
Of course, eat in moderation.

They also had a huge selection of other snacks, and it felt like they had a greater variety than some of the more expensive stores.


There was a time when candy bars were popular, but Super Potato was written with the idea in mind of things like "I was eating them while playing games," "I was holding them while waiting in line," and "I was thinking about what to buy with my little pocket money."Arcade gamesI feel that it's been well mixed to accompany the memories of ".

You can also go play games by yourself and enjoy a quiet time reminiscing about the past.
You can also return to your childhood and play with your friends from back then.
A retro game center that speaks to the heart may be just what we need in this day and age.

Learn from the past. Experience retro games at Super Potato

A masterpiece, a great machine, good things are good no matter how much time passes.
There are words like nostalgia and nostalgia, but it's true that the games from that era have left an impression on me.
The stages you played at that time, the strong enemies you struggled with, and the background music that touches your heart.
Now that times have changed a bit, why not try out some old classics known as retro games?