If you’re a racing game lover, you’ll definitely enjoy this stop. With a history as a Sega arcade, this arcade is home to many cool classic games, from the Manx TT Super Bike machine to the Rad Mobile games you play while sitting in a miniature car. I could have spent at least an hour just hopping between the various handles of these retro machines.
Compared to when we visited the Namco arcade down the street earlier in the day, the selection of rhythm games where you tap your controller to the beat and earn points was pretty similar. At Gigo 3, we were able to play multiple rhythm games without feeling the need to move because other customers were lined up behind us. It was fun trying out all the rhythm experiences for the first time, but my personal favorite was Sega’s maimai machine. I watched in amazement as players nearby pressed all eight buttons with precise timing to the music, stacking up combos as they swiped their fingers across the screen. I was content to play on a familiar, easy difficulty level rather than take risks. I go outside sweating profusely.
Another fun experience at Gigo 3 for travelers is the photo booth section. This place is mostly filled with teenage girls perfecting their makeup, touching it up with a curling iron, and trying on crispy blonde wigs, but we didn’t stop at the booth for photos. It was a lot of fun and I couldn’t stop laughing as the software distorted our facial features out of proportion. We looked like ghostly aliens. One of the booths we tried had a horror theme and had a light story playing as we posed.
We played the game hard, but it never cost more than 5,000 yen (about $33) at any arcade in Tokyo. Overall, our experience with Gigo 3 was budget-friendly and engaging.
If you are traveling with children
As I rode the outdoor escalator to reach the entrance to 1-chome Playland on Tokyo’s man-made island of Odaiba, I was surrounded by nostalgic neon hues and the most mechanical arcade games I’d seen on my entire trip. Yes, there were some other gaming options, but the main attraction here was the variety of vintage machines, often with some sort of interactive mechanical element. Despite their age and general use, the majority of the games here were in great condition.
Although the space is not very large, I encountered a unique experience every time I turned a corner and had fun grabbing yen balls. As the target light flashed on the screen, I used a small chef’s skillet to crush the rodent. My partner and I got a little too competitive, spinning the cursor and trying to win the ping pong soccer game. We played Sailor Moon themed tic-tac-toe and almost hit the pinball three times in a row.
At 1-chome Playland, we saw many families with small children and couples having beauty salon dates. This place is easy to overlook as it’s right next to other family-friendly attractions like Legoland Discovery Center and Tokyo Joyopolis, but honestly, it’s worth the train ride alone. We spent an hour and a half trying out the machine, but on a less crowded night we probably could have spent another 30 minutes.
Keep in mind that if you take your family out to this arcade, you’ll almost certainly end up hitting a nearby ice cream shop on your way back to your hotel. It feels just right.
Looking for other Japanese game centers worth visiting in Tokyo? We also enjoyed our time at Namco, HEY Taito, and GiGO #1. All are located in Akihabara, only a few blocks apart. For a more intimate experience, head to Takadanobaba. Mikado Game Center has a large selection of retro gaming machines. The nearby Natsuge Museum is also a great place for pinball fans.
