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.

Photo Tour of Super Potato Osaka

Super Potato Akihabara has been such a big deal that explaining its inferiority to its Osaka big brother is best done with pictures. Whereas SP:A is a small store the size of an apartment, SP:O is actually two stories. The first floor focuses on new games and used games from the current generation of systems.

A view from the entrance of Super Potato Osaka. Behind the girl with the red bag, the store opens up to house all current generation games. Note the sign saying retro games are on the second floor. Behind me are kiosks on the street set up with classic Famicom games.

A view from the midpoint of Super Potato Osaka's first floor. There is another walkway on the other side of the PS2 rack and behind me is a second devoted to used DVDs.

Going up to the second floor is an experience that mimics the one in Tokyo.

　

A view of the back part of SPO's second floor. This section is devoted to Sega Saturn, Game Boy, WonderSwan, Game Gear, and Dreamcast Games.

　

Famicom games up top and a showcase for rare Saturn/PC Engine/Neo Geo games down below.

　

The front part of Super Potato's second floor. Note the world famous stack of Twin Famicoms in the used system section. Near the registers are more showcases for rare games, as well as the Nintendo UFO catcher prizes that have been all the rage in Japan.

　

This is the primary showcase for rare games when you make it up the stairs. On the left you see the wide selection of Famicom games. Inside the case on the second shelf from the top center is the Gold DBZ cart. A special edition Kinnikuman is on the top shelf. Special edition Kung Fu and other exotics populate the rest of this case. I didn't add up the prices, but that case alone is probably between 25,000-50,000 US Dollars worth of collector games. Prices in that case start at about 75 USD and go up. A few weeks ago there was a 5,000 USD game in the case, but I didnt have my camera to take a shot of it. I believe it was another rare Shonen Jump Special Edition.

　

I like to call this part of the store Famicom alley. You can also see the famed Famicom controller cushions above the registers. I'd like to note the rather cute retro game obsessed girl who is a member of the extremely knowledgeable and extremely friendly staff.

　

Retro TV Game Revival Photo Tour

While Super Potato is incredibly cool, Retro TV Gamer is absolutely mindblowing. Where Super Potato ends, Retro TV begins. Want a brand new rare Game and Watch? Go to Retro. Want a signed copy of some obscure RPG game. Go to Retro. Want classic game music? Go to Retro. Retro TV Game Revival is a museum turned store and will not disappoint in any respect. While it doesn't have the showcase stock of games that Super Potato has, it makes up for this lacking in its comprehensive stock of pre-Famicom era merchandise and an overriding sense of cool.

　

The entrance to Retro TV Game. Note the dangling Famicom controller. This store is also 2 stories.

　

Despite the blurriness, this shot shows Retro's easily accessible used system stock. These systems are not the rarest of the rare, but they have the requiste stack of Twin Famicoms. Also note the Regulation 7 Dreamcast and the Hitachi Hi-Saturn. What makes this store tops is the wide selection of used controllers to make your day after one of your vintage pads stops working or has an unfortunate collision with a wall.

　

The first floor is Saturn, PlayStation, Super Famicom, Famicom, Virtual Boy, Mega Drive, and Game Boy.

　

This is their showcase and the only place on the first floor where you will see some newer games. Note the division between systems on each level. Neo up top, then Famicom, Neo again, Saturn, Mega Drive, and Misc titles on the bottom.

　

The used game music section has probably the most comprehensive selection of soundtracks I have seen in Japan. Also note the dancing Leon and Wolf plushes next to a Pikachu bust.

　

Now the good stuff. Welcome to the dimly lit second floor. Yes, your eyes are not lying to you. Those are new, boxed Game and Watch. What is even scarier is the fact that some of those can get up to 50,000 yen. Definetely exotic.

　

Another showcase with classic handhelds. Amazing how far we have progressed in 20 years.

　

Second floor games include Playstation, 3DO, Sega Retro, as well as MSX. A used MSX system will set you back 400 yen. A used copy of Metal Gear Solid II Solid Snake for your 400 yen MSX will set you back 20000 yen.

　

ヴィオラートのアトリエ or Atelier's Violate: Alchemist of Gramnad 2 in a bubble wrapped limited edition signed copy.

Retro TV Game revival is really a store about loving games, and the staff bring that to the forefront in their knowledge and their enthusiasm for retro games. I can't recommend this store enough, if for nothing else than looking at all the Game and Watch games they have on the second floor. It is an amazing experience.

While Super Potato and Retro TV Game Revival are the two show stoppers in Den Den Town, stores like Big Tiger and Sofmap also have the showcase games and a large selection. However, simply put, SPO and RTGR are the full package of nostalgia. The music, the gameplay kiosks, and the reverence given to the games in these stores is a constant reminder why we all love games to begin with.

In the interest of equal time, I end with a picture of Sofmap #4 prominently displaying why this article will be ignored and why forum traffic will drop off substantially.

　

[ Email JP Kellams ]