So how can I start this little feature on Japanese arcades or Game Centers as they're called over here.  Well, let's start by telling you that there are 3 types are Game Center in Japan.  First we have the modern game center that has most of the latest or more popular games.  Then we have the Game Centers that are not so rich so they are full of slightly older games plus a few retro games from 5 year back or so.  Finally there are the retro game centers that have nothing but classics such as Final Fight,　R-Type,  King Of Fighter '95, Rastan and so on.

Well in this feature we'll take a look inside of a Modern Game Center and the poorer semi new / retro Game Center.  First up is the more modern Game Center about 5 minutes from my home, Sega World Chofu.

I must stress that it's against Sega's policy to allow any one to video or take photographs inside of their Game Centers.  So all of these shots had to be taken undercover which explains for some of the bad quality shots.

This is the first site you see when entering Sega World.  Many UFO catchers full of goodies that have been the cause of me loosing much money in the past.

To our right we can see more UFO catchers and the very interesting Mushi King (Insect King) game with has no controls what so ever.  It's played by sweeping your insect cards though the scanner with a partner or Vs the computer then letting your insects battle it out on the screen.  Sort of like a modern version of the Barcode Battler or Nintendo's EZ-Cards.

Do you notice the Sonic image on the back wall?

Prikara or Pint Club as it's known in the west is still quite popular with the younger generation of girls and even boys sometimes.  To your right you can see quite a few Prikara machines in the distance.