I would agree with list order as well. The lady at FRIENDS was so awesome, as well were the staff at the other shops. Spending a whole day in Akihabara the day after we arrive :)
I disagree with your picks, but of course, good list, and it's so cute that we've held hands at many of these stores. Also, thanks for introducing me to the "good" Trader. While I always prefer the "local" stores for the best deals, here are my own top 5 Akiba shops: 5. Super Potato 4. Mandarake 3. Friends 2. Surugaya 1. BEEP BEEP has been given me so many fantastic deals--but even more fantastic experiences with retro gaming. Meeting a game dev there and chatting it up for quite a bit being one of the highlights, but it's also where I discovered my love for retro PC gaming. Surugaya is the best all-around shop, though, and their online store is second to none. FOR REALZ, son.
Jimmy Hapa (Import Gaming FTW!) sorry but Super Potato is a tourist trap... The prices are among the highest... Akihabara in all has become quite expensive
Jimmy Hapa (Import Gaming FTW!) Agree with Friends and Beep being so high on your list, but Mandarake Akiba wouldn't even make my top 5, everything there is marked up to ridiculous prices. You can find deals at Super Potato depending on the item, not so at Mandarake.
Mandarake has a great selection but the prices there are downright depressing. If I was into collecting retro PC games Beep would definitely be my number one pick.
I did not know Friends had a second floor lol Next time Il go il have to check this out because I was looking for a nice place for games OSTs last time I was in Akihabara . Oh and Yeah that Trader store was awesome it's the place where I got the most games during my last trip . Some games were really cheaper and in better condition than other stores I went . Thanks for another great video Jim .
Beep is nice to look at. Although they got premium software, the prices are also premium. I went there last month for checking out the PCBs - in the end I bought all my stuff at Mak Japan.
I´m trying to select which few shops to visit so this video is helpful! Didn´t expect the number one shop, maybe I should consider Trader 1 instead of some other place... Still, since my girlfriend is coming with me a place like Mandarake could be fun to visit since there´s a lot of other fun stuff to look at too. Beep, Surugaya and Friends are conveniently close to each other so they seem to be must visits.
Thanks! Hoppfully I’ve been to a Hard Off and Ojamakan earlier on the Japan visit, saving the expensive but irresistible Akihabara ‘till last. Anyhow, Trader sounds like the place to start!
Hi Jim, Fantastic content ive been watching your videos intently while waiting for my trip to tokyo this year. I was wondering if youve stumbled across any good retro video game stores outside of akiba that i imagine would be cheaper but also has a good selection. Im there for 2 weeks so im happy to explore to get the best price and selection. Keep up with the great content loving it !
Great video. I never knew about Beep, how long has it been open? Man watching this video makes me want to go back to Japan so badly. Maybe in 2019 I’ll make my fifth visit to the land of the rising sun.
Can't wait to hit Akiba again later this year. This time, Denden is included too. I thought you already made a video talking about your favourite Akiba shops?
Jim, you are above and beyond the best source of information when it comes to video games and japan. Which store out of the 5 do you think would the best source when it comes to collecting video game artbooks, soundtracks, guides, and possibly video game action figures because those are the things I would probably actively collect for since I don't really collect import games.
For soundtracks I'd say definitely go to Friends, for the other stuff I'd say Super Potato, they have a lot of books and other game related stuff on the second floor. If you can, go to a Hobby Off, you'll find a ton of figures there.
Super Potatoe is for me the last shop ever to go to. Fucking high prices ... as nuts as Mandarake. Music CDs for 4000 Yen, that is brutal ... Beep is really amazing for those collecting for PCs/PCB Boards. Never saw any comparable shop anywhere.
Great video! I've always wondered, apart from the obvious bookoff/hardoff stores, are there other retro game shops/used game shops in other parts of Tokyo (not in Akiba)?
what is your job in japan? if I may ask? wondering... have been to japan about 10 times myself and always wanted to move there, but was not able so far.
Mandarake has a tax return option if you spend more than Y5000 or something like that. I got a Rockman X3 boxed from there, went downstairs and got my tax refund. Super Potato was the worst for me, most of the shelves had the games spine facing and whilst 16 bit cartridge boxes are thick and easier to identify, the Saturn and PS1 was ridiculous. It was cramped, some of the games are at feet level and you have 1 foot of space behind you with people going past. The arcade upstairs is full of smokers and whilst I smoke I don't like to be vulnerable to that much of passive smoke, god knows what non smokers think up there. I just lost my patience and left. The rating system used by most stores is hit and miss, an AAA is almost impossible to find, a BBB is my AAA and sometimes a C is good enough and you look at the product and think "what is C about this?". Strange system of rating games. There is one shop that blows all these away and its Super Potato in Osaka. After hitting Aki shops and spending almost a whole day walking back and forth, I could of just shopped at Super Potato in Osaka. It had every single game I was looking for in one place and the prices were cheaper or competitive with any shop in Aki. For those watching these videos, check out the large Super Potato in Osaka (it has two stores 5 mins walk from each other). I guarantee the SP with Mario / Snake from MGS outside it will provide all your needs and the night life there is unbelievable in Don don town (Can't the name haha).
(Office space boss voice) Yeh....If you could write a guide for gamers visiting Japan, that’d be great. I know you have the content spread out over your videos, but it’s hard to keep up with all the arcades and shops. If I could buy that guide from you somehow, maybe a PDF, I would be very grateful. On another note, it’s depressing to watch ur Japanese shop videos. I can’t speak for all of the US, but in the NYC area (VGNY, J+L and 8 bit) , stores have terrible selections, maybe 10 boxed SNES games in the whole store, none of which are rare or exciting. The only somewhat interesting boxed games I saw were an over priced Metroid and Stunt Racer FX. The loose carts are even worse, all sport titles and light gun games.
Where is the source of these games? The amount of westerners in these stores is easy to see and none of the games are going back to Japan. I Find it hard to believe that perfectly boxed/sealed or mint condition games still exist after 25 years. You would have thought by now that all games that are easy to play without knowing Japanese would be bought up. I can understand auctions because people always have something to sell used, but these games are in stores. If you have auctions and you have stores, they don't work together very well because an auction bypasses the need to sell to a store. Anyway, I would like to say if you go to Aki, its your wallet that is the limiter, not the kind of shops or the selection of games. You will want something there for sure and unless your going there with 5 suitcases and $100,000 i'm pretty sure you will run out of money, time or suit case space before you need to worry about which store is best. Perhaps if you only want Japanese magazines, guides or soundtracks you would go to Friends. But your unlikely to find all your wants in one shop.
Soooo awesome! you had me hooked from 0:00 till 14:10 minutes!
HappyConsoleGamer I know man. One day soon I will make it to BEEP just to see a Sharp X68000.
Thanks, John! One of these days I'll give you the Akihabara grand tour.
Looks like heaven, especially that Beep store. I could just browse for hours.
I often do. :)
When I went to Akihabara in 2016 Trader was definitely my favorite shop to visit
It's great, it's always my first stop anytime I'm in town.
I would agree with list order as well. The lady at FRIENDS was so awesome, as well were the staff at the other shops. Spending a whole day in Akihabara the day after we arrive :)
old ma at Friends is nice - the two brothers are loathed by Japanese buyers though....
I disagree with your picks, but of course, good list, and it's so cute that we've held hands at many of these stores. Also, thanks for introducing me to the "good" Trader. While I always prefer the "local" stores for the best deals, here are my own top 5 Akiba shops:
5. Super Potato
4. Mandarake
3. Friends
2. Surugaya
1. BEEP
BEEP has been given me so many fantastic deals--but even more fantastic experiences with retro gaming. Meeting a game dev there and chatting it up for quite a bit being one of the highlights, but it's also where I discovered my love for retro PC gaming. Surugaya is the best all-around shop, though, and their online store is second to none. FOR REALZ, son.
Jimmy Hapa (Import Gaming FTW!) sorry but Super Potato is a tourist trap...
The prices are among the highest...
Akihabara in all has become quite expensive
they pretty much all suck now lol....good job though
Thanks for the bonus list Jimmy!
Jimmy Hapa (Import Gaming FTW!) Agree with Friends and Beep being so high on your list, but Mandarake Akiba wouldn't even make my top 5, everything there is marked up to ridiculous prices. You can find deals at Super Potato depending on the item, not so at Mandarake.
Mandarake has a great selection but the prices there are downright depressing.
If I was into collecting retro PC games Beep would definitely be my number one pick.
I did not know Friends had a second floor lol
Next time Il go il have to check this out because I was looking for a nice place for games OSTs last time I was in Akihabara .
Oh and Yeah that Trader store was awesome it's the place where I got the most games during my last trip .
Some games were really cheaper and in better condition than other stores I went .
Thanks for another great video Jim .
No prob, thanks for watching.
Went to Trader yesterday and was welcomed with a friendly gentlemen and brought retro games 😀 thanks for the invo KidShoryuken 👌
My pleasure. Hope you found some decent deals there.
Beep is nice to look at. Although they got premium software, the prices are also premium.
I went there last month for checking out the PCBs - in the end I bought all my stuff at Mak Japan.
I still need to pay a visit to Mak actually.
Hi Jim, fantastic video, thoroughly enjoyed it. Those shop's are amazing, wish we had shop's like that over here. 😀 👍 👍 👍
I just love your enthusiasm!
Yes, I'm just a ball of energy.
Thanks for mentioning game OSTs. Those are what I’m always trying to collect
Those old computers at Beep look so cool
Amazing places. Would love that pioneer. Love the old pc's. After the snatcher on msx but expensive
You’re vlogging outta control, pretty much one a day. Keep it up!!!!
Yes indeed, trying to keep production levels.
Awesome video! Wish I’d known about Surugaya when I went! Can’t wait to go back one day!
I was 2013 there.
I´m trying to select which few shops to visit so this video is helpful! Didn´t expect the number one shop, maybe I should consider Trader 1 instead of some other place... Still, since my girlfriend is coming with me a place like Mandarake could be fun to visit since there´s a lot of other fun stuff to look at too. Beep, Surugaya and Friends are conveniently close to each other so they seem to be must visits.
I definitely recommend Trader be your first stop, if you can find what you're looking for there, chances are it'll be cheaper than at other shops.
Thanks! Hoppfully I’ve been to a Hard Off and Ojamakan earlier on the Japan visit, saving the expensive but irresistible Akihabara ‘till last. Anyhow, Trader sounds like the place to start!
Hi Jim, Fantastic content ive been watching your videos intently while waiting for my trip to tokyo this year. I was wondering if youve stumbled across any good retro video game stores outside of akiba that i imagine would be cheaper but also has a good selection. Im there for 2 weeks so im happy to explore to get the best price and selection. Keep up with the great content loving it !
Great video. I never knew about Beep, how long has it been open? Man watching this video makes me want to go back to Japan so badly. Maybe in 2019 I’ll make my fifth visit to the land of the rising sun.
As far as I know it's been open for quite a long time.
I'll definitely go to Trader and Surugaya when I go to Akihabara
Fantastic video.
Thank you!
Can't wait to hit Akiba again later this year. This time, Denden is included too. I thought you already made a video talking about your favourite Akiba shops?
Nope, I've made a video on how to find each one walking from the station, but not a top 5.
Jim, you are above and beyond the best source of information when it comes to video games and japan. Which store out of the 5 do you think would the best source when it comes to collecting video game artbooks, soundtracks, guides, and possibly video game action figures because those are the things I would probably actively collect for since I don't really collect import games.
For soundtracks I'd say definitely go to Friends, for the other stuff I'd say Super Potato, they have a lot of books and other game related stuff on the second floor. If you can, go to a Hobby Off, you'll find a ton of figures there.
damn i wish i was in japan,in my country any game i wish to buy i need to walk 10 miles barefoot through mud and snow
I saw Rendering Rangers in Surugaya but it was £700+. Still kind of wish I had picked it up.
Beep looks like my kind of place :)
Super Potatoe is for me the last shop ever to go to. Fucking high prices ... as nuts as Mandarake. Music CDs for 4000 Yen, that is brutal ... Beep is really amazing for those collecting for PCs/PCB Boards. Never saw any comparable shop anywhere.
Great list, though I think I would probably rank Friends just a bit higher.
Not surprised Retro Game Camp didn't make this list. That place blows.
They're nice shops but their prices are out of control.
None of them beats a Hard-Off do they?
And as always, thanks for the video Jim. Can't get enough man.
They don't beat a good Hard Off, but there are some Hard Offs I've been to that were just terrible, almost no games at all.
Great video! I've always wondered, apart from the obvious bookoff/hardoff stores, are there other retro game shops/used game shops in other parts of Tokyo (not in Akiba)?
Isidro Montes depends. If you’re into arcade stuff there is Mak Japan and similar places
There are indeed, I just need to make time to visit them.
Does Beep only open certain days and times. When I visited Beep mid morning on two occasions back in 2016 it was closed :(
Yeah, Beep's hours are a little screwy, they're ostensibly closed.
Got time to tour a bro when i roll thru?
You know it.
Can you make a video about Japanese McDonald's ?
I could. I usually shy away from the Jvlog kind of stuff but if there's a demand for it I can do it.
I'm back in three weeks!
Cool beans. Hope you enjoy your trip!
KidShoryuken Thanks Jim! Can't wait to hit the retro shops again!
Awesome. Feel free to drop me a line as well, if I'm not busy I can come out and join the hunt.
KidShoryuken Awesome, that would be great!
what is your job in japan? if I may ask? wondering... have been to japan about 10 times myself and always wanted to move there, but was not able so far.
I work as a production assistant right now while I'm finishing up school.
@@MadPanicGaming cool... good luck, thanks for reply
Hello, what is the OST at 2:15 please ? :)
Casino Night Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Of course ! Thanks a lot :D
Super Potato 🥔
1:20 mark, random lady with a bird?
Inviting you to the owl cafe.
Mandarake has a tax return option if you spend more than Y5000 or something like that. I got a Rockman X3 boxed from there, went downstairs and got my tax refund. Super Potato was the worst for me, most of the shelves had the games spine facing and whilst 16 bit cartridge boxes are thick and easier to identify, the Saturn and PS1 was ridiculous. It was cramped, some of the games are at feet level and you have 1 foot of space behind you with people going past. The arcade upstairs is full of smokers and whilst I smoke I don't like to be vulnerable to that much of passive smoke, god knows what non smokers think up there. I just lost my patience and left. The rating system used by most stores is hit and miss, an AAA is almost impossible to find, a BBB is my AAA and sometimes a C is good enough and you look at the product and think "what is C about this?". Strange system of rating games. There is one shop that blows all these away and its Super Potato in Osaka. After hitting Aki shops and spending almost a whole day walking back and forth, I could of just shopped at Super Potato in Osaka. It had every single game I was looking for in one place and the prices were cheaper or competitive with any shop in Aki. For those watching these videos, check out the large Super Potato in Osaka (it has two stores 5 mins walk from each other). I guarantee the SP with Mario / Snake from MGS outside it will provide all your needs and the night life there is unbelievable in Don don town (Can't the name haha).
(Office space boss voice) Yeh....If you could write a guide for gamers visiting Japan, that’d be great. I know you have the content spread out over your videos, but it’s hard to keep up with all the arcades and shops. If I could buy that guide from you somehow, maybe a PDF, I would be very grateful. On another note, it’s depressing to watch ur Japanese shop videos. I can’t speak for all of the US, but in the NYC area (VGNY, J+L and 8 bit) , stores have terrible selections, maybe 10 boxed SNES games in the whole store, none of which are rare or exciting. The only somewhat interesting boxed games I saw were an over priced Metroid and Stunt Racer FX. The loose carts are even worse, all sport titles and light gun games.
Hmm, I hadn't thought of writing anything but I just might if there's an interest for it.
Where is the source of these games? The amount of westerners in these stores is easy to see and none of the games are going back to Japan. I Find it hard to believe that perfectly boxed/sealed or mint condition games still exist after 25 years. You would have thought by now that all games that are easy to play without knowing Japanese would be bought up. I can understand auctions because people always have something to sell used, but these games are in stores. If you have auctions and you have stores, they don't work together very well because an auction bypasses the need to sell to a store. Anyway, I would like to say if you go to Aki, its your wallet that is the limiter, not the kind of shops or the selection of games. You will want something there for sure and unless your going there with 5 suitcases and $100,000 i'm pretty sure you will run out of money, time or suit case space before you need to worry about which store is best. Perhaps if you only want Japanese magazines, guides or soundtracks you would go to Friends. But your unlikely to find all your wants in one shop.