TGS 2010: Mario is Invincible, Imbibable

**Robot** · 09-13-2010, 03:21 AM

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Every fall, I travel to Japan to help cover Tokyo Game Show, and every year I find myself a little sadder as I look around Tokyo's hallowed gaming shops to find that the classics sections are growing smaller and more pathetic. Sure, we'll always have shops like [ame="http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/9235"]Super Potato[/ame], but they're fewer in number. Meanwhile, other gaming shops are catering less to the retro niche and more to either mainstream gamers or the creepy sub-section of fans that refuses to play any game starring male or post-pubescent characters. Compared to just three or four years ago, Tokyo's retro gaming scene has taken a huge nosedive.

One phenomenon that appears to have sprung up to replace the country's faltering retrogaming commerce, though, is a sudden influx of retrogaming bars. We visited a couple of them two years ago -- 8-Bit Cafe and 16 Shots -- but since then, quite a few have popped up around the city. In a way, it makes sense. The people who used to frequent the classic gaming shops have done their shopping and own what they want at this point; what they want now is a place to hang out and socialize with like-minded folks. And that's where retrogaming bars come in.

So, last night we decided to check out the current "it" spot, Shinjuku's Muteki Mario. The name Muteki Mario means, roughly, "invincible Mario." I'm sure that has something to do with the flashing star outside the bar, but part of me suspects it also has something to do with this. No courage like Irish courage... even for an Italian hero in a Japanese game.

I can see why Muteki Mario is so popular. The interior is chill, dim but not dark, small and arranged in a way that makes overcrowding impossible. It's comfortable, and the prevailing theme is videogame nostalgia. There's a huge projector screen connected to a Wii crammed full of Virtual Console games -- and, this being a Japanese bar, the vast majority of those titles are early Famicom games that no one in America cares about. But a tipsy 30-something Japanese dude would totally get a kick out of stumbling drunkenly through infamous games like Spelunker or Atlantis No Nazo, I bet.

The decor is also notable, since there's quite a bit of game paraphernalia on display, but not quite enough to feel crowded or kitschy. Everyone's favorite installation are the light figures, which have been designed to resemble Mario warp pipes. Rad.

Par for the course, Muteki Mario offers a handful of game-themed drinks (pictured top): The Enemy Koopa, the Mario, the Cute Peach. They're fine, but all other drinks are priced at a surprisingly standard 700 yen, which is pretty decent. Apparently Japan sells liquor for cheap but reams you for beer... which is fine, because I don't like beer anyway.

I probably won't have much free time this trip, so it was nice to stop and check out Muteki Mario our first night in the city. (Even if it did degenerate into a bunch of drunk Americans making sex jokes as they played Cho Aniki.) I'm sad that something like this would never fly in the U.S., at least not with this sort of relaxed atmosphere and friendly service. But on the plus side, it does give me a reason to look forward to visiting Japan occasionally now that Akihabara is mostly dead....

1UP's Retro Gaming Blog : TGS 2010: Mario is Invincible, Imbibable

**Smittycal** · 09-13-2010, 10:16 AM

TGS rocks!

Its sad seeing my idea of retro games starting to fade away, but I also realize that a new genearation of "retro" games is just around the corner. "Retro" is relative to when you were born and when you started playing games.

There will always be a culture or people playing games that came out in the past...but how they access those games and where is what will change going forward.

I grew up going to arcades and I looked forward to the social aspect of it..but you can get a similar experience at home know with networks like X Box live and PSN.

In Japan I know the arcade culture was bigger then it was in the US but even they have started to go online for there playing experiences. From what I understand most of the arcades in Japan offer games you CANT have in home. You cant put a huge VR machine in your house, or have a game that dispenses memory cards or prizes for playing @ home, but thats only going to attract a small portion of gamers.

As far as retro gaming is concerned in Japan, I think bars like the ones mentioned are a good idea but even they alienate a key demographic. Kids cant go into retro bars and they are the key to any gaming communities longevity.

Its sad that Akihabra is slowly dying out (this just made my need to visit Japan that much more urgent) but I think it was just a matter of time. Especially since Japan is a very progressive country in terms of technology.

Oh and I love Cho Aniki lol

I havent played the new one on PSP yet...but its on my to do list lol (no homo)

**Kong** · 09-13-2010, 10:46 AM

I hate bars, but that one looks super cool.

**joz** · 09-13-2010, 10:48 AM

I would go to a bar like this in a heartbeat.

---------- Post added at 10:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:47 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kong

I hate bars, but that one looks super cool.

why do you hate bars?

**warghoul** · 09-13-2010, 10:53 AM

Yeah why do you hate bars thats where the womens is

**elrod21** · 09-13-2010, 03:46 PM

That is definitely a place I would love to check out when I finally get to visit Japan. That and the pod hotels.

**Dudebro** · 09-13-2010, 05:15 PM

I hate normal bars too. They're full of miserable people desperately trying to get laid or get in a fight. It's depressing and I don't drink anyways.

**Kong** · 09-13-2010, 07:59 PM

A big reason is I am cheap, bars are not. They are also usually loud, dark, smokey and full of drunks and like DB said, desperate people trying to get laid. I don't like any of that.

When I was a kid everyone at school got an NES and then an SNES . I got an SMS and then a Genesis. I think it started then. I don't like to do what everyone else does. And most people go to the bar.

**Kugyince** · 09-14-2010, 09:32 PM

I think it would be feesable to establish retrobars in metropolitan areas such as NYC and LA. It might even work in large college towns.

**Slime Slayer** · 09-14-2010, 10:09 PM

I'd go to the retro bar for sure. I'd love to open one myself if i knew the first thing about the process. The dress code would be the exact opposite of the average dance club, and I'm pondering the thought of of making it no girls allowed.

Regarding the video, did you see that dq3 soundtrack on vinyl? That is so sweet.

**fenrir1887** · 09-14-2010, 10:14 PM

Are you kidding? Opening one would be great. Unless you plan on establishing a gentleman's club, a retro bar cannot exclude women. It's against the law even in Canada to discriminate against women.

**Kong** · 09-15-2010, 11:12 PM

Yeah, I think it would be hugely successful in large American towns. I don't think it would float in my town though - too small.

**fenrir1887** · 09-15-2010, 11:15 PM

Still, it couldn't hurt to try.

**Seahawk** · 09-21-2010, 07:25 AM

BUMP for relatedness.

Look, another retro bar, this time dedicated to Dragon Quest.

1UP's RPG Blog : TGS 2010: A Trip to Roppongi's Nerdiest Nightspot: Luida's Dragon Quest Bar

**Slime Slayer** · 09-21-2010, 11:53 AM

If they'd only send you out on quests.

**StarfoxFan2009** · 01-05-2011, 09:03 PM

Speaking about retro bars, looks like Las Vegas is getting one

INSERT COIN(S)

**Kong** · 01-05-2011, 11:41 PM

My little bitty town is getting one.

http://www.mountainx.com/dining/2010/121510game-on

**Slime Slayer** · 01-06-2011, 12:49 AM

Sweet, I hope this trend continues.
1. Practice all day on R.U.
2. Become local Billy Mitchell
3. Start up hot wing sauce company
4. Profit

**Dudebro** · 01-06-2011, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Become local Billy Mitchell

Minus the social awkwardness and unfortunate appearance right?

**Slime Slayer** · 01-06-2011, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudebro

Minus the social awkwardness and unfortunate appearance right?

If your up for a haircut, and a few trips to the gym, and some paxil, then sure.

**Dudebro** · 01-06-2011, 03:42 AM

You lost me, was that an insult?

**Slime Slayer** · 01-06-2011, 04:04 AM

Yeah, I was trying to pwn you suggesting that you already were socially awkward, and your appearance was unfortunate. I thought it was good but whatever.

**Tails** · 01-06-2011, 04:06 AM

I've never been to a bar. Unless BW3's is counted as a bar.

**Dudebro** · 01-06-2011, 06:16 AM

@steven- must be that dry canadian humor.

@Tails- what is BW3? You love using obscure acronyms huh?

**Slime Slayer** · 01-06-2011, 01:33 PM

It's a restauraunt that serves booze. I don't really think it counts Tails.

---------- Post added at 07:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:32 PM ----------

Unless you want to count Pizza Hut too.