Game Center Mikado is located a two-minute walk from JR Takadanobaba Station. The first floor is home to relatively familiar game machines such as racing and rhythm games, but if you go up to the second floor, you'll find an array of "midi-type" cabinets. There are around 100 arcade games that are symbolic of the game center culture of the 1990s.
"Since we opened our store in Takadanobaba in 2009, we've had a variety of people come to play every day. We have adults who used to go to game centers in the '90s, and overseas customers who clutch guidebooks and excitedly gaze upon the many CRT screens. Everyone comes here looking for the 'arcade games of those days that can only be played here.' Before we knew it, we were being called a 'holy land for gamers.'"
So says Minoru Ikeda, manager of Mikado. He has worked as an arcade staff member since 1995, when the scene was at its most vibrant. He has been familiar with arcade games since he was a child and has witnessed the ever-changing landscape.
The MC space and tournament table used when tournaments are held in the store. 
This is a communication notebook for customers to interact with each other. On the cover is a sticker of "Mikado-chan," the mascot designed by manga artist Rensuke Oshikiri, a regular at Mikado.
"When I was in elementary school, I was hooked on Xevious, in middle school I was hooked on Darius, and when I entered high school, naturally I became obsessed with Street Fighter II, which everyone was crazy about. When I entered the workforce, I started pouring my salary into Virtua Fighter 2...
Looking back, the titles that meant the most to me were all important works in the arcade culture. They were all titles that both adults and children were crazy about, and they all had a huge "wave" that started from the arcade. I witnessed that, and even now I think that's the true nature of arcades."
When she was in elementary school, she started going to game centers, where her older sister's classmates would talk to her and praise her as she improved at the games. She felt the joy of being recognized by people she admired and interacting with them...the game center was an irreplaceable place.
If you record a high score, your name will be posted on the wall of the store, and you can exchange words with the person sitting next to you in a fighting game. He says that the atmosphere at Mikado today is similar to that of his youth.
"We hold gaming tournaments in the store, changing the title every day, and once a beginner student came to play alongside our regular customers in their 40s. After the match, the older students would say things like, 'That was a great fight,' or 'How did you do that move?' and from there they would become friends and play together. Strangers would get fascinated by the customer communication notebooks in the store and start talking about games. When I witness moments like that in the arcade, I feel so happy and think, 'This is it!'"
Ninja Warriors was released in 1987. It is a rare game that can be played on an ultra-wide screen by lining up three CRTs side by side. 
The floor is lined with about 100 midi-type cabinets. The bodies themselves are old, but they are well maintained.
Even if you're far away, the circle of friends grows from the arcade
"I want to share the excitement and thrills I experienced with the younger generation," says Manager Ikeda with a smile.
"Since 2000, when home video game consoles became mainstream, crane games have become the staple of game centers. But it's still arcade games that have nurtured me. I think game centers are a place where you can find fun and exciting games, and meet interesting people who like the same things.
To be honest, it was difficult to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, but there were people who supported us through crowdfunding. It wasn't just people who played games in the store, but some of them were watching tournament live streams on their screens. When you think about it like that, it's possible that the circle of support will expand even further than before. That would be interesting and exciting. I want to continue to preserve this place and make it bigger."
The tournament for "Fatal Fury Special," released in 1993, was particularly popular, and a "World Championship" is held once a year. 
Super Street Fighter II X was released in 1994. Nearly 30 years have passed since its release, but it is still a huge hit that is still being played and studied.
