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Japan Amusement Expo 2014

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Forget Valentine’s Day, I know exactly where I would like to be on Friday 14th February – at the Japan Amusement Expo (JAEPO) 2014. JAEPO is on from Friday 14th February till Saturday 15th February, with Friday being for traders only. If you are part of the general public, then mark Saturday as your day. Doors open at 10am! Get there early, as there are six great zones to explore:

Arcade Zone: the main exhibit showcasing arcade machines, sticker photos, simulation games, prize and medal game machines.
Family Zone: this zone includes arcade games, rides and amusement park equipment for elementary school children and families.
Prize Zone: exhibiting the prizes for prize (redemption) awarding game machines.
Related Product Zone: showcasing products and equipment related to amusement and entertainment.
Publication Zone: main exhibit for publications related to amusement and entertainment.
International Zone: Main exhibitors from abroad (outside of Japan).

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With iconic arcade exhibitors like Taito, Sega, Konami and Namco headlining the expo, you will be assured to be dazzled with what’s new in the amusement machines world.

If you are lucky enough to attend, share your photos with us all.

Event Details:
Event: Japan Amusement Expo 2014 (JAEPO 2014)
Organiser: Japan Amusement Machine and Marketing Association, Inc (JAMMA)
Date: February 14 (Trade only) & February 15 (General public)
Entry Fee: 1,000YEN (~$11AUD) or Coupon
Venue: Makuhari Messe

image source: JAEPO and Taito

 

The Thrill Of The Chase: Space Invaders Arcade Cabinet

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There are times that I think to myself, “I am in the right place at the right time”. One lazy afternoon last week, I was trawling through a certain online site when I stumbled upon an unloved Space Invaders arcade cabinet. My retro senses went into overdrive. I had been looking for such a cabinet for a while, but had given up of ever finding one.

The prized prey is strapped down
The prized prey is strapped down

Reading the advertisement, the machine had all the original innards, but the outside of the cabinet had seen better days. The usual story in these online advertisements go something like this: “I don’t have room and the wife tells me I got to get rid of it”, or my favourite, “I bought this cab to restore it, but I now need the money, so it must go”. The seller of this particular machine fell in the latter.

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The price in the advertisement was negotiable. I immediately sent an offer to the seller and sweetened the deal by saying I could pick it up on the weekend. I honestly thought the seller would negotiate up, but to my astonishment, he accepted it. To say I was excited would be a gross understatement. I could not sleep properly till I had the machine in my possession.

With a bit of loving care, she will be restored to her former beatuty
With a bit of loving care, she will be restored to her former beatuty

With the trailer in tow, I showed up half an hour early at the seller’s house. Once we made  some small talk, money was exchanged and the machine was loaded securely and driven back to its new home, my garage.

The arcade cabinet needs some attention, including the control panel, which isn’t original. However, with lots of tender loving care, she will be restored to her former beauty. She is rock solid – they don’t build them like they used to.