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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 794.750952
EAN: 9784770030788
ISBN: 4770030789
Label: Kodansha International
Manufacturer: Kodansha International
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 192
Publication Date: January 01, 2009
Publisher: Kodansha International
Studio: Kodansha International
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Home of Sega, Nintendo, and Sony, Japan has a unique and powerful presence in the world of video games. Another thing that makes Japan unique in the gaming world is the prevalence of game arcades. While the game arcade scene has died in the U.S., there are 9,500 "game centers" in Japan with more than 445,000 game machines.
Arcade Mania introduces overseas readers to the fascinating world of the Japanese gemu senta. Organized as a guided tour of a typical game center, the book is divided into nine chapters, each of which deals with a different kind of game, starting with the UFO catchers and print club machines at the entrance and continuing through rhythm games, fighting games, shooting games, retro games, gambling games, card-based games, and only-in-Japan games.
Covering classic games from Space Invaders to Street Fighter, games that are familiar to Americans in their home console versions (Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Dance, Dance Revolution), as well as the unique, quirky games found only in Japan, Arcade Mania is crammed full of interviews with game makers and star players, and packed with facts about the history, background and characteristics of each game, all lavishly illustrated with photographs and game graphics. This book is a must-have for gamers everywhere.
Average Rating: 
Rating: -
Clear and concise, but contains a large amount of information. Serious but not a textbook. Small enough to carry with you, for when you have that urge to muse on the entertainment industries of other countries. I don't even play arcade games, and I thought this book was great.
Rating: -
ARCADE MANIA! THE TURBO-CHARGED WORLD OF JAPAN'S GAME CENTERS is a fine pick for any general lending library catering to young people interested in pop culture in general and Japanese manga or pop culture games in particular. From the 2-D sexually charged 'Cute 'em Ups' game to the majong take-off Pachinko, this is a fine blend of history and cultural and game survey packed with color and vintage photos throughout.
Rating: -
Great book, a lot of info, interviews with stars like Yu Suzuki, cover of classic and shotters games in japans. Fantastic pics and design.
Great book, i'm Waiting for mor books like this.
Rating:  -
the books size is a little odd for my taste and it seems more like a quick refresher. most gamers will be left wanting a little more in depth knowledge.
Rating:  -
Arcade Mania aptly covers each of the numerous types of arcade games per chapter. The various genres are examined with plenty of pictures (in color and B&W) and interviews with fans. The layout is great and really adds to making the book fun to read.
I especially liked the chapter on mahjong and it's gambling stigma. The history of print club is also noteworthy. If there are any shortcomings, it's that I can't say that I learned much else. As I'm already familiar with Japanese arcade games, I was hoping for more details and insights. I would have enjoyed the business aspect to arcades for example.
Still, it's the best book on game centers I've read and I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in video arcades.
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