Sega Ikebukuro Gigo Arcade: The End of a Beautiful Gaming Saga

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“Thank you for 28 years.”

With this sign hung on the front, and staff wearing t-shirts with the same message, the Sega Ikebukuro Gigo arcade in Japan bid farewell to the legions of fans standing outside.

Gaming giant Sega held a closing ceremony on Monday, September 20, to mark the last chapter of the 28-year-old legendary gaming center.

The emotional scenery was punctuated by loudspeakers playing “Hotaru no Hikari” (The Light of the Firefly), a song commonly played in Japanese stores right ahead of their closing, and a heartwarming speech by the arcade’s manager. Atop a ladder, facing fans and workers, the manager recounted Sega Ikebukuro Gigo’s history which opened in July 1993 and went on to become a local landmark and a popular test location spot for the latest arcade games. 

During his speech, he explained that the closing was not due to the pandemic’s effect, but “unavoidable circumstances” related to the end of the lease agreement and the need to renovate the building by its owners.

“If it were in my power, I’d want to stay open forever at this location and greet the happy faces of our wonderful customers.”

Arcades are a quintessential part of the earlier gaming culture, having harbored the first generation of gamers. But, regrettably, it seems its heydays are fading away. In November of last year, Sega sold off 85% of its arcade business with another landmark Sega arcade, the Akihabara 2nd Arcade, which closed last year.