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Have some sake with your friend Super Mario
The Gadling crew has been spending a lot of hours in Japan recently. And as I discovered on my recent trip to Tokyo, the Japanese are completely obsessed with video games. The country that is home to Nintendo offers all manner of ways to get your gaming fix. In Tokyo's Akihabara neighborhood, I discovered a store that sold nothing but vintage video game consoles, where systems like the Sega Game Gear to Neo Geo were available for purchase. Meanwhile, the gaudy neon-lit streets near Tokyo's Shinjuku Station are lined with huge multi-story arcades, offering everything from head-to-head Tekken gaming stations to a video game where you can be a DJ with turntables. This fanaticism for all things video game also extends to Japan's nightlife scene, which is how I stumbled upon Muteki Mario. Located in Tokyo's Shinjuku neighborhood, Muteki Mario is small bar based around the theme of Nintendo's most famous video game character, Super Mario. My friends and I went head-to-head on the bar's Mario Kart Wii game, complete with wireless steering wheels, while imbibing a few of my new favorite cocktail, single-serving glass jars of sake (Japanese rice wine). The bar's theme even extends to the decor, which includes all manner of Mario and Luigi figurines, power-up mushrooms and star pillows that play the game's invincible music when you squeeze them.
Part of the fun is trying to find the place...the website isn't particularly helpful unless you speak Japanese, but I will say that it's in the neighborhood just northeast of Shinjuku Station. Check the rather plain website and see if your hotel concierge can assist. Whether you're a video game fanatic or just a casual Mario fan, I promise a hilariously fun night out.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Shane May 18th 2008 7:13PM
I love the interactive taiko drumming video game and it's not as easy as it looks but it's a lot of fun to try! I'm terrible at it but yesterday I got to watch a 6 year old kid put forth a great rendition of "Mickey Mouse Club".
Even if you are not a gaming addict you will get a kick out of wandering through the arcades in Japan and you will most certainly be tempted to try some of the games.
Shane Sakata
The Tokyo Traveler
http://www.thetokyotraveler.com