Discover the Magic of Retro Gaming at Super Potato
If you’re a fan of retro video games or simply enjoy exploring unique slices of gaming history, Super Potato in Akihabara, Tokyo, is a destination you cannot miss. This iconic store is a treasure trove of nostalgia, brimming with rare gaming consoles, retro cartridges, and even a game arcade that will transport you straight back to your childhood—or perhaps to an era you wish you’d experienced.
Not Just a Store: It’s a Gaming Wonderland
Super Potato isn’t just any used game store. This retro gaming mecca spans three floors (3rd to 5th) of a building in Akihabara, each filled with items that will make any gamer’s heart skip a beat.
Floors of Nostalgia
3rd and 4th Floors: The Retro Game Market These two floors are dedicated entirely to retro games and consoles. The sheer number of game cartridges on display is jaw-dropping, creating an impressive, colorful wall of gaming history. Whether you’re hunting for NES (Famicom) classics, rare Super Nintendo (Super Famicom) titles, or niche collectibles, there’s something for everyone. Holding a Famicom console, you’re reminded just how surprisingly lightweight it is—a detail you might have forgotten until you’re back holding one in your hands.
There’s also an array of quirky merchandise, like a Mega Man tote bag or promotional posters from classic game releases. Even if you’re not buying, walking through these floors feels like stepping into a gaming museum.
5th Floor: The Candy Store Meets Arcade
The top floor combines a retro candy store (dagashi) with an arcade featuring legendary titles like Street Fighter II. Grab a snack, such as a cup of instant noodles, while you challenge a friend or revisit old rivals with your favorite characters. If you’re like me, you’ll pick Dhalsim for his unrivaled reach and fantasize about how unbeatable he’d be in real life!
A Place for Gamers of All Generations
One of the most fascinating aspects of Super Potato is how it caters to fans across generations. Conversations between older gamers, reminiscing about their Famicom memories, and younger ones, discovering the joys of PlayStation classics, are a common sight.
For instance, Famicom's Disk System or titles like Super Mario Bros. 2—known for their punishing difficulty—are shared with younger enthusiasts, even if their responses are sometimes limited to polite nods. There’s also a unique joy in explaining archaic gaming peripherals, like the RF Switch used to connect old consoles to analog TVs. For older gamers, it’s a delightful mix of nostalgia and absurdity.
On the other hand, younger visitors might light up at seeing a PS one or a rare copy of Final Fantasy VII. Everyone’s excitement varies, but there’s a shared respect for the history Super Potato represents.
The Curious Value of Retro Games
If you’ve ever wondered why some retro games cost a fortune while others are dirt cheap, the staff at Super Potato can shed some light. It all comes down to supply and demand. For example, "Takahashi Meijin no Bouken Jima IV", the final game released for the Famicom, commands a hefty price tag due to its rarity. Meanwhile, widely produced titles like Dragon Quest III are priced as low as ¥280 (about $2).