Shinjuku Playland Carnival

Opened in 1972 as Casino Game Las Vegas and switched over to the arcade game business in 1993, Shinjuku playland carnival was an emblematic gamecenter in Kabukicho, Shinjuku. Housing 380 machines on two floors of the Humax building, including 160 terminals dedicated to video games, it was one of the biggest game center in Shinjuku. At its peak, it drew in more than 5,000 gamers a day ! With a vast selection of fighting games, the gamecenter was known as a hot spot for King Of Fighter. Cool place also to finish the night after a Tuskiji fish market visit or too many drinks in Golden Gai, it sadly closed its doors in november 2020 due to covid crisis. Drawing by Arthur Ortega.