I already posted a thread about these pickups, but there was enough here for a proper blog post too.
Despite some obvious tourist pricing in Tokyo, there were still genuine bargains to be found if you were willing to browse carefully and compare stores. My best finds came from a mix of Akihabara and Shinjuku, and they were a good reminder that Tokyo retro shopping is still fun even when it is not universally cheap.
Highlights
Nintendo 64 Bundle
My favourite pickup was easily the Nintendo 64 bundle I found at BEEP in Akihabara:
- an unboxed Nintendo 64 with controller for JPY 6,950 (about $45)
- a second matching controller for JPY 680 (about $4.50)
It needed a light clean-up, but the condition was very solid. For a console I had somehow never bought back in the day, it felt like a very satisfying find.
Wave Race
At Retro Game Camp in Akihabara, I found a copy of Wave Race for JPY 800 (about $5.25) in great condition.
This was exactly the kind of pickup I like making in Japan: inexpensive, iconic, and easy to justify.
Sega Saturn
At Surugaya in Shinjuku, I picked up a boxed Sega Saturn for JPY 14,800 (about $96), reduced to JPY 13,455 (about $87) after the tax rebate.
I also found some Saturn software surprisingly cheaply, including Sega Rally for JPY 400 (about $2.60).
This was one of the better reminders that Shinjuku can still be worth checking, especially when Akihabara starts feeling too polished or too expensive.
PocketStation
One of the more unusual finds was a Sony PocketStation from a bargain bin for JPY 500 (about $3.25).
It was missing the flip cover, but at that price it was hard to complain. These are the kinds of small oddities that make retro shopping in Japan feel more interesting than just hunting for headline items.
PS2 DVD Remote
Another tiny but satisfying pickup was a PS2 DVD remote and IR receiver for JPY 200 (about $1.30).
Not exactly a grail item, but definitely the sort of thing that is fun to throw into a basket when you spot it for next to nothing.
The Broader Takeaway
Tokyo is still brilliant for retro game shopping, but it helps to go in with realistic expectations. Some stores clearly price for tourists, some are better for hardware than software, and some only really become worthwhile when you stumble across a specific bargain.
For me, that was the pattern on this trip:
- BEEP was the standout for hardware
- Retro Game Camp was good for tidy, reasonably priced mainstream stock
- Surugaya was worth checking for boxed consoles and odd surprises
That mix of treasure hunt, price comparison, and sheer variety is still what makes Tokyo such a good place to shop for retro games.
