Shinjuku Joypolis

From Sega Retro

Joypolis.svg
Shinjuku Joypolis Exterior.jpeg
Shinjuku Joypolis
Location: 東京都渋谷区千駄ヶ谷５丁目24番地2号タカシマヤタイムズスクエア１０Ｆ・１１, Japan
Opened: 1996-10-04[1]
Closed: 2000-08-31[2]

Shinjuku Joypolis (新宿ジョイポリス) was a Joypolis indoor amusement theme park opened by Sega. The last of the three branches of the chain to open in Tokyo, it closed after nearly four years of operations in August 2000,[2] and was among the first casualties caused by a restructuring at the company and declining revenue from amusement venues.

History

After the successful openings of Osaka ATC Galbo and Yokohama Joypolis under the new Amusement Theme Park concept, Sega AM5 and the ATP Division moved ahead with expanding Sega's indoor theme park operations. By late 1995, two new Galbo parks had been opened in Yokkaichi and Ichikawa, with a further two planned for Fukuoka and Shinjuku in 1996;[3] however, a restructuring of these plans had taken place by January of that year, as a result of poorer than expected visitor numbers for the aforementioned Yokkaichi and Ichikawa branches.[3] In the space of a few months, attractions and entry fees were removed from the underperforming locations, and future use of the Galbo naming scheme was subsequently scrapped, rendering Joypolis as the preferred scheme for Japan. The future parks were accordingly taken in under the branding, becoming Fukuoka Joypolis and Shinjuku Joypolis.

Shinjuku Joypolis eventually opened in October 1996, as one of the original entertainment tenants of the Takashimaya Times Square department store on its opening day.[4] Taking up 5,600m² across the 10th and 11th floors of the building,[5] its space was zoned into four central themes and colours - "First Impression" (white), "Warm Up" (yellow), "Heat Up" (red), and "Cool Down" (blue), their intended effects being to excite then calm visitors.[6] Six new attractions were debuted at the venue on opening day, with significant Sega-made examples including Sega Rally Special Stage and Murder Lodge, as well as the first octagonal air hockey table, Panic Hockey.[5] A Dippin' Dots outlet, SegaSonic & Tails gift shop, and an official restaurant, All Players Café, served as additional facilities.[5]

Initially performing well, the Shinjuku branch held frequent events and housed numerous new additions in the following years, notably being chosen as the debut location for the award-winning Wild River attraction in February 1998 and hosting a special press release event streamed on the park's official online homepage for its opening.[7] Despite this, it became the first Joypolis to be closed permanently, completing its final day of operation at the end of August 2000.[2] Though restructuring measures may have also influenced the decision, its closure was publicly attributed to lower than expected visitor numbers; Sega cited competition from the flagship Tokyo Joypolis location situated elsewhere in the capital.[8] Its space is now partly occupied by a Yuzawaya craft shop.

Attractions

Original attractions

Later attractions

Videos

  • Footage circa December 1996

Gallery

  • Venue in October 1996

  • Shinjuku Joypolis Entrance 1996.jpg

  • "Media Tower"

  • Shinjuku 1996 3.jpg

  • Entrance façade in late 90s

  • Sonic mascot

  • Fortune Museum

  • Mission Q

  • Power Sled

  • Sega Rally Special Stage

  • Shocking Maze

Magazine articles

Main article: Shinjuku Joypolis/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

  • Leaflet front + back

  • Leaflet inside

  • Flyer front

  • Flyer back

External links

References

  1. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "1996-17 (1996-10-11)" (JP; 1996-09-27), page 30
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/atp/news/news2000/jpnews0801.html (Wayback Machine: 2000-08-20 09:50)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Game Machine, "1996-03-01" (JP; 1996-03-01), page 2
  4. ↑ http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/atp/shinjuku/access.html (Wayback Machine: 1997-02-15 20:48)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/atp/shinjuku/data.html (Wayback Machine: 1997-02-15 20:48)
  6. ↑ http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/atp/shinjuku/zone.html (Wayback Machine: 1997-02-15 20:47)
  7. ↑ http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/atp/news/news97/jpnews980225.html (Wayback Machine: 1999-08-23 00:39)
  8. ↑ https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/gsnews/0008/02/news03.html


Joypolis venues
Current
Tokyo Joypolis (1996) | Shanghai Joypolis (2014) | Qingdao Joypolis (2015)
Former
Shinjuku Joypolis (1996-2000) | Niigata Joypolis (1995-2001) | Yokohama Joypolis (1994-2001) | Fukuoka Joypolis (1996-2001) | Kyoto Joypolis (1997-2002) | Umeda Joypolis (1998-2018) | Okayama Joypolis (1998-2018) | Joypolis VR Shibuya (2018-2020)
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