Difference between revisions of "Roppongi GiGO"

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{{VenueBob
 
{{VenueBob
 
| logos=Gigo logo.png
 
| logos=Gigo logo.png
| venueimage=Roppongi_GiGO_Exterior.jpeg
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| venueimage=Roppongi GiGO 1992.jpg
 
| name=Roppongi GiGO
 
| name=Roppongi GiGO
 
| location=東京都港区六本木七丁目14番4号 アイビス共同ビル5階, Japan
 
| location=東京都港区六本木七丁目14番4号 アイビス共同ビル5階, Japan
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==Videos==
 
==Videos==
<gallery>
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*[https://segaretro.org/File:Roppongi_GiGO_Bad_Influence_S1E8.mp4 Footage from ''Bad Influence!'' report on Japan, c. late 1992]
Roppongi_GiGO_Bad_Influence_S1E8.mp4|Footage from [[Bad Influence!]] report on Japan, c. late 1992
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*[https://segaretro.org/File:Roppongi_GiGO_Christian_Fittipaldi.mp4 Footage of Formula 1 driver Christian Fittipaldi's visit, 1992]
Roppongi_GiGO_Christian_Fittipaldi.mp4|Footage of [[wikipedia:Christian Fittipaldi|Christian Fittipaldi]]'s visit, 1992
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*[https://segaretro.org/File:Roppongi_GiGO_FV_1995.mp4 ''Fighting Vipers'' tournament in 1995 filmed for ''Tonight 2'']
Roppongi GiGO FV 1995.mp4|''[[Fighting Vipers]]'' tournament in 1995 filmed for ''Tonight 2''
 
</gallery>
 
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==

Latest revision as of 14:52, 3 February 2022

Roppongi GiGO 1992.jpg
Roppongi GiGO
Location: 東京都港区六本木七丁目14番4号 アイビス共同ビル5階, Japan
Opened: 1992-09-18[1]
Closed: 1998

Roppongi GiGO (六本木GiGO) is a former GiGO venue jointly developed by Sega and Ibis, which owned the hotel it was situated in.[1] Located in Roppongi, a district of Tokyo noted for its nightlife, the venue was at one stage the largest urban amusement facility in Japan,[2] initially creating positive results. Sega are thought to have dropped involvement with the center in the late 1990s.

History

Inaugurated with a press event on September 10[3] and opened with the aim of becoming a fixture of Roppongi's adult nightlife, Roppongi GiGO was the first GiGO center[4] and the largest urban amusement facility in Japan up to that point in time.[2] Its public opening the following week represented one of Sega's first steps in establishing large scale entertainment centres in prime inner-city locations; the facility's large size, elaborate décor, and themed zones[5] significantly outclassed the Hi-Tech Land Sega and newer Sega World locations opened previously in the country.

For a time, GiGO maintained a high-profile status and popularity among the clientele of Roppongi,[6] generating front-page coverage from The Asahi Shimbun newspaper and strengthening the view of video amusements as a healthy, social form of entertainment;[7] women regularly accounted for about half of the facility's customer base.[7] Celebrities made appearances at the venue, both locally, as a result of its close proximity to TV Asahi's studios, and from around the world - Michael Jackson visited the site in December 1992,[8] alongside other notable figures including Megumi Hayashibara[9] and Christian Fittipaldi.[10]

In the months following its opening, it became the debut location of the four-player Virtua Formula model,[11] as well as a site for numerous events.[12] Roppongi GiGO is thought to have lost Sega's involvement sometime after the late 1990s. It continued to operate as a game center in a downsized capacity under the name of Roppongi Vortex,[13] later closing permanently at the end of 2013.[14]

Layout

Roppongi GiGO Interior.jpg

Establishing an organised concept also seen in subsequent GiGO locations, each of Roppongi GiGO's four floors were devoted to specific machines and attractions - the first floor featured video games, including deluxe Virtua Racing and R360 units, the second housed prize redemption, sports games, and a bar,[5] the third featured medal games, and the fourth contained a casino area and karaoke rooms. Customers had to be at least 18 years of age to enter, and 20 to access the fourth floor's casino area.[1]

The floors were featured in segments of the Mega Drive Perfect Video '92~'93 promotional video, with Dream Palace and Royal Ascot machines demoed.

Branding

Name Branding Date
Roppongi GiGO (六本木GiGO) GiGO 1992-09-18[1]
Closed 1998

Videos

Gallery

Magazine articles

Main article: Roppongi GiGO/Magazine articles.

References

GiGO venues in Japan
Akihabara | Gifu | Hiroshima | Ikebukuro | Roppongi | Shibuya | Shinsaibashi | Tenjin