Difference between revisions of "Roppongi GiGO"

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'''{{PAGENAME}}''' (六本木GiGO) is a former Japanese game centre jointly developed by [[Sega]] and [[wikipedia:Ibis (hotel)|Ibis]], which owned the hotel it was situated in.{{magref|famitsu|199|10}}
 
'''{{PAGENAME}}''' (六本木GiGO) is a former Japanese game centre jointly developed by [[Sega]] and [[wikipedia:Ibis (hotel)|Ibis]], which owned the hotel it was situated in.{{magref|famitsu|199|10}}
  
The venue was the first [[GiGO]]{{magref|segamagjp|7|36}} and one of Sega's largest up to that point in time, with its September 1992 opening representing one of the company's first steps in establishing large scale entertainment centres. Its high profile status and popularity among the area's young nightlife residents gave it significant mainstream media coverage,{{ref|https://xtrend.nikkei.com/atcl/trn/pickup/15/1008498/102200986/}} as well as famous visitors - [[Michael Jackson]] visited the site in December 1992,{{ref|https://mdshock.com/2020/12/08/michael-jackson-visits-sega-in-japan-december-1992/}} alongside other notable figures including [[wikipedia:Megumi Hayashibara| Megumi Hayashibara]].{{magref|bemega|1994-05|63}}
+
Opened with the aim of attracting Roppongi's adult nightlife, the venue was the first [[GiGO]]{{magref|segamagjp|7|36}} and among Sega's largest up to that point in time, with its September 1992 opening representing one of the company's first steps in establishing large scale entertainment centres. Its high profile status and popularity gave it significant mainstream media coverage,{{ref|https://xtrend.nikkei.com/atcl/trn/pickup/15/1008498/102200986/}} as well as famous visitors - [[Michael Jackson]] visited the site in December 1992,{{ref|https://mdshock.com/2020/12/08/michael-jackson-visits-sega-in-japan-december-1992/}} alongside other notable figures including [[wikipedia:Megumi Hayashibara| Megumi Hayashibara]].{{magref|bemega|1994-05|63}}
  
Roppongi GiGO is thought to have lost Sega's involvement sometime after the late 1990s, becoming known as Roppongi Vortex thereafter and later closing permanently at the end of 2013.{{ref|http://throwbackjapan.blogspot.com/2014/03/arcade-vortex-roppongi-tokyo.html}}
+
Roppongi GiGO is thought to have lost Sega's involvement sometime after the late 1990s. It continued to operate as a game centre in a downsized capacity under the name of Roppongi Vortex,{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20010426214157/http://www.st.rim.or.jp/~k-nishi/tgm/roppongi.html}} later closing permanently at the end of 2013.{{ref|http://throwbackjapan.blogspot.com/2014/03/arcade-vortex-roppongi-tokyo.html}}
  
 
==Layout==
 
==Layout==
Establishing an organised concept also seen in subsequent GiGO locations, Roppongi GiGO's four floors were generally devoted to different 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,{{intref|Press release: 1994-02-07:Shisetsu-nai inshoku tenpo shirīzu `aisu biru'(Tōkyō Roppongi) hoteru goraku inshoku zōn}} 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.{{magref|famitsu|199|10}}
+
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,{{intref|Press release: 1994-02-07:Shisetsu-nai inshoku tenpo shirīzu `aisu biru'(Tōkyō Roppongi) hoteru goraku inshoku zōn}} 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.{{magref|famitsu|199|10}}
  
 
The floors were featured in segments of the [[Mega Drive Perfect Video '92~'93]] promotional video, with ''[[Dream Palace]]'' and ''[[Royal Ascot]]'' machines demoed.
 
The floors were featured in segments of the [[Mega Drive Perfect Video '92~'93]] promotional video, with ''[[Dream Palace]]'' and ''[[Royal Ascot]]'' machines demoed.

Revision as of 19:21, 21 April 2021

  • Outside
  • Inside
Roppongi GiGO Exterior.jpeg
Roppongi GiGO Interior.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 Japanese game centre jointly developed by Sega and Ibis, which owned the hotel it was situated in.[1]

Opened with the aim of attracting Roppongi's adult nightlife, the venue was the first GiGO[2] and among Sega's largest up to that point in time, with its September 1992 opening representing one of the company's first steps in establishing large scale entertainment centres. Its high profile status and popularity gave it significant mainstream media coverage,[3] as well as famous visitors - Michael Jackson visited the site in December 1992,[4] alongside other notable figures including Megumi Hayashibara.[5]

Roppongi GiGO is thought to have lost Sega's involvement sometime after the late 1990s. It continued to operate as a game centre in a downsized capacity under the name of Roppongi Vortex,[6] later closing permanently at the end of 2013.[7]

Layout

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,[8] 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

Magazine articles

Main article: Roppongi GiGO/Magazine articles.

Gallery

References

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