Niigata Joypolis

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Joypolis logo 1994.png
NiigataJoypolis Exterior.jpg
Niigata Joypolis
Location: 新潟県新潟市八千代２丁目５番７号　新潟交通万代シティ, Japan
Opened: 1995-12-09[1]
Closed: 2001-01-16[2]

Niigata Joypolis (新潟ジョイポリス), later Magic City @ Niigata Joypolis (マジックシティ@新潟ジョイポリス), was a Joypolis amusement theme park opened by Sega. Originally opened in December 1995, its operations were later largely outsourced to foreign company Magic City Co. Ltd by April 1998 as a result of poor visitor numbers,[3] who permanently closed the park and Sega's remaining areas in January 2001.[2]

History

The fifth venue to be launched under Sega's Amusement Theme Park concept and the second Joypolis, Niigata Joypolis opened in December 1995, occupying 6,086m² of the Bandai City complex in Yachiyo, Niigata City.[4] Though it did not contain any newly-developed original attractions by Sega, the first IMAX Ride Film simulator in Japan was installed on opening day as the location's premier feature.[1] Like the original flagship Yokohama Joypolis, a Café Blanca restaurant and SegaSonic & Tails gift shop operated as additional facilities, however due to the park's placement in a entertainment centre, other partnering food & drink outlets could be found in close proximity to its grounds.[4]

The park's numbers were reportedly sufficient in the first months of operation,[5] however these are thought to have swiftly deteriorated. In the first restructuring of the Amusement Theme Park concept's venues since the discontinuation of the Galbo parks, Sega withdrew from operating much of the park and contracted Canada-based Magic City Co. Ltd to renovate certain areas, though continued to run some sections.[6] Under its new foreign ownership., the park was renamed Magic City @ Niigata Joypolis, losing several of its original attractions and décor on the ground floor.[7] A number of new restaurants and traditional theme park rides took their space.[8]

Magic City and Sega closed the park permanently in January 2001 after further management problems,[2] and its space has since been redeveloped by Bandai City.

Attractions

Original attractions

  • AS-1 (09-12-1995 - 16-01-2001)
  • VR-1 (09-12-1995 - 16-01-1998)
  • Ghost Hunters (09-12-1995 - 1996)
  • Mad Bazooka (09-12-1995 - 16-01-1998)
  • IMAX Ride Film (09-12-1995 - 16-01-2001)
  • Alien Panic (09-12-1995 - 16-01-2001)
  • Q-ZAR (09-12-1995 - 16-01-2001)
  • Crazy Travel (09-12-1995 - 16-01-2001)

Later attractions

Magazine articles

Main article: Niigata Joypolis/Magazine articles.

Gallery

  • Exterior circa late 1997

  • Interior

  • IMAX Ride Film

  • Alien Panic

  • Q-Zar

  • AS-1

  • VR-1

  • Ghost Hunters

  • Mad Bazooka

  • 3D sound rooms developed by Human

  • SegaSonic & Tails gift shop

  • Niigata Joypolis Shop2.jpg

  • Magic City era exterior

  • Magic City era interior

Promotional material

  • Leaflet front

  • Flyer front

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sega Saturn Magazine, "December 1995" (JP; 1995-11-08), page 41
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/atp/niigata/ (Wayback Machine: 2001-06-02 08:41)
  3. ↑ https://www.ampress.co.jp/backnumber/bn1998.06.01.htm
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/atp/niigata/data.html (Wayback Machine: 1996-12-24 10:54)
  5. ↑ Game Machine, "1996-03-01" (JP; 1996-03-01), page 2
  6. ↑ http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/atp/niigata/ (Wayback Machine: 2000-08-16 08:23)
  7. ↑ http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/atp/niigata/MCtop.html (Wayback Machine: 1999-10-11 23:06)
  8. ↑ http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/atp/niigata/MCcharge.html (Wayback Machine: 1999-10-11 20:42)


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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