Space Station Bar in Japan Combines Gaming and Bar Life
Box art from NES games and other retro systems lines the walls. A group of friends laugh as they play Mario Kart on the TV. Behind the bar, owner Matt Bloch pours a Hadouken shot and ignites it. Good times are ready to be had at Space Station, one of Osaka, Japan’s newest gaming bars.
The bar’s interior is full of gaming culture. Multicolored lighting was installed to resemble the dark neon lit interiors of classic 1980’s American video game arcades. The bar itself is shaped and painted like the jagged Famicom Pulse and two mirrors have been painted to resemble the iconic orange and blue portals from the well-known puzzle game.
The bar owns a plethora of systems, ranging from the original Famicom to the Playstation 3. More popular games for new and old systems are always within reach, while lesser played games are stored in the back of the bar.
“It is definitely a quality over quantity thing going on,” says Bloch.
He also says that he enjoys making game recommendations to customers in hopes to turn them on to new games as well. Popular games are often retro titles, including Puyo Puyo, Bomberman, Super Smash Bros, Super Mario Bros, and Mario Kart. Newer popular titles include games like Limbo and Minna No Rhythm Tengoku.
While other gaming bars in the area have cover charges for entry or play time, Space Station offers free game play.
“Since I wanted to make Space Station the kind of bar that I would want to frequent as a customer, I tried to make a video game bar without an entry charge. So far it has been working out fine,” said Bloch. “I feel the video game bars in Japan are completely justified in having a cover charge… but I myself couldn’t do it.”
Space Station offers a fine selection of beer and liquor. Three gaming themed drinks posted the Drunken Moogle are offered, the flaming Hadouken shot (created by EXPBarOnline) being the most popular.
If you’re in the area and looking for a fun night full of drinks and games, check out Space Station. More information and pictures can be found on the bar’s Facebook page.
Why can’t anything as awesome like this be built here in NYC? -__-
Assassin’s Creed III is already available for pre-order in many places, and I know I’ve already reserved mine from GameStop. However, if you’re looking for a deeper look inside the franchise, then I’ve got the bargain for you:
The Ubiworkshop Edition of Assassin’s Creed III is available for preorder. It is a bit expensive priced at $109.99, but if you order before July 4th you can get it for $99.99. In addition to the game, it includes a copy of the Assassin’s Creed Encyclopedia Second Edition as well as the graphic novel, Assassin’s Creed Subject 4. The graphic novel contains “the whole Daniel Cross/Nikolaï Orelov narrative arc.” Great for any big of the AC universe!
(Source: store.ubiworkshop.com)
Skyrim DLC - Dawnguard E3 2012 Trailer.
Dim the lights, up the volume, and grab your plasma cutters - Dead Space 3 is going to be revealed at E3! I’m a huge fan of the series (getting scared is half the fun!) and I can’t wait to see where the story is going this time.
Game Informer has posted this first screenshot of the game this morning. What do you think of it? What do you think is going to happen? Leave me some messages, people!
Dead Space 3 will be at EA’s press conference on Monday at 1:00 pm Pacific.
So turns out…
The new installment in Epic’s billion-dollar franchise is Gears of War: Judgment. The July cover of Game Informer shows series mainstay Damon Baird shackled as the Locust hordes rage around him. Augustus “Cole Train” Cole, soldier and world-famous Thrashball player,will be on the second cover image in the same precarious situation.
I’m about to have a huge fan girl moment - I have a secret crush on Baird. ^^
Curious though…what happened to Marcus Phoenix? Guess we’ll find out in the next issue!
Thanks for the update, Game Informer.
gourmetgaming: Health Potion (Diablo cocktail)
Ingredients:
1 Measure Cranberry Gin
0.5 Measure Żubrówka (Buffalo/Bison Grass Vodka)
0.5 Measure Amaretto
Squeeze of Lime Juice
Top Up TonicDirections: Mix first four ingredients in a flask or glass and top off with tonic. Consume as needed.
A note from the creator:
The red health potion, stored in a mystical apothecary vessel, is incredibly iconic in gaming and is found in many a dungeon crawler. Since I’m so excited for Diablo III I thought I’d focus on the most famous and original version as found in the series (though I’m aware that health potions are not being used in Diablo III – boo!). So in the spirit of Christmas and New Year being a time for relaxation and recuperation I thought this surprisingly sweet and refreshing health potion is just what most of us are looking for.
Many people have been asking where to get the flask from - it was a lovely gift from a friend who picked it up at http://www.demijohn.co.uk/. For people outside the UK I came across this site which has a great selection http://www.specialtybottle.com/. Found somewhere better for the US? Let me know!
Drink Created and photographed by the wonderful GourmetGaming.
Besaid Island (Final Fantasy X cocktail)
Ingredients:
30 ml white rum (Bacardi Superior used)
30 ml watermelon liqueur (Marie Brizard Watermelon used)
1 lime (for lime juice and garnish)Directions: Mix the rum and watermelon liqueur in a lowball glass over ice. Squeeze in lime juice and add a lime wedge to the side as a garnish. While this isn’t a drink you would order at a Blitzball match, it seems absolutely perfect for watching the Spira sunset on the beach.
Drink created and photographed by Cocktail.daa.jp.
Mood music:
The Mass Effect 3
Ingredients:
1 oz. pineapple juice
2 oz. grenadine
1 oz. Malibu Carribean Rum
2 oz. cheap gin
Splash olive juiceDirections: Line the rim of a glass with blue sugar. Mix all ingredients, chill and serve. If you can, garnish with a tiny green umbrella. Drink and try not to get too upset; there’s more to come after and it’s free!
The drink was made to match this comic, also by the creator:
Drink created by Brentalfloss.
Button Theme
