MM Land has this kind of peripheral vision tester game where you whack light-up buttons on a board right in your face.

Bright lights in Tokyo simmer in the humidity and diffuse gently through the sultry air. In this way, competing multicolours and flashing bulbs seem somehow peaceful. They say “Come on in… chill out… GAME.”

When the Japanese borrow from other languages, creativity trumps authenticity. Sniggering at “English” misses the point – no one cares if it’s correct. It’s not for you.

Arcade pilgrims to Japan expect Disneyland: a grand culmination of a ceremonial journey. But while the Magic Kingdom gates are marked by fronds of palm, the line between Arcade and notArcade is so fine it disappears.

Sometimes the games just bury you. Virtual collectibles and smartphone moneysuckers hounding you back to the arcade.

Do you want to play with a fake vacuum cleaner? No worries.

Dare you read this ghostly Friday tale? And can you solve the riddle of the tile?

Where’s the best arcade in Tokyo? Anywhere upstairs.

The alleys are black and muggy with old incandescent lights steaming away the summer. Insects chirp quietly.

There’s one game genre you can always depend on in Tokyo.

The classics of last century look set to live forever in Japan’s arcades.

There’s something about seeing a total classic from your childhood just sitting there.

There’s energy in the air but what’s it for?

On the hipness of Shimokitazawa, which isn’t cool any more, which is cool. 

Alive in Tokyo’s arcades is the subtle and dignified art of Japanese taiko drumming (to the Super Mario Bros. theme tune).