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Showing posts from September, 2025

Street Fighter (1987) Arcade

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Released in 1987, Street Fighter introduced the world to one-on-one fighting as a dedicated genre. Though primitive compared to its sequels, its global tour format, punishing command inputs, and iconic characters laid the foundation for modern fighting games. This article explores its stages, mechanics, and cultural legacy, tracing how it transformed duels into a worldwide phenomenon. 🎮 Game Information Title: Street Fighter Year: 1987 Platform: Arcade Genre: One-on-one Fighting Developer / Publisher: Capcom Format: ROM-based arcade PCB Players: 1–2 alternating Notable Features: Pressure-sensitive buttons or 6-button layout, command-based special moves, global tour format Cultural Impact: Laid the foundation for modern fighting games and introduced iconic special techniques 🧭 Prologue – The First Duel Before “versus fighting” was a genre, Street Fighter staged it: two warriors, three rounds, and a world tour to prove mastery. Ryu’s journey set the...

Ghosts’n Goblins (1985) Arcade

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Released in 1985, Ghosts’n Goblins (魔界村) became one of the most notorious arcade experiences of its era. Its gothic setting, fragile armor system, and merciless two-loop structure defined the meaning of “challenge” in 1980s gaming. This article explores its stages, mechanics, and cultural legacy, tracing how it became a rite of passage for arcade players worldwide. 🎮 Game Information Title: Ghosts’n Goblins (魔界村) Year: 1985 Platform: Arcade Genre: Side-scrolling Action Developer / Publisher: CAPCOM Designer: Tokuro Fujiwara Composer: Ayako Mori Hardware: Capcom arcade PCB, vertical monitor Format: ROM-based arcade board Players: 1–2 alternating Notable Features: Extreme difficulty, two-loop system, iconic armor mechanic Cultural Impact: Defined the “challenge” of 1980s arcades, became a global benchmark of skill 🧭 Prologue – A Knight’s Trial Ghosts’n Goblins introduced players to Arthur, a knight whose quest to rescue a princess became synonymo...

Why I Built a Digital Museum of Japanese Retro Games

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When I was a child, I spent countless hours completely absorbed in video games.   Recently, those memories have returned to me—not just the fun of playing, but the feeling of wonder, discovery, and imagination that these games carried.   But what fascinates me most is the way they reflect the culture, technology, and imagination of their time.   Japanese arcade and console games from the 1980s and 1990s were more than entertainment—they were cultural artifacts that shaped a generation.   Yet, when I looked online, I often found these games presented only as “nostalgia” or “speedruns.”   Rarely were they treated with the dignity of a museum exhibit.   That is why I decided to create this project: to archive, curate, and present retro games as cultural heritage.   you.   Looking Ahead This museum is only at its beginning. In the coming months, I plan to expand the exhibits in several directions. Broader covera...