8bit Cafe

10.03.2009 by Patrick W. Galbraith

Shinjuku may not be the most friendly place in the world for otaku types, but at least there is a space where gamers can kick back.

8bit Cafe kind of takes you by surprise, tucked away on the fifth floor of an old concrete building. It's a bit tough to to begin with (Exit C-5 of Shinjuku Sanchome Station on the Metro), and getting up there is a chore, because all you get in this retro space is stairs. Walking up to the door, you can hear the chatter of voices, feel the heat and smell the heavy smoke from inside.

Open the metal door and step into the basement of the coolest geek that never was. It's an absolute wreck, with boxes lying around and cabinets overflowing with collectibles. Concrete floors, a tile counter, seats taken from random places (cushioned train benches, 80s arcade stools), low lighting and remixed game tracks and ambient 8-bit sounds as BGM. The place is chock full of manga, and figures and toys are lined up on every available surface. All of it is free to touch and play with as you move about, explore and play.



And customers do. It isn't the normal Shinjuku lot up here - a note outside says, "We refuse drunks and people who get drunk and violent." Next to it, an enshrined Famicon, and about being a bum in Tokyo, drawn by a regular customer. Truly, this is one place where even the most unsociable can get out and relax. The staff are geeky and friendly, and engage customers in lively conversation (especially at the counter).



Been holed up with "Ragnarok" so long you forgot how to talk? No rush. Take your time and sample the hundreds of rare game cartridges available for free play. Most are for the generations of Famicon, but some real gems such as the "Macross" side-scrolling shooter are to found. Two can play, and nearby customers often get in on the competitive gaming action.

The food and drinks are tasty and affordable. Aside from an exhaustive list of normal drinks, there is some themed fare (likely not officially licensed). Especially recommended is Dr. Mario (800 yen), which tastes like standard Coke and rum, but comes in a beaker with pills to drop into it. When asked what these pills were for, the master only laughed, leaving the effect to the consumer to decide. Other drinks include the Peach Hime no Yuwaku (700 yen), which is so damn sweet that no one knows what sort of liquor is in it, and the Blue Badge (700 yen).

The food is all light, not a meal but something to snack on as you hang out. The Takana Cream Pasta (880 yen) is surprisingly good, as is the Iro Iro Oimo no Korokoro Potato Fry (700 yen), a mix of deep dried potatoes, pumpkin and yam with an excellent sauce.



Kind of a bummer is that pictures are not allowed, save for during the special events run by the cafe. Open from 19:00 to 4:00 Friday and Saturday, and 19:00 to 1:30 all other nights. Tuesday is their holiday. There are about 20 seats (the layout changes) and seven counter spots. During events, around 60 people cram in.

All in all, this is quite likely the coolest watering hole in Shinjuku, and the perfect stop off after visiting the Square Show Room.