On a recent visit to Akiba District, Utrecht’s latest arcade hall, located in Hoog Catharijne near one of the side exits, I was impressed by the atmosphere. The interior is heavily themed in a retro/Japanese style with neon lighting. I loved the entrance, where you walk through a Japanese-style train décor.
The types of games I saw there were mostly rhythm games, racing games, and NAOMI cabinets featuring shooters, sports games, and fighting games, as well as a few party games like air hockey and Bishi Bashi. Before entering the main arcade area, there are a few console setups, both modern and retro. (A list of games can be found here: Games on Vanisher.)
There’s a small bar where you can grab bubble tea, hot dogs, or soft drinks. It’s not a full restaurant, but it’s fine for a quick snack before continuing your gaming session.
One thing that stood out was how many multiplayer setups Akiba District has, which makes sense for a venue where people often visit in groups: dual racing seats, head-to-head fighting game setups, etc. The machines themselves are generally in great shape, although a few were flagged as out of service, which is expected in any arcade of this size, and it wasn’t really an inconvenience. Overall, the hardware looked clean and well-maintained.
In the end, my visit to Akiba District was all about soaking up the atmosphere. I didn’t come to set any world-record scores, although I did manage to set the local high score on Galaga (for now). The combination of bright neon décor and retro game sounds makes it a cool concept, and I hope it will stick around for a long time.
More details on their website: https://akiba-district.com/
