In the heart of Tokyo’s Odaiba district (where the big Ferris wheel is), Sega lives on - the Joypolis is a “virtual theme park” not unlike Gameworks here in the US, with more of an emphasis on major attractions over smaller arcade machines. Their newest attraction is the Storm-G, a Wipeout-esque virtual game that puts you in the cockpit of a futuristic bobsled - that’s able to spin 360 degrees around. Yep, you’re apt to go upside down a few times, which may make stomachs go inside out, for those with less than iron constitutions.
Having been to Joypolis a few years ago, I would have to say that while it’s worth going once just to get the experience, more demanding gamers may find the whole place a bit… underwhelming. There was some interesting stuff, like a skydiving sim that strapped you in a chair that went upside down, and a Turok game that had me and my mom’s trigger fingers sore, and then some hot girls in short plastic skirts showed up, but all in all, it felt like the place was designed for people who don’t play video games on a consistent basis. A round of drunken Wii boxing might’ve topped it, actually.
Anyways, it’s nice to see Sega ramp up their hardcore-ness with the Storm-G, but as puke-inducing as it looks, it probably still doesn’t compare to a good ol’ rollercoaster.
Ah, Tokyo… how I miss you so
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March 29, 2009 12:19 PM | by