Going to an arcade is something that many people in the USA under 20 may not remember. While there are a small contingent of game centers boasting mini-carts and putt putt golf, most of the real arcades are gone. Along with them the memories of hardcore fans of the true arcade experience lined up with quarters for their chance to play the current champion. Sadly it seems this trend is moving to Japan soil where the arcade experience was still quite intact compared to other parts of the world...

"In a shock downward revision to its earnings outlook, toy and amusement arcade firm Namco Bandai Holdings, said it would close between 50 and 60, or roughly one-fifth of its arcades, causing its shares to plummet for a second consecutive session on Thursday.

"A lot of the types of games that people played at an arcade can now be done at home," company spokesman Yuji Machida said.

Many Japanese kids got a Wii last year, particularly over the holiday season, and it seems as if much of their pocket money is now being saved to buy more hardware or software for the console, Machida said.

Sky-high oil prices have also done their damage, as Japanese families, eager to save on gasoline, cut back on trips to big shopping malls where many of the company's family-oriented arcades are located, he added."

It was also mentioned that Sega Sammy plans on closing around 100 arcades as well. Sad news in the arcade world. I love my Wii, but am sad seeing any arcade close as an indirect result.