Ikigai Arcade

At long last, Pittsburgh has its very own rhythm arcade! I can’t compare to any game centers in Japan, but I’ve been to a number of arcades across the US, both small/privately owned and big chains. Ikigai Arcade is hands down the nicest I have ever visited. There is more for rhythm & fighting game fans than any other American arcade I’ve been to; the owners know their audience and don’t waste space with random stuff aimed to satisfy your average Dave & Buster’s visitor 😛 the cabs (including but not limited to: Ongeki, maimai finale and dx, chunithm, sound voltex, wacca, pop’n music, groove coaster, beatmania iidx, pump it up, nostalgia) are very well maintained. I was also impressed with their selection of imported Japanese merch (figurines, apparel, cute accessories) and mythical sports drink Pocari Sweat. The arcade is quite easy to navigate and does a good job of creating pockets with lower noise where you can rest or even hold a conversation—if you are a regular arcade goer, you know how big of a deal this is! Null & Taka are very approachable, friendly, helpful, and responsive to customers in person and via Discord. I expect to lose a lot of my disposable income to this place in the future.

Pros: Let me start, if you are a rhythm game enthusiast, this arcade will have you right at home. They have all of the essential games, and you can clearly tell out of the gate that, this is designed and maintained by Japanese arcade enthusiasts, for Japanese arcade enthusiasts. The cabs are in EXCELLENT condition. They take their cabs to conventions and, to keep them in this condition is an accomplishment. Cons: $4 RF card out of the gate, if you are among the uninitiated, you will also need a $12 IC card to create a profile on the various cabs, otherwise you play in guest mode (which can be a bit annoying). The arcade on it's own has a skill gap to entry, there are systems in place in this arcade which make sense to a lot of us within the community, but, if you are unfamiliar with these systems, it could be overwhelming. Suggestion: Would love to see some sit-down 'blast city' cabs or something similar. There's a huge fighting game community in Pittsburgh but nowhere has really leaned into providing for them. Would love to see the big ones (SF3 Third Strike, MvC2, MK, Tekken). And also while I'm here also don't forget our favorite JP version of Tetris! (TGM2). I saw they have like a sit-down console area and, while that's nice, if there's ever a decision to instead go for sit-down cabs, jot me down as a +1 for sit-down cab over the console area.

Super fun place! Plenty of rhythm games (with more on the way apparently) and friendly staff. Of note was that it was also REALLY clean! Also has Japanese merch you can buy. I’ll definitely be back!

packed to the brim with cool machines and cooler people. incredibly kind and communicative staff. you can feel the passion in the air. exciting! incredible! i will be back again and again.

Incredible opening day. Cabs feel quality and the owner is amazing. Super receptive and helpful