Traditional game shops do have their own lines of tat and freebies, however. Indie game stores in particular have a habit of freely offloading their old game posters, rolled up neatly and stashed in buckets for interested customers to take away. Demo pods and PSP/DS download stations are other game-store exclusives which ensure that customers return regularly instead of simply switching allegiance to the conbini kingdom. Microsoft and Sony demo booths are nearly always single-game affairs, running single slices of preview code, but for a few years Nintendo has provided game stores with unique GameCube demo discs running selected levels from various upcoming games alongside libraries of DS and GBA video footage.
The best thing about Japanese game shops is their level of service. Staff is always incredibly helpful -- if you're looking for something which is difficult to find, they will go out of their way to find it for you. But then, that is part of Japanese culture: the customer is king. Unfortunately for many game stores, in spite of the excellent service they provide, it may not be enough to halt a shift away from traditional game retail.
A survey conducted by Famitsu last month showed that less than 10% of gamers who bought Final Fantasy XII did so through their local game stores. Most opted to use online retailers such as Amazon.jp, and a significant number went for the conbini option. Of course, competition is great news in one sense because it guarantees low prices, but I really hope Japan's game shops survive. They give me so many reasons to be smug -- early Nintendo demos, freebies, first-rate service and so on. But gradually, I fear, the tide may turn on these noble institutions and the Japanese videogame landscape may change again. Even if it does change though, I have no doubt that Japanese gamers will continue to get a good deal from publishers and retailers alike. Low prices, freebies, and Club Nintendo are enough.
