Hello, this is Lee Hana from the SKOOTA editorial team.
From February 6 to 15, the streets of Shibuya, Tokyo were enveloped in a unique and mysterious energy that felt a bit different from usual. I visited the urban game festival "SHIBUYA GAMES WEEK 2026", which took over the entire city.
Instead of being confined to a specific venue, the festival allowed participants to encounter game culture in unexpected moments while walking through the streets of Shibuya. I would like to reflect on this 10-day journey, which felt like a trip exploring the "boundary between the everyday and the extraordinary," along with the sights I experienced.
📍 Spot 1: PARCO MUSEUM TOKYO "PARCO GAME CENTER"
Quoted from PARCO GAMES official site.
About a 10-minute walk from Shibuya Station. It was located on the 4th floor of Shibuya PARCO, which everyone knows. Quoted from PARCO GAMES official site.
The first place I headed to was "PARCO MUSEUM TOKYO" on the 4th floor of Shibuya PARCO. Here, the event 'PARCO GAME CENTER' was being held.
While the concept was "retro games," it was not just a nostalgic hobby; it embodied the essence of PARCO. It was a space where all forms of expression related to games—fashion, music, art, and video—mixed together, truly representing "game culture."
Among the diverse brands in PARCO, the vibrant visuals stood out remarkably. Just standing in front of the entrance, I felt an exciting energy that naturally drew me inside. It had an aura that instinctively suggested, "Something fun is waiting here."
The round table in the center is a demo station.
As I passed through the entrance with the slightly low ceiling, I was greeted by a surprisingly spacious area. It was unfortunately raining that day, but the venue was bustling with people, and the excitement made it a bit sweaty. From the retro game demo corner near the entrance to the pop-up store in the back, the sight of both new and old titles lined up felt like stepping into a "theme park for adults."
have an indescribable intensity.
The exhibits included posters and merchandise from a time slightly before my generation. At first, I only felt like I had encountered something rare, but as I looked at the legendary titles like Pac-Man and Dragon Quest lined up, I found my heart strangely warmed. It felt nostalgic, even though I shouldn't know them. Familiar yet somehow fresh. It was a moment that awakened me to a timeless universal charm.
If you plan to go, make sure to "definitely" try it out!
Of course, for us living in the present, the indie game corner for indie gamers was also well-stocked. Many families were gathered around the demo stations for mini-games created just this year and titles set to be released soon. Children brought by their parents' "memories" were engrossed in the latest indie games. It was very impressive to see products from different eras blending together in one space, coexisting without any sense of discomfort.
By the way, this 'PARCO GAME CENTER' will be open until next Monday, March 2nd. This means that for those who haven't gone yet, this weekend might be your last chance to visit.
If you're thinking of going for this opportunity, please enjoy it on my behalf...!
📍 Spot 2: SHIBUYA STREAM HALL "God Game Creator Evo Evolution 2025 x Game Creator Koshien 2025"
Leaving PARCO's sophisticated art space, the next stop was "Shibuya Stream Hall." Here, the 'God Game Creator Evolution 2025 x Game Creator Koshien 2025 Joint Presentation Exhibition' was taking place, gathering future star creators.
If PARCO was a place to enjoy "the culture of games," this is a place where you can directly experience "the energy of game creation." Let me share the atmosphere of this vibrant scene.
Although the main focus was on the corporate consultation space,
there were also opportunities to try out student works.
Actually, this was my first time going to Shibuya Stream Hall. I got a bit lost, but I found a large display guide for the exhibition in front of the escalator, which relieved my anxiety. What surprised me was that despite the scale of the exhibition and the demo stations, entry was "free." For those who love indie games, this alone is an exciting point, isn't it?
The venue is structured over three floors, with the lower level serving as a corporate consultation space, while the middle and upper levels primarily showcase student works. The density on the middle floor was astonishing, making it quite a challenge to move even a step forward due to the crowd. On the other hand, the area near the presentation stage on the top floor was a bit more spacious, allowing for a nice break after playing plenty of games below while enjoying the view of the stage... it was a great way to experience the event with a nice balance.
I stood up from my seat feeling quite apologetic.
The art and story were just too cute.
Among the games I tried, the ones that stood out were a puzzle game that applied the principle of a pendulum to reach the exit, and a unique novel + arcade game about overcoming a middle school heartbreak trauma. What surprised me the most was that many of the titles were actually completed works. While not everyone, many students were dedicated to creating games with the mindset of "making a complete game." The designs were crafted to ensure that even short play sessions provided a solid sense of satisfaction, reflecting the teachings of their mentors and their own sincere attitudes.
Before actually heading there, I was worried that it might have a "somewhat formal atmosphere," but once I stepped in, it turned out to be the perfect event space where creators and users mingled and purely enjoyed games.
"Game events can't be formal!"
Now, I am convinced of that. I can't help but wish that such a rich experience, available for free, reaches more people.
🏁 Conclusion: The Spice of "Games" Added to the Landscape of Everyday Life
advertising SHIBUYA GAME WEEK.
So cute.
I actually wanted to visit many more spots, but unfortunately, I wasn't feeling my best, so the tour ended here. I took a peek at a few smaller spots like "Square Enix Garden" and headed home with a heavy heart.
While walking through the streets of Shibuya this time, I strongly felt something. Unlike traditional events held in large halls, the experience of encountering games with every step in the city of "Shibuya," where everyone coexists, is truly special.
Just adding a small spice of indie games to the familiar cityscape makes the world look so different. That alone was a wonderful discovery. And above all, seeing "ordinary people," who usually have little connection to games, getting swept up in the same excitement through the space of Shibuya. This must have been an invaluable opportunity for both users like me and the developers delivering their works.
Although I couldn't see everything during this "SHIBUYA GAMES WEEK," it became a great trial opportunity that ignited my own determination for "next time...!"
In this great wave of indie games, I sincerely hope to encounter even more smiles next time. Until we meet again in the next story!