Taito Offers a Nostalgic Arcade Experience at Anime Expo
For anime and game enthusiasts, there is a must-see stop at this year's Anime Expo: Taito Play Base. The Japanese arcade giant Taito will revive the warm and competitive atmosphere of old-school arcades for visitors at the massive event to be held in Los Angeles from July 3-6, 2025.
According to the official announcement, classic games such as Space Invaders, Bubble Bobble, and Arkanoid will be set up at the event venue. In Taito's own statement, they said, "Our goal is to bring back the joy of playing side by side with friends, where people turn to each other and smile, even in today's digital age." It was also stated that a limited number of Taito-themed souvenirs will be distributed throughout the event.
Once seen on every street corner, arcades have been replaced by online games and home consoles. However, by bringing this nostalgia to today's largest anime gathering, Taito aims to offer a different experience to both veteran players and the new generation. The company laid the foundation of an entire industry with Space Invaders released in 1978; today, under the umbrella of Square Enix, it makes a name for itself with both mobile games and licensed products.
The organizers of Anime Expo say that such interactive experiences serve the fair's purpose of celebrating not just anime and manga, but the entirety of Japanese pop culture. Participants will also have the chance to try the company's next-generation rhythm game Groove Coaster in the Taito Play Base area. For event details and ticket information, Anime Expo's official website can be visited.
