Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. News

Game On video game exhibition comes to Japan with over 120 playable games

Albert Khoury
By
Game On exhibition at the Miraikan
Game On was established as a touring exhibition to educate visitors on the history of video games and their cultural value. It focuses on developments going back to 1962, beginning with the Programmed Data Processor-1 (PDP-1), which was the original hardware for the world’s first video game, to present day releases. The exhibit includes over 150 playable games including Space Invaders, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Rock Band as well as the ten most influential consoles. The first event was held at the Barbican Center in the U.K. in 2002, and it has attracted over two million visitors so far. This year, Game On is coming to Japan for the first time.

The Miraikan, also known as the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, is bringing the exhibition to Tokyo from the beginning of March through May. The focus topic will be “Why are videogames so interesting?” Miraikan wants visitors to think about the social and cultural impact of computer games, especially as they are becoming ever more integrated into our world and our future.

Game On Miraikan flyerVisitors to the Tokyo exhibit will be able to sample over 120 examples from the history of video games. The video from The Japan Times shows Pong, Computer Space, Missile Command, Marble Madness, Doom and Animal Crossing. There is also a special version of a classic: Space Invaders Taitan, which was designed by Roger Dean, who worked on album covers for the English rock band Yes. Various titles from the early days of gaming to the present will be grouped into eight stages that show the evolution of gaming technology. This will include console, PC, and mobile games. There will also be opportunities to sample virtual reality games, particularly PlayStation VR.

Recommended Videos

The final stage was designed specifically for Tokyo, and features a digital replica of Miraikan rendered in the Minecraft world. Players can hunt for treasure in the game as well as partake in other Minecraft workshops.

Miraikan will explore what fascinates us about video games, what makes them so addicting, and how the games developed. Interviews with experts from various fields and with passionate gamers will reveal what games mean to those who know them best. And a variety of media, including a “giant history wall” will present further visual opportunities for knowledge.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Albert Khoury
Albert Khoury
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Al started his career at a downtown Manhattan publisher, and has since worked with digital and print publications. He's…
Atari is publishing its first VR game, and it’s coming to PSVR2
Hands in VR control an Atari 2600 joystick in Pixel Ripped 1978.

Legendary game giant Atari is breaking into VR. This summer, the company will publish Pixel Ripped 1978, the third entry in the standout VR Pixel Ripped series. It will launch on PC and PlayStation 5 and be compatible with both PlayStation VR 2 and Meta Quest 2.

Pixel Ripped 1978 - Announcement Trailer

Read more
The best PSVR2 games
Horizon Call of the Mountain key art.

The newest VR headset on the market, the PlayStation VR2 is packed full of top-of-the-line tech to make your gaming experience as immersive and comfortable as possible. But what are killer specs without fantastic games? PSVR2 has quite the library of great VR games already available, with more on the way. Whether you're a VR expert looking to check out your favorite VR games on the latest headset or a newcomer diving into VR for the first time, you can't go wrong with these steller titles on the PSVR2

Horizon Call of the Mountain

Read more
The best video games of February 2023: Metroid Prime, Wild Hearts, and more
Samus stares up at Meta Ridley in Metroid Prime Remastered.

After a shockingly strong January for video game releases, February 2023 was relatively quieter, held up by just a couple of big releases, remasters, and the launch of a new VR headset. There are still plenty of games worth playing, but you probably got the most out of February if you're a Nintendo Switch owner.
We've combed through this month's big releases to share our favorites, but let's address the elephant in the room: Hogwarts Legacy was the most notable release of February, despite being mired in controversy. While Harry Potter fans are enjoying the title, Digital Trends was a bit less enamored with it in our two-and-a-half star review. Writer Giovanni Colantonio criticized the open-world game's uninspired use of magic and generic design, noting that nostalgia for the IP does a lot of the heavy lifting.
As such, we've left it off this month's list for a simple reason: There were just better games released in February. Our goal with this series of lists is always to compile the very best gaming has to offer every month, not necessarily the most talked-about games. From excellent remasters to a surprisingly robust rhythm RPG, these were no shortage of titles that deserved a shout-out. These were our six favorite games released in February (plus one great piece of hardware).
Metroid Prime Remastered

GameCube classic Metroid Prime is already considered one of the best games of all time by many people. As such, it’s no surprise that a Nintendo Switch remaster that adds dual analog supports and makes the game look even better is one of the best releases of the month. Metroid Prime Remastered even got a surprise launch during a Nintendo Direct, adding even more excitement to its release ahead of a physical release on February 22.
“While it might have been tempting to give the original a Dead Space-type remake treatment, the GameCube title didn’t need modifying,” Colantonio wrote about the game. “Instead, the remaster does some quiet technical work to remind players why Samus’ first 3D outing is still an unparalleled adventure two decades later.”
This refurbished version of a GameCube game has no glaring technical shortcomings. If you enjoy beautifully crafted sci-fi worlds and excellent game soundtracks, and want to experience one of the best-looking Switch games, we recommend picking this remaster up. Metroid Prime Remastered is available now exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
Wild Hearts

Read more