The iconic game center Nakano TRF and its annex will be closing on May 18, 2025, ending more than 20 years of operation in Tokyo’s Nakano Broadway shopping mall. The announcement comes as a significant blow to Japan’s fighting game community, as Nakano TRF has been a legendary arcade known for its focus on 2D fighting games, which made up about 50% of its game selection.
中野TRF及び新館閉店のお知らせ | Nakano TRF Official Web https://t.co/VitbJWvGFF
— 中野TRF (@nakano_trf) April 2, 2025
Opened on October 9, 2004, Nakano TRF (formally “Nakano Tokyo Ranking Fighters“) established itself as a fighting game haven, offering all games at just 50 yen per play (except for NESiCA×Live machines at 100 yen). The arcade was known for hosting daily tournaments that were frequently uploaded to video platforms, with its AC Hokuto no Ken competitions being particularly popular.
The arcade’s closure has prompted an outpouring of nostalgia and tributes from the gaming community. Many players have shared memories of tournaments and experiences at the venue, including K.I, who mentioned their connection to TRF’s predecessor, Ogikubo EXC. Professional cosplayer Yuka Kuramoti credited TRF with facilitating her meeting with her husband and other fighting game players through a Street Fighter IV tournament.
寝て起きたらようやく実感が湧いてきました。
— じょにお (@joniosan27) April 3, 2025
色々ありましたが、毎日のようにギルティのイベントで盛り上がる夢のような場所でした。
あの狭い店舗で100名以上集まった闘劇予選が1番の思い出です。
閉店までまた手伝い行きます。
写真整理してたら闘劇予選の写真とか色々出てきたのでぺたり。 https://t.co/6wfZW4NtB2 pic.twitter.com/Hkg06lYVao
思い出の地が😭アルカディアの企画で中野TRFでのストⅣ闘劇予選に参加することが無かったらふ〜どとの結婚も格ゲーマーたちとの交流も無かったと思うので、とても感謝しています。ありがとうございました！！！ https://t.co/b37VUe6eJQ pic.twitter.com/vXInRaMQIn
— GSG｜倉持由香 (@yukakuramoti) April 2, 2025
Nakano TRF was unique in its approach to gaming, often hosting tournaments specifically designed for beginners and intermediate players. The arcade’s manager was known for prioritizing newcomers, even going as far as temporarily banning expert players from certain games to protect beginners.
This closure is part of a troubling trend for Japanese arcades, which have been steadily declining over the years. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of arcades in Japan had already decreased by 80%, from 26,573 to around 4,000 in 2019. The pandemic further accelerated this decline, with many iconic Tokyo arcades shutting down due to reduced foot traffic and financial pressures.
For those who wish to visit before closure, Nakano TRF has announced that free passes will be accepted until April 18, and players with equipment stored at the arcade are requested to retrieve it before the final day of operation.
The closure marks the end of an era for a venue that has been described as “a dream-like place” where gaming enthusiasts gathered daily for fighting game events.
