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@ -10,14 +10,43 @@ tags: 'Gaming'
Been wanting to play arcade rhythm games including MaiMai, Chunithm and DDR lately but was wondering where is the best place to play them in Sydney. So over the past week or so I've been visiting all the main arcades and comparing their machines and pricing setups to figure out where the best place is to play! Been wanting to play arcade rhythm games including MaiMai, Chunithm and DDR lately but was wondering where is the best place to play them in Sydney. So over the past week or so I've been visiting all the main arcades and comparing their machines and pricing setups to figure out where the best place is to play!
If you're not interested in all the research and calculations, feel free to [Skip to the conclusions](/blog/sydney-arcades#conclusions-and-key-takeaways) If you're not interested in all the research and calculations, feel free to [Skip to the conclusions](/blog/sydney-arcades#conclusions-and-key-takeaways)
---
1. [Arcades](/blog/sydney-arcades#arcades)
2. [Credit Pricing](/blog/sydney-arcades#credit-pricing)
3. [Game Selection](/blog/sydney-arcades#game-selection)
4. [Game Pricing](/blog/sydney-arcades#game-pricing)
1. [MaiMai](/blog/sydney-arcades#maimai)
2. [Chunithm](/blog/sydney-arcades#chunithm)
3. [Taiko](/blog/sydney-arcades#taiko)
4. [Sound Voltex](/blog/sydney-arcades#sound-voltex)
5. [Beatmania IIDX](/blog/sydney-arcades#beatmania-iidx)
6. [Dance Dance Revolution](/blog/sydney-arcades#dance-dance-revolution)
7. [Pump it Up](/blog/sydney-arcades#pump-it-up)
8. [Dancerush](/blog/sydney-arcades#dancerush)
5. [Other Deals](/blog/sydney-arcades#other-deals)
6. [Conclusions and key takeaways](/blog/sydney-arcades#conclusions-and-key-takeaways)
#### Update 02/05/2025
- Added Timezone Game20 Promo
- Added Purikura Photoland to comparisons, thankyou [Office Lesbian on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/maid.dating)!!
- Added Machines present at the Koko arcade city heros location - just across the road from their George St venue
- Added table of contents to quickly navigate the (increasingly unwieldy) page
- Added indicators for the best price normally, and the best price during promotions
- Added Pump it up to all sections
---
## Arcades ## Arcades
I've collected my data from 4 arcades in Sydney: I've collected my data from 4 arcades in Sydney:
- Koko Arcade on George St - Koko Arcade on George St (Including the games hidden away across the road at City Heros)
- Timezone at Haymarket - Timezone at Haymarket
- Timezone in Central Park Mall (need to check if its the same) - Timezone in Central Park Mall (need to check if its the same)
- Fortress Arcade in Central Park Mall - Fortress Arcade in Central Park Mall
- Purikura Photoland at Capitol Square
![Map showing the locations of arcades in Sydney](/img/blogImages/arcades-map.png) ![[arcades-map.png]]
## Credit Pricing ## Credit Pricing
Each arcade has their own credit pricing scheme where generally, the more you top up at once, the more bonus credit you get. This is very important for getting the best pricing but requires some planning. Each arcade has their own credit pricing scheme where generally, the more you top up at once, the more bonus credit you get. This is very important for getting the best pricing but requires some planning.
@ -40,7 +69,7 @@ From the numbers, the $200 top-up is the best deal *but* that is alot of money,
| $120 | $200 + VIP | $1.67 | | $120 | $200 + VIP | $1.67 |
Across the board these are much weaker deals but that is likely in no small part due to the fat they periodically run the Double Dollars promotion: Across the board these are much weaker deals but that is likely in no small part due to the fat they periodically run the Double Dollars promotion:
#### Important!!! - Double Dollars #### Double Dollars
It is generally agreed that the best (and ideally only) time you should top-up at Timezone is during double dollars promotions. These run every 1-2 months. It is generally agreed that the best (and ideally only) time you should top-up at Timezone is during double dollars promotions. These run every 1-2 months.
This is exactly what it says on the tin, the amount you top-up + the same amount in bonus credit.: This is exactly what it says on the tin, the amount you top-up + the same amount in bonus credit.:
@ -49,6 +78,15 @@ This is exactly what it says on the tin, the amount you top-up + the same amount
| ------------ | --------------- | ----------------- | | ------------ | --------------- | ----------------- |
| $60 | $120 + VIP | $2.00 | | $60 | $120 + VIP | $2.00 |
| $100 | $200 + VIP | $2.00 | | $100 | $200 + VIP | $2.00 |
#### Game20 Promo
Sometimes they also run a special promo where you can get $20 off any topup at or over $30. You can also get $200 credit for $80. *Note this can only be redeemed once every time the promo is run*
| Amount spent | Provided Credit | Credit per real $ |
| ------------ | --------------- | ----------------- |
| $10 | $30 | $3.00 |
| $80 | $200 | $2.50 |
I'll be using the 80/200 topup in comparisons because while the 10/30 is a better rate it is difficult to utilize when it can only be redeemed once every time it runs. It is also run much less frequently than Double Dollars
### Fortress ### Fortress
| Amount spent | Provided Credit | Credit per real $ | | Amount spent | Provided Credit | Credit per real $ |
| ------------ | --------------- | ----------------- | | ------------ | --------------- | ----------------- |
@ -60,21 +98,26 @@ This is exactly what it says on the tin, the amount you top-up + the same amount
The newest location in Sydney is the Fortress Arcade located across from the Timezone in Central Park Mall. The newest location in Sydney is the Fortress Arcade located across from the Timezone in Central Park Mall.
Overall better than Timezone outside of double dollars, and on-par with Koko when it comes to credit amounts alone, Fortress does not have a VIP system. Overall better than Timezone outside of promos, and on-par with Koko when it comes to credit amounts alone, Fortress does not have a VIP system.
Fortress Melbourne appears to have very promising student deals however these cannot currently be applied to the Sydney venue. That said, I spoke to one of the staff about it and they said that they are planning on introducing student deals at some point
### Purikura Photoland
Only uses coins for game payment, so no special rules here, $1 spent is $1 credit
## Game Selection ## Game Selection
Before we move onto game pricing, Now is a good time to have a quick look at the selection of games that each arcade offers. Before we move onto game pricing, Now is a good time to have a quick look at the selection of games that each arcade offers.
The "Single" or "Double" notation represents the configuration of the machine - whether it is a single machine that stands on its own or a double machine that is physically connected. It is important to note that most double machines will almost always only support 1 player playing alone or two players playing together. ***Not two players playing separately***. The "Single" or "Double" notation represents the configuration of the machine - whether it is a single machine that stands on its own or a double machine that is physically connected. It is important to note that most double machines will almost always only support 1 player playing alone or two players playing together. ***Not two players playing separately***.
| Game | Koko | TZ Haymarket | TZ Central | Fortress | | Game | Koko | TZ Haymarket | TZ Central | Fortress | Purikura Photoland |
| ------------------------------ | ---- | ------------ | ---------- | -------- | | ------------------------------ | ---- | ------------ | ---------- | -------- | ------------------ |
| MaiMai - Double | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | | MaiMai - Double | 5+1* | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Chunithm - Single | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | | Chunithm - Single | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Taiko - Double | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | | Taiko - Double | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1+1* |
| Sound Voltex - Single | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | | Sound Voltex - Single | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Beatmania IIDX - Double | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Beatmania IIDX - Double | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| DanceDance Revolution - Double | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | | DanceDance Revolution - Double | 2+1* | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Dancerush - Single | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | | Pump It Up - Double | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Dancerush - Single | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
One thing that is apparent from this is that there are by far the most machines at the Koko arcade. This is especially relevant if you want to play the more popular games such as MaiMai, Chunithm and Taiko as you will hopefully be able to find a free machine or at least not have to wait as long. One thing that is apparent from this is that there are by far the most machines at the Koko arcade. This is especially relevant if you want to play the more popular games such as MaiMai, Chunithm and Taiko as you will hopefully be able to find a free machine or at least not have to wait as long.
@ -85,78 +128,118 @@ We've had a look at the top up prices, but those mean little without the context
- Koko $200 - Koko $200
- Timezone $120 - Timezone $120
- Timezone DD (Double Dollars) - Timezone DD (Double Dollars)
- Timezone Game (Game20 Promo)
- Fortress $100 - Fortress $100
- Purikura Cash
I will also be using the VIP price since if you did top-up with any of these amounts you should get it (except for fortress which doesn't have a VIP scheme). I will also be using the VIP price since if you did top-up with any of these amounts you should get it (except for fortress which doesn't have a VIP scheme).
### MaiMai ### MaiMai
| Option | Reader Price | Real Cost | | Option | Reader Price | Real Cost |
| ------------- | ------------ | ---------------- | | --------------- | ------------ | ----------------------- |
| Koko $100 | $3.20 | $2.00 | | Koko $100 | $3.20 | $2.00 |
| Koko $200 | $3.20 | $1.88 | | Koko $200 | $3.20 | $1.88 |
| Timezone $120 | $3.30 | $1.98 | | Timezone $120 | $3.30 | $1.98 |
| Timezone DD | $3.30 | $1.65 | | Timezone DD | $3.30 | $1.65 |
| Fortress $100 | $2.70 | **$1.59** (Best) | | Timezone Game20 | $3.30 | **$1.32** (Best Promo) |
| Fortress $100 | $2.70 | **$1.59** (Best Normal) |
Note on the songs: If you play alone you only get 3 songs, If you play cabinet to cabinet then you get 4. Note on the songs: If you play alone you only get 3 songs, If you play cabinet to cabinet then you get 4.
I did not expect Fortress to win this one, but here we are. I did not expect Fortress to win this one, but here we are.
### Chunithm #### Offline Machine at City Heros
| Option | Reader Price | Real Cost | | Option | Reader Price | Real Cost |
| ------------- | ------------ | ---------------- | | --------- | ------------ | ---------------- |
| Koko $100 | $2.40 | $1.50 | | Koko $100 | $2.40 | $1.50 |
| Koko $200 | $2.40 | $1.41 | | Koko $200 | $2.40 | **$1.41** (Best) |
There is also a MaiMai festival machine located at the Koko Arcade city heros location. This is priced cheaper but as I understand, This cannot be used with save data cards that have played any of the later versions of the game
### Chunithm
| Option | Reader Price | Real Cost |
| --------------- | ------------ | ----------------------- |
| Koko $100 | $2.40 | $1.50 |
| Koko $200 | $2.40 | **$1.41** (Best Normal) |
| Timezone $120 | $2.60 | $1.56 | | Timezone $120 | $2.60 | $1.56 |
| Timezone DD | $2.60 | **$1.30** (Best) | | Timezone DD | $2.60 | $1.30 |
| Timezone Game20 | $2.60 | **$1.04** (Best Promo) |
I'm not entirely sure why its cheaper, maybe the fact that they are single machines is a part of it but they still offer the bonus song when playing with someone. I'm not entirely sure why its cheaper, maybe the fact that they are single machines is a part of it but they still offer the bonus song when playing with someone.
### Taiko ### Taiko
| Option | Reader Price | Real Cost | | Option | Reader Price | Real Cost |
| ------------- | ------------ | ---------------- | | --------------- | ------------ | ----------------------- |
| Koko $100 | $2.40 | $1.50 | | Koko $100 | $2.40 | $1.50 |
| Koko $200 | $2.40 | $1.41 | | Koko $200 | $2.40 | **$1.41** (Best Normal) |
| Timezone $120 | $2.80 | $1.68 | | Timezone $120 | $2.80 | $1.68 |
| Timezone DD | $2.80 | **$1.40** (Best) | | Timezone DD | $2.80 | $1.40 |
| Timezone Game20 | $2.80 | **$1.12** (Best Promo) |
| Fortress $100 | $2.69 | $1.58 | | Fortress $100 | $2.69 | $1.58 |
| Purikura Cash | $2.00 | $2.00 |
Timezone DD wins by 1 cent. Timezone with promos wins. Otherwise Koko is best outside of special promos
At Purikura there is also a very retro (CRT screen and everyhting) Taiko machine that can be played for $2
According to [Ausdevs Arcade Guide](https://ausdevs.com/arcades/) you get two songs, but the machine I saw in Fortress listed 1 credit = 3 songs so I'm unsure what happened here, make sure you check!
### Sound Voltex ### Sound Voltex
| Option | Reader Price | Real Cost | | Option | Reader Price | Real Cost |
| ------------- | ------------ | ---------------- | | --------------- | ------------ | ----------------------- |
| Koko $100 | $2.60 | $1.63 | | Koko $100 | $2.60 | $1.63 |
| Koko $200 | $2.60 | $1.53 | | Koko $200 | $2.60 | $1.53 |
| Timezone $120 | $2.40 | $1.44 | | Timezone $120 | $2.40 | **$1.44** (Best Normal) |
| Timezone DD | $2.40 | **$1.20** (Best) | | Timezone DD | $2.40 | $1.20 |
| Timezone Game20 | $2.40 | **$0.96** (Best Promo) |
| Purikura Cash | $2.00 | $2.00 |
Timezone wins this one even outside of DD. Timezone wins this one even outside of promos.
### Beatmania IIDX ### Beatmania IIDX
| Option | Reader Price | Real Cost | | Option | Reader Price | Real Cost |
| --------- | ------------ | ---------------- | | ------------- | ------------ | ---------------------- |
| Koko $100 | $3.20 | $2.00 | | Koko $100 | $3.20 | $2.00 |
| Koko $200 | $3.20 | **$1.88** (Best) | | Koko $200 | $3.20 | **$1.88** (Best Promo) |
| Purikura Cash | $2.00 | $2.00 |
I could only find this game at Koko Arcade, so I guess it wins by default. Couldn't find many of this machine, Only 1 at Koko and 2 at Purikura. By value the big Koko top-up wins, but that's a lot to spend.
### Dance Dance Revolution ### Dance Dance Revolution
| Option | Reader Price | Real Cost | | Option | Reader Price | Real Cost |
| ------------- | ------------ | ---------------- | | --------------- | ------------ | ----------------------- |
| Koko $100 | $3.00 | $1.88 | | Koko $100 | $3.00 | $1.88 |
| Koko $200 | $3.00 | $1.76 | | Koko $200 | $3.00 | $1.76 |
| Timezone $120 | $2.60 | $1.56 | | Timezone $120 | $2.60 | **$1.56** (Best Normal) |
| Timezone DD | $2.60 | **$1.30** (Best) | | Timezone DD | $2.60 | $1.30 |
| Timezone Game20 | $2.60 | **$1.04** (Best Promo) |
| Fortress $100 | $2.70 | $1.59 | | Fortress $100 | $2.70 | $1.59 |
A decisive win for Timezone, even without Double Dollars. A decisive win for Timezone, even without promos.
Make sure you pick premium play (assuming it is also 1 credit for you) unlike standard play it grantees you get to play all 3 songs plus potentially an extra stage depending on your performance (It's a complicated system so I think I'll talk about this and many other beginner DDR tips in another post!). The menu option is listed because in some regions Standard play is a cheaper option but comes at the risk of your game ending early if you perform poorly.
#### Special Machine
In the Koko City Hero's location there is also a custom DDR machine managed by a community member running Stepmania!
At the moment it looks like the machine can be a little temperamental so try checking their website if you're having any trouble: https://sil.fyi/chgs-itg/
| Option | Reader Price | Real Cost |
| --------- | ------------ | ---------------- |
| Koko $100 | $2.30 | $1.44 |
| Koko $200 | $2.30 | **$1.35** (Best) |
### Pump it Up
| Option | Reader Price | Real Cost |
| --------------- | ------------ | ----------------------- |
| Koko $100 | $2.80 | $1.75 |
| Koko $200 | $2.80 | $1.65 |
| Timezone $120 | $2.40 | **$1.44** (Best Normal) |
| Timezone DD | $2.40 | $1.20 |
| Timezone Game20 | $2.40 | **$0.96** (Best Promo) |
Timezone always wins again
Played a game of this at the Timezone Central location and found the song selection quite small - only about 50 songs, not sure if I was missing something (since it was the first time I ever played the game), if you need a save data card to access more, or if there just aren't many.
Make sure you pick premium play (assuming it is also 1 credit for you) unlike standard play it grantees you get to play all 3 songs plus potentially an extra stage depending on your performance (sorry! I couldn't find any information on *how* to get the extra stage). The menu option is listed because in some regions Standard play is a cheaper option but comes at the risk of your game ending early if you perform poorly.
### Dancerush ### Dancerush
| Option | Reader Price | Real Cost | | Option | Reader Price | Real Cost |
| ------------- | ------------ | ---------------- | | --------------- | ------------ | ---------------- |
| Koko $100 | $3.30 | $2.06 | | Koko $100 | $3.30 | $2.06 |
| Koko $200 | $3.30 | **$1.94** (Best) | | Koko $200 | $3.30 | **$1.94** (Best) |
| Timezone $120 | ??? | ??? | | Timezone $120 | ??? | ??? |
| Timezone DD | ??? | ??? | | Timezone DD | ??? | ??? |
| Timezone Game20 | ??? | ??? |
*(Timezone pricing unknown as the machine in Timezone Haymarket was out of order when I went to check it, will update if I see it working)* *(Timezone pricing unknown as the machine in Timezone Haymarket was out of order when I went to check it, will update if I see it working)*
@ -183,11 +266,12 @@ If you're reading this post, then you are probably most interested in the rhythm
Fortress offer a month membership for $20/month, One of the perks it provides is $15 arcade credit per month this is *not* worth it at all on its own, but if you frequent fortress it may make sense for you. Fortress offer a month membership for $20/month, One of the perks it provides is $15 arcade credit per month this is *not* worth it at all on its own, but if you frequent fortress it may make sense for you.
## Conclusions and key takeaways ## Conclusions and key takeaways
With all that said and done, this is the best value way to play each game: With all that said and done, this is the best value way to play each game:
- **MaiMai** - On price, Fortress simply wins, I too am surprised - **MaiMai** - On price, Fortress wins except for when Timezone runs the rare Game20 promotion
- **Chunithm** - Timezone Double Dollars is the best deal, otherwise its the $200 Koko top-up - **Chunithm** - Either Timezone promo is the best deal, otherwise its the $200 Koko top-up
- **Sound Voltex** - Always Timezone, even without DD - **Sound Voltex** - Always Timezone, even without either promo
- **Beatmainia IIDX** - Koko Arcade is the only place you can play it - **Beatmainia IIDX** - Koko Arcade is cheaper in the long run, but if you only want to play a few games maybe try Purikura
- **DanceDance Revolution** - Also Always Timezone, even without DD - **DanceDance Revolution** - Also Always Timezone, even without either promo
- **Pump It Up** - Also Always Timezone, even without either promo
- **Dancerush** - Currently, the only functional machines I know of are at Koko Arcade - **Dancerush** - Currently, the only functional machines I know of are at Koko Arcade
Also worth considering the number of machines. As I mentioned before, Koko has by far the most which might make it easier to get a game? Then again its also very popular which potentially cancels out the benefit. Also worth considering the number of machines. As I mentioned before, Koko has by far the most which might make it easier to get a game? Then again its also very popular which potentially cancels out the benefit.
@ -201,3 +285,4 @@ Likewise, If you want me to add a game, let me know there too!
### Final thoughts~ ### Final thoughts~
Hope this helped clear up all the pricing systems that the arcades use, now go out and play some games :3 Hope this helped clear up all the pricing systems that the arcades use, now go out and play some games :3

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