Joypolis

The first entrance to Tokyo Joypolis in October 1999.

Joypolis (ジョイポリス Joiporisu) is an amusement park chain that was first opened on July 20, 1994 in Yokohama, Japan. Joypolis centers have since opened in several cities in Japan and China with the parks featuring arcade games and amusement rides based on Sega intellectual properties.

Overall, 9 Joypolis theme parks have been opened, but as of 2016, only four parks remain operational: two in Japan (Odaiba, Tokyo and Umeda, Osaka) and two in China (Qingdao and Shanghai). The rest of the parks have closed due to low visitor numbers. The Odaiba, Umeda and Qingdao parks are currently operated by Sega Live Creation, while the Shanghai park is operated by Hong Kong based China Theme Parks. Sega announced in 2016 that China Theme Parks would acquire a majority stake in Sega Live Creation for 600 million yen, effective January 2017.^[1]

Similar parks, owned in whole or part by Sega, called SegaWorld or GameWorks are also in existence.

Locations

Japan

• Yokohama (Opened in 1994, refurbished and revamped as Joypolis H. Factory in 1998, closed in 2001 due to low visitor numbers and financial restraints. Later became a Warehouse, and was demolished to make way for flats.)
• Niigata (Opened in 1995, Reopened as Magic City at Niigata Joypolis in 1998. Closed in 2000 due to low visitor numbers)
• Fukuoka (Opened in 1996, closed in 2001. Split up into a Restaurant and Taito Station arcade)
• Tokyo (Opened in 1996, flagship branch)
• Shinjuku (Opened in 1996, closed in 2000 due to low visitor numbers)
• Okayama (Opened in 1998, Operates as an arcade rather than a theme park.)
• Kyoto (Opened in 1998, closed in 2002 due to low visitor numbers)
• Osaka (Opened in 1998)

China

• Qingdao (Opened July 2015)
• Shanghai (Opened February 2016)

Yokohama Joypolis

Attractions

• Virtua Formula - The opening attraction of Yokohama Joypolis, an enhanced version of Virtua Racing with up to 8 players each. It features a full-sized Formula 1 cockpit and 80-inch playback screens. This game has a dedicated room with 32 machines running.
• Rail Chase: the Ride - Based upon the SEGA arcade game Rail Chase. This is an interactive rollercoaster ride in which players must shoot targets as they travel.
• Ghost Hunters - A ride which places the players in a pitch black arena, using mirrors to display holographic ghost targets.
• Mad Bazooka - An indoor bumper car ride in which two teams of 6 players fire rubber balls at each other. Balls fire at the rate of 8 shots per second through a tank cannon, while the bumper cars have the ability to pick up the balls off the floor.
• Astronomicon - An astrology-based interactive theatre that tells fortunes and reads horoscopes to an audience of up to 50 people.
• AS-1 - A 360-degree motion simulator.
• VR-1 Space Mission - A virtual reality space mission accommodating 8 people per machine which allows players to pilot their own space ship with twin yokes.

Tokyo Joypolis

Attractions

• Gekion Live Coaster - A roller coaster combined with a music game.
• Halfpipe Tokyo - A snowboarding ride set to music.
• Zero Latency VR - A VR attraction where attendees visits space with VR headsets.
• The Joypolis Explorer - a mystery attraction where attendees must uncover the treasure warehouse.
• Initial D - A driving simulator based on the manga series of the same name. Attendees sit in real cars and play the game.
• 3D Movie - A 3D version of Sonic: Night of the Werehog, a short film based on the video game Sonic Unleashed.
• Transformers: Human Alliance Special - A ride version of the arcade game Transformers: Human Alliance. The cabinet is similar to Sega's R-360 machine.
• Let's Go Jungle SP - an attraction based on Let's Go Jungle! with large projection screens on front and back.
• The House of the Dead 4 SP - an attraction based on House of the Dead 4 where riders shoot zombies from all directions.
• Sonic Athletics - A racing game powered by a treadmill.
• Sonic Brain Ranking - An attraction that tests attendees' knowledge of Sonic the Hedgehog trivia.
• Storm-G - A bob-sleigh simulator that rotates 360 degrees.
• Dark Chapel - A dragon-themed 3D movie.
• Fortune Forest - A virtual forest that tells attendees what their futures will be.
• Tokyo Ghoul: City Escape - An attraction based on the manga Tokyo Ghoul.
• Wind Wing - A jungle-themed hang glider simulator.
• Wild Jungle Brothers - a jungle-themed Jeep simulator.
• Wild River: The Treasure Hunt - A jungle-themed dingy simulator.
• Phoenix Wright Ace in Joypolis - An attraction based on the Ace Attorney visual novel series.
• VR The Room of the Living Doll - A haunted house attraction with VR technology.
• Unsearahable: The orb hidden in basement - An attraction where attendees finds a hidden orb.
• Lola and Carla the Beauty Contest - An attraction where attendees answers questions to create a character.
• JOYPOLI_SUGOROKU - A unique game of Sugoroku where attendees can explore around.

Other Attractions

• Main Stage - A stage that houses events every now and again. Most of the time it features LOPIT, born in house from Sega.
• Prizes Corner - An area full of UFO Catchers featuring Exclusive Joypolis Sonic plushes.
• JP Store - A store selling Sega themed merchandise and souvenirs.
• Sonic Carnival - A section for the younger guests featuring carnival games themed to Sonic and his friends.
• Space interaction - Zones that fuse the digital world to the real world.
• Multi Stage - A Stage seen in Frame Cafe. It has events every now and again.

Restaurants

• Dippindots Ice Cream - An ice Cream store serving Ice Cream with sprinkles.
• Crepe store - A crepe store.
• D-Lounge - An interactive lounge serving snacks and drinks. This is the only area of the park that serves alcohol.
• Frame Cafe - A cafe which has a huge view of Tokyo and contains the Multi Stage.
• Vending Machines - Vending Machines are scattered around the park.

Osaka Joypolis

Attractions

• Wild River - A jungle themed dingy simulator.
• Let's Go Jungle SP - an attraction based on Let's Go Jungle! with large projection screens on front and back.
• SADAKO 3D floral tribute
• Sky Crusing - A hang glider simulator.
• Bijomen -
• The Room of Living Dolls - A 4D horror Movie.

Other Attractions

• P Closet -
• Crane Game Corner - An area dedicated to UFO Catchers and other Crane Games.
• Game and Medal - Various video games and arcade games available to play.
• Crepe Ojisan - A crepe shop.

Accident history

On April 20, 2005, Sega Corp. closed its Tokyo Joypolis (Odaiba area) theme park temporarily, pending a police investigation and an internal investigation into park safety procedures. The action came in the wake of an accident on the previous Monday in which a 30-year-old man died after he fell out of a ride. The ride, called "Viva! Skydiving," is a simulator ride that is designed to give passengers an experience of virtual skydiving. Apparently, the ride's operators allowed the overweight man to board the ride, even though the safety belt was not long enough to fit around his body. The man was secured only by an over-the-shoulder restraint, but Sega president Hisao Oguchi says that the restraint was locked in a "more loose position," causing the man to fall out. Reports indicate that, while Sega's official park operations manual forbids riders from riding without seat belts, Tokyo Joypolis had given its employees an unofficial manual that allowed ride operators to use their own discretion as to whether a person could board a ride. Sega says it was unaware that the park had its own manual.^[2]

See also

• SegaWorld refers to installations in the United Kingdom, China and Australia, seeking to promote Sega games while providing entertainment based on its licenses.
• GameWorks refers to installations in the United States.
• Sega Republic, an indoor theme-park located at The Dubai Mall, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Considered the first Sega-licensed theme-park in the Middle East.

References

• "SEGA Japan's Joypolis parks homepage". Retrieved 2006-12-31. 
• Cochrane, Nathan (2004). "Joypolis: VR Theme Park". 

External links

• Sega Japan's Joypolis homepage (Japanese)

Coordinates: 35°37′43″N 139°46′31″E / 35.628508°N 139.775161°E / 35.628508; 139.775161 (Joypolis)