Joypolis

Joypolis (Japanese: ジョイポリス, Hepburn: Joiporisu) is an amusement park & a department store 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.

Joypolis
Entrance to Sega Joypolis in September 2014 in Odaiba.
LocationVarious
ThemeFuture, Video Games, Anime
Operated byCA Sega Joypolis (Tokyo, Shibuya and Quingdo)
China Animations Character Co. (Shanghai)
Operating seasonyear-round (indoor)
Attractions
Total22
Roller coasters1 (Tokyo and Qingdao branches only, formerly Shanghai)
The first entrance to Tokyo Joypolis

Overall, 9 Joypolis theme parks have been opened, but as of 2016, only four parks remain operational: two in Japan (Odaiba, Tokyo and Shibuya) 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 CA Sega Joypolis and the Shanghai park is operated by Hong Kong-based ChinaAnimation. Sega announced in 2016 that China Animations would acquire a majority stake in Sega Live Creation (now CA Sega Joypolis) for 600 million yen, effective January 2017.[1] The parks are no longer fully controlled by Sega with the exception of the Joypolis in Okayama, which remained as part of the Sega Entertainment division of Sega until its closure in 2018.

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

Locations

Japan
  • Tokyo (opened in 1996, flagship branch)
  • VR Shibuya (opened in October 2018)

China
  • Qingdao (opened July 2015)
  • Shanghai (first phase opened late 2014, second phase opened February 2016)

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. Site now used for the Niigata City Manga and Anime Information Center)
  • Fukuoka (opened in 1996, closed in 2001. Split up into a Namco Ramen Stadium venue and Taito Station (previously Club Sega) arcade)
  • Shinjuku (opened in 1996, closed in 2000 due to low visitor numbers. Now used as Takashimaya and Yuzawaya Department Stores)
  • Okayama (opened in 1998, All attractions closed in 2008 so operated only as an arcade afterward, ownership transferred over to Sega Entertainment Co, Ltd. in 2012. Closed on September 2, 2018 due to redevelopment of the site)
  • Kyoto (opened in 1998, closed in 2002 due to low visitor numbers)
  • Osaka (opened in 1998, closed in May 2018 due to expiry of lease)

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. The world's first spinning coaster with an inversion
  • 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.
  • Spicy Taxi - A driving simulator with 360 degree cars.
  • Pirate's Plunder - A shooting attraction where guests shoot Skeletons and help Pirates.
  • Transformers: Human Alliance Special - A ride version of the arcade game Transformers: Human Alliance. The cabinet is similar to Sega's R-360 machine.
  • 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.
  • Storm-G - A bob-sleigh simulator that rotates 360 degrees.
  • TOWER TAG - A modern multiplayer Virtual Reality PvP laser shooter.
  • Mystic Mansion: Tale of Pandemonium - A horror themed 3D ride.
  • Fortune Forest - A virtual forest that tells attendees what their futures will be.
  • 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.
  • Hozuki's Coolheadedness - A 3D sound based attraction based on the Anime and Manga series of the same name.
  • SADAKO - The Curse Psychic Manor - An attraction based on the Sadako 2019 movie.
  • 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
  • Dippin' Dots 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
Sky Crusing
  • 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.
  • ZOMBIE ZOO
  • Sky Crusing - A hang glider simulator.
  • The Room of Living Dolls - A 4D horror Movie.
  • Phoenix Wright Ace in Joypolis - An attraction based on the Ace Attorney visual novel series.

Other Attractions
  • P Closet - A clothes shop.
  • 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.

Quingdao Joypolis

Attractions
  • Sonic Tropical Resort - A Sonic the Hedgehog air balloon ride.
  • Sega Lightning Knight - A Roller Coaster with an interactive shooting element.
  • VR Snow Competition - A snowboarding simulator using VR headsets.
  • VR God-Arrow - A shooting simulator using VR headsets.
  • Chuang Jurassic - A 3D simulator.
  • Initial D - A driving simulator based on the manga series of the same name. Attendees sit in real cars and play the game.
  • Transformers: Human Alliance Special - A ride version of the arcade game Transformers: Human Alliance. The cabinet is similar to Sega's R-360 machine.
  • Animal Treasure Box - An attraction where attendees look for animals in a 3D environment.
  • Wind Wing - A jungle-themed hang glider simulator.
  • GO GO Jockey! - An arcade game powered with a plastic horse that attendees ride on.
  • Horror House - A haunted house-type attraction.
  • Spy Mission - A jungle-themed hang glider simulator.
  • Sonic Athletics - A racing game powered by a treadmill.
  • Sonic Star Race - A Sonic the Hedgehog themed Bumper Car ride.
  • Sonic Jumping Tour - A Sonic the Hedgehog themed 4D attraction.
  • VR Living Dollhouse - A VR horror game.
  • Beautiful Test - A Picture showcase attraction.
  • Fortune Forest - A virtual forest that tells attendees what their futures will be.
  • Sonic Brain Ranking - A attraction that tests attendees trivia on the Sonic franchise.
  • VR Living Dollhouse - A VR horror game.
  • The First Scene - A VR attraction powered with a chair.
  • VR Space Warrior - A VR version of a popular game series.
  • VR Bing Feng Warriors - a VR attraction.
  • Search Impossible - A haunted house type attraction.
  • Deadly Blitz - a VR shooting game.

Other Attractions
  • Clown Cannon - A themed Skee-Ball set.
  • Sea Fishing - A fishing simulator.
  • UFO Catchers - an area dedicated to UFO Catcher machines.
  • Thunder MT - An area dedicated to holding machines of the Thunder MT arcade game.
  • Balloon Walker - A luck-based game.
  • Stage - A stage area.

Restaurants
  • D-Lounge - An interactive lounge serving snacks and drinks.

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

References
  1. "セガサミー、「ジョイポリス」を香港企業に売却". www.nikkei.com. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
  2. RideAccidents.com - 2005 Accident Reports and News

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