To say that the Tokyo Game Show (TGS) is a huge convention is already, in itself, an understatement. This con is MASSIVE! With 11 halls – yes, ELEVEN HALLS – filled to the brim with gaming booths, promotions, and general geekery, the Tokyo Game Show 2016 is the biggest this con has ever been!
The official press release stated that the show boasted a record-breaking 614 participating exhibitors, a 21% increase from the last 2015! With a floor area coverage of 75,000 square miles, Tokyo Game Show 2016 expects to draw in more than the 268,446 thousand people who stormed through TGS 2015!
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Hall 1 is the Event Stage
- Hall 2-8 is dedicated to the event booths
- Hall 9-10 contains Merchandise, VR, and an Indie Games Section
- Hall 11 is another Stage Area
- The International Conference Hall is for briefings and mini-seminars
Got that? OK! Let’s get to the good stuff. WELCOME TO TGS2016!
Let’s start with Hall 8 and work our way backwards, why? Cause that’s how it’s designed to be experienced.
HALL 7-8
A huge twitch booth frames the TGS 2016.
They also hand out bags that will save you from carrying all the TGS swag (don’t worry, every other booth give bags as well — it’s just twitch is a fabric tote and it’s purple. So yes. Twitch, go get ’em).
There are a lot of promo people giving away free swag and materials so be sure to be nice and grab as much as you can.
Booth babes roam around and about as they hand out promotional materials!
Bethesda looms over Halls 7-8 as it promotes the latest DLC from the Elder Scroll Online.
2K’s booth sits here as well where they’re showcasing Mafia 3 and the new CIV game.
If you’re attending the con, sometimes it’s best to be prepared and have some form of fashion accessory handy just in case you may need them for surprise photo sessions such as this.
100% not planned. Honest!!!!
THE MAIN EVENT (HALLS 4-6)
The main presenters are bunched together across 3 huge halls! Each presenter booth’s space is divided among the various games that they are highlighting for the show.
SEGA GAMES
We receive a warm welcome in SEGA
ATLUS and SEGA’s shared event stage
P-persona!
Take your heart! Persona 5 now ready and available in Japan!
Me thinks this is where I should’ve worn my Pokemon jacket — but then they might think that I’m a member of an actual Yakuza — what that type, though, I have no idea.
CAPCOM
Probably one of the most noticeable booths due to their Resident Evil features. Check out their entire set-up
Demo of Resident Evil 7 inside a dark room within their booth. Creepy and atmospheric, man!
Beyond awesome Monster Hunter statue
KONAMI
It’s here where we found this box… who we believe is Hideo Kojima in disguise! LOL
It’s Time to D-D-D-DUEL!!!
And the game looks pretty sweet!
BANDAI-NAMCO
Bandai-Namco ready to celebrate 30 years of Gundam game goodness!
There’s more to this in their huge booth. But for now let’s move along…
SQUARE ENIX
Probably one of the most attended booth because of anything and everything Final Fantasy.
Slime & Moogle floating a top the Square Enix booth. Kupo!
SONY PLAYSTATION
The Sony PlayStation Booth looked absolutely spectacular!
VR Demos!
That’s it for PART 1! YES, THAT WAS ONLY PART 1 OH MY GOD! We weren’t kidding when we said this con is HUGE!
If you still have enough energy to roam around the con after going through these halls then we invite you walk with us as we explore halls 1 to 3 and 9 to 11 on our next article.
UPDATE: HERE’S PART 2 of our WALKTHROUGH