There’s a certain kind of magic that hits you the moment you step into Tokyo Game Show (TGS). The kind that makes you forget how hot it is, how heavy your bag’s getting, and how your feet are already threatening to file a complaint.
I swear, I’m usually the most sedentary person in the world! A certified homebody who avoids crowds like a side quest gone wrong, but at TGS, all that disappears. Somehow, I can walk and walk and walk, fueled entirely by RGB lights, game soundtracks, and the thrill(?) of being surrounded by thousands of people who love the same things I do.
For a first-time attendee like me, TGS 2025 was exactly that. A sensory overload of lights, sounds, merch, and demos. Held yearly at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, it’s a full-blown pilgrimage for anyone who’s ever called themselves a gamer.
The Merch Halls: Wallets, prepare to cry
If you ever attend TGS, brace yourself: the merch area (Halls 9–11) is an endurance test for both your legs and your self-control.
From Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring shirts to Warhammer jewelry and Cuphead jackets, the booths stretched as far as my gamer stamina could carry me. Square Enix had its own long line (of course), complete with NieR and Kingdom Hearts collectibles.
Pro tip: head there early. Stocks run out fast. I saw hoodies disappear in real time. By the time I got to the Katamari Damacy and Undertale sections, the best stuff was already gone. My wallet said thank you, but my heart screamed otherwise.
Still, I went home happy with an Undertale tarot card deck, a cozy gamer hoodie, and a Kojima Productions cap. (Because how could you not? Also, if I wear it, maybe I’ll absorb Kojima-level creative powers. We’ll see.)
The Tech Zone: Pods, speakers, and all the gamer gear you can imagine
Before getting lost in the merch maze, I tried out a few tech demos that made me feel like I’d stepped into a sci-fi movie.
There was an this “entertainment capsule” (just imagine a pod) that vibrates, lights up, and surrounds you with sound while you watch or play. Basically, a 4D theater you can also nap in. I also got to test immersive speakers and VR goggles, which were sharp enough to make me jump during a horror game.
Would I buy the pod? Maybe when I win the lottery. Until then, I’ll keep dreaming about falling asleep inside one while watching Ready Player One.
And it’s not just futuristic setups. This zone is gamer paradise for anyone who loves gear.
There were keyboards with every imaginable switch type, customizable mice, controllers that looked like they came straight out of an eSports lab, and entire walls lined with RGB peripherals glowing in synchronized chaos. It’s the kind of place that makes you rethink your entire desk setup and your life choices.
The Main Hall: Where the giants play
If the merch halls are the candy store, the main hall is where the theme park rides live. This is where you’ll find the big names. Capcom, SEGA, Square Enix, Bandai Namco, Atlus, Konami, and more, all trying to outdo each other with towering LED screens, life-sized statues, and stage lights bright enough to summon Ifrit himself.
Capcom’s booth had an entire setup dedicated to Monster Hunter, while SEGA leaned into its Like a Dragon/Yakuza and Persona franchises with larger-than-life displays. You could even take photos with a full-sized Chocobo at Square Enix (the line for that? A solid 30–40 minutes).
Sadly, I didn’t get to line up for demos. The queues by afternoon were already wrapping around the booths.
But here’s a tip for anyone planning to go: do the demos early.
Not only do you get to play unreleased games before everyone else, you also get exclusive merch or collectibles as a reward when you’re done. Think tote bags, pins, lanyards, and sometimes limited-edition keychains that’ll make your gamer friends jealous.
Lesson learned: the early gamer gets the swag.
And of course, no TGS experience is complete without the cosplayers.
I spotted everything from cute anime girls, hot anime husbandos to a Majima cosplayer in a surprisingly kawaii dress (easily one of my favorite moments of the day).
The effort, humor, and attention to detail from everyone really added to the charm. It’s one thing to play your favorite characters, but it’s another to see them walking right past you, in full personality.
The Indie Section: Small studios, big ideas
Past the shiny AAA booths, there’s an indie area filled with hidden gems from all over the world — including games from Indonesia and Japan-based student developers.
One standout was a sandbox title that lets players build their own games using Lego-sized compatible pieces. You could literally code your own puzzles using real-world physics. It felt like the kind of creativity that makes you think, “Oh, this is why indie devs are keeping gaming alive.”
And the devs? The nicest people. You could tell they loved explaining their games even when I was clearly struggling with inverted controls and saying things like, “Wait, which button was jump again?”
Public day survival tips
If you’re planning to go next year, here’s what I learned the hard way:
- Buy tickets early. Business days are for press and industry folks, but public tickets (¥3,000 for regular, ¥6,000 for fast pass) sell out fast.
- Wear light clothes and comfy shoes. The halls are massive, and September in Japan can still feel like summer.
- Bring water and snacks. Lines can get long, and themed food stalls (like the Bomberman takoyaki I tried) sell out before lunch.
- Book a hotel near Chiba. It’s about an hour from Tokyo by train, and trust me, you’ll be too tired to commute back after walking 20,000 steps.
- Mentally prepare. There are moments when you’ll stand in line for 40 minutes, get free swag, and then forget why you were lining up in the first place.
Achievement Unlocked: Survived TGS 2025
I even streamed part of my TGS adventure live until my phone battery heroically sacrificed itself somewhere between Hall 3 and Hall 4. (RIP, my brave little content soldier.)
By the time I finally sat down to eat, I realized I’d been walking non-stop for over three hours, and I’d only covered half of the event. Tokyo Game Show is massive, chaotic, and exhausting… but it’s also the most fun I’ve had in ages.
It’s like Disneyland for gamers, complete with merch that tempts your wallet, cosplayers bringing your favorite characters to life, and the occasional celebrity sighting (hi, Foxclon from Final Fantasy XIV team, I saw you and internally screamed).
Would I go again? Maybe not every year. My millennial knees need recovery time. But every gamer definitely should experience it at least once in their life.
And here’s some exciting insider news: I heard that TGS 2026 is already slated for September 17–21! That’s five whole days of gaming heaven instead of the usual four. So if you’ve been dreaming of making the trip, maybe start saving now… both for the flight and the inevitable merch haul.
For Filipino gamers, Japan’s just a four-hour flight away. Easy enough to make this the ultimate geeky weekend trip. Just bring comfy shoes, extra yen, and a strong sense of willpower. (Spoiler: you’ll lose it at the merch hall.)
Next time, I’m bringing a wheeled bag, and a second wallet labeled “Impulse Purchases Only.” Just to be safe.
