Namco Wonder Park

I wish they had more games in a mall for a complete hang out experience so I’m really happy to have stumbled upon Namco. It can get crowded here on weekends but is pleasantly quiet during weekday school hours. Although it’s not a full blown arcade, it’s worth a visit every time we’re at Langham Place!

Instead of being attracted by the actual games in the arcade, it is often what’s inside the claw crane cabinet that draws me into this place. Located on the 9^th floor of Langham place, it is quite difficult for you to miss it; rather, I think most of them will take a walk into the arcade if time allows and have a look at what’s going on inside.
I am definitely one of those who habitually walk into this arcade every time i walk pass but never place a single buck into the machines nor toss a single coin into the rainbow pool. Nonetheless it is quite a joyous place to be and definitely a good hangout place for couples; guys could show off how macho they are and win the hearts of the girls overs by winning their favorite prize while the girls could bring home their favorite plushy; quite a win win situation it is.

The Namco arcade at Langham Place is a great place to go to while your time away if you and your friends are just bored of shopping and walking around aimlessly. Situated on the 9^th floor of the mall, you can take the big escalator up and then slowly make your way down via the spiral staircases.
When I was younger, I used to go to the Namco at World Trade Center in Causeway Bay. We wouldn’t play the arcade games much, though the basketball hoops and the air hockey was a favorite among all of us. They had tons of Japanese sticker picture booths too — those purikura booths, as the Japanese would say, that automatically make your eyes wider and your skin whiter and smoother. Unfortunately, that has since closed — and the one at Langham is quite a bit smaller, but hey, it’s better than nothing!
Some games can only be played if you have a Namco card — meaning you have to get a card and preload it with money that the machines will deduct. A group of friends can just share one or two cards together — no need for each person to have one.
At the entrance of Namco, you’ll see an air hockey machine — most of the time occupied. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the air hockey machine unoccupied for more than a minute or so, but air hockey is super fun so that’s no surprise! Inside, there are lots of crane machines that are probably impossible to succeed with but are always tempting you to give them a whirl. There are a couple of sticker pictures booths inside too, where you’ll see tons of teenage girls crowding around. I remember when they were just $ 40 a go — they’ve now risen to either $ 60 or $ 70 for one round of photoboothing!
Namco tends to get pretty crowded over the weekends and during holidays, so you’ve been warned. Since the Namco at World Trade Center closed down, I guess this is the next best thing!