I am just glad Play-Asia have stock again so it costs 18900 yens (200 USD)
Wish i could get it for 99 USD.
Alex_Mexico
September 09, 2009 at 8:57 PM
*gulp*
=S
mikeer990
September 09, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Well it shows alot of things but the most important is this: that even people in the most poorest countries play videogames. Every nook and cranny of this world there is a gamer.
mikeer990
george9807
September 09, 2009 at 8:49 PM
@kitsuneconundrum: Having lived in the US and the UK there is very little difference gaming wise. Only slightly different release dates but even that is starting to change.
george9807
mugenkits
September 09, 2009 at 8:49 PM
@cyruss: Its a dualshock controller. If you zoom in you'll see his fingers is on the d-pad next to the left analog stick. Probably a PSone since its gray colored.
mugenkits
deanbmmv
September 09, 2009 at 8:47 PM
@[www.flickr.com] (If it's got a Flickr link click it, then you get full size options instead of the pidly thing Gawker allows)
RAVENKam
September 09, 2009 at 8:46 PM
@kitsuneconundrum: These chaps should count "themselves" lucky, I don't even have a local arcade!
kitsuneconundrum
September 09, 2009 at 8:44 PM
@doggydaddy: What you don't see is the 360 and ps3 hooked up to it.
kitsuneconundrum
cyruss
September 09, 2009 at 8:42 PM
@doggydaddy: is that an xbox 360 controller?
i was going to say maybe it was a PC with every arcade game emulator on it that exists, in which case that would be pretty cool.... but yeh that looks like an Xbox 360 controller.... and no HDTV :(
FlagshipFighter
September 09, 2009 at 8:41 PM
:*-( I think we should all have a moments think on how lucky we are instead of the usual fanboy bashing that goes on here.
doggydaddy
September 09, 2009 at 8:38 PM
bad picture, beacause I can't tell what they are playing. :S
Now I have to know.
kitsuneconundrum
September 09, 2009 at 8:37 PM
It's really awesome to have a sense of perspective of how things actually are around the world. We should all juxtapose this with our own lives and count ourselves lucky in our situation.
Has kotaku thought of doing a dedicated article on arcades/gaming around the world?
Gaming and the process of getting a game is markedly different outside of the US (you guys have it great) for example Europe or Australia.
Just a thought.
kitsuneconundrum
4nonymo
September 09, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Pretty sure the shelf below the TVs where the 360 is kept doesn't have adequate ventilation.
I could only imagine how they would feel if they got RROD'd.
Also, think they're playing RE5?
Kaijumaster
September 09, 2009 at 9:27 PM
IMAGES OF ACTUAL AFRICAN LIFE!!!
RACISM.....RACISM!!!!!
Kaijumaster
Mancomb Seepgood
September 09, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Damn thats pretty awesome and very resourceful!
n00b_pwner
September 09, 2009 at 9:18 PM
It's a shame that people in Africa has to suffer through poverty, corruption, and constant civil wars.
Then again, I forgot the source, but Nigeria ranked number 1 in the world in terms of happiness one year...
n00b_pwner
iRaybot
September 09, 2009 at 9:17 PM
@doggydaddy: Let's hope it isn't Resi 5...
iRaybot
L___E___T
September 09, 2009 at 9:59 PM
@4nonymo:
They're playing PS2 bruv.
360s would probably melt over there anyway :D
phicaluk
September 09, 2009 at 9:58 PM
@kitsuneconundrum:
BarfHappy
September 09, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Leagues beyond the North Korea entertainment center, hail democracy.
BarfHappy
digiorgio21
September 09, 2009 at 9:38 PM
@kitsuneconundrum: Things will change soon though because they will be getting 500 billion from Norweigh ;).
kitsuneconundrum
September 09, 2009 at 9:35 PM
@iRaybot: I see what you did there.
kitsuneconundrum
Cocomango
September 09, 2009 at 8:58 PM
I hope they're enjoying themselves. :(
.- -. --- -. -.-- -- --- ..- ...
September 09, 2009 at 10:24 PM
@kitsuneconundrum:
Rain? In Congo?
DNinja
September 09, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Mini-LAN party on the street, nice! Gamers always find a way.
.- -. --- -. -.-- -- --- ..- ...
September 09, 2009 at 10:23 PM
@Kaijumaster:
I actually think such things might end up on the news someday.
ttocs
September 09, 2009 at 10:23 PM
Seeing images like this makes me thankful for the opportunities I have and the things I have that others don't. Never take stuff for granted...
Savior
September 09, 2009 at 10:19 PM
i think they are playing Resident Evil 5
prunus
September 09, 2009 at 10:15 PM
gamers of the world unite! cool pic.
Kafeen
September 09, 2009 at 10:15 PM
@n00b_pwner: Probably because they would have been killed if they said they weren't happy.
Kafeen
Bergerac
September 09, 2009 at 10:10 PM
@mikeer990: Yeah... that's the most important thing.
...
Bergerac
psyph3r
September 09, 2009 at 9:41 PM
@iRaybot: My bet's on either Saint's row or Def Jam
psyph3r
dd528
September 09, 2009 at 10:45 PM
@.- -. --- -. -.-- -- --- ..- ... / .. ... / .-.. . --. .. --- -.: It rains a lot in the DRC. I think the Congo rainforest is the biggest in the world after the Amazon.
dd528
dd528
September 09, 2009 at 10:41 PM
@BarfHappy: Given the the DRC has only been democratic for about four years out of the last 45, it's not exactly the best example.
dd528
L___E___T
September 09, 2009 at 10:40 PM
@cyruss:
They're using a 3rd party PS2 controller, but I'd liek to think they're playing MAME on a PC with it!
How are they playing anything at all when nothing is plugged into the back of the TVs?
velvet396
September 09, 2009 at 11:07 PM
@cyruss: would be hilarious if that was a silver dualshock 3.
velvet396
elladion
September 09, 2009 at 11:02 PM
i dont see anything amusing in that picture.What's the purpose of that post.
wintersault
September 09, 2009 at 10:55 PM
at that age would they be strong enough to haul the tvs back under shelter if it rains? I reckon at that age I could barely carry a screen that size, but impoverished people with no access to protein shakes? rain must be a bitch.
wintersault
King_Krunk
September 09, 2009 at 10:53 PM
@Kaijumaster: Must people post stuff like this every time there is an article involving black people? It is almost as annoying as the people who sincerely mean it.
King_Krunk
Eton
September 09, 2009 at 10:52 PM
@dd528: To call it "democratic" is a bit of an overstatement though.
HELLSRIDER is doing stuff
September 09, 2009 at 11:33 PM
@elladion: Me neither, at first it even seemed kind of mean. I dont know.
High Speed Indeed
September 09, 2009 at 11:33 PM
I just want to sit right down and thrash em at whatever game they're playing. I'll pull no punches!!!
High Speed Indeed
HELLSRIDER is doing stuff
September 09, 2009 at 11:33 PM
@Franky_AAA: Maybe they can connect it to the front of the TV, some TV's do that you know?
Franky_AAA
September 09, 2009 at 11:32 PM
@Savior: No Resident Evil 5 is playing them.
Franky_AAA
September 09, 2009 at 11:32 PM
@ttocs: Absolutely right.
Franky_AAA
September 09, 2009 at 11:32 PM
@elladion: Life is not always amusing. Get used to it.
Ins
September 09, 2009 at 11:31 PM
@(Zombie) Komrade Kayce: There's a shelf with consoles under the table, and a bunch of cables.
Btw, that looks like a JVC telly I used to have. I remember that it had some weird connection to my NES, which included an antenna o_O
Ins
Jevous
September 09, 2009 at 11:31 PM
I played the kid in the yellow shirt in some Street Fighter IV the other day. Whipped my ass good I tell ya.
Franky_AAA
September 09, 2009 at 11:31 PM
@(Zombie) Komrade Kayce: Maybe they just use their imagination. Its easier to win that way.
BarfHappy
September 09, 2009 at 11:26 PM
each baby has to make a first step :)
BarfHappy
Koztah
September 09, 2009 at 11:53 PM
@dd528: It does. And the second largest annual rainfall.
Koztah
Koztah
September 09, 2009 at 11:49 PM
@badbob001: Actually, you can see the cables going up the side of the table. The power cables are going down the back.
Koztah
badbob001
September 09, 2009 at 11:41 PM
@(Zombie) Komrade Kayce: they are probably using the AV ports in the front of the TV. Prevents impatient kids from ruining someone else's game.
RiverCityGamer
September 10, 2009 at 12:26 AM
@digiorgio21: They got laughed at for that demand. I think its sick what they're doing to those 2 guys.
RiverCityGamer
MaximusDM
September 10, 2009 at 12:24 AM
That would be me if I lived there.
dmfamzo
September 10, 2009 at 12:23 AM
My bet on Pro Evo Soccer It,s the most popular game in West Africa @ least in Dakar my city of birth.
^_^
used to be street fighter & mortal kombat back in my childhood...aahh souvenirs souvenirs..
:'(
zgreenwell
September 10, 2009 at 12:15 AM
I hope it doesn't rain.
oby
September 10, 2009 at 12:13 AM
@Bergerac: Hey, if that makes them happy, then it's a very important thing.
oby
September 10, 2009 at 12:12 AM
@Kafeen: *Hidden giggle* followed by awwwwww ...
oby
September 10, 2009 at 12:09 AM
@ttocs: I`ll second that.
DigitalHero
September 10, 2009 at 12:56 AM
@MaximusDM:
It's sad to see the rope tied to the table to prevent people from stealing the arcade. :(
rogsim
September 10, 2009 at 12:51 AM
So these are the punks always kicking my ass in CoD and Halo3!
Brytryne
September 10, 2009 at 12:39 AM
@wintersault: I doubt it just suddenly breaks out a rainstorm in Congo.
prunus
September 10, 2009 at 12:35 AM
@elladion: i don't understand, what you are talking about... anyhow this is quite an open gaming related site, i understood the photo as a sort of gaming across the globe thing, the many shapes gaming takes in different cultures and under different economic and political landscapes. not to poke fun at them, even though first world country citizens love doing so.
i mean look at what they build to have the gaming experience, gamers come from everywhere. that being said... capitalism sucks.
s.
UltimatePancakeSensation
September 10, 2009 at 1:40 AM
That's not really funny as much as it just makes me feel guilty about fortunate I am...
NeoStarr HD
September 10, 2009 at 1:15 AM
@rogsim: Thank god they don't have headsets.
NeoStarr HD
ArJay
September 10, 2009 at 1:02 AM
That reminds me my D.R. school days, when my friends and I used to skip the last class period to head to the mall and play... Moorrrtaaaaal Koommbat.
Mortal Kombat was a national fever. It got so serious that they started to ban students from entering the mall till after 2pm. --Unlike here in the US, in D.R. is mandatory to wear school uniform.
ArJay
Borateen
September 10, 2009 at 2:08 AM
@DigitalHero: I'm guessing it's so no one trips and unplugs everything...
JohhnyDamage
September 10, 2009 at 2:02 AM
@UltimatePancakeSensation: They are tougher than any of us will be, so they have that.
kainzero
September 10, 2009 at 2:14 AM
They look so much more polite than American arcadegoers, patiently waiting their turn and all.
ProtestedGyro
September 10, 2009 at 3:04 AM
@DigitalHero: That's clearly an extension cord. I'm sure they have a power strip hooked up underneath the table. A rope tied to a table is clearly not going to stop anyone. ;)
ProtestedGyro
TikkiEXX
September 10, 2009 at 2:49 AM
god they look so bored. lol
TikkiEXX
Ephemera
September 10, 2009 at 2:46 AM
@L___E___T: He's holding a 360 controller. so unless they have some kind of crazy adapter they are playing 360.
ProtestedGyro
September 10, 2009 at 3:08 AM
@(Zombie) Komrade Kayce: They all look like the same modle TVS. Maybe they have front AV jacks...
ProtestedGyro
jessenick
September 10, 2009 at 4:03 AM
Where are the girls? Most of these kids are gonna grow up to be girlfriendless nerds, and that's the saddest part about all of this.
tok1879
September 10, 2009 at 3:45 AM
@dmfamzo: yup! That's my guess as well. On all the tvs.
Soho
September 10, 2009 at 4:37 AM
@DigitalHero: Looks more like an extension cord to me.
HostileSausage
September 10, 2009 at 4:20 AM
Future MLG players,
stambo8
September 10, 2009 at 4:16 AM
@jessenick: No it's not, not by a long shot
MarlandNoppity
September 09, 2009 at 11:57 PM
Cool scene. just goes to show there's gamers everywhere. and we all speak the same language.
i'm a gamer in Uganda, country right next to DRC
MarlandNoppity
[DFX] Deimos
September 10, 2009 at 5:46 AM
@JohhnyDamage: By tougher do you mean physically weaker, malnourished, and / or infested with disease and parasites?
snaldo008
September 10, 2009 at 6:35 AM
@DigitalHero: thats actually the power cord
Rozzlit
September 10, 2009 at 6:26 AM
@[DFX] Deimos: tougher as in when the inevitable apocalypse comes they will be the ones able to survive it.
Rozzlit
Jultomten
September 10, 2009 at 7:26 AM
@DigitalHero:
long live hidden replies!:D seems no one reads them before replying, or as in my case, not knowing about them.
Jultomten
Jultomten
September 10, 2009 at 7:10 AM
@DigitalHero:
My guess is extension cable for the juice.
Jultomten
Sam_Lowry
September 10, 2009 at 6:56 AM
@DigitalHero: I think that's the power cable unless you see another way they could be drawing power.
Sam_Lowry
Wilky_McBadass
September 10, 2009 at 8:16 AM
@jessenick: dont you see the sexy babe in the yellow? Its kinda like "Wheres Waldo" but if you look hard enough you can find 3.
topogigio
September 10, 2009 at 8:03 AM
@UltimatePancakeSensation: don't think it's meant to be funny.
My fam is from mexico and while not like this, there were a lot of make shift arcades. Arcade cabinets were built and usually worked but the joysticks were too thin.
I even remember these arcades that would let you choose any nintendo game you wanted but you only had a certain amount of time to play the game.
topogigio
Krakn3Dfx
September 10, 2009 at 7:56 AM
This is the DRC version of an XBL Party Room!
This actually looks like it would be a lot of fun to hang out at and play games, chilling with your friends. As opposed to sitting alone in a dark room with a headset on listening to 13 year olds who keep screaming "Help me mother*******! I'm dying!"
Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
No wonder Im getting lag in Gears 2. These kids are getting host!