Original Japanese video game and arcade posters represent some of the most distinctive surviving examples of Japanese commercial graphic design, documenting the rise of Nintendo, Capcom, Konami and other influential gaming companies from the 1980s onwards. Produced for arcades, electronics retailers, game launches and promotional campaigns, these original vintage posters capture an important period in the evolution of video games into a global cultural phenomenon.
Japan Poster Shop holds an extensive specialist collection of authentic original Japanese gaming posters, encompassing rare first-release arcade advertising, original Nintendo and PlayStation retail promotions, large-format B1 posters, standard B2 sheets, unusual B3 designs and promotional material never originally intended for general retail sale.
Of exceptional historical importance are our original Japanese Capcom arcade posters, including an extraordinarily rare 1987 first-release Street Fighter B1 poster, dating to the beginning of one of the most influential fighting-game franchises in history. Our holdings also include original advertising for Street Fighter II: Champion Edition (1992), Super Street Fighter II, Street Fighter III and Marvel vs. Capcom, preserving distinctive period artwork associated with the golden age of Japanese arcade gaming.
Original Nintendo promotional posters represent another important part of the collection. Particularly notable are our Japanese retail posters for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) and Majora's Mask (2000), alongside rare material associated with Super Mario Kart and Super Mario World. These designs document landmark releases in Nintendo's history, frequently featuring original Japanese launch information, game artwork, publisher branding and distinctive promotional compositions.
The collection also encompasses original Japanese Konami and PlayStation advertising, including exceptionally scarce Metal Gear Solid (1998) promotional posters, early Metal Gear Solid 2 designs and other significant gaming releases. Further examples include Final Fantasy X, Castlevania and unusual retail or arcade advertising produced for the Japanese market.
Original Japanese arcade posters are especially interesting because of their original purpose and limited distribution. Produced for temporary display in amusement centres, game shops and other commercial locations, many were damaged, discarded or replaced as new games arrived. Large-format arcade posters, particularly original first-release B1 examples, can therefore be exceptionally difficult to acquire in strong condition.
Beyond their rarity, these posters preserve the evolving visual language of Japanese gaming, from expressive hand-painted arcade illustrations and character designs to increasingly sophisticated computer-generated promotional artwork. Their distinctive typography, original Japanese release information and period commercial details make them important surviving examples of video-game history and graphic design.
Japan Poster Shop's collection ranges from accessible original gaming posters to exceptionally rare, museum-grade arcade and console promotional artwork, offering collectors a broad selection across different publishers, generations and formats.
Every poster offered by Japan Poster Shop is an authentic original, carefully sourced and individually catalogued in Japan, with attention to its release history, promotional purpose, format, condition and rarity. We do not sell reproductions or modern reprints. Each poster is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, with worldwide DHL Express shipping available from our gallery in Tokyo.
