I was glad when they opened so I didn't have to go to gamestop much anymore. I go there about every month or every other month, mainly to pick up a new Game Boy game or three if they have and decent ones. Some they have no idea how to price but others are reasonable and under ebay pricing (for handheld at least.) The guys there have always been nice and friendly and they always have cleaned out carts that I purchased.
Tip: In college towns there seems to be more stock at the end of semesters
Game Portal in Romeo, MI (Decent store. Buy 2 get one free for NES, but not sure if that is all the time.)
Time Travelers in Berkley, MI (Massive quantity of NES. No super rares, but decent prices on low to mid range stuff)
Flipside Records in Clawson, MI (Nothing exciting or super rare, but has a good set up.)
Game Quest in Chesterfield, MI (Rare stuff every now and then. Buy 2 get one free for NES.)
BTW, Guild of Blades is the WORST place to buy retro games. Expensive and most are in average quality at best. Example: GI Joe with bad label= $34! The guy that runs the place won't budge an inch on price. He offers the lowest rate for trade in value. Setting your money on fire is better than being hosed here. At least the burning money will provide light and warmth...
NEVER go to Game King (there are 2 in Somerset and 1 in Lexington). They are triple ebay prices ($20 for common games like Blaster Master), and the thing that sucks is they have every rare game you can think of, but the prices are so high its not even worth it. They also sell reproduction carts for 100s of dollars and have them advertised as "rare" games (they had an Earthbound repro on a gold NES cart for $200)
"The Playroom" owner is a total douche. He is one of those guys that posts on craigslist with crap like "I am looking for a game I had as a kid called Stadium Events, I will pay $50 if you have it". He even offered me $30 for Duck Tales 2 once and tried to tell me it was only worth $50
NEVER go to Game King (there are 2 in Somerset and 1 in Lexington). They are triple ebay prices ($20 for common games like Blaster Master), and the thing that sucks is they have every rare game you can think of, but the prices are so high its not even worth it. They also sell reproduction carts for 100s of dollars and have them advertised as "rare" games (they had an Earthbound repro on a gold NES cart for $200)
"The Playroom" owner is a total douche. He is one of those guys that posts on craigslist with crap like "I am looking for a game I had as a kid called Stadium Events, I will pay $50 if you have it". He even offered me $30 for Duck Tales 2 once and tried to tell me it was only worth $50
Be wary, there are people on here like that too with the "game I had as a kid" stories. A few folks on here also use the "it's for my personal collection!" line of horse-hockey ... and then days later put whatever they buy/trade off of you on their Ebay stores.
They are crazy expensive so $$$. They have been around for about five years and have changed owners at least 3 times because they end up going bankrupt because they can't sell anything at the ridiculous prices they charge. Prices are TOP eBay prices for any game any condition, it's crazy.
They do have a GREAT selection of games for all consoles, but you will run out of money fast lol.
I went there last weekend. Decent stock of games, although a lot of filler/sports titles for the older systems. There were some rares to be had, and a few sealed games. I picked up about 6 games myself and left the more overpriced ones on the shelf. I'd say they're about 5% less than ebay. Still kicking myself for not picking up SNES Biker Mice from Mars at $10.01 - didn't realize it's actually a fair price. Oh well.
That Texas store reminds me of the store in Salem, MA. Clean, well organized and maintained with full shelves... but the shelves are full because the games never move because the prices on them are outrageous.
It's already posted on here but a few thoughts on Epic Electronics & Gaming in Grand Rapids, MI.
Prices are at about/maybe slightly higher than eBay. Usually only "Buy 2 get 1" type of deals on PS2/Xbox games. Though I think around Christmas time the deals are a little better. With that said as far as arcade machines and cabinets go they've really been expanding a ton lately and have quite a bit of stuff. I've heard that they are much better with trade in value than any of the chain stores around (GS, PnT).
Surprised that is not on there, it's the second biggest game store I have seen in the US
Add that one to the list of places I visit next week:
I'm not sure if you're including these, but there's a used books & movies shop in the northern parts of VA that has several walls of retro gaming items, as well as multiple glass cases of retro product. They also sell NIB clone systems and accessories. Asides from eStarland, northern VA doesn't really have any retro game shops, this is basically the only other option.
There must be something about the name McKay and used book stores. Knoxville, Nashville, and Chattanooga are all owned by the same person, but ran independent of each other. There's also a Mr.K here in Oak Ridge. They sell used games (Not sure if retro or current).
Add Mr.K to your list: Here are their locations:
Asheville, NC, Charleston, SC, Greenville, SC, Johnson City, TN, Oak Ridge, TN.
I've visited many of the Nashville stores two weeks ago, since I'll be moving there next week.
I found that the Checkouts in Columbia to be more like a junk yard than a game store. There is no order to the games minus which system (if you're lucky and they keep that part neat) and it's usually all one generic price for that said system no matter the game. Not worth the drive
The guy running Digital Planet was a bit too insultive, so I probably won't return there.
Lets see, in Michigan at both Gibraltar trade centers, there is 1 video game dealer each, and both are OUTRAGEOUS in prices. I'm talkin 75 bucks for super smash bros loose on the n64 bad.
Destiny Games in canton is prolly the best store I've been to. Prolly like 5% under eBay prices.
Guild of Blades in Madison heights isn' "turible" but not that good. The owner knows nothing about games but pretends to know. Like the story of how he never liked the NES cause he was an SMS fan, and it came out first, and he thought Nintendo was ripping of sega. Oh, and the top loader came out first, but didn't sell cause it was so small, people were breaking them, and the considered it a toy. I'm literally, not making this shit up. I corrected him, but he kept going, so I just let him be.
All the only game headz to go to is the one in melvindale. The rest is where all the "Paul" type games end up. Plus the one of the 2 in highland park everything is behind a glasses off room, with no way of seeing the games. Despite that, they know nothing about games, so if hound them to see what they got, you can get some deals (cib duck tales, gi joe)
time travelers in Berkley no longer sells games. What a shame too, they had a lot. But then again, they have a lot of everything.
mind games in Shelby twp is a decent place too. Real clean and neat and well organized. The owner did inform me once that sometimes he replaces labels on carts if they're in rough shape. So beware of that.
I bought games from Time Travelers last friday. I don't think they stopped selling games. I could be wrong.
Well damn. Last time I was there their NES, snes, n64, and genesis cases were empty, and I didnt see the games sitting around elsewhere. I didn't bother asking though.
The Hobby Spot in Orlando, FL (was located on Fairbanks before) has a big collection of all types of video games. The prices are comparable to online stores (sometimes higher) but if you are in the area its worth stopping by. I would like to make a edit on Games and Movies in Winter Park FL., I can
Comments
Originally posted by: Laserman
There is actually a GXC in OSU territory, I never knew that. I stopped in a few days ago and the guy said they have been open since about May 2012.
Game X Change
501 N. Main Street
Stillwater, OK 74075
(405) 372-1435
Here is a list of all of their stores. Some of them don't show up on the map (like Stillwater) so you may have to search a bit for any near you.
http://www.gogamexchange.com/Locations.aspx
I was glad when they opened so I didn't have to go to gamestop much anymore. I go there about every month or every other month, mainly to pick up a new Game Boy game or three if they have and decent ones. Some they have no idea how to price but others are reasonable and under ebay pricing (for handheld at least.) The guys there have always been nice and friendly and they always have cleaned out carts that I purchased.
Tip: In college towns there seems to be more stock at the end of semesters
Time Travelers in Berkley, MI (Massive quantity of NES. No super rares, but decent prices on low to mid range stuff)
Flipside Records in Clawson, MI (Nothing exciting or super rare, but has a good set up.)
Game Quest in Chesterfield, MI (Rare stuff every now and then. Buy 2 get one free for NES.)
BTW, Guild of Blades is the WORST place to buy retro games. Expensive and most are in average quality at best. Example: GI Joe with bad label= $34! The guy that runs the place won't budge an inch on price. He offers the lowest rate for trade in value. Setting your money on fire is better than being hosed here. At least the burning money will provide light and warmth...
NEVER go to Game King (there are 2 in Somerset and 1 in Lexington). They are triple ebay prices ($20 for common games like Blaster Master), and the thing that sucks is they have every rare game you can think of, but the prices are so high its not even worth it. They also sell reproduction carts for 100s of dollars and have them advertised as "rare" games (they had an Earthbound repro on a gold NES cart for $200)
"The Playroom" owner is a total douche. He is one of those guys that posts on craigslist with crap like "I am looking for a game I had as a kid called Stadium Events, I will pay $50 if you have it". He even offered me $30 for Duck Tales 2 once and tried to tell me it was only worth $50
Originally posted by: ZachAttack
some comments about the KY stores;
NEVER go to Game King (there are 2 in Somerset and 1 in Lexington). They are triple ebay prices ($20 for common games like Blaster Master), and the thing that sucks is they have every rare game you can think of, but the prices are so high its not even worth it. They also sell reproduction carts for 100s of dollars and have them advertised as "rare" games (they had an Earthbound repro on a gold NES cart for $200)
"The Playroom" owner is a total douche. He is one of those guys that posts on craigslist with crap like "I am looking for a game I had as a kid called Stadium Events, I will pay $50 if you have it". He even offered me $30 for Duck Tales 2 once and tried to tell me it was only worth $50
Be wary, there are people on here like that too with the "game I had as a kid" stories. A few folks on here also use the "it's for my personal collection!" line of horse-hockey ... and then days later put whatever they buy/trade off of you on their Ebay stores.
It's a dog-eat-dog world, retro game collecting.
Surprised that is not on there, it's the second biggest game store I have seen in the US
They are crazy expensive so $$$. They have been around for about five years and have changed owners at least 3 times because they end up going bankrupt because they can't sell anything at the ridiculous prices they charge. Prices are TOP eBay prices for any game any condition, it's crazy.
They do have a GREAT selection of games for all consoles, but you will run out of money fast lol.
"2nd & Charles" - Hagerstown, MD (other locations too, but i've only been to that one)
http://2ndandcharles.com/
I went there last weekend. Decent stock of games, although a lot of filler/sports titles for the older systems. There were some rares to be had, and a few sealed games. I picked up about 6 games myself and left the more overpriced ones on the shelf. I'd say they're about 5% less than ebay. Still kicking myself for not picking up SNES Biker Mice from Mars at $10.01 - didn't realize it's actually a fair price. Oh well.
never buy because they ask way too much...
Originally posted by: jerrieshock
This place is close to me but they charge to much... we always go into look but
never buy because they ask way too much...
its already on the list
Originally posted by: jerrieshock
woops sorry didn't notice it...
and i concur. Its garbage of a store
Where do you get most of your stuff then? Is there somewhere I don't know
about???
Prices are at about/maybe slightly higher than eBay. Usually only "Buy 2 get 1" type of deals on PS2/Xbox games. Though I think around Christmas time the deals are a little better. With that said as far as arcade machines and cabinets go they've really been expanding a ton lately and have quite a bit of stuff. I've heard that they are much better with trade in value than any of the chain stores around (GS, PnT).
http://www.yelp.com/biz/1up-videogames-covina
https://www.facebook.com/1UPGamesCovina
Originally posted by: DreamTR
Geeks Etc in Tullahoma, TN
Surprised that is not on there, it's the second biggest game store I have seen in the US
Add that one to the list of places I visit next week:
I'm not sure if you're including these, but there's a used books & movies shop in the northern parts of VA that has several walls of retro gaming items, as well as multiple glass cases of retro product. They also sell NIB clone systems and accessories. Asides from eStarland, northern VA doesn't really have any retro game shops, this is basically the only other option.
The details:
McKay's Used Books & Movies
Manassas, VA
http://mckayusedbooks.biz/
There must be something about the name McKay and used book stores. Knoxville, Nashville, and Chattanooga are all owned by the same person, but ran independent of each other. There's also a Mr.K here in Oak Ridge. They sell used games (Not sure if retro or current).
Add Mr.K to your list: Here are their locations:
Asheville, NC, Charleston, SC, Greenville, SC, Johnson City, TN, Oak Ridge, TN.
I've visited many of the Nashville stores two weeks ago, since I'll be moving there next week.
I found that the Checkouts in Columbia to be more like a junk yard than a game store. There is no order to the games minus which system (if you're lucky and they keep that part neat) and it's usually all one generic price for that said system no matter the game. Not worth the drive
The guy running Digital Planet was a bit too insultive, so I probably won't return there.
Story goes a couple run a chain and when they divorced, the husband got area x and the wife got area y.
At least that's how an employee at the Raleigh NC store explained it to me once upon a time.
Wireless Guru and Game Swap
Disc Traders
Battle Creek
disctraders.com
Dixieland Flea Market
Waterford
dixielandfleamkt.com
Fanfare Sports & Entertainment
Kalamazoo
fanfare-se.com
Game Age
Brown City
gameagemichigan.com
Game Exchange
Midland Township
Game Hits
Muskegon
game-hits.com
Game On
Midland
gameonsaginaw.com
Game On
Saginaw
gameonsaginaw.com
GamePlay
Allen Park
gogameplay.com
GamePlay
Dearborn
gogameplay.com
GamePlay
Redford
gogameplay.com
GamePlay
Sterling Heights
gogameplay.com
GamePlay
Westland
gogameplay.com
Gamer Doc
Grand Rapids
gamersave.com
Gametraders
Midland
Gen X Games
Monroe
Gibraltar Trade Center
Mount Clemens
gibraltartrade.com/mtclemens.php
Gibraltar Trade Center
Taylor
gibraltartrade.com/taylor.php
Greenfield Bikes and Video Games
Dearborn
Goodrich Flea Market
Goodrich
Main Street Audio and Video
Mount Pleasant
mainstreetaudiovideo.com
Orbit Entertainment Buybacks
Houghton
Padywac's Unique Resale
South Lyon
padywacs.com
Play N' Trade
Comstock Park
playntradealpine.com
Play N' Trade
Grand Rapids
playntradegrandrapids.com
Play N' Trade
Lowell
playntrade.com
Play N' Trade
Muskegon
playntrademuskegon.com
Play N' Trade
Saint Clair Shores
playntrade.com
Press A To Play
Adrian
Royal Oak Farmer's Market
Royal Oak
ci.royal-oak.mi.us/portal/community-links/farmers-market
Taylor Town Trade Center
Taylor
taylortowninfo.com
The Game Plaze
Kalamazoo
The Swap Meet
Lansing
Titan Games
Kalamazoo
titangameskalamazoo.com
Titan's Entertainment Cafe
Battle Creek
titansentcafe.com
Trade World
Portage
Treasure Quest
Kalamazoo
treasurequestonline.net
Video Games Plus
Saginaw
Vidiots
Grand Rapids
vidiotsgames.com
Warren Community Trade Center
Warren
warrencommunitytradecenter.com
Livonia
wirelessguruandgames.com
Everything used, games, accessories, systems, Buy 2 get 1 free.
Always.
Mix and Match, etc.
I am not affiliated in any way, other than when I go to my inlaws I always try to stop there.
Destiny Games in canton is prolly the best store I've been to. Prolly like 5% under eBay prices.
Guild of Blades in Madison heights isn' "turible" but not that good. The owner knows nothing about games but pretends to know. Like the story of how he never liked the NES cause he was an SMS fan, and it came out first, and he thought Nintendo was ripping of sega. Oh, and the top loader came out first, but didn't sell cause it was so small, people were breaking them, and the considered it a toy. I'm literally, not making this shit up. I corrected him, but he kept going, so I just let him be.
All the only game headz to go to is the one in melvindale. The rest is where all the "Paul" type games end up. Plus the one of the 2 in highland park everything is behind a glasses off room, with no way of seeing the games. Despite that, they know nothing about games, so if hound them to see what they got, you can get some deals (cib duck tales, gi joe)
time travelers in Berkley no longer sells games. What a shame too, they had a lot. But then again, they have a lot of everything.
mind games in Shelby twp is a decent place too. Real clean and neat and well organized. The owner did inform me once that sometimes he replaces labels on carts if they're in rough shape. So beware of that.
half price books has locations in palatine and highland park, il, there are more of these around just dont know what towns they are in.
Someone should start a thred like this for flea markets too, that would be awesome!
Good job, keep up the good work!
Originally posted by: medicdave79
I bought games from Time Travelers last friday. I don't think they stopped selling games. I could be wrong.
Well damn. Last time I was there their NES, snes, n64, and genesis cases were empty, and I didnt see the games sitting around elsewhere. I didn't bother asking though.