Are Retro Game Stores Here to Stay?

[@PatTheNESpunk]

Thanks again to NordVPN for the sponsorship! Go to NordVPN.com/cupodcast​ and use code CUPODCAST to get a 2-year plan plus 1 additional month with a huge discount. --- Do you think that the independent game store has a long future, or will there be a point in time where it all ends?

[@sinchman1]

I know these guys on your video from J&L for over 20 years I purchased majority of my NEO-GEO games from them.

[@andrewanderson4555]

I think the new way forward in the long run is going to be combination stores. My shop for example carries a huge selection of video games but also vinyl records, vintage clothing, books, antiques, toys, collectables, instruments, the whole nine yards in each category. Also we always have a killer selection of AAA retro titles for every console because we are comfortable having a much smaller margin on the games given that other categories have larger margins to make up for it. Call me crazy but I think when it all dies down a bit, shops like mine that focus on a broad spectrum of, by then, more niche markets, and do each of them well, we'll be able to keep a little piece of everyone's favorite past time stores open and apart of the future.

[@dankhill6851]

the idea of nordVPN protecting you has been debunked lol it's just marketing bullshit

[@JohnKelly2]

My favorite local game store is diversified. They sell video games, trading card games and movies. Eventually, they'll probably transition to mostly card and board games, but they're prepared.

[@XeviousD]

Nothing can replace Physical Games. Unless "Captain Blackbeard", would do something about it!

[@JLGame]

Heya! We're gonna stay as long as possible!

[@ryancoyle4081]

My local 🤙🏻

[@sailormirai]

Hey, I miss you guys! Is the long hair one still there?!

[@enriquepinero707]

I'm hoping so! You guys have been around since the 90s; back when you were I'm Chinatown near Elezabeth Center. I got all my import Saturn, and PlayStation games form you back then. When I found you moved near Bryant Park; I started coming back when ever I can. I wish you stability and longevity for many more years .

[@photonarbiter]

You guys are great! I was excited to see your photos in the podcast haha.

[@cdjxman]

Very nice!

[@niksimmons4448]

There's a local one near me with an owner who bullies just about everyone. Harassment using multiple accounts and threatening when he doesn't get his way seems to be his way of attracting customers. Some of us are baffled how he is still open and think he's gotta be laundering money. He has admitted to selling games that even he thinks won't work all because the buyer knew the risk. Gotta love it.

[@razorbladelove101]

where i from its high pricing on games or its exactly what you said even when try to trade something in and they make you feel like even the most common mario game is 20$ or more depending on condition offer me 5-10 for trade in price

[@robofistsrevenge3288]

Michigan has a downright infamous video game shop like this...

[@origintrackz5235]

@@robofistsrevenge3288 We all have gamestops lol

[@GamerGuy51]

My 5 stores slowly succumbed to Amazon after 13 years...RIP Trade N Save 2016

[@jameslwjtoler]

In Lake Mary?? Man, I used to go in there all the time man. With you and flea world gone, I can't find a decent retro store in central FL now.

[@johnpaulson9147]

I started collecting during the pandemic. In doing so, I’ve met a bunch of other likeminded individuals who also recently started collecting retro. The extra free time and stimulus of the pandemic may have sparked it. However, it’s also a sign of the times. All the 80’s kids that grew up on NES are now hitting their late 30’s/early 40’s. Their kids are leaving the nest and many are finding themselves in a spot in their career which allows them to afford a more expensive hobby. Retro collecting is a way to reconnect with our childhoods. I didn’t care about this 10 years ago (late 20s/early 30’s) because I was focused on other things, didn’t make as much money or have the free time. I think a lot of people are in this boat and we are going to see a boom. I’ve seen Pat compare retro collecting to model trains and to some extent I agree. When our generation dies off in 40-50 years, nobody will care. But I believe that this is where the analogy ends. I think model trains, like comics or coins, has always been niche. Whereas nearly all kids in the 80s had an NES. Perhaps I’m one of those dirty speculators, but I believe the growth is here to stay for quite awhile. The pandemic helped tremendously but wasn’t the primary driver

[@saleen235]

15:15 you’re totally wrong Pat! I’ve been buying 2600 games and magnavox Odyssey 2 more than ever before.

[@PatTheNESpunk]

You alone have invalidated my theory.

[@gamerguy425]

I feel like the 2600 is a console people really cram a lot for when they first get it because it so cheap and easy to get into, then immediately stop caring at like the 70-100 games mark. I was the same way with the 5200 last year. Second generation and earlier stuff has a playthrough time of like 5 minutes usually and little replay value besides switch settings if they even have that. Doesn't mean it's garbage but it can be a very quick turnaround from highly interested to disinterested.

[@LetshaveMotion]

There can always be stores that sell old media. As long as humanity is alive.

[@PCGamesNostalgia]

True that!

[@marccaselle8108]

@@OM19_MO79 I remember in drug stores and pc/electronics stores, you could find boxes of floppy disks every where. The current day sees barely and packs of blank CDs and DVDs.

[@_jonnyscustoms_995]

"Its the pandemic and I have to play centipede on the 2600" lmao

[@SoulforSale]

Atari 2600 games have gone through the floor. They are the cheapest I have ever seen them. Same with the 5200 prices. 7800 is probably up a little.

[@juannunez5767]

I think there will always be one or two Retro VIdeogame Stores in most big cities. The market can't support a bunch of retro stores, but videogames are such a big part of pop culture that there will be enough people to keep them alive even after the release of physical videogames is over and generations have passed. We have reading apps and kindles, and yet we still have independent bookstores and vintage bookstores. Those aren't maintained by grandparents that remember buying paperbacks in the 70's. Those are maintained by small percentage of younger people that take an interest in the old ways.

[@andrewanderson4555]

I agree

[@RP_Williams]

While there will only be a few stores in any sizable market (like a city of 1 million), there will ALWAYS be a market for such a store (just like there's still at least one video/DVD store in such a city). Ya, you can do a lot online for retro collecting, but people just LOVE the experience of going to a store and browsing all the physical collectables.

[@ghkillah1995]

I dig the nostalgia story about the game store and Frank

[@TooBokoo]

I'd say retro stores will be here to stay in some capacity. We have a couple of big vinyl stores around my area that are insanely popular. There will always be some people around that want them.

[@andrewanderson4555]

Lol you sound like an angry old man.

[@jonyoungmusic]

@@andrewanderson4555 it is true though. Old & vintage is “in” right now but the vinyl boom may die once this gen of kids that first grew up entirely with social media/internet get older. They’re discovering old tech via the web and it’s interesting to them since it represents the “before times”. But will the generation that is now 2 steps removed from the pre-social media era care as much?

[@andrester88]

@@OM19_MO79 Don't worry, the Audiophiles will keep a few stores around.

[@Starrgroove]

Shout out to Warp Zone in Hilliard, Ohio. It's the greatest game store that I've ever been in. Darrin, the owner, is celebrating the store's 8th anniversary this weekend.

[@skabcat242]

There was a video game store that opened in my town last november. It has thrived. Mostly since the people who run the shop are super nice and give excellent store credit.

[@NinjakX]

Retro game stores sell games that are too expensive. I am not sure how they are still functioning. Fun to look at but not affordable.

[@pacotaco66]

Shout-out to Level Up Games in Santa Cruz. Don't live there anymore, but they were an awesome shop, always walked away with something cool.

[@davidstring8301]

Like with all businesses, the good ones have staying power. EDIT: It takes a lot for a game store to be run well. You need to understand basic business principles, be well stocked (included in that is fair/honest trade-ins and selling prices), perform a myriad of repairs (and do them well), great use of social media and other forms of advertising, great customer service, good location (part of understanding business) etc.

[@davidstring8301]

@@ThatsOnKZbin No, the ones that are run well survive. You won't stay in business long being "underhanded" and treating your customers poorly

[@juansanchez209]

@@ThatsOnKZbin Amazon treats their customers pretty well tbh. They’ll give you a refund for pretty much any reason lol. They definitely treat their employees like crap, but that’s a different matter lol

[@davidstring8301]

@@ThatsOnKZbin Amazon treats its customers great. I've always received good customer service at Walmart. Walmart has a wide selection and cheap prices. You can disagree with how they're run, but they're run well. Kmart was not.

[@davidstring8301]

@@ThatsOnKZbin No, they got where they are by innovation, great customer service, wide selection of products, and great prices. You get blacklisted for return abuse. I've returned thousands of dollars of items and have never had a problem. Amazon's biggest income stream is from its AWS, not from its store

[@GameKollector]

I have a good many near me ....One of them has 3 different stores in the area. One of them is doing something really clever... They have a private Facebook group and once or twice a week they have auctions via Facebook live. Put 3 items on the screen and you bid by putting a price and the item you're bidding on. The next day they send an invoice if they are shipping to you or you can pick up in store. I know the owner well and he says it's fantastic and very profitable (items selling more than they would in the store). They were on for 5 hours just last night. I've been able to get some really good deals this way as well. He also says they've had basically 0 issues with people not paying. It's a lot of fun and has about 50-70 viewers each time. Really smart in my opinion and he says is a way to get through inventory they can't put out in the store and old stock.

[@activistarts7722]

Game stores are missing out by not having weekly tournaments. I would kill to play MK II or KI in person. People don't just want to shop they want community. Also I love my local store because 360 games are so dirt cheap, beats Steam.

[@17R3W]

I have a local retro retail store that I really want to support but everything in there is so expensive. I'm hoping they will start to carry things like magazines, books, novelties, etc. I'm not really looking to spend $80 on a lose snes game, or even $30 on a 3DS game.

[@Faber0k]

That 80$ snes cart is unlikely to be much cheaper anywhere else. Retro games are just hard to find now a days and the demand is quite high right now.

[@17R3W]

@@Faber0k Thats Understandable, but I'm not going to pay it. Either I get lucky and find it cheaper else where, or I'll emulate.

[@Faber0k]

@@17R3W i hear ya. There are definitely some games i wish i could play but will probably never be able to afford. I dont actually own a computer so emulation is basically impossible for me so i have to buy all physical media, which i dont mind because im somewhat of a collector. I have quite a few games that are still sealed, never opened, as well as many complete in box games. I recently got the original paper mario on n64 for 70$ a lot of money but still cheaper than most places that sell it. I try not to buy games until i finish the game im playing to give me time to save up for the next one. Good luck finding some cheap gems. They are still out there.

[@17R3W]

@@Faber0k I would look at something like a retropi, nvidia sheild, or even a cellphone. There are lots of options for emulation now. If you are willing to jailbreak a 2ds/3ds they are pretty capable as well. I like to collect as well, but mostly I love the deals. I got gameboy camera for $4 at a value village, so I'm always looking for deals like that.

[@chicknwings]

I had to move my store over to another state because of family reasons. Had I remained in Muscle Shoals, we'd be fine. It's fun to help establish a community of collectors that want this hobby to continue into the new generation.

[@wbdx9785]

i watched some videos with frank, you can tell he gets a little tuned up on those sierra nevadas...lol

[@DanielRivera-on5qh]

Great beer can't blame him

[@shane_MK]

I think it kind of depends. Pat, you compared vintage games to trains and the like. I think music is the better comparison. The interest won't stay as high as it is now forever. But I think the longevity will depend on if old games are appreciated the same as old music. Part of the hobby is using the old hardware. Music can be bought digitally, but listening to a record or even a cassette tape is a different experience. You lose modern conveniences, but there's still something gained. I just think it mostly depends on the appeal of the old formats. As long as the interest remains, I think the stores will be ok for a while.

[@damienhartley7298]

Part of the market is just getting older and bonding with objects as a mental time machine to feel younger momentarily.

[@dravenlee4473]

A store dedicated specifically to retro video games will probably be a harder sell but you'll have some of them. I live in a big city and even then, there's only 2. We do have a used media store though that is always jam packed. It has books, music, games, etc. I think there's definitely room for at least 1 or 2 retro game stores or one big store for everything. Beyond that, it's pushing it.

[@johnf9710]

Store in my town opened with the boom. Employees weren't knowledgable and you had to disturb them from watching anime behind counter if you tried to talk to them. Only engagement was when checking out. Wasn't surprised when it closed.

[@toaker]

The Retro Game Camp here in LA had to close down because of the pandemic. It’s a painful loss, their selection of Japanese games was amazing!

[@brocksamson9737]

If every single game store had a Killer Instinct cabinet I would be their number one customer LOL

[@joshuajcastro]

I know my favorite local spot has added other items such as shirts, collectibles, and cards. They still have tons of games and seem to be thriving, and I love it.

[@michaelm3817]

Game Over in Texas are starting to shut down locations. Other independent stores are showing more success in North Texas because they offer console repairs

[@cybersub4693]

My guess is vintage stores will be around, probably forever. Whether it be video game focused or otherwise there's always gonna be vintage to sell and people who want it. Around my parts, there are vintage clothing stores, antique shops, comic/card/misc stores, video game stores and so on. So this notion that everything will be sold online and or in digital format is over played. Yes they will be players, and yes the physical stores need to adapt and diversify, and those that do will be the players in the new vintage store front marketplace.

[@joshuajacobson2102]

I had a weird idea/theory about retro game prices. Gamestop getting into retro actually drove the prices down. There was now a known outlet for people to dump their products at, without Gamestop in retro, there are not enough individual stores and not enough people who want to sell on eBay/Amazon for the market to flood out the number of games that are out there, creating artificial scarcity. TL:DR; without a massive national retailer that is buying goods, prices of retro will always trend upwards because there is not enough product being moved otherwise.

[@andrewanderson4555]

Interesting point

[@10minGameplay1]

They're all closed where I live :( real shame.

[@pizzamike4420]

Retro needs to stay. Pysical still is a thing in my book. Look at the whole ps3 online store situation so some of the games the only way to play them will be physical unless you purchased the digital prior to online store closing.

[@BoogyMushrooms]

They're about as here to stay as Ranch Part III.

[@JuanJimenez-mf5jm]

We MUST know what was in that break up letter 😂

[@xyrzmxyzptlk1186]

Hold your breath long enough and it’ll happen. Remember, don’t give up. 🥶

[@dankhill6851]

If retrogame stores are gonna be competitive instead of having the mindset "You don't have to wait for this to be shipped to you, so were charging more" then they'll stay, at some point people will learn patience and get sick of spending more than they should've, here where I live every retrogame store charges to much for their games and they lie about prices/other shady shit, particularly lying when people ask for a game and they only have repros, like saying the actual cart is twice the value so they can sell a repro for 30. i've also seen Wii Play Games claim the expensive amazon price is the actual price. if that's the business strategy for most retro game stores, they are gonna go out of business

[@themax4677]

Most of my recent old stuff pickups are from a particular stand at a nearby flea market and when I luck into something a goodwill/thrift shop. That said the generational gap thing is very real in my house. My kids play almost exclusively on the Switch, 2ds, and less frequently the 360. They have 40 years of videogame history available to them, but it is difficult to get them to play even Gamecube, Wii, or Dreamcast games. Even on the switch, with the exception of BotW, they play mostly DL games rather than the physical ones.

[@PhantasMc86]

I would like to think so, and I do try to get to my local retro shop to support them, but when I can deal with other collectors directly online, and buy/sell/trade with them with no tax or overhead costs built in, the idea of a retro store becomes more obsolete by the day.

[@OuTSMOKE]

Chain game stores were dead to me when GameStop bought Funcoland. Mom & pop shops like where Ian works are still cool though.

[@etherealnoire]

Most lol. I live near a major city but there's only ONE game store with retro games in the whole metro area. Its always dead and he's told me verbatim he charges twice pricecharting. Half the games have printed art too. Last time i was there he ignored customers to watch a twitch stream and fuss at some girl on the phone for her "woman logic"

[@collectorsclub8261]

Hey Pat I gave you that Rbi Roll back at socal retro years back!! glad to see it being used :) I am opening a store in the bay area next month I hope you can hear from me

[@monkeyskatan]

Mostly use my local retro video game store for figurine collecting these days.

[@ucFJhnukZjfLtc3dPfZrh4qThSg3o]

From my experience in Germany many used games stores also did buy and sell other electronics and especially dealt with phones and phone repair.

[@Chaoitcme]

There is a big retro gamin community where I live and there are at least 5 independent retro video games stores within a 30 minute ride from me.

[@nitramsk8]

I was looking to buy a Genesis after my Retron 3 died and ultimately chose the game shop because a Craigslist deal doesn’t have a receipt and isn’t a guarantee.

[@ClassicContagious]

Oh yeah our little game store in Central Florida has seen a massive rise in business over the last year. It's been hard to keep consoles in stock at this point.

[@ProdByASAC]

Shout out to the CashConverters and Game Busters in Antwerp They are one of the only shops in Antwerp that sells retro games

[@slinkycubez20]

I live in buffalo ny and most of our retro game shops are pretty much done for. We have less than a small hand full left. A few years back we had a nice chain of stores called “Oogie games” and most of them have pretty much closed, the ones that are open have a very sad, small selection and there’s pretty much no point in visiting them anymore :/

[@Callieforniiaa]

Games over video games is a okay store. Okay prices. I’ve been to the Arlington Tx location a few times over a few years.

[@RobertGuido]

I got to save I believe that Ian is one the smartest people I know of off of podcasts or any of this stuff. And he nailed it on the head here when he talks about the need for social interaction I've been in plenty of game stores and while I think that many people to enjoy the nice customer now and then it's nice when they can come in talk for a little bit but they leave when it's appropriate

[@GustoTheGamer]

Digital sucks! Same with music long live vinyl, cd, cassette tapes or minidisc. Same with games..................

[@ReservedInvestments]

Excellent analysis here, Pat! I agree fully...

[@yertmen2761]

Well I live in Houston and am familiar with game over video games there are a few here. But rarely do they have stuff in stock games/consoles. It seems they always have the same stuff when I walk in as well...

[@MathewJC25]

I will always choose physical over digital, I know digital is here to stay, but I think people will always love Retro, whatever that may be in the future. There is something about it, nostalgia is always going to be a thing. I hope Sega, SNES, N64, etc games and consoles will always circulate and stores dedicated to those stay around. It’s a culture, going to the store like you did as a kid, will always be a thing. Let’s support these business!

[@MathewJC25]

Adding this, I think to survive in the future, retro games stores that that focus on selling retro games should add retro figure, dvds, movies and add old school, retro arcades, MK, Pac man, street fighter, etc… make it a place for people to come no matter the age and enjoy themselves.

[@EdgedShadow]

How do emulators play in to all this?

[@mrbee15]

Pat's impression of Frank is on point

[@k-flow170]

Gone are the days of going to yard sales and getting Lunar 2, RE 2, Valkyrie Profile for $5 each. True Story. Now it's game stores where you'll find gems and discover new games you never knew about.

[@k-flow170]

...Walking from apartment complex to apartment complex to coming back from a friend's house, my brother and I stumbled across a couple with some items on a blanket. They had such great games. And he was either moving or "it was time to grow up and sell your games".... Either way, those games shaped our summer that year ('99?) and our gaming tastes forever.

[@Drgames999]

I really hate how stupid shit has got now

[@BubbalooXRS]

I love retro game stores! I buy local and rather drive 25 minutes or more to go to my favorite store. They even have equal or better prices than eBay. Support local mom and pop stores!

[@pbailed8007]

I love it when you read those commercials in the beginning, lol

[@The90sGamingGuy]

After more people and myself get the vaccine I'll be going into a game store close to me a little more. I am big into retro games so finding more mom and pop shops that specialize in retro is key for me. I think the retro video game stores are here to stay it seems that people in their thirties are wanting to replay the games of theyre youth. I already own every video game i had as a kid and teenager so im set.

[@Darkscenes-jp4ge]

I'm never selling any of my old video games even the one's I won't play anymore it Will be left as memories and for me Memories are Priceless

[@Drinkabeerandplayagameofficial]

I was talking to a local game store and they were kept alive through the first two months of lockdown last year thanks to...old Animal Crossing amiibo cards. Once New Horizons came out people bought their entire stock of cards they couldn’t give away before that game came out.

[@randohuy9446]

I think if there is a Switch Equivalent done by Sega,NEC,etc. AND they went all in proper remakes/emulation/etc, you might have a problem with selling retro games. However, I don't envision those entities coming back and making the investment on their own. So, even if Nintendo decided tomorrow to release TONS of their back catalogue on Switch, what about my Sega stuff? What about my NEC? What about my SNK? So, I think Retro gaming has a bit more runway left unless that happens. And it isn't.

[@inasuma8180]

Hey Pat & Ian. I see you're using a photo for J&L Game out of NYC here. Kinda bummed cuz that place is kind of um... hyper aggressively priced and not very consumer friendly in that regard. Great selection though. Also great commentary!

[@quezcatol]

Seeing how both the new xbox and ps5 came with an option for 100% digital and no disc reader I would suspect we might be 1-2 generations from disc going away. They already removed manuals and claimed it was for the enviorment. if thats the case, you still have 10-15 years of extra games on its way. And I suspect nintendo will never abandon physical media because of copyright protections.

[@leecroft1983]

Pretty much no point of having physical disc anymore. You have to install the game anyway so. Console gaming is going the way that PC gaming went decades ago, surprised how few console gamers still haven't seen this. All digital gaming future is an old thing... just not for console gaming but it's going that way. I went fully digital regarding Xbox, i mostly play Xbox anyway so nothing new for me. Probably getting older or something but i just don't want to buy a physical game anymore. I don't want game cases laying on my shelves, don't have the space or care about physical media anymore. I buy games on sale on the Xbox Window Store, install on my external HDD and play when i get time, done.

[@UltimateGamerCC]

definitely, especially as game companies stick to their playing safe mantra, people want new and exciting things to play which sadly put AAA game companies rarely pump out these days.

[@hellboundTX333]

Since the idiotic game industry is going digital, the retro Gaming market will only grow due to collectors wanting something physical to collect. Maybe game companies will start auctioning off game mods or content as NFT’s, that’s the only way i see collectors staying invested. But as a collector i want physical media, even if i could buy a one of a kind game an a an NFT i would pass. Yes physical media will go away, but I’ll be dead by then and won’t care. Lol.

[@noneed4me2n7]

The one near me is finally shutting down. Bought most my stuff there after I stopped using GameStop. The guy puts his own collection in the store as not all is for sale. Will be missed.

[@fobiwancollecting5400]

It’s going to be interesting when things clear up and all the stuff hits the market again. Wii’s everywhere, as far as the eyes can see.

[@MichaelBurrow]

The problem with Retro game stores is that the definition of what is retro constantly changes, so therefore your business model should also change with the times.

[@midimusicforever]

There will be a place for them for a long while, but that place will shrink on a yearly basis.

[@gamerguy425]

I Think the proliferation/growth that they've experienced is definitely gonna fall back and wane at some point, but they should be around for a while especially if they've been in business for decades.

[@ProdByASAC]

They need to stay even though i have only 1 in my whole region

[@jastiksk8crw]

Vintage Stock is a chain with staying power. Great model

[@ImmortalInflames]

Vectrex is pre-NES and it's damn good fun! (scramble, berserk, rip-off, Star Trek etc). That's where I draw the line personally, not that i don't enjoy & respect what came before it, but Vectrex is the earliest console I'll sink hours into, rather than seeing it more of a novelty.

[@IanSane]

Right now the hot retro systems are the PS2/Cube/Xbox era. So logically the next would be PS3/Wii/360. But at that point we're starting to see games with patches and DLC. The physical copy is not necessarily a complete copy anymore. But that generation launched when physical games were still the norm. By the time we get to 3DS/Vita/Wii U/PS4/XB1 every system is offering 100% of its physical releases as downloads. That generation let you go completely digital only and now the PS5 model that supports physical games is a high-end expensive model. So much of retro gaming is fueled by generations reaching adulthood, having disposable income and having nostalgia for the games of their youth. PS2 kids are in the tail end of that range, PS3 kids are just entering it. How many PS4 kids are passionate about physical releases? And when they're that nostalgic age will they be able to even relive their childhood with a broken physical release that required a day-one patch? Also keep in mind that videogame companies might be offering those games on digital stores. You can buy a lot of retro games on the current digital stores but the nostalgia is also to have the cart or disc like when you were a kid. But if the experience as a kid was just loading the downloaded game from the system's menu then there is no need to seek out a retro physical release.

[@HunterPBrown]

RetroBution Games of Fort Worth, TX. They're who I go to.

[@juleschianelli6945]

So happy I found you two guys! Love your content. Keep up the great work😊

[@sussudioscott9383]

Game Over Video Games in TX sucks. They rarely have a good selection of games and because of so many stores, their stock is always thinned out.

[@leecroft1983]

Not if you live in the UK, i live in London... good luck trying to find one.

[@brendanroberts1310]

There is where I live in Portsmouth but loads have now gone. There used be be a good one on ealing Broadway don't know if it's still going.

[@tbirum]

Are Retro Game Stores Here to Stay? Well your Hairstyle is here to stay "Apparently" so I guess Retro Game Stores can be too.

[@PatTheNESpunk]

Why is apparently in quotes?

[@tbirum]

@@PatTheNESpunk Grammar Nazi!!! I meant to Make it in Bold *APPARENTLY* But now I feel Shamed by a "Famous Person" Who I admire, my life has now lost all meaning, I feel as though there is no point on going on. Wait, there is still *Ozzy Man Reviews* My life once again has meaning!!!!

[@MrMegaManFan]

Blended stores are on the rise. Games + pop cultural ephemera. I think that’s a survival mode because it’s hard to thrive on retro games alone unless you are famous for it like Luna or Pink Gorilla.

[@maxamillion2140]

games / toys are the mix i see the most

[@DanielRivera-on5qh]

Hard to tell right now

[@WigWagWorkshop]

Actually, Model Railroading is at an all time high, even before the pandemic.

[@PatTheNESpunk]

I'm going to have to disagree with that, dawg. It peaked with the boomers rediscovering their childhood. My father used to drag me to train shows and shops regularly.

[@hydro6676]

I remember one of my local retro game stores closed recently, and the last time i was there i spent $260 😂

[@enriquepinero707]

I love J and L! Games! Thanks for such awesome topic videos!

[@TheCreepypro]

not just a good topic but we got a nice frank story out of it as well

[@morbonic15]

Does Ian sell stuff online or send it through mail?

[@KyleYoung2012]

I just emulate old games nowadays I don't have enough money to buy some of these old games because some old games can be 200$ or more so I either play them on modded systems or emulate

[@ivanvargas2425]

Game over offered me $2-$3 bucks for NCAA 2014 on 360 because “it’s a sports game”

[@C.J...]

Wow i use to sell pixel art at game over video games David sends out the checks every quarter blast from the past wow

[@brianmaglinger6327]

alot of my retro game stores in my area is still open. Gamestop has taken a hit.

[@MegamikazeMoriko]

i shop at retro game bros in toronto

[@ScottCrippen]

I've had some long walks after drinking parties. Only stumbled to the ground once!

[@ps3inquisition441]

If they stop price gouging they might be able to stay in business. Nobody wants to pay double eBay prices..

[@blake3one6]

Jnl Game isn't going anywhere, its the best damn video game store in Nyc

[@liverush24]

Had my vaccine today. Just sayin'. 👍

[@27tmangs]

me too!!

[@liverush24]

@@27tmangs Brilliant! 🙂

[@michael_stout79]

I hate the word NFT

[@gaupau]

Supporting your game stores sound good and all on paper, but it doesnt help when your province keeps issuing lockdowns and stay at home orders.

[@FlannelGuy_1978]

Ian is Lit AF in this segment