It Sucks When Your Favorite Game Store Closes For Good

[@AllieRX]

This is why I buy games online now. Fucking GameStop monopolizing everything.

[@paralixis4500]

hi allie rx

[@JACK_AYO]

Agreed but sometimes you just might want a physical copy or if its an obscure game i couldn't find online or it wasn't on there. Like i bought fallout 1 + 2 and the brother hood of steel on amazon. But I still prefer steam for many reasons.

[@OutlawMantis]

Unfortunately far too many people adopted this weak-arse attitude and the smaller stores far more rapidly died out. In the UK we have a chain of stores called GAME, which is probably on par with GameStop in terms of popularity. I'm probably wrong there though since I buy online too. There aren't any local game shops near me.

[@OutlawMantis]

***** Oh, yeah, CEX. I often forget about that one, probably because it's probably better regarded as a technology store. You sometimes get decent prices, but selling is daylight robbery. You get some good deals off the fools who sell their stuff there.

[@OutlawMantis]

***** The last great game store chain IMO. I used to enjoy going there, until they were bought out by GAME. The difference that GameStation had was that they sold retro games as well. At least, they did until they were taken over. (They still did afterwards, but less so.)

[@8-BitEric]

I agree bro. I hate when i just head to the store and walk up to an empty place. No warning or anything :(

[@TomoEriGoto]

Not game related but it ties into what was said. There was this kick arse restaurant near our house, it's been there since my dad was a kid. It sold the best of anything you'd ever want and had actual guns decorating the place. One day though, the workers were coming in for the usual workload. The place freaking closed down without giving none of the workers notice. The manager and some pompus buyer sold the land that the restaurant was built on under the workers' noses. The deal was, they COULDN'T BEEN TOLD WHAT WAS HAPPENING. The only way the deal went through was for the workers, the hardy folk that kept the business to be kept in the dark. No two week notice, none. ...TL:DR Schmuck businesses all around.

[@NightSprinter]

TomoEGoto Not as bad as that, but there was this WONDERFUL little (and authentic) Italian restaurant in my hometown called "Gargano's East" run by an Italian gentleman of said last name and his wife. Their food (and especially the pizza) were leagues beyond anything to this day. We all knew him as "Papa Gargano". He sadly died from health problems, and afterwards his widow didn't want to keep the place going (and they had a nice little place to live built on the roof of the place). It's still one of those places I still wish was there to this day.

[@learjac000]

same here 8-Bit Eric. A friend tooled me about Gamers Edge, the guy wanted you to sign up for in store deals but never got enough customers so he closed the store

[@MisogiProductions]

Same happen to me, years ago their was a small gaming store called "Game Frenzy" and it had about everything. It was predominantly a second-hand store, but they only took content that would work. One day coming over there just because I wanted a decent deal on games, the store was closed down. Now there is a "TCBY" there.

[@chainingten3819]

100th like :D

[@RosyTheRascal15]

Yeah i remember a little shop right next to my local KFC called "nintendo mart" in texas, i loved that store because it had a friendly mario giving his trademark peace pose, & i walk in there & i would see retro games up the ass in those cool cardboard boxes or neat cases! he had SNES, PS1, PS2, Gamecube, Xbox, Genesis, N64, games to rent. They would charge like 5 bucks for like gamecube, PS2, & xbox games & you can add a SNES, PS1, Genesis for 2.50. So i would be 7.50 & have 2 retro games to play for a whole week. The owner of the store was awesome & helped me pick out games & introduced me into franchises like resident evil & doom! He would be playing the latest games at the moment, i still remember that day, it was 2005 i saw him playing Resident Evil 4 & just had watched the commercial & i was looking for a good gamecube game, he shows me a copy of RE4 on Gamecube & he helped me fall in love with one of my favorite video games of all time. He was like a video game teacher to me. Not to mention my friend bought some mortal kombat action figures & he gave me a scorpion figure, He charged only 5 bucks for retro 1991 MK figures!!! What a nice guy & great prices. Then the store shut down in 2006 & became a wedding store & to this day i keep on hoping i would see that mario making that peace sign poster outside the building. :(

[@SuperFlashDriver]

That's awesome and sad at the same time.

[@basserman]

RosyTheRascal15 if it was 2005 why would he be selling Xbox ps2 and GameCube games for 5 bucks?

[@JamesPlaysGames95]

i remember when "GAME" closed around the country. the stores sucked though. they had this polocy where the employes had to go around to every single customer and ask them for help. so im looking around "Do you need help?" no im fine. then another guy comes up "may i help you?" no. just looking. it just scares customers away

[@Snapmaw]

Game sucks man I preordered a ps4 and the employer said "we called you we didn't get any answer" so my dad argued with this lady because he knew they didn't even call so when this woman gets the details their wasn't even a phone number on their. At this point my dad was raging because they lied and to make it even worse she refused to give the £20 back instead tried to Palm us with store credit.

[@sneakyturtle305]

I prefered Games Station at the time tbh rather than GAME (yea i know GAME owned it) but the store near me had a much larger PC and ps2 collection than GAME did.

[@Snapmaw]

tipsy yeah there was a gamestation over the road from the game store I just mentioned,I could find games £5 cheaper from a store that was owned my the same game company across the road

[@23madberty]

***** GAME has been removing all the PS2 and XBOX crap though. Really sucks.

[@23madberty]

***** GAME has been removing all the PS2 and XBOX crap though. Really sucks.

[@TheMattBreakdown]

Sad to see a store THAT CARED go under like that. Let's pour some Mountain Dew and powdered Cheese Curl crumbs for our fallen video game brother.

[@bryancorea2669]

I wish i could make a store like this. I like seeing joy in people when they buy a game

[@Scottsquatch]

I remember I was really bummed out when the independent game store closed where I got my original copy of FF7. I drive by where the shop used to be to this day and it brings back those memories.... now it's a tattoo shop hehe.

[@evanstrange2876]

Luv your videos!

[@Scottsquatch]

Evan Strange Thanks Evan :)

[@gregthehutch]

Weird. I was just going to comment about the shop I got my copy of Final Fantasy 7 from & how I walk past it now (it's now a hairdressers) & those memories come flooding straight back. Man, I miss the 90s so bad, lol.

[@magicpiggies9998]

get a tattoo of ff7 saying RIP

[@Scottsquatch]

Magicpiggies lol nice.

[@AngeDeJmusic]

I was bummed when my childhood import store closed. I've loved a lot of Japanese franchises, since I was about six; and my brothers and I would always frequent this one import store, to buy all our: toys, games, music, anime, manga, snack, etc.. .; but then they closed out of no where. I remember siting in my bros room; and just being genuinely sad.

[@CuppaGi]

Dude. Jumping Flash music in the back ground? SERIOUSLY? I have reached a whole new level of respect for you.

[@AlphaOmegaSin]

Was hoping someone would hear it :D Beat the game again just recently and remembered how badass the final boss music was so thought hell why not use it?

[@CuppaGi]

AlphaOmegaSin I had to listen to the music on repeat a few times, Jumping Flash is my fav game from my childhood. :D

[@VanpyroGaming0]

***** What about a Crash Bandicoot reboot?

[@AlphaOmegaSin]

ShadowHatter Damn Jersey Devil that is a game I haven't heard mentioned in ages. Rented that a few times when I was younger

[@VanpyroGaming0]

AlphaOmegaSin Someone else that played that epic game. I wish I could play it again.

[@IidosGamingDen]

I know the feeling, there's a certain joy when you're browsing for a used game in a store and your eyes fall onto a copy. Gives you a feeling of success and a satisfaction that just getting something online doesn't provide.

[@CoolMoeDea21]

For me, the fact Blockbuster and Hollywood Video shut down is a bugger. Although I didn't go out and rent movies incredibly often, I still enjoyed the idea of doing so and when Hollywood Video shut down, one of the ones that I knew of in the next town over here in my county (I live in Maryland), a store on the side called Game Crazy went with it which is just as disheartening.

[@InertBrian]

Haha same state brother, although I never heard of Hollywood Video.

[@masterbilly7]

Game Crazy was the best.

[@DARKSIDEXIII]

I live in Phoenix and a long time ago GameStop went and bought out all the Game Crazy's and then shut them down.

[@SwiftyStardust]

Inert Brian I actually have the box for one of Hollywood Video's 2 films in one DVDs. Specifically Animal Farm/Felix the Cat: The Movie> Although it says Hollywood DVD on it instead of Hollywood Video

[@tkb301]

Wow!! I'm from Maryland too and I remember that. Ahh the memories

[@MadPanicGaming]

My buds used to have their own store, it was called Zombie Games in Deridder, Louisiana. We would hang out there, play games, talk games for hours on end. They did repairs and refurbishings on old consoles that people brought in, and they were always reasonable on prices. Sadly, the location wasn't the best and business wasn't great. It was a real bummer when they closed. I ended up giving them all my gaming magazines before I moved away.

[@rachetc1]

gamecrazy...please come back

[@rachetc1]

also there is one store that still alive kind of near my area called Nueva Linea (New Line in english) it's been there for more than like 5+ years ever since i was a kid and i rarely go there. plus they got almost everything from current gen to like NES, atari etc

[@AlphaOmegaSin]

We only had one around my area, for some reason they just never really took off in this location for whatever reason but when I did get to check it out I quite liked it

[@skyblue11685]

AlphaOmegaSin Same here, they were located in the few hollywood video rental stores in my area until hollywood video closed it's doors. I think that they are still around. Unfortunately judging by their online site it seems that they only deal in last & current gen. Fortunately a few other smaller game stores have popped up in recent years like game craze & play n trade that deals in retro & current gen.

[@WhyDoesYoutubeWantToBeTwitter]

Gamecrazy... Pardon me, i'm gonna go cry in a corner right now...

[@pizza4321123]

Use to spend my all my money there when I was younger. Like all my money $50 a month from age 7-10.

[@PorcuPineAppleSauce]

2 years later and im still sad that its gone. my friends and i started going there a couple months before it closed, so we only got a small experience of the magic of that game again. every single person that was ever in that building was fantastic, employees and customers alike.

[@HDCarrioner]

You can tell that Alpha is sad about this cause he didn't add a music at the end

[@pawkisser]

Not really a mom and pops store, but there was a whole mall down the street from me that had a bomb foodcourt with a lot of variety and even foreign foods, and a gamestop that carried old things people turn in ( N64 games, Sega games, stuff i've never seen in any other Gamestop), but it also had a lot of stores closing down, until the whole mall got bought out. Now the nearest mall has like 30 apparel stores (no exaggeration) and then a tiny food hut that serves pretzels

[@MGRaiden64]

Anyone ever go to gamecrazy? Man I miss that store in my area, their in-store credit for trading in games was 10x better than gamestop. Plus they would clean your discs when they're scratched!

[@Treyworld]

I KNOW RIGHT! Plus they gave you some cool preorder merch (not just DLC). I still have my Super Mario Galaxy commemorative coin back from 2007.

[@BigHugsFromHell]

Had a chance to work in a little store like this here in Florida... think it got up to four locations, but they were fair with their deals, covered all their bases, and gained a lot of regulars. Like we all did, I grew up with some favorites, too, and they become almost like an extension of yourself, but if you ever get to be part of it, then it feels like home. Unlike many jobs, when a customer comes in, that's really a welcome guest who you can share experience with, so it genuinely brightens your day. The fun is real, often much more so than the larger chains. It'll tug at your heart strings to see a place go, but from the other side of the counter, it can be doubly sad when it all ends. Of that, I can promise you... Now excuse me, I have to go cry into all the air vents of my house until filling every room with the scent of my tears, so I can bask in the essence of my own pain... *sigh*

[@DARKSIDEXIII]

My favorite game store was Game Crazy. Then GameStop went and bought out all the ones here in Phoenix and shut them down. Fucking assholes. The only other good place for me to go for old games and stuff is Bookmans.

[@INaNBillington]

Have you ever checked out Fallout Games? I think they're pretty good, prices are hit and miss but when they hit, they fucking hit.

[@DARKSIDEXIII]

INaN Billington I'll look them up.

[@Nerdstrategy]

INaN Billington Do you have an address for fallout games? I am collecting ps1 and artari 2600 games and am going to be downtown at phx comicon recording panals and stuff for my channel

[@xavierfoster8723]

You're not the only one. They even tell you want the game is about.

[@astrozombie8229]

I have a gamer owned store called Blue Dragon near me like the one you're talking about and i would be devastated if they closed. They are the only place i will buy games and i love supporting them. Everywhere needs less gamestops more locally owned shops

[@sortedevaras]

I wish California had independent game stores. :/

[@MykiiMescal]

Me too :/

[@shlumpgod2727]

We do man. There is a store called Game Dude in North Hollywood

[@MrThunda51]

There's one out where I live in Murrieta called M&M Games. And whenever I'm in LA I pass by a bunch of independent game stores

[@thatoneantoid51]

crazykidadventures I know right? That place is the shit

[@willyoman3561]

+MrThunda51 I live in Murrieta too. M&R games is awesome but lack on restocking good games

[@TipsterLIVE]

Also, you gotta do a pickups vid on this stuff. Curious to see what you got.

[@AVGNROCKS1996]

My favorite game store got attacked by a crazy arsonist, who injured 3 people and almost killed the manager, while burning down the entire store... And they had a Magnavox Odyssey along with many other rare and unique consoles that went down with it. Still freaked out by it to this very day.

[@darkicon6667]

Just to share a similar story during my childhood i had a store close to my house called S.S Video games, ran by a man named Scott. would always go there on the weekends with my dad and brother to each rent out a video game and he wouldn't mind if we kept it for weeks. I found a lot of games I normally wouldn't have ever been able to afford to play as a child and would always get insite on each game. Around 2006 Scott got into a car crash and passed away and along with him, his humble store. The street his store was on was never the same after that and even to this day from time to time I think back to that store and the owner. Thanks for sharing this video alpha, gave me another chance to remember that store and its awesome owner.

[@trainernick1143]

It's really nice to hear you say this and remember your game store like this Alpha. I'm pretty sure I'd feel the same if my favourite game store closed as well.

[@gluesniffer2]

it's a sad part of getting older.....other things that make me sad are hearing 80's music on oldies stations, realizing your 2x older than the college girl your undressing with your eyes, getting an AARP letter in the mail, and realizing your dreams/goals you had as a kid were stupid and unattainable.

[@ToothlessGTI]

@AlphaOmegaSin I can totally relate man. It sucks to see a good, locally owned store vanish. They normally have staff that feels like your friends and it feels personal like saying goodbye. It can truly hit you hard. Thankfully my new favorite store here is holding their own pretty well.

[@freekw4]

I like the Hobby shops and Mom/Pop shops because it allows me to find other people who enjoy the same things I do and actually shake their hand and talk to them and play games and stuff and make new friends.

[@Englebert3rd]

I remember when Game Focus closed (famous gaming store here in London) and I was deeply disappointed. This happened 2 years ago and it was, for me, one of the major reasons to go to Central London. I do share your sadness and I wish the economy gets better and more gaming shops popup! Good video as usual, man!

[@slacksmore]

Hey there, a new subscriber has joined the battle! All kidding aside... I can completely relate to the love of shopping "mom & pop" stores or independent retailers for years and even to this day I remember one that while I was working for Sega, I'd hook everyone up with pre-release games for the Sega Saturn. They lacked boxes but hey, free is free! I returned the favor so many times as they would actually loan out open box copies of their inventory when it came to imports for the Turbo Duo I had bought there so many years ago along with newer systems. This was a pure video game store that still stocked used NES, TurboGrafx, Genesis, and somehow always managed to have top quality product that was always display worthy. Knight's Video games in Fremont, CA, I salute you for being the best game shopping experience that has yet to be rivaled today. If I had to guess how much I spent there just in hardware and some new and used games, it was well over $20 grand. (I would also buy the display kiosks if I could) but the largest chunk of change was Neo Geo special orders that they would order for me as they knew I was good for it. On the side, I would recruit testers from there who were growing older and needed the money for family. We would talk shop a bit during lunch hours and I'd have them at Sega working in less than a month. In return, I always would take my business there as all the employees not only knew what they were talking about, they were honest. Plus I'd always keep them filled with fresh goodies from Working Designs games and other Saturn exclusives that really picked up for a while after the epic fail of an early launch. I also recently feel your pain as the single game store in town had folded. Bad location and just bad inventory. I'm trying to get my hands on some hard to get (and stupidly priced) Gamecube games along with a new controller. Games like Eternal Darkness and MGS: Twin Snakes, I always am a day late where they're flipped for 200% profit with a damaged case and no manual. My only saving grace is hoping my luck turns better for great Gamecube games and other greats in the local thrift shops. I did bag a Wavebird for $3.98 after all. My other wired controllers though are Super Smashed out... Something I hope to remedy soon.

[@JosephCraig]

I feel these sentiments as well with not only video game shops, but also with comic book and gaming stores as well.

[@djgamer5546]

My favorite mom and pop store closed down about a month ago-it was called Pixels Video Games and it had actually about a month before that hosted an awesome little concert with Brentalfloss, Mega Ran and Danimal Cannon. I knew the owner and while they were closing down I managed to get Killzone: Shadowfall for $20 by just asking if he'd sell it for that much. I bought a fair number of games when they were closing out and got a bunch more free just for helping them pack things up (I got a couple new copies of Duke Nukem Forever because that's about how much they're worth). Even that of course couldn't soften how depressing it was to see that store closing up for good. It had an awesome arcade with a Player's Choice cabinet, some NeoGeo machines, Knights of the Round (the first arcade game I ever beat on an actual machine), Virtual On, Time Traveler, Galaga, THE NINJA FREAKIN' WARRIOR and quite a few others. I really wish I'd played in it more in retrospect. At least we still have another shop that sells retro games called Gamers, which is part of a chain-but a small one so it's kind of a nice middle ground I suppose.

[@BlearyROBIN]

Alphaomegasin really deserves more subscribers. You make awesome videos and you are really funny too. I guess i should thank Xbox One for finding you, because you was mentioned in a Xbox One review.

[@GrandChessboard]

Comic book store, game store and head shop that was all you really needed when growing up... and now.

[@GrannySingaporePVP]

Alpha, I am the owner of a Mom N Pop shop in Shelbyville, TN (Game On!). Seeing news like this is both scary and hits close to home. I fear that my store will not survive too much longer. Too many people come in trying to unload their junk on me for cash and not enough people buying games. I am trying my hardest to make it work. I have a great selection, great prices, etc but people seem to be creatures of habit and follow the flock to GameStop. Sad.

[@FatCatGarfield]

Alpha you're pretty much exactly like I am when it comes to game stores. While growing up I never really had a store of that sort near me that had good deals on games. There were stores around, but they were part of a chain, some bigger than others. They obviously had to try to compete with each other so pricing was always kinda screwy. However, just under a year ago, a wicked awesome dude opened up his own store just a few minutes from me, and his store blows all others out of the water. He carries literally games from everything. Focuses on retro games, but still has space for newer things. He has awesome prices and is super nice and I can just stand there and talk to the guy for what seems like hours sometimes. It's the kind of place I wish I had around me when I was a kid, but right now is still an awesome time to have a store like this around. I also make a point to try to pick something up whenever I'm there, which usually isn't difficult to do because he's always getting new stuff in. So yea I feel for you when your fave store closes down, it's like you lose a part of yourself in a place like that.

[@donniequalls9693]

The new intro is fucking awesome man. Got a good laugh out of the dog, glad I decided to spend my last 10 minutes before bed watching this lol

[@MMStrademark]

I am the very same way. Ordering stuff online is not, but I personally enjoy getting out & getting something off the shelf better.There's just some sort of excitement when a new game comes into a shop. It does suck when a store closes.

[@bakaneko9741]

Babbages and Funcoland! :D Thank you! Childhood just now validated!! ^^ personal experience: The only local store, when I first moved out here (when I was 13) that sold stuff from Japan… Games, Anime, Manga, Figures, Posters, Books, CDs, Imports, Collectibles, Model kits (like Gundams and such), etc… Was a small little store called "Lucky Neko" and only after living here for 1 year… they closed their doors… I was saddened… Heck they even had a rental section in the back to rent anime! It really sucked cuz back in Michigan, where I used to live (out in the country side) I didn't have anything like local "mom-n-pop" shops that I could go to… And after moving here, I was closer into a city-like setting and had easier access to stores. When I was in Michigan, Funcoland was the ONLY store I knew of growing up where I could buy video games… And it was a 30-45 min drive in a place called Port Huron… And rarely was I taken there, or allowed to go when we went into town. And of course when I came to Colorado Springs… We had a Babbages in the mall, before it turned into a Gamestop (which later found out… Babbages was how Gamestop got its start! Even though… I honestly think they are NOTHING alike X_X )… But, I too miss the days of Funcoland and Babbages! ^^ Current local stores that I relate with (and recommend to anyone out here): - Here in Colorado Springs there is 1 local game store that opened up like 2 years ago that I enjoy going to called "Vidja Games" whenever I have money i go there and support them, even, just as you said… If it is something small. Cuz I would HATE to see them go under… We have 4 Gamestops in a VERY SMALL general area and Vidja Games is right in the center of all of them, so it scares me if they will get pushed out… But their prices are reasonable and they have awesome retro (and some current games).. One time they got a stack of video game posters and just gave them to me cuz I like to collect things I can display… Very cool people! Once in a while, they offer some video game tournaments too! Everything from a Mario Kart racing tournament on the SNES, to a BlazBlue fighting tournament on the Xbox360 to Halo matches on Xbox360 to Super Smash Bros. on Wii/Gamecube/N64. - There is a comic book store that used to have 2 locations in both our local malls called "Heroes and Dragons", but they eventually had to close both, condense down into 1 location outside the malls (cuz the malls were too expensive for upkeep) and I always got my anime, manga, figure/statues and stuff from them… but now they are seriously cutting back on merch. I only see comic books, MTG and D&D stuff anymore… And while that stuff is still cool, it kinda shows just how much they have had to cut back and now I don't go there as much which sucks cuz I have been going to H&D since I was 13, I am 26 now and have gotten to know the owner very well over the years… It is pretty sad and I understand your feelings… - We now have a anime-related store in southern Colorado Springs called "Rainy Day Anime" and I know the owners, known them for several years… They started off small… Only having a booth at NDK (Nan Desu Kan - Denver Anime Convention) every year and selling a few goods.. Over the years they made their way up and got themselves this store! It has a WIDE assortment of Anime and Video Game related merch. DVDs, Manga, Plushies, Keychains, Posters, T-Shirts/Hoodies, CDs, small things in between (like stationary, notebooks, stickers and stuff) and of course my personal favorite to collect - Anime/Video Game Statues/Figures - And while I used to strictly order my figures/statues in catalogs, through "Heroes and Dragons" now I order or just buy if I like something I see; from Rainy Day… They have quite a bit of gaming merch (like shirts, plushies, posters, etc) - but video game selection is a little small and video game extras (accessories, exclusives, guide books), however they do offer some import or rare games/gaming stuff even. They also help out local fans/artists by selling things they make - Cosplay outfits, accessories, jewelry (like once I saw pokeball earrings), drawings/prints, clay figures and so on - they take a small percentage, while you earn the rest. Heh… they even have a small discount/mark down section in the front ^^ AND! They sometimes hold small video game tournaments like Smash Bros. or Tatsunoko vs Capcom… Or will hold little Cosplay parties to celebrate the anniversary or occasion of a Video Game or Anime! - I LOVE coming back to this store a couple times a month because they have a nice-sized store and not only already offer a lot of stuff, but the stuff they offer changes and are constantly getting new/different things in -- VERY Enjoyable store! ^^ So… Alpha! If you ever come out here to Colorado Springs, Colorado… You REALLY need to check out: "Vidja Games", "Heroes and Dragons" and "Rainy Day Anime"… Vidja and Rainy Day are probably the best out of the 3… As Heroes and Dragons just seem to be losing their way anymore :/ kinda sad.

[@castlevamp]

For me had to be Knightmare Comics closed down during the 08 recession.Had anything from Cards, Comics. Games,Action figures, Arcade Machines, Music and had a nice grub joint next to it to grab something to eat. That place was always 100% packed during the beginning of the Pokémon Craze. The store went from being a mom and pop shop to a total hang out spot for anyone into anything

[@hubacchris]

My local Blockbuster recently closed. I legitimately cried when I got home. I still do not regret that.

[@SHOTRED555]

Sad to hear your store is gone AlphaOmegaSin over here in Cali it's hard to find a game store unless you are will to drive for a while. Most of us here have to go online. They are taking a lot of small shops but that is another story.

[@meadowtube10]

Kudos to you Alpha for supporting the small businesses (Ma & Pa shops). I myself love to support my local shops own by very nice people. I'm sorry to hear that your favorite store, Game Again, got closed down. Currently, I frequent to a small shop that sells Comic Book and Video Games called FJB. I hope it doesn't close down for a long time!

[@JaggedEdgeJava]

and then you see your favourite storer replaced by like a fucking clothes or shoe store, that hurts even more.

[@Dinker27]

I know the feels. When I was a kid living in Lakeland over in Florida, there was a store called Video Street. I think it was privately owned, but the cool thing about that store was that if you looked at the video game cases, they would put in a summary of the game as well as hints and tips to help with certain parts. The owner had this popcorn machine, and if you rented a movie, a game, or whatever, the owner would give you a tiny bag of popcorn. Service with a smile, and he was devoted to making people smile.

[@SwiftyStardust]

There used to be a game rental shop in my hometown. The only game I can really remember borrowing from there was Tweenies: Ready to Play for PS1 (cut me some slack, I was like 5 years old) but it was the first time I'd ever rented a game and I haven't rented any games since then. The shop closed down a long time ago, there's now a Cash Converters open in it's place. EDIT: There also used to be a Blockbuster too. It's been closed for a really long time, but I still go past the unoccupied store every weekday on my way to and from college. It still has a Blockbuster sign there

[@kiwi1368]

In my area we had 2 blockbusters and the one had a huge sign that looked like a ticket for a movie and driving past it always saddens my day so many memories of renting games and movies at that place hell just going to block buster was an adventure in its own

[@gamingcomicanimation]

I buy stuff online a lot, but finding things in stores is so much more fun and satisfying. The problem with online is paying for all the shipping and having to wait. It's just so great finding obscure Ps1 and Gamecube games in a store for cheap and then going home and playing the hell out of them.

[@psychogojira623]

Not exactly a video game store, but a my favorite japanese restaurant closed down a few years back and I was holding back tears from all the good memories there.

[@FB1310121]

Wow this is relevant to me. When I went to collect my copy of Watch Dogs from my favourite game store, I found out that they were closing on that day and were only keeping the shop open that day for people who pre-ordered the game. I was kinda depressed and there aren't that many places now to buy games locally. Thanks for the video Alpha.

[@xINVISIGOTHx]

the FYE in my town closed a few months ago. The only other places here that sell games are Kmart and Sears. At least I got a lot of good sale prices in the last week.

[@Ponaru]

I don't miss FYE at all. Their prices were ridiculous.

[@starwars101photo]

***** We still have FYE in the area, but they don't sell games anymore.

[@skyblue11685]

FYE is still around in my area. They used to have a few mega versions & regular versions of fye. I liked the mega versions because they had a lot more selection. Unfortunately they downsized(closed the mega versions) & I think they stopped selling games.

[@Zakk_Z]

The Fye that was near me closed down a few years.never found any good game deals there. However, all single disc CD's were $9. That place is still where I got a good bulk of my music collection.

[@RetroBigCat75]

Gameseekers You're lucky that FYE still sell video games. Where I live, they don't sell them anymore, it's CD's & movie dvd's. There's a gaming store (I can't remember the name of it) & it sells from old NES to Wii U. It sucks that your favorite gaming store's closing for good (@AlphaOmegaSin).

[@milleniumgamingx9940]

Man, I know how that feels. I've known so many arcades and game stores that closed down that I only have memories of now. I've been running a store with my friend in Long Island now for the past 6 months and it's been doing very well. I hope it stays that way because the video game community is very important to me and, just like you, part of my childhood. I'll do my best to keep it going strong!. VideoGameTradingPost

[@thethrashyone]

There was a little corner store in town called Brady Games when I was a kid. My mom used to take me there every weekend or so to rent Nintendo/Super Nintendo games. I believe it was replaced by Blockbuster, and when Blockbuster finally went out of business it was replaced with - brace yourselves - a Gamestop.

[@TipsterLIVE]

I can think of a few stores I got games that sadly closed in my area. Rialto Coins, Treasures for Kids, ValueGamers, Video Game Crazy. it sucked to see them go...especially since all the crappy stores are all that is left around here. I'm looking at you Games Plus in Bloomington CA...Errrr...

[@cavey92347284life]

I felt the same way when game crazy and Hollywood videos closed down. I hung out with the guys there, bought games and movies, played in tournaments, helped setting up tournaments, helped with customers and stuff like that. It was Kool that you could try a game before you buy it. It sucked that they had to close because they had to compete with the gamestop that had recently moved into the area and block busters which closed under two years later.

[@quindowpeople]

There is something special about going into to a video game store and finding the game you want. Wrapping your hands around it, then popping the cd in and playing. That is something that digital downloads just can't replicate.

[@foildemon7892]

I actually used to live in Cranberry and I would go to game night every Friday when I lived there. Hell, I used to go to high school with the shop owners son. I was really sad to hear that the shop was closing. I used to work at the Bob Evans near there and every once in a while during the fall I would buy the owner pumpkin bread b/c he LOVES pumpkin bread. I know this memory doesnt really have anything to do with gaming, but a memory is a memory i guess lol.

[@Puvwilmo00]

There were a fuck ton of game stores called GameCrazy around where I lived. They were all awesome. Good deals, good management, just awesome. They were often bundled with Hollywood Video, but when that started to go, so did GameCrazy. Before I even realized it, they were all gone. It sucked ass, because going to that store created a lot of fond memories.

[@thebrammerhammer23]

I worked at a game crazy when they all shutdown.

[@shawnw7972]

We had 3 local game stores (all m&p) that were within walking distance of each other, and as of last fall the last store sadly closed. The only reason that I could think of was the only 2 major competitors pushed them out (Gamestop)&(Wal-Mart) even though they didn't sell older games. we would always hit all 3 at the same time and load up on games, the 3rd store always gave us a great discount when we walked in with there competitors bags (not always the same store). Dam now I'm sad.

[@Chicomite]

I remember when my childhood game store closed. GAMELAND in Cerritoes, California. So many awesome memories. Like buying Mario All Stars,my very first game with my own money. Or when the 2 young Japanese owners said they had this crazy PS1 demo for a game called Silent Hill and I was so creeped out and blown away by the in store demo. Or when I begged my dad to spend $70 on modding my PlayStation so I could finally browse the whole store since half was dedicated to Japanese. Nvr got it back then but got it now. So sad to see a place you love go

[@Rakiarmas]

I can understand your feelings 100%. Here in Kotka we had a new store called Fantasy Games Store. This store sold board games, card games & comics and manga. It was awesome place & really something that this city really needed. Sadly after just two years FGS moved away for the lack of customers. This made every nerd & gamers in the Kotka sad.

[@linkinspirit95]

A game store that I frequented many-a-time, "Level 8 Videogames," was a local classic game store that closed down too. It sucks because I have a fond memory of winning a costume contest there and buying a Sega Genesis there... Now there is ONLY Gamestop...

[@AZodiacCancer]

There were 2 local stores near me who closed and turned into a gardening store and a computer repair store. These stores had really really nice employes who loved games and enjoyed good conversation. 1 dude even ordered pizza and gave me a slice for free simply because he could. I miss those stores, they had those games that were hard to find and they were reasonable prices. We do have a Replays that hasn't closed down yet.

[@CallMeCactus]

Years ago, when I was much younger, there was a video game shop in my area simply named Game. It was a big company and not a single shop, but it was the nearest to me and so I frequently visited it. There was nice little plushies, tonnes of Yu Gi Oh and Magic The Gathering (Which I loved at the time) and some very good games. But I'll always remember the people who worked there, they were so nice it was unbelievable. It still saddens me to this day looking back at how great it was to go to.

[@TomAHawk-py6vj]

Sad to hear about. In my hometown our local console and pc gaming store closed short after the millenium. Almost every teenager interested in gaming was hanging out there looking for new games, talking about new games, pc hardware, hardware repairs and play some games that were in the consoles free to play. On the one hand internet informs you much faster, on the other hand hanging out with friends at the store and talking with the owner 'bout upcoming games were part of the gaming experience as a whole. Those were the days.

[@godofbiscuits2978]

Hi from England. The same happened to me when 2 really good small game stores (Charlies and Odds N Sods) closed down for good. Odds N Sods was probably the scruffiest store I have ever been in, but one of the best. The walls and cabinets were lined with every game system and games you could dream of, mainly older retro but some newer stuff in there too.

[@Pewpcawk]

This is depressing. As someone who has had every decent game store either bought out or ran out, I always recommend everyone to support their good local game stores. When all you have left is Flea Markets/Swap meets and pawn shops and a single retro store that gouges worse then Ebay BINS, you start to see the picture.

[@Sleesus]

Same thing happened to me years back, but with a comic shop that sold a lot of Video game merchandise as well. When they were in business, I had gotten a lot of interesting stuff, those old imported Megaman model kits, a REALLY tiny Mario figure with f.l.u.d.d, and even more stuff I can't remember right now. Now that they are out of business, the only "local" place is online price gougers on Ebay that list everything as "rare" and "vintage". And yet there's about over fifty of these things showing up every week or so.

[@caseykeldeo]

There was a little family store near my old house that sold all kinds of things, including games and game merchandise. Sadly, some teenager went and robbed the store at gunpoint one night and set the place on fire. The store was rebuilt but the owners had to close due to losses. That last day was the largest shopping spree I've had, and it still makes me sick to think that the store might still be around if it wasn't for the imbecile that had to wreck it for everyone who enjoyed it...

[@JDcooper37]

Man I hear you! There's a local place near me called G.A.M.E.S and I go there as often as I can. They have a pretty good selection of retro games, for every system. They also have a fairly decent selection of new releases too, all at fair prices. I've built almost my entire collection from that store. I've gotten to know the owner pretty well and he's cut me some good deals too. I'd be devastated if it ever went out of business. I always try to support local business, whether it's getting my guitar stuff from the local store as opposed to Long & McQuaid or actually renting movies from this little mom and pop (really nice old couple) video store by my house. Always nice to do what you can for good local business owners. Sad to see them, any kind of stores like that going out of business.

[@JulesRoyal]

I used to go to this year round indoor flea market type thing and there was a guy who sold all sorts of video games and game related merch. I know you're probably thinking "classic reseller/dealer", but the guy was a genuinely nice guy and he knew what he was talking about and he was passionate about what he did. Every time I went there we always had a good conversation and we talked about how he got into the business and how hard and competitive it's gotten to run that kind of business. He always gave me a decent deal too since I was a bit of a regular. About six months ago he had to close up shop and I wasn't able to go during his final days open, which was upsetting. It is a tough run out there to get any business off the ground of any kind, so I always tried to support him and any other small time businesses in my area. But it's harder to do that now with more big businesses moving in and it's becoming harder and harder to find older games in my area as well. So my shift towards buying online is coming soon.

[@TimCools_WithALongO]

I wish I could relate. I live in Belgium and you'll have more luck finding an indie game store in your backyard than you'll have finding one in all of Belgium. Not to mention, I live in a small town and the only store in my town that sold an OK variety of games for an OK price went belly up recently. the nearest game stores are actually part of a company that specializes in video games which is a great step up from the other company, which also sold movies, etc. because they offer a larger amount and a bigger variety of games. The first time I checked one out, it took me over 10 minutes just to browse through the used games and outweigh which game I think I'd like most and which will leave me with more money left. The only problem is that this company only has stores in the larger cities, about an hour and a half bike ride away from where I live so whenever I just want to go buy some game(s), or even just go window shopping, I have to ask my parents to bring me there or do it when I happen to be in one of these bigger cities. It's mainly for that reason I don't go too often. I do however hope to come across an indie game store once. I reckon it makes for a more familiar feeling. Sure, the employees at the larger companies still know what they're talking about when you ask them something, but an indie gaming store feels like it would have more hospitality and it's not like they have no idea what they're talking about when you discuss things with them.

[@entragin99]

Totally feel for ya. I love these small stores where the owners and the employees are passionate and actually care about what they are doing. I would judge my knowledge of video games to be pretty high but I still dig on talking with other game lovers which is what people at these types of place are generally all about.

[@zoldator]

Well, I lived in a small town in Poland for most of my life (18 out of 20 years) and we never even had a proper gaming store, just a market that has a couple of new games, so I've been ordering stuff online for most of the time. For the last two years I've been in bigger cities due to school stuff and in one of those cities I've seen, like, for the first time in my life a proper gaming store. I was there with another friend and both of us went out of it with at least three games each. They had tons of stuff, I bought Viewtiful Joe and I saw Dino Crisis on the shelf, which unfortunately I didn't buy and I kinda regret that now. Just browning all that stuff, talking with the cashier, it was fun. Like, real fun, so I can completely feel all of that. Buying online is OK, but going there and finding stuff on the shelf, just priceless. If you have enough passion for it.

[@Darkstar263]

I can relate to that. Here in my hometown in the UK. There is hardly anywhere to buy games now AT ALL. Back in the late 90's, there was a small shop in town which I regularly went to which had all sorts of bargains. Unfortunately, it closed down a few years ago. Around this time last year, another different shop opened up here and it had some things which were usually very difficult to find such as rare PS1 games. Unfortunately, that shop recently closed down too. I think their downfall was that some of the prices were too high. That and the fact that it rarely had any customers. I really miss shops like those. The two main shops we have here only sell the newer stuff for this generation. I'm a collector and like to collect older games as well as new stuff but the older stuff is so absurdly hard to come across anymore. I do sometimes find the occasional bargain in charity shops but that's it. People might say you could shop online but people charge whatever they want for the things they sell so you don't always get a good deal. I prefer actually looking for things in the actual shops.

[@MusicalslaveX]

I've actually had this happen to me on multiple occasions and it always sucks. At least I have fond memories of those places though. Actually the first time I got to play Resident Evil and FF7 was because I bought them at a store like that. I'll NEVER forget that, because that store was what solidified me as a gamer. I'll always be thankful for that.

[@TheSuperthunderblade]

It's been a year since a gamestore called Stadin Pelikauppa closed in Helsinki. That place was awesome, eventhough the games were a bit overpriced. I had fun talking with the workers and other customers. I managed to pick up few N64 and PS1 games from there (Banjo Tooie, Ocarina of Time, Diddy Kong Racing, Devil Dice, Team Buddies). They didn't sell games only, they had a massive collection of old Star Wars figures and also warhammer stuff and movies.

[@DonnyJC98-5]

I remember when my favorite in-town game store in my hometown, Neighborhood Video, used to sell movies, games, and for some reason, pool equipment. They shut down in 2008 because they hardly had any buisness and also, people would just steal games and movies from there all the time, making their inventory extremely low at times.

[@iTunsiscool26]

Truth is that all of us can actually breathe in space but the government just doesn't want us to escape.

[@MrVariant]

I get you. In a way this is like my favorite arcade closing. It makes for less social interaction outside the virtual world and less of a chance to stumble upon something obscure

[@metalheadmike3333]

A damn shame. All of the little shops that are really good are dying out. I remember a video rental store that my dad and I used to go to very frequently. We looked for the cheesiest scifi and horror movies and the most out-there games that I have never heard of. When I found out that the lady that ran the place had to close it down, I was really bummed. We lived in the middle of Podunk, USA and movies and games were one of the only ways we could stay sane.

[@thomasberriman571]

Parramatta Westfield, GameTraders. Full of retro stuff, anime, manga, collectibles, merchandise, everything. Best game store I've ever been to, and the only one I go to.

[@MrCaptainCorn]

There was a game store that was 40 minutes away from where I lived, but my friends always loved picking up some NES and SNES games, and other merchandise there. They also got some sweet deals and even got dealed a better price, but that store is gone now... mainly because the license for that business expired and the owner got deported, since he was an illegal immigrant... but man, he was such a nice guy...

[@meermadon]

I'll always remember the game/comic shop that used to be open in town when I was a kid. They didn't have a big selection, but this was a tiny little hick town population 2000 so it was the local hangout for gamers and nerds of all kinds. My friend and I would go a couple of nights every week and it would always have a lot of people playing magic, watching anime and gaming. I remember they had a Dreamcast when it first came out and we spent all night playing Sonic Adventure and Power Stone. I wish I could go back to those simple times...*sigh*

[@xraymonkey76]

Hey just wanted to say thanks for the kind words, I'm sure that the rest of the Game Again crew will pass theirs along also! Even when i was across the plaza there people like you made it all worthwhile. That was really awesome! Thanks again!

[@BlazeTheMovieFan]

I see where you're coming from. There was this one store that closed earlier this year which does suck that it closed. I don't use many stores though, I mostly shop online.

[@SIKE9188]

Totally feel the same way sucks when your childhood game store is shut down.

[@Dre_aka_sleepysandman]

Man that has happened a lot to us out here in Colorado but the good news is that a new mom and pops store has opened up for us out here and I will support them. I hate when these store shut down. Old school gamers like us love going to these places because that's our childhood.

[@gr8fzy1]

I feel you man. Funcoland, you will be forever missed. I bought my dreamcast from them, even though it was more expensive than Gamestop, because they had my loyalty and respect. Honest people, helpful workers, great times.

[@muskiebetweendoors1]

There's a local game shop here in the Memphis area called Replay's that I go to all the time to find games, since I don't like waiting for online orders. I'll be going away to college in August, which is awesome, but it also unfortunately means that I will not be able to go to that store anymore, which has pretty fair prices (I think they go off of whatever the price on amazon is) and some awesome people working there. Besides, that's where I got my copy of Chrono Trigger for the SNES! Hopefully, Knoxville has a good game store like that, too, that I can go to and create memories.

[@SplitAxisProductions]

Hollywood Video, was the first place I ever worked, what made is even more awesome is that we had a Game Crazy connected to it that also sold retro games, still bums me out driving by the store that is now a mattress store.

[@SplitAxisProductions]

Also Game Crazy was open 365 days a year and for three years in a row my little brother and I would be taken there on Christmas to spend our chistmas money... Man now I am all bummed out.

[@sofakingimmature]

I feel you man. After the game store in town closed, the next nearest place to by games was an hour away. But soon that will be gone since that is a Gamestop which is slated to be one of those mobile only stores.

[@josh87saa]

It happens man...there's only one old school gaming store where I live and I just keep going back just to make sure I'm doing my part to keep it open. I feel ya on the game stores, video rental places etc...they're a part of my 90's childhood that for me is just sad because it seems like all those older things we used to love and cherish are going away. I'm just proud to say that I was there for it, I'll always remember it fondly, and no matter what, I'm gonna keep " gaming the fuck on!"

[@moviemetalhead]

RIP Game World.. You were my go to for old NES/SNES games back in the day.. Great topic AOS..

[@tikchingisawesome]

I can relate to the feeling of sadness about a favourite store close down; there was an anime store that I used to go a lot and when the owners told me that they will close down, I bought a lot stuff before they closed for good. I also frequently go to one local game store to buy games and movies because it has good deals, better services, and there are a lot of older games dating back to the NES that are sold from 3$-11$. I'd really be sad if will close down.

[@Doodletones]

I went to this card shop every Sunday to play in a YuGiOh tournament at a place called Valhalla's Game Center 2003-2010 ... I still miss it today.

[@IosonoOtakuman]

I know how you feel, my favourite game shop closed a couple of weeks ago....

[@nanatheneko]

Near my place I watched the closing of my nearby EB games, Game Buzz and Game over. Now the only nearby story is a normal video store for reting (it has a small selling section) and any other nearby store is pretty much over an hour away

[@civilwarfare101]

I remember an old gaming store in my local mall. I was never the biggest fan of it but it was there in that mall for so long and it was so odd to see it go. It closed out of no where too. I also remember a flee market vendor that closed down. It sucks because it had a lot of stuff and the guy there was awesome. It's nice to see other people who enjoy shopping at Flee Markets.

[@firesprite1123]

the experience you get shopping at those kinda of stores is one of a kind. sad the store is gone

[@RaptorZX3]

The games stores i went to, all closed down, sadly. They were all privately owned stores, not EBGames or anything. The nearest one just got worse with time and didn't offered good prices, so it was meant to close down...