Game-Plus is fantastic. Been around forever, and they have everything. My brothers and I have been going there for probably 30+ years. Love that place!
I love my local game store, Cosmic Castle, in Roanoke, VA. They have game books, dice, wargaming minatures, comics, and the like. They also host a lot of games, usually D&D and Warhammer. But other games are as well. They are a small, but successful store.
I'm glad there's any of these left. Back in the late 90s WotC opened stores everywhere specifically to drive the friendly local game store out of business. Then once they had a monopoly, and everyone had to go through them, they closed up all their store fronts. The only thing left around here is a few Warhammer stores... : /
Where I live there are two FLGSs. One has some D&D and comic books, and that's it. The other has some D&D, a few 40k miniatures, and a ton of Magic cards, and that's it. Neither place even has any dice. The local Borders has more RPG books than either FLGS does.
The Sentry Box here in Calgary is one of, if not the biggest gaming stores in Canada. If you live in Calgary and like to game, it's the definite place to be.
As much as I do have a lot of PDFs, nothing beats a good-old book in your hands. Starting the smell of a new book, flipping through it, the feel of the book (either the cover or the pages)...
End Zone games in Clearfield, Utah. Pegasus Hobbies in Montclair, CA. Little Shop of Magic in Las Vegas Nevada. If your in the vicinity of any of those areas and are looking for a decent game shop .. check them out. Good selections, friendly staff, nice large stores with tons of games from RPGs to board games to mini games.
I love a nicely stocked game store, too. They are hard to find in new Jersey, since space is so expensive. I either shop at a chain retailer or the game shops are tiny, holes-in-the wall. Still, I love shopping at those little holes in the wall anyway.
I'd honestly love to see more store reviews like this. I used to live in Dallas, so I'd love to send the word out about The Game Chest, located in Valley View Mall. they have a great staff, and will order literally anything you want, even if you're not definitely going to order it. They also have a huge amount of back stock, and have an area to play out in back. I simply cannot gush enough about this store- check it out!
Ahh, The Source. One of the things I miss most about Minnesota, the store that spoiled me...
If you're in the Burbank area of L.A., you might already be familiar with The Last Grenadier, which has a great selection but is sorely in need of cleaning (dust & disorganization, to put it mildly). There's also a newer store called Emerald Knights, whose friendly owner has stated his desire to run his store like a business instead of Mom's basement. Clean, with gaming space and willing to order.
if your in the southern Riverside or northern San Diego county's in California area i suggest Fun n' Games in lake Elsinore,formerly of Temecula, there staff is friendly ,helpfull and knowledgeable and there selection is ok, but they are more then happy to order something for you, i suggest coming in on the week days cause you'll never find a table on Fridays (for magic) or Saturdays ( allways 2-3 things going on at once) they also carry boardgames and and card games and has a wall o' games.
Sadly our FLGS is becoming a haven for WOTC and Warhammer and not much else in the games department with an emphasis on MTG card tournaments. It used to be much better, but the owner has let the manager more or less turn it into another MTG tourney place 5 days a week (we already had one of these one city over from us). Sad Sad Sad.
While I appreciate your sentiment, show me the company that doesn't care about profit. Are you aware of any game stores that pay more than minimum wage?
Second, I suspect that old gamers like Kurt and myself, who have been in this hobby for decades, have long paid our dues in supporting the game industry. Disposable cash is harder to come by, and often the alternative is not buying any games at all. Does that help the industry?
If you're ever in the State College area, check out the Comic Swap on the corner of Fraiser and College Avenue. Their actual RPG section is only two book shelves but if you REALLY want something they'll be more then happy to order it for you. Waiting period is one or two weeks depending on when you order, they have email prompting, and they even offer to mail it to your house.... at least I think they do. Unfortunately there's less around my stomping grounds in Mountaintop.
Gotta give a shout-out to the best game stores in Washington State: Merlyn's in Spokane, and The Dreaming in Seattle's University District. The selection they both have can't even compare to the typical d20-only rack at most hobby stores, and the staff is friendly and helpful.
The FLGS's near here, when it comes to RPGs only have WoD and D&D stuff in store, the former of which I am only mildly interested in and the latter of which I have no interest in whatsoever.
The same goes for the ones that are not so near where I live.
If it wasn't for online gamestores I would never have been able to get my hands on all the CoC and Unisystem stuff that I have. So, sadly, even though I am very willing to support my FLGS I am practically forced to order everything by internet :-(
I live in Raleigh. For a while, we had a great place called The Lost Goblin, but it shut down at the start of the year, sadly. The only place I know now in Raleigh is a comic and game shop called Foundation's Edge. It's a nice place, but it's downtown near the university, so I have to drive out of my way and deal with traffic and parking meters and whatnot. Sadly, I buy stuff online a lot since Lost Goblin closed.
Here in Edmonton there isnt any really friendly stores, I hope when i move ill be able to find one and maybe some roleplayers as my cat can roll the dice but cannot role play
Best store in Kansas City is Tabletop Games hands down, plus Phil the owner is a nice guy and a die hard gamer. If you are anywhere in the KC area it is a must go to.
I shop at Adventures In Gaming, in Milwaukee. They have a good selection of RPGs, miniatures, and board games; a knowledgeable staff that can order you anything; and a HUGE basement game room.
here in sacramento we have a realy good store called "Great escape games" good staff lots of games and comics and a huge area to game in (1500+ squre feet)
And two recommendations for people who live in the Watertown Area of Wisconsin:
* Pegasus Games in Madison: While it's pretty much one big shelf for RPGs, they do keep a fair variety. Also, the current staff is quite friendly.
* Adventure Games Plus Hobbies in Waukesha. It's a small place managed by one guy, most of the goods are related to wargaming, but if you want to find something out of print, I was able to get a copy of the Bullwinkle and Rocky roleplaying party game for just $20.
I'm from Madison (but haven't lived there for 15 years). Pegasus used to be awesome in the 1980s when they had their State Street store. But then they moved to Canterbury -- and then to the West side. At each move, they became less and less an RPG store. Sad, but I'm sure they did the math as to what sells.
Yup! I'm in there every Wednesday for my comic addiction. I ran into the Game Geeks crew there one day. From what I have picked up while hanging out in there, the RPG part of the Source will be shrinking as they're finding competing with PDFs difficult. I think it's their belief that that will be the direction of the industry.
My local game store only carries a box of rpg books on the floor...well other than D&D which they have thousands of it seems. they also strangely have no world of darkness or savage worlds...
Sometimes you don't have a Friendly Local Gamestore to go to. I have to drive several hours to get to one that stocks something other than D&D products. That's why I say thank Cthulhu for the internet.
games-plus sounds like heaven :) Especially since they let you page through stuff without pestering you. One of the big problems I've run into with a lot of game stores is the rudeness of the staff. I think part of it is that many of them would rather not be working there, or only look at consumers as a money funnel rather than as fellow hobbyists. Even if they're THINKING that, it's nice if they can be friendly for their own business's sake!
I've been to Sci-Fi City in Orlando; it caught my eye as I was trying to detox off of Disney World. It's gigantic, and it's worth a trip to Orlando just to go to this place.
I might mention Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon, not so much for the gaming books (they have a large section), but as a general book store. Seriously, folks, this place is the biggest bookstore in America. It's got five floors of books, complete with an elevator. You can get lost there. I often order from them.
Speaking of Powell's Books, just a few blocks away is Powell's Technical Books, for the geeks in all of us. This place is amazing. I've found books in there that would be very hard to find outside of a university. I've found books on aerodynamics, bridge construction, demolition, and things that I probably shouldn't mention. Not that it's sordid, but that it might be too dangerous to have in the wrong hands.
I started to exclusively buy my rpg books from Amazon, simply because i save around 20 $ a book. You see the standard store price of rpg books in Denmark is 60 $, so by buying them online I get them a whole lot cheaper, even with shipping and handling.
I would like to support the few gamestores that are in Denmark (we have about three chains, with 2-3 stores each) I dont feel like paying more just because of that.
I went to a gaming store on my honeymoon as well. I don't have any local FLGS. But I try and support those that are in the area when I travel. I've had a lot of luck lately buying used off of Amazon. I got an Eberron book for $0.99 recently. I have found quite a few books in the under $6 range. Even with $4 shipping it's a deal.
i got to a book store they usualy have table top rpg books in a section some where, waterstones if you ever heard of it. or i just go to a local p'n'p rpg store one in manchester called fanboy 3
I've been to Games Plus a couple times and it is a terrific shop!
I'm guessing you're like me, Kurt... Whenever I travel, I always check and see if there are any game shops that I might be able to check out while visiting a city, state or country (and yes, I have a wonderful, supportive and incredibly patient wife, as well).
I have to buy all of my books online because i live in England through the Airforce, and the only place that carries RPG books is the Shoppette and they only have DnD 4.0...
Try leisure games in London and online, it's very good. There's also the various different Travelling Man shops (Leeds, York, Manchester, online etc.), and Fanboy3 in Manchester. Some of the Forbidden Planets in England are good too.
Plenty of non D&D is usually available in all of these.
Game-Plus is fantastic. Been around forever, and they have everything. My brothers and I have been going there for probably 30+ years. Love that place!
dakkon74 1 year ago
I love my local game store, Cosmic Castle, in Roanoke, VA. They have game books, dice, wargaming minatures, comics, and the like. They also host a lot of games, usually D&D and Warhammer. But other games are as well. They are a small, but successful store.
PaulieRomanov 1 year ago
I'm glad there's any of these left. Back in the late 90s WotC opened stores everywhere specifically to drive the friendly local game store out of business. Then once they had a monopoly, and everyone had to go through them, they closed up all their store fronts. The only thing left around here is a few Warhammer stores... : /
Arikiel 1 year ago
Aww. A husband loving his wife's heartwarming.
Kogerii 2 years ago
Where I live there are two FLGSs. One has some D&D and comic books, and that's it. The other has some D&D, a few 40k miniatures, and a ton of Magic cards, and that's it. Neither place even has any dice. The local Borders has more RPG books than either FLGS does.
guitardbucket 2 years ago
The Sentry Box here in Calgary is one of, if not the biggest gaming stores in Canada. If you live in Calgary and like to game, it's the definite place to be.
ShubertCVGC 2 years ago
The Sentry Box is the only thing in Calgary worth seeing imo.
Jimalcoatl 2 years ago
As much as I do have a lot of PDFs, nothing beats a good-old book in your hands. Starting the smell of a new book, flipping through it, the feel of the book (either the cover or the pages)...
ArchArturo 2 years ago
End Zone games in Clearfield, Utah. Pegasus Hobbies in Montclair, CA. Little Shop of Magic in Las Vegas Nevada. If your in the vicinity of any of those areas and are looking for a decent game shop .. check them out. Good selections, friendly staff, nice large stores with tons of games from RPGs to board games to mini games.
Lordofexcess 2 years ago
I love a nicely stocked game store, too. They are hard to find in new Jersey, since space is so expensive. I either shop at a chain retailer or the game shops are tiny, holes-in-the wall. Still, I love shopping at those little holes in the wall anyway.
NaturalTwentyFilms 2 years ago
My FLGS, Zimmies Inc in Lewiston, Maine, closed down. Or so I've been told, I no longer live in the area.
It's really sad, I spent a long time there when I was younger.
Moterola 2 years ago
I'd honestly love to see more store reviews like this. I used to live in Dallas, so I'd love to send the word out about The Game Chest, located in Valley View Mall. they have a great staff, and will order literally anything you want, even if you're not definitely going to order it. They also have a huge amount of back stock, and have an area to play out in back. I simply cannot gush enough about this store- check it out!
thexder42x 2 years ago
Ahh, The Source. One of the things I miss most about Minnesota, the store that spoiled me...
If you're in the Burbank area of L.A., you might already be familiar with The Last Grenadier, which has a great selection but is sorely in need of cleaning (dust & disorganization, to put it mildly). There's also a newer store called Emerald Knights, whose friendly owner has stated his desire to run his store like a business instead of Mom's basement. Clean, with gaming space and willing to order.
mysterycycle 2 years ago
if your in the southern Riverside or northern San Diego county's in California area i suggest Fun n' Games in lake Elsinore,formerly of Temecula, there staff is friendly ,helpfull and knowledgeable and there selection is ok, but they are more then happy to order something for you, i suggest coming in on the week days cause you'll never find a table on Fridays (for magic) or Saturdays ( allways 2-3 things going on at once) they also carry boardgames and and card games and has a wall o' games.
bakomusha 2 years ago
Sadly our FLGS is becoming a haven for WOTC and Warhammer and not much else in the games department with an emphasis on MTG card tournaments. It used to be much better, but the owner has let the manager more or less turn it into another MTG tourney place 5 days a week (we already had one of these one city over from us). Sad Sad Sad.
unquietsoul 2 years ago
Check out Pegasus games in Madison. You may know them as "pegasuarus games" in the Dork tower comics. Great store!!!!!
densabre 2 years ago
Kurt,
First--I love your show.
Secondly, I was very dissapointed in this installment. Mostly because of your plug for Amazon and then Borders stores.
Those "brick and mortar stores" are mega-corporations who care only about profit and paying thier workers min. wage.
If you are a gamer with $ issues then restrain and save but ABOVE ALL ELSE support your local game store!
I do and Rob and his family appreciate it.
If I bought books from Amazon Rob would be out of work.
steffanralphdelpiano 2 years ago
Comment removed
monstermodelreview 2 years ago
While I appreciate your sentiment, show me the company that doesn't care about profit. Are you aware of any game stores that pay more than minimum wage?
Second, I suspect that old gamers like Kurt and myself, who have been in this hobby for decades, have long paid our dues in supporting the game industry. Disposable cash is harder to come by, and often the alternative is not buying any games at all. Does that help the industry?
mysterycycle 2 years ago
Up here in Canada they pretty well, usually around 12 or more an hour
Andulvar 2 years ago
If you're ever in the State College area, check out the Comic Swap on the corner of Fraiser and College Avenue. Their actual RPG section is only two book shelves but if you REALLY want something they'll be more then happy to order it for you. Waiting period is one or two weeks depending on when you order, they have email prompting, and they even offer to mail it to your house.... at least I think they do. Unfortunately there's less around my stomping grounds in Mountaintop.
commiedeer 2 years ago
The Compleat Strategist in NYC on E 33rd st is pretty good. They got backrooms you can play in too.
MastaThief688 2 years ago
Gotta give a shout-out to the best game stores in Washington State: Merlyn's in Spokane, and The Dreaming in Seattle's University District. The selection they both have can't even compare to the typical d20-only rack at most hobby stores, and the staff is friendly and helpful.
scourge108 2 years ago
Wow, I happen to live in FL, sounds like it would be worth the trip.
lawn0gnome 2 years ago
First ed. game...that core.
acm4bass 2 years ago
Hmm, I don't know what's up but the audio for this is only coming through my left speaker. Checked with another video and we got sound in both.
OriginalNeomoon 2 years ago
My fault, in my haste I forgot to duplicate the audio channel.
Rob
pugknowspro 2 years ago
The FLGS's near here, when it comes to RPGs only have WoD and D&D stuff in store, the former of which I am only mildly interested in and the latter of which I have no interest in whatsoever.
The same goes for the ones that are not so near where I live.
If it wasn't for online gamestores I would never have been able to get my hands on all the CoC and Unisystem stuff that I have. So, sadly, even though I am very willing to support my FLGS I am practically forced to order everything by internet :-(
VoraxTranstellaris 2 years ago
I live in Raleigh. For a while, we had a great place called The Lost Goblin, but it shut down at the start of the year, sadly. The only place I know now in Raleigh is a comic and game shop called Foundation's Edge. It's a nice place, but it's downtown near the university, so I have to drive out of my way and deal with traffic and parking meters and whatnot. Sadly, I buy stuff online a lot since Lost Goblin closed.
BillionSix 2 years ago
Here in Edmonton there isnt any really friendly stores, I hope when i move ill be able to find one and maybe some roleplayers as my cat can roll the dice but cannot role play
Andulvar 2 years ago
"This video is not available in your country due to copyright restrictions. "
Whah? I'm in Canada. What obscure copyright restriction can there be in this show?
F00dog 2 years ago
he basiclly talked about 3 stores and how good they where. nothing you would miss in this episode. since you live in canada and all.
i got to see it. but i live in europe. still entertaining enough.
vinkeveen2 2 years ago
For Europe you can't go wrong with
"Leisure Games" London, UK, (Google it)
Large Range of Games (including many indie games) and Very Nice People,
AntonyPlaza 2 years ago
I have no earthly idea. I'll look into it.
knwiegel 2 years ago
There was nothing different from the last 106 episodes...did you try it again?
pugknowspro 2 years ago
Yep. It works now. Must have been a glitch. Thanks for doing the reviews, Kurt. Game on!
F00dog 2 years ago
Best store in Kansas City is Tabletop Games hands down, plus Phil the owner is a nice guy and a die hard gamer. If you are anywhere in the KC area it is a must go to.
kaosdevice 2 years ago
Sci-Fi City !!!!!! woot woot.
greatest store ever
fullmetalsamurai729 2 years ago
Technically, since you're speaking, it would be slander. As "Spider-Man" has taught me, libel is against the printed word.
But enough about that. I'd like to share with everyone one of my favorite stores.
Visions Cards and Games in Montgomery, AL.
In an area where the stereotype against gamers is enforced, it provides a bastion against the Bible beaters, and they're really well-stocked.
Sadly, I've not found many places in CT that don't kowtow to card players. v_v
AngelSwordAF 2 years ago
I shop at Adventures In Gaming, in Milwaukee. They have a good selection of RPGs, miniatures, and board games; a knowledgeable staff that can order you anything; and a HUGE basement game room.
siefertma 2 years ago
Wow, Number 3 on the list is local to me. It's only a little over an hour's drive, but I haven't gone yet. I will have to change that.
Nice change up on this episode.
michaelsasylum 2 years ago
i have been to games plus many times
vivaladanisawsomes 2 years ago
The best local store here in Cincinnati is YottaQuest
bubbathedm 2 years ago
here in sacramento we have a realy good store called "Great escape games" good staff lots of games and comics and a huge area to game in (1500+ squre feet)
tarboy62 2 years ago
And two recommendations for people who live in the Watertown Area of Wisconsin:
* Pegasus Games in Madison: While it's pretty much one big shelf for RPGs, they do keep a fair variety. Also, the current staff is quite friendly.
* Adventure Games Plus Hobbies in Waukesha. It's a small place managed by one guy, most of the goods are related to wargaming, but if you want to find something out of print, I was able to get a copy of the Bullwinkle and Rocky roleplaying party game for just $20.
AdamLeisemann 2 years ago
I'm from Madison (but haven't lived there for 15 years). Pegasus used to be awesome in the 1980s when they had their State Street store. But then they moved to Canterbury -- and then to the West side. At each move, they became less and less an RPG store. Sad, but I'm sure they did the math as to what sells.
jhbadger 2 years ago
The source Rules!!!
zachrules76 2 years ago 2
Yup! I'm in there every Wednesday for my comic addiction. I ran into the Game Geeks crew there one day. From what I have picked up while hanging out in there, the RPG part of the Source will be shrinking as they're finding competing with PDFs difficult. I think it's their belief that that will be the direction of the industry.
Jeffrywith1e 2 years ago
My local game store only carries a box of rpg books on the floor...well other than D&D which they have thousands of it seems. they also strangely have no world of darkness or savage worlds...
aderier 2 years ago
Sometimes you don't have a Friendly Local Gamestore to go to. I have to drive several hours to get to one that stocks something other than D&D products. That's why I say thank Cthulhu for the internet.
walt776 2 years ago
Same here, we had one a few years ago, it closed now I can only get access to my stuff by the internet, or bookstores it sucks.
RHart51680 2 years ago
games-plus sounds like heaven :) Especially since they let you page through stuff without pestering you. One of the big problems I've run into with a lot of game stores is the rudeness of the staff. I think part of it is that many of them would rather not be working there, or only look at consumers as a money funnel rather than as fellow hobbyists. Even if they're THINKING that, it's nice if they can be friendly for their own business's sake!
nutherefurlong 2 years ago
... Damnit... I envy you sometimes Americans XD
Unfortunely I think my country is way too small for such large stores. There's simply not enough gamers to support such large gaming stores =(
I do support the ones that exists though =)
Bobbo110 2 years ago
Again try "Leisure Games" in London, UK,
They have stocked foreign language games in the past,
AntonyPlaza 2 years ago
I've been to Sci-Fi City in Orlando; it caught my eye as I was trying to detox off of Disney World. It's gigantic, and it's worth a trip to Orlando just to go to this place.
I might mention Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon, not so much for the gaming books (they have a large section), but as a general book store. Seriously, folks, this place is the biggest bookstore in America. It's got five floors of books, complete with an elevator. You can get lost there. I often order from them.
WayfinderX 2 years ago
Speaking of Powell's Books, just a few blocks away is Powell's Technical Books, for the geeks in all of us. This place is amazing. I've found books in there that would be very hard to find outside of a university. I've found books on aerodynamics, bridge construction, demolition, and things that I probably shouldn't mention. Not that it's sordid, but that it might be too dangerous to have in the wrong hands.
WayfinderX 2 years ago
I started to exclusively buy my rpg books from Amazon, simply because i save around 20 $ a book. You see the standard store price of rpg books in Denmark is 60 $, so by buying them online I get them a whole lot cheaper, even with shipping and handling.
I would like to support the few gamestores that are in Denmark (we have about three chains, with 2-3 stores each) I dont feel like paying more just because of that.
Barl3000 2 years ago
I went to a gaming store on my honeymoon as well. I don't have any local FLGS. But I try and support those that are in the area when I travel. I've had a lot of luck lately buying used off of Amazon. I got an Eberron book for $0.99 recently. I have found quite a few books in the under $6 range. Even with $4 shipping it's a deal.
tetsubo57 2 years ago
i got to a book store they usualy have table top rpg books in a section some where, waterstones if you ever heard of it. or i just go to a local p'n'p rpg store one in manchester called fanboy 3
swordmonkey05 2 years ago
Yay! I Live right next to The Source!
(Best. Store. Ever.)
Do you live in MN?
soiledshortz 2 years ago
Nope, Eau Claire WI
pugknowspro 2 years ago
Hwy 94 neighbor!
soiledshortz 2 years ago
Those places look like heaven...
LifegrindX 2 years ago
third
bobthedwarf1 2 years ago
I've been to Games Plus a couple times and it is a terrific shop!
I'm guessing you're like me, Kurt... Whenever I travel, I always check and see if there are any game shops that I might be able to check out while visiting a city, state or country (and yes, I have a wonderful, supportive and incredibly patient wife, as well).
Ogma01 2 years ago
I have to buy all of my books online because i live in England through the Airforce, and the only place that carries RPG books is the Shoppette and they only have DnD 4.0...
Yuk...
tobo88 2 years ago
Try leisure games in London and online, it's very good. There's also the various different Travelling Man shops (Leeds, York, Manchester, online etc.), and Fanboy3 in Manchester. Some of the Forbidden Planets in England are good too.
Plenty of non D&D is usually available in all of these.
Dolphinandrew 2 years ago