Recapture your childhood at a video game store in NYC, where you can find old-school games, superhero T-shirts and even action figures of characters found in comic book stores (you know you want one). To dig up the best shops in the city, we polled frequent patrons and gaming experts to get their thoughts on why video game stores and electronic stores shouldn’t be obsolete, despite a little thing called the internet. After all, there’s a reason bars with games are one of our go-to first date ideas.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to shopping in NYC
“This is a great place to pick up a used game in particular. I just got Pokémon Gold for Game Boy—something I’ve been after forever.”—Blinne Trainor, customer
This location offers a swap-meet style marketplace for hip gamers, where you can even trade that old game you’re tired of for a new (but still retro) one. 503 84th St, Brooklyn (917-246-2935, gothamcitygaming.com)
“This isn’t really where you’d go to buy games—it’s where you go to play them.”—Jonathan Florez, customer
This windowless downtown den is a favorite among the Super Smash Bros. tournament set, as well as card-players with a fantasy bend. (Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering, etc.) Its customers tend to be close-knit regulars, but the vibe at large is friendly. Its most serious defect is probably the colors of the walls, which are painted with violently contrasting shades of yellow and purple for reasons perhaps best left nebulous. 145 Ridge St (212-477-9999, nebulousgaming.com)
“This place is freakin’ massive. They have everything. I always get a ton of stuff at a good price.”—Lucas Brinker, customer
With a knowledgeable staff and a wide selection (said staff will usually order whatever they don’t have) this spot can be your one-stop shop when you need a T-shirt, video game and action figure of your favorite obscure superhero. (Air-Walker is a big deal, you guys.) 3027 Middletown Rd (718-892-0402, nycollectorcave.com)
“This is where I go when I need to outfit myself with old-school classic games. If you have a retro console, I’d highly recommend it.”—Jeff Weinreb, gaming expert
This is a store defined by sleek organization and efficiency, and its focus is on providing actual games over anything else. No matter what your set-up, from Sega Dreamcast to PS4, they’ve got you covered. 1026 Ave of the Americas (212-233-3399, jnlgame.com)
“The customer service at this location is unreal. Once, I bought a game that was bust, and when I brought it back they just gave a new one on the spot!”—Philip Hartman, customer
Check out this spot for games you thought you could only buy in Japan. There’s also a staff that knows the customer comes first, treating you with the respect of a last-level Boss. 202 E 6th St (212-539-1039, videogamesnewyork.com)
“Game Champ is freaking excellent if you need a game. Or if you need a really solid repair on something—even if it’s an old-ass system.”—Mehran Vafamand, customer
This small Staten Island store manages to boast a wide selection and provides repairs for your Xbox 360 in case you accidentally hurled the controller at the wall. It also hosts gaming tournaments with a measly $3 entry fee. 1396 Forest Ave, Staten Island (718-727-0801)
Discover Time Out original video
