Classic Video Store Pictures and Experiences

[tubeway]

Hey folks, do any of you have photos from the video stores from your youth? In particular, the video game aisles where you'd rent games. I'm feeling nostalgic. Also, talk about your experiences visiting the store, renting games, and anything else relating to it.

[tubeway]

I remember a local video store had these little circular plastic tags with numbers written on them for each item they had for rent. They hung them on little pegs in front of each box out on display, and they would have multiple tags if they had multiple copies in stock. I remember going crazy trying to find the tag if all the copies of a favorite NES game were rented, checking adjacent pegs in case the tag was misplaced. Several times I found they were, and I think it was purposely done by other kids.

I also remember walking down the aisle of NES games looking at all the boxes, and noticing how many of the games had "Top Arcade Hit!" and "Assload Sold in Japan!" I took their word on it, and found a lot of best selling games in Japan to be pretty much crap.

When I was little, one of the cooler things was getting to know the folks that ran these mom and pop video stores. Sometimes I would come in and they would tell me about new games they'd just gotten in that day, but hadn't had a chance to put out on the shelf. I remember them getting Bubble Bobble and the guy at the counter recommending it. One of the best NES titles I ever played. I think I ended up paying a week's worth of late fees because I didn't want to take it back.

[alexkidd2000]

Haha I used to hide the tags during the week so that it would be in when I rented on the weekend.

[crom]

haha I used to hide the tags too...

I remember Jumbo video used to have popcorn for free when you walked in,

no pics though :(

[Oobgarm]

We had a video store down the street that I used to ride my bike to on a semi-daily basis. The nice lady there let me rent NES games for free.

[TurboGenesis]

I had worked in a video game store while I was in high school… unfortunately the pictures are with the owner… whom I have not spoke with in about 10+ years now… It would be nice to see those pictures again… the album used to be under the counter at the store.

and regarding "tags" anyone remember when Toys R Us used to have tags to purchase games? I used to take the tags and save them for when I would have enough money to buy them. I still have a couple today that I snap a picture of:

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa231/Sonic__R/SANY0112.jpg