Thoughts on Arizonas "Games +"

[GOLDEN KEYS]

Every now and then I'll google "classic game stores" in my area in hopes of tracking down some hidden gem that will be my next source of gaming material. I found this place called "Games +" in Mesa, AZ that had some mixed reviews and some just plain odd ones (someone was ranting about how the store employees were a bunch of racists).

We tracked it down and my first impression was just... WOAH.

Tons of SMS, Genesis, NES, SNES, and 2600 carts. Also found about 15-20 Odyssey 2 carts and 5200 carts and LOTS of other stuff. The first thing that struck me was how everything was just strewn about the store... as I was looking through the huge case of 2600 games (probably 200 unique titles and another 100 or so doubles of those) I had to move a box full of Atari 2600 conoles and PS1's to see the rest of them. On top of that box was a Vectrex laying on it's side. I asked if it work and if it was for sale. The guy said it was and that it was $200. Another box next to it with random consoles had an Odyssey 2 laying on top.

Anyway, I ask how much the 2600 carts are and he said they were mostly under $10 but some were more. I guess I should mention they don't price anything in their store... you have to ask how much each individual game is. So I grab "Haunted House" and another random space title for the 2600 and ask the guy how much. He grabs them and gets on his computer and does a search on both (I'm guessing Ebay?) and tells me "Haunted House" is $5 and the other is $4.

I put them both back and headed for the NES row. The rarer games were in a glass case, which i didn't bother with after learning the prices on their other items. They had a wall of commons (maybe like 1000 carts with lots of doubles). I had about half of them but I asked how much the carts on the wall were. He said none were over $15 but wouldn't specify anything else. It felt like someone knocked the wind out of me. $15??? I didn't pay more than $1-$3 for any of the ones I had on that wall. I didn't see any game on that wall that would be worth even $7-$8.

My wife was perusing the N64 section and we noticed none of the games were less than $10. "Madden 2001" was marked at $12. We left shortly after and I told the guy "thanks" but didn't get a response.


Let me say this... their selection of games is outstanding. I loved it. I also thought it was great how they had some nice classic consoles sitting out for sale. I'm just dumbfounded as to how they can thrive with their prices. It also completely perplexed me as to why they don't put stickers with prices on any of their games or other items for sale. I mean, is this a flea market? Am I supposed to haggle with them? I really think the guy just searched completed auctions on Ebay and priced the game against the highest comparable on there.

Now... I'm just curious if any of you AZ gamers know of this place? Any thoughts? Also, if any of the stores employees or friends of the place post here, I really am not bashing you guys. I'm just a little confused.

[fergojisan]

I was there a few months after they opened, which was at least 3 years ago, and it sounds like it hasn't changed any. No prices on anything, they told me they were trying to get to that. I can't stand when things aren't priced, because as you said, there's a lot of stuff there, and you don't want to bring everything up and ask for a price (especially if they have to look it up on eBay or wherever). I did get a sealed 7800 Super Skateboardin', but I didn't care how much it was, as it was one of the last 7800 boxes I needed. I think it was 20 bucks. At the time I was there, I didn't think the store would last long, but I guess I was wrong. If I'm not mistaken, one of the guys said that they were in a flea market previously, but I'm not sure. There are members here in your area who knew more about it at the time, hopefully they will chime in.

[PeteJames]

I live in Tucson...but I've made my way there a few times. It's the kinda store where I like to go in and look around, but I've never felt compelled to buy anything becuase of how they price. I prefer to go to Bookman's where they do more flat rate pricing, and prices are clearly marked.

[Flack]

I just don't understand this pricing scheme at all. If I wanted eBay prices, I would just go to eBay!! I also hate stores that don't price things.

[Reverend JagDiesel]

I tried to buy Games+ when the original owner, Renny, was selling it. He never gave me a price, so I made him offers for all 3 stores (yes, there used to be 3 of these). The new owners kept the same philosophy of throw shit everywhere, don't have a price on anything, and use eBay as your pricing source.
Pretty sad.
What's worse is that about 8 years ago, Renny sold off all of his pre-NES (plus Jaguar, 3do, cdi) for about $5000. That stuff, back then, would've been worth 10 times that, especially all the sealed 2600/5200/7800 games. I offered him more but he never took me seriously. Hell, I pulled out my mastercard and said "charge it, close up, and i'll get everything tonight".
I avoid Games+ except to get rid of crap dupes and busted systems. They will take anything for trade and actually pay decent cash for anything pre-NES, working or not.
I prefer Bookman's...

[ZiLL]

There is a store around here called "Fair Play" that I happened on the other day. Everything is priced, but it is so overpriced I don't know how they stay in business. $107 for FF VII? $20 for loose 32x carts? Do people really pay these insane prices?!?!

[Steve W]

It also completely perplexed me as to why they don't put stickers with prices on any of their games or other items for sale. I mean, is this a flea market?

Shoot, the games guy out at my local flea market has everything priced. And he's got the proverbial dung-load of games, records, and vintage stuff out there. If he can bother, then I don't see how a legitimate business in a real storefront can't put out the effort. Unless they're so greedy they think that changing trends in prices means they might miss out and lose a buck on some game that spikes in price, like Michael Jackson's Moonwalker.

[Kitsune Sniper]

There is a store around here called "Fair Play" that I happened on the other day. Everything is priced, but it is so overpriced I don't know how they stay in business. $107 for FF VII? $20 for loose 32x carts? Do people really pay these insane prices?!?!

There's a guy at a Tennessee flea market (I forgot what city it was, sorry) that charged $120 for Final Fantasy VII GH (after a discount) and $70 for the Metal Gear Solid three-pack.

I almost punched him when he tried to sell me stuff. Goddamn.

[jcalder8]

There's a guy at a Tennessee flea market (I forgot what city it was, sorry) that charged $120 for Final Fantasy VII GH (after a discount) and $70 for the Metal Gear Solid three-pack.

I almost punched him when he tried to sell me stuff. Goddamn.
I always wonder how much people like that pay for trade ins.

[GOLDEN KEYS]

to those who mentioned they prefer bookmans...

that also struck me as odd considering their proximity to the bookmans mesa location, where all atari carts are $1 and common nes games are in the $3-$5 range. of course, their selection of atari games is WEAK. i mean, seriously, they have a constant stock that consists of lots of copies of combat, asteroids, pacman, defender and hardly anything else. i've stopped going there on a weekly basis and just stop in once or twice a month and they'll usually have a couple 2600 carts that i don't have. they rarely get new ones in.

the phoenix bookmans, on the other hand, is great. i stop by every other week and they almost always have an atari or intellivision game i don't have. what's even more awesome is all of their atari carts are $.50 no matter what the title. they've also recently added a clearance section where all nes, snes, n64, genesis and sms games are $1. even in the regular stock area, you can find nes games for $2.

the downside of bookmans is that you won't find 5200 carts or odyssey carts or a vectrex for sale, there. they also over price their systems severely... $60 for an nes, $45 for a 2600, $50 for a sms, etc.

[tomaitheous]

the phoenix bookmans, on the other hand, is great. i stop by every other week and they almost always have an atari or intellivision game i don't have. what's even more awesome is all of their atari carts are $.50 no matter what the title. they've also recently added a clearance section where all nes, snes, n64, genesis and sms games are $1. even in the regular stock area, you can find nes games for $2.

the downside of bookmans is that you won't find 5200 carts or odyssey carts or a vectrex for sale, there. they also over price their systems severely... $60 for an nes, $45 for a 2600, $50 for a sms, etc.

The Wilmot Bookmans in Tucson had such a sale as well. I picked up a lot of NES and Genesis loose carts for $1 each. Not bad. Not bad at all. I recently bought a stack of TG16 games for $2.70 each. They all had the case/manual/card protector sleeves. The other two bookmans in Tucson aren't as nice as the Wilmot one. The Grant is OK and I hardly ever go to the Thornydale store.

Never been to any bookmans outside of Tucson.

[GOLDEN KEYS]

The Wilmot Bookmans in Tucson had such a sale as well. I picked up a lot of NES and Genesis loose carts for $1 each. Not bad. Not bad at all. I recently bought a stack of TG16 games for $2.70 each. They all had the case/manual/card protector sleeves. The other two bookmans in Tucson aren't as nice as the Wilmot one. The Grant is OK and I hardly ever go to the Thornydale store.

Never been to any bookmans outside of Tucson.

i've never been to any of the tucson bookmans locations but will be heading up there within the next month or so. do they all carry a lot of classic gaming stuff? how far back do they go as far as systems they sell for?

by the way, why the hell do you guys get THREE bookmans locations and the ENTIRE eegees franchise? haha...

[GOLDEN KEYS]

...No prices on anything, they told me they were trying to get to that...

also, as i mentioned in my first post... it appeared that a lot of the N64 games did have prices. maybe they are planning to eventually price their merchandise.

or maybe they tried before and gave up part way through LOL

[tomaitheous]

i've never been to any of the tucson bookmans locations but will be heading up there within the next month or so. do they all carry a lot of classic gaming stuff? how far back do they go as far as systems they sell for?

by the way, why the hell do you guys get THREE bookmans locations and the ENTIRE eegees franchise? haha...

eegees ftw! Hmmm.. a lemon/strawberry mix and a side of ranch-fries.

Classic in that you mean pre NES/SMS? From time to time. The Grant location had more of the pre-nes/sms stuff. All of them have nes/genesis/snes/sms/n64 etc stuff. Seems to come in waves. BUT(!)...<_<....>_>...<_<.... you have to complete with local bookmans scouters. I once scooped up a full GG setup; official sega GG carrying case(suit case style), sms converter, gg unit, gamegenie+book of codes, screen magnifier, tv tuner, ac plug, 25+ gg games for $60. Woo-weee. Scouters=0; gamer =1 :eek 2:

[GOLDEN KEYS]

eegees ftw! Hmmm.. a lemon/strawberry mix and a side of ranch-fries.

Classic in that you mean pre NES/SMS? From time to time. The Grant location had more of the pre-nes/sms stuff. All of them have nes/genesis/snes/sms/n64 etc stuff. Seems to come in waves. BUT(!)...<_<....>_>...<_<.... you have to complete with local bookmans scouters. I once scooped up a full GG setup; official sega GG carrying case(suit case style), sms converter, gg unit, gamegenie+book of codes, screen magnifier, tv tuner, ac plug, 25+ gg games for $60. Woo-weee. Scouters=0; gamer =1 :eek 2:

cool, is your game gear case the hard shell style with the straps and gg logo on the outside? i picked up one of those with a nice gg system/ac adapter and a few games inside for ten bucks at the chandler savers. i didn't get all of that other shit, though. good find.

by the way, any good thrift stores i should check out when i'm there? also, what are your thoughts on the loft cinemas? it seems like your equivalent to our scottsdale harkins camelview... accept the loft serves alcohol, haha.

[TOE-NEE]

Here in Tucson there used to be a pawn shop called Americana that had so much classic gaming stuff that it would make your head spin. I heard they changed the name and moved to a new location. Trying to find more info on it.

[Paet]

Games+ sucks.

Yes, they actually check eBay prices before they sell you an item. I tried to buy a CIB copy of Breakout for the 2600. It had a sticker that said $1.50, but when I took it up to the counter he said it was $25. I said, "bullshit," and he let me see the computer and showed me where it was a BIN on eBay for $25.

I told him if I wanted to shop on eBay, then I would, and I have never been back since. That was years ago.

It's too bad they're so... well, stupid. Aside from Bookman's, they're the only game in town. They had Odyssey^2, Vectrex, and some other more uncommon items that you don't usually see at Bookman's.

[Steve W]

Games+ sucks.

Yes, they actually check eBay prices before they sell you an item. I tried to buy a CIB copy of Breakout for the 2600. It had a sticker that said $1.50, but when I took it up to the counter he said it was $25. I said, "bullshit," and he let me see the computer and showed me where it was a BIN on eBay for $25.

I told him if I wanted to shop on eBay, then I would, and I have never been back since. That was years ago.
What I want to know is, who on God's green Earth would ever pay $25 for fucking Breakout? I'd buy it if there was a blowjob from a hot girl included, but I can't imagine ever paying that much for a copy, even if it were boxed and shrinkwrapped.

[Sosage]

Crazy how everyone mentioned Bookmans. My Mom recently moved to Tucson and every time I visit her I have to make a trip to the two Bookmans out there to fill up the holes in my collection. I don't know of ANY BnM out here in Northern Cali that offers prices as reasonable as Bookmans out in Tucson. You guys have a really nice resource out there and I'd totally recommend checking them out (your Flea Market, on the other hand, is some overpriced ganky ass shrinkwrapped BOOOOOOSHIT ;P).

Oh. Sorry. I dunno about Games+. Is that near Tucson?

[LiquidPolicenaut]

I recently moved here to Scottsdale and was wondering if any independent gaming stores existed out here. I now must go to the aforementioned Bookmans in Phoenix...sounds promising :)

[Hwj_Chim]

I recently moved here to Scottsdale and was wondering if any independent gaming stores existed out here. I now must go to the aforementioned Bookmans in Phoenix...sounds promising :)

Also check out the Bookmans in Mesa. That is also a great store.

[darkslime]

I'm in Tucson also, and also love Bookman's. I live a few blocks away from the Speedway and Wilmot location and check it out at least once a week, almost always finding either stuff for my collection or stuff to flip.

GOLDEN KEYS, their selection is kind of random, they just take whatever is traded in. If you are looking for pre-NES though, selection is very small. They have a little shelf with $1 NES, SNES, and Genesis games and when they rarely get atari games they will just throw them on that shelf and price them $1 no matter what game and what condition. Most of the time if a system is traded in with it they'll just bundle them with the system and sell it for $50. >_>

The Grant and Campbell location is decent, prices are higher though. I don't think they have any pre-NES though. They do get lots of imports traded in though for various systems, enough that there is a whole rack filled with them, and Genesis games are flat rate priced at $5. This is good and bad. I've found stuff like ToeJam and Earl and Mutant League Hockey for $5 but Madden 94 will also be $5.

I don't really know about the Bookman's on Ina because its pretty far away and I've only been there a couple times.

If you're looking for thrifts / pawns/ etc, just drive down Speedway Blvd, there are tons of them. :D But they're usually cleaned out by me because I live right by there.

And for indie game stores the only one I can think of is Metro Gnome Music, because Bookman's basically has a monopoly on that market. Its on Speedway and Rosemont or Swan I think, they have a good selection and reasonable prices on most stuff, stacks of games in display cases.

[-hellvin-]

Hmmm...interesting to see this store talked about again. It's about as awesome as contracting rabies up your ass. If the store burned down with all the games inside it I would not shed a tear.