I'm going to London, England for 7 days. Anything VG related I MUST see?

[PFCHudson]

I've never been to London before and probably won't be back again soon. I'd like to know if you have suggestions on any classic video gaming stores, exhibits, art or whatever that I shouldn't miss. I won't be spending a lot of money on purchases as the exchange rate is murder, but I would like to see part of the scene while I'm there. Please take the time to give me some ideas.

Thanks.

[poloplayr]

I've never been to London before and probably won't be back again soon. I'd like to know if you have suggestions on any classic video gaming stores, exhibits, art or whatever that I shouldn't miss. I won't be spending a lot of money on purchases as the exchange rate is murder, but I would like to see part of the scene while I'm there. Please take the time to give me some ideas.

Thanks.

Unfortunately the retrogaming scene sucks here. The odd couple of shops are not worth visiting. Trust me.

I would however suggest you go visit Trocadero which houses a multi-level arcade very close to Piccadilly Circus.

If you need any other suggestions then do let me know.

[98PaceCar]

Just did a short trip to London myself. All I brought back gaming wise was a Spectrum ZX +2 setup. I wasn't there long enough to hit any stores other than the Game in Victoria Station, but from what I remember from a trip a few years back there aren't too many really good stores with a retro selection.

I'm sure Mayhem will be along to give you the real details soon! He knows the area a bit better than I do! :)

Actually, since you have a week you could try making a trip to Paris. Centered around the Republique Station area there are 3 really good stores and about 5-7 others that are decent. Look up Maxxi games for an example. There is a lower level to their store that is broken out by manufacturer and has an AMAZING selection of Japanese retro stuff. Getting to Paris is pretty simple, just take the Eurostar through the chunnel and you'll be there in 3 hours or so.

[RCM]

I was there in September and can echo there isn't much to see in terms of videogames, classic or otherwise. I remember a Namco arcade by the Globe Theater.

I first went in the mid-90s and hung at Sega World, which is long gone. Pretty remarkable set up, seven levels or so with a lot of big rig cabs and rare stuff I haven't encountered before or since including the Sonic 2D arcade game. The highlight was several test versions of Virtua Fighter 3 which had cabs unlike I encountered in the states. i have pics somewhere.

[InsaneDavid]

If anything you can probably pick up one of the old Arsenal FC jerseys from the Sega sponsorship years for cheaper than they go for in North America.

Here's mine...

http://www.classicplastic.net/digitalpress/finds/DP-Finds-2010-10-07(03).jpg

I'd like to visit myself one day but it would mainly be for heritage railways.

[Leo_A]

I'd like to visit myself one day but it would mainly be for heritage railways.

If you love steam, Britian is definitely the place to visit.

[Mayhem]

Sadly there ain't much in the capital. Retro is pretty dead, but there are some decent arcades to spend money on.

[tom]

Maybe you can try
http://www.retrogames.co.uk/
in Bletchley near London.
I don't know if he still has his little shop (besides mail-order), but I do know that Jason is very enthusiastic about meeting retro fans from abroad.

I have seen games being sold in Portobello Road open on saturdays, but mostly C64/ZX tapes, nothing special. In the odd second-hand shops you will find games sometimes, don't know if Oxfam still carries them, worth a try.

Since CEX closed shop, it's pretty dead for Retro in London, you gotta go inwards, Bournemouth might still have Video Games, a retro gaming shop selling some cool Japanese stuff too.

[poloplayr]

I was there in September and can echo there isn't much to see in terms of videogames, classic or otherwise. I remember a Namco arcade by the Globe Theater.

I first went in the mid-90s and hung at Sega World, which is long gone. Pretty remarkable set up, seven levels or so with a lot of big rig cabs and rare stuff I haven't encountered before or since including the Sonic 2D arcade game. The highlight was several test versions of Virtua Fighter 3 which had cabs unlike I encountered in the states. i have pics somewhere.

The Namco arcade is indeed still around (I believe!), it's in the same building as the London Aquarium. Sort of close to the London Eye (and the Globe)

The arcade at Trocadero is the old Sega World.

[poloplayr]

Sadly there ain't much in the capital. Retro is pretty dead, but there are some decent arcades to spend money on.

What do you say; you think it would be worth a visit to Game Focus on Goodge Street? Their stock is thinning dramatically last time I was there though...and the CEX is nearby.... to my mind, it's not worth the trip...

[Mayhem]

I don't know if he still has his little shop (besides mail-order), but I do know that Jason is very enthusiastic about meeting retro fans from abroad.
Jason closed the shops years ago... blimey, seems an age now. I used to visit there every so often, stupidly high prices sometimes, but it did mean I got great value on trade ins when I did find a bargain...

[PFCHudson]

It's unfortunate (and surprising) that there isn't much of a retro scene in London. I had assumed that I would be able to frolic down the aisles of some classic videogame store, running past the Spectrum, BBC Micro, Atari ST, Megadrive, and other wonderful things. Oh well, I will still check out that arcade near Picadilly. I haven't been to a proper arcade since I was in Vegas in 2008. I'd try Paris but I don't think it's possible to make the side trip. Thanks for all your dreary replies, if you see a Canadian walking along looking down at the pavement you'll know it's me. I'll just drown my sorrows in some local pub, I understand that there is no shortage of those in London.

[RCM]

There's a huge retro scene in London-- just not for games, heh.

[tom]

What do you say; you think it would be worth a visit to Game Focus on Goodge Street? Their stock is thinning dramatically last time I was there though...and the CEX is nearby.... to my mind, it's not worth the trip...

Wow, so CEX still there, just the CEX Retro shop is no more :-( Shame. I remember buying a Gamate and 6 boxed games there for a tenner. And a brandnew Touch Me for GBP 50

Of course there's always Cash Converters, full of stolen goods from kids. Found some decent MegaDrive and CDi stuff there back in the days.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

The Namco arcade is indeed still around (I believe!), it's in the same building as the London Aquarium. Sort of close to the London Eye (and the Globe)

The arcade at Trocadero is the old Sega World.

The arcade at the London eye/aquarium was still there as of last year. Mostly redemption games, but some decent mini sized American Bowling lanes and a good selection of the standard driving and oversized cabinets that you'd find in movie theatre lobbies.

I was living in London in 98-99 when SegaWorld in the Trocadero was still around and owned/operated by Sega (and Pepsi?), and seeing the shape of the Trocadero and the businesses that now inhabit it as of last year I nearly shed a tear.

[poloplayr]

It's unfortunate (and surprising) that there isn't much of a retro scene in London. I had assumed that I would be able to frolic down the aisles of some classic videogame store, running past the Spectrum, BBC Micro, Atari ST, Megadrive, and other wonderful things. Oh well, I will still check out that arcade near Picadilly. I haven't been to a proper arcade since I was in Vegas in 2008. I'd try Paris but I don't think it's possible to make the side trip. Thanks for all your dreary replies, if you see a Canadian walking along looking down at the pavement you'll know it's me. I'll just drown my sorrows in some local pub, I understand that there is no shortage of those in London.

Let me know what area you're staying in and I can help you out with non-gaming suggestions for cool stuff as well.

[poloplayr]

The arcade at the London eye/aquarium was still there as of last year. Mostly redemption games, but some decent mini sized American Bowling lanes and a good selection of the standard driving and oversized cabinets that you'd find in movie theatre lobbies.

I was living in London in 98-99 when SegaWorld in the Trocadero was still around and owned/operated by Sega (and Pepsi?), and seeing the shape of the Trocadero and the businesses that now inhabit it as of last year I nearly shed a tear.

Just realised that there is a small shop on the ground floor of Trocadero which sells anime and gaming merchandise from Japan. Worth a visit.

[tom]

Just realised that there is a small shop on the ground floor of Trocadero which sells anime and gaming merchandise from Japan. Worth a visit.

OOh the Japan SHop's still going, yes it has some nice stuff. Way back they were selling Japanese PlayStation games, until the law forbid it.

How about the big toy shop, last time I went there in like 1999, they were still selling SNES games for GBP 70.00

Also, still worth visiting perhaps is Chinatown? That's where I always saw and picked up lots of GB multi carts and other gaming stuff. Also, loads of VCDs used to be had in Chinatown, maybe these shops still exist?

[PFCHudson]

I'm happy I'm seeing a little more in the way of suggestions.

I will absolutely check out Chinatown, maybe see some bootleg stuff. I'll also be there for the food, as I am a fan of Chinese cuisine.

I will also take a look at that Japanese shop. I've been doing a fair bit more importing since I picked up a Japanese Saturn, Neo Geo and a Turbo Duo.

I'll be staying in Shoreditch at the RE. I'd love some ideas for non-gaming fun. In particular I would like to know what pubs (in Shoreditch) I should look for. We will also need to have a fair amount of cheap lunches/suppers while we stay in London in and around the downtown/tourist areas. Finally I would appreciate some recommendations for Indian restaurants, can't come to the centre of the universe and NOT have some curry.

Thanks again for the help.

[c2000]

I would however suggest you go visit Trocadero which houses a multi-level arcade very close to Piccadilly Circus.



That.

[poloplayr]

I'm happy I'm seeing a little more in the way of suggestions.

I will absolutely check out Chinatown, maybe see some bootleg stuff. I'll also be there for the food, as I am a fan of Chinese cuisine.

I will also take a look at that Japanese shop. I've been doing a fair bit more importing since I picked up a Japanese Saturn, Neo Geo and a Turbo Duo.

I'll be staying in Shoreditch at the RE. I'd love some ideas for non-gaming fun. In particular I would like to know what pubs (in Shoreditch) I should look for. We will also need to have a fair amount of cheap lunches/suppers while we stay in London in and around the downtown/tourist areas. Finally I would appreciate some recommendations for Indian restaurants, can't come to the centre of the universe and NOT have some curry.

Thanks again for the help.

I will ask friends in Shoreditch for suggestions for pubs, don't know the area too well since I live in South Kensington (other side of London) - but you should find some very authentic indian places (however note that 99% of the "indian" food in the UK is actually made by Bangladeshis apparently) in Brick Lane, which is more or less in Shoreditch. Also go to Brick Lane on a weekend to check out all the hipsters. Some hot fashion chicks and guys just trying too hard.

As for China Town, I don't know the shops here too well, more being a fan of Japanese food. I can recommend the ramen shops on Brewer Street in Soho (just by China Town more or less).

http://www.rameniac.com/reviews/comments/ten-ten-tei_london/
http://www.rameniac.com/reviews/comments/taro_london/
http://www.rameniac.com/reviews/comments/ryo_london/
http://www.rameniac.com/reviews/comments/ramen-seto_london/

[poloplayr]

Also, I usually pick up gaming/anime magazines here fresh from Japan:

http://www.japancentre.com/

It's just off Piccadilly Circus. Great place for cheap but GREAT sushi other jap dishes as well for lunch.

[boatofcar]

I worked at Oxfam for a year when I was living in England and not once did I see a console game. It was all PC. We did get a random Gremlins for NES box though :)

The only retro stuff I saw while I was there was in the York Castle museum. They had a display with some games and systems.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2735/4290514755_8ecfe1dff2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnshawler/4290514755/)
I'd never seen this Pong machine before. I assumed it was some kind of rebranded Odyssey.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2743/4290514161_90c5c2c79d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnshawler/4290514161/)
I believe this is the computer that became the BBC Micro, but some native UKers can correct me on this :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/4291253212_ebcbd45669.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnshawler/4291253212/)
Two things I'd never seen in person before: a Master System II and its port of Sonic 2.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4290512471_b2d92c21e7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnshawler/4290512471/)
Dual screen Game&Watch next to a DS...whoever set this up knows their history, for sure.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2691/4290511733_a0e04efcbb.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnshawler/4290511733/)
Hero Turtles...hehe :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/4290511079_a354905db2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnshawler/4290511079/)
My clumsy attempt to take a photo of the whole case. Sorry that one didn't come out well. There's a ZX Spectrum on the right I forgot to take an individual pic of.

[boatofcar]

Oh, I forgot to mention, you can take a train from London to York in less than 3 hours. It's worth going to see. It's England as England should be--without the dirt, riffraff outside the sports betting places, and scary drunks :)

[Mayhem]

I'd never seen this Pong machine before. I assumed it was some kind of rebranded Odyssey.

I believe this is the computer that became the BBC Micro, but some native UKers can correct me on this :)
The Binatone was a multi sports Pong clone. I had one, it was my first taste of videogaming before getting a 2600 and playing arcade machines pre-crash. And the Electron was actually like a budget version of the BBC Micro series, in a similar way that Commodore produced the 16 and Plus 4 ranges off the C64.

[4ever2600]

Dude, rescue the princess! That'd be VG related... Kinda technically! :)

[4ever2600]

Whoops, Bowser moved her to another castle...