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View Full Version : Any stores in Des Moines, IA?


pacmanhat
06-17-2005, 05:37 PM
I'm here (in Des Moines) for the weekend w/ my fiancee because of a commitment she has, and I'm wondering if there might be any game stores (aside from the typical ones, that is) around here that I might be able to peruse while she's off doing her thing. Can anyone help me out?
Mattiekrome
06-17-2005, 08:58 PM
Some girl and her aunt just won an all expenses paid trip to Des Moines earlier this week from our Charlotte radio station. They played a game called "airline roulette" with a wheel and like 12 destinations. Some were awesome (Nassau Bahamas, New Oreleans, New York) and some sucked (Des Moines IA, Vicksburg MS, Pasco WA). She ended up winning her trip to Des Moines, and from what they were saying on the radio there really isnt much more than Farming that goes on out there. I'm sure there has to be some kind of VG stores since it is a fairly big place. Good luck with it, let us know what you find :)
FABombjoy
06-18-2005, 12:52 AM
There are some good thrift stores out there. I was in Des Moines on business a few years ago & I had some decent scores... especially the DAV store on the east side of town. Sorry I can't be much more specific, but it has been a while.
shai hulud
06-18-2005, 03:07 AM
do you know what the queers are doing to the soil in Des Moines Iowa?



anyway Gamers (gogamers.com) seems to be a regional chain with a few stores fairly close to Des Moines
mjluther
06-19-2005, 11:25 AM
No clue about game stores, but, I can recommend a short drive north from Des Moines to visit the lovely town of Luther, founded by my great, great grandfather (approximate population: 205).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v692/mjluther/ParkCrop.jpg
8bitnes
07-07-2005, 09:11 PM
Gamers isn't too bad of a store. There is one in Des Moines. There was also a Funcoland which is now a GameStop. They are on the same street and within about 10 minutes of the airport. (East on Army Post Rd, North on SE 14th St). Gamers has just about everything 1985 and newer. GameStop is Gameboy and newer, but no SNES, and no Sega. SE Des Moines is the older part of town and so there are tons of thrift and pawn shops around that area too. There is also an EBGames in Ankeny which is 10 miles north of the metro area and another Gamers and GameStop in Ames (Go Cyclones!) which is about 30 miles north of the metro.

My best find in Des Moines was Top Loader and a SNES, DW2,DW3,DW4,FF1,FF2,FF3 all complete in box as well as about 30 other games all for $50.
UnInformer
07-08-2005, 12:54 AM
do you know what the queers are doing to the soil in Des Moines Iowa?



anyway Gamers (gogamers.com) seems to be a regional chain with a few stores fairly close to Des Moines
Ah yes...The Dead Milkmen....

And yes, there is at least one Gamers in Des Moines. I only know that because Gamers is based here and they have a list of where all their stores are. Never been to any of the ones outside Omaha, no idea how good or bad they are. If they are all alike, expect a good selection but some high prices.
8bitnes
07-08-2005, 01:27 AM
do you know what the queers are doing to the soil in Des Moines Iowa?



anyway Gamers (gogamers.com) seems to be a regional chain with a few stores fairly close to Des Moines
Ah yes...The Dead Milkmen....

And yes, there is at least one Gamers in Des Moines. I only know that because Gamers is based here and they have a list of where all their stores are. Never been to any of the ones outside Omaha, no idea how good or bad they are. If they are all alike, expect a good selection but some high prices.

Totally agree on that they have a good selection. Also all of them are setup the same. I visited my first in 1998 in Omaha and most recently two weeks ago in Ames. I've been to 2 in Omaha and 3 in Iowa. Many prices are right on with the going price on ebay with the occassional good deal. I've never seen anything priced so high that I thought it would sit for eternity. The one on 72nd in Omaha is the only one that I recall having seen arcade machines ... it's also the biggest I've seen. They've been popping up more frequently in Iowa typically in a shared building .. two of which I think have a Quiznos sub-shop next door.
MegaManFan
07-08-2005, 01:42 AM
Gamers isn't too bad of a store. There is one in Des Moines. There was also a Funcoland which is now a GameStop. They are on the same street and within about 10 minutes of the airport. (East on Army Post Rd, North on SE 14th St).

I bought about 100 NES and 80 SNES games there over time before it converted to a GameStop. They told me they were one of the last Funcolands left in the country.



There is also an EBGames in Ankeny which is 10 miles north of the metro area and another Gamers and GameStop in Ames (Go Cyclones!) which is about 30 miles north of the metro.

SECOND THAT - GO CYCLONES! The Mrs. and I are alum and have football season tickets. We went to that Gamers on Lincoln Way for the first time our last visit back. Nice and clean, not too great of a selection though. The only game I found I needed was Plok for NES. I like the Gamers on 144th in Omaha better.



My best find in Des Moines was Top Loader and a SNES, DW2,DW3,DW4,FF1,FF2,FF3 all complete in box as well as about 30 other games all for $50.

I've never found anything that good in Des Moines. Kudos on a nice haul!
8bitnes
07-08-2005, 02:02 AM
There is also an EBGames in Ankeny which is 10 miles north of the metro area and another Gamers and GameStop in Ames (Go Cyclones!) which is about 30 miles north of the metro.

SECOND THAT - GO CYCLONES! The Mrs. and I are alum and have football season tickets. We went to that Gamers on Lincoln Way for the first time our last visit back. Nice and clean, not too great of a selection though. The only game I found I needed was Plok for NES. I like the Gamers on 144th in Omaha better.

That store is still relatively new (about 9-12 months). They had just gotten a new shipment in the day before I went last time which included some very nice NES titles. Shortage of funds and prior to having a clear want list really hurt me there, but they told me I could leave a want list and they would hold games back for me :)
MegaManFan
07-08-2005, 03:02 AM
Heh, then they must have been nicer than the ones in Omaha are. When I first moved here I was naive and went to the one on 72nd a lot, and I asked if they'd call me if they got certain games in. Gave them the titles, the whole nine. Came to find out later from a snitch that..

(1.) They would keep any good games they bought in from the public for themselves.
(2.) Corporate was directing them to hold back rare titles to potentially sell on eBay.
(3.) They really didn't give a shit.

I'd tell you some horror stories about Gamers experience in the last 3-4 years that have confirmed all these things, but I don't want to waste your time, bog down the thread, and/or give you a bad impression of the one in Ames if they're not that bad by comparison. I still shop at Gamers regularly (dropped $100 there a couple weeks ago) but I used to go religiously whereas now if I think they're overpriced on a game or not stocking it because they want to drive rarity up, I'll go online. I got a boxed Tengen Tetris for $25 that way when the one on 72nd here wanted $85 for one loose! :lol: