Collecting old videogames is harder than ever.
hatever happened to the independents? While I don't harbor any great resentment towards the GameStops and Electronic Boutiques of this world, it doesn't seem that long ago that these names were joined by countless mom and pop resellers. Throughout high school, the mall near my home in a suburb of Cleveland played host to no fewer than three used game stores, two national specialty chains and a number of larger box stores. Today, if it isn't called GameStop or Best Buy, you won't find games for sale.
With the closing of Game Crazy stores across the country, gamers have one fewer alternative to GameStop.Sure, GameStop deals in used games, but this is rarely the place to find a mint copy of Einhander or, God forbid, a cult classic from the 8-bit era. In contrast, gems like these seemed to rule the shelves of independent game stores during the late nineties. GameStop might have you believe that the used game trade is alive and well, but is it really? Paying $45 for a used copy of Populous on the Sega Genesis is one thing, but paying $45 for a used copy of Modern Warfare 2 is just plain sad.
I'm sure the Internet had a lot to do with the decline of the independent games reseller, but somehow, skimming eBay postings for used games isn't as rewarding as finding that "diamond in the rough" buried in a dusty bin somewhere. Nowadays, collectors who want to actually see what they're buying have to brave places like swap meets and flea markets if they're to have any chance of discovering an affordable gem.
Things don't seem to be getting better anytime soon. In fact, this past week they may have gotten a whole lot worse — with the closing of Game Crazy stores across the country, gamers have one fewer alternative to GameStop. If there's one thing that could have reinvigorated the idea of the "specialty" games store, it was competition. I long for the day when the words "used game" were synonymous with "classic." You see, there are two types of gamers purchasing used titles. While the bargain hunter may be a perfect fit for GameStop's strategy, the treasure hunters have nowhere left to go.
Are you lucky enough to have a small games retailer in your neighborhood? How do you satiate your need for collectible fare from one, two or even three decades ago? I encourage you to share your stories, trials and complaints below.
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