Video game shops in London.
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Dion_Diablo
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Video game shops in London.
Going to have some free time in London on the weekend. Just wondering if anyone knows any decent video game stores, preferably ones which are centrally located. Looking to hopefully pick up some decent gaming stuff.
Never underestimate the injuries that can be caused by Samba De Amigo.
Hi Dion,
I'd reccomend the excellent Game Focus on Goodge St. just off of Tottenham court road. Check out the link below for info and a map. They are only a small shop that stock a large number of PAL titles but they specialise in import gaming. You can pick up Saturn, PSone, DC and Neo Geo stuff for all regions (as well as XB360, Wii etc.) and the staff are very friendly and helpful. Plenty of cool items to see in the display cabinets too such as Neo Geo carts, Symphony of The Night stuff, JPN arcade sticks...deffo worth a quick visit.
http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1286/2701.php
Dunno if you are into arcade gaming but while you are there it might be worth your while checking out Casino arcade just around the corner. It's looking a bit old and tatty now, but for reliving that old sticky carpet, smoky arcade feel it can't be beat! It's also one of the last few arcades in the country to offer a good selection of decent games (no bemani/dancing game shite). This is partly because many of the game PCB's are actually supplied by enthusiasts: members of the shmups.com and Neo-Empire forums.
Games available to play include: Third Stike, SFA3, VF4, Tekken 5, Ketsui, Mushihimesama, Progear, Hyper SF2, Metal Slug 4/5(?)...
Info on where to find Casino can be found in the link below, essentially it's a few doors down from Goodge St. station:
http://www.neoempire.com/casino.htm
The Troccadero is where to go for all the Bemani games and driving games if that's your bag, but be careful as it's a bit of a wannabe G/Chav magnet.
I'd reccomend the excellent Game Focus on Goodge St. just off of Tottenham court road. Check out the link below for info and a map. They are only a small shop that stock a large number of PAL titles but they specialise in import gaming. You can pick up Saturn, PSone, DC and Neo Geo stuff for all regions (as well as XB360, Wii etc.) and the staff are very friendly and helpful. Plenty of cool items to see in the display cabinets too such as Neo Geo carts, Symphony of The Night stuff, JPN arcade sticks...deffo worth a quick visit.
http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1286/2701.php
Dunno if you are into arcade gaming but while you are there it might be worth your while checking out Casino arcade just around the corner. It's looking a bit old and tatty now, but for reliving that old sticky carpet, smoky arcade feel it can't be beat! It's also one of the last few arcades in the country to offer a good selection of decent games (no bemani/dancing game shite). This is partly because many of the game PCB's are actually supplied by enthusiasts: members of the shmups.com and Neo-Empire forums.
Games available to play include: Third Stike, SFA3, VF4, Tekken 5, Ketsui, Mushihimesama, Progear, Hyper SF2, Metal Slug 4/5(?)...
Info on where to find Casino can be found in the link below, essentially it's a few doors down from Goodge St. station:
http://www.neoempire.com/casino.htm
The Troccadero is where to go for all the Bemani games and driving games if that's your bag, but be careful as it's a bit of a wannabe G/Chav magnet.
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Dion_Diablo
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:44 am
- Location: Cardiff
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Cheers Kaede,
that's some great info much appreciated. Will definitely be checking both the shop and the arcade out. Hopefully I can get some Neo Geo Pocket Colour games, i've been looking everywhere near where I live. Do you also know if they have much import Gamecube stuff?
Looking forward to some old-skool Street Fighter and Metal slug at Casino arcade.
I think i'm going to head to the Troccadero on the Friday day when hopefully all the riff-raff are at school. I got to admit, I do like a bit of Sega Rally now and then.
that's some great info much appreciated. Will definitely be checking both the shop and the arcade out. Hopefully I can get some Neo Geo Pocket Colour games, i've been looking everywhere near where I live. Do you also know if they have much import Gamecube stuff?
Looking forward to some old-skool Street Fighter and Metal slug at Casino arcade.
I think i'm going to head to the Troccadero on the Friday day when hopefully all the riff-raff are at school. I got to admit, I do like a bit of Sega Rally now and then.
Never underestimate the injuries that can be caused by Samba De Amigo.
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EyEwitness
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2006 1:36 pm
- Location: London, UK
Namco Station in County Hall (near Waterloo Station & London Eye) is pretty good for more modern stuff (Daytona, Outrun, Time Crisis, etc.), and usually less packed then the Troccadero. Plus they have a decent Bar, Bowling and Pool.
Currently Playing:
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DS: Elite Beat Agents
DS: Mario and Luigi - Partners in Time
Last Completed:
PSP: Burnout Legends
"One packet of condoms, biscuit flavour..."
Re:
I'm pretty sure they have NGPC games, just take a look at the large glass cabinet on your right as you walk in the shop. As for import Gamecube stuff you should have a look downstairs, there were definitely some US games last time I was there and I'd assume JPN games too.Dion_Diablo wrote:Cheers Kaede, that's some great info much appreciated. Will definitely be checking both the shop and the arcade out. Hopefully I can get some Neo Geo Pocket Colour games, i've been looking everywhere near where I live. Do you also know if they have much import Gamecube stuff?
If you're after cheap NGPC games you should check out http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-14-71-k9-49-en.html they have a large selection of cheap boxed and unboxed games (like £2-£6).
I'm still trying to get hold of a cheap system without much luck.
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skull_leader
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i haven't been in game focus for ages. completely forgot it was there. i think i got an import soul edge in there years ago (must be the same place). used to be quite pricey on new imports.
If you go to Notting hill gate and turn left out of the underground, there's a few exchange shops down the road. one of them does games, it's often quite good. in the last year i've found some crackers in there.
Albert odessey-saturn (us)
Magic knight rayearth-saturn (us)
astal-saturn (us)
There's also CEX just off oxford street (rathbone place). Used to be the best shop in the universe, before they got rid of the amazing retro section. They still do some good prices on current consoles. they also have a ps3 on display, which you can try out.
If you go to Notting hill gate and turn left out of the underground, there's a few exchange shops down the road. one of them does games, it's often quite good. in the last year i've found some crackers in there.
Albert odessey-saturn (us)
Magic knight rayearth-saturn (us)
astal-saturn (us)
There's also CEX just off oxford street (rathbone place). Used to be the best shop in the universe, before they got rid of the amazing retro section. They still do some good prices on current consoles. they also have a ps3 on display, which you can try out.
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skull_leader
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Re:
Good idea, thinking about it I wonder if there are any decent import shops around the Chinatown area?skull_leader wrote:maybe we should do a thread in the collectors section on shops around the country?
Dion, let us know how you get on!
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skull_leader
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skull_leader
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I didn't get on to well. felt like crap and my legs really hurt, for some reason.
Had a look in Game Focus. it's expensive. loads of great dreamcast and saturn games, but not much in the way of Neo Geo.
I also had a look in a shop called Games master, in elephant and castle, but that was rubbish. however i did find Guilty gear x for GBA.
i've looked up a few others on google, so i might take another trip some time to see if their any good.
Had a look in Game Focus. it's expensive. loads of great dreamcast and saturn games, but not much in the way of Neo Geo.
I also had a look in a shop called Games master, in elephant and castle, but that was rubbish. however i did find Guilty gear x for GBA.
i've looked up a few others on google, so i might take another trip some time to see if their any good.
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Dion_Diablo
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So had my weekend in London, and like Sull_leader I wouldn't say I got on very well.
Made a trip into Game focus which I thought was a fantastic shop for any collector. The collection of import games is like none i've ever seen in a UK games shop. I would recommend anyone who is after a specific item to check out this place. However, if you are just going to make a trip there for a browse, be warned, they are quite pricey. You won't be able to find a deal in there.
I was looking for Neo Geo Pocket colour games and they have Pac-man at £12, and Metal Slug at £25, all mint condition, but haven't got the money right now.
Their NTSC Cube collection was much better than their PAL collection. If you are looking for DS Games you are better off ordering off the net as their prices were around £35 for imports.
People with money, the place is your dream, those with a tighter wallet are better off approaching with caution.
Also, the CEX just off Oxford street (consequently really close to Game Focus) was very good for those looking to fill any gaps in their PAL collections. I bought OTOGI on Xbox for £6 which I thought was a bit of a bargain. Their PS2 collection was extensive. PAL Gamecube collectors will leave dissapointed though. Downstairs there was a huge number of GBAdvance games worth checking out, and a small retro section which had a bargain or two. I thought the PS1 official multi-tap they had there for 50p was a good deal, shame I already had one!
For those interested, I also went to the Game On exhibition, and had a really great time. I advise to go in the week, I went around Friday lunch time, and it was quiet, and stayed in there for more than the allowed one hour and a half. Had a go on a PS3 and my first impressions is I was slightly dissapointed. They had Motostorm (or whatever it's called) and while it was a good game, I'm sure Smugglers Run did something very similiar about 5 years ago. I can't argue with the graphics and the game played pretty flawlessly, but the tilt control are horrendous. You could argue it may take some getting used to but I've also played a Wii and I instantly took to those controls.
Back to the exhibition itself, I started my gaming life with the Megadrive so was good to play things I missed out on (Hitchikers Guide was a particular highlight), and also re-live some old memories (Sonic, Zelda, Mario etc.). They had 5 player Saturn Bomberman set up on a huge screen and that was great fun, as was playing the Star Wars Arcade. Biggest dissapointment was Steel Battalion not working properly, but I enjoyed myself just pretending to use the controllers.
Overall, I'd recommend going, but go early on a weekday.
Made a trip into Game focus which I thought was a fantastic shop for any collector. The collection of import games is like none i've ever seen in a UK games shop. I would recommend anyone who is after a specific item to check out this place. However, if you are just going to make a trip there for a browse, be warned, they are quite pricey. You won't be able to find a deal in there.
I was looking for Neo Geo Pocket colour games and they have Pac-man at £12, and Metal Slug at £25, all mint condition, but haven't got the money right now.
Their NTSC Cube collection was much better than their PAL collection. If you are looking for DS Games you are better off ordering off the net as their prices were around £35 for imports.
People with money, the place is your dream, those with a tighter wallet are better off approaching with caution.
Also, the CEX just off Oxford street (consequently really close to Game Focus) was very good for those looking to fill any gaps in their PAL collections. I bought OTOGI on Xbox for £6 which I thought was a bit of a bargain. Their PS2 collection was extensive. PAL Gamecube collectors will leave dissapointed though. Downstairs there was a huge number of GBAdvance games worth checking out, and a small retro section which had a bargain or two. I thought the PS1 official multi-tap they had there for 50p was a good deal, shame I already had one!
For those interested, I also went to the Game On exhibition, and had a really great time. I advise to go in the week, I went around Friday lunch time, and it was quiet, and stayed in there for more than the allowed one hour and a half. Had a go on a PS3 and my first impressions is I was slightly dissapointed. They had Motostorm (or whatever it's called) and while it was a good game, I'm sure Smugglers Run did something very similiar about 5 years ago. I can't argue with the graphics and the game played pretty flawlessly, but the tilt control are horrendous. You could argue it may take some getting used to but I've also played a Wii and I instantly took to those controls.
Back to the exhibition itself, I started my gaming life with the Megadrive so was good to play things I missed out on (Hitchikers Guide was a particular highlight), and also re-live some old memories (Sonic, Zelda, Mario etc.). They had 5 player Saturn Bomberman set up on a huge screen and that was great fun, as was playing the Star Wars Arcade. Biggest dissapointment was Steel Battalion not working properly, but I enjoyed myself just pretending to use the controllers.
Overall, I'd recommend going, but go early on a weekday.
Never underestimate the injuries that can be caused by Samba De Amigo.
Re:
Cool, care to share?skull_leader wrote:i've looked up a few others on google, so i might take another trip some time to see if their any good.
Dion, sorry you didn't manage to find a deal while you were down here. Was surprised to hear that CEX still have a retro section, last time I went in there it was completeley gone!
Did you get time to check out Casino?
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skull_leader
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I'll get a list up on in the collectors section. i don't know if the shops are any good or even exist still.
I bought God hand in Game Focus and New fist of the north star dvd's. I agree though, they were very expensive for imports.
Cex don't really have a retro section anymore. there's a few common Dreamcast and ps1 games. 1 or 2 16bit ones. I didn't realise they put the GBA games downstairs.
Otogi for 6 quid is a great price.
I bought God hand in Game Focus and New fist of the north star dvd's. I agree though, they were very expensive for imports.
Cex don't really have a retro section anymore. there's a few common Dreamcast and ps1 games. 1 or 2 16bit ones. I didn't realise they put the GBA games downstairs.
Otogi for 6 quid is a great price.
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