Visiting New York: Any cool game stores? (after thoughts)

[superhitachi4]

I'm visiting New York for a few days next week, and I just wanted to ask you guys about any must see game stores. I'll be with a few other people, (so unfortunately I don't see myself hitting up any arcades ), but we're planning to check out some of the shops in the Chinatown area, and maybe Nintendo World. Any specific names of places, or addresses are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Neo Rasa]

J & L Games is super expensive, but fun to look around in just to see boxed Neo Geo games on the shelf and such. Typically if you rummage around there you'll find SOMETHING at a good price though. I remember I got Rent a Hero No. 1 there for like $25 somehow.

There's an underground mall with a bunch of chintzy souvenir shops and anime/manga stores. Last time I was there, one of them had a lot of import handheld stuff for good prices.

[Brian]

Again, I forgot the name of the store, but ini Chinatown at 26 Elizabeth Street is an awesome import store. Basically, if it exists in Japan this place has it.

[beatifik]

well, if you're going to chinatown anyway, i'd suggest getting a few games in at chinatown fair on mott st. the last real arcade left in the city.

but yeah, one block over on elizabeth st. is the two shops in chinatown to check out.

j&l is expensive, but it's a nice store with a great staff. if you see something you gotta have you can pay in cash and get a deal sometimes depending on who's helping you.

down elizabeth a little ways and across the st is the elizabeth center. go down the escalator, make a u-turn, and walk to the back. that's where the games are. they've got really good prices on most of their games. import and domestic. also, they've usually got some nice joysticks and other limited edition stuff in stock. pay in cash here too for a deal.

on st. marks between 2nd and 3rd ave. is a little shop called multimedia 2.0. it's got tons of old stuff. it's a gross, dirty little shop, but it might be cool to check out.

have fun.

[superhitachi4]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I've been wanting to hit up Chinatown Fair, but I'll be with 4 other people that aren't really into gaming. I doubt they'll want to hang around an arcade with mostly shooters. (my dream arcade) Maybe I'll get a game or two in if we're passing by.

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

What's the point of coming to NY if you're not going where you want to go. You might as well should have decided to come alone. Friends are there to do you favors not drag you down .

[superhitachi4]

What's the point of coming to NY if you're not going where you want to go. You might as well should have decided to come alone. Friends are there to do you favors not drag you down .

Yeah, but I guess I didn't explain the situation well enough: Originally my sister, and her boyfriend (my friend as well) were going alone. They then decided to invite another two people, and asked if I wanted to go. I kept saying "No thanks.", and all that, but eventually I said "Yeah, okay." It should be a fun time, but originally it wasn't my trip, so I can't really just change the plans. I'm sure I *could* visit Chinatown Fair (I doubt anyone would object), but I also doubt they'd enjoy it. Might check it out for a bit if I'm passing by.

[beatifik]

fyi, chinatown fair is mostly fighters with a few shooters, 2 really good pinball machines, a few puzzlers and a dance game and lightgunner.

and, the last time i was there, they had had gigawing, mars matrix and raiden fighters jet for shmups. you're not gonna find espgaluda or ibara or any of the newer stuff in there. so, if you're seeking that stuff, stick to your ps2 or head to japan or l.a.

another thing i'd suggest if you get stuck for things to do at night, is to come to brooklyn and check out a place called barcade. it's on union ave. it's a bar with about 20 old school arcade machines. very fun. they also have pool and air hockey and like 50 kinds of beer, so everyone can find something that they like there.

http://www.barcadebrooklyn.com/

[professor ganson]

Have a good time, superhitachi4. NY is such a fun place to spend a day or two.

[superhitachi4]

fyi, chinatown fair is mostly fighters with a few shooters, 2 really good pinball machines, a few puzzlers and a dance game and lightgunner.

and, the last time i was there, they had had gigawing, mars matrix and raiden fighters jet for shmups. you're not gonna find espgaluda or ibara or any of the newer stuff in there. so, if you're seeking that stuff, stick to your ps2 or head to japan or l.a.

another thing i'd suggest if you get stuck for things to do at night, is to come to brooklyn and check out a place called barcade. it's on union ave. it's a bar with about 20 old school arcade machines. very fun. they also have pool and air hockey and like 50 kinds of beer, so everyone can find something that they like there.

http://www.barcadebrooklyn.com/

Wow, sounds great. As far as arcades go, I'm not really a picky guy. I don't need the latest, and greatest, but rather something to keep me occupied for about an hour. Since I mainly play fighters, and shooters, it should be fun to check out. I own Mars Matrix, and Gigawing of course, but I'd definitely be more than happy to play them if I saw them. Mars Matrix in particular is one of my favorites. Barcade sounds pretty cool too. I'm sure I'll be in there for a beer, or two...or six. Thanks for the suggestions.

Have a good time, superhitachi4. NY is such a fun place to spend a day or two.

Thanks, professor. It should be a fun time. Maybe I'll buy a giant Pokemon suit at Nintendo World.

[superhitachi4]

Just came back from NYC, and thought I'd give some tips to those looking for game stuff. (and rant a little while I'm at it) First off: I'd like to say that I basically ran my ass off looking all over Chinatown (every shop, every street), AND a very good portion (most) of NYC looking for misc old school video games while visiting. Key places to look: (none of which are much good at all...) J&L Games on Elizibeth Street in Chinatown: These guys probably have the best selection, and the worst prices ever... Very over priced. (80 bucks for Samurai Shodown V PS2 ver???) You can just imagine what they wanted for their Neo Geo shit... They had a MAS systems joystick for like 125, some import Saturn stuff, but nothing too interesting. Staff's a little on the ignorant side too. (How can you work at a game shop in Chinatown, and NOT even know what a fucking Famicom Multicart is... (Yeah it's a gray area. No I don't care. They're older games, and it's their job to know these things since they're a specialty shop.) I'm a very polite guy, and they wouldn't even direct me to another game shop. Completely useless. Elizibeth Center (shopping mall): Located on the opposite side the street, and down the road from J&L. As someone told me before: Walk in the front door, go down the escalator, make a right U-Turn, go all the way to the back, and there's a small shop. Some domestic, and import current gen games, and a few accesseries. Probably the best prices, but not a whole lot to select from. Might find something you're after though. I *did* find ONE 32 in 1 multicart at another small store, but it was a crappy one with a total of about 7 or 8 separate games. (all repeating titles, and mostly sports...) For 35 bucks, it's safe to say I didn't buy this gem. ***For those of you looking for a game shop at 26 Elizibeth Street: IT DOES NOT EXIST! If you go to 26 Elizibeth, you'll find nothing but a small tailor shop upstairs.*** Oh, and if you're planning to buy some anime (obviously all bootleg...), guess what EVERY shop in Chinatown gets: 10 bucks (or MORE) PER disc! Yes I've tried to bargain (as with most shops), no they won't budge. I've offered 8 bucks per disc, and nada. Let them rot with their shitty bootlegs I say. 40 bucks + tax for an obviously pirated Berzerk? (3 discs) Just thought I'd give a heads up, and save everyone some time. In conclusion: NYC's a kick ass city (definitely going back), but most everything shuts down at like 6-7pm (yes, even most of the places in Times Square), and there's jack shit for old school video games. (or HK imported stuff...) If you're in Chinatown, and you're looking for games: save yourself some time, and just visit Chinatown Fair arcade. It's on Elizibeth Street, and sort of small, but it's pretty cool. Couple Marvel vs Capcom 2 machines, Gigawing, Raiden Fighters, Mars Matrix, and others. Since it's an arcade, they don't really *sell* games, but in my opinion, you'll probably have more fun playing a few rounds of something, rather than buying insanely overpriced crap. I didn't get to play anything, but I walked around for a bit asking about game shops while I was there. (was low on time)

[Fighter17]

Thanks for the heads up, EVER GO TO THEIR SHOPS UNLESS YOU WANT TO GET RIP-OFF!

[superhitachi4]

Thanks for the heads up, EVER GO TO THEIR SHOPS UNLESS YOU WANT TO GET RIP-OFF!

heh I take it this is sarcastic. Typed in caps a few times to express a little irritation. More game stuff around here than NYC, which is pretty sad. Plus this:

Again, I forgot the name of the store, but ini Chinatown at 26 Elizabeth Street is an awesome import store. Basically, if it exists in Japan this place has it.

Either an obnoxious joke, or the shop closed. (probably the latter) I was wandering around in the rain trying to find that. (small stairway that leads upstairs) Just figured since no one really told me about the prices, and lack of stuff, I'd let others know. Like I said: Love the city, but couldn't find jack. Generally I think I'd tell people if all they were going to find here were 40 dollar bootlegs.

[Neo Rasa]

I gotta mention, there's a really big gaming presence at Otakon now. Mostly an anime convention, but the dealer's room for it the past couple of years I've gone is literally in the huge hall that entire lesser conventions are held in. There's always about ten tables of just games/game soundtracks/game related stuff with good prices. I got Einhander OST there for $10. Fire Pro Wrestling D for like $30 (like four months after it came out ) and a bunch of other legit items. I missed Otakon the past two years but my friends tell me there are tables popping up now with all sorts of cheap import SFC/Famicom/Mega Drive stuff. Seems interesting.

Oh, and on top of that the game "room" is in what used to be the dealer's "room" which is freaking gigantic. No bullshit coatroom with a couple of PS2s like other lesser cons, just dozens of tables worth of tvs with Neo Geos, CPS2's and all the systems with all the best fighting games up. Not too many shooters but most all of the hardware is there on loan from people's collections who are there. Walls are lined with cabinets and Neo Candies, all the good stuff. Lots of people that love 2D games there also. Whatever the biggest fighting game of the moment is is on the projector taking up a ten by ten bit of wallspace. Great atmosphere.

[superhitachi4]

Thanks, Neo Rasa. I'll definitely have to check out Otakon. I'd be hanging around Chinatown Fair a bit if I were closer. Not the largest arcade, but definitely true to arcade roots. Since you're in Jersey, (not sure how close you are) do you ever hang out there?

[Neo Rasa]

My girlfriend and I used to go there pretty regularly to dominate people on Samurai Shodown V. She luckily lives in Brooklyn now so she'll be able to head over there sometimes but I haven't made it in ages.