List of retro game shops in Ireland.

Xluna

These are the only ones I know of.

Dublin: That street near Busarus(forgot the name of it). There's a small shop there which has some ps1,Saturn,Gameboy,PS2 and Gamecube games. Some are pretty expensive.

Cork:

A shop on the north main street which pretty much specialises in retro stuff. A wide variety of consoles and games spanning many decades. Prices are reasonable on some stuff but they charge too much for a Nes and Gamecube. Definitely worth a look.

Cash convertors McCurtain street.

Puts Dublins Cash converters to shame. A decent selection of games but dont' expect a nes or an atari. Reasonable prices too.
Surely there's more.:(

Saltour Sossiez

I was in Cash Converters and the only things that I saw were a few gameboy games. They had some xbox and PS2 games as well but nothing besides that. Do they usually get much else in there? Maybe I missed something but I don't think so.

I remember Vibes and Scribes on McCurtain Street used to have a few games years ago. I haven't been in there in a long time. I think it may have even moved in the last few years.

Has anyone been in that Vibes and Scribes recently?

Trevor451

I think that shop that is near Busarus is called gamesexchange.

BaconZombie

And it's about 25€-40€ for a SNES game !!!!!
Same stock for the last 10 years...

Trevor451 wrote: »

I think that shop that is near Busarus is called game sex change.

CCCP^

BaconZombie wrote: »

Originally Posted by Trevor451
I think that shop that is near Busarus is called game sex change.

corblimey

Saltour Sossiez wrote: »

I was in Cash Converters yesterday and the only things that I saw were a few gameboy games. They had some xbox and PS2 games as well but nothing besides that. Do they usually get much else in there? Maybe I missed something but I don't think so.

I remember Vibes and Scribes on McCurtain Street used to have a few games years ago. I haven't been in there in a long time. I think it may have even moved in the last few years.

Has anyone been in that Vibes and Scribes recently?

Daaaamn, you've just reminded me that about 4 years ago on one of my first visits into V&S, they had a glass case halfway up the stairs and inside was what looked like a mint condition SNES Mario Kart pack (ie game, console, etc etc). Going for something stupid like 50 quid and every time I was in there, I was like, yeah, I'll get that next time. And then they stopped doing games, and I forgot all about it. Cheers

V&S is still there, but it's all about books and CDs these days. Shame.

ETA: I've just been onto ebay to see if I can find the same box, but nothing doing. So it's either extremely rare or I imagined it. SNES console + Mario Kart? In the same box? With MK branding all over the box? Was I drunk? Again?

Kevster

I've never seen a better retro shop than the one I knew in York when I lived there recently:

Bulmer's,
1-7 Lord Mayor's Walk,
York, YO31 7HB,
United Kingdom

They have tonnes of games across all retro consoles, and shelves of old videos/DVDs, musical instruments, tapes, etc.

http://www.qype.co.uk/place/243697-Bulmers-York

CiDeRmAn

The shop is called Bookmart & Gamexchange, it's on Talbot street, about half way between Gardiner St and Connolly station and it has an ok selection of games, but everything is around 15 which is a bit steep.

There is a Cash Convertors up on Thomas Street, or around there somewhere, but the range of games is lousy.

Best place really for retro is on Adverts.ie tbh

animaX

Xluna wrote: »

Dublin: That street near Busarus(forgot the name of it). There's a small shop there which has some ps1,Saturn,Gameboy,PS2 and Gamecube games. Some are pretty expensive.

They also have a lot of SNES and N64 games under the counter, they don't display them since they have no cases. Not the best selection but I did manage to pick up Street Fighter 2 the new challengers on snes and perfect dark on N64.

Atavan-Halen

Are they still €15 though?

corcaigh07

the cork scene is looking poor to be honest, that shop on North Main Street was doing great for a short period with new stuff coming in every week but now, thats died and looks like they only want to sell their remaining stock now.

Cash Convertors havent got anything new in a long time and dont bother updating their prices. shame as they were terrific for many years.

Vibes and Scribes, ive given up on them, they do still have some old stock left on the top floor but havent got anything new in a LONG time. they used to offer terrible trading in prices so people eventually gave up going there. dont even bother walking in there.

animaX

atavan-halen wrote: »

Are they still €15 though?

Yeah, I'm afriad so!

Atavan-Halen

Rats! :P

I'd only advise going to Bookmart/GamesExchange if you need something accessory/prehiperal-wise and don't have time to order online. It's expensive and there's a bad selection.

Gamestop on Henry street still has an abundance of Rayman Rush and Rainbow 6 Rogue Spear on the PS1 for 99c and buy one get one free. Probably one of the few places in the world where you can buy new PS1 games in 2010 :P They also have masses of football (fifa 04 mainly I think) games on the Xbox.

Cash Converters in Moore st mall has a woeful selection. They no longer have GC games and anything else there is mainly sports. Nothing pre-PS2. A couple of original xboxes floating around, some crystal, priced at €50. Their stock changes everytime I go in so I can't be sure they have something. I was only in the Thoms st one once or twice, and again I seen nothing pre-PS2. But like I said the stock changes all the time.

TBH the only chance anyone will have of finding good retro goodies is at car boot sales.

PS: GamesExchange seem to have a lot of copies of Rayman Rush and Rogue Spear on the PS1. I wonder why....

CiDeRmAn

It's amazing.
The sheer volume of games sold for the Snes, Megadrive, Saturn (ok maybe not the Saturn), N64, PS, GC (ok maybe not that either!), but the amount of games sold in the country for all these formats and now, they are no where to be seen!
I mean, where are they?
Landfill?
Attics, awaiting discovery by some antique auction programme in 20 years time?
Are they being hoarded by fevered retro game collectors? I know X-Com games and Castlevania SOTN are probably all in the hands of fans by now, must be.
Did they pop down some interdimensional hole in the universe? Joining the countless Atari and Nes carts that went there before?

Anyone else have any ideas?

Atavan-Halen

A sad as it is, I'd say the majority of them were chucked out.

Remember when I came across the GBA in a skip? I'd say most stuff ended up like that. Or else it's all tucked away in corners of attics waiting to be re-discovered.

Professey Chin

Now we just have to get into every attic in the country....

Atavan-Halen

I suggest we print off ID cards and go through estates, threatening falcon punches if they don't let us into their attics.

CiDeRmAn

Well, that load of Xbox games that Gamestop had in their warehouse was being chucked in said skip, didn't pay them to sell them on the shop floor, very sad, good thing I rescued about 40 of them then!

Atavan-Halen

Whaaaa?! And you didn't take them all?!

Professey Chin

atavan-halen wrote: »

I suggest we print off ID cards and go through estates, threatening falcon punches if they don't let us into their attics.

Or donkey punches.............

Devia

Whats wrong with ebay? Ive got a load of retro games off there. So cheap I must have barely covered the price of postage.

Professey Chin

Devia wrote: »

Whats wrong with ebay? Ive got a load of retro games off there. So cheap I must have barely covered the price of postage.

Nothing really but a proper root is more fun then typing in a search box

DARK-KNIGHT

Ultimate Chin wrote: »

Or donkey punches.............

LOL neigh

Xluna

Devia wrote: »

Whats wrong with ebay? Ive got a load of retro games off there. So cheap I must have barely covered the price of postage.

Urgghh...I hate buying stuff on the net. Waiting for delivery,currency coversions and some of them don't deliver to Ireland. Nothng like going into a shop,paying physical money and getting the goods there and then.

0ubliette

many moons ago, when Tesco in the omni centre had a seperate toystore, just before the palce closed in about 2003-early 2004, we found a boxed SNES & Mega Drive, a stash of saturn & Dreamcast games, and an Amiga 500. What a day that was

corcaigh07

wow great find, its amazing how much retro gaming is just ignored or wasted in this country. could a shop like CEX in the UK do well here ive always wondered?

Eamo87

As far as Waterford goes, cash converters is only place that has retro games, and by retro i mean, 10 copies of fifa 2005 for the original xbox.

batari

Cex would do huge business over here, they're a great shop for some old stuff. Was in Manchester a few weeks ago and I picked up a huge amount of Gamecube bargains there, with prices starting from 1.50.
Great range of stuff for xBox, GC, Ps1 and 2.

When ya think about it, it's mad they've never taken the plunge and opened a shop in Ireland, they're riddled with Cex shops across the water.

Edit - Cex shops, heh...

Eamo87

Couldn't agree more. There is a definite gap in the market. I would love to see retro shops here in Ireland.

Devia

Xluna wrote: »

Urgghh...I hate buying stuff on the net. Waiting for delivery,currency coversions and some of them don't deliver to Ireland. Nothng like going into a shop,paying physical money and getting the goods there and then.

Show me a shop with a better selection of retro games than ebay though.

MontgomeryClift

I think high rents in Ireland, and landlord greed in general, prevent simple shops like these from opening. If you can't guarantee to move a volume of stuff every month, then you can't stay in business.

justbrian

That would be the same Gamexchange who 3 weeks ago (and probably still at the price) had a megadrive in the shop window for €69. €45-50 euro over priced.

This shop is as over priced as the rest of them. Their MD and snes and the like stock has dust on the dust because the games are priced out of the market.

justbrian

So the megadrive in the window with a sticker on it saying €69.99 was an illusion then? The same one I personally asked about the price of and was told yes that was the price. Yes facts.

Actually I like your online shop, I buy there and they have good bargains. However the actual real shop has games and consoles that are far more expensive than your online stock.

justbrian

Boxed Sega Megadrive II Console, 6 in 1 Games & 2 Joy Pads on ebay right now for 16 euro. Normally they end up selling for 25 to 30 euro.

I know you have to make money, so selling it a bit above price doesn't bother me.

Dr Bob

justbrian wrote: »

So the megadrive in the window with a sticker on it saying €69.99 was an illusion then? The same one I personally asked about the price of and was told yes that was the price. Yes facts.

Actually I like your online shop, I buy there and they have good bargains. However the actual real shop has games and consoles that are far more expensive than your online stock.

I didn't even know there was an online shop! I'll have to have a look.

I'd bought some stuff there before,mainly unboxed stuff from behind the counter which isnt too bad price wise.I like to buy my retro stuff there as I want to support a local seller , But to be honest i think the problem is a lot of us got used to the idea of the price point for a 16 bit game to be around the fiver mark or less , based on what you're paying on ebay.(and careful selection of sellers or buying a few together usually keeps the postage down) , from memory most of the snes/meg stuff was a tenner (havent been there in a while so not sure)If the price has gone down I'll have to pop in and have a look.

Atavan-Halen

Advertising much...:rolleyes:

justbrian

Yeah most of the snes MD stuff is a tenner to 15 euro. I too buy unboxed there, and sometimes boxed at a good price. I enjoy to suppourt a local business where possible. Just that these days cheap is important and if you can get cheaper online then it makes sense to buy online.

CathalDublin

Wouldn't take much to setup a small retro game shop.
There's a few nice lots for sale daily from the US(ebay), I've considered this a few times, the only thing is the cost of rent in a good location, do you think people would travel to a good retro game shop?

Atavan-Halen

CathalDublin wrote: »

Wouldn't take much to setup a small retro game shop.
There's a few nice lots for sale daily from the US(ebay), I've considered this a few times, the only thing is the cost of rent in a good location, do you think people would travel to a good retro game shop?

You could have the shop + a website that ships stuff out.

CiDeRmAn

I think an online only shop would be easier to run.
Problem for folk like us is "gettin' high on our own supply".
I mean, how hard is it going to be, not just keeping all the stock for yourself?
Selling on that mint TG-16 to some pleb when in you head it's calling to you?

But anywho, renting a storage unit, filling it with cheap lots from ebay/adverts, charity shops etc, then selling them on at reasonable prices online would be cool, especially as you would have access to retrogamers everywhere, the community here is too small I reckon.

Jack burton

I remember seeing that on happy console gamer before.

That shop he goes too the fella who runs it has to not collect stuff but he has a sealed copy of every zelda game ever and that it for him!

CiDeRmAn

I too, seem to collect alternate versions of Zelda, I seem to own more copies of Zelda OoT then is healthy!

CathalDublin

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

I think an online only shop would be easier to run.
Problem for folk like us is "gettin' high on our own supply".
I mean, how hard is it going to be, not just keeping all the stock for yourself?
Selling on that mint TG-16 to some pleb when in you head it's calling to you?

But anywho, renting a storage unit, filling it with cheap lots from ebay/adverts, charity shops etc, then selling them on at reasonable prices online would be cool, especially as you would have access to retrogamers everywhere, the community here is too small I reckon.

I'm seriously looking into this at the moment.
Space isn't an issue, webshop/online hosting isn't an issue either.
Just a couple of things Im unsure of
Will games with say cosmetic damage such as stickers, writing on, torn labels, etc sell?
Buying in games in large lots for eg.ntsc SNES/NES games(not rare) will cost about 3.50each for unboxed/minor cosmetic issue games.
Will the European market want ntsc games(except obviously the hardcore retro gamer)?
Anyone know for sure if vat is applicable on second hand games, the revenue website is very confusing on the issue

Atavan-Halen

CathalDublin wrote: »

I'm seriously looking into this at the moment.
Space isn't an issue, webshop/online hosting isn't an issue either.
Just a couple of things Im unsure of
Will games with say cosmetic damage such as stickers, writing on, torn labels, etc sell?
Buying in games in large lots for eg.ntsc SNES/NES games(not rare) will cost about 3.50each for unboxed/minor cosmetic issue games.
Will the European market want ntsc games(except obviously the hardcore retro gamer)?
Anyone know for sure if vat is applicable on second hand games, the revenue website is very confusing on the issue

Yep, stickers and marker is easily removed and if not just knock a euro or two off the price compared to a mint copy. As long as the game works that's all that really matters. Of course you'll have the people who want fully boxed mint games but then there's people who just want to play the game and couldn't give a crap about the condition.

Yep, there's always people with modded consoles and converts, plus you could ship to the US.

No idea on the 3rd thing.

ghostchant

Speaking for myself, torn labels etc aren't important if it's a game I want to play, and I'm always interested in NTSC games. My guess would be that the average European gamer would not be, but a site like that wouldn't really be targeting the average European gamer.

You'd certainly have at least one regular customer in me anyway :P

Jack burton

Well I'd go for some NTSC titles

J-NTSC would be a big seller I'd say if you can get a load of them, especially for me! :P

I'm not sure about the VAt on second hand products, I would think so though, theres vat on everything except foodstuffs as far as im aware

CiDeRmAn

Looks like you already have a ready market here on boards!
The only thing is, to turn a profit, you'd have to sell a bit more widely than just here, all over Ireland, Ulster, perhaps even the UK or further, if you can get the word out that you are dealing in inexpensive, reliable retro games then you could do ok.
How do similar ventures in the UK work?

justbrian

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

I think an online only shop would be easier to run.
Problem for folk like us is "gettin' high on our own supply".
I mean, how hard is it going to be, not just keeping all the stock for yourself?
Selling on that mint TG-16 to some pleb when in you head it's calling to you?

But anywho, renting a storage unit, filling it with cheap lots from ebay/adverts, charity shops etc, then selling them on at reasonable prices online would be cool, especially as you would have access to retrogamers everywhere, the community here is too small I reckon.

I am currently trying out an ebay shop. I have no problem selling doubles, but hard to sell anthing else. Want to keep it hehehe

o1s1n

justbrian wrote: »

I am currently trying out an ebay shop. I have no problem selling doubles, but hard to sell anthing else. Want to keep it hehehe

'Wow, that's a great deal! That game's worth much more than that!'

/buys game, never sells it.

Story of my life!