[quote name='azel']I've been in Richmond over 10 years now and we just can't seem to keep any non-conglomerate kind of video game store. We used to have Funco Land, Babbabges, Software Etc, and some smaller outfits but they were all eaten up by the Gamestop merger.
However, there is a new chain called "Play N Trade" that's located near the Shortpump Mall. I only went in once and didn't see much, but they do carry old stuff so that's a plus over Gamestop.
Other than that, I don't know of any arcades or video game stores in the area, aside from the arcades at the amusement parks (Busch Gardens and King's Dominion). The only decent arcade action I've seen is in laundromats and the MAME cabinet I have in my living room
My only other advice is to check out Pawn Shops and Thrift Stores. FanTastic Thrift located on the corner of Main and Meadow downtown often has some good stuff.
We do have some great Gamestops here, with my favorite being the one at Commonwealth Centre in Midlothian. Beware the store on Midlothian turnpike and Courthouse road -- they adhere the price tag directly to the paper insert inside the plastic case. After it sits there for a few days, it stains the paper on the spine of the game... I've passed up many a good/rare game at that store because they're such idiots.[/QUOTE]
yeah, i can't stand the midlo store now. back when i was working there with the old manager, it was always clean, we never checked out brand new games (only used), gutted ONE copy of new games, not 3-4, and most of our staff actually knew quite a bit about games. all 3 of our managers (including me) left at the same time and it looks like the store pretty much went to hell. the commonwealth center gamestop was fairly good last time i was in there while mitch was manager, i hope he still is though i don't make it out that way as often as i used to.