" Probably one of the bigger GameStops in GSO . Good selection of everything from the games itself, merch, funko pops, figures and memorabilia.
Ah, the 90s and 2000s—those glorious days when the world was a little less digital and a lot more… well, let’s just say we had to physically go to places to buy our video games. One such place that’s been the subject of some delightful nostalgia on Reddit is the video game store located in the basement of Highpoint Shopping Centre. If you were one of the lucky souls who ventured down those escalators near the center stage, you might remember the thrill of spotting that little haven of gaming bliss on the right side. But let’s be real—what was the name of that store again?
If your memory is anything like mine (which is a mix of fond recollections and a few too many late-night snacks), you might be scratching your head. You know it wasn’t EB Games or JB Hi-Fi. Those are the big names of the game retail world, but this place had its own unique charm. Perhaps it was the slightly dim lighting, the smell of freshly opened game cases, or the sound of kids arguing about which console was better. Ah, the sweet symphony of youth!
Redditor /u/Fluid_Garden8512 sparked this trip down memory lane, and it seems like a lot of folks are in the same boat, desperately trying to recall the name of that elusive video game store. It’s like trying to remember your first crush—intensely important and equally frustrating. Maybe it was called something like “Game World” or “Pixel Palace,” or perhaps it was as straightforward as “Video Game Store.” Who knows? The only thing we can be sure of is that it was a sanctuary for many gamers back in the day.
Picture this: You step off the escalator, and there it is, the magical land of cartridges, CDs, and the occasional VHS tape. (Yes, I’m talking about a time when you could still rent movies on tape. Let that sink in for a moment.) You’d browse through the aisles, your heart racing as you contemplated which game to take home. Would it be the latest release or a hidden gem from the bargain bin? Decisions, decisions!
In those days, buying a game was an experience. You had to make sure you had enough pocket money saved up, and if you didn’t, well, that’s what chores were for, right? Or maybe you’d just barter with your siblings for a couple of bucks—only to have them remind you later that they were “doing you a favor” and you owed them.
And let’s not forget the staff! They were the gatekeepers of gaming knowledge. You could walk in with a question about the newest release, and they’d either have the answer or send you on a wild goose chase. I mean, who doesn’t love a good treasure hunt? You might walk in looking for the latest Final Fantasy and leave with a copy of some obscure title that you’d never heard of but was on sale. It was like a box of chocolates—you never knew what you were going to get.
As we reminisce about this little slice of gaming history, it’s hard not to feel a twinge of sadness for the kids today. They’ll never know the joy of physically holding a game case or the thrill of flipping through a magazine while waiting for their turn at the demo station. Sure, they have their digital downloads and online gaming, but where’s the charm in that? It’s like ordering a gourmet meal and getting delivered a frozen dinner instead. Sure, it’s functional, but it lacks that special something.
So, to all you fellow gamers and nostalgic souls out there, let’s band together and try to unearth the name of that beloved store from the depths of our memories. Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s see if we can crack this mystery together. And who knows? Maybe we’ll even discover a few more hidden gems from our collective gaming past along the way. After all, even if the name eludes us, the memories will always remain, tucked away in the corners of our minds like a well-loved game cartridge waiting to be played again.
Inspired by: “Anyone Recall the Videogame store in the Basement Highpoint level in the 90s/2000s?” (r/melbourne)