European mates! Recommendations for a gamer traveller!

Hey guys!

I'm in a travelling vacation throughout Europe, and it just happened I wanted to check some good game stores you might know of (mainstream stores, obscure places that might sell old games, whatever!).

There's a particular game I'm interested to get: Ocean Commander for the PS2. It seems to be a novelty released originally in Italy, but I also heard it would be sold in other European countries as well.

Currently I'm in London, but I'll also be visiting Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo.

Well, in Amsterdam I can at least recommend paying a visit to Game Over?. It's located near the central station (precise directions are on the site) and has a lot of retro games and hardware, including some pretty obscure stuff. Prices are a bit higher than average, but you might just find a bargain there.

There are two retro gaming stores near Oxford Street in London I think one is called Game Focus or something and the other is called CEX

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/c...arnold/MAP.jpg

Game Focus had some Japanese and US imports including Saturn/PS2/Gamecube games as well as the usual stuff.

CEX isn't quite as good but I have found some stuff in there from time to time

There's also a store called...actually I can't remember what it's called at the moment unfortunately but it's very close to notting Hill station, they have some really old stuff like Atari 2600 games there and I think Amiga stuff, If you want to know more about that store tell me and I'll make a more concerted effort to find info.

Generally in the UK it's always worth looking for Cash Convertors and Cash Mart style stores, these are basically 2nd hand pawning chain stores frequented by drug addicts and thieves and as such on occasion have all the best retro stuff at bargain prices.

I hate to say this, but you might as well skip Stockholm. There are barely any retro stores, and those there are have minimum content, rarely anything rare and always maximum prices. I remember seeing a loose Phantasy Star cart for 250 SEK (~€25) some years ago. Fortunately, that shop closed down. Serves them right.

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Originally Posted by Kollision

Hey guys!

I'm in a travelling vacation throughout Europe, and it just happened I wanted to check some good game stores you might know of (mainstream stores, obscure places that might sell old games, whatever!).

There's a particular game I'm interested to get: Ocean Commander for the PS2. It seems to be a novelty released originally in Italy, but I also heard it would be sold in other European countries as well.

Currently I'm in London, but I'll also be visiting Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo.

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If you can find a Game Station in England, they do a range of second hand games, although I don't know of a specific one in London. Hope you have a fantastic time on your Europe tour - London is an awesome city. :ok:

Gamestation and Game stores both have stacks of pre-owned PS2 games for very reasonable prices. The high streets of England are flooded with both stores so you shouldn't have any problems finding one ;)

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Originally Posted by Mr Smith

If you can find a Game Station in England, they do a range of second hand games, although I don't know of a specific one in London. Hope you have a fantastic time on your Europe tour - London is an awesome city. :ok:

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There's a Gamestation 10 minutes walk away from Notting Hill Gate, and another one in Camden Town.

These days retro wise Gamestations are only really any good for PS2 games, and maybe XBox depending on store (though those aren't really retro anyway)

Gamestation :yuck:

I almost got to Notting Hill Gate yesterday, but it started to rain so I didn't get to see much. jesus, I should be visiting Camden Town tomorrow, your suggestion will come in handy.

That one in Amsterdam seems to be great, devil, tks!

London is indeed an awesome city, Daniel. As for Stockholm, Zebbe, no problems with that. Game shopping is sort of a side aspect of the trip only. I'm sure Sweden is also a great place to visit!

Thanks for all the useful info, everyone! :D

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Originally Posted by Kollision

I should be visiting Camden Town tomorrow, your suggestion will come in handy.

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Watch out for the drug dealers :D, the place is full of them and they all try to rip you off.

Just say "no thanks" sometimes if you ignore them they get angry and start threatening you.

That's a good thing to know....

Note to self: Never visit Camden Town.

What, like reefer or hard stuff? I don't like pills but picking up some ganja between game stores would be pretty damn convenient.

I miss London. I was only there for 4 days like 8 (yikes!) years ago. but I have been captivated by it ever since.

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Originally Posted by Zebbe

I hate to say this, but you might as well skip Stockholm. There are barely any retro stores, and those there are have minimum content, rarely anything rare and always maximum prices. I remember seeing a loose Phantasy Star cart for 250 SEK (~€25) some years ago. Fortunately, that shop closed down. Serves them right.

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The fleemarkets were neat but expensive.

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Originally Posted by Zebbe

I hate to say this, but you might as well skip Stockholm. There are barely any retro stores, and those there are have minimum content, rarely anything rare and always maximum prices. I remember seeing a loose Phantasy Star cart for 250 SEK (~€25) some years ago. Fortunately, that shop closed down. Serves them right.

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Urgh, I agree. I've never bought an old game in a store because of that.

Back home!

And yeah, pastures aren't really green for a South American gamer in Europe. I could'nt find exactly what I wanted, but I did check some of the places you guys recommended.

The best was that one in Amsterdam. They had a CIB Zero Wing and I wanted it. I didn't get it however because they didn't take credit cards... I was supposed to return later with cash but I was fooled by the sun - I lost track of time and when I remembered the shop was already closed!

Ah, so they still have a copy of Zero Wing lying around then? Maybe I should have a look then next time I'm in Amsterdam ;). How much was it by the way?

Ah yeah, I can imagine that, coming from South America, the selection offered in European stores must be kinda underwhelming. I know how surprised I was about the sheer number of stores carrying Genesis products I found when I was in Argientina... Especially since you'll hardly find any stores carrying Genesis games in Germany apart from the odd online store (yeah, there are a few regular stores, but those I know of do most of their business online).

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Originally Posted by Devil N

Ah, so they still have a copy of Zero Wing lying around then? Maybe I should have a look then next time I'm in Amsterdam ;). How much was it by the way?

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I can't really recall right now how much it was exactly, but I think it went for 10 or 15 Euros.