Category: | Game Store |
Address: | 2510 Durant Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA |
Phone: | +1 510-540-7822 |
Site: | gamesofberkeley.com |
Rating: | 4.5 |
Working: | 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–7PM |
NO
Noah Dove
When I set foot in the store, my first experience was the clerk asking me to please put my ice cream treat that Id brought in behind the front counter. No food in the merchandise space. Of course, they didnt want people getting their filthy fingers over things, I can understand. I was even willing to shrug it off as a weird store policy and a bad first impression, but it turned out to be part of a larger problem. The front of the store is laid out relatively open (for a game store), with the "safe" items like puzzles and conventional board games up front. Even as it moves through the gradient of spiel des jahres games to MTG to 40k to historical mini wargames, things are kept to look very clean and mainstream. Meanwhile, the playing space has been completely shoved into the basement. There, the regulars can be kept out of sight/sound/smell entirely, lest their presence disturb the mom casually walking in through the door looking for a puzzle. As if all those sweaty neckbeards were just as bad for the sale as ice cream dripped on everything. It even permeated into the conversations I heard. More that people were allowed to show up for the scheduled warmahordes tournament than a place where people came to throw some dice in a pickup game. Nowhere were there people just hanging out (there wasnt any space on the main floor allotted for it), or just playing games, or having fun. There didnt seem to be a sense of community, and if there was, they seemed all but careful to hide it. Instead, the whole thing was devoted to being exactly one thing - a soulless retail space. An IKEA except for European game designers instead of European furniture makers. Walk through the path, buy your stuff, dont touch anything, dont be weird. You almost expected there to be a cafe awkwardly wedged into the corner to offer sanitized chic like at a Barnes and Noble. In the end I stayed long enough to rifle through some confrontation minis and 40k books, but I didnt buy anything. Im all for supporting ones local game store (and I do), but this place doesnt seem to be one - its more that games are what happens to be on sale at a generic Berkeley boutique. If theres nothing more on tap than what the store manager decides he wants to let you get your grubbiness on while youre buying something it would be one thing, but if youre nothing but a display case for the newest expansion to Carcassone, then Im sorry, but youre competing with Amazon. Who offer that same expansion at half the cost.
ER
Erick Munoz
I went in to buy a expansion pack for the DC building card game for my uncles bday present, it turns out he already had those cards so I went in to tell the lady, (whom btw sold me the expansion pack) what happened I told I do not have a receipt but I would gladly take a store credit, she said it is not in a sale-able condition thus she cannot take it. Really? I had it in my backpack for 2 weeks with nothing in it, it hasnt been open so tell how can it not be saleable?? I was playing to use the store credit to buy the other DC teen titans game but you lost my business.
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Sean Schluntz
I love this place a lot and have been coming here for over 25 years. I dont even want to think about how much Ive spend in my youth on led figurines and gaming supplies. The majority of the staff are friendly and helpful and the selection of stuff is excellent. You can go in there with "Im looking for this game, I think it has to do with space, but I dont remember, it has a cloth playing surface and you use dice" and in three guesses figures out the right one! Games for all interests and ages, check it out if you are in the area!
ER
Eric Gray
If youre looking for something other than the (terrible) table top standby Monopoly or any of Milton Bradlys other winners, this is the place to go. The staff know what theyre talking about and are eager to suggest new diversions. They have a variety of outdoor / non-table-top items such as Frisbees, darts, and kites. Their selection of dice is second to none. Keep in mind that the store will be moving to 2510 Durant sometime in 2017 so if you fall in love with the place make sure you keep your eye on the address.
A
A Private User
Excellent Selection. Great place to take a kid and become one again. However, a little lacking in the customer service. After spending $37 there, the kid behind the counter said he couldnt give me change when I forgot to get some. I threw the bag of toys that I bought back on the counter and said "well, then I guess i need a full refund"... Got my change. Took a bus to Rockridge and went to a different toy store. Anyway, Great Great selection. Love the store. The help there lacks in common sense.
MA
Mark Hilton
This place was my stomping ground as a Cal student. The new location is great, hopefully they can get the same level of foot traffic, their old location was prime. The owner and staff are great and really knowledgeable. A MASSIVE selection of tabletop RPGs, including some stuff that is no longer in print. If you like stuff like D&D, come here. They dont carry many wargames besides Star Wars stuff (they dont carry 40k because of bad experiences with Games Workshop)
GA
Garrett Culbertson
They had a massive selection of board games carrying possibly hundreds of games Ive never heard of and every board game I have. They have a couple games set up so that people can play them and get hands on experience before buying. They also carry a decent amount of magic cards (I didnt look too close) and a ton of tabletop rpg books. Overall an amazing place for anyone interested in tabletop gaming.
RA
Randall Jackson
Good environment for people who are learning. A range of games for you to buy ( or play in the back if you so choose ). Has a variety of trading card games. From magic the gathering to FiNal fantasy the card game (which apparently does exist). And this place carries a lot of multi player games and a selection of single player as well. Good price. Overall a good place for all
JO
Jorgen Stovne
Theres just nowhere else like Games of Berkeley; theres something for everyone here. I came for the board game selection, of course, but theres roleplaying games, outdoor games, toys, books, classic games and more here. The selection is almost too large as I felt like I needed another day just to browse through it all. Will be back!
SE
Selena Nadav
Great selection of gaming goods of all genres and for all ages! Their gaming space is downstairs, and can be hard to notice, but is sectioned off nicely to limit noise. One draw back is the downstairs bathroom seems perpetually out of service, so you have to go upstairs and around the back for bio breaks.
JE
Jennifer Michels
Games of Berkeley is a fantastic Berkeley gem! Theyve got games for children and adults, and a great selection of puzzles too. The place can be a bit overwhelming but the staff is extremely helpful and navigated us to what we needed. Theyre also open pretty late- until 9pm most days.
RE
reverend gaddy
I wish this store could be a template for every game shop in the country. Theyve got everything, from boardgames to kites to wargames to juggling equipment... just sooo much amusement in one convenient place! They also host game nights and demos every day. I really love this place!