Where do you buy vintage consoles and carts in the SF Bay Area?

[FlightSuit]

In reading the posts here, I get the impression that in some parts of the US, you can find stores dedicated to vintage gaming that actually have a decent selection of such things.

 

It's ironic that here, right on the edge of Silicon Valley, we're not so lucky. I sometimes find vintage consoles and cartridges in pawn shops, thrift stores, or at the occasional comic book shop that also deals in vintage toys, but that's about it. I guess you could include GameStop or Digital Stuff if you consider the original X-Box or the Nintendo Gamecube to be vintage, but I really don't.

 

So how 'bout it, folks? Where in Northern California are the hidden resources that I've been missing?

[kevincal]

I've gotten some great stuff from Craigslist! There's always people around the bay area selling all kinds of vintage game stuff on there. There is also 1 classic gaming store in SF, I forget the name of it though. I believe there's one in Antioch as well. Try Craigslist though, I guarantee you'll find some good stuff for good prices.

 

Have you tried the San Jose flea market?

[STICH666]

San Jose, California

1807 E Capitol Expy, , San Jose, California, 95121, United States of America

PHONE: (408) 531-9350

 

San Jose, California

125 Bernal Rd #60, , San Jose, California, 95119, United States of America

PHONE: 408.281.8711

 

Those are two Play-N-Trades in the area.

Edited May 17, 2009 by STICH666

[lushgirl_80]

There's a brand new retro videogames store in San Francisco on Powell street called Star Games. I was really surprised when I went there the other night they actually sell Atari games

 

 

 

 

http://www.stargamessf.com/

 

 

 

The guy that owns the place is really cool. I might go there again on Tuesday and buy some Genesis games for my Nomad.

 

 

 

edit - they also sell oldschool NES

Edited May 18, 2009 by lushgirl_80

[kevincal]

Ya, that's the place I heard of that was in SF.

[jsoper]

4jays in Antioch

[FlightSuit]

Thanks everybody for your replies! I'm definitely going to check out that place on Powell Street. Rent there must be astronomical, so if the guy's able to stay in business, that must mean vintage/retro gaming is more than an obscure, fringe pass-time, 'cause somebody must be spending actual money in that place.

[FlightSuit]

I just visited Star Games on Powell Street for the first time earlier today. Thanks for recommending it! I can report that they do have a nice selection of games and peripherals for a variety of old systems, and the prices, while not as dirt cheap as what you'd find at a flea market, are certainly within the realm of reasonable. Also, it's kind of a new experience for me to be able to shop for vintage carts in an environment that's clean and well-lit, as opposed to the usual, moldy, dusty, thrift-store ambience.

 

In addition to vintage carts and accessories, they also had a few gaming-oriented toys, a few older systems, FC Twins, and tons of modern games for modern systems. The modern stuff must surely be what pays their bills.

 

Note that this is on a block of Powell Street in North Beach, as opposed to the parts in the Union Square/Tenderloin/Market Street areas. It's definitely worth a visit.