Having problems finding new games?

[Gabriel]

Lately, I've been having problems finding current games locally.

 

For instance, Namco 50th Anniversary was about 2 weeks late hitting the area. When I did find it, was it at a specialty store, which you'd expect to get the latest games in? No, I found it at Target.

 

I hunted locally for Rebelstar Tactical Command. Once again, the local stores all failed me. In fact, the specialty stores outright told me the game didn't exist (and, in the same breath, asked me if I wanted to reserve a X-Box 360 or EA sports game)! I eventually found myself ordering it online.

 

Surely, Soul Calibur III isn't a obscure niche game? I had the odd urge to give GameCrazy some business and asked if I could pre-order it from them. The reply I got was... you guessed it... there was no such upcoming game. Would I like to buy a NFL game instead?

 

This isn't just localized to specialty stores. It seems to affect all videogame sellers, from Target and Wal-Mart to Toys R Us and Best Buy. They just don't seem to stock newer games. They used to be very good at getting the merchandise on the day after the release date; just not anymore. Because of this, I increasingly find myself buying online to get what I'm after.

 

So now it isn't just the obscene amount of suggestive selling that goes on in specialty shops. It's not that it's so damn hard to get a clerk to open the damn game case for you to restrieve a game. It's that they just don't have what I want, aren't getting it, and would rather sell me a sports game.

 

Anyone else noticing this kind of trend?

[Classic Pac]

That is the problem sometimes, unless your willing to use a credit card and order online you just plain won't find the pacific new titles your looking for.

[sega saturn x]

No, I found it at Target.

I buy a lot of games from target and toys R us. Two of the best game stores out there in my opinion. They get most of the new games and I'm never asked to pre-order anything at target. And as a bonus i don't have to listen to the X is better than Y crap.

[MCHufnagel]

No, I found it at Target.

I buy a lot of games from target and toys R us. Two of the best game stores out there in my opinion. They get most of the new games and I'm never asked to pre-order anything at target. And as a bonus i don't have to listen to the X is better than Y crap.

941889[/snapback]

I never buy new releases at stores like GameStop or EB Games. I hate to buy my games already opened and in god knows what condition and Target/Toys R Us/Best Buy usually have some sort of sale or coupon deal on them.

I too don't miss the BS sales pitches that you get from the specialty stores.

[Gabriel]

I'm bumping this topic because I'm pissed off again at the total lack of anything resembling current games in the area.

 

Today I was in Target (looking for Heroscape minis) when I got sidetracked by the PS2 demo unit. It was showing a Gundam game. Since I'm sort of a Gundam fan, I picked up the controller and played the game a bit. It was neat enough, so I decided on a whim to find the game and purchase it. The game was Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam Versus Zeta Gundam. Does Target actually have this game?

 

No.

 

So, I start checking everywhere in town. My next stop is Circuit City. Do they have the game? Nope.

 

I stop at Toys R Us. I can't find a slipholder for it, so I ask if they might have it anyway. The guy checks and tells me they don't have it. Once again he asks me if it's a very recent game. "No. It's about 2 or 3 months old." He replies that they probably never got the game in.

 

I stop at Wal-Mart (where I at least find the Heroscape boosters I was looking for). Thier case is an absolute mess. Numerous games are hidden down at the bottom so titles cannot be read. I ask if they might be able to open the case and see if they have the Gundam game hidden amongst the titles at the bottom. "No. We don't sell those at the bottom of the case."

 

Huh?

 

I guess they don't sell games at all, because another person asked to get a game out of the case and the clerk just walked off.

 

So, then I go to Hastings Music & Video store. I look there. Any luck? Of course not.

 

I check Game Crazy. The two teenage girl clerks were irritated that I interruped them doing their nails. They summarily told me they didn't have any game with "Gundam" in the title anywhere in the store according to their computer.

 

Finally, I stop at GameStop as an absolute last ditch attempt. Eureka! They have the box on display. I take it to the counter and wait for 10 minutes while the three clerks sit on their fingers. Eventually, I get helped and they try to push and opened version of the game off on me. I tell them there's no way in hell I'm paying $40 for an open game and leave as they start their ridiculous spiel about how it's never been touched and good as new.

 

Now that I'm home, I've checked online and Best Buy doesn't even have it listed in their inventory. EB only carries it used. My last local store to check is a little place called FX on the mall which I wouldn't have been able to get to before they closed tonight. They might try to push an opened copy of the game off on me too if they have it.

 

It's completely ridiculous. We're talking about a Bandai Gundam game. It isn't anywhere near niche. Bandai shits the damn things out in bulk. And NO FUCKING LOCAL STORE STOCKS THE JUNK!

 

Yet another encouragement to simply order everything online.

[sega saturn x]

I'm almost positive i saw that game at media play. But it might have been one of the other hundred gundam games.