In 1992 I was 11 years old. I had a Super Nintendo and I played Street Fighter 2 eight hours a day. I also used to visit video game stores and just sort of hang around looking at stuff. The above video is like an insane time machine into a bizarre past I’d completely forgotten about… the world of the video game store, circa 1992.
Hear the strange music, see the the multitude of CRTs, gaze with wonder upon the massive air balloon with ‘SALE’ printed across it. This is video game history and it is absolutely fascinating.
The Gamesmen are actually still around — they have stores in Penhurst and Wollongong. I find it sort of reassuring that they still exist, despite the massive assault on local retailers. It’s a hard business to run, especially as a small independent.
This video is sort of quaint, and mildly hilarious, but I can’t help but feel nostalgic for these independent stores — they really are a dying breed.
Thanks to the awesome Doc What for showing this to me!
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