Microplay Video Games & Collectibles — Local services in Newmarket

⚠️WORST EXPERIENCE EVER – DO NOT SHOP HERE⚠️

I came to this store for the first time to purchase a GameCube console as a Christmas gift for my brother. Living in Mississauga, I had to drive nearly 50 minutes to get there, hoping for a smooth transaction. However, the entire experience turned out to be an absolute nightmare.

The problems started as soon as I walked in. The employee, a man with glasses, helped us select a GameCube but flat-out refused to let us test it. His excuse was, “We don’t have time today.” This was at 11 AM, with only three other customers in the store. I couldn’t understand why a secondhand store would refuse such a basic request—testing a console before purchase is a standard practice everywhere else. It felt unreasonable and suspicious.

While there, I also brought five Pokémon GameBoy cartridges to sell, knowing their value. The female employee, who also wore glasses, tested my games using a computer instead of a GameBoy, which made no sense. She claimed none of the games were working and offered me a lowball amount of $50 for all five. Finding this hard to believe, I declined the offer and took the games to another store later. There, they tested the cartridges properly on a GameBoy, confirmed they worked perfectly, and offered me $200 for the same set. It’s clear this store doesn’t even know how to test items properly, or worse, intentionally undervalues them to rip off customers.

Despite my frustration, I went ahead and purchased the GameCube. After paying, I was told there were no refunds—a detail conveniently shared only after I made the payment. This lack of transparency felt dishonest, especially considering the console was already overpriced. When I got home, we discovered the time and date settings on the console didn’t work because the internal battery needed replacement, something that requires professional servicing.

A week later, on December 14, I returned to the store to exchange the defective console. Once again, I drove 50 minutes to get there. This time, I insisted on testing the replacement console on-site to avoid another trip. The same employee with glasses refused, using the excuse that it was “tax-free day” and they “didn’t have time.” Instead of helping, he stood around doing nothing while my brother examined the console. This level of rudeness and lack of professionalism was infuriating.

The store environment itself was also unprofessional. Employees had their breakfast laid out on the same table where they sell games. Combined with their dismissive attitudes, it was clear they had no regard for customer service or maintaining even basic standards. Gave no apologies either.

To make matters worse, after bringing the replacement GameCube home, we discovered it had the exact same issue with the time display. This entire experience has been nothing but a waste of time, energy, and money.

⛔️AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS⛔️

This store is overpriced, unprofessional, and treats its customers with blatant disrespect. Both employees—the man and woman with glasses—were rude, dismissive, and unwilling to help. I cannot understand how they run a business this way. If you value your time and money, take your business elsewhere. I will never return and strongly urge others to do the same.

Save yourself the frustration—shop somewhere else where customers are valued and...

It was my first time going to the store in some years. The place has gone completely down hill. I used to find great deals here, I also used to have the impression of the staff being very friendly and welcoming. Unfortunate how times have seemingly changed.

Firstly, the staff behave indifferently and treat customers with contempt. When I walked into the store they had 3 staff working. 1 of the staff members were tending to a group of customers, while the other 2 scurried off into the back. One staff member came back out once I was finally being tended to by the first employee who dealt with the initial group. I think the least they could do, absolute bare minimum, is to take 5 seconds to acknowledge/welcome the customer who is waiting before they scramble away. Your time is not valued at all at Microplay, you are treated as an expectation rather than an opportunity for business. It reflects in the manner they conduct their business too, again indifferent and contempt.

Here is a severe issue regarding Microplay: Microplay has gone out of their way to keep all their trade in value information a secret. Transparency for the customer has absolutely no value to Microplay. In fact it feels almost as if they are hoping you arent informed so they can take as large of an advantage as they can. Dont believe me? Go to their website and try to find one sentence of information regarding trade in policy or even their refund policy... you cant. Since Microplay refuses to be transparent with their customers, I will warn others: Microplay will offer about 20% cash trade in value and about 40% store credit trade in value. This is on par with GameStop. Theres absolutely no reason to bring your stuff to trade in with these guys, you can find way better offers at any other store who doesnt reduce themselves to GameStop methods of acquiring profit. Anecdote: I sold my lot of games in a private sale for over 4x what they offered me. Another store i visited offered me a 40/60 cash/store credit value. Again, no reason to waste time with these guys.

Furthermore this store is not professional or serious in any manner. While I was waiting I heard the staff talking about "how stupid customer are who call in". They were mocking customers for asking questions regarding navigating their website, customer calling to request information regarding an order placed, etc. This is beyond reprehensible, immature and shameful. Extremely low class stuff coming from the staff. I felt disgusting just being in the presence of that staff after that. That despicable uncultured behaviour is the reason why I will never return to this store.

Whoever the owner is has...

Even if a GameStop opened up next door to my house, I’d still make the trip to Microplay Newmarket for all my gaming and collectible needs. As a lifelong gamer, this store truly resonates with my passion for the hobby. It’s clear to see that Microplay is owned and operated by people who share this passion, rather than corporate entities that no longer favour the consumer.

Microplay accommodates everybody from entry-level and casual gamers to seasoned enthusiasts and collectors, with a consistently good selection of new and retro games, consoles, accessories and merchandise spanning generations of gaming and pop culture history.

Display cases showing rare and sought-after games and hardware, and retro CRT TVs displaying demos of beloved classics, are some of the things that contribute to Microplay’s fun and cozy ambience that makes every visit one to look forward to. Their repair service also highlights their dedication to the preservation of physical games and media - something that will continue to gain importance as we move further into the digital age.

The experience is accompanied by friendly customer service. The approachable and knowledgeable staff always seem to be up for a chat, or to offer guidance to help you make an informed purchase. They even have a track record of going out of their way to procure fun and unique pre-order bonuses for some big releases, such as custom metal pokemon cards, acrylic standees, themed pins and keychains etc.

This is more than just another video game retailer - it’s a celebration of gaming’s past and present, and a community hub for gamers in York region. If you live in the area or find yourself here frequently, consider making Microplay Newmarket your go-to stop for gaming and collectibles. Stores like this deserve our business more than the...