J & L Game — Local services in New York

I’m not going to waste your time with this review and tell you about the aggressive prices because I’m sure you can see all the other reviews. FYI it’s true though but besides that there is also their customer service. I have visited so far a total of two times and the same employee helped me twice on both visits. He took out games I wanted to see and was helpful but I just felt like he didn’t really feel like helping which I guess you can’t complain about necessarily. He just didn’t seem very friendly. By the looks of all the other employees they didn’t seem all that much friendlier either. They all looked very depressed and just stuffed their faces with food the entire time on both visits. I did end up buying a white GameCube memory card which I couldn’t help but feel like was still a bit overpriced but it wasn’t anything that crazy like the prices for most of their games. After that I called them over the phone about a month or so later to see if they would install a new GameCube clock battery for me. Whoever answered the phone said they could do it while repairing the GameCube. I said thank you and they hung up. I then realized what he said only after hanging up. I was confused by what he meant when repairing it so I called back for clarification. I asked if they can just install the battery or if what he meant was that they can only do it with a repair. He then bluntly stated that they can only install the battery if the GameCube needed a repair to begin with. Once I understood I went to say thank you and have a nice day when I was abruptly met with a click of a hang up. I understand it was probably my fault for not understanding the first time but I was very polite and both phone calls were less than a minute. Point is the store has egregious prices and kinda rude/impolite customer service. If you are in the neighborhood and wanna check it out maybe it’s worth it for one of the few games/accessories that aren’t overpriced. Be warned their aren’t many. If you are an avid collector especially of retro titles and are looking to expand your collection I’d stay clear of this place. Even PS Vita games are priced way higher than they should be. Older titles will always be priced higher in today’s market value but this place definitely doubles the price of what they actually go for....

If you're a video game enthusiast in New York City, J&L Game is an absolute must-visit, even if you're just looking to browse. While the prices might lean a bit higher than what you'd find on the secondary market or at other shops, the experience itself is a true gem.

What truly sets J&L Game apart is its impeccable organization and presentation. Walking in feels less like entering a cluttered game store and more like stepping into a meticulously curated museum of gaming history. Every shelf is thoughtfully arranged, with games neatly displayed and clearly labeled. You won't find yourself rummaging through dusty bins or struggling to identify titles – everything is visible at a glance.

Each game, whether it's a retro classic or a modern release, is often immaculately packaged, many even sealed in protective plastic to preserve their condition. This attention to detail extends to how information is presented; prices are clearly marked, and often, you can easily see what a game includes, be it special editions, manuals, or extra content. This level of transparency and care is a rare sight in the world of game retail, and it truly enhances the shopping experience.

While the prices at J&L Game can be a touch higher than current market value, the value isn't just in the game itself, but in the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're purchasing from a store that prioritizes quality and authenticity. Moreover, their extensive inventory, spanning decades of gaming, means you stand a real chance of unearthing that elusive title you've been chasing for your collection. Whether it's a rare import, a complete-in-box classic, or a forgotten gem, J&L Game often has it.

So, if you're in New York City and have an appreciation for a beautifully organized and comprehensive video game collection, make your way to J&L Game. You might just walk out with a valuable addition to your own stash, or at the very least, you'll have enjoyed a truly impressive visual feast of...

Very friendly staff! That earns them the three stars. The guy greeted me when I walked in and asked if I needed help. This is good service for New York, where staff are usually gruff or disinterested, and it's good service for a game store, where many are reclusive or distracted. Being close to Times Square and Bryant Park means they have to be tourist-friendly, and that means courtesy.

Selection is fairly deep but not particularly broad. For instance on the N64 they had Donkey Kong, GoldenEye, Banjo-Kazooie, and Banjo-Tooie (the last is on the distinctively Rare side -- note the pun -- so it's a nice surprise to find). They also offer an excellent selection of special edition 3DS consoles.

They've got a good selection of imports and JRPGs. The owners are Asian (maybe Japanese).

There's a recency bias at play. They don't have many games for the likes of NES or Atari, and they don't seem to have many retro consoles. If you want a selection of true retro games you'll need to go elsewhere (if oh want reasonable prices that means out of the city or on eBay).

Prices are pretty high -- for instance, they offered an original Game Boy for a ridiculous $100. For an unsuspecting tourist this might seem reasonable, but it's about double the fair price. The biggest absurdity was the $500 Majora's Mask 3DS XL console. These were scalped upon release, but they're worth $200 to $250 now. I'm not sure if they've crossed the line between trying to make a profit and cheating people. They seem nice though, so I wouldn't assume the worst.

I respect the gist of what they're doing; they're running a niche business in an expensive tourist zone, and they're doing it with a friendly face. The games are simply...