GameBound Video Games LLC — Local services in Renton

I want to like this place, I really do, but I just can't.

Ill start with the positives. They have a great selection of retro games and consoles for a semi-reasonable price. The selection seems to refresh itself given some time, so if you're looking for a particular game, if they don't have it in stock, they will keep an eye out for you.

My biggest issue with the store is their Pokemon section. Yes, they have a nice selection of singles in the cases and binders to choose from. Again, some of them are reasonably priced, others are above market value.

Their sealed selection is absolutely ridiculously overpriced. When they get product in they price it above market but never adjust those prices as the market corrects itself. Case in point is their Prismatic Evolutions ETBs. Months after the value of these have plummeted, they have not, nor does it look like they will, adjust their prices. Currently as the date of this review, they are trying to sell them for $150. You can go anywhere else to find them $20-$30 cheaper. People are even selling them for $50+ cheaper on FB Marketplace.

Also, never, ever, ever buy loose Japanese packs from ANY store, not just here, because they are selling the non-hits from a box. Japanese boxes are required to have a certain number of hits in their boxes, and when you get those requirements, you know the rest of the packs are duds. Here, they have stacks of loose Japanese packs piled in a container, no box in sight. Some retailers rip a box and keep them on the shelves and let their customers pick their own pack from that box. Again, only buy these from retailers that you can assure they do not tamper with their packs.

It was nice to see a local shop open, but its sad they have fallen into the Pokemon greed. They're a good store if you want to look at retro games, consoles and accessories. However, stay away from their Pokemon section unless you like spending way over market value for...

I really appreciate this shop’s selection and layout, especially their displays of the more obscure farm simulation titles, plus the solid stock of trading cards. It’s a gem for quick TCG pickups when bigger box stores like Target are out of the way. The staff have always been pleasant and helpful, and I can tell there’s genuine passion behind the way the space is curated.

That said, I had a recent visit with my family that gave me pause. Upon entering, we were immediately met with an overwhelming and overpowering smell of illicet cannabis-like narcotic odor. While I understand some might not mind, as a parent, it was disappointing to experience that in a place otherwise designed to appeal to children and families. It made me uncomfortable enough that I wouldn’t bring my children back again, which is a real shame.

Still, I’ll likely stop in solo now and then for quick purchases, the store has a lot going for it. I just hope they consider how the overall environment impacts all kinds of customers,...

They have a nice selection but almost everything is overpriced. Found an NES Top Loader that didn't have a price, and brought it up to the clerk. When we opened the box the console and controller were filthy and covered in dirt missing the inserts, paperwork, and manual. No power or A/V cables included though she claimed they had spares in the back. She contacted the owner who quoted the price as $300. I said hell no and walked out. The price the owner got was for CiB sales on eBay, yet this was far from complete. At most the console was worth $180 in its condition according to sales on Price Comparison. Aftermarket cables, a beat-up box, missing paperwork, and a dirty console is not worth the cost.

Moral of the story, check prices elsewhere or risk getting ripped off. Only plus is the staff is pretty nice here on both visits but the owner needs to learn about actual pricing instead of grabbing the first price he...