The Haunted Game Cafe — Restaurant in Fort Collins

The good: Game selection is pretty good. Not as big as Hobby Town. They have a decent selection of dice, including a box of random dice you can sort through. Game prices are on par with other stores. Their selection of miniatures is pretty good. They have signature drinks that they make that my kids like.

They have a growing inventory of used video games, including NES and N64.

They have half of the store filled with tables devoted to open play and scheduled game times. There is a very visible calendar to see when that is. They also have a decently-sized collection of various games you can play in this area.

The bad: They have a limited amount of drinks at the coffee bar and an even smaller number of food items. Their main food is pizza. They have other items like protein bars that you can buy of a rack.

The box of random dice has whole sets, if you can find them. We had to hunt for several minutes to find matching sets of the ones we wanted. If you don't want to hunt, you can pay a higher price for pre-packaged sets.

Of the many games they have in the gaming area only a very small number are for sale on the store half.

Don't bother asking to demo a game that you created unless you have an agent, a publisher or are already signed up with a major distributer. We drove two hours to have our son demo at least one of the two games that he created and the girl (owner/manager??) not only would she not give him the time to even explain what either game was, but she didn't even bother looking at what either game was. The card game only takes 10 minutes to learn, and only about 1-2 minutes to explain.

She did give him a couple of game distributor phone number/web site info. But, after being shut down by another store, he was really looking forward to showing it to someone at the Haunted Game Café.

Overall, the store has a nice atmosphere, but some of the staff (not the girl mentioned above) need some customer-service training on how to not act rude. If you want to sit, chill and play a game, this is a nice place to do it. If you're looking for a specific game or item, you can start here, but will probably end up at Hobby Town (FC...

The staff is very professional and enforce the store rules so this is a good store to bring children to. The store owner is often on site to make sure things run smoothly. If the store does not have the product you want often they will ask you if you want them to order it. The store and its restrooms are always very clean . If you like playing board games every once an awhile with your family of friends for the afternoon this is a good place to go. This is a place to bring someone who does not play games regularly. The place is decorated nicely inside which is a perk. Their magic singles ordering system has worked well for me. The cards will always be ready for pickup when I arrive.

The store use to be very small and I felt like I was always competing for space, but since their expansion they have plenty of space and the tables are appropriate for playing card games (not raised edges). They now have two POS computers so the gaming can be separate from beverage services which was a big improvement.

I've had some issues with Haunted through the lens of a magic: the gathering players in the past. They had issues with tournaments starting on time, judges unfamiliarity with the rules, low attendance, and even the employees lashing out at players in some instances. The staff has little knowledge of magic cards beside basic things like looking up cards in their database. I do not believe they have a Magic specialist on staff. I've notice a better environment recently and they seem to have improved a bit since when they first opened. I believe the new space is large enough to run pptqs or grand prix trials so I hope they begin doing these in the future.

This is a great store for the casual gamer and they have made good improvements for magic players recently since their expansion but not great store if you are a hardcore player spending significant amounts of money...

The Haunted Game Cafe is a gem for tabletop gaming enthusiasts. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted by an ambiance that perfectly blends a cozy gaming environment with a touch of mystical charm. The walls are adorned with thematic decorations, creating a cool, slightly spooky atmosphere that enhances the gaming experience.

Their collection of games is nothing short of impressive, offering a wide variety from classic board games to the latest releases. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or a curious newbie, there's something for everyone. The tables were spacious and comfortable, ideal for spreading out game components and strategizing with friends. The highlight of our visit was playing the final version of our free indie game "Frostbite: The Curse of Dr. Frost" by DoubleDropDown.

The staff deserves a special mention for their knowledge and enthusiasm. They were incredibly helpful, offering game recommendations and explaining rules with patience and expertise. It's clear they are passionate about gaming, which adds to the overall positive vibe of the cafe.

Another aspect that makes The Haunted Game Cafe stand out is its food and drink section. The menu has a great selection of snacks and beverages, perfect for refueling during long gaming sessions. The prices are reasonable, and the quality of the food and drinks exceeded our...