Best Video Game Stores In Los Angeles

Ah, video games – we hate to love them and love to give them as gifts. Unless we don't know enough about them, that is. Let's be honest – the games a first-grader might like are much different from those you'd give a high-school student or a hardcore gamer. With the holidays looming, parents, friends, aunts, uncles and grandparents want to know what they don't know: what to buy – and where! Here are a few suggestions of L.A. video game stores whose profiles are as different as gamers themselves.

Game Play
10937 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 842-7776
www.facebook.com

This is where the hardcore gamers hang out. Why? Because they geek out on all the hard-to-find stuff – games, consoles, accessories and more – they can find here. Another reason? GamePlay breaks the street dates for games, which means you can get your copy of a much-anticipated game early. This store offers a wide variety of games new and used.

Next-Gen Video Games
5360 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 938-3400
www.nextgenvideogames.com

Next-Gen is one of those video game stores where you know you'll be able to find something great. The location on Wilshire offers a huge array of games for systems like PS4, Xbox One, Wii, PS3, Nintendo DS, PSP, PS4, PS Vita, Xbox 360 and more. On top of that, they offer great pricing on both new and retro video games from every generation. They'll even buy your old games. If you're looking for older system games, they offer games for systems like NES, Super NES, Playstation 1, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, TurboGraphx, Game Gear and others.

Game Dude
12104 Sherman Way
North Hollywood, CA 91605
(818) 764-2442
www.gamedude.com

Want a blast from the past? This is the place to go – we'll call it Gamers' Delight. It's the kind of place that has every game – and game console – imaginable. So if you're feeling a little nostalgic you can take your walk down memory lane here. And then bring it home with you. And if you want the latest and greatest? You can get it here, too. All delivered with true gamer authenticity.

World 8
1057 Vermont Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90006
(213) 389-5212
www.world-8.com

Offering both video games for sale and for rent, World 8 offers everything from retro games to new games for every system you can think of. Can't find an accessory? Chances are they have it for you. The staff is very knowledgeable, friendly and always willing to help and give recommendations too. With great memorabilia inside and outside, you can tell the people who work here really love what they do. The store also holds tournaments, so if you're into gaming, this is the spot.

Japan Video Games
1509 W Valley Blvd
Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 281-6188
www.japanvideogames.com

The name says it all, right? So say the fans of this independent video game store that specializes in imports. With more than 3,000 import products, this store says it carries products from brands including Sanei, CafeReo, Takaratomy, Pokemon Center, Jupiter and Joytron. And the self-identified geeks like it: this store has moved three times since its founding in 1991 – and many of its fans have followed. Every time. Come here for a wide range of imported games, hardware, accessories and more.

Play 'n Trade
134 S Brand Blvd
Glendale, CA 91204
(818) 956-5792
www.playntrade.com

This Orange County-based chain is a favorites of Angelenos for one simple reason: you can play the games before you buy them. This is especially important for parents who want to make sure they approve of the game's content, story line, etc. before it's exposed to their children. And it's equally helpful for friends and family members who want to really know what they're giving as a gift to their favorite "kid" – young or old. At Play n Trade you can purchase new and old video games, trade in your games for credit, play in a tournament, and get your games and CDs repaired. They also have a loyalty program – the Insider Club – which offers discounts, as well as additional credit on trades to its members.

Gamestop
10800 West Pico Blvd
Westside Pavilion
Los Angeles, CA
(310) 474-7742
Multiple Locations Around LA
www.gamestop.com

With a wide range of console, PC and handheld video games – new and old, Gamestop is considered to be the big box store of gaming because they have locations all over LA and throughout the country. Often the location for major game launches, Gamestop allows you to pre-order much-anticipated games so you can reserve your copy before it sells out. Gamestop also publishes a gaming magazine – Game Informer – and offers a loyalty program via its Edge card.