James Games & More

Visited this store while in town and was immediately put off by the ridiculously high prices on games and items I’d seen elsewhere in better condition for more reasonable rates. I’ll preface my review by saying I’m a video game journalist and write for several high-​profile entertainment publications, so I’ve frequented my share of used and retail video game stores.
I was willing to overlook that until I realized what kind of a visit we were about to have. The clerk was a teenager who was playing online via Xbox Live the entirety of my visit save for a few moments when he’d ask if we needed help or if we found anything, but he gave off the most disinterested vibe I’ve ever seen in a gaming store, and it was very clear it bothered him so much to leave his game to help us – not to mention the profanity spewing from his mouth and irritating chats he was having with teammates, which was very off-​putting as we were trying to browse the store. It was as if we had walked into someone’s house and they were busy with a game, and felt as though our very presence was an intrusion.
The fact that a teenager would be left to run the store with access to Xbox Live was mindblowing to me considering a business should be professional and welcoming to customers, but I suppose that’s an argument for another day.
We were interested in a stack of Nintendo Power magazines in the floor that were stacked lazily in front of another colossal stack of magazines, right where they could be damaged or trampled, and several issues were marked $ 20 and up. When we asked about the pricing we were told (a very flat) «the price is whatever’s marked there.» However, the clerk did let on that the store was «just trying to get rid of the Nintendo Power magazines» and were selling the ones without price tags for 50 cents apiece.
This is ridiculous, considering the overpriced issues were without any sort of slipcover or protection to keep them in good condition. Only hours prior to visiting this store we had gone to The Exchange, where some of the very same magazines were in pristine slipcovers to protect them since they were priced higher, so why would anyone want to drop this kind of money with books that were just laying all over the floor to be stepped on? We decided we’d take a lot of the cheaper magazines, and the kid at the register gave us a pretty lousy deal, but we went ahead and got them anyway because there were some very important pieces to add to the collection.
We must have purchased 30+ magazines, however, in two heavy stacks, and the kid had the audacity to ask if we «wanted a bag or wanted to carry the magazines how they were.» Why would we want to carry 30+ magazines out across the street back to the car without a bag? Why was that even a question?
I really didn’t appreciate the kid playing Xbox Live while we were there the whole time, nor his complete lack of professionalism, and the prices were way too high. It’s as if they don’t want your business. Don’t bother with this place.

On the fence here…
On one hand, I’m a little disappointed in the merchandise here, especially after shopping at some other local spots that resell used, older systems and games. On the other hand, they did allow us to exchange items for store credit, which we were then able to use for a game we wanted.
We stopped in on a Friday evening after walking past the front window and seeing a silver GameCube in the window. We were in the market for some old gaming systems and games. After browsing the games, we asked if we could buy the silver GameCube in the window. Then we heard the most ridiculous, forehead-​smacking statements ever:
«Oh, that one is broken. We just put those in the window so people can see what we have.»
*sits and ponders*
So you have those systems in the window to show what you have, but you don’t have what’s in the window?
Then we hear, «But we have this black GameCube. It has generic controllers though.»
Ugh. No thanks. Who wants an old gaming system without the name brand accessories?
So we moved past it and asked about a PlayStation 1. They had one we ended up purchasing since we were able to find a copy of Crash Bandicoot at another trade-​in store up the street. Boy was that a mistake. IT WAS FILTHY. I understand this is a trade in store, but what makes them think they don’t have to clean up what they try to resell? We cleaned it off (a process that took HOURS) before we touched it and plugged it in to play. It only sort of worked… if you think listening to a loud grinding noise is a pleasant playing experience.
So, like I said, we were able to exchange it for a Nintendo 3DS game we wanted, but they should be happy that they got it back in MUCH MUCH MUCH better condition than we bought it in. Regardless, we most likely won’t be returning since they don’t seem to put much care into what they’re reselling you. Especially when they charge as much as the places that DO clean up their items.

James Games is a store that specializes in video games from the earliest of Atari titles to the most current PS4 blockbusters. Like most game stores, the pricing is slightly on the higher side but the selection is and variety always empresses. I’ve been there many times, but after my experience today, I decided to write a review about it.
As far as I know, there are two stores. One is in Lakewood and the other is in Fairview. This reviwe might have the Lakewood adress, but I will talk about both of them because they provided different experiences.
Lakewood: we walked in and saw the sales clerk playing a game over the Internet. He greeted us, and told us to let him know if we needed any help. I asked him to check a few things, and he was annoyed that he had to leave his game. He told the guy on the other end of his headset to hold on while he helped us. In part of the store is a glass case that has some import titles. I asked if I could see them, but he said they weren’t for sale. I asked why, and he said his dad hasn’t priced them yet. We looked around some more, and eventually left. The clerk wasn’t rude, but he was disinterested. I came in with the intent to buy, but ended up regretting even entering. Also, the store smelled like moldy fried food.
Fairview: We entered the second James Games with hesitation, but the experience ended up being great. The woman behind the counter greeted us, told us that the display cases were not locked and that we could ask any questions. When something wasn’t priced, she offered to call the owner and ask for a price. Unlike the Lakewood store, the person in charge of the Fairview store cared about our business, was relatively engaging without being pushy and I ended up making a purchase.
Honestly, both stores have great selection. However, the experience as a whole is a 3 star experience. I think the people in the Lakewood store should show a bit more enthusiasm and offer more help. All that said, I’ll be back the next time I’m in town.

Cool little independent video game store in Lakewood, OH. I’ve gone in here a couple of times, spread over many years and I always think that their NES video game prices are a tad on the steep side so I never buy any NES games from here. Once I paid 15 $ for Super Dodge Ball, only to see this game elsewhere for about $ 5. Bummer for me. However, their Wii games are appropriately priced and you can find some good deals.

I was surprised at this store. They have an expansive older generation games/​consoles. They do have DVD’s/VHS…I believe their VHS has a great price and they have great sale prices on all Media. I went in to make a purchase of a game… but it wouldn’t work on my handheld… so the owner at the time was Female and she plugged in an Nintendo to make sure the game worked. Which it did, it wasn’t what the sticker said it was, but they worked me and knocked the price down a little to make me happy. It did. I have not been there in a couple of months, but I do miss it and I am planning a trip. The parking is a little difficult and their is no public restroom. You have to go across the street to UDF and for parking. I know their is front parking. It is a meter, but luckily it’s one of those with a 15 min free button. They do have some rare games/​consoles and they care about games.
–Thanks