Huge grin on my face as soon as you opened that door, it really looks like the little mom and pop computer shops I remember visiting. As if I didn't already have enough reason to make the trek over to see the cave sometime, this really cements it!
Make it a European tour, we have a really nice and big Videogame (console/pc/arcade) museum with working exhibits here in the Netherlands (Zwolle to be precise).
I remember playing Zelda on the SNES for the first time in tiny shop in Dublin, Ireland but it wasn't a mom and pop outfit, it was a bunch of young guys. They'd set up a sofa and a huge rear projection tv (unheard of in my world). I bought many games from them.
Visiting this museum could be part of a nice series for the LGR channel. Maybe you could also visit UK based game studios from back in the day that are still around such as Codemasters and Frontier Developments.
the mastartronic game titled "gwnn" i cannot find from an initial look on youtube. anyone know of any footage of this game i have never seen nor heard of before please?
I know now what I want for Christmas: A shrinkwrap machine for my retro game treasures. And every time I want to play them, I can rip them open like I just bought them, and then shrinkwrap them again for the next time. Brilliant!
I'm one of the Kickstarter backers. I'm 62, retired USAF, and was stationed in Germany in the early 80s. Been to England many times, and you have perfectly recreated the game/software shops of the period, as I remember them. If you swapped out the "mostly UK & Europe" stuff like Amstrad for "mostly USA" stuff like Radio Shack/Tandy, it would look just like most of the US shops from the era. Nicely done; you even pulled out one of my favorites, Xevious. If you ever decide to recreate a mid-70s US video arcade, I might have to move in... Excellent work, sir.
Oh man does that shrink wrapper bring back memories. Summer job working in a computer store and shrink wrapping, or re-shrink wrapping software, hardware, creating and shrink wrapping shareware disks and bundles. Definitely a home run on that space.
If I felt there was something missing, it was joysticks on a shelf - Competition Pro, Quick shot 2, that kind of thing, boxed if they can be found that way. Or even reproduction boxes with a block of wood inside. But it really is a wonderful room already.
That was my first thought and only real criticism too. I remember going through a ton of joysticks, so that's a memory I strongly associate with owning an Amiga and old computer shops in general.
Yes very reminiscent of computer software shops of the time. Seeing you put that TV up the top reminded me of something else you used to see at the time. A worn out, tiny black and white TV mounted high up showing the security camera footage! The "blister packs" remind me of Toys R Us. My local Toys R Us had a huge section of computer games and almost all in that packaging on a huge rack, with different sections for each of the 8-bit machines. This was more than just the C64, Spectrum and Amstrad, I remember there were also sections (albeit smaller) for C16/Plus 4, MSX and BBC. Much of the software was Mastertronic. Used to spend hours in there. I think when the 16-bit era arrived they almost exclusively concentrated on consoles and didn't have PC, Amiga or ST software.
Now all you need is the scent of plastic/carpet cleaner/floor wax and your retro-retailer experience is complete. This is an absolute gem, and a great idea for storing extra copies of titles you have. Well done!
Watching this took me back to my childhood and weekends going into town to the little computer shop in the side street and market stalls to buy my games. Something I never knew I missed until I watched this. Not the same buying on the internet or digital play stores.
Neil - you are apparently obsessed and nearing insanity. I LOVE IT. Exactly as remembered from the late 80s and early 90s. Shrink wrapping each individual game after giving it a bath? You should turn it into a charity marathon and raise money for something at the same time. I've said it before. One day, I'll make it back to the UK for long enough to come and see you. Ine the meantime I might well see if I can motivate other more local people to come over and enjoy the marvel you are building. A. Edit: Very nice that you are keeping the Edwin Budding label on the door. He did great things.
Some more details that would really set it off: a 'Sale' section and or 'Bargain Bin' (always was my first port of call). Price stickers. Console boxes around the top. Maybe a period cash register. Great job 👏
From a Canadian 80's kid who only ever had the Vic 20, NES and other systems by way of friends who owned them, this shop really takes me back and I love the set up. Also, regarding the occasional bad lot that may want a five finger discount, if it were me who created this wonderful retro wonderland, I would have said: "...and for those asking 'What about shoplifting? - well we have installed some CCTV cameras in the shop. I also wanted to mention, that should we see any bad apples nicking our merchandise, well the shop is in a rather small village and our viewers should be happy to know that the stolen merchandise should be back on the shelf in about a day or two and also: Britain's medical system does have a good track record of treating the occasional bumps and bruises we all sometimes occasionally get".
I worked in a computer store from 86-90 and I must congratulate you on this effort. It is nearly perfect! Plenty of copies lined up with a poplar title turned outwards so that you can see the front is exactly how it was done. Ordered by computer type, slat board to move the shelving around. All very authentic! Sometimes we would hang other unique items individually such as gender changers, cables, printer ribbons or higher priced titles nearby. Really great job here.
Definitely got that sense of joy with the tour. I was still drawn to the media of the systems I wasn't familiar with just like I was drawn to the games of the consoles or computers I didn't own when I was younger.
You nailed it with that slating. We had the same down here in Australia in the 90s. It would be worth shrinking up any non-game big boxes you have to cement the feel, since many places that had games also had a lot of other software titles and shovel ware.
As an American, it's genuinely interesting to me to see the difference in the way people in the UK shopped for games. Cassette tape games just were not that common over here, so it's a vastly different visual experience for me than what I experienced as a kid. I really appreciate the shrink wrapping. I think that's an excellent way to allow people to actually handle something old in an appropriate context.
This gave me a huge smile, seeing big box games displayed like this! The one thing that would put it over the top is the television showing the promos be precariously mounted from the ceiling using a tube/pipe mount that doesnt quite look like its designed to hold a television like that, with the wires all a mess.
You have nailed it Neil I think. Its looks perfect and well done. I have some mags and games that I may wish to donate, though I am not sure how to at this time. I'm sure i will find out. I really can't wait to visit the new expanded and all encompassing retro cave. Splendid job as always.
JOYSTICKS! With our store there were five or six 9 pin joysticks (not in their boxes) stuck to a shelf for people to handle. The usual suspects were there. Konix Speedking, Quickshot II, Cheetah 125+, Competition Pro, Zip Stik, Powerplay Cruiser. We kept the PC analogue joysticks out the back. Gotta have a joystick display! :)
As a lifelong museum-lover and quite dedicated retroist this project has just made me go on overdrive on appreciating this channel. That probably was a real, meaningful sentence. Yes. Maybe.
Seeing this brought back vivid memories of my dad talking me to the local computer shop after school, giving me a game budget then patiently waiting there while I dug through all the tapes on the shelf trying to find the best looking game for the money. Hadn't though about that in years, he passed ten years ago, so it's a nice (although also sad!) memory to be reminded of.
TH-cam needs to put a multiplier on the LIKE button. This is fantastic. It was a LITTLE bit different here in Canada in the era, but, spot on for the philosophy and the emotion it brings!
When you mentioned the carousel of cassette tapes, my mind immediately wandered back to displays of Mastertronic games with multi systems of home micros represented, and the same style of artwork and presentation bringing the display all together. And even back at my local WHSmiths, they kept the computer games in a sliding drawer next to the till!
I will tell you that I worked at a record shop in the early 1990s and we shrinkwrapped a lot of things ourselves with a machine identical to the one you used, so that's actually totally authentic. The folded type of cellophane wrap was done at the factory, but a lot of products still came unwrapped back in those days.
This video put a massive smile on my face. This took me right back it could have been one of many game shops I used to spend all my cash in. Neil you have crushed it with this shop.
working for a retro game store in the UK i feel immensely grateful that i get to spend so much time in an environment that just looks like this everyday, considering how much work it was for us you have my immense respect for achieving this :)
Brings back memories here in the U.S. of Software Etc., which became Babbage's, later got swallowed up by GameStop. In many cases, the actual gameplay would be far different from the promises the boxes made, but it didn't matter. It was this remarkable place where your imagination was allowed to run wild. It was a flood of bright, colorful art and crazy fonts imploring you to "Buy me! Buy me!" This, and the early days of the NES at local toy stores like Child World and Toys R Us were terrific times that - sadly for us here - will not be back again. But it's so nice to know that somewhere on this planet, there is a room existing to remind us of times like these. Congratulations on the fine work. Wish I could afford to fly over there and visit in person.
I'm not going to lie: when you opened that door to the store Neil it really took me back! Such good memories. I really wish I could travel over there to see it in person but I will settle for watching it over the internet! :D Thank you for your incredible efforts!
WOW! The store looks amazing. The only thing missing from my memory is that ready for sale Amiga 500 that I could never afford and some SWAG. For some reason I want to remember the stores selling house branded coffee cups, mouse pads, floppy disks, pens, etc. And now that I think about it, there would be new joysticks for sale. They would have ones that were designed to be rugged for games like Track & Fields, and flight sticks with like 20 extra buttons. You may have to break out a "Productivity" section to include things like Lotus 1,2,3, Word Perfect 5.1, DOS 5. Maybe there would be that brand new 1200 baud modem sitting on the shelf, behind the checkout desk of course.
thats amazing. mom and pop game stores were the best. the one nearest me had 2 stores. and i wanted 1 game they didnt have in the store nearest me. so the owner drove to his other store after he closed and delivered it to my house. brilliant service from them. then game bought the stores from them
a TV playing retro commercials and vintage tv shows, a counter with a cash register, and a mannequin dressed in a shop uniform ready to tell you how if you buy this computer system you'll never need to upgrade again. In fact, maybe just record all the famous retro youtubers making vintage sales pitches to play back as people walk in the door. Two mannequins and you could have them argue console wars style.
I worked for Special Reserve in the early 90s, and frequented my local high street computer games shop for years before that. This looks so close to what I remember, with a mix between the 80s and 90s styles. Well done!
This is amazing! So authentic and loved seeing plenty of my own items from yesteryear. Encarta! Monkey Island and The Voodoo 2000 I got to be able to play Jedi Knight! This is a phenomenal piece of work and I hope to one day visit in the future!
I had to pause the video just to marvel at all those games... You really did a great job and thanks everyone that helped made the cave. I really hope I can come visit one day. No doubt when we end up somewhere in Britain again I will make sure to dedicate a day just to get to the cave... no matter how far the travel :D
Strange.. the very second i saw the Wing Commander box, the SMELL from the computer shops of old came to me. It's very specific and i really haven't felt it anywhere else.
Mate. Aussie here. What would add a nice touch would be to have a rotating rack in the middle of the floor with hint books and strategy guides like I had in computer shops in Melbourne back in the day
Damn this hits harder than I expected. Thats the thing you dont realise you are missing about emulators, the feel of the cases and the box art, the smell. Sure there are front ends with boxart, cartridge photos, cd photos etc but theres a large tactile part that is always going to be missing.
I worked in a computer store specializing in Commodore products from 87 to 91 or so here in Canada. We didn't have the cassette games like they did in the UK, but the shrink wrapping really brought back my nostalgia... some of the guys working in the store would open up every new game and copy it and re-shrink wrap it before it went on the shelf. Not me, of course.... Great job on the space, though.
- As a kid i was only once in a computer store. It was early 90s and my father was buying us my first computer a ZX spectrum Clone(Didaktik M). I cant forget that they had a Black seas Baracuda LEGO ship on top shelf as a decoration. It was so cool looking.
Definitely brought back a few memories, my Nan and Grandad taking my brother and l to WH Smith each week of the summer holidays of 1989, picking up 2 Spectrum games each for £1.99, Altered Beast, Double Dragon, Chase HQ, Spy Hunter, Newzealand Story and many others, great days! I could probably write a few paragraphs on other memories that were stirred up while watching this but i'll leave it there. Thanks Neil!!
Reminds me more of the smaller independent computer stores - WH Smith I used to frequent used free-standing racks rather than wall-mounted ones. Now all you need is the Maplin catalogue.
You and your team just nailed it. It reminds me so much of the computer and model shop that I used to visit in the early to mid 80s to buy my Spectrum games. Such nostalgia watching this. Well done to everyone. I can't wait to visit the cave.
The retro game store looks great! This brings back so many memories of going to WH Smith in the 80's & 90's on a Saturday afternoon to buy Commodore 64 games and magazines like Commodore Format. I kept my C64 well into the 90's and remember the shrinking shelf space devoted to it as consoles and PC games started to become more popular. I also remember Electronics Boutique selling a few C64 games. If I remember correctly, they didn't stock the actual games and instead had something called Software On Demand, where you would take the game case to the counter and you would have to wait whilst the game was copied onto a blank tape. Happy days!
Looks awesome. Don’t forget the boxed third party SNES and MegaDrive pads that used to be a best seller when I worked at Smiths :). For an extra layer of authenticity, buy an old pricing gun and get some price labels on them top right ;)
Adding an all-glass shop door with a black frame and handle would add to the shop feel as you walk in. Adding an electronic chime might help deter some sticky fingers walking out with games.
At 1:10 you mentioned half a day. What if I wanted to stay for, say... A month? This would be the world's greatest air BnB, though I don't think I'd want to leave. You've done 100x more than I think anyone expected with this project, it's genuinely breath taking.
As a shop manager in the early 00s, we used this same shrink wrap method for our big box games. Great work, love the new space. Really takes me back to that shop (which had a lot of 90s gear in it). Thanks for the videos, can't wait to visit someday!
Awesome! A nice hit of nostalgia from visiting somewhere like Smiths or EB back in my youth. I think you need boxes for systems and/or accessories if you can get your hands on them and find room for them, but otherwise, awesome!
My strongest memory of all early computer stores dedicated and specific computer store was going to the counter and the assistant having to find the tape or disk to put in the case. Dont remember many if any that were on the shelf complete unless it was a toy shop. The store in my town had a top 10 shelf and a spinner rack for computer mags . I really loved your store and I do hope to visit the museum one day.
Looks great! Love all your build videos. One thing I would like to see, that would complete the look for me, is having the controllers on the try before you buy console on fixed stalks. Like they used to have on the stand alone demo cabinets.
That big box PC wall is just fantastic! I’m from the US, so some of the details are a bit different from stores I spent my youth in, but it still gives me chills watching the walkthrough. Great job!
Brilliant work Neil, it really is great seeing where this channel has gone over the years. Hoping to visit the cave in the near future and enjoy all this hard work.
Such dedication and such a labour of love! Kudos! And I don't think you need to worry about people nicking the games. It's obvious that this a museum exhibit, and that only draws a specific crowd that adores this and wants it to be around for generations to come.
I remember fondly WHSmiths in Above Bar Southampton precinct, bought my first full price game there, it was Wizball for the C64, if I remember rightly it was £6.95 nearly 3 weeks pocket money, great game though, I wasn't disappointed.
Neil this is fantastic!! Retro game shops like you’ve created might be a little before my time, but the thought and care that you’ve put into it is absolutely inspiring!
For me in The Netherlands it was different here with the stores. Only yeah love that Nostalgia Store you made 🙌 10:22 awesome you also tell about how everything became like it is now. Including wrapping the games in a new seal 😁
What a nostalgia hit. Especially seeing Pilot 64 on the shelf. First game cassette I ever bought in my local computer store. Fantastic work Neil. Really takes me back.
I remember my local WH Smiths games section. All of the games were unwrapped, opened, empty boxes. The tapes, discs and manuals were kept under lock and key in drawers under the games counter. You had to take the empty box up there, pay for it, and then they filled it.
Amazing work, great work. Nostalgia hit, not only for the games, but also for the experience of actually visiting a store, the excitement of perusing all the cases and vast choice.
Huge grin on my face as soon as you opened that door, it really looks like the little mom and pop computer shops I remember visiting. As if I didn't already have enough reason to make the trek over to see the cave sometime, this really cements it!
Make it a European tour, we have a really nice and big Videogame (console/pc/arcade) museum with working exhibits here in the Netherlands (Zwolle to be precise).
I remember playing Zelda on the SNES for the first time in tiny shop in Dublin, Ireland but it wasn't a mom and pop outfit, it was a bunch of young guys. They'd set up a sofa and a huge rear projection tv (unheard of in my world). I bought many games from them.
I would *love* to see an LGR / RMC crossover episode. Greetings, cave dwellers!
Visiting this museum could be part of a nice series for the LGR channel. Maybe you could also visit UK based game studios from back in the day that are still around such as Codemasters and Frontier Developments.
the mastartronic game titled "gwnn" i cannot find from an initial look on youtube. anyone know of any footage of this game i have never seen nor heard of before please?
I know now what I want for Christmas: A shrinkwrap machine for my retro game treasures. And every time I want to play them, I can rip them open like I just bought them, and then shrinkwrap them again for the next time. Brilliant!
Brilliant idea, indeed!
I'm one of the Kickstarter backers. I'm 62, retired USAF, and was stationed in Germany in the early 80s. Been to England many times, and you have perfectly recreated the game/software shops of the period, as I remember them. If you swapped out the "mostly UK & Europe" stuff like Amstrad for "mostly USA" stuff like Radio Shack/Tandy, it would look just like most of the US shops from the era. Nicely done; you even pulled out one of my favorites, Xevious. If you ever decide to recreate a mid-70s US video arcade, I might have to move in... Excellent work, sir.
Oh man does that shrink wrapper bring back memories. Summer job working in a computer store and shrink wrapping, or re-shrink wrapping software, hardware, creating and shrink wrapping shareware disks and bundles. Definitely a home run on that space.
If I felt there was something missing, it was joysticks on a shelf - Competition Pro, Quick shot 2, that kind of thing, boxed if they can be found that way. Or even reproduction boxes with a block of wood inside. But it really is a wonderful room already.
That was my first thought and only real criticism too. I remember going through a ton of joysticks, so that's a memory I strongly associate with owning an Amiga and old computer shops in general.
Yes, the hardware shelf that was mainly joysticks. And the tiny productivity software corner.
@@Ascania Produc-what? :D
Neil: "you can stay here for a few hours, half a day or as long as you like."
Me: *brings sleeping bag
Shop is really well done. Gave me a nice nostalgia flash. Thanks!
Yes very reminiscent of computer software shops of the time. Seeing you put that TV up the top reminded me of something else you used to see at the time. A worn out, tiny black and white TV mounted high up showing the security camera footage! The "blister packs" remind me of Toys R Us. My local Toys R Us had a huge section of computer games and almost all in that packaging on a huge rack, with different sections for each of the 8-bit machines. This was more than just the C64, Spectrum and Amstrad, I remember there were also sections (albeit smaller) for C16/Plus 4, MSX and BBC. Much of the software was Mastertronic. Used to spend hours in there. I think when the 16-bit era arrived they almost exclusively concentrated on consoles and didn't have PC, Amiga or ST software.
Just seeing Speccy / C64 tapes in packaging is a real shot of pure nostalgia. As for the big box pc titles, just wow - I want to live here!
Now all you need is the scent of plastic/carpet cleaner/floor wax and your retro-retailer experience is complete. This is an absolute gem, and a great idea for storing extra copies of titles you have. Well done!
Simply seeing that ghostbusters game shrink wrapped took me back in time instantly, so cool !
That wood with the rails for hanging the games really sells it as a 80s/90s store. That alone immediately says game store.
Watching this took me back to my childhood and weekends going into town to the little computer shop in the side street and market stalls to buy my games. Something I never knew I missed until I watched this. Not the same buying on the internet or digital play stores.
Neil - you are apparently obsessed and nearing insanity. I LOVE IT. Exactly as remembered from the late 80s and early 90s. Shrink wrapping each individual game after giving it a bath? You should turn it into a charity marathon and raise money for something at the same time.
I've said it before. One day, I'll make it back to the UK for long enough to come and see you. Ine the meantime I might well see if I can motivate other more local people to come over and enjoy the marvel you are building.
A.
Edit: Very nice that you are keeping the Edwin Budding label on the door. He did great things.
Some more details that would really set it off: a 'Sale' section and or 'Bargain Bin' (always was my first port of call). Price stickers. Console boxes around the top. Maybe a period cash register. Great job 👏
Yes! An orange dayglow starburst with a computer calculator font or something similar?
@@JustinCherriman That's exactly what I thought, too. Except maybe with handwritten prices in marker pen? Or is that getting a bit B&Q?
Yes, a cash register!
From a Canadian 80's kid who only ever had the Vic 20, NES and other systems by way of friends who owned them, this shop really takes me back and I love the set up. Also, regarding the occasional bad lot that may want a five finger discount, if it were me who created this wonderful retro wonderland, I would have said:
"...and for those asking 'What about shoplifting? - well we have installed some CCTV cameras in the shop. I also wanted to mention, that should we see any bad apples nicking our merchandise, well the shop is in a rather small village and our viewers should be happy to know that the stolen merchandise should be back on the shelf in about a day or two and also: Britain's medical system does have a good track record of treating the occasional bumps and bruises we all sometimes occasionally get".
I worked in a computer store from 86-90 and I must congratulate you on this effort. It is nearly perfect!
Plenty of copies lined up with a poplar title turned outwards so that you can see the front is exactly how it was done.
Ordered by computer type, slat board to move the shelving around. All very authentic!
Sometimes we would hang other unique items individually such as gender changers, cables, printer ribbons or higher priced titles nearby.
Really great job here.
Posters and any POS: counterbox, standee. Brings back those retro memories.
I love the Wing Commander and Monkey Island boxes front and center. Some of my favorites.
Everything looks better shrink-wrapped. Makes the package look nice and shiny, protects the actual surface from getting smudged from handling.
Really cool
Definitely got that sense of joy with the tour. I was still drawn to the media of the systems I wasn't familiar with just like I was drawn to the games of the consoles or computers I didn't own when I was younger.
I got quite emotional seeing this. It really took me back to a certain time and place. Thank you Neil- I can't wait to see it!
You nailed it with that slating. We had the same down here in Australia in the 90s.
It would be worth shrinking up any non-game big boxes you have to cement the feel, since many places that had games also had a lot of other software titles and shovel ware.
The signs, the blister packs, the TV showing promos... definitely hits the right note of nostalgia for me.
Oh Neil you have nailed it!!!!!
So much memories of shopping in WH Smiths 😀😀😀😀
As an American, it's genuinely interesting to me to see the difference in the way people in the UK shopped for games. Cassette tape games just were not that common over here, so it's a vastly different visual experience for me than what I experienced as a kid.
I really appreciate the shrink wrapping. I think that's an excellent way to allow people to actually handle something old in an appropriate context.
This gave me a huge smile, seeing big box games displayed like this! The one thing that would put it over the top is the television showing the promos be precariously mounted from the ceiling using a tube/pipe mount that doesnt quite look like its designed to hold a television like that, with the wires all a mess.
The slatwall panelling is a perfect look and reminds me of so many video game stores here in Canada back in the 1980-90s.
Love the retro shop. Even better than the real thing: no nasty price stickers leaving a mess!
You have nailed it Neil I think. Its looks perfect and well done. I have some mags and games that I may wish to donate, though I am not sure how to at this time. I'm sure i will find out. I really can't wait to visit the new expanded and all encompassing retro cave. Splendid job as always.
JOYSTICKS! With our store there were five or six 9 pin joysticks (not in their boxes) stuck to a shelf for people to handle. The usual suspects were there. Konix Speedking, Quickshot II, Cheetah 125+, Competition Pro, Zip Stik, Powerplay Cruiser. We kept the PC analogue joysticks out the back. Gotta have a joystick display! :)
As a lifelong museum-lover and quite dedicated retroist this project has just made me go on overdrive on appreciating this channel. That probably was a real, meaningful sentence. Yes. Maybe.
This made me feel breathless as I practically stepped back in time! Such an amazing idea, thank you for sharing!
Thank you Igor
Seeing this brought back vivid memories of my dad talking me to the local computer shop after school, giving me a game budget then patiently waiting there while I dug through all the tapes on the shelf trying to find the best looking game for the money. Hadn't though about that in years, he passed ten years ago, so it's a nice (although also sad!) memory to be reminded of.
TH-cam needs to put a multiplier on the LIKE button. This is fantastic. It was a LITTLE bit different here in Canada in the era, but, spot on for the philosophy and the emotion it brings!
When you mentioned the carousel of cassette tapes, my mind immediately wandered back to displays of Mastertronic games with multi systems of home micros represented, and the same style of artwork and presentation bringing the display all together. And even back at my local WHSmiths, they kept the computer games in a sliding drawer next to the till!
I will tell you that I worked at a record shop in the early 1990s and we shrinkwrapped a lot of things ourselves with a machine identical to the one you used, so that's actually totally authentic. The folded type of cellophane wrap was done at the factory, but a lot of products still came unwrapped back in those days.
This video put a massive smile on my face. This took me right back it could have been one of many game shops I used to spend all my cash in. Neil you have crushed it with this shop.
Shop area looks superb looks perfect .
working for a retro game store in the UK i feel immensely grateful that i get to spend so much time in an environment that just looks like this everyday, considering how much work it was for us you have my immense respect for achieving this :)
Shadows of the Empire just took me back in time. Great job on the shop!
I'm feeling nostalgic vibes just watching this
Brings back memories here in the U.S. of Software Etc., which became Babbage's, later got swallowed up by GameStop. In many cases, the actual gameplay would be far different from the promises the boxes made, but it didn't matter. It was this remarkable place where your imagination was allowed to run wild. It was a flood of bright, colorful art and crazy fonts imploring you to "Buy me! Buy me!" This, and the early days of the NES at local toy stores like Child World and Toys R Us were terrific times that - sadly for us here - will not be back again. But it's so nice to know that somewhere on this planet, there is a room existing to remind us of times like these. Congratulations on the fine work. Wish I could afford to fly over there and visit in person.
When I was in high school I worked in a video store. I did a lot of shrink wrapping, for some reason I always found it strangely satisfying.
This channel deserves far more subs than it is getting. Come on people!
I'm not going to lie: when you opened that door to the store Neil it really took me back!
Such good memories.
I really wish I could travel over there to see it in person but I will settle for watching it over the internet! :D
Thank you for your incredible efforts!
WOW! The store looks amazing. The only thing missing from my memory is that ready for sale Amiga 500 that I could never afford and some SWAG. For some reason I want to remember the stores selling house branded coffee cups, mouse pads, floppy disks, pens, etc. And now that I think about it, there would be new joysticks for sale. They would have ones that were designed to be rugged for games like Track & Fields, and flight sticks with like 20 extra buttons. You may have to break out a "Productivity" section to include things like Lotus 1,2,3, Word Perfect 5.1, DOS 5. Maybe there would be that brand new 1200 baud modem sitting on the shelf, behind the checkout desk of course.
thats amazing. mom and pop game stores were the best. the one nearest me had 2 stores. and i wanted 1 game they didnt have in the store nearest me. so the owner drove to his other store after he closed and delivered it to my house. brilliant service from them. then game bought the stores from them
a TV playing retro commercials and vintage tv shows, a counter with a cash register, and a mannequin dressed in a shop uniform ready to tell you how if you buy this computer system you'll never need to upgrade again. In fact, maybe just record all the famous retro youtubers making vintage sales pitches to play back as people walk in the door. Two mannequins and you could have them argue console wars style.
This era was before my time but I get a lot of the same energy from smaller bookstores in my area
Nice work. Set me back in time when I go to the computer store and stare at the back of boxes for hours looking at stuff I couldn't afford
I worked for Special Reserve in the early 90s, and frequented my local high street computer games shop for years before that. This looks so close to what I remember, with a mix between the 80s and 90s styles. Well done!
Watching you shrink wrap is an image or video that I can smell so vibrantly.
as a 30 years old guy i never experienced this type of thing but you can see and hear the feel you are going for
Great job. Looks like a computer shop I ran in the early 00’s. Very fond memories.
This is amazing! So authentic and loved seeing plenty of my own items from yesteryear. Encarta! Monkey Island and The Voodoo 2000 I got to be able to play Jedi Knight! This is a phenomenal piece of work and I hope to one day visit in the future!
I had to pause the video just to marvel at all those games... You really did a great job and thanks everyone that helped made the cave. I really hope I can come visit one day. No doubt when we end up somewhere in Britain again I will make sure to dedicate a day just to get to the cave... no matter how far the travel :D
Strange.. the very second i saw the Wing Commander box, the SMELL from the computer shops of old came to me. It's very specific and i really haven't felt it anywhere else.
Mate. Aussie here. What would add a nice touch would be to have a rotating rack in the middle of the floor with hint books and strategy guides like I had in computer shops in Melbourne back in the day
Never had the pleasure of visiting a games store in those days. But man does that look amazing. Love the little touches.
Damn this hits harder than I expected. Thats the thing you dont realise you are missing about emulators, the feel of the cases and the box art, the smell. Sure there are front ends with boxart, cartridge photos, cd photos etc but theres a large tactile part that is always going to be missing.
And the joy you have when the game loads off of the tape after taking for what felt like forever.
I worked in a computer store specializing in Commodore products from 87 to 91 or so here in Canada. We didn't have the cassette games like they did in the UK, but the shrink wrapping really brought back my nostalgia... some of the guys working in the store would open up every new game and copy it and re-shrink wrap it before it went on the shelf.
Not me, of course....
Great job on the space, though.
This is a genuinely exciting place Neil, can't wait to see it!
That mishmash of different size boxes and the phrase 'IBM Compatible' instantly took me back. Amazing.
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As a kid i was only once in a computer store. It was early 90s and my father was buying us my first computer a ZX spectrum Clone(Didaktik M). I cant forget that they had a Black seas Baracuda LEGO ship on top shelf as a decoration. It was so cool looking.
What an excellent re-creation of a game store. Outstanding work Neil. I hope to come to the cave next spring when I will be in the UK visiting family.
Definitely brought back a few memories, my Nan and Grandad taking my brother and l to WH Smith each week of the summer holidays of 1989, picking up 2 Spectrum games each for £1.99, Altered Beast, Double Dragon, Chase HQ, Spy Hunter, Newzealand Story and many others, great days! I could probably write a few paragraphs on other memories that were stirred up while watching this but i'll leave it there. Thanks Neil!!
Reminds me more of the smaller independent computer stores - WH Smith I used to frequent used free-standing racks rather than wall-mounted ones. Now all you need is the Maplin catalogue.
I think this successfully turns just storage into an exhibit, brilliant
You and your team just nailed it. It reminds me so much of the computer and model shop that I used to visit in the early to mid 80s to buy my Spectrum games. Such nostalgia watching this. Well done to everyone. I can't wait to visit the cave.
The retro game store looks great! This brings back so many memories of going to WH Smith in the 80's & 90's on a Saturday afternoon to buy Commodore 64 games and magazines like Commodore Format. I kept my C64 well into the 90's and remember the shrinking shelf space devoted to it as consoles and PC games started to become more popular. I also remember Electronics Boutique selling a few C64 games. If I remember correctly, they didn't stock the actual games and instead had something called Software On Demand, where you would take the game case to the counter and you would have to wait whilst the game was copied onto a blank tape. Happy days!
Incredible, I used to shop at an indy rather than smiths but you've still captured the magic perfectly.
Very nice. If I ever find myself in that part of the world, I'd love to visit the cave and revel in the ambience.
Wow that's got to be the best stocked WH Smith in the country
Looks awesome. Don’t forget the boxed third party SNES and MegaDrive pads that used to be a best seller when I worked at Smiths :). For an extra layer of authenticity, buy an old pricing gun and get some price labels on them top right ;)
Reminds me of the places I used to hang around on a Saturday morning, before I discovered Beer, Heavy Metal and Girls!
Adding an all-glass shop door with a black frame and handle would add to the shop feel as you walk in. Adding an electronic chime might help deter some sticky fingers walking out with games.
At 1:10 you mentioned half a day. What if I wanted to stay for, say... A month? This would be the world's greatest air BnB, though I don't think I'd want to leave. You've done 100x more than I think anyone expected with this project, it's genuinely breath taking.
As a shop manager in the early 00s, we used this same shrink wrap method for our big box games. Great work, love the new space. Really takes me back to that shop (which had a lot of 90s gear in it). Thanks for the videos, can't wait to visit someday!
Awesome! A nice hit of nostalgia from visiting somewhere like Smiths or EB back in my youth. I think you need boxes for systems and/or accessories if you can get your hands on them and find room for them, but otherwise, awesome!
Back in the 80's my brother and I used to buy our zx spectrum games in a local TV repair shop. Used to have the games on a carosel in the shop.
My strongest memory of all early computer stores dedicated and specific computer store was going to the counter and the assistant having to find the tape or disk to put in the case. Dont remember many if any that were on the shelf complete unless it was a toy shop. The store in my town had a top 10 shelf and a spinner rack for computer mags . I really loved your store and I do hope to visit the museum one day.
Looks great! Love all your build videos. One thing I would like to see, that would complete the look for me, is having the controllers on the try before you buy console on fixed stalks. Like they used to have on the stand alone demo cabinets.
So many memories. The shops I visited had a touch of neon. That was places like Software etc and EB games here in the US
I was lucky enough to work in my local computer shop as a Saturday Job in 1989 and this definitely takes me back :) Well Done!!
That big box PC wall is just fantastic! I’m from the US, so some of the details are a bit different from stores I spent my youth in, but it still gives me chills watching the walkthrough. Great job!
Nice bit of retro synth go with the 80s theme
Brilliant work Neil, it really is great seeing where this channel has gone over the years. Hoping to visit the cave in the near future and enjoy all this hard work.
I totally agree with you on this.
Such dedication and such a labour of love! Kudos!
And I don't think you need to worry about people nicking the games. It's obvious that this a museum exhibit, and that only draws a specific crowd that adores this and wants it to be around for generations to come.
I remember fondly WHSmiths in Above Bar Southampton precinct, bought my first full price game there, it was Wizball for the C64, if I remember rightly it was £6.95 nearly 3 weeks pocket money, great game though, I wasn't disappointed.
Neil this is fantastic!! Retro game shops like you’ve created might be a little before my time, but the thought and care that you’ve put into it is absolutely inspiring!
For me in The Netherlands it was different here with the stores.
Only yeah love that Nostalgia Store you made 🙌
10:22 awesome you also tell about how everything became like it is now.
Including wrapping the games in a new seal 😁
What a nostalgia hit. Especially seeing Pilot 64 on the shelf. First game cassette I ever bought in my local computer store. Fantastic work Neil. Really takes me back.
That is amazing. Took me right back to my youth! Never seen Mastertronic in cardboard sleeves though!
Huge smile right now took me right back to my childhood thank u so much for this now do a video store please 😃
Wraping every game … wow! That sure adds to the experience!
You've all nailed that shop look! Brilliant.
I remember my local WH Smiths games section. All of the games were unwrapped, opened, empty boxes. The tapes, discs and manuals were kept under lock and key in drawers under the games counter. You had to take the empty box up there, pay for it, and then they filled it.
Amazing work, great work. Nostalgia hit, not only for the games, but also for the experience of actually visiting a store, the excitement of perusing all the cases and vast choice.