For this week’s episode, I visited a local game shop called Level Up Video Games. Tucked away behind bigger buildings, almost hidden, Level Up is just a small shack that you’d never notice if you weren’t looking for it, but that’s all part of its charm. This is the only store for miles that specializes in oldschool gaming. You want an Atari 2600, Jaguar, Virtual Boy, NES, or other retro console? This is the place to go. They also have a great selection of collectibles, strategy guides, and import games.

The owner, Paul, was awesome enough to allow me the time to interview him for the show. He talks about his store’s humble beginnings, why he decided to focus on the retro gaming niche, and his plans for the future.

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These Fatal Fury hats are given away for free to anyone who wants one. How awesome is that!?

I bought myself a Sega Saturn a while ago for the sole purpose of playing Nights, but I never found a complete copy, so my Saturn library consists of absolutely nothing. It figures I’d find this here when I was flat broke. Can you believe I’ve never actually played this game?

The ceiling in this place is covered in posters and there’s a bunch of hanging Super Scopes and random controllers. In all seriousness, I’d really like to know what the hell Atari was thinking when they made the Jaguar controller.

I really couldn’t stop drooling over this case. I NEED those Darkstalkers figures! Fun fact: when I was in middle school, I used to draw Victor (the Frankenstein monster) in Jnco shorts and Airwalk shoes doing kickflips. I was weird kid.

I totally forgot to ask Paul what was up with this arcade machine. When we first walked in, it was showing the original Metroid, and in the video you can see that it’s showing the Ninja Turtles game. And it has two screens!

Other than the female anatomy, nothing gets my willy wet like a bunch of oldschool games still in their boxes. Orgasmic.

Out of all the game stores in my area (and there’s a buttload) Level Up Video games is the only store to carry retro import stuff. I almost wish they carried some of the high-profile current-gen imports like the ones shown in this mega retro import games post, but at least they have something. That’s more than most people can say about ANY game store in their area.

This is the shelf behind the counter and it’s like a museum of retro gaming awesomeness. I might have to pick up one of those clear N64’s and an extra Game Boy for chiptuning.

So…

…much…

…awesome…

…stuff!!!

Level Up Video Games also wins the award for best game store sign ever.

If you’re ever within an hour of Wyomissing, PA, I highly advise you to check this place out. it’s well worth the drive just for the experience alone, even if you don’t wind up buying anything. For store hours, contact info, and message boards, check out levelupvideogames.org.