Radical Reggie visits GameStop Retros to see if the hype for retro games was really there. I was shocked.

GameStop is like that distant uncle who still wears cargo shorts and talks about the glory days of Blockbuster, refusing to acknowledge that the world has moved on. You walk in, and it’s an odd combination of excitement and mild sadness. Shelves are filled with used games that look like they’ve seen more action than your average Marvel movie marathon, while a teenager in the back is trying to trade in a stack of 20 games, only to be offered enough store credit to maybe buy a stick of gum. The place is a treasure trove for the nostalgic, but also a glaring reminder that digital downloads have basically karate-chopped physical media in the face.

The staff, bless their souls, are the gatekeepers of all things geek. They can tell you the plot of The Last of Us backwards while simultaneously trying to convince you to pre-order something, even though you’re just there for some Mario-themed socks. The store somehow feels like the last stand of a forgotten era, clinging to relevance with Funko Pops and energy drink displays. You’ll leave with a lighter wallet, a new game you probably don’t need, and a lingering feeling that GameStop is less a store and more a quirky time capsule with a serious gaming addiction.