Wow, there's a bunch of clowns on this. This is an awesome place. If you're an actual game connoisseur then you will recognize that things are like 30% cheaper there. For most things, some things that are in high demand are the same price as retail. DUH They have a huge list of old games, repair options and literally stuff that can't be found anywhere else. With that being said go check it out for yourself . I think it's incredible that a game store is surviving and kicking today and outlasting the bullshit that GameStop is. read more

Got a ps2 for a great price from here and the guy Austin working there was the man he helped me out and made good game recommendations for me. Definitely stop in for all gaming related things new and old read more

A few years back, there used to be a GameStop across the street from Gameplay - it's a testament to things that they ended up outliving it and thriving. A truly local video game chain, and I've always had a pleasant time with both the owner and staff. Great selection, fair prices, and they'll always let you know when you'll want to "come on down" for the latest releases. Great all around! read more

Nice selection, but yikes to their prices. Went in to check out what they had after scouting their Instagram page for the past few weeks. I saw they got a few games in stock that I was interested in so figured I'd swing by. Quickly I noticed a warning sign for me: They put prices on every game on display *except* for high price/in demand games, which I'm not a fan of personally. That being said I asked the employee behind the counter about a copy of Pokémon Emerald they had in stock about the price. I was taken aback when he said $250. That game on pricecharting.com goes for $205. Heck, I got a copy online today for $185! I inquired about a complete in box copy of an NES game (which also had no sticker) which Price Charting has as $100; they were asking for $300! Even lower demand games were priced higher than anything online, usually by $10-15. I understand needing to make a profit but it felt like their prices were just extremely outside of what you can get elsewhere, whether online or in other local retro game stores. I left without making a purchase, unfortunately. I will say, the employees were all helpful, and if new/current games are what you're looking for, they had a good selection and I'd rather support a local place than Amazon or Gamestop for that. But based on the pricing I saw upon my visit, I don't think I'll be going back here for anything retro. read more

Great store, been coming here since 2015 and they always have something cool, it's a small space but you are overwhelmed with just how much retro and modern games they have. The employees are always cool and helpful. Definitely one of the best video games stores in California. I always make it a priority to stop here when I'm in the area. read more

I would not recommend this store. I went in today and staff was unprofessional. The level of service is trash. if I could assign a negative rating I would. Save your money and go to a more reputable store if possible. read more

Not the best experience. There was a big clear barrier wall between the customer and the rep/merchandise. That's understandable, but the games themselves were also in a case, then in a bag. As collectors, we wanted to get a clear view of the game condition, label, etc. We asked the employee if he could let us have a good look at two games. He couldn't be bothered to take them out of the bag or case, and just sort of held them up far away from the window quickly and then put them back. He wasn't necessarily hostile or anything. He was nice enough. But if you're a collector that's paying pretty high prices for vintage games, you need to be able to at least visibly inspect the item without feeling like you're asking too much. This was a few months ago. Hopefully by this point, the wall situation has corrected itself. read more

Had to stop and grab a power supply. Quick service, the ladies working were super helpful and pleasant. This place has a ton of classic games so it's a nice nostalgia trip. read more

Don't shop here or trust what the employees say. I purchased a PS3 console from this shop and had issues upon issues with the console. I brought it back and received another. The fan was still running loud so I brought it to another reputable shop in Los Angeles. It turns out GamePlay sells modded and chipped consoles. They will lie to you at tell you that they are refurbished but that is absolutely not the case. The ps3 I bought was illegally modded to run with the fan at 100% speed. The repair cost me $100. I have called the shop and emailed the owner multiple times. They don't care. Do not support this business and go to one of the many other video game stores in LA that won't scam you. read more

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I don't recommend when it comes to selling your stuff. There is another gaming place about 5 minutes away called A and J games. I highly recommend A and J games read more

My 7 year old son and I have started to bond over earlier video games. this store and staff have been the most reliable in the city. The staff is always super helpful and kind. For example, even when my son wants a game they may not have, at the moment, they know how to show him one that is almost like it so he can still enjoy the game play. That's amazing to me. Very valuable staff. I look forward to going there again! read more

Gameplay - Banjo kazooie for the Nintendo 64 - Toy Stores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Great local business to support that will go above and beyond to answer questions regarding current and retro games. You can preorder here for new games on newest consoles as well. Super friendly all the time! read more

HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE! I went to Gameplay for the first time and did not have a good experience. I have lived in mar vista my entire life and gone to A and J games since I was a kid. They were closed that evening already so I thought that I would call Gameplay and give them a chance since I always went to A and J Games. I called first to make sure they had what I needed as I have injuries right now that make it difficult to get around. Austin who was the employee working at the time assured me he had what I was looking for which was a Kinect and a game or two that kids would enjoy playing for it. I went into Gameplay and Austin had been Incorrect. He gave me information on the phone without even looking to see if what I was wanting was in stock. Low And behold I travel to the store which again is extremely challenging for me right now due to injuries and Gameplay has a kinect but not one single game for I had a horrible experience with Austin and was not talked to very nicely nor respectfully when I told him that in the future he should make sure to check that he has what's being asked for in stock before he lets a customer come in. Then after that poor experience I asked if he would give me a deal if I picked something since I came all that way there and was given false information., he agreed and gave me two prices for two items and then the total was not correct when I went to pay. I questioned the price he gave me as the two prices he gave me separately didn't add up. Austin despite giving me prices separately wouldn't honor those prices. He said I had to pay the total he gave me which was not the prices quotes. Altogether it was frustrating and a horrible experience with Austin. And despite all above you don't talk disrespectfully to a customer. I will be blasting this all over social media and spreading the word and experience with GamePlay when there's Game stop and a and j within miles. I will be calling the manager as well. I don't recommend this place with the experience I had. Austin was unacceptable. read more

Noticed people complaining they can't spend because they can't see behind the glass? You know I get it but cmon If you're a serious buyer you'd know what you want or ask them lol it's super easy.. Me as a customer for years I have no issue spending! I actually have to stop myself and leave before I make a financial mistake!!! Lol So much to browse. I understand Covid really took a toll on this place and it sad. But it's not their fault I blame covid for that. I'm just glad they took this summer to remodel and it looks dope!! I'm sure those dumbass haters will still find something to complain about. Place like this will never survive with those type of "customers". I'll be sure to continued to support this place because I care for video games and video game stores Fucking shopping corporate. read more

USED to be BUSSIN! Ever since they put thag weak wall up so now we cant go looking for games. Take the wall down and ill give you 5 stars bruh lol read more

As I continue my never-ending quest for the best videogame store (that isn't a Gamestop) in Los Angeles, my latest destination took me over to GamePlay just near Culver City. Located between a local bar and a Spanish liquor store, the place wasn't that difficult to find AND there was no congestion like over at World 8 (sigh....LA traffic SUCKS). Anyways, I came here to see what kind of retro world I would find and I wasn't too surprised nor was I wholly satisfied. Let me recap: PROS: --SERVICE. The gentleman behind the counter was nothing but cool and helpful. Any silly questions I had, he answered. More game stores need dudes (and gals) like that. You listening, GameZone in Gardena?? --COLLECTIBLES. They have a nice batch of collectibles for some newer (and some older) titles. For example, they've got TWO of the Dark Souls statues for sale, so that's a keeper! --PRICE: The asking price they have for various collectibles are quite decent. Around $10 less than what other stores ask for. In my case, they had an Xbox copy of Marvel Vs Capcom 2 in good condition for $40! Good luck finding that game for that price anywhere! DIBS FOR ME. CONS: --SIZE. It's no bigger than an average Gamestop. Aside from Game Dude in the Valley, will I ever find a game store that isn't the size of a living room? Guess not. --SELECTION: In terms of Retro titles, they are very limited. A few SNES/Genesis/NES titles here and there but nothing to go crazy for. Any retro title that I asked for wasn't in stock, which SUCKED (for me, not for them). Perhaps I came in during a slow week for retro trade-ins? That being said, they do have a fairly large stash of last-gen/current-gen/next-gen titles. So if you were hankering for a PS4 copy of NBA 2K16, they will probably have it. --MUSIC. Look, I'm not a hater of the current generation of Pop music but the last thing I wanted to hear inside this place is KIIS-FM being blasted on the speakers. C'mon with that! Other Yelpers claim they play 80's music but all I heard was Ariana Grande screeching at me! Even with the limited amount of retro titles they had in stock, I walked out with a nice duo of cool games. Even though I didn't really need one, I still bought their copy of Marvel Vs Capcom 2 for the original Xbox and a clean copy of Mortal Kombat 2 for the SNES. Considering how far this place is, I would recommend giving this place a call BEFORE visiting here to save the frustration of not being able to find what you want. On the flipside, I would still recommend visiting this place, it's clean and has games that are affordable. Which is a far better choice than the broom closet of a store known as A&J Games up the street..... read more

Gameplay - Wait, a clean copy of Marvel Vs Capcom 2 for Xbox for $40? SNATCH! - Toy Stores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I have been coming here since 2007 and I love the stuff they sell here :) I always buy old school games

Been waiting for Resident Evil 5 to release on Friday, March 13th? WHY BOTHER?! Go to Game Play! They released it last week! This can be the case with any game because Game Play releases games early. :) After getting hooked on RE4, I've been anticipating the release of RE5 since 2005. FOUR YEARS!!! For the past month or so, I've been replaying the RE5 demo over and over and overrrr again at least 15 times just to prep myself up for the full length game. Nonetheless, I am super duper appreciative of Game Play for having RE5 available early. The workers were very cool and friendly to me when I came in to pick up my copy of RE5, and even showed me other neat Resident Evil trinkets. They were also very enthusiastic and took the time to chit chat about the game. Apparently, they love what they are doing, which is one key to great customer service. :) Game Play is awesome because they get games early. Screw waiting for those corporate businesses (i.e. Best Buy, Toys R Us, Game Stop) to release them on official dates. Ha! No Yelp for me the next few days because I'll be beating this game on amateur, normal, and veteran....oh, and studying for finals too. :D Pew! Pew! Pew!! read more

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Love coming here since 2011 I met a lot cool guys there I know the employees and everything. The pricing for their games are way better than game play in Long Beach and game hogs. I rather come here to do my shopping read more

I walked into 80s video game heaven! Felt the vibe as soon as we walked in when 80s music and Sega game greeted us at the door. One staff member at the counter (younger guy) was very accommodating and helpful. He had to look up the year the Asteroids game console came out because it was way before his time hahaha!! Thought that was funny. He was way cool about it, and no offense taken. I'm proud of my 80s. Parking can be tough. Not much parking on Venice Blvd, so we parked on one of the adjacent residential streets. The other GamePlay I'm familiar with is the one in Long Beach on Spring Street. They were just as nice there with cool classic inventory! Love walking into "my time" read more

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In all honesty, I shouldn't as a gaming industry personage be 4 staring this for some reasons... they break the street date for games which is a big no no. However... as a gamer, first and foremost... rules like that are silly. And if you're here at the store, at least you're not ripping it so little tester grunts and CEOs can keep their jobs. Makes everyone happy times :p That aside, this is an awesome little shop. I hold a torch for classic games and I can get most anything here. Even rare stuff if you play your cards right. I've passed down some of my older systems to my kids and in moves and, well, kids being kids, stuff gets broken and missing. Sure I could just troll ebay to look for that rumble pack or for that classic NES controller that is not chewed up... or that arcade joystick... or maybe I'm just sick of playing Keith Courage on my Turbo Graphix and want a change... Now if you only had a bit better of an organization system on the shelves I'd be a little happier. I guess it's good that I'm a girl that doesn't mind getting her hands dirty and searching for stuff like the prize at the bottom of the cereal box. I feel like they should have the guy from Field of Dreams saying: If you ask for it- they [likely] have it. It may be easier to just ask if you're not the type that doesn't want to spend the time trying to find it yourself. But sometimes it's not bad. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Gameplay for being a lifesaver for having all those last minute toys and joys that tickle my fancy. read more

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This review is for their offer to buy games. I had four brand new, factory sealed Xbox and Wii games to sell. Retail price for the four games on Amazon is $83 and they all had excellent sales ranks. Now I'm much older than their typical customer, so maybe they thought I didn't know the value of these games. The buyer offered me $5 total for the games. It wasn't just the lowball offer which was insulting, it was the snarky attitude. I'd like to do business with small stores but when they're buttheads it's a real disappointment. Highly UNRECOMMENDED! read more

Great for finding some rare old games are imported stuff. It's a small little store. It's sister store Spin Fusion is right next door and carries dvd's. No parking in back you'll have to find it on the street. read more

Gameplay - Where is Blinky? - Toy Stores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Since the early 2000's I have been going to GamePlay in Culver City. This place has been one of the few game stores that has one of the best customer service. Their employees were courteous, considerate, and filled with game knowledge. I feel that GamePlay know what their customers want. They tend to price their games $4 cheaper than retail and at that some new releases come out the weekend before. When I discovered GP I was buying dvd movies, and they had great movies at great prices. Few local game stores survive the corporate powerhouse of GameStop and GameRush. I am glad that GP can serve the locals with items that can't be found in corporate based stores. Put it this way, I live about 25-30miles away and I would come to visit GP on a regular to pick up new releases, buy previously owned games, and accessories. read more

Sure, ordering a game online is easy, but how interactive and memorable is it? This place is a reminder of why Mom and Pop-owned shops are valuable, especially for a collector. Myself, an NES collector, and 3Ds fan, I continually find super helpful, genuine staff ready to assist me and really share all the information he or she has on what I am interested in, and if not, they get someone that does. Their sale prices are cray good, and when something is sold out I am always called when it's back in stock. I can't fault them on wanting to keep limited inventory, as they are a smaller place, but if I want something and they had it, they can get it again. They sell nearly all crafts of nerdery here, although the classic NES collection is generally the more common games, with an occasional rare find. It's more a place for the current game console systems and anime stuffs, with dvd's of nearly all nerd genres. This place has on-market prices, super cool staff, good location to my house compared to driving anywhere else, and I'd rather support a locally owned establishment trying to help my collection than some corporate giant anyway. read more

OK, so you may think it's GAMESTOP, and that's no accident. Same font style, same genre of products, but this is different. If you're looking for games (especially used), this place has a lot to offer. Staff was friendly and helpful. There's much I don't know about whole categories of games, and I got steered in a helpful direction. They knocked a couple bucks off the price of an old game I was considering, so that was nice. It's not a shiny new place but it's well kept, and Game Play seems to have found its own niche. A decent alternative. read more

Game Play is a treasure. A small, locally operated (there are two stores), video game shop. They stock imports. They do special orders. They know games. As an avid gamer, I make a point of buying my media from Game Play. I want to keep them in business! Viva! independent game stores! Viva! local gamer business! Viva! knowledgeable staff! read more

Gameplay - A happy Game Play customer enjoys their Super Mario Brothers stand-up arcade game. - Toy Stores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

When I was a little kid there was this game store called "Save the Princess" that was just walls covered in Nintendo/Atari games (Yes, I'm old). The staff were always super friendly and willing to shoot the shit even if you didn't buy anything. Which I always did. Gameplay strikes me as the same kind of thing. A used game store out of time, the people are nice and the product is cheap. I'd compare it to Gamestop, but that's like comparing filet mignon to Taco Bell's meat hose. Better yet, like comparing filet mignon to getting punched in the mouth. I got Fallout 3 for $10. Fallout is a somewhat old game, but by comparison, you can't even get it that cheap on Amazon and Amazon is magic. They had tons of other used games, some pretty new, all with really solid prices. They've even got used systems I assume must be filled with dog turds for the price they're going for. But that's not even the great part. They're willing to chat it up with you and they know their stuff. It's really hard to find something like this nowadays. So take advantage before it becomes Gamestop and they start punching you in the mouth. read more

This place is a fucking joke, I have been a loyal customer for over 10yrs and I recently went in to purchase a PlayStation 4 controller because my other one went out. I went home and had a really hard time getting the controller to sync but where there is a will, there is a way, so I tackled that obstacle only to have the controller immediately die! I attempted to charge the controller threw the PlayStation ports and no luck, I swapped out about 7 cables and no luck. I decided to give gameplay a call in hopes they would resolve the issue, WRONG!!!! they do not want to take any responsibility or help me in any way shape or form aside from just referring me to PlayStation them self's!!! They pretty much fucked me out of $75 dollars for a broken "new" controller that's just a giant paper weight! Someone needs to contact me ASAP or I will take further action read more

This place is amazing. They got great deals and their staff is extremely well versed in all games and pop culture - especially Will (He knows EVERYTHING!). Honestly, I will always come here first when considering purchasing anything. If you are looking purchase anything or even just looking for a great conversation about the latest games/shows, this is the place to go!!!! So GO!! read more

Great customer service, great selection of games and systems, overall positive experience every time I visit!

Love Gameplay. They take good care of the customer and you don't have to deal with the standard GameStop nonsense. The store is generally very cool. I always linger for 15 minutes after purchase just to look at all the cool retro stuff they have. They have a local mom and pop vibe and I very much want them to succeed. Follow them on Instagram for the inside scoop. read more

This review is not about the game selection there. It's only based on my customer service experience when I sold: - a PS2 console - many PS2 / PS one games - a PSP and a few PSP games Gwen, the customer service manager, is who you need to see. She took good care of me and demonstrated an interest in my overall experience. For example, she explained why she couldn't tell me the exact price of each game I was selling (competitive pricing with Game Stop and other businesses). She was also patient, friendly, conversational, and yet detail-oriented when examining a large stack of my items. When the cash register was depleted of dollar bills, she gave me options instead of saying goodbye: I could either sell my PSP another day or sell it today but accept an IOU and return during the next two days for my cash. I got the IOU and returned and got my cash the next day -- no problems at all. And on that day, I observed further evidence that she is reliably awesome: An elderly woman visited the shop and asked to buy something the store didn't sell. Gwen wrote down a Web address for an online shop, so the woman could purchase it there. The woman however was not tech-savvy and was still struggling to understand that the e-commerce store was virtual. There was no physical location. So Gwen told the woman she could call her, and then Gwen would talk her through the online shopping experience -- for a business independent of Game Play! read more

I'm not much of a gamer these days, but whenever I'm looking for something in particular, I always try these guys before I go online. I've been here a few times over the years and the staff has never disappointed, they're always friendly. For a store their size, they have a good selection - and prices on more recent used games are great, too! I personally think they're a little pricey on the retro games, but let's face it, everybody is in LA (and it's not Game Dude bad, which is always good.) Definitely cleaner and less sketch looking than the nearby A&J, but I think the former has a larger selection. If you're on the west side this is definitely worth looking in to. Also, they tend to break street date on new games. Always a plus. Trade-in value doesn't seem too good, I would rather shop here than sell. Still, I didn't feel like I was being totally ripped off. read more

I've been here a few times, once to buy a SNES for myself, and a couple more times with my little brothers. I've never been disappointed with the customer service! I'm not an avid gamer but my brothers are and they're always so chatty and helpful to them. A company that treats my little brothers this well is one that has my loyalty. :) Also, my brothers never come out of that store not raving about how they got an amazing deal on an exclusive game. The store is small but between this store and the other one they have a few doors down... they manage to be there for HOURS. haha.. I'm a fan! They're a perfect example of why we need to support small businesses. read more

My visit here was not planned. I had read about this place on yelp, and it was highly recommended among my gamer friends. So, without much more to go on than "they have tons of older games and the break street dates on new stuff a few dollars less than retail", I stepped into the store. Being a true mom and pop operation, the Venice Blvd. location feels small. However, visitors will be impressed with what they are able to cram into such a smallish space. They get an A+ on variety of offernings. They had a limited selection of Dreamcast games. However there was no shortage of Dreamcast consoles behind the counter. Their Gameboy Advanced cartridge selection was very impressive, as was their original Gameboy assortment. Super Nintendo carts were crammed, standing-room-only into a mid-aisle rack due to their abundance. It is safe to assume if you don't see it, they can either find it for you or order it from their sister store to arrive a day later. When I walked in, I immediately saw a Gameboy Micro 20th Aniversary Edition behind the counter and snatched it up for under 30 bills. Giovanni was at the register that day and was more helpful and accomodating than any Gamestop or Best Buy staff ever could be. Questions get answered by employees who love what they do. Prices here are more than acceptable. Rather than being gouged by people on eBay where you must purchase an item sight unseen, you pay decent prices on used items whose condition you can judge in person. GBA carts run you from $5 to $15 depending on the game. I saw Dreamcast games for $5. On the flipside, I wish the place were bigger and less cramped so I didn't feel like I had to dig for some things. For this reason alone it gets 4 stars. They purchase used games as well, but I have no experience with them in this area and will update when I do. Overall I walked away with a very positive impression of this little game store. read more

Dude this place rocks! So I got an xbox one and has two games with it. So I ventured out on Christmas to see if they were open! dude nothing says gaming like game play. The guys behind the counter are cool and educated about games. I enjoyed the fact that the price was really good and competitive. If you looking for good deal on games and systems or want to trade its pretty decent place to go. A++ props to this place. read more

I give Game Play 5 stars because they deserve it. 1) Friendly staff and very helpful Example: I came in and asked about a game that was only made for Xbox and the guy directed me to a game for PS3 (the console I currently own) and well he told me a bunch of options and I took the game home he recommended and have been playing it a lot. I really depended on his experience and knowledge and it return he satisfied me with a great fun game. (Darksiders II) 2) Their customer service is awesome Example: If you are currently waiting for a game that isn't in stock, they will call you and remind you when they have it in. They did it for me!!! 3) PRICES ARE GOOD Example: The prices on the games that are new to old are unbeatable. I can walk out of the store with trading in games and get a new game. The store credit is awesome and you dont have to sign up for anything or have to remember a username or anything just simply a receipt and your set. All in all, this store is a great place to find video games and accessories. They also have a DVD store two stores down which is awesome! read more

I like coming here over gamestop and other such places. They tend to have the competitors' prices beat, and the guys that work here are generally super nice and helpful. They will share their opinions on games, and all of the employees strike me as true gamers that know their craft. Relative to the chain competitors the place is on the smallish side, a bit run down and a bit cramped, and they don't offer quite the same return policies. Though I can't hold these shortcomings against them - it's how they pass savings along to the customer! For what I use them for (video game purchases at great prices, paired with expert gamer advice), they are my go-to place. read more

I amended my review because I had a completely different experience during my second visit. I figured what the hell, let me give them another shot... It was my sisters bday and I was in search of a Wii. It had to be a 1st gen because I also got her the DDR mats so I was stuck looking at used systems. Of course GameStop had $80 mismatched and beat up systems at every location I went to. And a few mom and pop shops had ok ones for a reasonable price. This shop is on my commute home and as a last ditch effort I dropped in. I'm glad I did. Not only did they beat every other price by a good amount, but they even had it in its original box with everything except the Wii sports game (sucks anyways). In any case the console had marker on it. I pointed it out to the kid that was helping me and BOOM! Some elbow grease later and the console was clean as a whistle. That's costumer service folks. The kid went above and beyond and made the sale. I'm glad I gave this mom and pop place a second shot. I'll be dropping in for future purchases for sure. -------- They 'guarantee' to have the best price and will price match if needed. Unfortunately upon asking for a price match for a game they claimed that they couldn't honor it because even tho the game WAS available at a store 11 miles away, it wasn't available at a store 4 miles away. On a different occasion they also claimed they could pricematch websites however this time around they refused to do so which leads me to believe they were nitpicking to weasel out of having to price match the game I was interested in. I always prefer to try and give my business to mom and pop stores but I guess I'll have to give my business to the big box store down the road now. It's a shame too since there are several 5 star reviews claiming how nice they are. They weren't necessarily rude, they just refused to honor the 'best price guarantee' claim. In small mom and pop operations loyalty is everything and a small $25 purchase now could have led to repeat business in the future because in all honesty it did seem like a cool shop. Oh well. read more