So, how are the toys in Games of Berkeley? Sadly, I will never know. Upon walking in on an uncharacteristically hot day (90 degrees!), some giant lady steps directly into my path to block me like a bouncer. Not even exaggerating -- she straight-up cuts me off! Then she says in a faux-cheerful, bossy tone, "We'll be happy to hold that for you up at the front." What was I holding, you ask? An unboxed pizza? A melting ice cream cone? A deadly spider? Nope. A bottle of sparkling water with a straw in it. Call me paranoid, but as a rule I don't leave my uncapped drinks sitting around strangers. Also, we're in the middle of a heat wave, I'm freakin' dehydrated, and the store is hot! So, I take the path of least resistance -- I simply do a 360 and say, "That's fine, I'll leave." And that's what I did. I excused myself and went to Half Price Books, who had zero issues with my little bottle o' agua, despite the fact that pretty much their entire inventory is made of paper. Maybe it was because they, unlike Linebacker Lady at Games of Berkeley, could clearly see that I'm an adult just trying to hydrate on an exceedingly hot day, not an hyperactive six-year-old nor teenaged delinquent liable to destroy or vandalize their merchandise. Seriously, man -- way to make a customer feel unwelcome. I get that you want to protect your goods, but is the aggressiveness really necessary? Toy stores shouldn't have bouncers. read more

I like having game stores around, so I try to support my local businesses, but today was the last straw for this one. I went in to buy a specific game, which they had, and went to pay with the remainder of a gift card I had received as a gift. At the checkout, I was told that the person who processed my previous purchase using the gift card had made a mistake, and there was absolutely nothing they could do about it until monday (this was saturday). Three employees were there, including the manager, and they were vaguely apologetic, but claimed their hands were tied. I even offered to pay full price and have them credit the amount of the gift card later, but they could not do that either. Sorry Games of Berkeley, but you've lost a customer. read more

a berkeley institution. What kinds of sillly things have I HAD to have? Let me see: poker chips of course, cuz you can never have too many. jigsaw puzzles dominos with the metal pins in the center so that they'll make that loud ass noise when you slap them down tanagrams deck of cards with extra large numbers nun-chucks hand puppet animals various card games or board games for the nephews several different kinds of balls for smaller tikes a plastic dragon for my japanese rpg playstation geeky nephew to larp with a flexible chess playing mat with a bag of chess pieces for my one time step brother pirate paraphernalia for a boating friend reams of origami paper for the nephews and for myself ......and there's still so much more that I've forgotten.... read more

This really is a good store. Their selection is unmatched and their store is fun to browse. It took me only minutes to find a fun and affordable gift for my former boss. When he opened it, he exclaimed: "Oh! The predatory rabbit from Holy Grail!" Paying for this bunny with sharp, pointy teeth was the only negative aspect of this trip to Games of Berkeley. While efficient, the cashier was a bit of a battleaxe. Barking orders like a prison guard is not what a cashier should do. read more

Games of Berkeley Is exactly everything you would want and expect a board game shop in downtown Berkeley to be. The staff is incredibly helpful, kind and awesome. They know their games and if you ask for their advice, they go out of their way to find you the perfect new game to try or even calling multiple business competitors to look for a game in stock. The have the classic games as well as unique, hard to find games (that are actually more expensive on Amazon.com!) The experience of shopping here is fun and heart-warming. A personable, authentic small business local shop and genuine interactions with staff who love games! A+++++ read more

This place is amazing! One of the store clerks was so knowledgeable, he not only helped me understand what I needed to get started. He also explained to me the upcoming rule differences in the new version of the the game I am interested in (D&D). The clerk advised me on a good path for moving forward. I wanted to get back into D&D. It's been like twenty years since I last played seriously. I have very little idea what I need anymore. To boot, I was never very knowledgable about the game. He gave me some awesome options for both starting to play again right away, while I wait for the new edition to come out (with it's much simpler rules of play). I am so glad these guys are around. They make gaming so much more fun. read more

I have played a lot of games but I always discover something new when I come here. I love the fact that they prominently display Settlers and have the various spin-offs and extensions. They have standard games as well as obscure games. They also have lots of puzzles and cards. I recently came with a friend who introduced me to Munchkin and all of it's variations and it was fun to see him like a kid in a candy shop. The store also has lots of comic books and knick-knacks. If the games weren't so expensive and I had more free time, I'd totally come here more often. But it is definitely the place I come when looking for a random gift for someone. read more

A really nice assortment of games and puzzles, most of which I've never heard of. But never the less, I picked up a new jig saw and my wife and I put it together in less than a week. fun place. read more

This is the best game store I've ever been to. Not only do they seem to have every game under the sun, but everything is organized in such a way that if you can find a game type that you like you can look around in that section and find a ton of other games that you would probably also enjoy. Prices are totally reasonable, and they host game events (some of which are free). Great puzzle selection. Only downfall is I always forget to use my 10% off with Yelp checkin until after my charge has gone through. Next time I will redeem you! read more

To this store's credit, they do have an amazing selection of games. The prices are somewhat inflated. The terrible customer service, however, far outweighs the great selection. The staff is condescending, unhelpful, and unprofessional. I have shopped here on multiple occasions over the last few years and I finally refused to return because the employees had been nothing but rude every time. If you ask for help locating an item expect the staff behind the counter to stare at you blankly before reluctantly trudging over to point it out to you and then remain standing there looking at you like you have deeply disappointed them. The woman that other reviewers have mentioned--one even referred to her as a troll-- is particularly unpleasant. The only time she seemed remotely animated was when she was complaining very loudly to another co-worker about a customer she had just gotten off of the phone with who was apparently "asking too many questions about Stratego". These people seriously need to lighten up!! read more

I love this store because of what is inside of it. They have a fantastic puzzle section (and I LOVE puzzles) and numerous other fun strategy games and whatnot. However, the staff has never once been very kind. They shuffle you through without asking how things were or if they can help you. I know they're dorky, but hell, I'm dorky and I know I can be nice to people. Despite the poor customer service, I do love this store because it's so much fun to go inside and look at all the wonderful games... and normally walk out with one! read more

Terrific set of games - including a ton of very unusual board games and card games. Also a decent selection of magic the gathering boosters from years past. read more

I can't walk past this store without stopping in to play with the shelves of cute, little windup toys near the cash registers. I think I am addicted. Also, GOB has a good collection of basic kites, jigsaw puzzles, board games, and frisbees. This is a fun place to shop for gifts for yourself or for kids (seriously, I never know what to buy for the offspring of friends/family, but always find something here). It is also VERY conveniently located above the Downtown Berkeley BART station. read more

I love this place!! I'm an avid board gamer and I absolutely love shopping here. They have a great selection of games and a very helpful staff. Check it out. read more

Consistently positive, wonderful service and a great selection - THE place to go in Berkeley for your next game or gift.

I've gone to Games of Berkeley over the last decade or so. It has been a place that has a decent selection of games and supplies. The customer service has been lame, but, as others have noted, serious game players are not known for their people skills. I have tolerated the usually well-meaning but clueless aspects of GoB's customer service. This week, though, introduced a new wrinkle. I wanted to shop there to buy a luxury backgammon set and needed change for the meter. The person on the counter said he could not help me. He needed a sale to open the till...would I want to buy a die? I don't blame the employee, I blame the management creating a terrible set of procedures that left the employee unable to help me. It cost GoB the sale (I found a great set elsewhere), and this experience will remain in my memory when I have to buy other game supplies. The first rule of customer service is that customers should feel that coming to your store was the right thing to do. GoB failed that test. If customer service matters to you, go to Endgame in Oakland. read more

I like the selecton at Games of Berkeley, but I was treated so badly by one clerk it made me cry. It was awful. I will never buy anything there read more

What a fun place! The Wednesday night D&D encounters sessions are awesome. The store is huge, and they have an enormous selection. Staff is super friendly and excellent. read more

Really cool game store. Wide variety of many unique and classic board games, often fun to stop in and see what's new. The staff is knowledgeable but some can be a little abrasive. Overall really great products reasonably priced. Be sure to check your bag at the door! read more

Games of Berkeley has moved since I lived in Berkeley. The new location is on Durant near Telegraph, so still near UCB. It is a nice big space with lots of room for RPGs. They do charge $5 to use the space if you aren't paying to join in one of their events but it becomes a store credit you can use or save for another day. Plenty of cool stuff to spend your money on, from cheap to high end. Games and toys for all ages. Lots of educational fun. Clean bathrooms. We had some time to kill and just happened to walk in on time for a special MtG tournament. My (grown) son could not have been happier. read more

Their selection is pretty great, they have all types of games for all ages and interests. Staff was a little rude, which is why I gave a three star rating, customer service for me is the most important aspect of a business, regardless of what products you may have to offer. read more

My eight-year old came to store with his savings (couple weeks of allowance). The cashier was so nasty to him that he left the store crying. What especially pissed her off was that he asked her to help him count few quarters (there was no one else inline). We've been shopping at Games of Berkeley for many years so I decided to give them a call instead of writing a bad review. I hoped they would ask us to come back to the store to straighten things out with him (by giving him a sticker or something...), but a simple sorry would have been enough. But they just hung up on me. Goodbye Games of Berkeley! read more

Great selection, decent prices, but honestly, where do they get these people who run the front end? These people should be like the happiest people on earth! They get to work in a freakin' game store, that rocks. Instead, they act like it's a burden to help out customers and get really rude and short when you ask for something like no bag after making a purchase. Will be more than happy to drive a little bit farther and take my business elsewhere next time. read more

This place is exactly what you want it to be. My fiance and I decided to scope this place out to help waste time while we're waiting for our dinner reservations and were really excited by the options that they had available inside their store. They had everything from game cubes different types of dice a wide variety of nice actually. Large selection of chess boards available as well as card games galore. I highly recommend this place to any gamer who is looking for a new adventure to scout out and a board game or a card game or a chess game. The staff all look like they really enjoy what they do and are very helpful and knowledgeable and answering any questions you might have. I do like the fact that they do have you check in your book bag before you come in not only do the help prevent theft but it also allows more walking space around the store as face is kind of tight. Give this place a try especially if you're trying that way sometime or just looking for something to fill your evening with. read more

Called for a special game that you can usually just get on Amazon and boom they had it!!! Awesome & efficient customer service from the moment I walked in to when I checked out!! Wish I had more time to check out everything but my ride was driving around the block!! I shall be back soon!!! read more

Great selection with a helpful staff! They helped us pick out a fun two player game (lost cities) that we then took to Jupiter and played while drinking beers in the back patio. read more

I am happy there is such a complete game store in my community. They have space downstairs for you to play games. I have gone to a couple Netrunner LCG tournaments here and had a blast. Nice group of people work here. read more

They have everything here! They have "german" games, so I bought the entire Settlers of Catan series at a great price, and they're one of the few retailers that have Wall Street Spin from WallStSpin.com. I was impressed. read more

Last weekend we decided to venture out to Berkeley and walk around. We happened upon Games of Berkeley. I love games, so we decided to check it out. They have a decent selection of puzzles, games, and frisbees for disc golf (all things that I'm interested in). However, the largest selection seemed to be of role playing games, which is not my thing. Overall, I liked the store. I do wish they had a larger variety of board games though. read more

Best collection of jigsaw puzzles in the entire Bay Area, and trust me, I've looked. I know they're moving into the old Leopold's, which is probably better for gamers, but I like their current, Shattuck Ave location better. Whenever I'm in the mood for a new jigsaw puzzle or unique game, it doesn't get any better than Games of Berkeley. read more

I am so crazy about jigsaw puzzles.... in fact some may say that i have an obsession. my mom thinks that if i spent as much time studying as i do on jigsaw puzzles i would have a nobel prize to my credit already. i just completed a 3D San Francisco one with 12 pretty Victorian houses and cable cars in it! This place is one of the few places in bay area you could find a wide collection of jigsaw puzzles and their prices are pretty fair. read more

Well stocked game store, but poor customer service. We purchased a chess set which contained the incorrect set of pieces. Once we made it back to the store, a few weeks later, the employees said they could not exchange the pieces since it was a manufacturer error. We were able to buy the missing piece for a dollar, which of course isn't a big deal, but its certainly upsetting that they could not fix the mistake. read more

Not much good to say about this place since the staff is too busy playing board games with each other than helping customers. Last time I came in I was looking for a game that they previously carried, I couldn't find it so I interrupted the game that was going on to try to get some help. Response? "Don't know what that is". Wow, well Amazon got that sale. read more

I've been coming to Games of Berkeley since about 2002, and it's wonderful, as an RPG aficionado, to have a well-stocked store with nearly everything you could hope to find or have idly considered playing. There's always Eudemonia down the street, or internet sources, but nothing beats Games of Berkeley for selection and instant gratification. However...and without naming names...their customer service is dreadful. There are a couple of pleasant, friendly employees, but by and large, it's impossible to know whether you'll get effective service or a surly, disgruntled response that makes you feel as if you've committed a crime by simply walking in the door. Woe betide you if you come in looking for a particular product - odds are whoever is working that day has no idea what you're talking about and no intention of finding out. I appreciate the existence of a well provisioned local game store, but if I'm looking for something popular and easy to find, I'm much more likely to go to Eudemonia, knowing I'll get efficient, if not downright friendly service. I wonder if Games of Berkeley's staff realizes how many customers they discourage and drive away. read more

April C. is right. she is absolutely crazy about puzzles. i hadn't seen anything like it before i met her but she isn't lying. now me being very close to her this obsession of hers has trickled into my life as well. had you told me 6 months that i would have so much fun drinking screwdrivers and putting together a jigsaw puzzle, i would have said "what!!!!!!!!!!" but this was the case. she confessed to me her puzzle fetish and within a couple days she got me to do a puzzle with her. i have to tell you though that when going to the games of Berkeley with a jigsaw aficionado be prepared to be there a while. they have a large selection of everything games, and a large selection of puzzles to. the staff was very friendly albeit dorky (i am the biggest dork around believe me i am NOT knocking them) and most of the time you can find them playing some kind of game that looked almost like D & D. i spent about an hour there and looking through the store i say they are well equipped. from those figurines you paint to models to magic tricks they have it all. i grew up here in the bay area and have walked by this store probably over 1,000 times and never went in until she took me there to get a puzzle. i was surprised how much fun i had assembling a puzzle of San Francisco, and well of course getting completely tanked on screwdrivers. it reminded me of an earlier time a more innocent time a simpler time. Eh, who am i getting, i recommend this to all, get tanked with a cool person and put together a puzzle. you'll be surprised how much fun you'll have. read more

I've been looking everywhere for a place that sells a buttload of board games and puzzles! I went to Toys R Us on Geary but now it's Best Buy (I'm so out of the loop). I went to Wal-Mart and they have a sad, sad selection. I went to Jeffrey's toys and didn't find what I was looking for. But now i've found Games of Berkeley! They have tons of board games and puzzles! I bought a mystery puzzle and a few board games as a present. They do free gift wrapping and even have tie-dye wrapping paper! And you're supporting a local business! read more

I have never seen so many games in the same place in my life. They have a great range from classic to modern games that I would love to splurge on if I had the money. They also have a great selection of puzzles and small toys. The staff is really friendly and more than happy to assist. They also seem to be really well informed on the games, a lot of which they have personally played and can answer questions about how long they take, how fun they are, which versions are better, etc. read more

This store is good for browsing. Inside are games of all kinds. They are also carriers of certain articles which are not games, as animals plush, toys, magic, etc the shop offers tournaments for serious players, also. read more

Great hours, convenient location location, huge selection of board games and jigsaw puzzles... Glad they're here. Happy anniversary and to many more! read more

I love this place. I collect miniatures and everywhere I go other places are always out of stock. They laugh at you like you're an idiot when you ask about a specific item you're looking for. "Oh you're looking for THAT?! No one has that anymore" they say. But the staff at GoB are always helpful and they actually restock their shelves frequently, making this collector smile! read more