Best hobby stores I've been in by a country mile. Excellent selection, of a variety product, with depth. Best painting supplies I've seen outside of a high end art supply store. Comprehendible layout, easy to navigate. The store is clean (slightly crowded) , doesn't smell and has a good amount of natural light. Game playing area is in a separate area, that is similar quality. I wouldn't be afraid to bring my kiddo here. Staff is alert, knowledgeable, and friendly (though sometimes a bit odd). Staff actually is doing their jobs, not playing games during hours. read more

Very pleased with the transactions. Excellent product and overall service. Would give my highest recommendation.

Absolutely the best place to get anything you need regarding toy soldiers. This is my dream store; tons of stuff. You could spend a day in the shop and still not see everything. Staff is knowledgeable and happy to share information and advice. They have plastic and metal soldiers for war games, painting, collecting, dioramas, or just for fun. All kinds of other things too; for role playing games, card games, model building etc. if you like any of these things you need to go here! read more

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Oh. My. Gods. Dudes... This place is off the hook. It's all about the hobbies. But there is a strong D&D and board game presence. Just off the top of my head I saw: Army Men Trains/Diorama Models Paint and tools A centurian statue. SO many games. (And not enough shelves) Rule books for D&D, Pathfinder, WarHammer, ShadowRun, and many other games. Miniatures from Wizkids, Bones, and many many others. A clearance area. Dice and accessories. Magic Cards. A play area. This is one of the best provisioned game stores I've ever been to in my 30 something years of gaming. The staff was friendly. I didn't really talk to much to them, but while making my purchases they were very nice. HIGHLY recommended. read more

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Owner of the store is incredibly rude. I needed to purchase something that they don't keep out on the floor, and he made it seem like I ruined his entire day just because he had to go into the back to get one for me. Why bother supporting a local business if the local business doesn't want your business? Could have gotten what I needed cheaper online. And it's not even like I did anything wrong. I came in, looked for what I needed, asked the man behind the counter for help when I couldn't find it, and then made my purchase. Not sure why such a miserable person would want to own a retail store. read more

Drove in from Milton. Was interested in Paragon Scenics Fort Apache. The head guy said the price was $800. I countered its advaertised for $500 online. He said there was no way this item was advertised by anyone at that price. Asked if I could show him what I had seen online, he agreed. There it was listed at $500. From that point on he was rude and dismissive. Had a bunch of items I intended to puchase. Just left them on the counter. Found the staff more interested in looking busy than interested in offering assistance. read more

What can I say, purchased some FL napoleonics, never heard anything whatsoever for 8 or 9 days. Other stores drop line about whether it's being packed or ordered in, not HB. So dropped couple emails via their website, nothing. Posted an honest google review and in short order, received a rather rude, brusque email saying he'd ordered the stock, then hours later a frankly angry email blaming FL & stating he would refund myself, except he hasn't. He attempted something on the card but my card company blocked him, I said I still hadn't received a refund, perhaps he made an error, another angry email saying how he'd refunded me twice, both the bank & MasterCard beg to differ. after ignoring repeated requests for full refund, reported it to law enforcement. Still no refund fortnight later, one to avoid. read more

Went to their new location quite a drive. Sadly much much smaller footprint. Just not the Same feel where I could browse for hours. And definitely no parking nearby had to circle the block several times read more

very friendly and helpful especially to new customers with questions also holds magic commander nights every thursday read more

We shop for board games here, for ourselves and for gifts - great local business! They have a good selection of games, though it seemed smaller than usual last time I was there. A bigger portion of the store is dedicated to other hobbies - miniatures and models, mainly. I did get a weird comment from the friend of one of the employees when I was there - he was having some trouble understanding that dress-wearing girls can be board game nerds, too. Ah, well. Anyways, cool spot and glad we have a place to buy our games that isn't Amazon. read more

This is a great store. Lots of models and supplies and games of all sorts. Great stock of books too. Most of the people that work there are awesome and helpful, except the the guy with the mustache who I think is the manager. He is weird, unhelpful, condescending and rude. read more

Easy access from the Orange Line, well-stocked with what you need, and a friendly staff make the Hobby Bunker your best bet for gaming and hobbies in the greater Boston area. HB has an excellent, easy to use website that is updated hourly so you may not need a visit to the physical store. But sometimes you just want to browse, not necessarily knowing what you want, and HB is a perfect place for discovering new passions. And, perhaps best of all, it's in an actual bunker (of sorts)! read more

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Wow. What an unpleasant experience with incredibly rude staff. I popped into Hobby Bunker with a few friends after spending the morning down the street at Boda Borg. At first I thought: awesome, how much cool stuff can Malden fit into a four block radius?! While I'm not super into toy soldiers and model building, it was fun to look at their inventory. Eventually we settled into the board game section, and my friend picked up a game that's been on his wishlist for a while. At one point, he set it down to look at another item his girlfriend pointed out, and immediately an employee came over to ask "so...were you planning to pick up after yourself?" It was such a bizarre and inappropriate greeting that my friend responded with a confused "uh sure, do you need help with something?" The employee then picked up the game (which was still right by our feet) and put it back on the shelf, muttering all the while, "it's like you expect me to be your mother". Even more awkward, I think my friend still wanted the game, but taking down the (emphatically re-shelved) item would probably have been viewed as an act of war. I guess this store is strictly anti-browsing, and the only way to successfully make a purchase is to keep your head down, navigate directly to the item of interest and then to the register. Or maybe they only intend to be a friendly environment for dedicated hobbyists, and he was doing his part to chase away mere casual gamers? Anyways, this place was a total bummer. I usually love game/hobby stores. In fact, my new move whenever I travel someplace sufficiently exotic is to scope out a toy or game unique to that area, which makes for a great (and interactive!) souvenir. And heck, I could understand a Parisian getting frustrated with my mediocre French...but it's always been my experience that people working in these shops are enthusiastic and eager to make recommendations, even when there's a language barrier. So for the life of me, I can't understand why this dude at Hobby Bunker was so upset by our existence. read more

TL DR: Condescending staff. I drove up to Hobby Bunker this afternoon from Cambridge with my girlfriend as an early birthday treat. I was excited to have a look at the models and to see what else they had, especially since there are so few hobby shops in the area. When I saw that they had a very cool collection, I said aloud "I'm definitely going to pick up a few things." I told the person at the front desk how much I liked the store. Looking up from his magazine he said "Great." Lackluster response, but he's probably used to the store, I thought. I asked him if they had a Meng German A7V World War I Tank. He asked me if I knew what that was. ...I didn't quite know how to make it more specific than the brand and model. I tried to explain further what the model was as best I could. Before he even looked it up or knew what I was talking about he said he could guarantee they didn't have it. He looked it up and then told me it was out of stock and that it was $90. I nodded indicating my knowledge that its a pricier kit, but, all things considered, $90 isn't really all that much, so I thought that was a bit odd. I accepted that it wasn't in stock and thanked him for looking it up Then I saw they had a few sets of AK interactive paints (1 set of four bottles for the German infantry, 3/4 sets of four bottles for Russian aircraft) in addition to a number of individual bottles. They didn't have a set that I had in mind (four bottles for a WWII Spitfire - one of the most popular vehicles that modelers make), so I asked him if, using individual AK bottles, I could recreate the set. He responded with bewilderment as though he was confused at the very nature of what I was asking. He asked: "Are you asking me if I can mix the paints? Because no - we can't do that." I clarified that: no, I'm asking if I could recreate a particular set of paints using the individual bottles. He asked if I knew which paints were in the set. Of course, if I knew offhand which paints were in the set, I would have selected them myself. I was looking for a little customer service. He sniggered and shook his head sighing something along the lines of "well I'd need to know what paints are in the set" or "well that'd be helpful" with a tone as though I were a bothersome customer asking for far more. I bluntly asked him if I was putting him out or something given his rude, dismissive demeanor. He demurred and went to help another customer (which was fine - the customer wanted to check out). But his demeanor was strange and it was an unhelpful, condescending experience. This experience left me feeling completely unenthused about doing business with Hobby Bunker, where I was made to feel unwelcome and bothersome. I had walked in with the intention of picking up a few paints and a few kits. The experience left me in the mood to simply walk out. Which I did. I'm sure the owners of this place are fine people. I know how difficult a small business is to start and run. But I hope they reconsider who they choose as staffers. Aside from this experience, they have a bunch of good Tamiya, Revell, Eduard, and Dragon models at reasonable prices, full sets of Tamiya, AK Interactive, and Citadel paints, a good selection of D&D minis, and some other cool stuff. I think they may do games upstairs. I will not return. read more

Stepping into Hobby Bunker is like stepping into your uncle's basement. It's a little messy and a little musty, but it's packed to the brim with cool stuff! The selection of games here is second to none in the greater Boston area, whether it's Warhammer, Warmachine, board games, historicals, or RPGs. It's always fun digging through the shelves for something rare or out of production, and I've picked up a fair amount of hard to find stuff here. The space itself is big, with plenty of gaming area. The tables are a little beat up and some of the terrain is lacking, but it's overall pretty solid. Lighting is a little dingy, but finding a table is pretty easy. I've arranged a few games to meet here and it's always worked well for us. Location is alright; Malden isn't exactly hopping as of yet, and the store is the only reason I'd go there. The staff are generally helpful and friendly, if a bit awkward, but they're always polite and happy to see customers. Overall, this has been the store I've pointed people to in the Boston area. It's not perfect, but I'm always happy to game and shop here, and I'd recommend it happily! read more

Went to HB to look for car model as Xmas gift. No nothing about model building but everybody including staff and customers very helpful. Got everything I needed for a starter gift. Got Black Friday discount too. read more

When I found this place, I found what wargaming hobby stores should be: * Packed floor to ceiling with all kinds of very interesting things * Assorted out-of-print games and books * Huge selection of magazines and rules * Almost everything you could want * If they don't have it, they order it. This isn't a comic book place, and you'll be lucky to find a copy of Apples to Apples here, but if you're looking for historical, fantasy or sci-fi wargaming, paints, tools, supplies, painting tables, gaming tables, Warhammer, 40k, Warmachine/Hordes, Perry Miniatures, Warlord Games... Four stars because they have pretty lousy opening times so its hard to get there during the week. read more

The Hobby Bunker is a great store - it has a large selection in a wide variety of things. Boardgames, Wargames, Miniatures - there's so much hobby stuff it's really hard to do it justice. The prices vary from inexpensive to expensive, it really depends on the item. As an example, they have some expensive paints offered by Games-Workship, and then there are inexpensive paints from Vallejo. The staff are usually friendly and helpful, especially on the weekend. There's also usually a lot of games going on Saturdays and Sundays in the gaming table area. read more

You no when you just finish a model kit a gundam or a tank a plan or sum thing or you just won yore first war hammer 40k game That's what it is. you go in and the first thing you see is stuff no for reel its starts at the flor and ends at the selling mini war gaming, model kits bored dice card gams pant and model-hobby tolls so much it's almost over whelming i was a kid in a candy shop batmobile kits gunpla ww2 ww1 civil war models war hammer 40k I'm well back ASAP read more

This is the best store for tabletop miniatures supplies in the Boston Metropolitan area bar none. I spent about 40 minutes here last weekend talking with the owner and a couple of people there that were playing games in the back and was blown away by how knowledgeable and friendly they were. I was there to pick up some privateer press stuff and they actually had more models in stock than the various vendors I looked at off Amazon. Prices are close to what you would pay online if you factor in shipping for several of the items I bought there. The intangible benefit of having a local store that hosts games to support the local gaming community makes buying here rather than online a no brainer for me. If they were open a bit later Friday and Saturday to accommodate more games that would be awesome. read more

I was looking for gunpla, due to covid there aren't many in stock right now. Hopefully they will get more in the future.

Really you need to see it, they have all the essentials and a bunch of stuff I have not seen for decades in a store. This is a hobby store, not a craft store, it about building models, painting figures n armies, and the games to play with them. Also has a little museum feel in some corners where they display what people have built. Some kids stuff too. Good selection of modeling tools, and the staff is not just selling they are using. With a little friendly conversation they are encyclopedic and willing to share. Worth the visit, and bring your wallet cause you won't leave without getting something you been looking for! Love it! I'll be back! read more

One of the coolest places I'd been in a while. I found it by mistake on my way to one of the restaurants on the street and forced my fiance to come in with me. She hated it... Her bad. Cool place floor to ceiling with every sort of interesting thing you could think of. This place reminded me of a hobby shop I used to frequent with my father in RI. Very cool place. I'll be back soon! I don't know what the chick talking about the awful experience is talking about. It's a hobby shop. Come off it. read more

It a cool place but the manager is a little rude and disinterested VERY PRICEY for a hobby shop but it's a cool place to go if you need 1:6 scale figures and don't try to negotiate with him he is very snappy when you try read more

This place is awesome! I recently got back into modeling and needed a good supply store. Hobby Bunker had everything I needed to get started again and it was all very reasonably priced. The staff has an amazing balance between providing assistance for those hard-to-find items and keeping distance and letting you browse. So if you are a little shy you should feel comfortable! It's quite easy to get lost in your own ideas thinking about future projects. Great place! read more

The Hobby Bunker is one of the Best hobby shops in all of the north shore. They have everything. The workers are very friendly and helpful. Will definitely be coming back. read more

Couldn't find a game or era of history that they didn't have a section for. Best place for things you can't find anywhere else like custom made terrain, and even old G.I Joe figures. The kind I haven't seen since I was a kid. I would be lying if I said it was unclean, it definitely wasn't homely, but it fits the theme of being a bunker. Staff was very helpful and introduced me to the local gaming group, who had several members with several games going on, For both warhammer and magic. read more

Ol' reliable. Been playing here since 2009/2010 and met plenty of great people there. Almost always leave with some kind of treat and they incentivize customers with the trifecta of good flgs: -good deals. You will find a good deal there. -the community and atmosphere; have not met a single rude staff member. Worse, disaster, world ender of story was when they forgot to unlock door in morning. Waiting 10 mins was abysmal! Jk, they are good fellas. You want to buy because you want these guys to continue being good at their jobs. -a practical and diverse range of products. You'll find something you want. Have had one negative play experience here and the guy (I'll spare details but he shouldn't be let near nice looking wargaming terrain) was dealt with immediately. That was 2011 and haven't seen him since and always enter store knowing staff enforce fair and courteous play. Only feedback I can give is more store coordination/initiative with gaming groups. I know an AoS community or games like Necromunda could catch on and I think help from store would be awesome. That's my only suggestion and that's after putting some time into thinking about it. Oh and clutter but that's the ropes of having a diverse range. It's mostly a result of Warmahordes community decline and I feel there's a vacuum store could help fill. Met great people, have had great times, and I know I'll be going to Ol' reliable till I move out of Mass. When I lived in Plymouth I literally drove there to play. Oh and good parking and great food nearby. read more

Horrible experience! Cluttered basement space, rude inattentive staff who engaged in quite loud offensive conversation, lack of inventory or knowledge of products! Will not be returning here. read more

This place is amazing. My boss recommended that I go here at some point. I wasn't expecting much mainly because I hadn't heard anything about it before, but when I descended those stairs and went through that door I was amazed to see so many models, cards and board games! It was like a dream! Friendly staff and an AMAZING selection! read more

This is a large, well-stocked gaming store focused on toy soldier collectables, military modeling, and wargaming. Given its basement location on a side street, not the easiest place to find, but worth the effort. On street parking available, also reasonably close to public transit. This guy's inventory is impressive. Miniatures, paints, terrain modeling supplies, board games, rule books, collectables, dice... His selection of Osprey military reference books alone made it worth the 25-minute drive to Malden for my foray there earlier this year. I was there on a Sunday and there were a couple of lively Warhammer games happening in a gaming zone at the back of the shop. I came away about $50 poorer but quite happy, with some JTT miniature trees and a couple of Osprey titles. Prices are competitive with online sources, and of course, no shipping charges. Well worth a visit for serious modelers and wargamers -- I didn't realize there were any retail stores like this left, so I'm happy to have it as a resource. read more

Been going here for many, many years. The selection is great, the service is outstanding and the prices are very reasonable. Matt always goes out off his way to find me what I want and Evan has a great customer service approach. If you are into hobby stuff this is the place for you from 15mm WWII to 40k they have it all! read more

Terrible experience. Ordered a month ago even spoke with them on the phone assured order would be sent out. A week later with no explination I get a refund out of nowhere. Will never do business with them again. Thanks for nothing.... read more

Awesome, epic hobby place in Malden! I'm so glad this place is around.

PACKED with all kinds of stuff, pre-assembled miniatures, model kits and paints, games, books. one of the guys helped me pick out the right color paints for a model I was buying that had no paint color suggestion. totally worth a trip to a weird neighborhood. will definitely be back! read more

No hobby store in the boston area has even close to the selection that these guys have for miniatures, gaming, and modeling, with frequent store-wide sales, friendly staff, and a great gaming space with a number of clubs and events. The warhammer gaming club that meets on sundays, Grimdark Gaming, is the friendliest and most welcoming warhammer community you'll find around boston (there are 3-4 that I know of) and of the store employees, Evan is awesome to chat with and gives great advice. 40k is an expensive hobby, and it's great to see a store that stocks all the less expensive, equal-quality brands instead of just the premium super-expensive GW stuff, I buy all my paints, brushes, primers and minis from Hobby Bunker. And if they don't have something, they can usually order it and get it in before you would if you ordered online. Can't recommend this place more highly if you're into miniatures, toy soldiers, models, or board games. Another added bonus is, if you've got kids, this is by far the friendliest hobby store establishment around boston in terms of not being in a gross, cramped space, having loads of the sorts of little green plastic army men, action figures and other toys that you remember from when you were a kid. read more

Pretty cool little place, although when I walked in one day got nothing but a condescending attitude from one of the employees about building something. I was rather new into building diorama s for figures for photography and when I asked the questions about what they haf there all they did was talk down to me about stuff like that........... maybe thats just how your supposed to treat people when you work in a bunker...... read more

Purchased an item on Ebay and 1/5 was received broken. Hobby Bunker says I should glue it. Excellent condition items should not be received broken. They will not respond to further emails with pictures. Not fair business practices. read more

great experience! Cluttered basement space, cool attentive staff who engaged in quite loud conversation, great inventory knowledge of products! Will be returning here. help me fix my 1969 chevy thank you read more

I have to admit I had no interest in coming here with my husband and sons, BUT I ended up having just as much fun as them! Pretty cool experience and helpful staff! Will definitely be back! read more