Been coming to The Game Preserve since before they moved into their current location, back when they were operating out of the storefront next door. Watching a good local game shop level up to a better space and somehow get even better in the process is the kind of origin story worth being loyal to. The selection here is the real deal. Puzzles, board games, TCGs, and enough variety to make you forget you came in with a specific mission. For me that mission is almost always the Magic: The Gathering singles wall, which The Game Preserve stocks with the kind of depth and organization that makes the whole experience feel less like digging through a binder at a flea market and more like consulting the Jedi Archives. Everything is where it should be, which sounds basic until you've experienced the alternative. The staff is where this place genuinely separates itself from the competition. These are not people who just work at a game store. These are people who actually play, who know the cards, who understand why you need a specific version of a specific card for a specific deck and don't make you feel like you need to explain yourself from the beginning. Case in point: on one visit a staff member helped me track down the perfect Sol Ring for my Commander deck. Not just any Sol Ring. The right one. That level of product knowledge and genuine engagement is rarer than a foil mythic and worth just as much. The rewards program is a legitimate reason to make this your regular stop if you're a frequent buyer. Points add up, the benefits are real, and it actually feels like the store wants your repeat business rather than just tolerating it. Five stars, long time customer, no plans to stop. The Force has always been strong with The Game Preserve and the new location only confirmed it. read more

This is such a cool games spot. You can find an assortment of board/card games (most I had no idea what they were). They had different type of dice (up to 8 sides) and chess boards which was cool to me. Some of the games seemed a bit expensive for me though. This is a great store for people of all ages. You are bound to find something that you like. Exploring this store was definitely fun and I saw a few cool gift ideas for friends who love trying new board games. The place is well organized, clean and has some fun decor. The staff is friendly and helpful. read more

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The Game Preserve is a cute game shop in Indianapolis near Keystone Crossing (they do have two other locations). When you see it, you get 50s candy store vibes, but you walk in and you are in games heaven. Puzzles, board games, card games, dice, books, figures and even a tournament room. The store was packed full with items and I spent at least 20 minutes just looking around. Whether you like D&D, card games or family games/activities, you can find something up your alley here. The employee was kind and said he was there to help with anything we might need. I am always on the hunt for game stores I haven't been to yet and I am glad I stopped into The Game Preserve while in Indy earlier this month. I can also appreciate that kindness is actually part of their mission statement. They have earned a place in the list of places I'll be coming back to when in Indianapolis. read more

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I was given around only 30% of the price of a magic the gathering card when selling it to them. That is around 30% less of the general standard most local games stores will buy it for. The person at the counter was nice, but I definitely got ripped off at the end of the day. Don't buy booster packs or sell magic the gathering cards here, you can get better prices for them elsewhere! Card in question was Bribery, freshly opened from a pack. The cost of that card is around 10$ as of writing this, and they gave me 3$ in store credit for it. Atmosphere is nice, however, so if you can deal with the higher pricing, then it is a pretty solid choice. read more

The Game Preserve - Card talked about in review. Without any play, fresh from a pack, the price is about 10$. - Hobby Shops Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

service there are few helpful employees that are friendly and help you. selection of MTG singles they have alot but sometimes still missing few key ones you need. Value well they really love tcgplayer i mean why make your own prices sell better cost to consumer . Lastly i hardly go because last time submitted my list online and took forever to respond annnd when i went just to check owner or employee idk Derek was very rude then i proceed to ask about two different cards and again he butted in with " told you we did not have any cards on your list" i refuse to go there unless i really need a card or two read more

The Game Preserve cites as their mission "to delight our customers and attract new ones by operating game stores which offer outstanding selection, expertise, and organization, and which practice kindness as their most important value." While I believe this is a multi-location retailer, this particular spot has been around Indy for quite a few years. Located in the Fashion Mall Commons in the same strip center that includes Kohl's, McAlister's, Le Peep and other familiar Indy businesses, The Game Preserve is a deceptively small location and one of the few game retailers still retaining a strong emphasis on board games along with a wide variety of jigsaw puzzles, role play games, accessories, and they even have a back room for trying out games, etc. This particular center is admittedly not one of my favorites in terms of wheelchair access. While they have multiple curb cuts, they've placed lamp posts inconveniently along their sidewalk and you kind of have to plan your route a bit. That said, The Game Preserve is actually in a pretty good spot and is fairly easy to get to. They have a single glass/wood door combo that opens pretty easily. The shop itself is small, aisles a little narrow. I had zero problem actually getting around in my wheelchair, though I did at times have to wait for others to finish their looking. I also noted at times I needed to wheel a bit carefully to ensure not bumping/breaking something. The staff here is extremely knowledgeable about games and more than willing to share that knowledge. My experiences here have ranged from "super friendly" to "kinda weird," but they've always done their job and helped me when needed. I'm not particularly active with games, but I have a lot of friends who are and I can nearly always find something to please them here. The decor here is comfortable and inviting, sort of game parlor meets nerd village. Prices here have a wide range. As a more indie shop, they seem to run a tad high but I find them pretty reasonable. They also frequently seem to have sales and/or clearance items. They carry a ton of rare/obscure games and a lot of indie games for board game lovers. I'd also say their selection goes across the age spectrum. The Game Preserve has a very distinct personality from other area shops - it's less a gathering space than some, less electronic than many, less comic book oriented than most, but truly an absolute delight in terms of its selection. I really like this entire strip center - you could make an afternoon out of hitting GiGi's for a cupcake and lunch at one of 2-3 restaurants also including Flamme Burger (dessert always comes first), shopping at Ulta or Kohl's, and stopping here at The Game Preserve. From the classics to the more rare games, The Game Preserve either has it or can find it. There's a reason they've been around Indy for quite a while - they know what they're doing and they do it incredibly well! read more

The Game Preserve is such a lovely game store spot and honestly the only game store I will go to. Nestled right in a strip mall, it's easy to get to, there's ample parking, and it's a great way to spend time if you are in the area or waiting for a table at one of the nearby restaurants. They have any type of game you could think of from Cyanide and Happiness card games to miniatures you can paint for DND. Whenever we are in the area, we will try to pop in and see if there are any new games that have been released or any new recommendations from the people that work here. They are so so helpful and will help you pick out something new and fun if you tell them what you like or what you are looking for. My boyfriend says they have one of the best DND collections in regards to books, minis, starting packs, etc. You might end up spending a smidgen more here, but in my opinion it's always better to support a store like this over Amazon. They have a rewards program so when you spend a certain amount of money, you get a reward to use in store. If you are feeling like you're facing the Covid/social isolation blues, pop in here and get yourself a new board game to play with your roommates or family. read more

Great selection of games and nice rec area for playing with friends. Glad this place is around!

LOVE shopping at this game store. We're big board game fans and they have such a great selection and really friendly staff who always have great game suggestions! read more

Super friendly staff and nice selection! It really is a great atmosphere and amazing service. I only could think of 2 things I don't love, first they sell GW products higher then a lot of other hobby stores. Secondly, their website isn't really a good one, I really wished it said what is In stock and what isn't, and a easy place to preorder. If I could it wound be a 4.5 stars. Other then those 2 thing amazing board game and hobby store. read more

They increased their play area to encompass many people but had to shut it down because of COVID. They're slowly reopening their game nights now though. read more

Boardgames, party games, strategy games, roleplaying games, card games, chess and back gammon and checkers, jigsaw puzzles, word games, collectible cards for sale/trade... A bit more expensive than Amazon or Target, but the selection and customer service can't be beat. The store has a back room where, depending on the night, the store hosts game nights/events. The Game Preserve: totally dorky, totally awesome. read more

Came here looking for something to pass the time on a Saturday afternoon and was not disappointed. The selection of games ran the gamut from the classics (Monopoly, Risk, chess, etc.) to some of the more popular amongst the gaming community (Munchkin, Catan, etc.) to some more off-the-wall selections. The staff was pretty helpful to the customers that were there and it was a friendly atmosphere to come nerd out for a little bit. They offer gaming tournaments as well, check their schedule to see if there is anything of interest to you. Overall, it's a pretty fun place to stop in and get away from the Fashion Mall traffic across the street. If you're on the north side and need something for a game night, this is a pretty good place to get started. read more

Did you ever play Settlers of Catan in college? Or maybe Carcassonne? Or any other board game with a bit more complexity than your average Monopoly board? The Game Preserve is like manna from heaven for anyone who wants to start getting into some more brainy and fulfilling board and card game experiences. They've got an entire wall of the shop dedicated to board games, and their stuff runs the gamut from Dixit, an artsy word-association game, to Twilight Imperium, an eight-hour space opera of epic proportions. They've got the classics, too - Monopoly and chess and so on - if you're looking for that. Like any gaming shop worth its salt, the Game Preserve also stocks Magic: The Gathering cards, Dungeons and Dragons books, Warhammer 40k miniatures, and runs regular events for lots of games as well. They have a room set off in the back of the store dedicated to events - it's pretty barren, however, with a bunch of tables and chairs and not much else. These guys have had their new location for a few years now, and thank god. Gaming shops and high-end Simon malls are like oil and water. Now located across the street from the Fashion Mall, parking is much easier to find and they're able to maintain later hours, which allows their events to run later in the evening. If you end up at a Friday Night Magic event, don't be surprised if it runs past 10 or 11 PM. If you've ever had any inclination towards Gygaxian delights, let your nerd flag fly and check out the Game Preserve. You'll find a welcoming community of people who are incredibly passionate about their hobbies, and all the games you could ever hope to play. read more

We went here for the first time this summer and wandered aimlessly staring at the walls of games. There's a large variety here, including your standard traditional boardgames, card games, dice games, party games, and classic strategy games including the European boardgames like Carcassonne, Agricola, Dominion, and - of course - all of the related expansions. There are also the role-playing games like Warhammer, and I believe they have tournaments and the like for those interested in those kind of games. Puzzles and children's games are there too, and they always have a couple of games featured on display for you to look at. The back room opens up for tournaments and open game play. They have several nights during the month when they do special events like a Star Wars tournament - you can consult the calendar or call. They open the backroom to anyone who wants to play and you can bring your own games and snacks. The staff is great - they are real experts and will even help you figure through the sometimes confusing rules of even the most complicated games, or help you decide on what you might like. Worth a visit! read more

Fantastic selection and knowledgeable staff, I love coming here. If I ever have a question about a game they have someone who knows all about it, price is good too, some of these places are much higher priced than Amazon but these guys have competitive prices which is great cause it means I can buy even more games read more

Wonderful little gem on the northside. They have an extensive selection of games and accessories to choose from, plus a nice gaming room in the back. They also carry many games that are somewhat difficult to find. read more

Honestly, one of Indy's remaining gaming gems. I'm a big fan of gaming of all sorts (video, PnP, board, war, card - you name, I like it). They have a huge collection of board games, puzzles, and children's activities. Alongside these is a smaller, but still robust, selection of PnP games, card games, and wargame miniatures. Great room in the back for in-house gaming. I've never come for any of their league plays, but it can get pretty popular. Even my wife, who doesn't froth at the mouth for games like me, enjoys Game Preserve. Very happy to keep doing business with them. Support your Friendly Neighborhood Gaming Store! read more

It's a very friendly game store with new collection of games. They sell stuff at MSRP and for that reason, I don't think I will be here very often. Plus even their sale items is only comparable to online. Yes they said support your local businesses but the store in castleton doesn't really hold any events for board games. They have a small room and small selection for you to try but other than that it's alright. The one in Greenwood though is way better. They host board games night every Monday and if you're ever around, it's a good time. I wish they have the space to do something similar here. read more

The store itself is unique and does carry good games. However, my first experience there was not pleasant at all. My boyfriend and I went in looking for Magic the Gathering cards and the staff member working that day seemed to get irritated when we asked for help and after every single question we had. We ended up just buying the cards he found for us and not the one that we had to look for since he didn't like the fact that we kept asking him nicely to repeat which binder they were in exactly. We will definitely not be going back to this store and will stick with the one we've been going to. read more

They had the product that I was looking for. The staff members were really courteous when I came in. The store is bright and clean. It was a great experience. I'd shop here more often if I lived closer. read more

A friendly staff and well-stocked supply of games. Lots of choices and options for a variety of ages. This is definitely the kind of store we would visit regularly if we lived here and we have stopped in several times on our annual visits. We always leave with something! read more

Would give a zero but it's a clever title! Made a special stop today for a specific game. They are 'out'. Clerk could hardly look over computer screen to be cordial or helpful. I guess I will order the game on amazon! Not worth a stop! read more

I've been a big fan of The Game Preserve since its early days back in the lower level of Glendale Mall (back in its heyday when it was an actual mall!) and then in the Fashion Mall at Keystone at the Crossing and then at its current location in the Fashion Mall Commons. They have a very decent and broad selection of board games, card games, and many other trendy game-related merchandise. Take your time to browse each shelf in the store. You'll be surprised at how much variety they have and you'll be making a wishlist during your visit. You'll likely pay the MSRP, especially on the latest games, but you have to keep in mind this is a physical store, with a real staff of game lovers to assist you and you can hold the products in your hands. Many times I've visited and they will sometimes have a particular game or two open-boxed and on display so that you can see the contents and get a basic explanation of the rules of play. They have a game clearance section to your right just as you enter into the store, so visit often to see if you can pick up an extra bargain when they've cleared shelf space for newer games. Speaking of which, their new games section is right across from the front of the register counter, so be sure to check this section out when you visit! If you don't see what you're looking for, simply ask one of the staff. Maybe they sold out and are expecting a reshipment soon. (I don't know if they do special orders since I've never had to.) If you purchase games often, you may be aware that some game publishers may provide a freebie (incentive to purchase perk) game add-on (while supplies last) if you purchase your new game from the store, so be sure to ask if one is available. BONUS: The Game Preserve has a non-expiring "points" reward program! Basically, for every $100 you spend you'll earn $10 of in-store credit that you can use on future purchases! If you buy a lot of games like I do, it doesn't take long for those points to rack up! I tend to allow my points to build up so that I can treat myself to a BIG (over $100 MSRP) game I've been anticipating when it gets released to "soften" the purchase price! [grin] In conclusion, if you don't want to see this local game store go away, then I highly encourage true gamers to consider buying your games locally as much as possible. I'll admit, sometimes I'll find a deal that's too good to pass up online, but I never neglect going to The Game Preserve and dropping significant dollars there. I'm so very glad The Game Preserve has stayed with Indianapolis all these years! Please support this local shop! read more

Came from Seattle looking for a GOOD game store and found it in The Game Preserve! Probably Indy's only real game store. look forward to coming here in the future if we move to Indy! read more

Shop keeper was very rude about a child being in the store. Child was playing with a display set up to play with and was not causing any harm whatsoever. Did not offer help and barely looked up from what he was doing behind the desk, besides to come over and "clean up" what the child was still playing with. Although shoppers here usually without children, we will not be returning after the experience we had this morning. Disappointed. read more

When I'm in Indy, I love coming to this game store because it's better than all the others I've found in all the places I've lived. They have a great selection and solid customer service. Sometimes the staff at game stores seem more interested in playing games with their friends than, you know, working to sell me some games. Everyone here has been helpful--always had suggestions for games like the ones I like, willing to order games if they are out of stock, or just talk about games. They also have a lot of puzzles, which are another favorite of mine. As others have said, it's more expensive than Target or Amazon, but I come here for all the games Target doesn't carry (which is about 2% of what Game Preserve has) and I like spending money locally rather than at Amazon, when I have the option. They also have a rewards program, though I can't remember the specifics. I think it's spend $250 and get a $25 credit but I might have the dollar values wrong. Anyway, this is a great store! read more