Gaming goat seems to be the old store name that's listed outside, but the new store name and owners called is Sanctuary Games. Decent prices, seems like a lot of games, and an area of tables for group gaming. read more

The Gaming Goat - Tabletop Games Near Me - Mesa, Arizona

So amazing! My sister showed us this place and we're obsessed! There are so many options crammed into such a small place. Make sure to set aside some time to walk around so you can see everything! Some of the pricing on the games are better here than other stores, although I still cross checked because some of the games we bought ended up being cheaper elsewhere however it's nice to support something that can bring friends and family together! The owner is super nice and knowledgeable about the games, gives great recommendations, and as small as it is waived the fees to a water bottle (they sell a few drinks here) that I was going to buy on a 112 degree day that we came in on. Would highly recommend shopping here as there's options for beginners as well as gamers! read more

I like this place! This place has so many games that you can actually spend an hour here just window shopping and look at things if you want to. And if you want to play some of the games, there is a back room where you can actually try out a lot of the games. The people here seems to be very knowledgeable in their field and seem to like playing games as well. I also believe they said they would price match the games but I'm not sure about that. So I would say come here to take a look and see if there's any games you like, and if the price is not good then you can always look it up on Amazon. Actually, they have games here that might not be on Amazon. That's how many games they have! read more

What a great store filled with amazing, helpful people. Please note that I said "people" and not "employees". Don't get me wrong though; the employees (John and the Amazing Greeter Guy) were OUTSTANDING at their job, but the other patrons and customers really nailed home the spirit of cooperative gaming. I brought my wife here on her birthday as a way to shed all the yucky adult things that had to do that day. Truth be told I do not know if it was fate or happenstance that landed us here as I discovered The Gaming Goat while searching Google Maps for a way around the two hour drive across the Great Phoenix Wastes (otherwise known as the 202 to I-10). In all honesty I don't care either. We landed in an oasis of games with a bunch of gaming wizards and wise men. Within 30 seconds of crossing the threshold into The Gaming Goat we were greeted and asked if we had been in the store before. I replied that we had not and The Amazing Greeter Guy (sorry bud, I didn't catch your name) went into a high overview of how the store and products were arranged, what stickers to look for, and what the facility offered. "Most games can be opened up and gone through and we also have quite a few open boxes that can be play tested" or something like that. Pump the brakes there buck-o. You mean I can look INSIDE the box to see if my kid (or someone else's kid) will eat a game piece because it looks tasty and small? THAT IS AWESOME. It isn't like the Affordable Care Act; you don't have to buy it to see what's inside! So, we homeschool. Insert whatever reason here; go ahead and pick something that fits your prerogative. We asked about learning and educational games only to have game after game brought to us at a table and explained to us. The employees, and other patrons and parents, listened to our thoughts and feedback, responded and went to find other games. And then I saw it. The great behemoth. A game so large, both in physical size and in playable scope, that it is unsafe to place on a shelf. Gloomhaven. When I had last looked into buying this game it was probably Christmas of 2018 and on Amazon it was anywhere from $199 to $259. The Gaming Goat had it, unopened and in stock, for $99.00. And now I have it too. My wife and I love playing games. Our kids love playing games. A few of our friends love playing games. The variety available here at The Gaming Goat runs the gamut quite thoroughly. Like card games? They have them. Like traditional board games? They have some. Like going in to a mysterious haunted house only to find out that one of your close friends may indeed have lured you there to kill you and everyone else? They have it. Like sitting behind a DM screen and watching your friends try to negotiate with a troll while constantly rolling a d20 but getting a critical fail? The Gaming Goat has that too. That and more. We spent nearly $500. And we could probably do that twice more if we didn't have to be adults and control ourselves. John, Amazing Greeter Guy, and other patrons: thank you all. You made an otherwise icky day into something great and set us up for many other great days ahead. I wish I could give you . Your establishment was super clean. Your employees were knowledgeable and well mannered. Your patrons were friendly. Your inventory was amazing. If only you were on the West Side of Phoenix! read more

Probably the best game store in the valley! Rivals Game Depot in Tempe for selection and number of expansions for particular games. Though Game Depot has them outnumbered with gaming tables. I live right by Games U in Gilbert and I try to give them my business but often times they don't have what I'm looking for in stock. I just learned of The Gaming Goat so we decided to go see a movie that night and stop by right after (the theater is right next door to this place). Wow what a selection! Two walls the length of the store just lined floor to ceiling with games and tons of expansions (and lots of islands on the floor to check too). They had some boutique games (which have been out more than a year which I was surprised to see). Prices below MSRP and many boxes with that special sticker where you can try them out in back (where there are more tables). We went on a Saturday night and only one table in front had people playing a game the other two were empty (!) , but all the noise and fun was coming from the back room. They also had a selection of RPGs and minis to paint and a lot of cool dice to pick from. Definitely stop by this place! There's soooooooo much to check out there. read more

Was in from out of town and was surprised at how nice this store was. The guy working was a friendly, and super helpful. Was in love with the selection of games they had. You can expect to find the common games like Pandemic to the newly released Kickstarters. Prices were the best I've seen, and I had traveled through 20 states stopping at different games stores! Highly recommend. My only wish is there was a location back home! read more

Stopped by for the first time the other day. So elated to find a clean board game store! Staff was super friendly and helped my son and I pick out a new game. Tons of options! Even have dice, dnd "stuff" and so much more! read more

The staff are super friendly and knowledgeable. They were wearing masks and enforcing their mask policy. They were able to give some great insight on a couple of games we were considering. They prices are competitive. The store is clean. They have a good selection and it's nice to have The Gaming Goat on the west side. We'll definitely be back. read more

John has been fantastic since this place opened. I miss the game demos and seeing smiles. Competitive prices and Kickstarter ordering!!!

Very helpful employees/service at this board game store, a great selection of games and paints and overall just positive atmosphere.

Great find right next to the movie theater! My kids and I love table top games and we're so excited to stumble across this place. John is very nice and welcoming. He is also very knowledgeable about games. He has the largest collection I have ever seen and it is really elegantly laid out. We could spend hours just looking at all the wonderful options. He is a great selection of demo games and a place to play in the back. We will definitely be stopping in frequently! read more

So happy to find a local game store! Staff was very friendly. Selection and price was excellent! Even though it is about 30 mins from where we live, we plan to visit frequently. Within the first two minutes after walking in I found an expansion I had been searching for online and had been out of stock everywhere... EXCEPT HERE! Thank you! read more

John is the best! His store is a treasure trove of the best games and even better prices. Whether you're new to gaming or a veteran, this is a must visit store. read more

This board game store is the best!! It's located right next to the movie theatre. The atmosphere is really welcoming. I really enjoyed the vibe here. The store owner is super nice! They can help you hunt down your favorite games if they do not have them they will get them if possible! Also their pricing is lower or about the same as amazon but I will keep my business with a local store due to the friendliness and customer service they offer here. It's a drive for me but I don't mind driving. The store has plenty of games for you to demo before purchasing and also the people who go here during game nights, are very welcoming. Overall I definitely recommend everyone to check it out. Kid friendly since I took my 3 year old and they did not mind. Thank you again to Yoshi for recommending this hidden gem to us! Our go-to store from now on read more

Wonderful little store with a great selection of games. The staff is fantastic and very helpful. You can tell that they truly love tabletop games and that love is infectious. read more

Amazing products and amazing employees who always take time to go over games with you and recommend something you might be looking for. The store is set up perfectly with tons of items to choose from. Will continue shopping here for all my family's RPG needs!! Thank you guys! read more

We love going to this store! So many classic and unique games. The staff are always friendly and have a "no pressure" vibe. This is one of our new favorite places. read more

This place is amazing. It's full of board games, tcg, and table top. They have a demo room where you can play games before you buy them. They also have things going on every night. Magic, Pokémon, dnd, pathfinder, shadow run, and star finder! Love this place. read more

Awesome store with great selection! 100% recommend to get your next boardgames. Seems like there's only one person managing the store and he was super knowledgeable. He helped me and my partner pick up some fun games! read more

Went to buy the kiddos some Pokémon cards. Had gone out of my way to purchase here instead of eBay for several board games, even waiting for things that were not in stock when I could get next day delivery. Tried to force my kids and me to wear a mask, ironically on the same day another new study came out saying masks don't stop the spread of airborne or aerosol virus. Guess I will stick with the more convenient prime next day (and often same day) delivery.... read more

Great prices and friendly staff! Also best selection hands down of game's in the valley! highly recommended!!

Great customer service. Incredible prices, as good or better than online! Fantastic selection and the ability to play many games before buying. read more