I was looking for a local store to purchase Axis & Allies: Europe 1940 and I'm so glad I found this place. Amazing table top gaming store, they have everything you could want plus tons of gaming space in the back. The store is also wonderfully designed and decorated. A nerds paradise. Give this place your business. read more

I'm kind of new to gaming and haven't done any since I was quite young. I wanted to start back up again and heard that this was the place to go. I had driven by this location plenty of times and yea - it's in a pretty run down part of Trabue - but the store inside is quite nice, well organized, and big! From the outside I was expecting it to be pretty small but it's a decent size. There is apparently a back room which is kind of cut-off from the rest of the store. I've been out of the scene for a LONG time but it looks like they have every imaginable RPG and board game you can think off. I recall them having a really big selection of D&D, Pathfinder, and Warhammer items. They also have a really big selection of figurines too. When I went in, I was hoping one of the employees would engage me a bit so I could pick their brain about the latest RPGs, but no one said a word to me. No biggie; if I was really interested I would've asked. The other odd thing was that I was ready to check-out and no one even acknowledged me at the register for at least a minute. No biggie but the customer service could be somewhat improved. I would've given the store 5 stars otherwise. I'll definitely be going back. read more

Just about everything that I would say has been said, but I will repeat: If you want ANYTHING gaming wise (minis, board games, card games, books, paint, terrain, etx), go here first. The staff are no pressure, happy to help, and with a wide range of knowledge and merchandise, you can almost always find what you're looking for, or they can order it in for you if not. read more

I absolutely love this store!! The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, the stock is generally full and constantly being updated, prices are solid, and they have store cats!! I love store cats!! This is my place to go and wonder every couple of weeks and to pick up either something new and in depth to play with friends or a quick two player game for breaks and random time wasting. The only thing I could wish for is a bigger back room so randoms can still play while FNM and Warcraft is going on. Make sure you spend lots of money here - they give you lifetime discounts that increase once you hit $1000 spent in store (which is easy to achieve). read more

Great experience, I drove 2 1/2 hours and was not disappointed one bit. We definitely be back.

Was in Columbus for the day and stopped in to The Guardtower and it did not disappoint. Great selection of inventory, friendly staff, and cats! If you were looking into anything between card games, boardgames, tabletop games, etc. they had something for it. One of the better on hand inventories for all types of games I have ever seen and the prices were great especially for a LGS. The man at the counter, who i think was the owner, was extremely friendly, helpful, and welcoming. Not to mention two adorable cats in the store and one just stood at the door like it was greeting people. Next time I am in Columbus this is definitely a shop I would gladly stop into again. read more

Clean, two bathrooms, cats, decent stock of stuff. Its downfall is its lack of MtG singles sales (perhaps that's a good thing?) paint night on fridays (is that still going on?) taking up prescious table space in the front sometimes, middle of nowhere location (nothing notable near by it, unlike the other gaming stores almost cosmopolitan like quality. lol.) Also they do not buy your old crap IIRC. They also generally won't help you out in the process of running events as much as 'that other place' and given that there is more than one staff membor working there (sounds like a good thing right?) often times one of the hands won't know what the other hand has set up or promised to whoever the month before about event space and all that jazz. not a huge deal most of the time. More random Minis and RPG junk than that other store in CBus. My ONE OTHER major concern is the possibility that sometimes prize support for a few gaming systems that were being run there would occasionally go missin or be misallocated. Other than that, its a good store. I still haven't found that five star read more

The owner is usually in the front if the store but if he's not when you walk in someone promptly let's him know. He's always friendly and helpful about trying to find a game for you. If he doesn't have it he will offer to order it in for you. He pretty much has a little of everything so if you can't find it just ask him. read more

I've purchased multiple Civilization base and expansion sets from here for a project I'm working. The staff is always friendly and helpful. If they didn't have one of the sets I was lookin for in-stock, they'd order it and have it within 1-3 days. They also provide a discount if spending over $100 and $200, which makes them competitive with online and of course without any shipping charges. Support this local business! read more

Very cool RPG store... They play RPGs in the back room and in the front room of the store. They have just about every RPG and accessory you can think of. read more

The gaurdtower has been around a long time great place - freindly staff - and the cats -- the cars are the shit --squig and company - there the real owners -- and security there too -- lotsa fun great selection on anything - they do gaming events too read more

More stores need to have cats. This store has a great selection of board games, a little bit of everything, and some good sale prices on older items. Plenty of room in the back for gaming. It's easy to get to off the interstate if you're just passing through, and I'd be happy to stop by again the next time I'm in Columbus. read more

Best gaming store in central Ohio, hands down. Friendly, helpful, and non-pushy staff, great selection of games and supplies, areas for gaming, and best of all: always open with no strange hours. I go here for all my miniature painting supplies - they have Games Workshop, Vallejo, and Privateer Press paints and a range of hobby accessories. Always kept well stocked. They have a great selection of niche tabletop games as well, if you're looking to try something new. It's a little out of the way on Trabue road, but it seems the savings on real estate are put back into the quality of the store. If only every local game store was run this well. read more

Best board gaming store in town, hands down. Best selection and best prices. You can probably find cheaper prices online but the service at the Guardtower can be quite good. The main downside is usually the smell of the regulars. If I'm shopping local for games this is my only destination. read more

Staff was typical for a place like this but the customers were very helpful, funny huh. Place has a HUGE selection of games and had everything I was looking for the day I was there. I'd recommend this place without hesitation. read more

Great shop. I went for an X-Wing night and everybody was really cool, the staff were really attentive, and the selection is great. Support local game stores! read more

I don't really think this is the best of the three biggest local area game stores, dispute it having access to Days of Wonder and new z-Man games. They are my second choice honestly. The staff usually seem bothered to stop painting a miniature to accept payment for a transaction. I could understand if i needed help, but I don't need any help finding things as they are organized well and I generally know what I am looking for. I only need the staff member to accept my credit card or my cash for whatever I want so I can leave their store. Positives : I like both cats (even ripper) , and it is well organized. Gaming tables are in a side room away from any miniatures or board games for sale in the main sections of the store. Also they carry z-man and DoW games that the Solidery can not get due to circumstances beyond their control. Unless it is a DoW/z-man new release or I have checked my favorite first I try to avoid this store. read more

Easily the best gaming store in the Columbus area. I had traveled in from the Dayton area to visit family, and chose to visit during some downtime. They had a welcoming, organized atmosphere. The owner was legitimately interested in where we were from and encouraged us to participate in their gaming activities. The Guardtower has a legitimately fantastic selection of games and nerd stuff. I was incredibly impressed and will be coming back every time I'm back in town. I'm excited to return and join in the gaming activities. I will whole heartedly recommend the store to every fellow gamer I meet. Also, they have store cats. That's awesome. read more

Their friendly staff are always painting when they're not otherwise busy. Really respectable and approachable guys. They offer competitive discounts on all products and take care of their customers when special ordering. The store does house two cats. They're super friendly but beware if you have allergies! read more

Easily the best gaming store I've ever been in. Lots of room to move around, the gaming space is separate from the actual retail space and the selection is vast. The owner was very friendly as well. I plan to make this place a regular stop from now on. read more

What a fantastic place! My 10 year old is newer to playing magic and was able to join in the Friday night play, which could have been quite intimidating. The owners and other players were kind and attentive and so inclusive. We had so much fun joining in the play and they patiently explained how it all worked! This is a wonderful local gem and we will be back to play and purchase cards and board games rather than online. Definitely worth the trip if your kiddos are interested in board games or magic. read more

I live in Northeast Ohio and I have family in Columbus. My wife and I visit The Guardtower every time we visit. The selection is great and the staff is friendly. The cats are an added bonus - we always have to search them out to say "hi". read more

I used to be a regular client/customer but the manager made some off color remarks to me. Maybe he thought I was becoming too upscale or something because I had worked my way up the ladder at day work. This treatment was disappointing, because I had kept a certain portion of my weekly budget towards Reaper Bones/Figs. It's sad to see drama like this in a game store where people go to hang out and find happiness in their games and the other gamers there. But , I guess some people see things differently when someone evolves. -Thanks for your time. read more

Usually I am treated very well there but there is one employee who is quite rude and ignores the customers and is too concerned talking to the other employees rather than paying attention to the person handing him their money. Its the guy with the afro mowhawk. Youll notice he wont say a word to you not even to thank you. Even after I thanked him and told him to have a nice night. The OTHER employee behind the counter just sitting there was actually more vocal and thanked me and told me goodnight. Just rude. read more

This is an old-school rpg store. They don't make those anymore. It's got it all - nerds, obscure obscure really obscure games, really smart fat dudes and that musty smell with that run-down appearance of old glory. Don't get me wrong, that's why I give the thing five stars. Still, speaking in roleplaying terms; an apple store and this venue would most certainly have diametral opposed alignments. I will tell all my buddies about it and will buy there again, man what a blast from the past. read more

Great store, great selection, and great service! They know their business and they take care of their customers. 10% Discounts for purchases over $100! read more

I've been shopping for my gaming needs and hobby supplies for two decades at the Guard Tower. The staff has always been accomodating to any need and will happily order something if they dont have it on hand. The owners have continued to invest in upgrading the store to offer excellent and ample gaming space. There are few full service gaming stores left that cater to all types of gaming. Support local business, once they're gone.....The sense of community amongst gamers is nice, not as if you don't play one type youre not welcome. Non judgemental people in good humor getting along. The Guard Tower is uniquely special and will hopefully be around for a long time. read more

I started going to this store to attend their bi-monthly heroclix tournaments about 2 years ago and since then it's become my main store for all things gaming, the staff is top knotch and the patrons and players provide a casual atmosphere. If you're looking for highly competitive players this might not necessarily be the place for you, however if you're looking for a fun casual-play gaming environment then this is the store for you. read more

This really is a great place to go for just about anything you want. I just moved to the area and getting back into mtg. I came across this new place in Columbus off Bethel and Kenny called Fog of Dusk. Wondering what you guys think of it. read more

The guardtower used to be a great place to go for prereleases and have a calm, comfortable environment to relax in; however, the consistency demonstrated by the guardtower lately is mediocre. After not allowing early registration for years, the guardtower allowed early registration for the January 26th prerelease, but they only allowed it for the individuals who were at the midnight event, therefore limiting any free spaces for those who didn't pre-register. This caused the guardtower to go down greatly in my view and also caused me to lose the majority of respect for them. read more

The Guard Tower has in the past provided my husband and I a 5 star experience. I was shocked this past evening when that record was broken. As many times as we have visited this beautiful small shop, we have been confronted with a feeling of community. We do not participate in any groups who meet within, however, we feel warmed by those who do, and enjoy the small business owner who we have supported. Last night, we encountered an employee who jeopardizes everything that I have seen this store stand for. We purchased a Phantom Forces Pokemon booster box. This employee took the only available booster box down from a shelf behind the counters and proceeded to TEAR THE SHRINKWRAP OFF OF THE BOX. When my husband and I reiterated that we wished to purchase the entire box, the employee snidely remarked - "I need to scan the packs individually." He then removed one pack, scanned it, did a quantity adjustment, and told us our total. Much more convenient would have been this man scanning the exact same barcode on the booster box exterior, readable through the shrinkwrap. Anyone who purchases a booster box knows that this is in fundamental violation of the purpose of a booster box. If we would have been purchasing as a gift or as a mint piece, the sale would have been gone. We hope this employee has not damaged other customer relations as it has ours. I regret to give a two star rating, however, the addition of this rude employee makes me regret directing my business here. read more