Link to original story: Retro Gaming in the Las Vegas Valley
Retro gaming stores in Las Vegas are getting ready for a shortage of physical game copies. Sony plans to stop making physical PlayStation games in 2028, and local managers think prices will go up as more people look for existing discs and cartridges.
Alex, who manages Wii Play Games East, sees this change as a long-term chance for stores focused on physical games. “It just means that, going forward, you won’t see stores carrying it, but the old stuff is still going to be relevant,” Alex said during a recent interview. “When they shut down the stores, you’re going to want PS4 games, so you’re going to need to find the physical media somewhere. So hopefully we’ll be able to fill that gap.”
Alex has worked at the store for 13 of its roughly 15 years and expects prices, especially for Game of the Year editions with all extra content, to rise quickly. “It’ll probably shoot up, to be honest,” he said. “Prices are already going up.” He also said that when digital content is no longer sold separately, full physical copies will be even more valuable.
The store began in a smaller location nearby before moving to its current spot on the East side. It calls itself “a gamer sanctuary” that “takes you back to the past.” The shelves are filled with old games, strategy guides, amiibo figures, and classic gaming gear. Both serious collectors and younger visitors who are new to retro gaming come to visit.
Talking about competition with other local shops like Pink Gorilla Games and Retro City Games, Alex said that popular games sell even if prices are a bit different. He used Def Jam: Fight for NY as an example, saying there just are not enough copies. “If one store sells it for $200 and another for $250, both will still sell their copies,” he said. He explained that success depends more on buying well from sellers, which helps keep the store stocked.
This update shows that retro stores in the Las Vegas Valley are doing more than just selling games. They carefully choose new stock and help build a community as the industry shifts toward digital games. Wii Play Games East and similar shops are still places where people can enjoy nostalgia and find something new.