If you are like many of the classic video game collectors out there, you know that for the most part, collections are often created by internet based media sales outlets, such as eBay, iOffer and Craigslist. Buying video games online is nothing new, in fact I have many memories of buying video games on live auctions using the old Usenet interface back in the mid 1990s. (I even had to do it via a local BBS before the Internet was available in my area!) So when word of a brand new local brick and mortar retro video game store opening up makes headlines, it gives us the chance to go back in time to buy games the way we used to back in the day. A new store recently opened for our friends in Illinois, and we have the information!

The store is called “Legend Of Gamers”, and is owned and operated by Tristan Reising, a fellow video game collector. The store opened a little less than a week ago, in Carlyle, in Clinton County. While the store does in fact feature video games for the current generations of consoles, what makes the store shine is it’s collection of classic video games and systems that are just waiting for a new home. Currently, the new operation sells equipment and cartridges from nearly every generation of gaming, from the Atari all the way to the PS3.

Legends Of Gamers has had a lot of positive feedback since it opened last week. Reising thanks the feedback by believing that location is the key. The closest stores that sell this unique catalog were previously in Salem and Fairview Heights. Tristan has this to say about the location and catalog:

“There really isn’t a store like this in the area. We guarantee anything to be cheaper, either new or retro games. Especially since the holidays are coming soon, I’ve got a selection for all. I probably have about 5,000 games in the store. I see a lot more people purchasing the more retro games.”

The stores classic video game selection includes consoles from Nintendo (such as the N64, GameCube and Super NES), Sega (including the Genesis, Saturn and Dreamcast), and other consoles including Mattel Intellivision. In addition to video games both young and old, Legend Of Gamers also sells DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, VHS videocassettes, various types of toys, comic books, and action figures. Plus, because of it being a local store as opposed to a larger chain, he stated that he is able to offer games at lower prices. Where a national chain might sell a new title for $60, he can offer the same title for $55.

Reising is also planning on starting a new program with cooperation with various schools in the Breese and Carlyle areas, which he is calling “Games for Grades.” He explains:

“A student brings their report card in and if they get one A, they get 10 percent off a used game,” he explained. “If they get two A’s, they get 20 percent off, three A’s and 30 percent off and so on, with a cap at five A’s for 50 percent off.”

Game tournaments are also planned for the new location as well. While specific details have not yet been made available, he states that numerous television sets will be setup with various video game consoles, which would allow people to come in, play some games, eat for free and even win a prize at the end.

“Legend of Gamers” is located at 1095 Fairfax Street in Carlyle, and their telephone number is 618-971-1024. Current hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 12 noon to 6pm. There is currently no internet presence for the new store.