what i bought

[chronovore]

360

• Call of Duty 4 - A trailer for this showing the perks system in action sold me; foolishly, I forgot about the GOTY version coming with the free code for the new maps. US$54
  
• Elder Scrolls: Oblivion - Everyone I know says these Morrowind games are the best fantasy sandbox games around; I'm worried that I won't have access to the fan community's "fixes" for the clunky UI, but I'm more optimistic about actually playing a 360 version than PC; my PC copy of Elder Scrolls: Morrowind has sat uninstalled and unplayed for 5 years. They didn't have it new, didn't have the GOTY version, so I paid US$50 for it. Then found another copy at the 2nd Gamestop for US$20. Am cry.
  
• Kung Fu Panda - God help me, US$54
  
• Condemned: Criminal Origins, Platinum Hits edition for US$20 - I should have picked up Condemned 2 as well, since the Gamestop had it for the same price.
  

Xbox 1, backward compatible titles

• Sphynx and the Cursed Mummy - I played the demo of this a long time ago, and was impressed with the art style and creative puzzles. I love this kind of game, at least when there aren't too many "into the Z" jumping puzzle sequences. US$4
  
• Panzer Dragoon Orta  - Everyone raves about Panzer Dragoon, so I'll give it a shot. It may improve my REZ abilities as a side effect. US$6
  

DS

• Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword - Excellent reviews from The 1UP Show video podcast, and so far it does not disappoint - US$40

What I failed to buy:

• Rock Band 1 and/or wireless guitar controller for 360. I know RB2 is due out very soon, but I'm seriously jonesing to play and practice more at home.
• Hulk: Ultimate Destruction - sold out, both places. As the clerk said, people who sold it have already done so, and people who still own it are hanging onto it.
• Total Annihilation 2 -- er, I mean "Supreme Commander"; I loved TA, but there's no way I've got the time to play an involved RTS anymore, and I doubt the PC controls translate well to a controller

Just a quick note on the restoration of my faith in humanity, or at least Gamestop and the retail game shopping experience: Both shops on this trip were immaculately clean, nothing on the floors, most of the games were in clean packaging without those ghetto DVD-case-inserts, the games were in alphabetical order on the shelves, and the staff were friendly and helpful without being invasive, pushy, condescending, or distracted by other employees. My time in the Gamespot stores on this trip were easily the best experiences I've ever had shopping for games in a retail store. I'd believe it was all just a dream, except the games are all on my shelf at home.

Comments

[cvxfreak.livejournal.com]

Funny, I wish I had the same opinion of those stores getting better. ;(

[chronovore.livejournal.com]

I don't think the chain's improving, I think I just happened to run into two well-run stores. Possibly the ONLY two well-run Gamestop stores.

There's no doubt in my mind that if I went to any of the San Jose stores that formed my opinion of them, they'd be just as ratty as ever.