Microplay Video Games

I only review stores that sell retro-​games — see my other reviews if you want to see more.
If you are visiting Ottawa/​Gatineau to find some Retro Games, you should definitely stop in and visit this Microplay. They don’t carry the biggest collection and most are cart only but they sell for moderate prices. They also accept trade-​ins to help minimize cost if you’re into that. Their trade values also depend on the title you’re bringing (complete or not makes no difference). Sorry Sega fans, Master System/​Genesis/​CD/​Saturn/​Dreamcast is on short supply here and there are hardly ever Turbo-​Grafx 16 games. Nintendo fans can find plenty of titles here for all the Nintendo branded consoles and recently, they started carrying reproduction (repros) titles for the SNES.
The staff is extremely genuine and knowledgeable. I don’t know why some staff at other game stores are so high-​minded but I certainly don’t get that vibe when visiting this Microplay; they don’t make the prices and they don’t try to defend the store’s prices but you won’t see the need to argue since their prices are truly fair.
I’m a retro gamer and have no emotional ties to this store, so try them out and post your thoughts; I hope you leave with a positive experience.

Back in the late 80’s and early 90’s when I was a teenager, Microplay was the place to go to get great games (especially on their release day). This was before EB and Gamespot arrived on the scene.
I remember, back when I was about 14 and had a Sega Genesis, my dad bought the first Mortal Kombat released for the console for me. I knew the game was going to be blood free, but that a code released with the game would unlock the bloody version. I was sure that I wasn’t going to get that code. My dad came home with the game and said «The guy said you’ll need this code for some blood thing.» I was so happy and thought Microplay was full of cool guys who knew what younger gamer minds wanted. They knew me!
Today, while they do have a great selection of older games, and while the staff are polite and attentive, the price at which they sell them is a complete rip off (especially if they want to compete with eBay).
Recently, I wanted a 5-​year old Nintendo DS game and they were selling it for $ 40! Five whole years after it was made! A lot of their used products are higher priced than the same games at EB. It’s almost as if Microplay attaches a certain vintage appreciation fee to these things.
I prefer to buy them online.

Old school video games/​consoles are hard to come by these days sadly, yet Ottawa seems to have a good selection of used video games. In particular this area of Bank Street has 2 video game stores literally across the street from each other (Microplay and Chumleighs).
I think Microplay was the better of the two, although it still wasn’t good. The selection was limited as far as older video games go. I mean, as I mentioned they ARE hard to come by but seeing as this is really what they’re known for I wasn’t blown away. They didn’t have many consoles for sale at all, no N64s or super nintendos yet they had a Dreamcast. As far as newer games go, if you were looking for a more popular recent game for a decent price I’m sure you could find that here.
The people that worked there were polite, funny and helpful. I’d say compared to Chumleigh’s this place is a definite winner.

I find this Microplay to be very limited in their video game selection. The store is quite small and they don’t seem to sell too many video games, as opposed to other Microplay locations and similar stores. They have both new and second-​hand games for sale. They also offer a service where you can bring in old games for cash, but don’t expect to get too much for them.
The staff is very nice and knowledgeable, but they are so passionate that they can talk to you for at least half an hour about your purchase and/​or other video games.
It’s conveniently located because it’s right on Bank, but you might have better luck finding what you’re looking for elsewhere.