Ancient Wonders

A classic. This is where I bought my first roleplaying books and dice about two decades ago. I dropped in over christmas to pick up a board game as a gift. Not only did they have exactly what I was looking for, they had several expansions and other similar games that I didn’t know about. Excellent selection, fair prices, and knowledgable staff. What’s not to like?

Ancient Wonders is continuously great. You go in, there will be someone behind the counter, they will ask what brings you in with a smile. When it comes to MTG their shop is very organized. I go in with a list and they will search for me. I give ⁴⁄₅ only because the shop could use a little tlc in other areas.

I shop at the Ancient Wonders temporary store every year at PAX, and am repeatedly thrilled by the wide variety of jewels they have nestled away. The staff is extremely friendly, funny, fair, and helpful. Their selection of long out of print items is delicious and tempting, and I would definitely recommend checking them out if you’re near Tualatin. =]

Ancient Wonders is a long-​time Portland-​area fixture, likely one of the oldest stores around.
It’s the epitome of the cliched (but awesomely so) old-​school game store, operating out of slightly run-​down converted house smack-​dab in the middle of a much more recently developed area — one that has somehow avoided displacement due to the resulting gentrification.
This store is likely your best bet for finding old/​used/​out-​of-​print material in the entire state (possibly including all surrounding states).
If we had to choose a hands-​down favorite store our of the entire state, Ancient Wonders would be that store.
Sadly, however, it may not remain such for long. The store does still stock current games, cards and comics, but things seem to be on a decline.
The new stock doesn’t enjoy nearly the depth and breadth of selection as it once did, and the old stock is rapidly dwindling, leaving the once-​awesome bulging shelves of out-​of-​print material looking a bit barren.
We’re not really sure what the issue is, but it doesn’t seem to be lack of funds, given what we’ve personally dropped on our regular visits, what friends of ours have dropped, what we’ve observed other customers drop, and the observable ever-​dwindling stock.
We hope things in that arena can be turned around, because we’re quickly getting to a day where this fantastic shop ceases to be a driver for a visit to the Portland area as it has been in the past.

This excellent game shop, conveniently located only 1 mile and 1 turn from I-​5, has been my go-​to place for over 20 years. (Which is scary to say…) The selection is broad, from RPGs, to classic and modern board games, to comics and magazines, to miniatures & CCGs, and of course, the thing that no respectable game shop could ignore — dice!
The atmosphere and flow are good, though a bit more light would be beneficial, and at any given time you’ll find a half-​dozen or so people sitting around the open tables playing or comparing games. Staff (and plenty of friendly, helpful customers) are quick and happy to answer questions and guide you to new gems. Prices are standard and parking is easy.
If you live anywhere in the southern Portland suburbs, or are passing through, I strongly recommend a visit. Just tell your wife or mom that you’re running errands at the nearby Fred Meyer. ;)

I have been going to Ancient Wonders since I was in high school; I think my first foray there would have been around 1993 or 1994, at the behest of one of my friends (who is friends with Mr. Harrison, the owner). All-​in-​all, this is a good place.
It has changed markedly over the years, in terms of what is laid-​out where, and perhaps it’s just best if my review covers its most current layout.
The comic selection is just what most people would want to pick up at first glance; why there might be some rarer or back-​issue stuff, it carries the mainstays that casual droppers-​by might require. Naturally, if you have a box, you can get whatever series you’d like.
The games selection is wonderfully diverse, as well as used games. They have some really old stuff here (D&D red-​on-​blue in augmented peechee folder from back in the day? Check. Tom Baker era Doctor Who RPG, in box, with everything? Check), as well as mainstays that I believe most games stores must have to thrive (GW stuff, Pathfinder, etc.), but it’s anything but lacking in the games department — the selection is probably better than most other stores, including Powell’s.
The board games are a little lacking, but really that segment is taking off right now, and before you know it, I think people won’t care as much anymore.
Their miniatures selection is fantastic, too. I don’t believe that they’re «Chapter Approved,» (or whatever the official GW designation is for retail stores), but manage to carry about as much product as Bridgetown, but certainly less than Rainy Day, etc., but this is understandable, given the size of the store itself, and is no basis for downgrading.
They also carry the peripherals: dice, dicebags, card sleeves, etc.
I suppose the reason it gets fours stars instead of five: it needs some TLC (as Flora mentions). Everything about this place is great, but the environment never feels/​smells clean, or that comfortable. I believe the apartments upstairs are where the games are now held, and it’s incredibly loud when people are walking about upstairs. Maybe I am being too picky, but when you go to clean, well-​lit and cared-​for stores like Rainy Day or Bridgetown, that’s where Ancient Wonders suffers. There are so many things I’d like to check out, but I never feel comfortable enough to stay too long.

Ancient Wonders has a special place in my heart, but not because I am a gamer. I am almost an anti-​gamer, but it has served as a hang-​out spot for my husband for several years. The staff there is really friendly and helpful to me and other non-​gamers. You can tell the workers like being there because they stick around after completing their shifts. While some TLC could greatly improve how the shop looks, it is a home away from home for many people and a safe place for nerds. Events my husband enjoys are MTG drafts and the Monday board game nights.
I think Ancient Wonders sets the standard for game shops in general with their late business hours and ongoing activities.

This place has so much shit it is bananas. I can utterly lose myself looking at stuff I wish I had the disposable income to buy. So many great games, books, cards, comics.
The staff have always been nice and knowledgeable. They seem to like the work (no surprise!) and don’t hurry you along or any of that. There was a pretty girl who worked here, don’t know if she still does. I always wondered how much shit she had to put up with over being a woman in a comic store (hopefully not much)…
They have loads of paperback and hardcover collections. Regular comics, though not the absolutely widest selection. Tons of action figures. Lots of CCG and other card games. Video games resale. Warhammer and other tabletop stuff. So so much.
I bought tons and tons of different things here over the years, including loads of Decipher Star Wars CCG cards that nobody wanted to play anymore.

This is a great little game shop that I could see myself frequenting on a regular basis if it was a little closer in. We found out about them while at PAX (10% off coupon, yay!) and went out of our way to go back a second time after a good first experience.
The board game selection is kind of lacking compared to some other stores, but it’s more because they are a jack-​of-​all-​trades kind of place (they sell comics in addition to games, have TONS of rpgs and ccgs, etc.). They are absolutely the #1 place to go in the area for WoW TCG cards. Not only are they the only place we’ve found that actually carries all of the various decks, they don’t mark up the prices on the older decks (except Fires of Outland, which is marked up everywhere — damn Spectral Tiger!).
Every time we have been, there have been folks playing Magic, D&D, and other various games. The employees are friendly. It’s a nice place to nerd out for a bit!

Not a bad comic shop. They don’t keep that many in stock but thats understandable. They are more of a gaming facility. But the staff was very knowledgeable and did get me addicted to a new series. The prices were comparable. And it had the feel of a real comic shop. Not that Things from another world feel.

One of the most friendly gaming stores I’ve been to. I’ve always been able to find a good variety of Magic cards their and they sell cheap pre-​made decks.

This is the best Friendly Local Game Store around. I’ve been going here since I was a teenager and they’ve always either had what I wanted or been willing to order it quickly and efficiently.
They run tournaments for all sorts of games on a regular basis. They have a comfortable upstairs room for hanging out in and plenty of tables for gaming on. The shop has that hole in the wall feel to it, a place that has battled many dragons and seen some wear, but the service is always friendly and knowledgeable and the selection excellent.
Other bonuses: 10% off comic books if you have a box with them (I’ve had mine for 10 years). Boxes are free and a great way for collectors not to have to worry about getting their issues on time.
They will also do wish lists and wedding registries. How cool is that? Imagine, instead of a blender, you could have a Gargantuan Red Dragon or that book on the Underdark you’ve been craving but couldn’t justify buying for yourself.
Go check it out. Pick up those Warhammer or DnD mini’s you’ve been wanting (they have a good selection as well, better than Bridgetown), have a chat while drinking a cold soda with the smart guys who run the place, and then curl up in a chair for a nice round of your choice of Collectible Card Game.