🎮 My London Retro Gaming Trip – A Must-Visit Guide for Retro Gamers

🕹️ My London Retro Gaming Shop Adventure

First off—apologies for the image quality! Unfortunately, I broke my main phone on the way to London, so I had to rely on a backup Android tablet. Because of that, some of the photos aren’t as sharp as I’d like.

After doing some research before the trip, I discovered that several retro gaming stores in London had sadly closed down. However, I still managed to track down a few hidden gems that are absolutely worth visiting if you’re into retro gaming.

📍 X Electrical – King Street, London

X Electrical was the first stop on my retro gaming hunt.

This second-hand shop specialises in buying, selling, and part-exchanging electronics, hi-fi equipment, and game consoles. The owner mentioned they’ve been selling retro games for over 24 years, long before retro gaming became popular.

The selection of consoles and games was solid, including imports and some harder-to-find titles. Although I didn’t get as much time to chat with the staff as I would have liked (they were quite busy), I did manage to pick up a third-party SNES controller.

👉 Verdict:
A great local shop with a solid range—definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area.

🏬 CEX Stores Across London

I also visited several CEX stores during the trip.

Unfortunately, these locations didn’t quite live up to expectations. Compared to my local branches, they felt smaller and a bit run down. That said, they’re still worth a quick visit if you’re nearby—you never know what you might find.

👉 Verdict:
Not a highlight, but still worth a browse.

🦸 Forbidden Planet – Shaftesbury Avenue

Later in the day, I stopped by Forbidden Planet on Shaftesbury Avenue.

While it’s not strictly a retro gaming store, it’s an absolute paradise for fans of:

• Comics
• Sci-fi
• Collectibles
• Pop culture

With two floors packed full of merchandise, it’s easy to lose track of time here.

👉 Verdict:
A must-visit if you’re into geek culture alongside gaming.

🎉 Surprise Encounter – Nintendo Switch Event

While walking through Hammersmith, I unexpectedly came across what appeared to be a Nintendo Switch premiere event.

I attempted to check it out, but unfortunately, the venue was temporarily closed at the time. A bit of a missed opportunity—but still a cool moment during the trip.

⭐ Retro Game Base – London’s Hidden Gem

This was without a doubt the highlight of the entire trip.

Despite train disruptions affecting the Streatham area, I pushed through to make it there before closing—and I’m glad I did.

One of the first things I spotted was a Nintendo 64 with a CD add-on, something I had never seen before. The owner explained that it was a third-party device designed to run games from CD-Rs, and that Nintendo had even taken legal action against it in the US.

The shop also featured:

• Development kits
• A transparent original Xbox (Halo-style)
• Rare and unusual hardware

🛠️ In-Store Experience

Retro Game Base isn’t just a shop—it’s an experience.

• 🎮 Playable demo setups
• 🔧 Live repair/modding workbench
• 🧠 Knowledgeable owner
• 📦 Wide range of stock (modded consoles, imports, boxed games)

The owner was incredibly welcoming and took the time to explain various pieces of hardware, making the visit even more enjoyable.

👉 Verdict:
One of the best retro gaming stores I’ve ever visited.

💡 Final Thoughts

Overall, this London trip turned out to be a fantastic experience.

While some stores were a bit underwhelming, others—especially Retro Game Base—completely made up for it.

👉 If you’re into:

• Retro consoles
• Game collecting
• Modded systems

Then London still has some great spots—you just need to know where to look.

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