Drawing attention to the burner account Chuli S. review, who felt a strong need to exculpate their beloved board game shop from the harassment incident on the 6th. I'm glad you think all the employees are such hard workers, and that word around the office is that some of the patrons are perennially rude. I don't think it's a coincidence that the two previous reviewers are commenting on the same incident, given that you made your account the day after it took place. I can only surmise that you've never seen yugioh at the board game store you frequented for three years because it makes your damage control review have more mass appeal. You're right, it's so cringe when a man begins to cry for no reason, what a loser customer! It's so embarrassing, I would be glad they nearly called the cops on him too. Seriously, the only thing embarrassing is how painfully obvious it is that one of the staff wrote this, projecting their own boorish insecurities through a rant that no patron would do in real life. "makes me want to work there", give me a break. Also pretty funny that the owner, Erik B, and this advocate use the same language regarding personal boundaries. Highly suspicious, I advise you stop by the apothecary next door instead. read more

I'm a huge fan of this store; I try to make a stop here every time I go to Berkeley now. The store is chock full of board and card games, organized from the little kids' games all the way to the headache-inducing, detailed-strategy games in the back. I love browsing around to see what sort of games are out there, and in comparing prices in this store versus other game stores back in the peninsula, this store is cheaper by at least a buck or two per game. They also have all sorts of little knick knacks that tempt the collector in you. I love their rubber ducky section - rubber duckies of all shapes and sizes beckon to be brought home. Once I bought eight miniature, glow-in-the-dark rubber duckies. They were super cute. I wish this store were closer to me. I'd probably go browse at least once a week! read more

BOARD GAMES GALORE! PS. I got First Sparks game at $22.50! Half the price! AWESOME! PSS. Mobopoly is a funny game. It's like monopoly except you can hire thugs and kill your opponents! read more

Games of Berkeley - It's a thug life! - Hobby Shops Near Me - Berkeley, California

I remember the days of game stores when I used to make a beeline to the Dungeons and Dragons section to check out books (both new and old). Sadly, my days of playing D&D are long behind me but I still love going into game stores to go through their puzzles, board games, new and old RPGs, and sometimes even check out the collectible card games. As usual, I also asked about their Rubik's Cube section and got a happy clerk manually directing me like I was a plane taxiing in for a landing. I found a good variety of cubes (some of which I was actually interested in buying, but restraint won out) as well as a range of non-Rubik's type cubes and puzzles. I was quite happy to find a book on speed solving a Rubik's cube, something I've never seen, so I grabbed up a copy. We didn't check out the downstairs area, where it seemed there were games going on, which is pretty typical for a game store. It was pretty loud and noisy, but unlike other game stores, it was cut off and away from the store and shopping area (last time I went into a game store that had their gaming area right next to the shopping area, I was treated to an overly large man having a hissy fit over losing a Magic game to someone else, including knocked over chairs, shoving tables, and flying cards). There's definitely a good variety of games for all interests here and the service was pretty great. I would happily direct anyone towards Games of Berkeley for their gaming needs. read more

I don't play any of the games that would make this place amazing for me, but I can tell that it's a gamer's heaven. They have a huge selection of stuff for that game where you buy the silver colored figurines and paint them yourself. I don't know the name of the game, but I know that you know what I'm talking about. They also have stuffed animals and, more importantly, giant microbes. The flu is probably the cutest. Chess sets galore. Random other toys. They also have a fair selection of Rubik's cube related puzzles. Stop in here while you're waiting for the bus. You're supposed to check in your bag/backpack, but that's more for those hooligan youngins, especially in the afternoon. They don't really enforce it if you look like you're in college or if you come in the evening. Just don't steal anything. read more

I was in need of a Birthday present to get to my wonderful Father-in-Law for his 95th b-day. We were able to get not one, not two, but THREE amazing puzzles with the theme of the same place in different seasons. The folks at GOB made it sooooo easy! And I appreciate how this owner keeps the health and well-being of his employees in mind! Love this business!! read more

A phenomenal game store and it really comes down to the staff. Despite the COVID times, each staff member made it their ultimate effort to ensure safety of customers and staff with proper precautions along with ensuring the customers got the best from their visits through awesome, compassionate service and info! Will come back for sure everyday of the week (minus Tuesday and Wednesdays)! :) read more

This shop is amazing! It is literally stocked wall to wall with games and the staff is so friendly. You want RPG stuff? They got it. CCG stuff? They got it. Board games... Mother of God, do they have board games. I love Games of Berkeley so much, I would inject it into my eye if I could. read more

This is a very cool place with a large variety of games and toys. They even have a game room where you can play with their selection of games for a $5 but they give you a $5 credit to use in the store! read more

Games of Berkeley - Great selection of family games! - Hobby Shops Near Me - Berkeley, California

With general supply chain issues and just the general state of the world right now, Games of Berkeley is truly a treasure trove. I paint miniatures and recently have had trouble finding a specific paint color at my usual hobby shops, so when the opportunity arose to go to this shop, I was pleasantly surprised. Not only did they have the specific paint color I was looking for, but they also had the most recent Black Library Celebration minis from GW in stock! Now that was especially shocking to me as I had recently pre-ordered one of these minis directly from GW a few weeks back, and have been informed that due to influx of orders, there is a maximum 180 day wait for the backlog to be delivered. It's clear that, given the state of the world and supply chains, Games of Berkeley has an ALL-STAR representative through GW, compared to the other GW official shops in my area. So if you're ever in need of something that may be a little bit hard to find, whether it be minis, paints, or even board games (they have an amazing selection!) then Games of Berkeley is certainly worth the trip! read more

The best of all possible game shops; wish I had this store when I was a kid and/or that I had more time to game now. As it stands I go in there and mostly think about how I'd love to wile away hours perusing, or gaming in the back, or picking something up to take home and play with friends. The selection is extensive and covers most of the bases. The RPG section could maybe be updated but overall they have most of what you would want, conveniently organized by theme and also by age-appropriateness. They host spaces in the back for gamers, a great alternative for young people to be actually social across from one another rather than through a screen. Best of all is the staff. THey know about games and love sharing their passion. You might find a few bad reviews of this place, generally written by people who have only bothered to review a few other places. I tend to discount those reviews, particularly when they can't really articulate a case for how they were wronged or they make up some sort of unsupported allegation. You can see from the reviews that this place shines...it's the go to place for games in Berkeley. Shop local! read more

This is a huge store with every kind of card, table top, rpg, and board game you can imagine. Tons of old favorites and new titles, and expansions for everything. I stumbled upon this store randomly with some friends and was transported back 15 years to my old RPG days as I thumbed through DM manuals. This is a great spot for gifts and I can't wait to go back. read more

The prices are ridiculous compared to any other store. Some of the staff is rude, one guy working there actually had the nerve to tell me to put my mask over my nose when it had slipped down for less than a second, as if I was too stupid to notice myself. It's been more than a year of the pandemic, I work in education and I have never personally had the audacity to tell another person to put their mask over their nose as if they were too stupid to realize themselves. I felt disrespected and perceived as a commercial threat instead of an ordinary customer for a half-second banal incident. read more

Very nice people inside. Wish it was a YGO OTS location though. Have gone here a few times and they've been nothing but friendly. Some prices just a little above retail but still a nice location. read more

This store was such a part of my youth - I worked next door and went in all the time. The employees were always so fun and welcoming. So many great memories. But clearly times have changed for this landmark store. We no longer live in the area but my son was spending the day in Berkeley so I told him he absolutely had to check out Games of Berkeley. I was shocked to hear from him after his visit that he had been treated negatively by an employee. I called the store to inquire about it and the interaction with the employee was incredibly disappointing. He laughed at me!! His condescending words and tone - speaking over me, literally not caring what I had to say - actually haunted me. I'm disheartened that people this cruel live and work in my beloved hometown. A place I knew as accepting, loving, kind to ALL. I wish this business well but I will definitely be warning people not to spend their money here. ** updated to respond to owner - why would I submit a formal complaint when it's clear by your response to me (and others here on yelp) that you gaslight people? Your version of the incident has clearly been reimagined by your employees. I know what transpired on the phone call and I can assure you I'm smart enough to distinguish a "pleasant tone" from mocking. It's clear, now that I'm reading the other reviews, that you wish to create a community that only includes certain members and that's your right as a business owner. However with that will come some complaints. It's well within your rights to ignore them and run your business as you see fit. read more

I placed an online order with Games of Berkeley and received my package today, and wanted to leave a review about my experience. My book was shrink wrapped and mailed securely in a box with plenty of bubble wrap. I also received the digital PDFs along with the physical copy of the book. They do charge a flat $10 shipping rate for most orders to CA and adjacent states, and can take up to 3 business days to ship your order, but I am happy with my purchase and how it was shipped. Thank you! read more

Games of Berkeley. Where do I start?! This is such an amazing store with a great group of people who make you feel like you're part of a very big fun family. The game selection is incredible, my personal favorite being the diversity in puzzles. Their puzzle selection is crazy. There's something for everybody, for all ages and all preferences. This store is quintessentially Berkeley. Prior to Covid, there were specific game rooms to host D&D nights. In reading the negative reviews, price was one of the top complaints from customers. Think of it this way...sure, you can order something on Amazon for cheaper. There's a reason Jeff Bezos is the richest man in the world. I don't know about you all, but I will be sorely disappointed when all the mom and pop shops are gone and only mega-conglomerates are left. I'd rather my $$ goes to a place that values customer service and a positive gaming experience. I know that places like Games of Berkeley are not rolling in the surplus dough and keep things as affordable as possible. Check them out, you won't be disappointed. read more

Been here a few times through the years, always impressed with the vast variety of games! Came here a few weeks ago. The staff is so friendly as well. Love visiting to find boardgames or puzzles. They have a lot of cards here as well for tabletop gaming. Also RPG. Tarot cards and fantasy story telling games which are fun! Also all the standard games so something for everyone. Will be back! read more

Summary based in several visits over years: --Good selection --Ok prices, considering you can look at the product right there --good service with helpful advice --typical crap downtown Berkeley parking Has the esoteric games that you'd might expect in Berk. read more

Games of Berkeley - Hobby Shops Near Me - Berkeley, California

This place is seriously as good as it possibly gets! All the employees are super friendly and passionate about games. If you ever have questions it feels like they've played all the games and have extensive knowledge on them. They even helped my husband when he decided he wanted to start painting figurines. Their phone system is also efficient and short - just 3 options before you can talk to a real person. They also have a game room in the back with a bulletin board so you can meet others and play games. Their prices tend to be on par with Amazon or other online stores, but here you get the item immediately and any questions you have answered. Support local businesses - this one definitely deserves it! read more

Thank you Games of Berkeley! Even under the best of circumstances, this store always makes me happy every time I visit. Now, with COVID-19, their communication about what they can and cannot do for their customers has been top-notch, and when I emailed questions about which D&D products I should get, I got helpful detailed answers - and incredibly quickly! They even spelled my name correctly. I'm so thankful for this store: right now, when there's so much that is out of order and far from ideal, having Games of Berkeley available for curbside pickup fills me with joy. I recommend getting some games from them right away! Families with kids, get Exploding Kittens. For 2-3 adults in a house, get Lost Cities, Tak, or Coup. read more

Ive been going here since I was a kid when it was down on Shattuck. I was browsing 2 player games and I think the owner or someone very knowledgeable helped me and that is what I needed. I bought Morels and we love it. We havent learned a new game in 10 or more years but this one is fun. Thank you for the help. read more

This place is huge and has the best selection of board games and RPGs I've ever seen, anywhere. They even carry some of the more obscure RPGs that I never would have thought you'd find in stores. Plus they have a big room in the back for playing games, and they host weekly game nights several nights a week. I came here with a friend looking for a simple two player game to play, and it turned out they had a whole wall of them. We went with one called Pocket Ops which ended up being really cool. Love this place; if I lived in Berkeley I'd be there every week. read more

I have been coming to Games of Berkeley (GoB) for 1-2 years and it's probably the best game store in the Bay Area. I began playing D&D and I never stopped. A few blurbs: -When I wanted to begin painting my own miniatures, Cassandra and Jose gave me great advice and would help me pick out colors, paint, brushes, and gave me notes on how I could improve. Now I help other people learn to paint their miniatures. -I genuinely like every person that works here. It is no secret that Amazon sells some of the same product for cheap, but I cannot stress enough how fun and knowledgeable the community here. read more

I've frequented Games of Berkeley since my teenage years when they were still located on Solano Ave. and when Magic the Gathering was still in its infancy. Super friendly game store back then. Twenty-odd years later (Dec. 2017) on a visit back to Berkeley, I wanted to stop in for old times' sake and now as an avid board gamer, was considering buying something. Their enthusiast game collection was logically organized into types of games and the amount of space they have at their new shop on Durant is awesome. I had also been to their Center Street location which was good, but did feel a bit cramped. The staff remain friendly and knowledgeable and on more than one occasion when walking in, have seen staff making recommendations to folks based on their gaming experience level and offering good ideas (i.e. not recommending Euro style games to those who are new to the hobby). Even though I am not local to the Bay Area anymore, I support local because having a gaming space to play and having knowledgeable, friendly staff are the cornerstone of the boardgaming community. Games of Berkeley exhibits all that and more. read more

Are you thinking of a fun gift for someone? Do you enjoy board games, puzzles, cards, pop culture, imagination, FUN! Skip the big box stores. Don't buy something blind on the Internet. Go to Games of Berkeley! I made my first pilgrimage over 20 years ago. I have gone here ever since for games, gifts, and more. Go there. I guarantee you won't ever come away empty handed. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. The selection is unparalleled. read more

This place is amazing and I love it and everyone here, I have never had a problem with the staff and the owner is the nicest person you could ever meet I really feel like they make the effort to not only keep me safe but keep their wonderful employees safe if your in town stop by it's well worth it read more

Excellent store with knowledgeable employees. Great selection of board games, puzzles, gaming figures and a whole lot more. Worth the visit, just to check it out. Store has frequent gaming events for many different platforms. Well run events with fun attendees. Even if you arent into gaming, this place will blow you away with the selection you didn't know was out there. Highly recommend this place! read more

Although they have a large selection of just about every trivial item or collectable and odd games as well. I just drove all the way from concord to find out they are closed for physical inventory are you serious? Who closes for an entire business day for that.... Stay late one or two nights and do inventory before you open. To be honest they probably had a staff Dungeons and dragons day... But seriously what business in 2017 closes for the ENTIRE DAY for physical inventory. It's just extremely inconvenient. read more

I do love this store. I do! Back when I was unhappily single, rounding the corner toward forty, and feeling like everything in the goddamn world pointed toward Happy Family Times just to spite me, I used to go by a games store in the Lower Haight that had "family board game night" and I would go ooooooohhhhhh! somedaaaaay! someday I will bring my family to family board game niiiiiiight!" wellll that day has not yet come because my kids are still too little to appreciate Parchesi, but still: Board game stores have a special place in my heart. And I want to support them! In any way possible! So when I realized my friend's daughter's birthday was coming up, I thought, "oh! Jeez! Martha loves minecraft so much she goes to a special camp for it. I will get her those minecraft earrings I saw on Thinkgeek. But oh crap! Her birthday is tomorrow! I know, I'll shop local!" and headed over to Games of Berkeley. Oh my GOD PEOPLE! Is there really no subject that Berkeley can't be reverse-snotty about? Really? I walked in and asked if they had any Minecraft-related gifts, and the two people at the cash register looked at me like I had just pooped into a trucker hat and asked them to try it on. They didn't just say "No, sorry." The two of them looked at each other in horror -- HORROR. Had they been wearing pearls, they would have clutched them, I emphasize again, IN HORROR. Instead it was "We wouldn't have anything like that." "Huh! Why not?" I said, still not grokking the mine(GEDDIT?)field I had just plodded into. "AH-this store is for BOARD games. We just ah-wouldn't HAVE anything related to COMPUTER games." "Ah," i said, and indeed, I did feel estupido. But then I started shopping, and what to my wondering eyes did appear? Oh, nothing much, just a metric PLETHORA of items relating to Angry Birds, a hand-held version of the console game Centipede. MANY temporary tattoos relating to VARIOUS video games. I could go on. In fact, because I have no filter and am extremely socially awkward, I DID go on. Every time I found an item in the store pertaining to a computer game, I held it up and waved it at the snotty cashiers, saying "Oh look, oh my god! What is this doing here? It pertains to a computer game!" and they got heartily sick of me very soon. And then when I got home I searched their website and guess what! They have Minecraft stuff. Just not the earrings I wanted. Anyway you should totally shop there, because I'm sure they need the local shoppers, BUT you should also annoy them because that's just fun when people are snotty. read more

Well organized, clean, lots of space to walk (great if you're in a wheelchair or larger), and even a coupon on Yelp. Highly recommend.

Spent $100 there this morning, which you would think qualifies me not to be treated with utter contempt by the manager. Apparently not. My mistake was purchasing a hand-carved chess set requiring her to open a locked case. This was greeted with a glare that would peel paint. Hmmm. O.K., I thought, it's still early, maybe some small talk will help break the weird tension in the air. So I tried to chat with her about the various sets, compliment them on their selection ... she was having none of it. Seething with anger. One-word answers to all my questions. She strongly suggested a set costing $30 more than I said was my maximum, and when I politely refused, she actually rolled her eyes. The final straw came when the phone rang and no one picked it up. She screamed across the store for someone to get it, and when no one did, she SLAMMED the glass case and shut took a step toward the phone -- then suddenly stepped back, shot me another fierce look, and locked the case before running to get the phone. So ... you think a 40-year old man is part of an elaborate scam to steal chess pieces, luring you away from the unlocked case by having an accomplice call the store? Here's a newsflash: even though you clearly have a serious shoplifting problem, not EVERYONE in the store is a criminal. You turned what should have been a joyful moment -- buying an expensive birthday gift for a budding 10-year-old chess aficionado -- into an unpleasant chore. Try leavening your anti-shrinkage policy with some genuine human empathy, and you might find you have a repeat customer or two. One extra star because their selection is first-rate. (Oh, and a sign at the register offers free gift wrapping. The manager straight up refused, said they didn't have the staff, even though two other employees were working at the time.) read more

I'm no game nerd, just a girl in a pinch, looking for the nearest Twister board. If you find yourself in this predicament, you'll be faced with a subtle but profound moral dilemma: save a couple bucks and brave the lines at Target, or skip down to that local game store (you didn't know they even existed anymore), have a flashback to childhood Christmas wishlists past, support local biz, and spare yourself the agony of a megastore parking lot. I took the high road. Which also ended up being the easy road, as Games of Berkeley is super well-organized, and staffed with savvy gamers who will know their inventory like Whoa. The selection seems pretty classic, but then again I didn't peruse too thoroughly. Twenty bucks and 5 minutes later, I left with a classic Twister board under my arm. If only all shopping trips were this breezy. read more

I have never been more motivated to update a review. Wow. This place has made a complete turn around. The new direction is is amazing. The best part is, the employees are the same! Which is crazy awesome. That's just a reflection of persistence and good management. Better customer service, the store layout has changed it feels lighter, and the store itself is evolving as well, I can't wait to see will change next. Good on you Games of Berkeley. Well done. read more

How could anyone not like this store, they have tons of toys and games to choose from, no matter what genre or gameplay type you prefer, and they even have space for people of all ages and skill set to interact and engage in battle. I love that this store not only offers booster packs and special edition cards to help increase my kid's collections, but they also have many items that they are quickly beginning to gain interest in, such as 3d puzzles and balloon art. read more

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We love to roam this store and see what is new and what is interesting in game land. We bought our Settlers of Catan games and extension games here. Our friends who have become addicted to Settlers came here to buy and had to wait for a back order. But those days are over ... the GOB has all of the Settlers of Catan that every game junkie needs. This place is fun to visit for kids of all ages. The only problem is a typical Berkeley problem ... parking. Be patient, something will open up. Ask the parking angels to help and you may just find a spot so you can go play! read more

After our overindulgence at Zabu Zabu, we had to do some walking. We walked up and down Shattuck (checked out the menu of a place that had Indian and Mexican food in one place -- what?, got a cup of coffee, and did a lot of talking and a little window shopping). Aside from that cup of coffee (yep, Peet's coffee -- needed the help digesting that huge meal), the only store that lured us in was this one -- Games of Berkeley. Inside, there were four guys playing wei ch'i -- a game similar to Othello, I think. All three of us found something that tempted us -- a yoyo, a puzzle. Me? It was the cute Ugly Dolls. I'm going to stop buying my kids Ugly Dolls, as I think I might like them now more than my kids do. Sigh, kids grow up too fast. At any rate, this store has it all (with the notable exception of Bakugans -- apparently, Target and Toys R Us have a monopoly on those). You can get any variation of dice from the standard 6-sided to 20-sided die -- for those role playing gamers amongst us. You can get good joke gifts - unicorns anyone? If you have a dragon-fiend friend or sister, there are some great and reasonably priced ones. Marble runs. Kites. Board games (Catan anyone?). Since the store had a no food or drink sign, I was prepared to wait by the door for my friends while they browsed. I was grateful that they let me in (and of course thanked them by buying something). They guys working the day I was in the store were all friendly and helpful; some other reviews mentioned attitudes, but the guys were all great this past Monday. Wow, we were here for maybe a half hour, and I probably could have happily browsed for another hour or so (probably a good thing for my wallet that we had to leave). As I continue to explore the East Bay, I'm glad to find little treasures like this store. read more

I have a terrible, terrible confession to make. I spent my adolescence playing role playing games. Yes, yes, I know: Dungeon & Dragons, Rune Quest, Champions, Call of Cthulhu...Don't look at me, I'm hideous. Boohoo, I was a loser. They say girls can smell Dungeons & Dragons on a person decades after playing. If you play role playing games, and admit it, then Games of Berkeley is what you might call heaven. The moment you walk in you are confronted with every cliche gamer geek you ever saw. There is the Simpsons comic store dude working there in all his obese, long, greasy, unkempt hair and bearded glory. He even sports the condescending, dismissive attitude, perfectly. There is the BIG girl who works there with Bavarian beer girl pigtails that meet at the top of her head, and lavender crocks decorating her feet. The place is chock full of games. There are various rooms in the back and downstairs. In the back, there was a "Magic" tournament going on. Down stairs they were playing Yu Gi Oh. The players were a sorted collection of geeks, dorks, nerds and eccentric characters, playing their craft, like chess bums. Don't ask me why I was there. I just was. And it horrified me to see my adolescence self reflected back at me. But, that was my problem, not theirs, for they all seemed to be having a great time in each others company. read more

This is my first visit to Games of Berkeley in two years or so. I no longer work in downtown Berkeley and have avoided the downtown area ever since. The rude, grouchy woman was not in evidence today. She is the MAIN reason I walked by the place dozens of time, hoping to go in until I saw her at the counter. Most of my work life has involved working with the public. It is easy to be nice-- so I do not understand her perpetual rudeness and unpleasantness to every customer. I hope GOB has gotten rid of her. The staff working today were helpful and friendly. Anyway, GOB is still a fun store to shop at---kites, frisbees, Klutz books and crafts, jig saw puzzles, playing cards, origami, assortment of games (kids-adult), RPG games and paraphernalia, key chains with fun thing-a-majigs on them, plush toy microbes (as mentioned by Wanugee), large assortment of mini animals (farm to jungle to African and domestic {cats, dogs} and more. A trip to GOB will satisfy shopaholics like me, kids, serious gamers, tourists and anyone looking for a fun and entertaining gift. I bought a pair of Anime eye glasses--perfect to wear when I have to be photographed. read more

Its a really friendly store. You can find almost any games here. From the noobs like me to the game masters that play in the game. Someone will be available to explain. read more

Games of Berkeley - The game tells its own story. - Hobby Shops Near Me - Berkeley, California