The employees are very knowledgeable about their products, and they also have a laptop at the cashier desk so you can search up the prices of their products online or see if they have it in store. They also have a battling area downstairs, but we didn't go to check it out. I also like that they have bathrooms available for customer use. They sell all kinds of things like books, comics, manga, cards, dice, etc. We bought a pokemon journey together bundle and a Tidus commander deck for magic the gathering. Great place! read more

Pandemonium Books & Games - Bookstores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Glad I found this place. Visiting from out of town, this place had fair prices and a good selection. Also visited CardVault and Newbury Comics, and Pandemonium provided the experience we were expecting with lots of singles to look thru and we bought 4! read more

Love the store, most of the employees are cool. But the Anthony Fantano looking guy with the rat tail is a straight asshole. Terrible vibes. Disrespectful to customers. Holier than thou attitude. Shouldn't be working anywhere near a customer-facing role. Walked up to the counter to checkout with some singles, said "hi", he stares at me like I'm an alien from another planet and says nothing. I ask what the limit policy is for the new Pokemon Ascended Heroes blisters, he curtly says "1 item". I ask "1 item each?" since that's how some of the other LCS spots are doing the new release. He repeats "1 ITEM" clearly annoyed. If you don't want people to ask questions about your store policies, either BE CLEAR UP FRONT or FIND EMPLOYMENT ELSEWHERE. Cut it with the vague ass bullshit. You work at a board game/card shop, get off your high horse. If he had simply said "1 item TOTAL", I wouldn't have had to ask for clarification. I wouldn't even be writing this review. He rings me up, hands me my stuff, I say thanks, he says nothing back. Like... why? All the other employees say "you're welcome" or "have a good day" or *something* when you check out. This guy doesn't even have the decency, basic manners or social skills to do that? Why is he behind the counter? Stick him in the basement where he belongs. I've been frequenting this spot for awhile. They have a great selection of singles, and I love flipping through their binders to see what I can find and add to my collection. This is how loyal customers get treated? I'm paying for POKEMON CARDS. I'm not paying for disrespect. Won't be back anytime soon. Y'all don't deserve my business putting people like that behind the counter. read more

It seems like they have a pretty good selection of games, but not including any of the classic games. The staff were not helpful and pretty off putting. I definitely won't be coming back or recommending this place to anyone. Only came because of a recommendation from a bookstore in Harvard. read more

If you are someone who loves tabletop gaming, reading, or sci-fi/horror/fantasy, you owe it to yourself to visit this awesome location! My husband and I visited in 2023, while in the area for Halloween and loved it so much! This shop is huge and has an incredible selection. The staff are friendly and knowledgable, and we felt comfortable taking our time to peruse. Ended up coming home with some new books, and lots of gaming inspo! read more

Pandemonium Books & Games - Bookstores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Nice store, big collection. Lots of games and staff was helpful. We'll visit again next time we're in the area.

I was immediately greeted by the store associates upon entering. I am new to game shops but I was very happy with the selection here. The shop was very tidy, and I felt welcome to browse for as long as I liked. I appreciated that everything was labeled with a price tag or had a clear sign with the price above the display. I checked some prices with prices online, and they were comparable, so I would rather support an independent shop. I also liked that they also had a selection of games for kids, so it did not feel like a shop for only serious gamers. Although I did not need any, I was mesmerized by all of the beautiful dice they offer. I had no idea they came in such colors and wished I had need of such dice. They also had a downstairs I did not visit. What a fun way shop to pop into if you happen to pass by. read more

Pandemonium is overpriced, with an error-riddled and outdated online store, and heinous, sexist customer service. If you are a woman and you attempt to point out a month's long delay, be prepared to be patronized and condescended to because the store will try to blame the customer for the store's own screwups, all while guys get genial and accommodating responses. Wizards has been trying to make MTG more inviting to women, but LGS's like Pandemonium make it impossible for women to be treated as equals. As a man who wants everyone to feel welcome in MTG, I recommend any of the several other nearby LGS's instead. I feel disgusted that I ever bought anything from here. read more

I came to this establishment because I'm very new to Magic and wanted to start building my deck. This location was close to where I live and saw that it had lots of cards and many Magic events. The folks here were very welcoming and encouraging. I had a lot of questions and they took their time to help answer them for me and navigate all the intricacies of Magic. It made me even more excited to get into the game and learn more! The value is okay, but it's my first time dabbling in magic so I don't have much of a base to compare to. read more

Pandemonium Books & Games - Magic the gathering cards, binder of singles - Bookstores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Walked and asked very casually if they had stock of a certain set and was very aggressively answered by an employee with blue-green hair behind the counter. Said they no longer carried it in a very mean tone, then when I asked a follow up to see if any other LGS would carry it I was given a degrading response that led me to just walkout and honestly, don't want to ever purchase from here if that's the kind of treatment their community fosters. read more

Was excited to visit this shop as it was recommended by a friend who has had good experiences with employees and purchasing cards here. The shop looked neat and well organized upon entering. I was in search of Pokemon and One Piece cards and saw that they were behind the front desk. With the holidays coming up, I was curious if there were any sort of deals or specials on the cards as I was not aware if the store ran any as this was my first time visiting. The response I got from the employee working the front desk was aggressive and negative. I was told that it was a dumb question, asked why I would even ask a question like that and whatever is on the shelf is what is available. I would have accepted a simple no for a reply, but instead got ridiculed. This was a negative experience and I would not recommend going if you plan on interacting with that employee. read more

I came in around the holidays time and purchased a lot of bulk Pokémon cards. When checking out, I asked the cashier if the store was running any sale (potentially so that I can add on more items) and the bald employee rudely and sarcastically remarked, "They're already dirt cheap, what else do you want?". I'd think it takes more energy to be unnecessarily rude like that to reply with a simple no. Hope that guy is doing better in life. I'd recommend going to Comicazi in Davis Square (red line accessible) for your card needs instead. read more

I historically went to this game store to play Magic: the Gathering, but they have evolved into a mecca of modern board games. Their selection of board games for purchase is awesome! I seemed to want a game on every shelf (and there were oh so many board game shelves!) but I narrowed it down to a few new games. The RPG product line was fabulous, I picked up a box of Druid D&D spell cards. And they have a used book section! The shop is at street level and downstairs. The organized play area downstairs is well lit and had a lively atmosphere. The shop was very busy and as a board game publisher I was thrilled to see this. They had two bathrooms and they have a parking lot! I didn't see any food so you might want to eat before heading here. Helpful Tip for Drivers: They have a parking lot and it fills quickly, but on Sunday the street meter parking spots are free. If you find my reviews helpful, please let me know thanks! read more

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So, I need to update. Not sure what happened, but since my last review in 2013, the service has improved 1000%!!! Staff are friendlier and don't appear to favor their regular patrons only. The rudeness is gone and you can feel comfortable approaching staff with questions. I've gone in 3 times since COVID began in 2020, and each time it's been great. Thank you Tyler for whatever you did. Also, not sure how he did it, but there seems to be even more sales area than there used to be, and an even wider selection of RPGs and other stuff to buy, while it appears that the gaming area hasn't shrunk. The only negative now is the mask requirement, but I'm not going to take any stars for it, every company needs to feel comfortable with COVID, but I hope once the emergency is lifted, that they will allow for no masks. I do appreciate that they supply masks, since most places aren't requiring them anymore. read more

Great local shop for board games, books, dice, D&D minis, and more. The staff is super helpful, especially if you're looking to grab a gift and need input. Pricing is fair and their selection is pretty large (they have two floors of merchandise). If you're in the area and looking for a new game, I'd definitely recommend dropping by. read more

The smell has been fixed. Their selection is great, with a good amount of play space, and they're friendly.

A really fun books and games store in Cambridge. If you're interested in board games you'll find everything from novice to advanced games. There's definitely something for everyone here. AND, if you like high fantasy novels and want to find something new - this is definitely the place to go. I found a lot of (book) friends I know and love but also a lot that I've never heard of before which looked incredibly interesting. Definitely a great place to browse through for books and games. If you're a more serious gamer there's space downstairs to use (I'm not sure how that works, I'm not a serious gamer) but the space looked pretty nice and functional. read more

Can I give this place 10 stars? For a certified boardgame, sci-fi/fantasy book geek, Pandemonium Books & Games is pure Heaven. We came here last weekend as a last stop to our Geek Hunting day of wandering through comic stores, gaming stores and such within a 40 mile radius from Boston. I, in the recent years had been won over by the intricate mechanics and ever changing strategies derived from board games and an avid fan of Sci-Fi and Fantasy books for just about forever, stepping into Pandemonium B&G is like a perfect dream for me and my reaction may have been a little over the top. The first floor is almost solely dedicated to the 'Books' portion in its nomenclature, every major popular Sci-Fi and Fantasy books that has been published in the past century can be found here. A shelf dedicated to Asimov's writings, the time enduring Ender's Games, the classic Dune series, collections of Legends of Drizzt, and of course Wheel of Time and GOT. The list goes on and on. Next to the book shelves are some casual gaming tables where on a Saturday is filled with people playing Ascension and Netrunner with friends. Downstairs in the basement is where all the magic of Board Gaming happens. So many shelves of board games! I skipped from one shelf to the next, indulging in the board game goodness. Every single board game I'm familiar with either through playing or watching TableTop has made its mark here. The very best of the board games (Ticket to Ride, Pandemic) and variants (All that Catans and Munchkins and Dominions) are lined up neatly. It even has copies of Twilight Struggle that I haven't seen in stores anywhere else. There are also gaming tables in the middle of the basement room. In the next room of the basement is the tournament room where a heated MTG tournament seem to be going on. We didn't buy anything this time around so I cannot comment on the service but the content in the store is awesome. Such a happy place for me and I'll definitely going back this week on my Birthday! read more

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Naw, Yelpers, Naw. You don't walk up to a taco truck and give them 2 stars for not having burrito bowls on their menu. You don't write a review about the French Laundry's lack of take-out options. You don't complain about your rainbow roll being undercooked, so why do you go into a geek store and expect a socially-adjusted and potpourri-scented service experience?! It's a gamer's store, run by gamers, for gamers. I've had perfectly fine service experiences every time I go in there, but then again, I'm a socially awkward male geek, so take that into account. The best thing is that every Sunday they let any weirdo off the street come in and put their grubby fingers all over an impressive library of games. Totally free, you just come in there, play the games and leave. I'd say any place that opens themselves like that to the community deserves some appreciation. Enough appreciation, at least, to get past the smell. This is a great geek shop. If you're looking for sanitized browsing, go to Barnes and Noble. read more

If you're looking for a new board game or want to rediscover a classic, this is your spot! The selection is incredible. They have a lot of tournaments and game nights as well like Magic: The Gathering, D&D, etc. Best tabletop store I've found in Boston! read more

Only negative thing to say is the customer service isn't the best. Guy at the counter was constantly on the computer and another customer next to me (I was perusing the front case) asked two questions in succession (when do players usually come in to play commander and is there a wifi that I can use?), to which the guy at the counter answered the first one then left to go to his computer and seemingly completely shut out his hearing abilities and disregarded the customer's other question. Anywho the store is neat, a large selection of games, fantasy books, and dice. Big cases and binders full of single magic cards at (at the time) better than online prices. Would I go back? Probably if I needed to buy dice or random magic cards. read more

The store reinstated its mask policy, and I understand why, I have no problem with following a store's policy. What I do have a problem with is when staff are unnecessarily rude to customers when trying to communicate a simple request. The staff at the front made a jab at me for drinking coffee, but still having my mask on. I asked why he had to make jeering comments about me to a woman who was being rude to me about this when he could have just asked me to leave the store or more clearly said masks on at all times. There was no communication and of course no one likes being mistreated, so I told a family member that a woman was being rude and weird and the staff member jumped in and said it's weird I don't understand masks during COVID. My guy, it is not the pandemic and you could have done your job. If it mattered, why does your store stock the worst masks for protection against disease transmission? Please consider supporting another, less snobby, more helpful store. Or not. I know they're only doing well because their favorite customers are loyal to them for whatever reason. read more

I have been going to this store off and on since middle school (I am in my early 40s now). Once upon a time it had a fabulous assortment of books and other sci-fi type things. I understand the book market has changed drastically in the past 30 years but they are at the point where their selection of books leaves much to be desired. Also, the other reviews mentioning poor customer service are quite accurate. I had sci-fi books to get and I wanted to use a local bookstore so I thought I would give them a try for old times sake. They didn't have what I was looking for so they took my info and said they would get back to me. Called today and the response was that if they hadn't gotten back to me then they couldn't get the books. FYI these are books the Harvard COOP had them in stock so I bought them there. read more

Downright terrible experience. Came in to find a new FLGS as I'm new to the area and was hoping this would be it as it's off the red line. This would be perfect as it is right along my work commute. I came in with my wife and child to gauge the place and see if I could call it my gaming store. I was really interested in the magic league events and inquired about them. As I was reading their flyer my son had to use the bathroom and as he is being potty trained tends to be a little difficult when in a new place. This is important as my wife then had to use our typical "take away toy" argument with our child to get him to use the bathroom. The long haired clerk with several rings on who obviously had no context decided to comment. Right next to me his father that was greeted on the way into the store by the same clerk. I put the items back and we walked around the downstairs, as I wanted to see what else the place had to offer and to see the rest of their selection. But to be honest that interaction left such a bad taste in my mouth I do not want to go back. Kid friendly comic stores are how we keep gaming alive! It's my job as a father to indocterniate my son to be a gaming geek if he wants to. This man's comment does not allow for the kind of enviornment I want my son to be in or learn from. Reading other reviews I see at least one other comment saying very similar things and it concerns me. We will not be returning to this establishment. read more

So much fun. The staff are amazing and the place is really nice. I've done a couple events here and I love every bit.

I've visited Pandemonium twice, once in April 2018 and 2019 so my reviews are based off of these two visits. The customer service here is awful. I've been to game stores all around the US when I'm in town for large conventions and Pandemonium has the worst customer service by far. My first visit here was to play in an RPTQ in April 2018. Everyone is so surly and unhelpful. Any request is met with annoyance. I figured they were in foul moods because the store was packed and they'd be busy for most of the day. Anyway, I didn't think much of it because I didn't expect to ever come back again. Fast forward to January. I find myself in town for a large Magic the Gathering event in Worcester and see that Pandemonium has legacy scheduled for Thursdays. I arrive at 6 and walk in. Obviously, the long haired man and woman do not say anything to the potential new customer. I pay for my event and head down to the basement. Once there, I head to the tournament organizers station to turn in my event ticket. No one was at the counter. Without any instruction, I see a cardboard box holding event tickets and just placed mine in and waited for the event to start. Once the event started, my name wasn't on the list. I tell the TO and am immediately blamed for not putting my ticket in a plastic bin that said "legacy" on it. That bin wasn't even up yet when I got there at 6. I wasn't the only person with this issue but the organizer put us in, although this person seemed annoyed. During the last round of the event, I agreed to a prize split because my opponent wanted to go home. I go upstairs to use my $6 in store credit that I won. Apparently, my result hadn't been entered into the system yet and I had to go back down and ask the organizer to enter my winnings into their system. Well, the organizer decides to go get food and is gone. At most stores on earth, there is someone at the counter to input results and enter credit during the last round of any event because some customers will prize split the last round in order to save an hour and go home. This allows the customer to get a quick update on credit or even use the night's winnings if they choose. Being a visitor from Atlanta, I ask long haired guy upstairs if I can just go ahead and use my credit because I'm a non-local and needed to catch the commuter train to my hotel. He says no. I explain that I'm not local and he doesn't care, his reasoning was that he doesn't know the result. Their prize structure is apparently based on record so I tell him that he could just look at the number of points on my slip to determine prize payout. He argues that he can't prize me out and doesn't really give a good reason. Apparently only one person is in charge of that, I'm not sure because he doesn't tell me. He can also look at the software to see points and prize me out. Anyway he refuses and just goes back to standing around in an empty store and not doing anything. He wants me to wait for the organizer (who knows how long that'll take) to get $6 in store credit and miss my train. I just leave the credit behind and get out of there. His negative demeanor is so off putting. Right before I left, one of his friends asked the guy behind the counter how he was doing and his reply was something along the lines of how he's struggling and poor but "Jeff Bezos is snorting coke off a hookers ass". I don't know why that has anything to do with you struggling but nice visual to give out in your kid friendly store. Anyway, please donate my $6 to a newer player. I won't be back to use it. TLDR: Customer service is awful. Staff's goal in life is to be as unhelpful as possible, which has been stated in other Yelp reviews and on Reddit. Store is probably fine if you're into board gaming and other customers seemed friendly enough but dealing with staff is not worth it. If you're in town for a short period of time and want to play MTG, you should look elsewhere. read more

I really liked this store--it seemed to have something for everyone! The first time I visited, I was alone, just browsing for dice and looking at books. The second time I was with my friends and we ventured downstairs, I was really impressed by the large selection of games and related items. My boyfriend is interested in Warhammer 40k and it seemed to me that this is one of the few places in the area that had such a good selection! I enjoyed how many D&D minifigures they stocked and their dice selection. read more

Unfortunately, things have been going downhill for me at Pandemonium. I've been coming here since 2010, and I've been here for author events and just general sf book browsing. A previous reviewer hit the nail on the head: this store, which used to balance itself as a sf bookshop/gamer meeting place has since tipped the balance in favor of the gamers. I liked how it used to be in 2010: gamers downstairs, where they had ample space to hold a number of games; sf bookshop up top. Author events were both downstairs and upstairs. But, sometime last year or so, they seem to have cut their book inventory down big-time and moved some gaming tables upstairs. What this means is that I couldn't find "Rendezvous with Rama" by Arthur C. Clarke - a double Hugo/Nebula winner and obvious sf staple. Actually, I can't find much of anything these days. The stacks are disorganized; and they're missing a bunch of what I consider must-have titles. Admittedly, the selection here was never great, even in 2010, but I still enjoyed browsing the aisles and seeing the staff picks - that's how i found Cory Doctorow's interesting non-fic collection, "(c)ontext". Another thing which has been going downhill - and I hate to write this - is the somewhat closed, unfriendly, elitist-nerd vibe here. At least, the staff basically ignored me the first 4-5 times I came, and only warmed up when... what? I proved my nerd cred by showing I actually like science fiction? It just felt like I was being profiled and categorized: "browsing while female". (Dude, one of the previous reviewers even mentions that "there's a good mix of females" in this shop! i.e. Being female here is noteworthy! Way to make me feel welcome.) I think it's important to support indie bookshops, especially those selling science fiction, but every time I've come in to make my obligatory purchase, it hasn't felt good. I haven't felt that warm glow of supporting my sf community. Instead, I feel like I'm paying a tithe to an institution that no longer represents me. Sorry, Pandemonium, but I think it's time for me to break up with you. :( read more

Well, I've been keeping tabs on the largest gaming store in the area. Unfortunately, I feel that the space has gone downhill. Here's why: 1. Last time I went downstairs, the smell was overpowering and not in a good way. There just doesn't seem to be enough ventilation down there... and the clientele likes its fragrant, ethnic foods. 2. The inventory was reorganized, but I find it much harder to move around downstairs during events and much harder to find anything that is not D&D, M:TG or Warhammer. 3. Last time I tried to schedule my own game at the store, I was bumped in favor of organized play even though there was extra space available. To make matters worse, I had checked the schedule on the website but nothing was listed. When I questioned this, I was told that I needed to be subscribed to the owner's LiveJournal. Shouldn't it have been on the store's actual website? 4. For years, I was told that conditions will be improved at the store, but frankly I have not seen one major improvement, except removing the gross couches from the basement and moving the shelves around. Even a new coat of paint might spruce up the site... 5. I feel like if I don't play D&D, M:TG or Warhammer, I'm a second class citizen at the store. I've waited many minutes in line to buy something while the one clerk rummages through piles of Magic cards or discusses the new 4th edition D&D rulebook. Am I angry? Yes. I am forced to go to a smelly, dingy, disorganized and unfriendly retail store to participate in a hobby I love. To the owner: Wake up! You're alienating many former and potential customers... read more

Have been in here three times, each time the customer service sucks. I guess since my wife and I are both females we aren't the usual clientele. Most of the time we're ignored or I'm asking a question about a game, and they look at me dumbfounded or snobbishly try to correct what I'm saying when it's pretty darn clear what I'm on about. On the plus side they sell some cool indy sci-fi books. *EDIT: The owner seems really nice, he messaged me personally to apologize. I really appreciate that and will give this place another chance. read more

This is a great shop for books and board games. It's good to buy and sell magic cards and go to a draft, and I've never had a problem with the staff here and neither has my girlfriend. So why 3 stars? The smell. I get it nerds are stereotypically smelly, fat (or rail thin), and socially awkward. It's not like they can make people smell better, but there aren't any steps taken to mitigate it. Bathrooms often have automated air sanitizer dispensers, but this place needs a dozen. If I need to warn everyone I recommend the store to that it smells like someone died during a D&D session in 2014 and they haven't gotten around to cleaning up the corpse yet, there may be an issue. I bet they could crowdfund the sanitizer. Honestly, I'm writing this review as a plea to the owner to just make an effort to fix this. Just because we play board games doesn't mean our dungeon needs to smell like it. read more

Been here a good amount of times when I lived closer and was the most convenient spot that had events and selection of mtg products (there are not many LGS in Boston). Anyhow, like many have said, the customer service is subpar. Only 1-2 employees are good but the others need to move from customer service. I mostly always got an unwelcoming vibe. The basement where they hold the games must not be ventilated because there is a distinct smell of body odor mixed with I don't know what. I give it a 2 vs a 1 just because they do have a good selection of cards. Not the best but good. They also have public parking nearby and train station. read more

How the mighty have fallen. Pandemonium is a ghost of its former glory. It was once the hands down best sci-fi shop in the Boston area. Then the decision was made to move and everything started to fall apart. Gone is the awesome location in Harvard Square, traded in for more space in less convenient Central Square. This changed the store from being an easy place to drop in and browse (and accidentally spend too much money, like I did every week back in the day) to a destination shop. The amount of random foot traffic this place receives (and the money said feet spend) now is a fraction of what it once was, and it shows. Less trade and disturbingly regular bankruptcy scares have winnowed the store's shelves down to the bone. The selection is bolstered by interfiling used material with the new stuff. There are still some treasures to be found in the used material, but when it comes to new material, you're better off hitting your average Borders or Barnes and Noble. And if you read one of my other reviews, you can see how much that sad fact pains me. The store's move placed more emphasis on the 'Games' part of 'Books and Games.' All the new space is pretty much devoted to gaming (the shelves the regular books are on are the same ones from the old location, so no new shelf space) which is again disappointing. There is a huge gaming area in the cavernous basement that has been consistently underpopulated every time I stop by. So if you're looking for a place to play and don't mind paying for the privilege (and risk being interrupted by "colorful gamer stereotypes"), go for it. Selection-wise, the games are a carbon copy of any other gameshop in New England. Price-wise, Pandemonium simply cannot compete with the Internet or the big box bookshops. If you are looking for a mainstream scifi book or game (D&D, for example), you can probably find it cheaper at a big box store with one of their almost constant coupons. If you're looking for something more obscure, you can give Pandemonium a shot and risk a wasted trip due to their sickly collection, you you can get it cheaper online or straight from the publisher themselves. So what is it that Pandemonium does better than anyone else? If you read the other reviews, browsing their used material leaps to the fore. I personally was turned on to a host of authors I never would have heard of were it not for them. But browsing like that requires a better location that lets the casual fan or buyer just drop in, which Pandemonium lacks. Selection? The Internet's got it beat. Prices? Big box or Internet. Supporting the Little Guy? Maybe, but you can buy straight from the small press publisher or sometimes even the author/designer online. Space to play? Your kitchen table is free. Meeting place for fans? The place is so often empty that you'd have to hang out for hours and even then you risk only meeting people that you'd rather not. Besides, I hear this Internet thing has forums and social networking sites galore. One thing that Pandemonium does beat all comers on is knowledgeable, friendly staff. Unfortunately, due to the dire financial straits of the store, there can't be more of them! If this review was written back in the days when Pandemonium Books and Games was located in the Garage, I'd five star it in a heartbeat. Now though, it hardly ever enters my radar when I'm shopping for science fiction, fantasy, or gaming materials. read more

Pandemonium carries an eye-popping selection of new and used sci-fi and fantasy books. Whether it's the latest Jack McDevitt, a vintage Ray Bradbury, or a Tolkein special edition, you're sure to find it at Pandemonium. They also have the best selection of Philip K. Dick around. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Dick, you might know the movies some of his stories became: "Blade Runner" (originally, "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep"), "Minority Report," "Total Recall," "A Scanner Darkly" and "Paycheck." Dick also wrote many books that didn't become movies, all of which are hard to find in mainstream bookstores. Go to Borders or Barnes and Noble, ask if they have any Dick and see where it gets you. Even independent bookstores like Booksmith are notoriously short on Dick. Because his books are such cult classics, sci fi fans tend to hold on to their Dicks. In fact, it's safe to say that their Dicks never see the light of day. For this very reason, used Dick is even harder to find. Don't bother asking at Boston Book Annex or Brattle Books. I was there first and there was no Dick to be had. In any event, when old Dick finally hits the market, it can be pretty gross--why else would someone have got rid of it? No way I'm bringing second-hand Dick into my home. But Pandemonium never disappoints me. They've got so much Dick, it's almost obscene. If I have any complaints, it's that Pandemonium's clientele is almost exclusively males between the ages of fourteen and about thirty, not exactly the type of place where I'd meet the future Mrs. Garth S. So if you know any chicks between the ages of twentysomething and thirtysomething who are into Dick, please drop me a line. I'll be glad to share mine with them. read more

Great selection of books and games, and the staff is always super nice and helpful, especially Sali! Whenever I come into the store, Sali has great recommendations for me and is eager to help. I always enjoy coming here! read more

Pretty much just a standard gamer's store, with the gaming taking place in an unattractive smelly basement. The layout is poor and cramped. The book selection is mediocre, focusing on sci-fi and fantasy. The staff varies from socially inept but not unfriendly to outrightly weird and hostile. There''s nothing here that a good coat of paint, a better floor plan, and some basic business professionalism couldn't solve. I hope whomever owns this place decides to get his act together. read more

NERD-gasm!! Okay- Bible Fluxx expansion pack? Family Fluxx? Zombie Fluxx? I'm in heaven before I step past the pay counter. And if that's not enough to get your nerd juices flowing, they have every freaking Klaus Teuber game you could imagine! Every Catan expansion pack and even the card and dice games, which I didn't know existed. The dice game you can play by yourself! All Catan All The Time!!! I don't even need friends!! The first floor is all walls and walls of sci-fi books and some card games at the front. The basement has a huge selection of board games and gamer guides, an area for games where games happen every single day, and even a posting board for finding fellow gamers. Some kind of game was starting up while I was there ("You didn't read the codexes?!?"). I felt incredibly attractive and chic amongst the black and ponytail clad men in my pearls and argyle shirt even though just moments earlier my co-worker was mocking me with taunts of "Angela Lansbury." The staff was friendly and helpful, but the store was still undergoing some unpacking and re-organizing which made it a little hard to get my hands into everything. Maybe because they moved recently? read more

Somebody seems to have come to their senses and now Pandemonium is beginning to stock graphic novels as well. This is good. Basement still smells of nerd herd. This is not good. read more

I... I want to love you again, Pandemonium. I would love nothing better than to have you in my embrace once more, a friendly local game store, only a few minutes walk from my home. Unfortunately, that cannot be. Back in the day, this was hands down the hotspot of fantasy in the Boston area. Sure, the Harvard Square location was smaller, but as others have said, it used to be half and half: some books, some games. Now, after their (I still think ill-advised) move from Harvard Square to Central Square, the balance has tipped firmly in the favor of RPGs. Which I really, really, really shouldn't be complaining about, since I come here mainly for the RPGs, and a Locust magazine every once and a while. But it's not just that. The place (especially the game area) to put it politely, smells. I've mentioned this before, and I'll say it now: a smelly game store not only reinforces stereotypes to random people who wander in, but is also unpleasant for all but the most...um, hardcore of regulars. The other problem I have with the store is the staff. This place is the definition of hit or miss. You could walk in and get the nicest, most friendly gamer on earth, or get the cold shoulder from a few "inner circle" guys at the counter. Not to mention some of the staff and regular customer's reactions to women in the store is hilarious at best, and impolite at worst. I will continue to come here to get my Dungeons and Dragons stuff, as well as my magazine. But the place's glory days are gone, and there's no hiding it. read more

Pandemonium seems to be one of the only gaming stores in the Boston area, which is actually kind of sad. The place is decent - a good selection of sci-fi/fantasy books and graphic novels on the first floor, including used books, and a larger basement with a very good selection of games, role-playing books and supplements, and Warhammer and RPG miniatures (albeit a somewhat poor stock of minis). Also, it has quite a few tables for gaming, which is important for Warhammer players like myself. They also do board game nights, Magic the Gathering, and RPG nights as well. All in all, it's not a bad store. It's not a great store, and always seems a bit haphazard and cluttered, but that's gamers for ya. read more