Video Games Etc

Negative experience: I travel frequently around the states and always make a point to stop by a local game shop if I can. To say the employee that helped me had the personality of a rock, would be a compliment. It felt like I was being a problem because I wanted to purchase items. Additionally, their selection was large but nothing significantly rare, and if it is rare, it likely had reprinted artwork. Truly disappointing, while I know they have other locations I don't intend on stopping by while in town because of this experience.

Fantastic experience: Stopped in just to Browse. Nice variety. Everything from old to new. Will was great. Great staff.

Fantastic experience: Really great location. The staff are amazing, extremely friendly and knowledgeable, and even let my 1 year old pick out his own Pokemon ball figure after the quarter machine didn't give one out. We love coming here and will definitely be back!

Fantastic experience: this is the best place ever I hope when I get older, I get a job there, I go there almost every week and every time there's something new restocked so it's always like going into a different museum. I would highly recommend this place. If you have kids I can confirm because I am a kid. yeah, VGE is the best place ever!

Fantastic experience: So helpful with all of our questions and had exactly what we were looking for! They have lots of options from retro stuff to the newest! Awesome store, definitely suggest stopping by!

Fantastic experience: The staff was really polite and they had pretty good prices, I was suprised by the wide range of consoles they had games for!

Fantastic experience: Really nice people, interesting stock of various used items, i have found some really good stuff here in the past. The bald staff member (i should remember his name, sorry) is always professional and leaves a positive impact on each visit. Just cool people all around

Fantastic experience: Great shop. Don't listen to others complaining that they can't be the exception to the rules. Be smarter people Like I said, great shop. You should go here!

Fantastic experience: All the employees are super kind and helpful. The store is always stocked full of good retro games and the cash discount is just the cherry on top. 100% the best game store in town!

Negative experience: Terrible. Terrible. Terrible. Awful. Awful. Awful. Wish I could give them 0 stars. My mother in law went shopping for my husband and she got hustled by an employee saying that the bulbasaur card was “super rare” because it had a “special stamp” on it when this particular bulbasaur card comes in all the booster boxes guaranteed. So my husband already had the card and no one working at this store would take the card back, unopened, untouched and give my mother in law her money back. I don’t care that they were doing their job! They took advantage of a senior citizen. Shame on everyone working there. They lost our business.

Fantastic experience: They have a lot of really good resources here. I have really old gaming systems of the PS2 and game boy advance SP and they still sell games and power cords and accessories for both of those systems. I'm glad that the Cedar Rapids area is able to support a business like this

Fantastic experience: They don't just have games, they got retro consoles, retro legos, retro COMICS, and I even saw an arcade machine there once.

Negative experience: Might as well keep any game you wanna trade they'll buy it for like 25cents and resell it for 25 dollars. Very very rude customer service. very dismissive. They'd rather talk to their co workers and mess around than give any respect to the customer In front of them.

Positive experience: Alot of choices, good prices and nice staff

Fantastic experience: Will was extremely helpful and very kind! Greeted us when we came in and offered to help us find different cards. By far the best experience I’ve had at this location thanks to Will!

Negative experience: They gave me three scratched games and also a pirated game. Terrible service for me.

Fantastic experience: Delivered at hobby lobby in the same shopping center and was able to walk in and grab a brick of final fantasy cards. Store looked real nice, clerk was super friendly and good hours. If we're in the area would definitely come back.

Fantastic experience: This is in response to another recent review in which the person wrote that he spoke over the phone with Zach (manager) at 7:24pm on May 10, 2025. This person wrote he was upset and treated unfairly when he wanted to return a new item he had purchased and was denied the full purchase price. I was in the store and heard this phone exchange (our family was at the counter making a purchase), and will point out to review readers that the person posting the 1-star review neglected to share that he had removed the packaging wrap and opened his purchase, then figured out that another store had a cheaper price, and now was trying to return the product. VGE could no longer provide full purchase price on this product because the purchaser had handled its contents. I listened as Zach attempted to provide multiple ways to make the best of the situation, but the caller just badgered him over the phone. On another note, our family has shopped at multiple other local stores and consistently end up landing at VGE because the staff is incredibly knowledgeable, the store is clean, and we like the selection. There are new games and movies to browse each time we visit. Thank you, Zach, you handled the call well and didn’t deserve the harassment.

Negative experience: This is the worst location in town. I spoke to Zack this evening at 7:24 PM on May 10, 2025. He was the manager on duty. I explained to him that I came in yesterday and traded in a whole bunch of stuff and bought a brand new Nintendo switch. I told him that Walmart had the exact same game that I purchased for half the cost. I told him I would like to return the game and provide my receipt. Zack then offered to give me a used game return price even though my receipt is less than 24 hours old. I will not ever shop at this location again! Terrible management skills. And they give you the bottom dollar on anything you trade in I would highly recommend you go to GameStop instead.

Negative experience: Locked the door almost half an hour early as we were walking up to the door

Fantastic experience: All the employees are very knowledgeable! Found d really good deals.

Positive experience: The in-store credit is always lower than the cash offer

Fantastic experience: Cheap games and great service also a giant variety. I got ds3 first day edition for $20.

Fantastic experience: Nostalgia place... grabbed a quick cheap 8 $ video game. Crew working was very friendly. Fun atmosphere.

Negative experience: I have bought to many games from there now from both locations and they don't work or the files are corrupted so they obviously don't test any games past the main menu screens and sell them for market price they are lazy and the people working are never helpful they act like the customers are the problem.

Fantastic experience: The smart bald guy (sorry i dont know his name!) is truly an asset to this store and brings unmatched customer service that you would hope to find everywhere, but seldom do. He is knowledgeable, friendly and knows how to have you exiting as a happy customer. I bought my daughter a new Nintendo Switch on a crunch for time, he had me in and out in ten minutes! Great price too!

Fantastic experience: The best video game store in the area. Fair prices for the games and nice employees

Fantastic experience: Great little shop! Great value and selection of a variety of things!

Fantastic experience: Best selection of retro and current games and systems if I could give them 10 stars I would.

Fantastic experience: Better than GameStop by far. All the guys that work there are friendly and professional. It's a clean store, albeit a bit messy because of the overflow of used games, collectibles, card games, etc. Best of all, they offer better rates on trade-ins, without having to have a special membership (again, looking at you GameStop).

Positive experience: New and used video games and systems can be found here. DVDs, some collectibles, cables, joysticks you name it! Great place!

Fantastic experience: Up until 3 days ago, i have not been in a games et cetera in 2-3 years because the one in Dubuque Iowa is rude and treats people like an inconvenience. This one, on the other hand, was nice. They made you feel welcome and that they were generally glad to see you and help. I will be returning to this store in the future.

Fantastic experience: Great store,great prices and customer service!

Positive experience: It's an average video game store cheaper then gamestop and more variety than Walmart.

Fantastic experience: Great selection of old school video games in all the old formats. You really have to just get lucky, but if you do it can be amazing.

Negative experience: Very displeased for a number of reasons. Will, the manager of this location, is a good guy, has helped me out and has always been pleasant. However, there is a very big problem with a lot of the staff here and selling single cards. Today myself and my wife stopped in, she was looking at a Dark Vileplume #30 unlimited holo. This card goes for $3-4, they quoted us $21. Upon seeing the card, that definitely looked to be in moderate play, I asked "In that condition?". The literal second I asked about the condition, the card was pulled back with "We have to ask our manager about condition, but we can hold it in the back, he will be here tomorrow.". I was going to ask to look at the card so I could inspect it further, but never got a chance. I was also curious about another couple of cards in the case, but once the Vileplume was pulled, I didnt even get to ask about any others. My wife had also picked out some DVD's, they had to clean them which was initially fine. However in the middle of cleaning the DVD's, another customer had wanted to purchase something, and things were missing out of the box, then something about a phonecall, and whom put what where and who took it in. By this time, both my wife and I were not only very uncomfortable, but also running out of patience, so we decided to leave without making a purchase. History be told, I have spent a lot of money here in the past, I have also had an issue related to singles here aside from this one. On an earlier visit, I was charged $400 for a LOB Reigeki that was damaged. I had to take it back. Will made it right, but, if these are the types of issues that are going to come along with singles, and, not being able to tell conditions, just throwing out a number and wanting someone to pay it, when its not even accurate, is a HUGE problem, and probably shouldnt be selling singles if your staff isn't trained on them. My wife and I own and operate our own store that deals with singles and we know very well how to determine value based on set, rarity and condition. Any shop that sells singles should. I will be calling Will tomorow when he is in store and letting him know what is going on as well. He is a very decent manager and should know about it.

Fantastic experience: East side location from staff was friendly and helpful for needs upon purchases

Fantastic experience: Great place to sell games and buy games. Currently until the 7th of July majority of movies on DVD disc are only fifty cents. I'd say take the opportunity while you can. I know I did 10 movies later.

Fantastic experience: first time coming here. the shop's staff is very friendly and listens to customers' opinions. The best place I have ever known. It's a pity that I forgot to ask the name of the friendly staff. Will be back in the next day.

Fantastic experience: had a great experience here, I travel from dubuque here and don't waste it, the staff are lovely and very friendly, amazing!!

Fantastic experience: I love this store. This place has the best games and game systems. Everything I want and looking for new or used every time I visit......

Negative experience: Things seemed to be very over priced here… they had a used switch game listed for $5 more than buying the new game from Nintendo brand new. I asked them if them would sell it for less since it is used, but they said they don’t price match. Um…you’re selling a used game for more than a brand new one??? Price matching?? Whatevs…

Fantastic experience: this is my favorite place to buy games across the whole country, bar none.

Fantastic experience: Great selection, friendly and helpful staff and realistic pricing. Been visiting for a few years and will continue to do so.

Fantastic experience: They had the game I was looking for and treated me very well

Fantastic experience: amazing store! the workers are very friendly and willing to help with whatever you need. on my last trip in particular, I bought the alvin and the chipmunks game for the wii, and the cashier said I had a good taste in games. thanks video games etc

Negative experience: You get something here they will not give your money back even if it's pre-owned don't buy anything pre-owned at all new only to get your money back

Fantastic experience: Good selections and prices. Friendly service

Positive experience: Has went down hill with their hires and since 1 of the managers left and raising prices because scalpers are doing it. But still better then gamestop.

Fantastic experience: Me & my husband have been coming to this store for 4-5+ years & always have had decent service. They provide great merch for every time of gamer, geek and gaming need. Consoles, toys, games, gift cards and more. The service here is warm/friendly & always a pleasing visit.

Fantastic experience: Allways a plesure doing business here employees are amazing management rocks come on inn and check it out

Fantastic experience: The staff is polite and helpful and we will shop there again

Fantastic experience: Friendly, helpful staff and good selection of games.

Fantastic experience: This is a great place to buy video games, both retro & modern. The employees here have always been knowledgeable and friendly to me.

Fantastic experience: A coworker/friend brought me here and I'm glad he did. Great business model as they sell consoles you otherwise would need to buy online. Think DKOldies but it's a walk in store. I bought a 1st Gen PS4 here that is in surprisingly good condition. The only thing "wrong" with it is the disc ejection is slow/weak but works just fine otherwise. I bought said PS4 for around $250 so I am overall very pleased. Tired of GameStop's nonsense? These guys got you covered!

Negative experience: Was here just a few minutes ago to trade in a couple games and some cards. While I have no issue with the trade-in value, I do have an issue with the service provided. In the middle of dealing with my transaction, the employee stopped to make a different transaction. It cost me time and almost made me late for work. Finish one transaction before starting another. Pushing the current transaction to the side to do another is not only unprofessional, but is very rude as well. Didn't want to leave this review, as I usually don't have issues at this store, but I felt it was worth bringing up.

Fantastic experience: Decent prices for used games! Pretty good with trade in for store credit of course.

Fantastic experience: Nice and clean shop with surprisingly fair prices. Refreshing to see a store not gouging people on retro items.

Positive experience: Decent selection of games, friendly knowledgeable staff. This tends to be my go to for new and pre owned games.

Fantastic experience: We visit quite often and the selection is always great. If for whatever reason you are not happy with a game or any purchase they offer a return for either cash or credit. You can also call ahead of time to check if they have what you are looking for and they will hold it for you taking it off the shelf for you. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Fantastic experience: The staff was friendly and helpful. Their prices seemed competitive. A nice selection of games for older consoles.

Negative experience: I went in to get my collectors cards appraised. The handled my cards roughly. My near mint $400 dark paladin was bent in the middle enough where it is considered damaged. Very upset. Went into the cedar falls establishment

Fantastic experience: Everyone is great here and they always have what I'm looking for.

Fantastic experience: Video Games Etc. has always been my personal choice for all my retro gaming needs and I quickly came to know many of the employees at the store by name. The people who work here are very friendly and helpful, making me feel welcome as soon as I arrive! I’m happy to say that they always treat their customers with the respect and kindness they deserve, a quality that is sadly hard to find among most businesses these days. You’ll never have to worry about product pushing from them either, a major pet peeve of mine that causes me avoid other video game retailers which will remain unnamed. Unlike those other stores, the employees at Video Games Etc. won’t pester you about subscriptions or memberships while you’re at the check out. You can get in and get out in under five minutes (if you know what you’re looking for) without any hassle whatsoever! Finally, Video Games Etc. has some of the best prices on the market, especially for old retro games, which is one of the main reasons I shop there so often. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve had my eye on a classic game but was unable to play it because of the ludicrously high prices online, only to later buy it for a fraction of the cost at Video Games Etc. More often than not when I ask for something, they have a cheap copy of whatever it is in stock that’s well within my price range! There’s nothing more satisfying than scoring a copy of an old game for a great price! Their prices are so low that sometimes I can’t help but wonder how it’s even possible they can afford to stay in business! What more can I say? If you’re a fan of old school games like I am, then it’s a no-brainer that you should be shopping at Video Games Etc!

Positive experience: Love going here and supporting a local place. Stopped in to get a copy of Pokemon Red they had in stock and the workers have always been informative and helpful.

Positive experience: It was ok didn't have a Valorant gift card

Fantastic experience: Great place to buy movies and games for a good price. Good people there too.

Fantastic experience: Pretty good. They gave me more on an old console and some games than I was expecting and were a pleasure to work with.

Positive experience: They have tons of cool Star Wars, and other action figures…really good selection of games and comics as well!

Fantastic experience: Very courteous and polite! My kids love it here!

Fantastic experience: Good place to take your used games, consoles, gaming accessories, pokemon cards, they even buy phones and tablets. I highly recommend you stop in today and reserve the latest upcoming games, or buy that one you remember playing when you were a kid. The staff always greets me everytime I would walk through the door. Good staff there.

Fantastic experience: Always have what I need love this place for all my retro Games.

Positive experience: I don't know much about game systems and when I could not find a game that I had talked on phone earlier that day with employee and was told they had one , was not shown or helped by anyone working they were to busy doing something else behind the counter.when I found it and went to pay I asked about a game that's when the young man with colored hair went and looked for me and he was very nice and answered all my questions ,he was not the employee that I asked the first time but I wish he was cause he's a good worker

Fantastic experience: Great place to sell old video equipment wonderful helpful staff

Fantastic experience: Always love the service have gone here for 15 years now thank you all and thank you Will!

Fantastic experience: Everyone is so nice, the person helping me was very patient as I looked through all the retro games! (He's always super sweet :) )

Fantastic experience: Very good used games, I like the attention I receive and the Variety. Much better than gamestop lately.

Fantastic experience: Better, then the westside because there is a manger with tattoos arm sleeves who will try to rip you off.

Fantastic experience: Never had an unfriendly staff member here there always above and beyond helpful and fun to conversation with.

Negative experience: Offered me 3 bucks for card I got 50 at mall. Offered me 15 for switch games got 40 at GameStop come on really

Fantastic experience: I love this store, my favorite place to buy video games!!

Fantastic experience: This store has the friendliest, most helpful and courteous staff around! Great selection of new and used games. Best selection in the area for PS3 and Wii games, and it's not even close. Prices are also VERY fair. I highly recommend this business!

Fantastic experience: Great friendly staff. very helpful. huge selection.

Fantastic experience: The staff here are always helpful and polite. They didn't have a PS2 game in stock I wanted so they called the SW CR store for me so they'd hold it until the end of the day for me.

Fantastic experience: We stop in every so often to check the card singles. The staff is always really nice and helpful in letting us go through the different binders to look at the various cards in order to make sure we get the ones we want. They also have a great selection of video games and video game accessories.

Fantastic experience: Very friendly and helpful people. The attendant went out of his way to find the proper and best item for our needs.

Fantastic experience: Always love shopping here! Beyond better than Gamestop. I hope they expand a bit so more areas can enjoy.

Positive experience: Their selection may be limited, but this store is always a good place to stop. I also like that they can find out what other stores might have in stock. Great little local chain.

Fantastic experience: Manager’s a great guy, along with all the employees. Favorite game store in the area, and not price-gouging like another store in the area is right now.

Fantastic experience: Very helpful nice associates. Clean organized store. Good prices.

Fantastic experience: I always find something I want in this store! Lots of great items to choose from and a very helpful/knowledgeable staff.

Fantastic experience: Always a good selection, knowledgeable staff, good pricing.

Fantastic experience: Always helpful people. Don't see something? Ask and they will find out for you.

Fantastic experience: It's a game head's paradise unfortunately I'm not sure about the used selection of video games for PS4 it appears online shopping is at an advantage.

Fantastic experience: All the workers here are always super nice and patient. Willing to refund and credit for any possible broken games n stuff when I've had any problems, and a decent selection of used/new games! Definitly better than gamestop.

Fantastic experience: Games for systems dating back to PS2 and even found action figures for cheap! Love taking the kids here to find family games. Staff is helpful. Go here before buying new.

Positive experience: The selection of games was good, and the check out worker was friendly.

Fantastic experience: Better and friendlier than GameStop. I always stop by when I’m in the area and they ask how my Pokémon game collection is coming along as I have been buying a majority of my Pokémon games there. Bought a DSLite in perfect working condition and had no issue with any of the games.

Fantastic experience: I always love Video Games Etc. They are always so informative, happy to help, and super friendly.

Fantastic experience: Great store, love the retro games and its awesome that they have Pokémon singles and packs.