Credit: Alex Cutler
Credit: Alex Cutler
Personally, I was most excited by a kiosk located near the front desk where guests could play GameCube games.
This machine, while worn by decades of usage, bears a striking resemblance to kiosks found in various McDonald’s locations in the late ’90s and early ’00s. While I could not play the Spyro the Dragon game I distinctly remember trying at my local McDonald’s, I could play Super Smash Brothers Melee, which would probably be seen as an improvement to everyone aside from my inner child.
Credit: Alex Cutler
Credit: Alex Cutler
After having my own personal blast from the past, I met with the owner of Game Cycle, Eric Beason, to talk with him about the store and its history.
“We actually just had our 10-year anniversary, and it was previously a Video Outlet for 15 years before that,” said Beason. “So for about the last 25 years, its pretty much been a video game, DVD and media store.”
After the video rental store closed, Beason gave the shop an overhaul before reopening. One of the biggest changes he made was the addition of an arcade, a place with personal value to him.
Credit: Alex Cutler
Credit: Alex Cutler
“Me and my dad would play pinball machines, you know, back in the ‘90s.” said Beason. “That’s kinda all we had around there, and we’d grab our quarters and go down there. Me and my dad would play a lot, we did it on a weekly basis.”
“Then he passed away 17 years ago and from then on, I always wanted to open something like this so that I could kind of bring back arcades and pinballs to the community, and then just to kind of remember my dad too, because it’s part of my childhood.” said Beason.
Credit: Alex Cutler
Credit: Alex Cutler
Over the past decade, Beason and his team have expanded the arcade to include approximately 90 cabinets and pinball machines. I was impressed to find many classic arcade games I haven’t seen elsewhere in the Dayton area, including several Donkey Kong games, Frogger, Mortal Kombat and more.
There were also a number of pinball machines, based on everything from Elvira to Roller Coaster Tycoon and even “The Mandalorian.”
Credit: Alex Cutler
Credit: Alex Cutler
After my time at the arcade, I finally checked out the retro games the store had for sale. I found games for nearly every console and handheld I could think of. A shelf with the latest PlayStation 5 games was just a few feet away from one with dozens of games for the original PlayStation.
Credit: Alex Cutler
Credit: Alex Cutler
I saw games for every Nintendo system, from the NES to the Nintendo Switch. There were even games for more obscure consoles like the Sega Master System and Sega Saturn, the latter being an infamous console for which to collect.
I also noticed a fair amount of rare and limited edition copies of games. This includes several boxed copies of Pokémon games, Mega Man 6 and Marvel vs. Capcom 2.
Credit: Alex Cutler
Credit: Alex Cutler
There were also countless consoles, controllers, accessories and other gaming-related items available. The store also had several systems set up for guests to play, including a SNES and the aforementioned McDonald’s GameCube station.
Credit: Alex Cutler
Credit: Alex Cutler
In the past several years, retro gaming as a whole has become more popular than ever, and Beason and his staff have seen this change firsthand.
“Trying to keep up with stock right now is just next to impossible,” said Beason. “We’re doing basically anything we can do right now to get the inventory because it’s just so hard to find anymore.”
This store has also become a travel destination for collectors, with some taking “five to six hours drives sometimes just to come here.” said Beason.
Alongside the games and consoles, the store sells other collectibles, notably DVDs, Blu-Rays and records.
“We’re doing all music, we’re doing DVDs, Blu Rays, video games, basically anything under the collectible field.” said Beason.
Credit: Alex Cutler
Credit: Alex Cutler
While the Blu-Ray and DVD sections are not as large as its gaming library, I was still able to find a number of iconic movies and tv shows. The same applies to the record and music collection, as there were many classic albums available, especially in the rock genre.
Credit: Alex Cutler
Credit: Alex Cutler
“Save Point” is a Dayton Daily News blog/column by Reporter Alex Cutler about gaming and local entertainment. Email him at alex.cutler@coxinc.com.
HOW TO GO
What: Game Cycle
Where: 1300 St. Paris Road, Springfield
Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday
More info: facebook.com/springfieldgamecycle
Save Point: Have a gaming or entertainment place for blogger Alex Cutler to check out? Email alex.cutler@coxinc.com to tell him about it.
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