If you're a gamer with an appreciation for the classics, you might be familiar with CeX, a high street retailer that has carved a niche for itself in the retro gaming market. CeX, short for Complete Entertainment eXchange, started in 1992 near London's Tottenham Court Road, focusing on PC components and imported games. With 388 stores globally, CeX offers a treasure trove of vintage games and has become a go-to destination for gamers on the hunt for nostalgia.
Once heralding an era of an import gamers' haven, CeX has evolved over the years. From hosting Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker's early advertisements to now having franchised stores worldwide, CeX's journey has been as colorful as the retro gaming industry itself. Some of its stores, like the one in Whitfield Street, London, were visited by gaming celebrities like Hideo Kojima, further cementing its reputation.
However, with great visibility comes great responsibility, and not everyone is smitten with CeX. Social media often buzzes with stories of overpriced retro games and tales of products arriving in dismal states—missing instructions, torn covers, and poor overall conditions. This can be especially frustrating for collectors who value the visual and physical integrity of retro games just as much as the gameplay.
Delving into the buying process at CeX, customers are invited to explore a world where 'mint', 'boxed', and 'loose' games present a spectrum of conditions and degrees of completeness. For those who cherish their game collections, landing a 'mint' condition game from CeX is the ideal score—it's the closest guarantee of acquiring a retro game in top-notch shape. In contrast, choosing a 'boxed' game is essentially rolling the dice. CeX defines a 'boxed' game literally as a game that comes in a box, with no promises of a manual or original cover art, which can be frustrating for purists. Then, there are 'loose' games, primarily cartridges sold without any packaging, thrusting buyers into a guessing game regarding the state of the game label itself.
Not all is lost, though. CeX offers a 24-month warranty on its products, granting some peace of mind. Additionally, online purchases can be returned within 14 days based on standard UK 'distance selling' rules. Despite these guarantees, the element of uncertainty when ordering online remains a sticking point for many—a fact that has earned CeX both loyalty and criticism amongst the gaming community.
Sharing a personal shopping experience, I decided to put CeX's services to the test. I ordered a collection of Neo Geo Pocket games in both 'mint' and 'boxed' conditions. Surprisingly, even the 'boxed' condition games turned up in stellar condition, with only slight signs of wear. This was a welcome result, considering the significant investment involved in such rare titles. Sadly, it was a different story with my purchase of Metal Slug: 2nd Mission. At a high price, it arrived with a photocopied cover and missing manual, prompting a necessary return and a subsequent wait for a truly 'mint' edition.
The retro game hunt took a further interesting turn with classics like Terranigma for the SNES and Treasure's Alien Soldier for Genesis/Mega Drive. These games, despite being listed in 'boxed' condition for considerable prices, came with considerable wear and tear, missing manuals, and battered cases. For many diehard collectors, this would be viewed as unacceptable by any standard. Yet given the rarity of such games, I decided to accept the conditions and add them to my collection, albeit reluctantly.
From my experiences and the wider consumer feedback, it's clear that CeX occupies an influential role in the retro game market. However, it also becomes apparent that CeX could serve its customers better. Introducing a more detailed grading system or clearer descriptions of what 'boxed' truly means could alleviate much of the confusion and disappointment that currently surrounds online orders. It's crucial for CeX to ensure that its stock is authentically described and reasonably priced to honor its responsibility as a high-profile retro retailer.
While usage of CeX carries an inherent gamble when it comes to retro gaming purchases, it's balanced by moments of joy when a sought-after, pristine game is finally in hand. The CeX experience is a mixed bag—a patchwork of chance, excitement, and sometimes, frustration. Whether it’s a treasure hunt or a cautionary tale, browsing through CeX's retro collection is always an adventure—an ode to the endless love affair between gamers and the games of yesteryear.
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