We all know that most major chains suck when it comes to games. Big electronic stores are unlikely to have titles that the hardcore really demand, and places like GameStop do plenty to shortchange customers, the industry, and even their own employees.

When you're involved with a hobby like hardcore gaming, small business is often the best way to go. With local game stores, the owners will be more passionate about games, there'll be a better selection of used games for older systems, you can develop a better rapport with the staff and owners (and hence, they'll know what you like), and you can even find those rare items and imports. For instance, a trip to my local store, Yo! Games, produced this:



Luckily, Yo! Games is located in a shopping center that is frequented by the local Japanese population (most of who moved here thanks to the Honda plant in Marysville) that also hosts a grocery and an import book/gift shop. In fact, a recent pile of trade-ins contained many of the Japanese 16-Bit Final Fantasy ports and other SquareSoft titles for the PSX and even a sealed copy of the original Final Fantasy III for the Famicom.

Along with import software, Yo! Games also helps out on the hardware side. One local arcade stick maker frequents them for parts. There's also a good selection of collectibles and DVDs of Japanese and Korean films and TV dramas.

You know what, I want to challenge the Destructoid community. If there's a locally owned game store that you frequently shop at, write about it in your D-Toid Blog. It's good to help small businesses. Do your part.