The Video Game Company is a Canadian-based online retailer specializing in the niche market of retro video games, consoles, and gaming memorabilia. Operating out of Edmonton, Alberta, since 2019, this e-commerce business has carved out a significant presence in the digital space, particularly through viral marketing on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Unlike massive corporations that focus on current-gen hardware, this specific entity targets the nostalgia of collectors seeking original Nintendo, Sega, PlayStation, and Xbox titles, often in premium or refurbished conditions.

For a retro enthusiast, finding a reliable source for hardware that is decades old can be a challenge. The Video Game Company positions itself as a curated alternative to the chaotic landscape of peer-to-peer marketplaces. However, as with any high-ticket vintage collectible business, potential buyers should analyze the company’s operational model, pricing structures, and community reputation before completing a transaction.

Understanding the Business Model of The Video Game Company

The core of The Video Game Company involves a "buy, sell, trade" cycle focused heavily on the 1980s through the early 2010s. Their inventory covers everything from the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) to the often-overlooked Nintendo Wii U. By centering their operations in Edmonton and shipping across North America, they have managed to transition from a local reseller to a prominent online storefront.

Their business model is heavily reliant on "curation." Unlike a local pawn shop or a random eBay listing, The Video Game Company invests heavily in the presentation of their products. This includes cleaning consoles, testing hardware for longevity, and in some cases, offering custom-modded handhelds. This "boutique" approach to retro gaming is designed to appeal to consumers who value convenience and aesthetic quality over the absolute lowest possible price point.

The Social Media Factor and Order Packing Content

One cannot discuss The Video Game Company without mentioning their social media strategy. They are widely recognized for their "watch us pack your order" videos. This content strategy serves multiple purposes:

  1. Transparency: It provides a behind-the-scenes look at the handling of delicate electronics.
  2. Community Engagement: By tagging customers or responding to specific order requests, they build a sense of community that large retailers like Amazon cannot replicate.
  3. Product Showcasing: Each video acts as a mini-commercial for the current inventory, showing the physical condition of boxes, cartridges, and accessories.

While these videos generate millions of views and drive significant traffic to their website, a savvy collector knows that social media popularity is not a substitute for rigorous quality control. The spectacle of packing an order is an effective marketing tool, but the real value lies in the performance of the console once it reaches the customer’s living room.

Analyzing the Retro Inventory and Specific Pricing

The inventory at The Video Game Company is vast and often contains high-value items that are difficult to find in standard retail environments. Based on recent market data and their own storefront listings, their catalog features a mix of "player-grade" items and high-end collector pieces.

High-End Collectibles and Graded Games

The company frequently stocks "Graded" games. For instance, a 9.9 A++ graded copy of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD for the Wii U has been listed at prices exceeding $1,500. This segment of the market is highly speculative. Grading involves a third-party service (such as Wata or VGA) assessing the physical condition of the seal and box. For the average gamer, these items are overpriced, but for the serious investor, they represent a tangible asset.

Custom Consoles and Modifications

One area where The Video Game Company excels is in the sale of custom-modded handhelds. A notable example is their "Custom Blastoise Backlit Handheld Console" (a modified Game Boy Color) priced around $288. In the current market, adding a modern IPS backlit screen to a 25-year-old Game Boy is a standard upgrade that significantly improves the playing experience. Buyers are essentially paying a premium for the labor and the parts involved in the modification.

Rare Console Bundles

The shop often lists rare variations of classic hardware. The "Microsoft Original OG Xbox Halo 2 Edition" in Ice Blue Clear is a prime example of a flagship item, sometimes priced as high as $1,701. These bundles usually include the original controllers and necessary cables, marketed as a "plug-and-play" experience for collectors who do not want to hunt for individual parts.

Is the Pricing Fair Compared to Peer-to-Peer Markets?

The most common criticism directed at The Video Game Company involves their pricing. When comparing their rates to eBay "Sold" listings or apps like Mercari, the prices at The Video Game Company are almost universally higher. For example, a loose copy of Mario Party 9 for the Wii might be listed between $79 and $99, whereas a lucky hunter might find it for $60 elsewhere.

However, the "Boutique Premium" is a real economic factor in the retro gaming industry. When buying from a dedicated company, you are theoretically paying for:

  • Testing and Verification: Ensuring the internal clock battery in a Pokémon Emerald cartridge is replaced.
  • Cleaning: Removing decades of dust and grime from console vents.
  • Customer Support: Having a point of contact if the disc drive fails within the first week.
  • Reduced Risk of Counterfeits: The market is currently flooded with fake GBA and DS cartridges from overseas. A reputable company acts as a filter to ensure customers receive authentic hardware.

Whether this premium is "worth it" depends entirely on the buyer’s technical skill. If you are comfortable opening a console to solder a new capacitor, you should shop on eBay. If you want a clean, working machine delivered to your door with a professional aesthetic, a curated shop is the intended route.

What is the Reputation of The Video Game Company?

Community sentiment regarding The Video Game Company is mixed, which is typical for any business operating in the high-stress world of vintage electronics.

Positive Feedback

Many customers praise the company for its fast shipping and the "unboxing experience." Because of their social media focus, they tend to pack items securely—a critical factor when shipping brittle plastic consoles from the 90s. Buyers who are less price-sensitive often report high satisfaction with the convenience of their "all-in-one" bundles.

Areas of Concern

Skeptics in the retro gaming community often point to the high markups. There have also been discussions in online forums regarding the specific condition of "refurbished" items. In the world of retro gaming, "refurbished" can mean anything from a quick wipe-down with isopropyl alcohol to a full motherboard recap.

Furthermore, the company has been compared to other high-profile retro stores that faced backlash for quality control issues. It is important for buyers to read the specific descriptions for each item. Does the listing say "Tested and Working" or "Sold As Is"? Is the photo a stock image or the actual unit you will receive? At The Video Game Company, many listings use price ranges (e.g., $17.00 – $59.00), which indicates that the final price depends on the condition (Loose vs. CIB).

Navigating the Challenges of Modern Retro Collecting

The rise of companies like The Video Game Company is a symptom of the "Retro Boom" that accelerated during 2020. As supply for original hardware dwindles and demand from nostalgic millennials increases, the market has shifted.

The Scarcity of 6th Generation Consoles

Currently, there is a massive surge in demand for the Nintendo GameCube and the original Xbox. Games like Spider-Man on the GameCube or Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City on Xbox 360 remain staples of the company's "Hot Picks." Because these consoles used disc-based media prone to "disc rot" or scratching, finding functional, high-quality copies is becoming increasingly expensive.

The Role of Grading and Speculation

The Video Game Company leans into the "Graded" market more than many local shops. This is a polarizing topic. Critics argue that grading games removes them from circulation and turns a hobby into a speculative bubble. Supporters argue it preserves the history of the medium. When you see a 9.8 A+ graded Wii game listed for nearly $2,000 at The Video Game Company, you are looking at an investment piece, not a game meant to be played.

What to Look For Before Making a Purchase

If you have decided to purchase from The Video Game Company, follow these steps to ensure a smooth experience:

  1. Check the Condition Tiers: Their website often lists a price range. Ensure you understand if the price you are paying is for a "Loose" (cartridge only) or "CIB" (Complete in Box) copy.
  2. Compare Against Market Averages: Use tools like PriceCharting to see the current market value of a game. If The Video Game Company is charging 40% more, ask yourself if the "curation" and "guarantee" are worth that specific dollar amount.
  3. Review Return Policies: Before buying a $300 custom Game Boy, know the window for returns. Retro electronics can fail due to shipping vibrations; you need to know if the company stands by their product.
  4. Scrutinize the Photos: For high-ticket items (over $200), look for actual photos of the item rather than stock photography. Check for yellowing on the plastic, scratches on the screen, or damage to the box corners.

How Does The Video Game Company Compare to Industry Giants?

It is easy to confuse "The Video Game Company" with a general term for industry giants like Sony or Nintendo. However, their roles are diametrically opposed.

  • Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo: These companies are focused on the future—SaaS, digital downloads, and 4K graphics. They view the retro market as a secondary "Legacy" service, often locked behind subscription models (like Nintendo Switch Online).
  • The Video Game Company: This is a preservationist and retail entity. They deal in physical media—the cartridges and discs that the giants are trying to phase out.

For the collector, a store like this provides something the "Big Three" cannot: the tactile experience of inserting a cartridge into a console and hearing the mechanical click of a power switch.

The Future of Retro Gaming Retail

The longevity of businesses like The Video Game Company depends on the finite supply of hardware. As years pass, fewer original NES or SNES consoles will be salvageable. This will likely push the company further into the "Premium Modding" space, where they take broken shells and install modern internals, or the "High-End Speculation" space, dealing only in sealed, graded units.

For now, they remain a prominent player for those who discover the hobby through TikTok. Their ability to make "packing a box" look like an event has given them a competitive edge in an industry that was previously dominated by dusty basements and cluttered swap meets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Video Game Company based in Canada?

Yes, the company is headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They ship their products throughout North America, and their pricing is often listed in either CAD or USD depending on your browser settings.

Why are the prices higher than eBay?

The Video Game Company operates as a curated boutique. The higher prices generally account for the costs of testing, cleaning, marketing, and the convenience of a centralized storefront with a unified return policy, which individual eBay sellers often lack.

Does The Video Game Company sell fake games?

As a professional retail entity, they claim to verify the authenticity of their inventory. In the retro market, distinguishing between an authentic Pokémon cartridge and a high-quality "repro" (reproduction) is a key part of their service. However, buyers should always inspect the PCB (printed circuit board) photos if available for high-value titles.

Can I sell my games to The Video Game Company?

Like most retro retailers, they do buy inventory from the public. However, sellers should expect to receive "wholesale" prices (typically 30-50% of market value) because the company must account for the overhead of refurbishment and resale.

How long does shipping take?

Shipping times vary based on location, but since they are based in Edmonton, Canadian customers often receive their items faster than those in the southern United States. They are known for using significant protective packaging, which is essential for vintage items.

Summary of the Collector's Outlook

The Video Game Company represents the modern face of the retro gaming industry: social-media-savvy, boutique-oriented, and unapologetically premium. For the casual gamer looking for a cheap way to play Super Mario World, there are more cost-effective methods, such as digital emulation or hunting at local garage sales. However, for the collector who values the "experience" of receiving a clean, tested, and beautifully packaged piece of history, The Video Game Company offers a streamlined service.

The key to a successful purchase is managing expectations. You are buying technology that was manufactured in a different era. By understanding the condition of the items, verifying market prices, and appreciating the labor involved in curation, buyers can decide if this Edmonton-based retailer fits their specific collecting needs. Whether it's a $1,700 Halo Xbox or a $15 copy of Mario Kart 7, The Video Game Company has proven that there is a massive, hungry market for the physical artifacts of gaming's past.