Game is one of the most popular merchants of various electronics, household appliances, and gaming products in South Africa. They’re a well-established company that’s been operating in the country since 1970.

This shop is actually part of the Massmart group, which is owned by Walmart, one of the largest retailers in the world. But the first thing that impressed us is the business’ growth over the years – presently, they have more than 100 stores across the country!

Game’s product range includes a wide selection of games, consoles, accessories, electronics, and household appliances, such as fridges, washing machines, and small kitchen appliances.

One of the features we love about this store is its quality products at affordable prices. The company’s price-beat policy guarantees that if a customer finds a lower price on a product at another retailer, Game will beat that price by 10%.

They also give out discounts for selected items, which feature several products at a time. 

In addition to its brick-and-mortar stores, Game also has an online store, which we love, as it allows customers to browse and purchase products from the comfort of their own homes.

Game also delivers orders nationwide, although there are multiple complaints about repeated delays, which can be an inconvenience.

Also, take into consideration that the store is highly in-demand and as a result, it’s not surprising to find very long lines at the cashiers, especially when there are popular item releases.

Games And Gizmos is another popular distributor of a wide range of video games, consoles, and gaming accessories. 

The first reason why we selected this store is because they offer a variety of products from different platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and PC, giving customers many options to choose from.

They’re also updated with the latest releases for games as well as consoles, which is awesome. Many of the veteran gamers in the area also recommend this store for newbies.

Another of our favourite features of this store is they’re a full-service shop. We love how they also provide value-added services such as game repairs, console upgrades, and system cleaning.

We also appreciate how Games And Gizmos strives to offer their customers competitive prices and a great shopping experience. They’re well-staffed with a team of passionate and knowledgeable staff, who are often complimented for being accommodating. 

It’s also a plus for us how Games And Gizmos has an online store where customers can purchase their products and have them delivered to their doorstep. They deliver nationwide and it’s free for those who have a total expense above R 499.

We noticed some customers found it difficult to use their online shop, though. We’re told some orders don’t get processed despite already being paid, which is a hassle for customers. 

Some of their previous customers also find their prices higher than their competitors. We suggest looking out for big discounts to score great deals.

Nexus Hub is a gaming and hobby store that caters to a wide range of interests, including board games, trading card games, miniatures, and video games. They’re one of the most- and highest-rated video game stores in Johannesburg.

One feature that makes this store popular is its efforts in community-building, which we love. In addition to selling products, Nexus Hub also hosts a variety of events, including gaming tournaments, cosplay events, and workshops.

They also have gaming tables available for rent, and customers can enjoy playing games on-site with friends and other community members.

They’re widely preferred for their well-stocked inventory and because they’re always updated with the latest game releases. Although, it’s worth mentioning that there are a handful of grievances regarding the store’s faulty pre-order system.

Apparently, some customers were not given slots despite paying for the downpayment for the item they’re pre-ordering. 

In addition, there are instances where Nexus Hub decide not to push through with pre-orders weeks after the announcement and many customers already paid for the item, which can be disappointing.

Nexus Hub has a friendly and knowledgeable staff that is passionate about gaming and hobby culture. 

We appreciate how eager they are to offer advice and assistance to customers looking for specific products or who want to learn more about a particular game or console. 

However, it’s also worth noting that their customer service can be inconsistent as there are complaints about the staff being unattentive and even snobbish towards some customers.

If you’re a true gaming weeb, you’d know BT Games. They’re a well-established company that boasts over 20 years of experience in the business. 

This store has 18 branches nationwide, which we find convenient. 

We liked that they offer a large choice of video game products, including the latest video games, consoles, and accessories. Numerous well-known console manufacturers, including PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo, are represented at BT Games.

They also offer a selection of PC games and old-fashioned gaming products, making them an ideal store for those who just started gaming. 

BT Games also has an online store live on their website, which is a big plus for us as it makes shopping convenient for customers. 

Some find their selection of games lacking compared to other stores though, but nonetheless, we think they’re worth the shot.

Also, we appreciate the fact that they offer free delivery on purchases over a specific amount and offers a number of payment alternatives, including credit cards, EFT, and MobiCred.

Another feature we love about BT Games is their regular discounts and price markdown for selected gaming products. They regularly post announcements on their website so we suggest keeping an eye out for big sales.

We do have some issues with the store’s negligence in following the policy on product exchange and refunds, though. Some of their previous customers complain how dealing with the staff to get a refund can be a pain in the butt, which isn’t ideal.

Last but definitely not least, we have Koodoo, a gaming retailer that was founded in 2012. They’re born out of two companies which are Gamefinity and Filmfinity.

Gamefinity is actually the sole distributor of Sony PlayStation consoles and peripherals in South Africa in the early 90’s. But to keep up with modern times, they decided to focus on online retail, giving birth to Koodoo.

It’s also awesome how the company has received praise from local gaming communities for its contribution to the South African gaming sector and its participation in gaming competitions and events.

They feature a wide range of gaming products, including consoles from major brands like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, as well as games for these consoles and PC games. 

Koodoo also offers a variety of accessories in addition to gaming consoles, including controllers, headsets, and gaming chairs.

As expected from an online distributor, they have an updated and easy-to-use online shop found on their website. Customers have to make an account and just add items to their cart, which will be delivered to their addresses.

They also have a loyalty programme called Koodoo Rewards, which allows customers to earn points for their purchases and redeem them for discounts on future orders.

Koodoo offers free nationwide delivery to customers with orders amounting to more than R 450. If you don’t reach the minimum amount, the base delivery fee is R 70, which isn’t bad.

A number of their previous customer had trouble with Koodoo’s partner courier though, stating how orders can be delayed for weeks, which is disheartening.

On top of that, there are multiple complaints about Koodoo’s inactivity in giving out updates regarding pre-ordered items. This can be a source of anxiety for avid gamers who like to keep updated with the latest releases.