By VINCE REMBULAT
209 staff reporter
STOCKTON – Playing video games aren’t just for kids.
As owner of Games Etc. Video Games, Liem Tran has seen all sorts come into business at Lincoln Center, 6521 Pacific Ave.
“Everybody plays video games – children, teenagers, and older people,” he said.
For the latter, Tran refers to folks in their 60s, 70s and even 80s. “I have kids come in here to buy a video game for a grandparent,” he added.
Studies show that video games are becoming a big hit for Baby Boomers and beyond, and for good reason.
For example, the interactive Nintendo Wii featuring golf and bowling games can keep the elderly active in both mind and body.
More importantly, they enjoy it, according to Tran.
Games Etc. is one of the few locally owned video retailers in this part of the 209. He opened the store some eight years ago about few blocks away at about the same when the economy was coming out of a down turn.
Tran had the business know-how to getting things done while keeping the customer in mind.
At Games Etc., he provided a place for customers to buy, sell, trade, receive repairs, and enter tournaments.
“We have fun tournaments such as Smash Brothers and some of the fighting games (videos),” said Tran, who stayed at that original location for the first two years.
Gaming tournaments have been ongoing since he kicked off the business.
Tran was offered a prime spot in Lincoln Center next door Dad’s Dogs and Trader Joe’s. He couldn’t ask for a better spot, especially with such events such as Lincoln Live – the car show in August is usually means a good time at Games Etc. – during the summer months and Santa & Holiday Fun in December.
“Lincoln Center is the best,” Tran added. “Those involved really know how to take care of the business owners.”
With plenty of foot traffic and parking, Games Etc. had twice the space of the original place, and is currently getting ready to branch out with the family gaming room scheduled to open in February.
Tran said the family gaming room will be available for private parties, where gamers can indulge in private tournaments.
The shelves in his business are stocked games for the various game systems, both the latest and retro.
“The older games are more about entertainment,” Tran said. “They’re also nostalgic and bring back memories.”
Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros, Galaga, Tetris, Frogger, Pac Man and Mrs. Pac Man come to mind when he talks about the classics.
As for the new games, Games Etc. offers the following titles – LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, infamous Second Son, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Grand Theft Auto V, Minecraft, Battlefield, NBA 2K14, Call of Duty: Ghosts, and Titanfall, to name a few.
Games Etc. has thousands of titles available for rent and play for all major systems, and is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information, call 209.474.9690.
To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, email vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.