Month: August 2025

Discover GameBuster: Antwerp’s Retro Gaming Treasure

If you’re a retro game collector passing through Antwerp, there’s one spot you absolutely shouldn’t miss: GameBuster. Nestled in the Theaterbuurt district at Bervoetstraat 40, this unassuming shop is a hidden gem for anyone with a passion for classic titles and gaming nostalgia. As it wasn’t my first visit there, I wanted to do a small review for the shop.

First Impressions

GameBuster doesn’t rely on flashy marketing or a sleek online presence — in fact, it has no official website or webshop, at least I couldn’t find it. You’ll find it listed on local directories like apen.be and cylex-belgie.be, but the real experience begins when you walk through the door. I leave the google maps adress here: Google Maps

The store has a distinctly retro atmosphere: shelves packed with games, consoles, and accessories from decades past and not only that, it has also a lot of DVDs and music CDs / LPs, with just enough clutter to make browsing feel like a treasure hunt. It’s the kind of place where every corner might hide a rare find. The owner is friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the hobby — and the pricing is refreshingly fair, especially considering the rarities on offer.

What’s in the Collection?

GameBuster’s selection spans multiple generations, from SNES to PS4. During my visit, I picked up five standout games that any collector would be proud to own and they were still missing in my collection:

  • EverQuest – Online Adventures (PS2)
    A pioneering MMORPG for consoles, this title is a fascinating snapshot of early online gaming on the PlayStation 2.
  • Tomb Raider – The Angel of Darkness (PS2)
    A darker, more narrative-driven entry in the Tomb Raider series. Though divisive at launch, it’s a unique chapter in Lara Croft’s legacy.
  • Tales of Eternia (PSP)
    Known as Tales of Destiny II in some regions, this JRPG combines charming anime visuals with a classic action battle system — a must-have for fans of the Tales franchise.
  • Grandia (PSX)
    A beloved PlayStation-era RPG, celebrated for its innovative combat, heartfelt story, and enduring charm.
  • The Legend of Heroes – Trails in the Sky (PSP)
    The beginning of a legendary saga. Deep storytelling, rich world-building, and memorable characters make this a cornerstone of narrative-driven RPGs.

Final Verdict

GameBuster is more than just a retro game store — it’s a nostalgic experience. Whether you’re hunting for a specific title or simply enjoy browsing shelves filled with gaming, movie or music history, this shop delivers. The combination of fair pricing, a welcoming atmosphere, and a well-curated selection makes it a must-visit for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Rating: ★★★★☆
Pros: Great selection, fair prices, friendly owner, authentic retro vibe
Cons: No online shop, limited visibility

If you’re in Antwerp and your heart beats for classic games, movies or music, make sure to stop by GameBuster. You might just walk out with a piece of history under your arm.

GOG.com – The Unsung Hero of Game Preservation

Let’s face it: in gaming, everything moves fast. New consoles, photorealistic graphics, massive online worlds—it’s easy to get caught up in the latest and greatest. But what about the games we grew up with? The ones that shaped us, challenged us, and made us fall in love with gaming in the first place?

Well, while most of the industry charges ahead, there’s one platform quietly doing something incredibly important: GOG.com is saving old games from being forgotten.

🎮 What Is GOG.com?

GOG stands for “Good Old Games,” and that’s exactly what it started out offering—classics from the golden age of PC gaming, all fixed up to run smoothly on modern computers. But over time, GOG became more than just a nostalgia machine. Today, it’s one of the few platforms truly committed to game preservation.

And here’s the kicker: all their games are DRM-free. That means no annoying launchers, no always-online nonsense. You buy it? It’s yours. Forever.

🛠️ Bringing the Dead Back to Life (Digitally Speaking)

A lot of games from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and early 2000s just… stopped working. Newer operating systems broke them. Publishers vanished. CDs got scratched. But instead of letting those titles disappear into the void, GOG steps in and revives them.

We’re talking about:

  • Restoring compatibility for modern Windows, macOS, and even Linux
  • Using tools like DOSBox and ScummVM to emulate old systems
  • Fixing bugs and adding support for higher resolutions
  • Including cool extras like manuals, soundtracks, and wallpapers

Games like Blade Runner (1997), Diablo, Theme Hospital, Planescape: Torment—they’re all alive again thanks to GOG. It’s like digital archaeology… but way more fun.

🧩 Why Game Preservation Actually Matters

Imagine trying to watch a movie from the ‘80s, but you need a TV from that decade, a VHS player, and a remote that doesn’t exist anymore. That’s gaming without platforms like GOG.

Games are art, they’re culture, and they’re history. But unlike books or films, games are deeply tied to specific hardware, software, and protections. If no one preserves them, they’re gone. Forever.

GOG is one of the few places that takes that responsibility seriously. They make sure future generations can experience the same magic we did—with less hassle and more heart.

🔓 You Own It. Really.

We live in a world where you “buy” a game, but still need an internet connection, a launcher, or someone else’s permission to play it. GOG said: nah.

Everything on GOG is DRM-free. You download it, you back it up, and you play it wherever and whenever you want. Even offline. Even in 10 years. It’s gaming on your terms.

🌟 Not Just Old Games

Yes, GOG is best known for retro gems—but they also have modern indie hits, a carefully curated selection of newer titles, and even some AAA games. What makes GOG different is that it doesn’t try to be a giant digital warehouse. It feels more like a handpicked collection, where every game has earned its spot.

🌍 A Passionate Community

The GOG community is part of what makes it special. People share fixes, patches, mods, and recommendations. They help each other get old games running or find hidden gems. It feels less like a store and more like a digital club of game lovers who care about preserving something special.

🚀 Why GOG Matters More Than Ever

Today, physical game copies are vanishing, online requirements are everywhere, and platforms are shutting down left and right. If no one takes care of older games, they disappear. And once they’re gone, they’re really gone.

GOG is one of the few holding the line—restoring what’s been lost, preserving what’s at risk, and reminding us that some games never go out of style.

So the next time you’re feeling nostalgic, or just want to support something meaningful in the gaming world, check out GOG. You might just find an old favorite—or discover something new with a soul.