Console classics

RATHDRUM - People hold on to a love for the classics, Robert Farrell has noticed, and not just with books and cars.

Video games, too.

"The older generation, they like to be able to play the older games they grew up with, that normally they can't find," Farrell said.

Well, the older generation of video game players, at least.

That's why the products in Farrell's new Rathdrum business, Video Game Entertainment, include not only the flashy new game consoles seen on effervescent commercials, but every other game system that has been produced since Nintendo became a household name.

That includes Sega, Atari, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64 and the original Nintendo.

And all the games that go with them. Like racing games, for instance, and the entire chronicle of Mario's escapades.

"Parents like to have the cartridge games and the PS2 (PlayStation 2) games, because they originally bought (the older systems) for their older children and then pass them on to their younger children," Farrell said. "Being able to find games for that is impossible, so having this around for them is quite a relief."

Customers can buy, sell or trade products at Farrell's business at 15580 N. Vera St., which opened on Feb. 15.

The store also repairs old game systems, Farrell said.

The entrepreneur, who had to shut down his original video game store in Newport, Wash., after his twins were born, chose to reopen it in his town of residence.

He admitted it's a bold venture, opening a new business in the midst of a dour economy.

Farrell sees it as an investment that will hopefully send his six kids - all currently under 8 years old - to college, he said. He works another job at Center Partners in the morning, which is helping fund his enterprise.

"It isn't something that I'm going to get rich at," he conceded of his video game store. "This is something that is going to provide a decent livelihood that I can control, so as long as they keep making systems and making games, I will always be in business."

Farrell doesn't have much time for video games himself, he said. But he tries to play maybe an hour or so a day as quality time with his family.

His customers say they are drawn to video games for the graphics, the music and the story lines the games offer, he noted.

"Their minds are so busy all the time, they need something that is constantly stimulating them," he said.

Older consoles at Video Game Entertainment start around $50, he said. Newer systems like the Wii and PlayStation 3 range roughly from $160 to $300.

Games start at $1.99 and go up from there, depending on their age and rarity.

The store is open from 2-7 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays; from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; and from noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

Farrell hopes that if the store is successful, he can open a chain of stores across the county, he added.

"It's a really good opportunity for us to support our community," he said.