The Saturday Mall Gaming Run: Gone But Not Forgotten

[DarkWater]

Remember when malls actually had gaming stores? Musica, BT Games, CNA, demo discs, weekly deal booklets in the post. Wrote about that whole era and how quietly it all disappeared. Miss it more than I expected.

https://www.cartridgenostalgia.com/2026/07/the-saturday-mall-gaming-run-gone-but.html

 

[Lupus]

There is still a BT Games at Clearwater, Arcades at Cresta and Fourways mall (though Fourways is better). Musica, Phase 2 and Look and listen were for browsing and just listening to the latest music, this is sadly gone :-(.

 

[Goosfrabba]

I miss the window shopping at Look and Listen while waiting for the movie to start

 

[KantSnyer]

Entertainment comes too easily these days, all at your fingertips with little to no effort required.

Much harder to appreciate something that comes easy, it took effort back in the day and felt much more rewarding.

 

[dotdan]

View attachment 1926884

Remember when malls actually had gaming stores? Musica, BT Games, CNA, demo discs, weekly deal booklets in the post. Wrote about that whole era and how quietly it all disappeared. Miss it more than I expected.

https://www.cartridgenostalgia.com/2026/07/the-saturday-mall-gaming-run-gone-but.html

We often reminisce about those days. Up here in the east rand we used to do a similar run at East Rand Mall. There was also laser games back then which was a blast.

I walk through that mall now and it is just clothing shops, a few restaurants and banks. You don't go to the mall unless you really need something specific.

Back in those days, going to the mall, like you said, was a full day of exploring, having fun and turning around ever cent.

 

[Herr der Verboten]

There is still a BT Games at Clearwater, Arcades at Cresta and Fourways mall (though Fourways is better). Musica, Phase 2 and Look and listen were for browsing and just listening to the latest music, this is sadly gone :-(.

"Arcades" these days are hardly arcades in the real sense of it.

 

[Lupus]

"Arcades" these days are hardly arcades in the real sense of it.

Should go look at Fourways, even Galleria mall in Amanzimtoti isn't too bad.

 

[nulkoel]

View attachment 1926884

Remember when malls actually had gaming stores? Musica, BT Games, CNA, demo discs, weekly deal booklets in the post. Wrote about that whole era and how quietly it all disappeared. Miss it more than I expected.

https://www.cartridgenostalgia.com/2026/07/the-saturday-mall-gaming-run-gone-but.html

Used to have a similar Tyger Valley adventures with my fiancee, starting at Figure Fanatix across the road to pick up a comic, then dinner > CNA > Musica > BT Games > Bargain Books. Good times.

 

[AlphaJohn]

View attachment 1926884

This is why I have a 8bitdo Arcade Stick + Full Mame 2010 ROM set including CHD's

Can relive my childhood without the need for 100's of 20c.