“Electronics Bye-tique“
When I was a young boy, my father took me into the city. To see a gaming store. I knew the day would come when I’d get to use ‘Welcome To The Black Parade’ by My Chemical Romance as an introduction. But I didn’t think it would be about Central Park Interactive.
Wait. Sorry. The Gamesman.
No, that’s wrong too. Unfortunately, the latest piece in the daisy chain of lost gaming retailers is EB Games; A stalwart of Aotearoa for over 25 years. A momentous effort if you ask me. Before we jump into the how’s, why’s and huh’s of its demise, let’s look back at where it came from. Because now we know how it ends.
It’s 1977. The Philadelphia chain, Electronics Boutique, sold calculators, radios and digital watches before pivoting towards sales of computers and software products. In the mid-90s, Electronics Boutique became a video games retailer, which managed to expand internationally across Canada, Europe and Australia. But what about New Zealand? Oh don’t worry nugget, it’s coming.
Enter Babbage’s.
A Dallas, Texas–based software retailer, Babbage’s would grow and eventually merge with Software Etc., an Edina, Minnesota-based retailer that specialized in personal computing software. This would lead to the creation of the NeoStar Retail Group in 1994. Sales would eventually decline by 1996, forcing the sale of NeoStar which would be dissolved into a new holding company named Babbage’s Etc. This is all part of the story of EB, we’re getting there I promise.
In 1999, Babbage’s Etc. launched the GameStop brand with 30 stores and its website allowing consumers to purchase video games online. Later that year, Barnes & Noble (yes, that one) purchases Babbage’s Etc. And then a few months later in 2000, they acquire Funco, another successful American video games retailer. Babbage’s Etc. would then become a subsidiary of Funco. Along with this acquisition, they also now own the popular video games magazine, Game Informer. Once all of these deals are done, Funco is then renamed to:
GameStop, Inc.
5 years later, as the brand grew, expansion was on the horizon. And in 2005, GameStop honed in on the now named ‘EB Games’. The ’boutique’ moniker dropped around the same time GameStop came to life. With this, they gained access to three major territories I’ve already mentioned if you’ve been paying attention. Canada. Australia. And…
New Zealand.
While EB Games opened it’s first store on our shores in 2000, it wouldn’t be until 2008 when we would see complete market domination. That’s because at this time, GameStop, Inc. purchased The Gamesman. Call me ‘True Detective’ with the way time is a circle. The acquisition added eight stores and expanded EB Games’ overall presence on our shores to a grand total of 38 stores. The amount of stores which will close by the end of January, 2026.
If the proposal were to proceed, it would mean that all roles within EB Games New Zealand would be disestablished.”
Shane Stockwell, Managing Director EB Games Australia (Source: RNZ)
This was one quote from the many articles which went live on the 6th of January, 2026. Both the online and physical stores were already in the throes of another EB sale when this news was released. Mind you, it was a sufficient sales discount too, but I digress.
“This proposal is not final, and no decision will be made until we have completed a full consultation process in good faith with affected team members.
This proposal includes the closure of all remaining EB Games New Zealand stores and the New Zealand Distribution Centre.”
9 days later, and the truth is laid bare. EB Games New Zealand was already on the rocks. And the plug has been pulled. During this 9 day standdown, there was some interesting news that came to light. Matter of fact, it dropped just after the announcement of this proposal for NZ stores.
GameStop unveils $35 billion pay plan for CEO Cohen tied to lofty targets.”
Reuters (Source)
My friends often comment that a favorite response of mine has become “CAPITALISM BABY”. And while it may rebuke many things, it is also very clearly the case here. While GameStop’s package for Cohen is divided into nine tranches, with each tranche being eligible to vest after a specific goal, it is also presumably the reason for not only the shutdown of the 38 stores in New Zealand, but also 470 stores in America. How? Why? Huh??
CAPITALISM BABY!
While many will argue it was EB’s expansion into ZING! which killed it, it was already losing the battle. Digital sales have been climbing year on year, which has been slowly killing the traditional retailer space.
With the little wiggle room they had left, EBNZ had attempted to move into the retro gaming space. Perhaps in a move to replicate their American brethren, but to also take a bite out of the powerful consumer bug known as ‘nostalgia’. Yet, a market already filled by the likes of TradeMe, Cash Converters and Facebook Marketplace, it was no doubt ‘too little, too late’ and offered no long-term benefit for them.
So go on and blame your Labubu’s, Funko Pop! and your 6-7’s. But EB Games New Zealand was lost to the shackles of end-stage capitalism, digital storefronts, and your mate’s mates mate who kept his Dreamcast in pristine condition for…
well. 25 years.
So here’s to you EB Games New Zealand.
In your final days, your shops are filled with fans. Your stock is flying off the shelves and you are being celebrated, because you will be missed. Be it missteps of the region or the parent company, you always did your best for the gamers. While inflation meant the good times were gone, the majority will remember the bargains we could get from trading our old games in, so we could get the latest title in our grasp.
Maybe one day you’ll be back. But for now, when we see your empty storefronts come the end of the month; We’ll look back fondly and say:
“EB must have a sale on.”
