Asgard Games, 5016 Kirby, Houston, TX 77005
http://www.asgardgames.net/
Hours
Monday: 12pm – 9pm
Tuesday: 12am – 9pm
Wednesday: 12pm – 9pm
Thursday: 12pm – 9pm
Friday: 12pm – 11pm
Saturday: 11am – 10pm
Sunday: 12pm – 6pm
Email:
info@asgardgames.net
713-677-0699
Just my 2 cp.
They have supplied our gaming group a place to play for almost 2 years.
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I will be in Houston for a couple days starting tomorrow afternoon. If there were one game shop in Houston that was a must-visit, which would it be?
Tam
Depends on what you are looking for.
I'm no expert, but Asgard has been a good supporter - their selection of minis (mostly warhammer) is huge, and they have a great selection of board games and collectible card games. Tabletop rpgs are not their focus, however.
Nan's has a lot more stuff, and I've heard the staff has seen a marked improvement lately (I've had poor experiences...but they have the best selection near me).
Fat Ogre is farther north. They've got a pretty wide selection too, a bit smaller than Nan's.
I'm sure there are others too. those are the ones I have visited in the area, however.
Midnight Comics & Games at Highway 6 was Derek's favorite, but I think he mentioned elsewhere that it was either closed now or had moved; one online review says they're at Westheimer and Highway 6 in the Walgreen's parking lot next to the mattress firm, as of 7/27/10. Dunno.
I usually go to Fat Ogre, and have heard good things about Midnight Comics and Asgard games. I dislike Nan's. I guess it's about which part of Houston you'll be in (it's a sprawling city after all).
I generally deeply dislike Nan's due to my experience. I asked the worker there to ring me up (I had approximately $90 in products). It took him 30 minutes to break away from the game he was playing, meanwhile the other customer and I waited. I only stuck around long enough to let him know I was taking my business elsewhere. I have also heard from numerous friends that I have met to play their that the owner has a severe drinking problem. He hits on peoples girlfriends/wives with unwanted advances, picks fights with guys that ask him to back off, and acts obnoxious and generally disrespectful. I've also heard horror stories that I will not disclose here. :\
It is between Buffalo Speedway and Kirby on the southbound service road.
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And, because all civil engineers are insane, the southbound feeder actually heads west.
:(
Eh, 59 flattens out (on the east/west axis) going through downtown and was forced by existing buildings and whatnot to stay on that axis until Chimney Rock. Most of the highway does go northeast to southwest, outside the 610 Loop on both sides.
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Having spent a LOT of time in all of the mentioned LGS's, I have to put a plug in for Rob at Fat Ogre. It's up in The Woodlands, so may be a bit out of reach, but it is by far the all around best and friendliest (and cleanest/professionally presented) game store in town.
Asgard is a nice store and the guys are great, but the selection isn't very big. Lots of wargaming stuff and a decent selection of board games, but RPGs, not so much. The do carry some Pathfinder and a few other games, but it all fits on a single bookshelf. The kind you would buy for home.
Nan's has the largest selection, by far. RPGs, boardgames, wargames, and a whole slew of other 'stuff'. But, as has been mentioned, the personnel are not the greatest. It may be worth noting that the last few months I have not seen the guys that were the biggest problems. The rude un-helpful jerks seem to be gone, I was even been asked if I could be helped on a recent visit! Can't comment on the rest of Kakarasa's comments, as I haven't seen them happen, but I can't say it would surprise me either... So.
Third Planet is a great place. The focus is mostly on comics and collectibles, but the do have a decent selection of RPGs in the back of the store. If Dave is in, ask him about Robert E. Howard. He's an encyclopedia. And claims to own one of the largest collections of Howard books around. (I have no reason to doubt him, but haven't seen it myself.)
Midnight is nice. Decent selection, friendly owner. I haven't heard about it being closed, but it's been awhile since I went out that way, so it's possible.
So. If you want the best all around FLGS experiance in Houston, make your way out to Fat Ogre. If you want wide selection, go to Nan's. If you want a good balance of friendly and selection Third Planet or Midnight. Regretfully, I can only recommend Asgard if you just want to deal with wargames or friendly conversation. (And of course, if you are able to come to Asgard on Sunday, you will likely find Jess, Silverhair and myself in the back room with our Kingmaker group.)