If you're reading this, you probably found us online and wondered if we're actually legit or just another sketchy retro gaming site. Fair question - I'd be skeptical too.
I'm Brandon, the founder and owner of The Old School Game Vault. I've been buying and selling retro video games since 2008, and I'm writing this to address the questions I keep seeing on Reddit, in emails, and across gaming forums: "Is this company real?" "Are the reviews fake?" "Will I actually get what I ordered?"
Short answer: Yes, The Old School Game Vault is legit. But let me explain to you why ,instead of just saying it.
The Table of Contents
Why People Question Us (And Why That's Actually Smart)
I've noticed a few recurring concerns when people research us:
1. "The reviews seem too good to be true"
We have over 1,600 reviews with a 4.99-star rating across Google, Trustpilot, and BBB. I get why that raises eyebrows - in an industry where scams exist, perfect ratings look suspicious.
Here's the reality: We've been obsessive about customer service for 18 years. We respond to emails within hours, we authenticate every game, and if something goes wrong, we fix it immediately.
Our reviews are real because we've built our entire business on not screwing people over.
2. "The photos look old or blurry"
Trust me it's not on purpose, we upload thousands of photo's every week. Just ask us for a better photo, we are in the business to satisfy customers, not to frustrate them.
This one comes up a lot, especially for our inventory listings. Here's why: We photograph every single item that comes in. When you buy a CIB GameCube from us, you're seeing photos of that specific console, not stock photos.
Sometimes the lighting isn't perfect. Sometimes there's a reflection. But what you see is what you get - scratches, wear, and all. We'd rather show you the actual item with an okay photo than use a perfect stock image and have you surprised when it arrives.
If you want better photos of something before buying, email me directly. I'll take fresh ones. Seriously, I don't bite.
3. "I'm seeing reviews for a gambling app called 'Game Vault'"
Yeah, this one's frustrating. There's a gambling/sweepstakes app out there that shares similar keywords with our name. Let me be crystal clear: We are NOT that company.
We are The Old School Game Vault - we buy and sell vintage video games, consoles, and collectibles. We've been doing this since 2008 from Morton Grove, Illinois. We have nothing to do with gambling, casinos, sweepstakes, or mobile gaming apps.
If you're seeing reviews about slot machines, casino games, or "Game Vault 999" or similar - that's not us. We sell Super Nintendo games, not slot machines.
4. "I saw a negative review calling it a scam"
Yeah, we've had a few fake negative reviews over the years. They're always generic - no order numbers, no photos, just vague claims like "total scam" or "got a Temu version." Real negative reviews have specifics: "I ordered X, got Y, here's my order number."
We can't control bots or competitors leaving fake reviews, but you can verify us through public review platforms where fake reviews get filtered out.
Here's Actual Proof We're Real
Video Testimonial of a customer who bought a copy of SNES Game Chrono Trigger
This customer just bought Chrono Trigger for SNES from us. This isn't scripted - it's a genuine buyer who was happy enough to film a testimonial. You can't fake someone being this excited about receiving an authentic copy of such a great game.
Our Track Record
- In business since 2008 (that's 18 years)
- Featured in Forbes, Fox Business, and Entrepreneur Magazine
- Started with a physical storefront in Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood
- Now operate a nationwide mail-in service from Morton Grove, Illinois
- Verifiable business address and phone number on our site
Our Review Profiles (all public and independently verified):
Our Trustpilot Profile Here
Our Better Business Bureau Profile Here
Go read them. Real reviews mention specific games, consoles, shipping times, and experiences. Fake reviews are always generic.
How We Actually Operate
Since transparency seems to be the issue, here's exactly how we work:
When you sell to us:
- We give you a quote based on current market data (we use Price Charting and 18 years of hands-on experience)
- You ship your games to us (we cover shipping costs)
- We authenticate and inspect everything
- We send payment within 3-4 business days of receiving your items
- If we can't buy something, we ship it back at no cost to you
When you buy from us:
- Every game is tested and authenticated
- Photos show the actual item you're buying
- We grade condition honestly (we'd rather undersell than oversell)
- If it's not as described, return it for a full refund - no hassle
Our authentication process includes checking for reproductions, verifying label authenticity, testing functionality, and inspecting condition. We've handled tens of thousands of retro games over 18 years - we know what to look for.
How to Verify We're Legit (Don't Just Trust This Post)
Video Testimonial of a Mom selling her kids old Nintendo Games
Here's what you should do before buying from or selling to any retro gaming company, including us:
- Check independent review sites - Google, Trustpilot, BBB. Look for reviews with details, not just star ratings.
- Look for a physical address and phone number - Scam sites hide this info. Ours is public.
Search "[company name] + scam" - See what comes up. Real complaints will have details and receipts. - Check social media presence - We're on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube. Scam sites don't maintain active social media. See if they've been around - We've been doing this since 2008. Scam sites disappear quickly.
- Email with questions - If you get evasive answers or no response, that's a red flag.
Our Guarantee
- If you buy from us and tje item or game is not as described, we'll refund you or make it right. That's been our policy for 18 years.
- We're not trying to be the biggest retro game company - we're trying to be the most trustworthy one.
Still Have Questions?
- Email me directly:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Call us: 312.423.6583
- Find us: Morton Grove, Illinois
- Brandon Perton - The Old School Game Vault
I'm not going to sit here and tell you we're perfect - we've made mistakes over 18 years. But we fix them, and our reviews reflect that. If you're still skeptical, that's okay. Do your research. Check those review sites. Then make your decision.
We've been doing this long enough that our reputation speaks louder than anything I could write here.
