Business & Tech

Play N Trade Offers More Than Just What's in its Name

Franchise owner Sean Breeden discusses how his business not only sells tons of retro games, but also repairs systems from other states.

franchise owner Sean Breeden can't believe the ages of customers that come in looking for retro video game consoles and titles these days.

"It's amazing," he said. "I'm totally blown away. Even kids 5 to 10 are coming in for N64, NES, Super NES. Obviously, you can't buy them new anymore. The only way we get them in are as trade-ins. They are so hard to keep in stock."

Nintendo 64 remains the top-selling retro game console.

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"Mario Party 1, 2 and 3 last 24 hours (before they are bought)," Breeden said.

Other games like Goldeneye 007, Mario Kart and Perfect Dark are also big sellers.

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Play N Trade Lansdale does a lot more behind the scenes, er, doors of the business.

The store repairs video game consoles, and not just locally.

"We get stuff from New Hampshire, Oregon and New York," Breeden said.

Breeden and his employees repair everything from Xbox 360s and PS3s to Nintendo DS Lites and PSPs.

"Our business is probably 30 percent repairs," he said. "We are looking to grow that."

Breeden said Play N Trade deals with Chickie's and Pete's in Philadelphia and repairs the company's PLAY2 Interactive Sports Bar game consoles.

The store even has a special machine that repairs the dreaded "Red Ring of Death" on Xbox 360s.

"We blow everything out, and we clean all systems," Breeden said. "You'd be amazed at the dust and grit on them."

Check out our video for more.


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