On the hunt for a new album, I came across a little music shop hidden away, in a little side building, inconspicuous and unremarkable. I only noticed it by chance � it hadn't even been there on my last visit to the area. Upon a whim, I entered the shop. It was unlike any other music shop I had visited. Stacks and stacks of CDs, in vaguely alphabetical order, by every artist imaginable, were across tables that lined the walls of the room. Brightly coloured posters of bands and artists, some familiar and some obscure, covered the dull grey wallpaper. Littered across shelves and scattered across tables in another side of the shop was a small mountain of 60's memorabilia. It was a wonderful place. As I ran my fingers over the rows of CDs, searching for the album I came in to buy, the owner of the shop watched me from the corner, his eyes hidden, for some reason, behind dark sunglasses. I found my CD, and took it to the man so I could pay.

But instead of merely striding in and out of this new, magical shop, I lingered. This shop had character, was individual, and while hidden away from the big high-street chains, it stood out from the rest of the standard rubbish. Away from the bright lights and garish displays, overpriced CDs and impassive cashiers, I had found a little shop that was unique and individual � as dedicated to music as the strange yet friendly man behind the counter whom I had discussed the album with. Filled not just with music, but everything to do with it. This was a shop for people who love music. After visiting this shop, I have decided that from now on, this is the only place I will buy my CDs. To hell with the high street. I'm not going to buy my music anywhere else.

I know that, so far, this article has had nothing to do with videogames, but please bear with me. You see, I love music. I also love videogames. And after visiting this brilliant place, hidden away from the world yet full of the appealing atmosphere and individual charm that all music shops should have, I have discovered that there is something sorely lacking as far as videogames are concerned. Take GAME, for example. Sure, it's bright and seemingly friendly enough, but it's all a little�soulless. Bland, uninspiring and nondescript. Walk in, buy game, walk out. I never really gave it much thought before now, but GAME is in no way an interesting shop. Happy to take your money, but beyond that, it wants nothing to do with you. Given that videogames have less than half of the popularity and appeal of music, given that it is in fact a niche market, you'd think that we would see more shops like the one that I described. Having visited this music shop, I know that from now on, I'm going to be on the lookout for a 'true' videogames store. I will discover my ideal videogames shop.

This shop will be different from the rest, like the music shop I visited. Stacks of games will line the walls, games from every console � from GameCube to Game and Watch, PSP to Atari Lynx. Imported games from Japan, games that never were released elsewhere. If I was after a Virtual Boy and a good few games to go with it, I'd find it there. If I wanted to find out the kind of games people played before the NES, I'd go there. Hell, if I wanted the latest DS game that had just been released in Japan, I'd find it there. It would probably be a few pounds cheaper too.

But that wouldn't be all. Videogames memorabilia, collectables and merchandise, would be everywhere. Exclusive, limited edition collectables, the kind of things that our cousins in the land of the rising sun go crazy for. Accessories for every console. Obscure games-related stuff that you never knew existed. Behind the counter would sit a man who actually played videogames. Maybe he'd be wearing dark sunglasses, too. I don't know. A man who knew his Commodore from his Spectrum (though admittedly, I still don't), and who can tell you about every item in his shop. Take any little-known NES game to him and ask if it was any good, and he could tell you 'That? Yeah, it's pretty decent. The final few levels are a bit disappointing, and it's quite easy, but I had a lot of fun completing that'. Or perhaps he would say, 'That game is seriously not worth playing � the language barrier makes it difficult to understand what's going on, and some of the levels are very frustrating. But, if you're after a challenge...'

I'm after a challenge. My challenge is finding a videogames shop like that � it's certainly a difficult task, but I shall find one, one day. And when I do, I will no longer be forced to spend my hard-earned pennies in a shop that doesn't truly appreciate its customers � or, indeed, its merchandise. When I buy videogames there, I will have as enjoyable a time buying them as I do playing them. Now that would be something.

Never mind. A man can dream, I suppose. Until we meet again, amigos � and if you happen to know a videogames shop in the Berkshire area that's actually worth visiting, drop me a line. Just so I know that my dreams are not without meaning.

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