Phoenix Games Owner: Chris Lopez
The concept and business model for Phoenix Games stems from the planning and experience of the owner Chris Lopez. It took him over a decade to have Phoenix Games evolve from a thought to an actual brick and mortar business.
His retail and business management experience stem from a decade of operating and owning video rental stores throughout northern California. In 2008, Chris left his position as an Operations Director and struck out on his own to open Phoenix Games in 2009.
He’s been playing games for over 42 years; 30 of them have been dedicated to expanding his personal collection (some of which is displayed at the store and appears on Collectors Corner). But, it was more than collecting and playing games that inspired him to create Phoenix Games; it was a desire to have a store where enthusiastic gamers could immerse themselves in a world dedicated strictly to gaming.
His passion for games grew from spending endless hours in local arcades where he learned how to play better so his quarters wouldn’t vanish so fast. His favorites were Tron, Pac-Man, Tempest, Venture and Centipede.
When he wasn’t at an arcade rationing his quarters, he was at home with his Atari 2600 playing games like Adventure, Demon Attack, Kaboom, and Yars’ Revenge. While he’s owned various systems, his favorite vintage console is the Vectrex.
Chris is also one of the founders of the East Bay Pinball League. Which is currently the oldest pinball league in the East Bay.
He currently plays these games daily: Zelda Tears of the Kingdom. Depths and all Shrines cleared (Switch), Zelda Breath of the Wild (WiiU), Grindstone (Switch), Minestorm (Vectrex), Space Invaders Extreme (PSP), Robotron, Tron and Centipede (Original Arcade Cabinets), Godzilla and TMNT (Pinball), Bust a Move (Neo Geo), Candy Crush (cell phone and kindle versions).
Aside from gaming Chris is also an avid writer and has written two books and is currently exploring self publishing. He also enjoys customizing and modifying cars, working out and sharing traditional Native American ceremonies and teachings with the community.
When asked what he enjoys most about Phoenix Games, he stated, “The people, the conversations, and of course, the games. But what I like best is that I get to play games all day.”
