Alexia Unplugged

Where would you go on a shopping spree?

It’s easy to take in-game shops for granted; In many games, they’re just part of the landscape. Where else would you get your trusty weapons and delicious health potions if not the local shop? How else would you find respite from the heavy-but-useless armors, weapons, and cheese wheels and make some gold while you’re at it? Shops may be among the most notoriously underappreciated video game mechanics, so I decided to compile a list of the best video game shops.

6. Trill’s Potion Shop (The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess)

One of my favorite shop mechanics is stealing. I mean, it makes sense that I love playing a thief in games like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Skyrim. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess takes its shops deadly seriously. Just before the entrance to the first temple, a bird named Trill has set up a shop with two vats of health potion and lantern oil in each.

The player character, Link, can scoop up some potion and drop his payment in a box under Trill’s perch. If Link pays well, Trill will welcome him with enthusiasm. Conversely, the bird will call Link cheap and give him a nasty side eye if he decides to shortchange him. Beware, though, of stealing from this bird. If Link walks out without paying, Trill will peck him to death unless Link can make it to the payment box and deposit his debt. On the other hand, if you pay more than Trill asks, he’ll compliment you! A much sweeter outcome.

Trill’s shop is among the best designs for a shop — it’s small, simple, and adds flavor to the game while providing a necessary refresh of the player’s inventory before entering a dungeon. Hopefully, you make friends with Trill instead of earning his eternal ire.

5. The Kecleon Shop (Pokemon Mystery Dungeon)

It’s no secret that the Kecleon is the most difficult Pokemon to recruit in Pokemon: Mystery Dungeon. It’s extremely powerful and only appears in the Kecleon shop. Even if you enter it at a high enough level with the correct item, there’s still only a 0.1% chance to successfully recruit the Kecleon.

Similar to Trill, the Kecleon shop has items spread around a carpet which the player can pick up and purchase. If you try to leave the shop area without paying, the Kecleon will give you a chance to purchase the item. If you refuse, it will attack you and knock out your entire party! Even if you put the item you stole back, the Kecleon will exact a swift punishment on you and your team.

The deadly consequence of stealing from the Kecleon can come as quite a shock for young players. It’s also quite amusing to be absolutely defeated over stealing an apple, but I suppose it’s a good way to teach that stealing is wrong!

4. Jolly Redd’s Treasure Trawler (Animal Crossing: New Horizons)

Before Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Redd was known as “Crazy Redd.” In all games, he’s a dodgy shopkeeper at best, and a straight-up black market dealer at worst. Redd hasn’t quite cleaned up his act. In New Horizons, his shop is located on a “pirate boat” where he sells various art pieces, some of which are forgeries. I love that Redd is such an eccentric guy. He calls you “cousin” and is portrayed as a generally untrustworthy guy.

Jolly Redd’s Treasure Trawler is dingy, with dim, green-tinged lighting. Even the theme song is slow, tentative, and evokes the feeling of being in a sleepy bazaar (maybe even one where you’ll accidentally get scammed by a sly fox). I love the atmosphere of the Treasure Trawler and Redd’s sneaky character. Definitely a great shop environment!

3. Beedle’s Airshop (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword)

Beedle’s Airship from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is the second, but not last, Legend of Zelda addition to this list. Beedle is a recurring character in the Zelda franchise. He first appeared in The Wind Waker and was reincarnated in several subsequent games, including the most recent open world Zelda games, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. However, I think Skyward Sword Beedle is his most fun incarnation.

In Skyward Sword, Beedle pedals (yes, like a bike) an airship around the various islands of Skyloft. Since that’s a lot of effort, if you try to leave without buying anything, he complains that you’ve made him pedal harder for no reason and drops you out of the airship through a trapdoor!

He sells two Heart Container related items, the bug net, and an extra wallet so Link can become the richest adventurer around. Beedle’s shop is also useful for getting around Skyloft’s various islands and even sneaking into Zelda’s room! Beedle’s unique character design and lovable personality make him one of the best shopkeepers around.

2. Brok and Sindri (God of War)

Brok and Sindri are brothers, although you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at them. In the God of War universe, they are both blacksmiths who made a name for themselves by crafting epic weapons like Thor’s Mjölnir and the Leviathan Axe. The brothers have a tumultuous relationship, which Kratos and Atreus slowly heal throughout the story. I love the distinct personalities of these dwarven smiths. They are really polar opposites, but still love each other despite their arguments. Theirs is a heartwarming yet tragic story of family bonds and complementary pairs.

Brok and Sindri are two of the best shopkeepers simply because of their distinct personalities. God of War is full of flavor and beautiful stories and voice acting. Brok and Sindri are more than just shopkeepers — they’re active participants in the story, which make their wares even more valuable.

1. Malo Mart Castle Branch (The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess)

Say what you want about the ever controversial The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, but this game is full of unique, fun shops. From Trill’s makeshift potion shop in the Faron Woods to the Oocca Pod Shop in the City in the Sky, one store stands out as the ultimate video game store: Malo’s Malo Mart Castle Branch.

Malo Mart Castle Branch is really an inspirational story about a quiet but shrewd young lad, Malo, whose small business breaks away from its humble beginnings and grows into an empire. Malo’s business genius gives way to a childish, colorful, and slightly disturbing storefront in Castle Town where Link can buy all sorts of tools and armor to aid his quest to save Hyrule.

Most games would be bland and unplayable without their shops. They definitely deserve more appreciation. Did any shopkeepers stand out to you? Let me know your favorite in-game shops in the comments!