Pink Gorilla

Pink Gorilla LLC
Limited liability company
Industry Video game retail
Founded April 29, 2005 (2005-04-29) (as Pink Godzilla Games)
July 8, 2009 (2009-07-08)[1] (as Pink Gorilla)
Headquarters Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Number of locations
 4
Products Retro video games, imported video games, video game accessories, branded merchandise
Services Video game rentals, arcade games

Pink Gorilla, LLC is a well-known[2] retro and imported video game retailer with four locations around Seattle, Washington. It was known as Pink Godzilla Games until 2009. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer considers it "Seattle's best" among such retailers.[3]

History

The store was founded as Pink Godzilla Games in 2005 and was known by that name for many years. Toho, owner of the Godzilla franchise, claimed the store was infringing upon its trademark.[3] Pink Godzilla announced in 2009 that it would change its name.[3] Rather than engage in a legal fight, the store decided to voluntarily rebrand.[3]

The company's mascot is Pink Gojima, from the fictional Island of Go.[4] It is also known as Pinky G or just Pinky.[4] The mascot uses the colors of pink and green, which are also used to decorate the retail locations.[5]

Events

The store represents itself at a number of comic- and gaming-related conventions, including Emerald City Comicon,[6] Sakura-Con,[7] Seattle Retro Gaming Expo,[8] Portland Retro Gaming Expo,[9] and Penny Arcade Expo.[10][11]

The store also hosts its own events, including tournaments,[12][13] chiptunes shows,[14] and launch events for major video game releases.[15][16][17][18]

In 2011, Pink Gorilla held a fundraiser for the Japanese earthquake relief efforts and donated $1000 to the cause.[16]

Locations

People browsing a Pink Gorilla retailer.

Pink Gorilla operates four retail locations.[19] The primary and original Pink Gorilla retailer is located in the Chinatown-International District of Seattle, Washington. It is located near to Uwajimaya. The company opened its second branch in the University of Washington University District on 2009 October 13.[5][20] In January 2012, the company opened a third branch known as Pink Gorilla West in West Seattle.[21] The fourth location, Pink Gorilla East, is located in Bellevue and was opened in 2013. It closed on July 31, 2016.[22]

Video game players are known to drive from nearby regions, including Canada and Oregon, to visit the store.[23]

Products

Pink Gorilla primarily sells video games. Offerings include classic games for the Nintendo Entertainment System / Family Computer, as well as imported games from Japan. The store claims that 80% of its products are unique,[23] and it is known to offer some rare titles that are difficult to find elsewhere.[11][23] The retailer also offers current releases from both the United States and Japan. In 2005, games cost between US$10 and $50.[23] As of 2005, rentals cost $2 per day per game or $6 per week per game.[23]

The store offers a number of other non-game gaming products, including magazines, strategy guides, and accessories.[24] It also offers trading cards.

The store also offers merchandise such as toys and Pink Gorilla-branded T-shirts.[23] As a sales promotion, the store gives customers who walk in wearing store-branded T-shirts a discount on purchases.[23][25]

Staff

As of 2005, Pink Gorilla is owned by Nathan Paine and his partner, Greg Hess.[23] The two both know Japanese, which they say helps them negotiate with Japanese game sellers.[23] Paine noted, "[The] Japanese are more happy to have business with Japanese speakers, but not the outsiders who don't speak the language."[23]

Staff for Pink Gorilla are known as "The Elders."[5] In December 2009, three Pink Gorilla bloggers were featured as guest writers for the Hardcore Gamer online magazine.[26]

References

  1. ↑ "PinkGorillaGames.com WHOIS, DNS, & Domain Info - DomainTools". WHOIS. Retrieved 2016-09-14.
  2. ↑ Parish, Jeremy (2011-08-29), On the Scene at PAX Prime 2011, 1UP.com, retrieved 2012-06-10
  3. 1 2 3 4 Metcalf, Jacob (2009-06-14), Pink Godzilla Games is changing their name, Seattle: Seattle Post-Intelligencer, retrieved 2012-06-09
  4. 1 2 Pink Gorilla FAQ, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, 2009-09-07, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  5. 1 2 3 Pink Gorilla University District Construction Update #2, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, 2009-10-13, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  6. ↑ Pink Gorilla at Emerald City Comic-Con 2012, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, 2012-03-29, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  7. ↑ Pinky G Invades Sakura-Con 2012, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, 2012-04-06, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  8. ↑ Pink Gorilla at SRGE - May 28–29, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, 2012-05-13, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  9. ↑ Weekend Festivities - PRGE and Back 2 School BASS, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, 2011-09-09, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  10. ↑ Pink Gorilla @ PAX 2011 - Booth 149, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, 2011-08-17, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  11. 1 2 Parish, Jeremy (2009-09-06), Retronauts at PAX: Day 3, 1UP, retrieved 2012-06-09
  12. ↑ PG University Arcade DDR SN2 Tourney Recap, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, 2012, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  13. ↑ Feb 15: Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Tournament @ PGUD, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, 2012-02-09, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  14. ↑ 2 Hot Summer Chiptune Shows @ PG, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, 2011-07-07, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  15. ↑ Assassins Creed Brotherhood Official Launch Party!, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, 2010-11-03, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  16. 1 2 Gears of War 3 - Midnight Launch @ PGUD, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, 2011-09-14, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  17. ↑ Killzone 3 - Midnight Launch at PGUD, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, 2011-02-17, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  18. ↑ Fallout: New Vegas Midnight Launch @ PG UD, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, 2010-10-15, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  19. ↑ http://www.pinkgorillagames.com/locations
  20. ↑ Pink Gorilla's Seattle Store, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  21. ↑ PG West - OPEN NOW - Grand Opening Event Feb 4-5, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  22. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/PinkGorillaGames/videos/1211881045497166/?comment_id=1211930358825568&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R0%22%7D
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Yiu, Joyce. "Pink Godzilla Brings Unique Gaming to the ID." International Examiner: 16. Ethnic NewsWatch. 2005. Web. 9 June 2012.
  24. ↑ No Foolin' Spring SALE and Clearance Event, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, 2011-03-30, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  25. ↑ Pokemon Black and White is Upon Us!, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, 2011-03-03, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  26. ↑ Pink Gorilla Appears in Hardcore Gamer Magazine!, Seattle: Pink Gorilla, 2009-12-22, retrieved 2012-06-09 |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
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