Pink Gorilla, LLC is a retro and imported video game retailer with two locations in Seattle, Washington. It was known as Pink Godzilla Games until 2009. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer considers it "Seattle's best" among such retailers.
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. Pink Godzilla announced in 2009 that it would change its name. Rather than engage in a legal fight, the store decided to voluntarily rebrand. The company's mascot is Pink Gojima, from the fictional Island of Go. It is also known as Pinky G or just Pinky. The mascot uses the colors of pink and green, which are also used to decorate the retail locations. In 2018, Pink Gorilla was featured on IGN as one of the Top 5 Essential Spots to Visit In Seattle for Nerds.
Products
Pink Gorilla buys and sells video games. Offerings include classic games for numerous video game consoles, ranging from early home consoles such as the Atari 2600 and Nintendo Famicom through to modern consoles, namely the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. They also import games and accessories from Japan. The store offers a number of other non-game gaming products, including imported Japanese plush toys, key chains, magazines, strategy guides, accessories, trading cards, and small toys from gashapon machines at both locations. The store also offers merchandise such as toys and Pink Gorilla-branded T-shirts, hats, beanies, and stuffed pink gorillas fashioned after the store mascot Pinky G. As a sales promotion, the store gives customers who walk in wearing store-branded T-shirts a discount on purchases.
Locations
Pink Gorilla operates two retail locations. The 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 location in the University of Washington University District on October 13, 2009. Video game players and Twitch.tv viewers from Cody's streams are known to drive from nearby regions, including Canada and Oregon, to visit the store.
Staff
, Pink Gorilla was owned by Nathan Paine and his partner, Greg Hess. The two both know Japanese, which they say helps them negotiate with Japanese game sellers. Paine noted, " Japanese are more happy to have business with Japanese speakers, but not the outsiders who don't speak the language." As of August 1, 2016, Pink Gorilla is now owned by Cody and Kelsey Spencer. Cody and Kelsey both worked for Paine in the store for many years before they were able to afford to purchase the company in full from Paine & Hess. Cody and Kelsey Spencer both work full time in the store. Cody Spencer often live streams himself after normal business hours from inside the store fixing gaming consoles and stocking shelves on the website Twitch.tv under the name DSKoopa. Kelsey is Co-Director at Video Game History Foundation based out of Seattle.
Events
The store represents itself at a number of comic- and gaming-related conventions, including Emerald City Comicon, Sakura-Con, Seattle Retro Gaming Expo, Portland Retro Gaming Expo, and Penny Arcade Expo. The store also hosts its own events, including tournaments, chiptunes shows, and launch events for major video game releases. In 2011, Pink Gorilla held a fundraiser for the Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief efforts and generously donated $1000 to the cause. Starting in 2019 Cody has gone on retro game road trips, visiting every retro game store in Washington and Oregon allowing his Twitch.tv subscribers compile a list of games for him to pick up for them along the way. The first retro game road trip was cut short after Cody purchased a store. Cody also holds store sales and allows viewers to call "dibs" on items while streaming giving viewers outside of Seattle the opportunity to purchase items from the store.
