Ronin Games and Hobbies

I play magic cards, so although they do sell them here not a huge selection on singles. Almost none to be honest. But it doesn’t take away from the stores ambiance. You get nothing but good vibes from Ed and his staff. I only buy packs from these guys.
If you play war hammer or something like that I’d imagine this would be the ideal place because there seems to almost always be someone painting or playing another game.

Love Ronin Games and Hobbies, the owner Ed is SUPER nice and wicked funny. It warms my heart to see the way he deals with all the kids in his shop, he even came up with a great game day just for them. Ed and Ronin are a Castro Valley treasure!

This place wowed me when I walked in. They have so many Magic card displays and tables, I couldn’t believe I was in Castro Valley.
The owner Ed was very friendly and informative about what he carries and the way he runs his place. I bought a pack of Dragon Shield sleeves and some lands.
A customer named Craig approached me about coming back and playing a game. The community here seems friendly and helpful.
I can’t imagine going anywhere else in the area for Magic The Gathering needs. This is a really cool spot.

This shop is awesome! Ed is the best. He is very helpful and friendly!!! If you have gamers in your life please check out this store. They also have cards against humanity. And if you haven’t played that game, get on it!!!

I had recently just gotten back into MTG recently through a friend and he pointed this place out to me. I remember coming here a few years ago one time but didn’t think much of it at the moment (I found out that he had just reopened shop so it wasn’t as lively as it is now).
One thing is with MTG is that I’m a fairly competitive player — while I won’t go to grand prix trials or major tournaments — I do enjoy trying to build and beat the local meta game. After searching around I came to find out that Ronin’s offers standard constructed FNM events!
Customer Services ¹⁰⁄₅!
This isn’t an exaggeration and from what people are saying here you should get the sense that this is actually very very true. Ed is a fantastic guy who goes out of his way to help out his customers as much as possible. If he doesn’t have something you’re looking for he will order it for you. He sells some singles but unfortunately he doesn’t have a whole lot in his possession and I get that is just part of the design of his place. His prices are fair and he doesn’t put any pressure on his customers to buy. He’s helpful and more than willing to help explain some basic elements of different games to different players.
Steve is also pretty cool. Because he’s a bit younger he seems to be a bit more of the «one of the guys» type. Not to say that Ed isn’t or that Steve isn’t necessarily unprofessional but rather that the way that Steve communicates with his customers is very different from Ed and once you get to know him — you’ll realize that it isn’t actually a bad thing.
The Shop ⁵⁄₅
The shop itself is in my own opinion the best shop in the East Bay especially when it comes to MTG. In general I find that his shop is very clean and doesn’t smell. That in it of itself is a winner compare to many other shops. On top of that the people that come here are actually very cool. Friendly, considerate, and most of all — willing to play anybody. Games never run short and you’ll always find someone willing to play.
Prices/​Games ⁵⁄₅
The shop has enough space for board games, Warhammer 40k, MTG, and Legend of the 5 Rings. As stated earlier Ed runs FNM tournaments as well as standard tournaments on Saturdays noon. He has a lot of other little board games as well. In addition to that he’s got a nice size tv that often plays tv shows or movies for entertainment. Also the shop will stay open late for the players (sometimes up until midnight or a little bit later even).
In short — I think anyone who is looking for a local game shop to play at or just to buy board games from — this is the place to do it. Even more so if you’re a magic player. Ronin’s is a fantastic place with friendly players, an awesome owner, and a beautiful game shop.

A great local business! The owner will go out of his way to order hard to find titles for you, and is happy to make suggestions based on the kind of game you enjoy. There are quite a few demo games available, and as long as there’s a free table, you’re welcome to sit down and play. Prices are generally competitive, especially given the service expertise provided.

I have been here twice. I must say the staff is superb! The late night gaming is awesome! Not many owners keep the store open for the players. Great place!

I moved to Castro Valley a few months ago and had been to a few drafts at Ronin as it had become my local game shop. My opinion of it was that it was nice enough. I certainly had no problems with it but it wasn’t a standout business to me.
That changed for me when I needed to buy some boxes of Theros boosters for a workplace sealed tournament. I walked in the day before and asked to buy some boxes and discovered that they only had one box left when I needed two. Even though this was my own fault for failing to plan enough in advance, the owner went far out of his way to help me out. He even offered to drive to my office in the city to drop off a second box when a new shipment arrived the next day. On top of that, he gave me some old foil promo cards to hand out as prizes.
I’m lucky that I live a few blocks away and have this place as my local shop, but I would say its worth driving here from anywhere in the Bay Area because their staff is top notch, their prices are extremely reasonable, and the environment is excellent.

I really enjoy the atmosphere here, very relaxed and since I am a night owl I enjoy the late closing time. There are very relaxed players here and if you play Magic the gathering there are very proficient players here. The owner Ed is pretty chill and the whole staff here is extremely friendly. Overall great shop and an even better place to hang out.

I’m always for supporting local business and I have driven by this place a hundred times at the least. Always crackin’. makes you wonder wth goes on inside. Mostly live gaming but they also carry assortments of board and card games.
I didn’t know places like this existed, so we would host our own LAN parties.

Heaven. When I walked in, I was immediately greeted!
They also had what I wanted and helped out. I am looking forward to coming by for more games.
Beware though, I am a newbie.
Thanks again for making a paradise for gamers in the bay area. I will be back!

Ronin Games and Hobbies occupies a tiny shopping center which is tucked away in a largely residential neighborhood in the interior of Castro Valley. The owner Ed is a fantastic person and shop-​keep. He has created a Shangri La for gamers of all ages who engage in all manner of RPG, card, and tabletop gaming. The environment of the store is clean and the shelves are well stocked. This is a very good place to get your MTG on. The agenda is fun without pretense and I am grateful to have this store in my community. Thank you Ed!

Stopped by Ronin Games for the first time the other day after reading the positive reviews here and I have to concur with the others: 5 stars.
Ed the owner was very friendly, helpful and generous. Big gaming space with lots of tables. You can tell this place is a labor of love.

This place is great. I don’t know if you’ve had a chance to go, but, holy crap. The owner, Ed, is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever seen owning a gaming store! The patrons are extremely welcoming and friendly, five seconds into the store someone was shaking my hand in introduction and two others were asking me to join them for games, this really brought a smile to my face. The prices are competitive, the games are plentiful, the table space… Oh man, it’s really big. This is probably one of the best shops in the Bay Area. MTG Singles were a little sparse, but honestly, RTR just came out, i’m not gonna complain too much. Seriously awesome shop, check it out.

Awesome place where you can get you game on. They have a mixed retail selection of board games, card games, and miniature games. If you don’t see what you are looking for ask and they will most likely be able to order it for you. If you want advice on games, they will help you find something that you like.
The majority of the store is for real live gaming. They run regular gaming nights and tournaments on weekends. They also have a variety of snacks to choose from for those long campaigns. Most of the regulars are great guys and gals. The staff is awesome and always helpful.
Check it out if you want to get your game on and support your local businesses!

Great Service
Good Price
Greatest place to play Warhammer

Ed is great. Been hosting larger premier events for our league. Steve is here most of the time, even after the store is «Closed». Hours are pretty liberal for the ones that are playing. Got to give em their props and up it to 5 stars for sure.

I was dropping off a video game at my local blockbuster and the clerk asked me how I enjoyed the game (it was the new Space Marine game, based on the table top strategy game). I said it was fun since I am a fan/​player of the original game. He then asked if I went to Ronin Games, told him I had never heard of it and he quickly said I should check it out, that it was a good place.
I dropped in yesterday after work to see what was what since the store is close to work and home for me. I was pleasantly surprised to find Ed sitting there painting away on his 40k model along with what appeared to be a regular at the store. I was very happy to see that Ed stopped what he was doing to show me around the store. He took his time explaining the events of each night, they have a different focus for each night (the big one being friday night for Magic the Gathering). Ed then took his time explaining how Magic the Gathering works. My son and I are 40k players and he wants to start playing Magic, but having NO experience with the game he just pulled out some cards, gave me a rulebook to take home and gave me the run down on how to play even asking some of the players there to offer some advise.
The store has a HEFTY selection of card games (pokemon, magic, and others). Good selection of Warhammer 40k models and citadel paints. The glass display counters have rare cards for sale as well as a gallery of models painted by regular players.
Gaming tables take up probably about 85% of the store itself. It is a bare bones, no glitz no glamor (which isn’t really that important to begin with) gaming area. There are snacks available and plenty of space to move around and very well lit. With the exception of friday night, when they need all the space they have for Magic the Gathering night, there are 2 tables set aside for 40k or other table top strategy game. The terrain was clean and in good shape, and the atmosphere was friendly and fun.
All in all, if you are a gamer (be it card game or 40k, or similar) and you want a good friendly place to hang out and play, this is your place! I was pleasantly surprised with the store and plan to make it a regular stop.

It’s been an extremely long time since I have given a five star review on Unilocal.Mostly because I’m an extremely picky person who will nit-​pick everything down to the most miniscule detail, but try as I might, no matter how small of a detail it might be I simply cannot find a single negative thing to say about Ronin.
For what Ronin does as a store, which it’s a hobby and game store and carries things like Magic: The Gathering, Wahammer 40K, Pokemon card game, several various other table top and board games — everything from their selection of games, their pricing, to the amazing customer orientated atmosphere is nothing short of perfection. I’ve been to over a thousand different hobby and game stores in my life, and beyond all of them, Ronin is in a class completely on its own.
Ronin is unique, in that it perfectly blends the business concept of a hobby and game store with that of a friendly atmosphere. Anyone can come in at any time sit down, meet new, wonderful people and play a few games of their game of choice. The diversity of unique, good, friendly, and interesting people who visit Ronin gives people the opportunity to branch out, find and meet new people who also partake in their favorite hobbies and/​or games. And that is what makes Ronin so special is its very friendly environment.
There’s no better hobby and game store out there than Ronin.

I visited Ronin Games and Hobbies with my fiancé the other night for the very first time. The purpose was to scope out the place and check out their board games. They didn’t have a whole lot but the owner informed me that they’re able to order pretty much anything per request. The prices are average, they are basically the suggested MSRP so you won’t be getting deals here.
What made me decide to purchase from Ronin even though I was able to find the same board game for $ 20 dollars less online (shipped) was their customer service. The minute we walked in the owner greeted us. He would initiate conversations to see what my interests are so that he can cater to my needs. That’s something that most hobby shops don’t usually do since they have tons of window shoppers going in and out of their stores daily. Also, nothing better then to support your local businesses.