Fourth Space Games

Fourth Space Games is a locally owned game store and event center on 2nd Street in the historic Boneyfiddle area of downtown Portsmouth, Ohio. It leans casual: Magic: The Gathering and Flesh and Blood on the card side, a free board game library, retro consoles and PC stations in the back, and a pair of Commander nights at the top of the week's schedule. It suits Commander players looking for a regular table, board gamers who want somewhere to spread out, and anyone with a Pokémon, One Piece, Digimon or Gundam collection to trade in.

What's on the shelves

The store carries Magic: The Gathering and Flesh and Blood, along with board games and video games. A trade-in program accepts Pokémon TCG, One Piece TCG, Digimon TCG and Gundam Card Game cards, plus video games and consoles from the NES through current generation, loose, complete in box or sealed. Consoles and controllers have to be tested and working, and original packaging and accessories add value. Yu-Gi-Oh! cards, headsets and damaged electronics are not accepted.

Shoppers can also order online and pick up in the store.

Trade-ins

Walk-ins are welcome with no appointment. Offers are made on the spot based on condition and demand, and nobody is obligated to accept. Payment can be cash or store credit, and store credit always pays more than cash. Cash payouts require a valid photo ID. Very large collections may need to be dropped off, with a follow-up within one business day, and an early visit is appreciated for those. Mail-in trade-ins are accepted too, and low-value items a seller doesn't want back can be donated.

The store pays set bulk rates in cash:

Organized bulk gets better offers, and rates shift with condition, set and stock levels.

Weekly play

Weekly events are free to attend and need no registration. Players bring a deck, find a seat and play.

Thursday is also the day for Shawnee State students: showing a student ID takes 15% off an entire purchase.

Special events

Sealed tournaments, prereleases and other special events run through the year. Sealed events typically cost $20 to $30, and prizes are store credit and product. Registration details for special events usually go out at least two weeks ahead. Community members can submit their own hosted events, and approved ones go on the calendar. The store welcomes groups for games it doesn't carry, such as Riftbound, Flesh and Blood, Dungeons & Dragons or board game tournaments.

The store also runs an esports side. The next event is the MW4 Kickoff 2v2 tournament on November 15, 2026, at The Vault in Portsmouth, playing Search & Destroy and Hardpoint. Entry is $40 per team plus a $10 per person venue fee, every player needs a Premier Circuit account, and check-in time and bracket format are still to be announced.

The space

The board game library holds more than 100 games. It is free to use all day Thursday with no purchase, and included with any purchase the rest of the week. Event seating totals 32 seats across two areas: 12 up front by the library and 20 in the back game room. A projector and screen are available for events, game nights and movie nights. PC gaming stations and retro consoles are available in the store, with a day pass at $10.

Hours and getting there

The store is at 524 2nd St, Portsmouth, OH 45662.

Parking is available on 2nd Street and in nearby lots, and the surrounding area is walkable.

History

The shop opened in 2015 under the name Tyler's CCGs, in a youth sports facility called The Complex, in the old West Middle School building. Its esports tournaments began that same year and grew into the store's PC gaming offering. In 2020, during the pandemic shutdown, the owner rebranded it as Fourth Space Games. The name builds on the idea of a third space, the place that is neither work nor home, and adds the online community that carries on after players leave. The store passed ten years in business in May 2025.

The local scene

Awesome Town & Castle Comics is about half a mile away in Portsmouth, and Castle Comics is about a mile out. TSR Sports Cards & Collectibles LLC is about 6 miles away in Portsmouth, Guildhall Games is about 8 miles away in Wheelersburg, and The Game Station is about 10 miles away in Lucasville.