Shop Types

This list covers all places characters will TYPICALLY go to buy goods or services. The Ultimate Shop has most of these types. Often, two of the same type will be operating in the same store, so combinations are possible. Remember, I'm not going to list characters going to buy insurance (potentially a quite wise ploy).

Armor Shop: Usually, in more high-tech zones, Armor Shops are combined with Weapon Shops. Armor can be purchased here in order to augment your defense. Armor can also include vehicles and power armor.

Cannon Travel Service: All over the Secret of Mana/Seiken Dentetsu worlds (and sprinkled elsewhere, as well) are cannons run by either surprisingly identical-looking caveman-resembling guys or relatives of Bon Voyage, the inventor. Charges are usually minimal, but the ride is a rough one (however, due to your hero's toughness and the specialized systems the Cannon Travel people have put in), not a lethal one. Just be careful... their accuracy isn't extreme, and they can put you into the middle of the desert.

Condiment Shop: The Condiment Shop is quite rare, as it is usually mixed in with Food Shops. These specialized condiments automatically sprinkle onto your meal. If you use the right condiment (ketchup on a hamburger, sugar in coffee), the restorative value is raised. If you don't (ketchup in coffee, sugar on a hamburger), your food's restorative value will suffer.

Element Shop: Anyone with Element Slots can go and get their Elements. This Chrono Cross unique system involves hitting enemies to raise the Element level, then using Elements. Simple example: Fred hits 23 times, raises his Element bar 5 levels, uses AeroCutter+3, and then watches his Element level down to 0. Expand your Elements and purchase Items, which must be attached to Element slots for battle use.

Escargo Espress: This is not quite a shop. It is an item delivery-and-pickup service. Ness' sister, Tracy, works part-time for Escargo Express. Call them from any phone and pay their $18 delivery fee, then unload up to 3 items (which can even be refrigerators or rocket launchers... no questions asked) and then returned to Escargo Express holding places.

Food Shops: In a bow to Earthbound, I list the Food Shop. Yes, a shop that sells food and drink, designed to raise HP. Food shops can also be taverns and inns; Inns often sell Food. Sausages, hamburgers, sandwiches, rum, bottled water... let your imagination go. Of course, local cuisine (especially pressing on alien planets) is also sold.

Inn/Hotel: Any place one can crash for the night is a Hotel. Final Fantasy inns are simple and homely. Earthbound inns tend to have more luxury and include waiters that read newspaper headlines. There is a Super Mario RPG inn that allows you to run Kero Kero Colas up on your tab!

Item Shop: Item Shops sell items. Everything from healing potions to grenades (which can also be sold in Weapon Shops) to items that make one invulnerable can be sold here. Basically, anything that is not a weapon is an item. Grenades and bombs are sold at both places, as they are one-use items that only complement one's internal weapon supply. Same with shurikens and throwing weapons. Some magic materials are also sold at Item Shops.

Magic Shop: Magic Shops sell magic. Guild shops in Rifts and Final Fantasy 1/5 shops both fall under this category. Magic Shops sell magic materials, potions, and spells. Spells are often quite expensive compared to their weaponry counterpart, as spells are reusable and cannot be "stolen" unless through complex mind assault (as compared to a simple felon grabbing the weapon and running).

Materia Shop: Materia Shops sell Materia, the FF7 item that attaches to weapons and gives the user abilities and power. This is one of the more specific types.

Pizza Shop: This quite specific shop sells Pizza. The Mach Pizza branch delivers pizza anywhere... at all... in three different sizes. Ignore the exorbitant, triple-digit $ price tag; their restorative value is amazing. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are especially healed by this, and don't mind wacky condiments (peanut butter, salt...)

Relic/Accesory Shop: Relic Shops sell accessories. Accessories are "Others" that are not quite shields, armor, or weaponry. They are items such as the Muscle Belt, Ribbon, and Gem Box.

Watts: Watts is from the Secret of Mana universe. He is skilled at upgrading weaponry, especially if you take him Orbs. Orbs hold power that can be used to upgrade weapons, typically semi-dynamic or dynamic weapons.

Weapon Shop: This type of shop is quite wide and varied. Any place that sells weaponry, from swords to guns to tanks, can be considered a Weapon Shop. Thus, a Juicer body chop-shop would probably be a weapon shop. Of course, there is a fine line between that and medical equipment/ammo, both of which could be considered prime material for an Items Shop.