The Point Sliema Shops: Where Gaming Culture Meets Mediterranean Charm
Nestled along the sun-drenched coastline of Malta, Sliema isn’t just a haven for beachgoers and café hoppers — it’s quietly becoming a hotspot for gamers and digital culture enthusiasts. At the heart of this transformation lies The Point Sliema Shops, a modern retail and entertainment complex that’s redefining how locals and tourists experience gaming in the Mediterranean. Whether you’re hunting for the latest console, hunting down rare collectibles, or just looking to unwind with friends over a multiplayer session, The Point Sliema Shops offers a uniquely immersive blend of commerce, community, and cutting-edge play.
But what makes this place stand out in a world saturated with digital storefronts and online marketplaces? The answer lies not just in what’s sold here — but in how it’s experienced.
More Than Just a Mall: A Gaming Lifestyle Hub
Unlike traditional shopping centers that treat gaming as an afterthought tucked between shoe stores and fast-food kiosks, The Point Sliema Shops has curated a dedicated ecosystem for gamers. Walk through its airy, sunlit corridors and you’ll find boutique retailers stocking everything from limited-edition PlayStation controllers to Maltese-designed indie game merchandise. The Point Sliema Shops doesn’t just sell games — it celebrates them.
One standout tenant is Level Up Malta, a locally owned gaming emporium that doubles as a mini-arcade and community lounge. Here, customers can test-drive new releases before buying, join weekly LAN tournaments, or even attend developer Q&A nights. “We wanted to create a space where gaming isn’t solitary — it’s social,” says owner Marco Vella. “The Point gave us that platform.”
This philosophy echoes throughout the complex. Cafés like Pixel Brew offer themed drinks named after iconic game characters, while seating areas feature charging stations and free high-speed Wi-Fi — perfect for impromptu co-op sessions. Even the architecture plays along: neon-lit corridors, pixel-art murals, and ambient game soundtracks subtly reinforce the theme without feeling gimmicky.
Why Location Matters: Sliema as a Digital Oasis
Sliema’s strategic location — just minutes from Valletta and easily accessible by ferry, bus, or foot — makes The Point Sliema Shops a natural convergence point for both locals and international visitors. Tourists exploring Malta’s historic sites often wind up here for a caffeine-and-controller break, while Maltese teens and young professionals treat it as their weekend hangout.
What’s more, Malta’s status as a tech-friendly island with robust internet infrastructure and a growing startup scene adds another layer of relevance. The Point Sliema Shops isn’t just catering to consumers — it’s attracting indie developers and esports teams looking for collaborative spaces. In 2023, the complex hosted Malta Game Jam, a 48-hour indie development sprint that drew participants from across Europe. The winning team, “Pixel Knights,” later launched their game Temple of Azure — now available on Steam — after refining it in one of The Point’s co-working pods.
Case Study: How “Retro Reload” Revived Local Interest in Classic Gaming
Not all gaming innovation is about the latest graphics or VR headsets. Sometimes, it’s about nostalgia — and The Point Sliema Shops understands that better than most.
Enter Retro Reload, a small but wildly popular shop specializing in refurbished consoles from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. Founder Clara Borg noticed a gap in the market: while big-box retailers focused on next-gen hardware, there was little local support for retro enthusiasts. “People were importing cartridges from overseas or scouring eBay,” she recalls. “I thought — why not build a local hub?”
Retro Reload doesn’t just sell old hardware — it restores it. Each SNES or Sega Genesis unit is cleaned, tested, and often modded for HDMI output or wireless controllers. The shop also hosts “Retro Nights,” where customers can play classics like Chrono Trigger or Sonic 3 & Knuckles on CRT TVs — exactly as they were meant to be experienced.
The results? A cult following. Retro Reload now ships internationally and has been featured in European gaming magazines. But more importantly, it’s sparked a local revival: schools in Sliema have even begun using retro games to teach coding and design principles, partnering with the shop for classroom kits.
Events That Build Community — Not Just Sales
What truly sets The Point Sliema Shops apart is its calendar. Far from being a static retail environment, it pulses with activity. Monthly events — from cosplay meetups to speedrunning challenges — turn casual shoppers into regulars.
Take the “Boss Battle Saturdays” series: every first Saturday, local streamers face off in head-to-head tournaments (think Street Fighter 6 or Elden Ring duels), with live commentary and audience voting. Winners get store credit, bragging rights, and sometimes even sponsorship deals. “It’s like a local esports league,” says 19-year-old participant Liam Attard. “Except you’re playing in flip-flops with a gelato in hand.”
These events aren’t just fun — they’re smart business. Foot traffic spikes on event days by as much as 70%, and social media engagement triples. But more importantly, they foster loyalty. Gamers don’t just come for the products — they come for the people.
The Future: Esports Arenas, VR Lounges, and Beyond
Rumors are swirling that The Point Sliema Shops is planning a major expansion, including a dedicated