According to a spokesperson, GameStop will soon begin accepting retro games and retro gaming hardware at the trade-in desk.
GameStop is rolling out the retro gaming pilot program in 250 stores in New York City and Birmingham, Alabama. Customers will be able to turn in classic items for cash or store credit. The older platforms it will accept are the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, the original PlayStation, and Dreamcast. Included are first-party accessories and games that run on those platforms. This will add roughly 5,000 classic games to GameStop’s stock.
You won’t be able to find those games in stores, however. First the retro gaming items will go to a refurbishment center in Grapevine, Texas. They’ll be thoroughly evaluated and repaired if necessary, including battery replacement. Once refurbished, the games will be available on GameStop’s online store (or through its store pick-up system). Alternatively, you’ll be able to get help from GameStop employees, who will help you place orders for home delivery. There are also measures in place to prevent fakes from being turned in and resold.
If customers aren’t happy with the product, they will still be covered under the 7-day any-reason returns policy, as well as the 30-day defect/breakage policy.
Something to keep in mind if you plan on pawning off all your old classics: eBay tends to yield better prices for sellers, since it cuts out the middle man. However, GameStop may be better for folks who would rather just drop off their retro gaming collections and be done with it.
The pilot program is set to begin on April 25. You won’t see any retro games for sale in the online store for about 8 weeks. If successful, the program will be rolled out nationally sometime later this year.
