GameStop is going retro, will once again accept / resell classic consoles, games and accessories

[Shawn Knight]

History has a funny way of repeating itself. Given enough time, old items and fads tend to become trendy once more. Recent examples include vinyl records, the iPod classic and video game remakes, just to name a few.

In a continued effort to fend off online retailers and digital delivery, GameStop has announced plans to once again accept (and resell) retro game consoles, games and accessories. Consoles that’ll soon be accepted include the NES, Super NES, Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, Sega Dreamcast and the original Sony PlayStation.

Older equipment accepted through trade will go through GameStop’s refurbishment center for inspection, testing and repair. There will be about a two month lead between when the store starts accepting trades and when they will be offered back to shoppers to buy. This is being done to allow all stores to build up plenty of inventory.

Despite their age, some older consoles and games can command a decent amount of money on used markets like eBay. That’s in stark contrast to a time when used hardware and games littered the shelves of local stores and it was next to impossible to get any kind of decent money on trade. Some people even went so far as to throw out their old systems (the NES in my closet was found sitting beside a dumpster about 10 years ago; it still works perfectly).

The brick-and-mortar retailer will launch a pilot program on April 25 in select stores in New York City and Birmingham. If successful, GameStop aims to roll the changes out to stores nationwide later this year.

Image via 4LN

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/60375-gamestop-going-retro-once-again-accept-resell-classic.html

 

[psycros]

Of course their going to accept these oldies - their worth real money if their in good shape. You'll get pennies for them and GS will make $100 on the damn things. Their practically antiques!

 

[Scshadow]

Give them a little credit, I'm sure they'll pay you at least a dollar. They'll resell an NES for $200 I'm sure.

 

[amstech]

Sweeeet!
I just moved my projector and emulator/music PC into the garage, gonna jam some Rush 2 tonight, stunt course FTW. The SNES/N64 emulation works great but the Gamecube one is a little tricky. The ebay N64 USB gamepads I got actually work really well but the SNES ones are meh, they work good enough.

 

[davislane1]

I can't be the only one that thinks that after a number of years of lackluster output by the gaming industry the reemergence of vintage software and equipment is an ominous sign.

 

[treetops]

The original zelda for nes was worth like 600$ on ebay in ok condition a few years ago. Gamestop is gonna swindle swindle swindle.

 

[VitalyT]

Most of shops like this one aren't going retro, they are becoming retro, naturally.

I watch movies these days more than ever, but I can't remember how many years ago I set foot in a video shop the last time.

 

[Guest]

Treetop, that game was not going for that much a few years ago. It's only like a 15 dollar game and has been for a while.

 

[davislane1]

Treetop, that game was not going for that much a few years ago. It's only like a 15 dollar game and has been for a while.

It is quite possible he stumbled upon a high-dollar auction. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zelda-II-The-Adventure-of-Link-Gold-Nintendo-NES-1988-/291425726754

 

[TomSEA]

Retro is the new hip thing. Look at all the Indie titles deliberately using 8-bit graphics. People want to relive their youth (even though we're only talking 10-20 years gaming console history). I don't think this should be a shock to anyone

 

[oldikes]

This was actually a really good decision to keep themselves relevant in an increasingly digital and less physical time and they might actually get my business if they refurb things well. Id love to keep a good N64 running.

 

[davislane1]

Retro is the new hip thing. Look at all the Indie titles deliberately using 8-bit graphics. People want to relive their youth (even though we're only talking 10-20 years gaming console history). I don't think this should be a shock to anyone

It's hip but I think its about ease and cost effectiveness of development when it comes to indies. It also would not be hip for consumers if their modern games were as captivating.