Will GameStop Take Old Sports Games?
GameStop, a popular video game retailer, is known for buying and trading used video games, consoles, and accessories. But, what if you have old sports games that you’re looking to get rid of? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what GameStop will and will not accept in terms of old sports games.
Games 5 and Below:
It has to be noted that GameStop does not accept games older than 5 years. So, even if you have a PS2 or GameCube copy of Mario Baseball (remember how old that game is!) or a vintage copy of Madden NFL 2007, GameStop won’t take it.
Note: This 5-year rule applies to all platform games, including sports, action, adventure, first-person shooters, and etc.
Older, but Still in Demand
However, there are instances where older sports games in good condition and still have a demand can be valued. For example, limited edition or rare sports game releases, or games considered classics in their respective categories, might still have resale value.
Examples Include:
• Collectible Editions: Releases like the FIFA World Cup 2002 or Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour in their initial packaging with extra goodies would likely be valuable.
• Retro Consoles: Games for retro systems like the NES, Genesis, or SNES if they’re still in playable condition and rare might see some interest.
Things to Consider
Before reaching out to GameStop:
• Game Condition: Make sure your game is in good condition, still playable, and has an intact case, manual, and any additional items it came with.
• Rarity: Check game rarity and demand. While older games might not generate much interest, rare, limited edition, or limited print runs could still draw attention.
• Completeness: Ensure your games are complete, including discs, cases, and artwork.
Alternatives
If GameStop won’t take your old sports game, consider other options such as selling at gaming-related meetups, online marketplaces like eBay or Craigslist (be cautious), or to specialized retro gaming stores.
Table of Acceptability
| Game System/Age of Release
| Accept
| Reject
- PS2/PS1 (older than 18 years)
- GameCube/Wii (older than 15 years)
| Accept (with low/0-value) - PS1/PS2 ( younger than 18 years / 5-10 years)
- GameCube ( younger than 15 years / 5-8 years)
| reject - Any game systems older than 5-10 years
- any game systems not listed
Conclusion
GameStop’s acceptance of old sports games is primarily based on the game’s age (5 years or less from release date), condition (good), and rarity or demand. While they generally won’t accept games much older than 5-10 years, there can be exceptions for rare releases or collectible editions of sports games. If yours doesn’t meet these requirements, consider alternative options mentioned above.