The company is launching a pilot sales and trade-in program for retro game consoles, games, and accessories.
It might be time to bust out that ancient Sega Genesis currently collecting dust in your attic. GameStop announced this week that it would once again accept the Genesis, along with the Nintendo 64 and other classic gaming consoles, at its stores.
According to a report in IGN, the company is launching a pilot sales and trade-in program for retro consoles, games, and accessories in two of its markets beginning April 25. GameStops in the New York City and Birmingham markets, which comprise about 250 stores, will host the program.
As part of the program, participating GameStop locations will begin accepting “games, systems and select accessories” for “most” classic gaming platforms, reportedly going all the back the Nintendo Entertainment System. If proven successful, GameStop hopes to start a national roll out “later this year,” IGN reports.
But those hoping to walk into their NYC GameStop on April 25 for an NES game-buying spree will be disappointed. The program will start by accepting trade-ins, which will then have to be processed through GameStop’s Refurbishment Operations Center for inspection, testing and repair. Consequently, there will be about a two month lead time between when the company begins accepting trades and when the products will be offered for sale.
GameStop tells IGN that this buffer period will give the company “time to build up a good assortment for retro games fans to select from when shopping.”
Even once the program is fully up and running, customers still won’t be able to browse retro games and consoles at their local stores. Purchases will have to be made through GameStop’s website, or through its web-in-store system.