Gamestop destroys their GBA games

[fishsandwich]

I'm in North Carolina for the holidays. I go by a good Gamestop where they always have a nice selection of used GB/GBC/GBA games plus a larger-than-average stock of new GBA games.

There are no new GBA games to be found... not even in the *otherwise empty* rolling displays. I ask the guy at the counter... turns out they took all the new GBA games (including the sealed ones), took out the carts, and threw the rest away. They marked the new games as used and stuck the loose carts in the glass case with the rest of the GB games.

I know they have to make space (and the bulk of these new games were Dogz/Catz/Barbie/Nickeloden) but I'd still have loved to have paid the used price for a complete new game.

Looks like this will be the last year for the GBA.

On a related note, I went to Wal-Mart and they had LOTS of GBA Micros in the case (haven't seen those in Atlanta for a while now) and a new copy of Atlantis for the GBC.

I'm done now.

[Kitsune Sniper]

They did this at my two local stores... right when I finally got money to purchase the last,straggling games they had on their shelves for months.

[s1lence]

So has anyone done any dumpster diving then?

[MonoTekETeA]

Yeah, well more a long the lines of just flat out asked them for the boxes, they kept all the good ones, they are a "Good" gamestop.

[xfrumx]

I already posted about this in the classic gaming forum. I went to 6 gamestops around the state only 2 of them kept boxes I even got Yggdra Union for the 12.99 used price sealed!

[8bitgamer]

Gamestop caters to gamers, not collectors, despite their occasional release of collector's editions of games.

[Poofta!]

i checked 8 gamestops in nyc and none kept the boxes... ill check 2 more tomorrow but there no hope really.

[Dangerboy]

2001 called. It would like its bitching back.

[Bratwurst]

Are there even any new GBA games worth bothering with at this point anyway?

[scooterb23]

How many times do we have to have a "OMG Gamestop throws out their boxes for older games" thread before people will realize that Gamestop throws out their boxes for older games?

I'll follow up with stock answer #245: If you don't like it, don't shop there

[FlufflePuff]

On a slightly related note, and not sure if it's been mentioned already, but I was in a Gamecrazy the other day, and all of their GB and GBC games were in the 2 for $5 classic plastic dump bins. Picked up 10 games right there. At their normal pricing they would have cost me $130 bucks!

[Poofta!]

i dont think this is so much an OMG GAMESTOP THROWS OUT THIER BOXES FOR OLDER GAMES thread (btw, they only did it for cart games) as much as all NEW gba games got opened, and the carts themeselves got thrown into the USED case under used prices, and gamestop discontinued to carry all new gba games.

this officially marks the death of the gba. RIP, you had a great run, one of my favorite consoles of all time. i remember getting it on launch date with the fucking mandatory gamestop buy-2-games-with-it thing. i picked up tony hawk 2 and iridion 3d. iridion sucked so bad i returned it and in turn picked up (i think) konomi krazy racers... that game was awesome, made me totally not care for the eventual release of mario kart. rip good friend, you helped me get through my last year of HS. lol

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

The thread title for this is highly misleading ...

... and while the Gamestop price tags do usually do some damage to GBA cartridge labels ...

Gamestops are NOT throwing their GBA stock into a wood-chipper. They're just throwing out the boxes for a line of software that likely will no longer be stocked new after this holiday season.

Disconcerting for a "completest" collector, yes, but there's no need to go network-news-style-deceptive with your thread title.

[erehwon]

I remember hearing about this on CAG a few weeks ago. They marked all the new stuff as used and got rid of the boxes. I find it really sad. They also marked all the new gamecube stuff as used as well a little while back. I guess they're trying to find ways to get rid of some of that stuff.

I'm needing cash right now, but I decided not to bother considering GS in my job hunting. As a collector, I just couldn't stomach some of the things they do there.

[kaedesdisciple]

i checked 8 gamestops in nyc and none kept the boxes... ill check 2 more tomorrow but there no hope really.

I've been doing the same, Poofta (fellow brooklynite) with similar results. Kinda makes me wonder when they will throw out all of the xbox, ps2 and cube boxes and put all the discs in their extremely protective cardboard sleeves...

[heybtbm]

this officially marks the death of the gba. RIP, you had a great run, one of my favorite consoles of all time. i remember getting it on launch date with the fucking mandatory gamestop buy-2-games-with-it thing. i picked up tony hawk 2 and iridion 3d. iridion sucked so bad i returned it and in turn picked up (i think) konomi krazy racers... that game was awesome, made me totally not care for the eventual release of mario kart. rip good friend, you helped me get through my last year of HS. lol

The "final" nail was the revelation last week of no GBA slot in the new DS model due out next year. Oh well. I still enjoyed the GBA library more than the DS (so far). RIP.

[Dangerboy]

"...They're just throwing out the boxes for a line of software that likely will no longer be stocked new after this holiday season..."

I've always wondered if those people that raise torches against stores for doing such things crucify regular people they see trading in disc only / cart only games.

[fishsandwich]

2001 called. It would like its bitching back.


How many times do we have to have a "OMG Gamestop throws out their boxes for older games" thread before people will realize that Gamestop throws out their boxes for older games?

I'll follow up with stock answer #245: If you don't like it, don't shop there


The thread title for this is highly misleading ...

... and while the Gamestop price tags do usually do some damage to GBA cartridge labels ...

Gamestops are NOT throwing their GBA stock into a wood-chipper. They're just throwing out the boxes for a line of software that likely will no longer be stocked new after this holiday season.

Disconcerting for a "completest" collector, yes, but there's no need to go network-news-style-deceptive with your thread title.


You guys need to add more fiber to your diets.


For anyone without a bug up their ass: If you are interested in a new GBA Micro ($50) or a sealed Metal Slug Advance ($20) let me know... the Walmart up here has loads. I may pick up a Metal Slug myself. They have plenty of GBA games in the case but a lot of them look a bit crushed. Who sat on all the boxes and then decided to put them on display? The Micros and some of the other games are in fine shape, though. I'll be happy to bring a batch home if anyone is interested.

I knew the GBA was not long for this world but I figured it might have one last season on display. The DS is going to be a hot holiday item (again) and I can see parents getting the GBA for the younger gamers in the family, especially if the DS sells out in a particular area. There hasn't been much on the GBA release list that I've wanted, but I've still found a decent (older) new game once in a while at a Gamestop.



Peace

[Trebuken]

Seems to be consistent for Gamestop. I believe they opened all their 'new' Gamecube games a couple months ago and labeled them used. I suspect the Xbox will follow after Christmas. the PS2 seems to have life in it yet though.

[Kid Ice]

You guys need to add more fiber to your diets.

In that case so do I. Change the thread title. Gamestop throwing away boxes is yesterday's news and I wouldn't have bothered. If they were destroying actual games that would be disturbing.

[Jorpho]

By the way, wasn't FF6 Advance one of the last few GBA games released? I can't seem to find it anywhere, and it woulod be mighty sweet indeed if it got liquidated like a lot of this other licensed crap that came out at the end of the system's lifetime.


The "final" nail was the revelation last week of no GBA slot in the new DS model due out next year. Oh well. I still enjoyed the GBA library more than the DS (so far). RIP.

Oy, a third revision has been officially announced? Why?! (And why does there seem to be no thread about it already?)

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

You guys need to add more fiber to your diets.


For anyone without a bug up their ass: If you are interested in a new GBA Micro ($50) or a sealed Metal Slug Advance ($20) let me know... the Walmart up here has loads. I may pick up a Metal Slug myself. They have plenty of GBA games in the case but a lot of them look a bit crushed. Who sat on all the boxes and then decided to put them on display? The Micros and some of the other games are in fine shape, though. I'll be happy to bring a batch home if anyone is interested.

I knew the GBA was not long for this world but I figured it might have one last season on display. The DS is going to be a hot holiday item (again) and I can see parents getting the GBA for the younger gamers in the family, especially if the DS sells out in a particular area. There hasn't been much on the GBA release list that I've wanted, but I've still found a decent (older) new game once in a while at a Gamestop.

Peace

I'm plenty regular thank you.

I'll even go so far to say that I understand why you or anybody else would be "upset" about them tossing new retail boxes....I just don't understand why you need to flat out lie in your thread topic.

It's not the games being destroyed, it's empty cardboard boxes being tossed in the trash.

Why not title the thread "Gamestop destroys (new) GBA boxes"?

[Gentlegamer]

Do you think it would be possible to work out deals with friendly GameStop employees to save the boxes, inserts, etc. for interested members of the public (collectors) to take off their hands instead of destroying them?

[roushimsx]

Are there even any new GBA games worth bothering with at this point anyway?

Spyro and the Eternal Night (http://www.4colorrebellion.com/archives/2007/10/24/4cr-review-spyro-the-eternal-night-gba/).

[Damaramu]

By the way, wasn't FF6 Advance one of the last few GBA games released? I can't seem to find it anywhere, and it woulod be mighty sweet indeed if it got liquidated like a lot of this other licensed crap that came out at the end of the system's lifetime.

A TRU down the street from me has a TON of these. Let me know if you need one, we can set something up. They're still $29.99, though.

[Chuplayer]

By the way, wasn't FF6 Advance one of the last few GBA games released?

I dunno, but the American version of some GBA Samurai Champloo game is going to come with the complete series anime box set sometime next year.


Oy, a third revision has been officially announced? Why?! (And why does there seem to be no thread about it already?)

WTF? I've heard nothing about this. I call bullshit. Nintendo actively uses the GBA port for rumble accessories and the extra RAM pack for the web browser.

[Blitzwing256]

I have to thank this thread, I imediately checked all the gs stores in my area, and it was very true..however...if you ask the counter jockey nicely some of them kept some of the games sealed in a drawer at the used price, I got about 20 or so "new used/ sealed" games for 5$ or less each that way.

your milage may vary as one of the gamestops gutted about 20 ff5's and ff6s and threw them in the glass case as well as a myrad of shitty disney games.

[Jorpho]

A TRU down the street from me has a TON of these. Let me know if you need one, we can set something up. They're still $29.99, though.

Hmm. Thanks for offering, but I'll wait until it gets a wee bit cheaper.

(I'd also love to get my mitts on the Castlevania Double Pack and Gunstar Super Heroes sometime, but I have so many games already.)

[Chuplayer]

(I'd also love to get my mitts on the Castlevania Double Pack and Gunstar Super Heroes sometime, but I have so many games already.)

Those are great games. GREAT GAMES. See if a K-Mart near you has GSH on clearance. Mine had a couple a few months ago. Actually, I didn't like Harmony of Dissonance on the Castlevania pack that much. I loved Aria of Sorrow, though. Still worth the price of admission for AoS, though, and you get HoD in case it tickles your fancy.

[RadiantSvgun]

Do you think it would be possible to work out deals with friendly GameStop employees to save the boxes, inserts, etc. for interested members of the public (collectors) to take off their hands instead of destroying them?

Nope, by this time everything is probably gone.

[DKTheArcadeRat]

(I'd also love to get my mitts on the Castlevania Double Pack and Gunstar Super Heroes sometime, but I have so many games already.)

Check your local K-Mart. Its definitely a YMMV sort of thing, but I grabbed the one copy of the DoublePack they had at one of my local stores on clearance for $7. They had some FF games and Gunstar too. But i'd check your local stores.

dave

[Jorpho]

I don't think we have K-Marts in Canada. (Not this part of Canada, anyway.)

Toys R Us has some occasional bargains, and The Source (formerly Radio Shack) had one heck of a liquidation recently (though it's been drying up). Zellers, Wal-Mart, and Staples are all pretty lousy. Loblaws might have some stuff, but there's no Loblaws in my neighborhood.

Thus, the only place I've seen the Catlevania 2-Pack myself has been the local indie store, sensibly priced at $60. I ought to investigate some cross-border opportunities.

[Kitsune Sniper]

My local Wallymart still had some copies of FFVI for $30. The TRU I work at had FFV for $20 a bit ago, I'm probably going to buy it to complete the series on the GBA.

I wonder if the GS at the mall still has Super Robot Wars OG2 new...

[Poofta!]

never heard of a new redesign DS... but yea, no gba slot seems kinda unlikely.

all the ones ive checked did not keep any games in the drawers, all were gutted and thrown out. i am freindly with 2 of the GSs, and they told me it was too late.

ill miss the gba. *sniff*

[Griking]

People who still shop at Gamstop deserve whatever they get there

[heybtbm]

Oy, a third revision has been officially announced? Why?! (And why does there seem to be no thread about it already?)


WTF? I've heard nothing about this. I call bullshit. Nintendo actively uses the GBA port for rumble accessories and the extra RAM pack for the web browser.

Call bullshit all you want. Nintendo isn't going to annouce a new hardware revision before the Christmas shopping season. This will happen in 2008.

Last weeks article. (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6182879.html)

[Jorpho]

Analyst: DS redesign already done

Ohh, an analyst. How nice. I bet it was analysts who told Sony that all those viral marketing campaigns would be surefire wins, too.

(Speaking of which, I wonder what outrageous stnank Sony's marketing department is cooking up right now?)

[Fuzzball24]

People who still shop at Gamstop deserve whatever they get there

For most, like me, we have no such thing as local game shops for used games. Therefore, we have to resort to the evil that is called Gamestop. Fucking Gamestop.

[fishsandwich]

For most, like me, we have no such thing as local game shops for used games. Therefore, we have to resort to the evil that is called Gamestop. Fucking Gamestop.

I like Gamestops... for the most part, anyway. I've found that the ones I've hit lately have been staffed by knowledgeable, nerdy people like myself. I wish they carried older stuff but that's not the market.

I will say that the Gamestops in central North Carolina are better stocked that the ones in and around Atlanta.

[Jimid2]

My local Wallymart still had some copies of FFVI for $30. The TRU I work at had FFV for $20 a bit ago, I'm probably going to buy it to complete the series on the GBA.
You know, I bought FFVI at Wal-Mart a couple days after it was released for $16... I'm beginning to think that some semi-literate retail drone mis-priced it thinking it was FFIV... ROFL

We don't have any Game Stops up here, but EB can be just as stupid with very little encouragement, ime...

[roushimsx]

We don't have any Game Stops up here, but EB can be just as stupid with very little encouragement, ime...

Probably because it's the exact same company?

[Poofta!]

there isnt much choice in nyc either. there like 1 gamecrazy in brooklyn, which sucks balls, plus they dont take returns on used games so the hell with them anyway.

the [very scarce] used game stores in nyc are either very poorly stocked or extremely overpriced. a lot of private electronics stores carry games but at such prices its laughable (high). also they know jack shit about games.

i have to add that i too like gamestop. there are some gems to be had there, and if you make nice w/ the managers and staff (also if youre lucky enough to be located next to a GS with decent manager & staff) you get many perks such as free pre-order bonuses and games held. but yes, i get very dissappointed and upset when stuff like this happens.