Modern game case pet peeve

[cyberfluxor]

I'm not sure how ramped this is, but a lot of local used game resellers are tossing out the white Wii, green Xbox/Xbox360, and blue PS3 game cases that don't appear "appealing" and replacing them with cheap, black game cases similar to those of the PS2 and DVDs. It's becoming a bit annoying because I'll see a game I want but it's in that black, cheap case that doesn't match the rest of my games for the system, sticking out like a sore thumb. Is this happening frequently everywhere and how might this impact the future of the modern market as we may see a decrease in Wii, PS3, and Xbox games in their original cases?

[Daria]

Do the games include the inserts otherwise? If it's a game I really wanted/needed I would buy it anyway and then replace the case with the correct one. Most likely stealing an empty case from Gamestop. But I realize that's not an ethical option for most people. Actually if they're replacing the cases ask the store if they have any extra white, greens, or blues for you to have. Since they're just tossing them in the garbage anyway.

Incidently, I got into an awkward conversation once with a Gamestop employee who was hypothetically asking what type of person would steal an empty case. I may or may not have had a manual in my purse at the time. >.>'

[Misto]

I'm glad the user game store near me doesn't do this. They don't throw anything away. I can still find some boxed SMS and NES games as well as Wii/360/PS3 games with all original cases. They only use generic cases with games that are traded in loose.

[cyberfluxor]

Do the games include the inserts otherwise?

Yes, they do. I've seen a few stores strip the cases and swap out infront of me with new trade-ins. I'm not sure they are really creating a stock pile on the side or what, but asking around for tossed cases is a good idea. I generally avoid those types of requests and move on, as if I'm questioning their method of operations for the store.

[Daria]

Yes, they do. I've seen a few stores strip the cases and swap out infront of me with new trade-ins. I'm not sure they are really creating a stock pile on the side or what, but asking around for tossed cases is a good idea. I generally avoid those types of requests and move on, as if I'm questioning their method of operations for the store.

They're just going in the trash anyway. They may start setting a few aside for you if you ask. Worth a shot.

[Hitman Tyler]

These type of boxs just down right piss me off. I go to gamestop and buy a game and the original PS2 box had a manual tab broken off, so I kindly ask can I have a new one. The guy said sure, I said and it please be an official box? he responded by saying what ever we have. I am thinking ok, he goes to the backroom to get a box. So now I am thinking it's gonna be an official box, but nope the cheap ass box. So I just accept it and walk out with it.
As for gamecrazy, I "Special Ordered" a game from them and the box was broken at the bottom. I asked him for a new one he said "sure hold on", I waited he comes out with a Brand New OFFICIAL box. I said thank you and walked out. I thought to my self Damn that was nice of him. How did I know it was brand new?, well the box has that new box stiff to it.
As for blockbuster, they used give you the rental boxes with the used dvds or games you buy. Now they give you the official box if it is used on games. DVDS still get the rental boxes, by me that is. Then again I think this varies per location.

[walrusmonger]

These type of boxs just down right piss me off. I go to gamestop and buy a game and the original PS2 box had a manual tab broken off, so I kindly ask can I have a new one. The guy said sure, I said and it please be an official box? he responded by saying what ever we have. I am thinking ok, he goes to the backroom to get a box. So now I am thinking it's gonna be an official box, but nope the cheap ass box. So I just accept it and walk out with it.
As for gamecrazy, I "Special Ordered" a game from them and the box was broken at the bottom. I asked him for a new one he said "sure hold on", I waited he comes out with a Brand New OFFICIAL box. I said thank you and walked out. I thought to my self Damn that was nice of him. How did I know it was brand new?, well the box has that new box stiff to it.
As for blockbuster, they used give you the rental boxes with the used dvds or games you buy. Now they give you the official box if it is used on games. DVDS still get the rental boxes, by me that is. Then again I think this varies per location.


The reason gamecrazy might have "new" boxes is because hollywood video keeps 1 or 2 legit boxes for display and puts all of the other boxes in a drawer, the gamecrazy might have just taken those so they could replace busted or missing cases.

[Hitman Tyler]

The reason gamecrazy might have "new" boxes is because hollywood video keeps 1 or 2 legit boxes for display and puts all of the other boxes in a drawer, the gamecrazy might have just taken those so they could replace busted or missing cases.

could be, still I don't care. LOL
It just made my game worth more $$

[Ze_ro]

Do the games include the inserts otherwise? If it's a game I really wanted/needed I would buy it anyway and then replace the case with the correct one. Most likely stealing an empty case from Gamestop.
Well, rather than stealing a case, why not just swap the inserts on two cases that are sitting on the wall? You might get questioned by the staff if they see you, but if you make it clear that without the regular case, you wouldn't buy it, I imagine they wouldn't care too much.

--Zero

[Hitman Tyler]

Well, rather than stealing a case, why not just swap the inserts on two cases that are sitting on the wall? You might get questioned by the staff if they see you, but if you make it clear that without the regular case, you wouldn't buy it, I imagine they wouldn't care too much.

--Zero

no offense, but I don't think that would work. Due to they have stickers on the cases,stating the game;UPC,etc.

Unless you try to remove the stickers.

[Skelix]

Daria so you browse the used bins and just put cases/manuals that you want in your purse? That's insane.

I'll go through them until I find one with all it's pieces parts. I'll mix and match them too grab the manual out of the greatest hits put it in a normal. Grab manual out of a Blockbuster case put in normal etc.

You see people selling replacment cases etc on Ebay. Maybe that's what Gamestop employees are doing, robbing the cases and selling them as replacements!

[Daria]

Daria so you browse the used bins and just put cases/manuals that you want in your purse? That's insane.

Sometimes. It's not a daily ritual or anything. For example I bought FFXII special edition from Gamestop, case and disk were fine but someone had used the manual as a coffee coaster. I've had trouble finding the special edition in good condition because the metal case flakes. So I bought the game anyway.

Later I found a pristine manual and replaced mine.

I've swapped manuals maybe 4 times in the past 6 years. And only from Gamestop. Not because they're a nameless faceless corporation. But they sell shit in such bad condition on the whole that I don't feel guilty about it.

I've never actually taken cases. Like Ze_ro suggested I swap inserts first and explain my case at the counter.

[walrusmonger]

could be, still I don't care. LOL
It just made my game worth more $$

uh... alright

[Hitman Tyler]

You see people selling replacment cases etc on Ebay. Maybe that's what Gamestop employees are doing, robbing the cases and selling them as replacements!

An example would be this ebay link below:
http://cgi.ebay.com/600-PlayStation-2-PS2-Replacement-Game-Cases-Boxes_W0QQitemZ290262759284QQihZ019QQcategoryZ1399 69QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

and that's nothing, they have cases for all different systems.

[spoon]

I've done what Daria has done.

Usually it is to replace something they sold me in shitty condition in the first place. Putting stickers all over shit. I know that I am the one that bought it in the first place. I also used to work at GS. So, they don't care. But, I have done it at other stores too.

[cyberfluxor]

I've done the manual switcheroo before, but only a few times. I pass on damaged game cases and inserts to avoid hunting down replacements for these little defects.

[MarioMania]

try the garbage by the store..might have some PS3 & 360 Cases

[The 1 2 P]

try the garbage by the store..might have some PS3 & 360 Cases

And some rats and feces as well.

Since Gamestop allows you to have seven days with your used game you can always take it to other GS stores to see if they have a better condition manual or case to swap out. When I bought my Wind Waker/Metroid Prime hybrid game, the manual for MP had been used as a coaster like what Daria experienced. So I took it to another Gamestop that same day, showed them my receipt and explained the situation and they let me swap it out. Of course your mileage will vary depending on what kind of clerk is working that day but it doesn't hurt to try.

[Daria]

And some rats and feces as well.

Since Gamestop allows you to have seven days with your used game you can always take it to other GS stores to see if they have a better condition manual or case to swap out. When I bought my Wind Waker/Metroid Prime hybrid game, the manual for MP had been used as a coaster like what Daria experienced. So I took it to another Gamestop that same day, showed them my receipt and explained the situation and they let me swap it out. Of course your mileage will vary depending on what kind of clerk is working that day but it doesn't hurt to try.

I bought Saga Frontier off half.com in poor condition and convinced a Gamestop clerk to let me switch out the entire game for something presentable. But I totally think boobs gave me leverage in that exchange.

[The 1 2 P]

I bought Saga Frontier off half.com in poor condition and convinced a Gamestop clerk to let me switch out the entire game for something presentable. But I totally think boobs gave me leverage in that exchange.

Well I don't have boobs.....not even man-boobs, but thats probably a good thing. But had the clerk refused to.....um, give in to your womanly charm, you could have bought the game, took it home, switched everything out, and took it back and got your money back. But I see you like taking shortcuts. However, you do bring up an interesting question. I wonder if guys can leverage our penis the same way you women leverage your boobs. I suppose most of the guys on this site would have to stuff their pants before their leveraging could be taken seriously and even then it would look more like a freak accident then anything elseLOL

[Daria]

Well I don't have boobs.....not even man-boobs, but thats probably a good thing. But had the clerk refused to.....um, give in to your womanly charm, you could have bought the game, took it home, switched everything out, and took it back and got your money back. But I see you like taking shortcuts. However, you do bring up an interesting question. I wonder if guys can leverage our penis the same way you women leverage your boobs. I suppose most of the guys on this site would have to stuff their pants before their leveraging could be taken seriously and even then it would look more like a freak accident then anyting elseLOL

It wasn't intentional. XD

It's not like I flashed him and ran off with the goods while he was stupefied.

[shopkins]

Maybe it's because I'm buying a lot of PS2 RPGs lately, but I've seen some examples of the opposite. My copy of Tales of Legendia from Gamestop came in a Wii box. I was dumb enough to think that maybe it was special packaging, but, nope, no memory card holder. I also got a game from them that was in one of their crappy preorder boxes, they hadn't even bothered to take all the Guitar Hero World Tour inserts out, they just stuffed the insert for the game they were selling over two Guitar Hero ones.

Also, unless Arc the Lad: End of Darkness is more unique than I thought and really does feature a special musical number by Queen Latifah as the sticker on mine suggests, the copy of it I bought from Blockbuster came in a regular DVD case. Specifically one that used to hold Chicago, because the sticker also mentions Renee Zellweger. Again, these could be hidden features of the game that aren't highly publicized.

I also see no problem with mixing and matching to get a complete case. Gamestop obviously believes most of their customers don't care about that stuff or they wouldn't sell loose games for the same as they do complete ones.

[jdc]

I always swap out discs, instruction books and outer cases to build a better copy for myself to buy. It's not like the stores actually mind or care. The local stores know that I'm there to buy and am not just dicking around with their merchandise for the sake of it.

[SegaAges]

Well I don't have boobs.....not even man-boobs, but thats probably a good thing. But had the clerk refused to.....um, give in to your womanly charm, you could have bought the game, took it home, switched everything out, and took it back and got your money back. But I see you like taking shortcuts. However, you do bring up an interesting question. I wonder if guys can leverage our penis the same way you women leverage your boobs. I suppose most of the guys on this site would have to stuff their pants before their leveraging could be taken seriously and even then it would look more like a freak accident then anything elseLOL

So, uh, yeah, does that mean you are trying it first?

Get your girl some free from victoria secret or something by doing that.

I still need to do the "I am shopping for my wife. She is your size, can you try this stuff on" bit. It might work, it might not, but I will never know unless I try

Hahaha, dude, I got a mental picture (without the weiner) of that. Where a dude has a case, walks to the front desk and says, "hey, let me get this as a replacement." The clerk is all, "Uh, no". So then 1 2 P whips it out and says, "now can I get the replacement" hahahahaha

[Nesmaster]

I notice this at Blockbuster around here. They usually have no problem giving me an official case if I ask for one. Rogers Video... same thing although it happens way less. EB is pretty good, but I don't buy TOO much used stuff there.

[Daria]

Hahaha, dude, I got a mental picture (without the weiner) of that. Where a dude has a case, walks to the front desk and says, "hey, let me get this as a replacement." The clerk is all, "Uh, no". So then 1 2 P whips it out and says, "now can I get the replacement" hahahahaha

When they run away screaming he can loot the place. May just work.

[The 1 2 P]

So, uh, yeah, does that mean you are trying it first?

Um....you can be the guinae pig;)


Hahaha, dude, I got a mental picture (without the weiner) of that. Where a dude has a case, walks to the front desk and says, "hey, let me get this as a replacement." The clerk is all, "Uh, no". So then 1 2 P whips it out and says, "now can I get the replacement" hahahahaha

Unless that clerk is female that ain't happening.


When they run away screaming he can loot the place. May just work.

It's big Daria but it's not that big. However, it is one of the few stereotypes I proudly live up to8-)

[Leo_A]

I highly doubt anywhere practices this. Why buy new cases and print new inserts just to throw away old cases and inserts? Doesn't make any sense. Nor does your assertion that they do this to make games more attractive to buyers, I haven't heard of distaste for the Xbox green cases, white Wii cases, etc. So I highly doubt anywhere feels compelled to try to change those out.

What you're seeing are disc only trade ins. Blame the gamers that trade in their titles for pennies on the dollar and care so little about their games that they don't even keep track of the cases or throw them out and put the games into binders.

[cyberfluxor]

I highly doubt anywhere practices this. Why buy new cases and print new inserts just to throw away old cases and inserts? Doesn't make any sense. Nor does your assertion that they do this to make games more attractive to buyers, I haven't heard of distaste for the Xbox green cases, white Wii cases, etc. So I highly doubt anywhere feels compelled to try to change those out.

What you're seeing are disc only trade ins. Blame the gamers that trade in their titles for pennies on the dollar and care so little about their games that they don't even keep track of the cases or throw them out and put the games into binders.

They aren't printing new inserts, they are just swapping out the cases. Since it's cheap to purchase a bunch of standard black cases and all modern game discs fit they just go with it and tend to toss the ratty cases, but it's becoming frequent. I don't know what their ratings are for "bad" but it's around 15% of their modern trade-ins.

As for storage, the game cases with art and manual sit behind glass cases at most stores. The discs are stored in cases within what appears to be aluminum, industrial cabinets. These aren't franchise stores and they run independent for the most part, though the store owners around here know each other due to the local gaming, niche market.