GameStop will stop taking in original Xbox stuff Feb. 9th

[DigitalSpace]

Just thought I'd give everyone a heads up about this. The Xbox is the next system GameStop is phasing out. Some smaller locations have already eliminated their Xbox sections, shipping the games to other stores. It's not too surprising considering that most of the Xbox games you'll see at GS are dirt cheap (and now that they're being phased out, they're going to get cheaper - see, there's always an upside), and the 360's lack of full backwards compatibility doesn't help.

So if you see anything that has a good chance of being gone before the discounts take effect, get it asap.

And in case you're wondering, I wouldn't expect Gamecube and GBA stuff to be phased out anytime soon due to full backwards compatibility on the Wii and DS, and we all know that the PS2 is still doing pretty well.

[otoko]

Sweet, new things to go through at my local (not a) GameStop!

[Oobgarm]

Looks like a good time to go grab that copy of Spikeout I've seen a few times.

I truly wonder what GameStop needs that extra floor cart for. It's not like they're taking up that much space.

[Hitman Tyler]

Looks like a good time to go grab that copy of Spikeout I've seen a few times.

I truly wonder what GameStop needs that extra floor cart for. It's not like they're taking up that much space.

Not reguarding a gamestop,but my local FYE is having a BOGO on all Original XBOX games. I don't know if this is all over,but its worth bringing up in here.

[JustRob]

I thought they already stopped taking them in. Oh well, guess I have to visit gamestop more often.

[Leo_A]

What is a bogo? Is that a real abbreviation, or just something you use?

Edit - I see it means buy 1, get 1 free.

[scooterb23]

bogo = Buy One Get One, and it's all over the place, especially during the holidays.

May have to go digging through a couple stores, I know a couple places still have healthy XBox sections.

[TheGam3r]

does this apply to the canadian EB Games??

[Oobgarm]

Not reguarding a gamestop,but my local FYE is having a BOGO on all Original XBOX games. I don't know if this is all over,but its worth bringing up in here.

There's a deals subforum for stuff like this.

[Drifter 2000]

I truly wonder what GameStop needs that extra floor cart for. It's not like they're taking up that much space.

They need the space to display all the plastic guitars and drums they get in with the yearly rhythm game releases.

To comment on the news itself: I have 95% of what I want for the XBOX anyways so it's not Earth shattering. My local EB Games are actually talking about getting rid of PC games since they don't sell around here.

[GrandAmChandler]

Looks like a good time to go grab that copy of Spikeout I've seen a few times.

I truly wonder what GameStop needs that extra floor cart for. It's not like they're taking up that much space.

My guess is for the greatly expanding Wii/360/PS3 libraries. Not so much floorspace, but space in the drawers where they keep the discs.

[lazyhoboguy]

Dammit, my xbox got stolen last year. I was planning on getting another one in the next year or so , but by the time I do, it looks like It will much more annoying finding games.

[sebastiankirchoff]

Wow, I remember years ago when I went to Gamestop and traded in some X-box games. Worst decision of my life...

[Icarus Moonsight]

Go get em back on the cheap then. :)

[The 1 2 P]

Unless the games are super cheap (sub $5 levels) then I'll pass. I have the majority of what I need for the Xbox anyway. As for what I don't have, I'd prefer it either factory sealed or in mint condition.

[scooterb23]

Wow, I remember years ago when I went to Gamestop and traded in some X-box games. Worst decision of my life...

If trading in some X-Box games is the worst decision you've ever made in your life...I want your life.

[bangtango]

Well if they do a BOGO (or 75% off) on the Xbox games at my two nearest Gamestops, all it means is I will buy doubles, tripes and quadruples of some of the 99 cent sports games I already own. If I can get them for somewhere between 25 to 50 cents per title, I'd be open to hoarding some of them for the heck of it. I have the space for them and would be happy to go home with a haul of 25-30 el cheapo EA, Sega, Konami, 2K and XSN Sports games.

I wouldn't do this for their sports titles that are still $2.99 and up (which is a surprising number of them). But anything $0.99 or certain $1.99 games (not ALL), I'll certainly consider getting a bunch of extras of.

I'd never be able to resell them and probably couldn't trade them on forums but I'm the type who'd buy about any game for $0.25 to $0.50. Not to mention the game cases and the manuals might be somewhat useful to me.

On top of that, I know a local store or two who will give me a decent amount of store credit for any games I get on the cheap since they aren't aware of their real value and they'd give me the same amount of store credit regardless of what Xbox game it is. I'm sure others reading this could do the same with at least one or two stores in their area. $2-3 of store credit for a 50 cent copy of Madden 2002 (or other 50 cent Madden's) shouldn't be taken lightly, especially if you use that credit for dvd's, cd's or other video games.

[Sabz5150]

Time to fatten up the EcksBawks collection.

[j_factor]

Wow, that sucks. In the past year I've purchased quite a few Xbox games at GS. They're practically giving them away as it is. I think I paid $2 for May Payne 2 and $3 for Legacy of Kain: Defiance. Unfortunately, they never have Dreamfall in stock. :(

[sebastiankirchoff]

If trading in some X-Box games is the worst decision you've ever made in your life...I want your life.

Really? Well, that can be arranged. Ill give you my life for a NWC Gold Cartridge ; ) .


Go get em back on the cheap then. :)

Unfortunately, I live about 1600 miles from where I sold them. Maybe if I stowe away on a plane or truck...

[Push Upstairs]

The GS's near me have not much xbox wise. I think those "buy 2 get 2/3 free" from a year or two ago really cleaned out the really good stuff.

[Darren870]

Anyone want to recommend some good games I should look into picking up?

[refan]

hope to get cheap xbox games like madden and halo

[josekortez]

Darren870, there is a thread in the Classics Discussions part of the forum called "Microsoft Xbox Favorites" about four pages in, but it wouldn't let me send you a link. That shows several recommendations by longtime DP members.

I'd focus on picking up some of the more obscure good games myself. I recently paid $20 each for DDR Ultramix 3 and 4 (the 4 set just happened to be a boxed set with the dance pad converted to used from new stock) during a recent buy 2, get 1 free sale. I know the DDR diehards think the Xbox versions aren't as good as the PS1/PS2 versions, but I think the later DDRs are going to tougher to find.

[RJ]

GS wont run out of used PS2 games anytime soon, for sure. At the Mall of America here in Bloomington MN I swear the smaller GS store exists for the other one's PS2 overflow.

& at my closer GS store they have at least 3 separate PS2 areas. I found the Gottlieb Pinball Coll. for $5, in back they had another for $10- w/ no discernable difference I could see.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Wouldn't mind picking up a copy of Conkers and Otogi 2... Maybe others too. :hmm:

[We Are Ninja]

Looks like a good time to go grab that copy of Spikeout I've seen a few times.

I truly wonder what GameStop needs that extra floor cart for. It's not like they're taking up that much space.

Spikeout was HORRIBLE.

But yah, this is good to know. I've been picking up Xbox games on the cheap. Now I can pick them up on the cheaper...

[Skelix]

What they should do is take all their leftover stock and donate it.. give some to the poor kids and some to military etc.

Would be a great PR move for the shit trade in prices they give you.

I think everyone has already gotten most of the xbox hits already as it is. Not to mention the xbox was such an easy system to modify and do all the disc ripping etc too.

The only thing I still scan theshelves for (just did earlier today), is for AVP. I've yet to see that, I think I might just order it now.

[Neil Koch]

Nah, it'd probably end up like that skit on Mind of Mencia where the poor kid gets pissed because he got a Nintendo 64 and then stomps the shit out of it.

[j_factor]

Please don't reference Mind of Mencia... ever.

[bangtango]

Summary of the original post:

If you're disappointed that you haven't found NHL Rivals 2004, ESPN NBA 2 Night 2002 or MLB Inside Pitch 2003 at your local Gamestop during your last few visits, then your ship is going to come in sometime between now and February 9th because copies are going to be pouring in.

[Leo_A]

Went to my local one today to check it out to see if there was anything good left, and its pretty well picked over now. Only maybe 100 or so games left on a small rack.

Bought a used Xbox for a spare, maybe someday I'll find someone that could mod it for me. Thats the only part of this console I've never ventured into, the emulation and home media capabilities of it.

[tubeway]

Went to my local one today to check it out to see if there was anything good left, and its pretty well picked over now. Only maybe 100 or so games left on a small rack.

Bought a used Xbox for a spare, maybe someday I'll find someone that could mod it for me. Thats the only part of this console I've never ventured into, the emulation and home media capabilities of it.

Game Stop probably isn't the best place to get Xbox games at this point. A week after they stop accepting games will probably be the best time to get used titles. At that point, I imagine that ebay, your local paper and craigslist will become ripe with some good pickings, as people try to get rid of them. Best to get them now before they become absorbed into the secondary market and go up a little in price. They stopped accepting XBOX systems not too long ago, and a lady and her son brought theirs into a local Gamestop to trade in for an XBOX 360. While gamestop took their controllers and cables for tradein credit, I was able to give the people $10 for the system itself. Now I got a backup. :D

[TwinChargers]

Out of curiousity, is GameStop and GameCrazy the same corporation? If not, I imagine that GameCrazy might still carry the Xbox for awhile, right?

[DigitalSpace]

Out of curiousity, is GameStop and GameCrazy the same corporation?

Nope - GameCrazy is owned by Hollywood Video/Movie Gallery.

[ScourDX]

EB Games at my area stop having GCN & Xbox games now. They even trying to have smaller PC games section.

[TwinChargers]

The GameStop in my mall had a pretty healthy selection of Xbox games at the normal prices (whats seen on there website), and then suddenly they all disappeared. The guy at the counter said they shipped them off to another store. Guess no "great" deals for me! :(

[Half Japanese]

Went to my local one today to check it out to see if there was anything good left, and its pretty well picked over now. Only maybe 100 or so games left on a small rack.

Bought a used Xbox for a spare, maybe someday I'll find someone that could mod it for me. Thats the only part of this console I've never ventured into, the emulation and home media capabilities of it.

It's almost ridiculously easy to mod an Xbox assuming you have a non-Platinum Hits copy of Splinter Cell, MechAssault, or 007 Nightfire plus an action replay or similar device and access to the hacked game save.

This video is very helpful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXg06Kab3T8

You'll also need a very basic understanding of FTP, but the level of knowledge required there is easily self-taught in under 10 minutes.

[Leo_A]

Too complicated. :)

Just kidding, but I really don't have the urge to do the modding, and I suspect wanting to install a drive of useful size would make this somewhat more complicated than using the original 8-10 gig drive.

I'd rather find someone trustworthy that could mod it with a large hd so I could install my games (Own around 80 and probably will be close to 100 by the time I get everything I want, would love to be able to put a couple dozen of my favorites on to the hard drive), and maybe install some of the better emulators and other neat things it could do in regards to multimedia and becoming a region free DVD player. And perhaps allow me to bug them occasionally to help me figure out things like loading 2600 roms if I get confused, or installing newer versions of emulators as updates come out.

With my Dreamcast emulator experience where I only ever successfully burned about 50% of everything I tried because authors assume they're writing instructions for people that could almost figure this stuff out themselves, which wasn't the case for me. So getting someone that not only would mod it and get me started, but would be willing to answer the occasional question over pm's when instructions aren't clear, would be the ideal way for me to go with modding this spare Xbox.

In regards to clearancing Xbox games out at GS, I bought a copy of Halo 2 a while back from GS after hearing they were going to end taking in Xbox 1 games in the near future, and had some issues on my 360 with it and wrote it off as the emulator sucking, and got around to trying it on my original Xbox and had nothing but troubles after installing the map packs. They sold me a cracked disc near the center that I didn't catch when buying it (The rest looks nearly flawless), causing the occasional bad disc error on both the 360 and Xbox, along with skipping audio and occasional momentary freezes that I'm sure aren't supposed to be there. Hope I can talk them into replacing it so I don't feel so ripped off. Hope the other 15 or so Xbox games I have here untried don't suffer anything similar.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

Too complicated. :)

Just kidding, but I really don't have the urge to do the modding, and I suspect wanting to install a drive of useful size would make this somewhat more complicated than using the original 8-10 gig drive.

I'd rather find someone trustworthy that could mod it with a large hd so I could install my games (Own around 80 and probably will be close to 100 by the time I get everything I want, would love to be able to put a couple dozen of my favorites on to the hard drive), and maybe install some of the better emulators and other neat things it could do in regards to multimedia and becoming a region free DVD player. And perhaps allow me to bug them occasionally to help me figure out things like loading 2600 roms if I get confused, or installing newer versions of emulators as updates come out.


I soft modded mine a year or two ago for classic game emulation. I've had problems with the system locking up when I try to access the various emulators from the main menu. I can access them by going through a few loops, but it's a bit of trouble and not the way it's designed to work. Since, then I have found copies of most of the games I had transferred there so now I don't really have much a use for it.

And like you mentioned, the stock HD can only hold so much before you run out of room. I would also assume you'd need a Windows PC to make it easier to format a new HD before putting it in, which sucks if you're a mac owner.

I've looked over various forums (like xbox-scene) to see if I could find a solution to my original problem, but after an hour of searching I came up with nothing. There are quite a few different dashboards and emulators out there to choose from, and sometimes getting them to work properly together is a pain. I don't have the patience to spend hours of times reading posts detailing which dashboard revisions work well with which revision of which SNES emulator. That's if you can even find such information anyway.

Instead of wasting money buying an action replay and a bigger hard drive, why not take a much easier approach and load emulators onto your computer? It will save the less tech savy hours of: research, FTP-ing, formatting hard-drives, and taking apart xboxes. Or just get someone to mod-it for you.

Other than the 1st week after I modded my xbox, I have not used my Xbox for anything more than a non-modded console could accomplish. I look back on it as a waste of two evenings of my time, and the $40 for the action replay.

[SwingingPendulum]

hmm im going to have to visit my gamestop... i lost all my xbox games and controllers somehow.

[bangtango]

I'm curious to hear from anyone here who scrambled to Gamestop yesterday or today to get rid of their Xbox 1 stuff before the cutoff.

I was thinking about it but changed my mind at the last minute after I'd already put together a small stack of games. Instead I just put them back on the shelf.

My reason for not doing it was that there was stuff in my pile which I would have considered buying back in an inevitable Xbox games 50-75% off sale. Obviously that would have defeated the purpose of trading them in, IMO, since I'd be paying about the same price (or more) compared to what I received for trade in credit.

Not to mention I'd have been getting them back with the disc in slightly worse condition or a completely different disc in worse shape than the one I came in with.

Thankfully I came to my senses before starting the car.

So who went to Gamestop in the past day, two days or three days? You trade in anything or did you see the store much busier than usual?

[Steve W]

I checked out a GameStop to see what kind of selection they'd have; their store had maybe around 150 titles, and (I wish I were joking about this) maybe a dozen titles were in their original cases, probably less. That pisses me off more than anything. I will not buy a game unless it's got it's original case and instruction manual, and when I see all those generic filler case inserts, it makes me hate their stores even more.

[bangtango]

I checked out a GameStop to see what kind of selection they'd have; their store had maybe around 150 titles, and (I wish I were joking about this) maybe a dozen titles were in their original cases, probably less. That pisses me off more than anything. I will not buy a game unless it's got it's original case and instruction manual, and when I see all those generic filler case inserts, it makes me hate their stores even more.

You hate their stores for it?

Keep in mind that it isn't Gamestop's fault that everybody in your area was apparently turning in disc only Xbox games.

I'm not a fan of Gamestop either but they really don't have much of a choice when that happens. Their only options are to accept trade-ins of games without the case and manual or refuse them.

Given that some knucklehead who comes in with a bunch of disc only games for trade is probably going to keep on spending money at the same store, there is no point alienating that type of customer. Plus if Gamestop refused games that were missing the manual or case, then their inventory would be dramatically reduced.

And there aren't many options that Gamestop has for obtaining original cases and manuals for their games that don't have them. It isn't economical for them to get them en masse from a wholesaler or Ebay and the publishers/developers aren't just going to send replacement inserts free of charge.

As for generic Gamestop inserts, if a game doesn't have the original case then a shopper has to see the title of the game somehow. How else can they clearly display a title without having the original case to refer to? Xeroxing cover art is supposed to be illegal, or at least it used to be.

I'm not trying to throw you under the bus but you should be blaming the original owners of those games who lost the case/manual to begin with and not a store that is simply selling them.

[incubus421]

You hate their stores for it?

Keep in mind that it isn't Gamestop's fault that everybody in your area was apparently turning in disc only Xbox games.

I'm not a fan of Gamestop either but they really don't have much of a choice when that happens. Their only options are to accept trade-ins of games without the case and manual or refuse them.

Given that some knucklehead who comes in with a bunch of disc only games for trade is probably going to keep on spending money at the same store, there is no point alienating that type of customer. Plus if Gamestop refused games that were missing the manual or case, then their inventory would be dramatically reduced.

And there aren't many options that Gamestop has for obtaining original cases and manuals for their games that don't have them. It isn't economical for them to get them en masse from a wholesaler or Ebay and the publishers/developers aren't just going to send replacement inserts free of charge.

As for generic Gamestop inserts, if a game doesn't have the original case then a shopper has to see the title of the game somehow. How else can they clearly display a title without having the original case to refer to? Xeroxing cover art is supposed to be illegal, or at least it used to be.

I'm not trying to throw you under the bus but you should be blaming the original owners of those games who lost the case/manual to begin with and not a store that is simply selling them.


Thank you sir for saving me from having to type this response up myself.

As for my input...I can't wait for the inevitable half off sale (or better) hits the XBOX section of my store. We still have good looking copies of Conker, Stubbs, BMX XXX, DOA Ultimate, OddWorld Stranger's Wrath and probably some others; that I plan to pick up.

[Poofta!]

there are 4 gamestops within 5 minutes of my job (no kidding). i look forward to 'the sale' but at the same time i can barely think of 5 games i want that i havent already picked up (oddworld(s) do come to mind, however)

[ReaXan]

I went to a Gamestop this weekend and the manager said the XBoX games were staying the same price as marked even after Feb 9th. San Andreas was still 18 bucks for the XBox. was hoping to get it for 5-8 bucks but no dice.

Also if you have a warranty on an XBox through GS they said they will still be able to get ya in XBox if it breaks since they will probably store them in a warehouse somewhere.

[Astrocade]

I wish I lived near a Gamestop that hated their X Box titles so bad they were giving them away... all of the ones here are still full priced and probably two or three hundred games per store. Fatal Frame is still almost forty dollars. I'm finding better deals on PS2 games than I am X Box.

[ReaXan]

I wish I lived near a Gamestop that hated their X Box titles so bad they were giving them away... all of the ones here are still full priced and probably two or three hundred games per store. Fatal Frame is still almost forty dollars. I'm finding better deals on PS2 games than I am X Box.

Thats my point about the XBox, teh games for it are still too high even though GS is doing away with it.

Its like Gamestop prices games on how fun they are or how common they are.

Sega GT 2002 is 99 cents for a reason lol

[josekortez]

Xeroxing cover art is supposed to be illegal, or at least it used to be.

If that's the case, someone should have told Circuit City or the liquidators who bought out Circuit City. While perusing their pre-owned games this weekend, I found several copies of GTA: San Andreas for PS2 among other, that had photocopied cover art.

At this point, I guess it doesn't really matter when it comes to Circuit City.

[Steve W]

You hate their stores for it?

Keep in mind that it isn't Gamestop's fault that everybody in your area was apparently turning in disc only Xbox games.

I'm not a fan of Gamestop either but they really don't have much of a choice when that happens. Their only options are to accept trade-ins of games without the case and manual or refuse them.

Given that some knucklehead who comes in with a bunch of disc only games for trade is probably going to keep on spending money at the same store, there is no point alienating that type of customer. Plus if Gamestop refused games that were missing the manual or case, then their inventory would be dramatically reduced.

And there aren't many options that Gamestop has for obtaining original cases and manuals for their games that don't have them. It isn't economical for them to get them en masse from a wholesaler or Ebay and the publishers/developers aren't just going to send replacement inserts free of charge.

As for generic Gamestop inserts, if a game doesn't have the original case then a shopper has to see the title of the game somehow. How else can they clearly display a title without having the original case to refer to? Xeroxing cover art is supposed to be illegal, or at least it used to be.

I'm not trying to throw you under the bus but you should be blaming the original owners of those games who lost the case/manual to begin with and not a store that is simply selling them.

So why don't they give a price break on titles that are disc-only? No instruction manual, no case, and probably a scratched up disc. Their used game pricing policy should reflect that. A month old release gets traded back as a bare disc, they shouldn't price it at $5 less than a new unopened game (like most new release games sold 'used' are), they should have a little leeway with pricing when buyers are getting far less for their money than a game that's complete in box.

They should at least have a policy on taking in used games that are disc-only. You want to trade a game in like that, it'll be half the credit that a CIB game would get. That would hopefully make the shitheads that can't keep track of their cases start remembering to take better care of their stuff, or they'll be penalized when they attempt to trade. But then, for shoplifters that slice open games in an electronics store, steal the disc, play it for a week and trade it into GameStop for credit to get more, they won't give a damn that they're getting less for it. They didn't pay for the game anyway.

[bangtango]

So why don't they give a price break on titles that are disc-only? No instruction manual, no case, and probably a scratched up disc. Their used game pricing policy should reflect that. A month old release gets traded back as a bare disc, they shouldn't price it at $5 less than a new unopened game (like most new release games sold 'used' are), they should have a little leeway with pricing when buyers are getting far less for their money than a game that's complete in box.

They should at least have a policy on taking in used games that are disc-only. You want to trade a game in like that, it'll be half the credit that a CIB game would get. That would hopefully make the shitheads that can't keep track of their cases start remembering to take better care of their stuff, or they'll be penalized when they attempt to trade. But then, for shoplifters that slice open games in an electronics store, steal the disc, play it for a week and trade it into GameStop for credit to get more, they won't give a damn that they're getting less for it. They didn't pay for the game anyway.

But do you have any idea of how many codes or SKU's they would need to keep track of by pricing games differently that way? Give a random game such as True Crime: Streets of LA (PS2) one price for a complete copy, one price if it is in the original case with no manual and another price for a copy with a manual but without a case. That is three separate codes for one stinking used game.

Then you'd have to trust some half asleep, chocolate Yoo Hoo stained chump who lives in his parent's basement to put in the proper code (complete copy versus disc only copy) for each and every game you are buying that day. See how well that works out when you have a stack of 12-15 games. Their clerks have a hard enough time getting things right with transactions the way things are now, without your ideas to increase the workload and double/triple the number of SKU's/codes on their used product.

As for giving a lower price when trading in incomplete games, again that would require multiple designations (or codes) for each and every game on the market. The way Gamestop does things now may not be ideal or even "right" but it does save them the time, hassle and work of getting so damn specific about things.

Another thing, scratched up discs aren't exclusive to disc only versions of a used game. I've seen disc only copies that end up being in better condition (the disc) than complete copies.

Besides, at least 2/3 of the video stores out there who sell used dvd's typically charge the same price for disc only dvd's in a generic case as they do for used movies with all of the original packaging. And these same stores did the exact same thing when selling VHS movies without the box versus ones that were in the box.

You see the same thing at pawn shops which sell used dvd's or cd's. You pay the same price across the board for those sort of things whether they have inserts or not. Tell some greasy, meth-riddled pawn shop owner he ought to charge less money for cd's without the booklet and dvd's without the front insert & see how far you get.

So this practice you complain of certainly isn't followed by Gamestop alone.

[incubus421]

So why don't they give a price break on titles that are disc-only? No instruction manual, no case, and probably a scratched up disc. Their used game pricing policy should reflect that. A month old release gets traded back as a bare disc, they shouldn't price it at $5 less than a new unopened game (like most new release games sold 'used' are), they should have a little leeway with pricing when buyers are getting far less for their money than a game that's complete in box.

They should at least have a policy on taking in used games that are disc-only. You want to trade a game in like that, it'll be half the credit that a CIB game would get. That would hopefully make the shitheads that can't keep track of their cases start remembering to take better care of their stuff, or they'll be penalized when they attempt to trade. But then, for shoplifters that slice open games in an electronics store, steal the disc, play it for a week and trade it into GameStop for credit to get more, they won't give a damn that they're getting less for it. They didn't pay for the game anyway.

I'd also like to state this: as far as the $54.99 on used games....it's 100% UNDERSTANDABLE. If you bought a new game, played it, didn't like it, and put it up online rather than take the $20 store credit how much would you ask? $50? $55? maybe even $60 after shipping and fees. Guess what else....I can almost guarantee someone will take you up on that offer.

This being so, why would GameStop not jack the used price to the limit at which people are still willing to buy it (with or without a case)? If it were any lower everyone would be buying those games up and flipping them for themselves anyways.

I'd also like to say that if you're intelligent you probably already have an Edge card with GS which will knock another $5.50 off the $54.99 price. Getting a new release title for $10 off retail price AND being able to return it within 7 days for the sheer fact of not liking it! I fail to see the downside...


And on a final note....if a GameStop employee isn't horrible at their job they will turn away new release disc only games as 90% of them have rental sticker residue around the inner ring. People try this all the time and I turn it away every time. You give it a week, two at the most and ANY new release title will get traded back in with a case.

[TwinChargers]

So how long until GameStops start trying to clear out there Xbox inventory resulting in ultra cheap games?

[incubus421]

No word as of yet.
But I know we stopped taking orginal GB and GBC back in october/november and within the next month we had 50% off and then B2G1 on what was left.
And as of right now all GB and GBC games are 75% off. I picked up a Link's Awakening cart the other day for around $0.75.

[Game Freak]

i dont have an EX BAWKS, never wanted one. I never really payed attention to it and it seemed like a multiplatform system with a few good exclusives. The only games that really interest me are Fable and the Halo games. 'Tis all. thank you for listening.

[bangtango]

I went to a Gamestop this weekend and the manager said the XBoX games were staying the same price as marked even after Feb 9th.

He was mostly referring to the day after February 9th and for that matter the next 2-3 weeks down the road. After the first few weeks, you may start to notice price drops.

I have everything for Xbox that I want. All I'll be doing is buying multiple copies of the 99 cent sports stuff that gets marked down to 25 cents or 50 cents in a 50-75% off sale.

I'll buy any of the stuff that is now 99 cents today when they do the 50-75% sales. I don't give a shit if it is disc only or not and I don't give a shit if I end up with 7 or 8 copies of Madden 2003. If there is enough stuff there that was originally 99 cents and it gets to 75% off, I'm going home with a stack of 20-25 games, maybe more.

Why the hell not get some of them for only 25-50 cents since you are getting a perfectly good dvd case at the absolute worst? Not to mention manuals or inserts from complete copies which might become fair trade bait.

[ianoid]

Why the hell not get some of them for only 25-50 cents since you are getting a perfectly good dvd case at the absolute worst? Not to mention manuals or inserts from complete copies which might become fair trade bait.

Er, most of the cases I get are stickered and nasty. If I could get excellent condition or NOS Xbox cases for 50 cents I'd go for it too.

[bangtango]

Er, most of the cases I get are stickered and nasty. If I could get excellent condition or NOS Xbox cases for 50 cents I'd go for it too.

That's true many of them are stickered and nasty. However, I use those type of cases for a lot of my demo discs or my dvdr's. Certainly beats sticking them in sleeves, on a spindle, having them loose, into a cd holder or a cd jewel case.

[Gunface]

Personally, I don't care what they sell the disc only copies for. I'm not going to buy them. I'll always go for CIB. But it drives me nuts that they have to put 3, sometimes even 4 stickers on them.

That being said, after I first saw this post, I raided my local GameStops for the less common Xbox games.

[bangtango]

Personally, I don't care what they sell the disc only copies for. I'm not going to buy them. I'll always go for CIB. But it drives me nuts that they have to put 3, sometimes even 4 stickers on them.

I'm not saying you'd have to buy that stuff to keep it. It is good to have 25 cent disc only last games around, though.

In my case, I have at least 2 sources locally who will take any last gen games (including disc only) off my hands for anywhere from $1 to $4 of cash or store credit which I can use to buy some good stuff such as dvd's, other video games, cd's, books, etc.

If you have any stores or shops nearby that do such a store credit or trade in for disc only stuff, then it wouldn't be a bad idea to grab a bunch of the 99 cent games when they are down to 75% off, making them 25 cents.

Lots of pawn shops or flea market sellers (those who you could sell games to) don't always give a damn if they are disc only or not. Most of the time, they price all of the games the same either way.

And if you put in a little research, you'll find someone locally who is slow on the uptake/current events to give you upwards of $3-4 per game whether it is complete or not, just as long as it is Xbox.

You ever see flea market tables overpricing Xbox stuff? If you don't now, I bet someday you will. You know darn well there are idiots at flea markets or other private sellers that might not have internet access or ever visit a Gamestop who'll charge $5-10 or more for any Xbox game. If you can get them to buy 25 cent games from you for a much higher sum, why pass it up?

I've actually made more profit in my area cleaning up on last gen sports games I invested all of $0.50 to $1 into than I ever did from finding and flipping rares. There are plenty of older people nearby who sell stuff around town but don't visit Gamestop and don't know the video game market at all.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

If the cases just have a lot of sticker remnants on them, just use Goo-Gone. Nothing works better for sticker parts.

[Gunface]

If the cases just have a lot of sticker remnants on them, just use Goo-Gone. Nothing works better for sticker parts.

I do use that stuff, but nothing really works for the sticker inside on the paper. I'm thinking of trying the Maniac Mansion method and putting it in the microwave to melt the glue.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

I had to remove a video store label off an N64 warning label the other day. I used a hair dryer to warm up the top sticker, then after 10 or so seconds I slowly lifted till it came off. To clean up the leftover adhesive, I used a small amount of goo gone on a paper towel and rubbed till the glue came off. It didn't damage the gray warning label at all.

[Tetsu]

Step 1: Go to Gamestop.
Step 2: Pick up these games for $5 each:

Halo
Halo 2
Chronicles of Riddick
Jet Set Radio Future
Munch's Oddysee
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath
Panzer Dragoon Orta
Conker: Live and Reloaded

Step 3: Enjoy your awesome Xbox collection of great games not available on other systems.

[TwinChargers]

Last I checked Halo and Halo 2 are still $10 and $12 respectively.

[Gunface]

I had to remove a video store label off an N64 warning label the other day. I used a hair dryer to warm up the top sticker, then after 10 or so seconds I slowly lifted till it came off. To clean up the leftover adhesive, I used a small amount of goo gone on a paper towel and rubbed till the glue came off. It didn't damage the gray warning label at all.

I'll try it, thanks! :)

[TwinChargers]

Has anybody else noticed that there online inventory has been fluctuating with new used titles from day to day? Makes me think that they may not have stopped taking in regular Xbox titles.

Another somewhat demoralizing note, I have yet to see any type of clearance sale on any of the Xbox games or items. If they really wanted to clear out there inventory, you'd think they'd be a bit more active about it.

[jupitersj]

I do use that stuff, but nothing really works for the sticker inside on the paper. I'm thinking of trying the Maniac Mansion method and putting it in the microwave to melt the glue.

Un-Du (hard to find but it's usually on ebay and amazon). This will remove anything off ps2/xbox/etc artwork and off cart labels without damaging the ink. I love this stuff so much.