Why won't EB/GS carry classic games

[leatherrebel5150]

I want to know why EB games or gamestop don't carry any classic gaming stuff. I know the most obvious answer is that it is a niche market and wouldn't make them much profit. But I think they could do pretty well if they put this stuff in every third store or stores near major shopping hubs etc. Something along the lines of what Wal-Mart does, where some stores are regular wal-marts, and others with higher traffic are super wal-marts.

I have 2 gamestops and an EB games within 10 miles of my house if just one of them (probbaly the one in the mall) carried classic games I think they would do pretty good.

[calistarwind]

It is more of an issue of shelf space. Many of the stores are really small and they survive on advertising. Old games no longer need advertising but new games coming out needing advertising create revenue for the company.

[Tupin]

Small market and it's based on what people trade in. Big corporations like Gamestop want control of where they get their supply.

Then again, it could be their dream as well, paying $2 for a game like EarthBound and selling it for $350.

[Baloo]

There's not enough space in most Gamestop stores to carry all that old stock for all the systems, not to mention the work that it would take to price it all, and set trade-in values, and blah blah blah....

Could you imagine having to put things for the 3D0 into the trade-in system? It's not worth it.

[leatherrebel5150]

There's not enough space in most Gamestop stores to carry all that old stock for all the systems, not to mention the work that it would take to price it all, and set trade-in values, and blah blah blah....

Could you imagine having to put things for the 3D0 into the trade-in system? It's not worth it.

I could see it being a pain for every classic system but I would think it still be worth it for the classic nintendo, sega, maybe even atari systems.

[Arcade Antics]

I could see it being a pain for every classic system but I would think it still be worth it for the classic nintendo, sega, maybe even atari systems.
If it was worth it, they would do it. You answered your own question in the first post, it isn't profitable, end thread.

[allyourblood]

Just so there's no confusion here, you know they used to, right?

[leatherrebel5150]

Just so there's no confusion here, you know they used to, right?

Yea I'm aware of it, I guess its just wishful thinking since I can't seem to find too much near me so I'm usually stuck finding stuff on the interwebs.

[SpaceHarrier]

Gamestop also loves putting out their empty boxes on the shelves, preventing inventory loss. Given that most classic games you'd find in any average game store are cartridge only, that means more display cases they don't have room for (most Gamestops around here are walk-in closets).

[Zing]

This is the company that has a policy of discarding the cases of disc games to save space.

[jcalder8]

If it was worth it, they would do it. You answered your own question in the first post, it isn't profitable, end thread.
Yup, nothing more to add.

[allyourblood]

Yup, nothing more to add.

Except that.






And this.

[Dangerboy]

Because after a while all you get are madden carts and the one game everyone had.

If you can't rid yourself of madden 2001 PS2 for 99 freaking cents, you ain't gonna push many copies of Madden 94.

[pixelsnpolygons]

I'm pretty sure there was a GameStop near me that carried them a few years back. (In Dublin, California) I think it might have either been a trial or a special promo or something. The games weren't there the next time I went back. All I remember for certain were NES games and they were marked up to the point of not being worth it at all. I'm pretty sure they also had SNES and Genesis games, but I was excited by the NES games because I didn't have a lot at the time. I considered buying a bunch and then I saw the prices and took a huge step back.

My guess is that if this was a trial it failed because collectors wouldn't be interested in that kind of quality, but also the prices weren't low enough to appeal to common-day impulse buyers. So there wasn't really a market. I doubt people buy Snake Rattle & Roll on impulse anyway. I guess I'd be interested but it would probably only work at select locations like San Francisco, LA, Seattle, etc., places that could get a steady supply and keep prices somewhat competitive.

[kool kitty89]

What bothers me more is general lack of ALL older gen games.

Funcoland was still carrying SNES, Genesis, and NES games up until the early 2000s (or pretty much until they got bought out). GS seemed to carry N64 games for a fair amount of time too, but everything beyond that seems to have gotten cut off rather quickly. (with the exception of the mega-popular PSX and PS2 -the latter still commonly selling new/refurbished consoles)



The quality also sucks, as do the prices.

It's gotten to the point where I simply opt to buy most new/used games online (quality is generally better and service is often as well).
If I can find a good retro/used game store near by, I'll often go for that (there was an awesome Play n Trade that closed in late 2009 . . . and Gamers in Control that moved -it wasn't as good as that PnT, but a better location), but overall, online seems to be the best. (plus swap meets, flea markets, etc)

Fry's sometimes has some good deals on games too, but overall the best prices for new games online seem to meet or beat much of retail. (including shipping)
Of course, returns are a bit easier with retail, and you get more instant gratification. ;)

But for used stuff, online just offers so much more quality for the price. No crap dealing with overpriced games with no manuals or cases, or really cheap prices for loose discs. One of the bigger snags is with games with DRM though. (if that becomes an issue and you -or a friend- has the know-how, you could always bypass the security anyway -especially for things like security keys . . . we've gotten a couple games with the boxes missing or key scratched out and nominally unusable -that's more of a problem with PC games though)

[FayeC86]

I'm pretty sure there was a GameStop near me that carried them a few years back. (In Dublin, California) I think it might have either been a trial or a special promo or something. The games weren't there the next time I went back. All I remember for certain were NES games and they were marked up to the point of not being worth it at all. I'm pretty sure they also had SNES and Genesis games, but I was excited by the NES games because I didn't have a lot at the time. I considered buying a bunch and then I saw the prices and took a huge step back.

My guess is that if this was a trial it failed because collectors wouldn't be interested in that kind of quality, but also the prices weren't low enough to appeal to common-day impulse buyers. So there wasn't really a market. I doubt people buy Snake Rattle & Roll on impulse anyway. I guess I'd be interested but it would probably only work at select locations like San Francisco, LA, Seattle, etc., places that could get a steady supply and keep prices somewhat competitive.


You don't mean the store in Hacienda crossing near the Regal Cinema do you?
I remember buying several copies of Mario/Duckhunt there for 29 cents each?
Or are you talking about the other Dublin store in the same plaza as that safeway.

[NayusDante]

It would be nice to see them selectively accept retro trades. I can see them posting "$20 for Earthbound" in their occasional trade incentive newsletter. Of course, you have to consider the fact that with the repro scene, things might get a little messy. If GameStop can't differentiate legit and bootleg Pokemon GBA carts, I wouldn't trust them to verify retro rarities.

[hbkprm]

theres always ebay, craigslist or/and your local thrift store or/and flea market (they have the most classic games)

[pixelsnpolygons]

You don't mean the store in Hacienda crossing near the Regal Cinema do you?
I remember buying several copies of Mario/Duckhunt there for 29 cents each?
Or are you talking about the other Dublin store in the same plaza as that safeway.

Uh... wow, small world. Yep, you're right I was talking about the Hacienda store near the cinema. Did you buy those games around the same time I'm talking about (around 3 or so years ago)? Because there was nothing within even $5 of that sort of price range when I went. I would have been ALLLLL over 29 cent carts.

[retroman]

Hey...i love the 3DO...had some great games for the time...was ahead of its time if you ask me..

[Doonzmore]

It is more of an issue of shelf space. Many of the stores are really small and they survive on advertising. Old games no longer need advertising but new games coming out needing advertising create revenue for the company.

This. Also note how Gamestop is beginning to throw away the cases and instruction manuals to PS2 games that are 5 and under to save shelf space. I fear older cartridge based games (which would take up more room) would also suffer the same fate. Do we really want that?

[Lanzo]

Definitely not enough room, they can't even carry a good selection of pc games at some places, but it would be awesome.

[SparTonberry]

It was probably a drop in demand, so GS decided it wasn't worth shelf space anymore.

I know they dropped NES/SNES/Genesis in 2004, and I believe it was in 2006 they dropped PS1 and N64.
I do remember the PS1 and N64 stock at my local store at that time just wasn't selling. Almost the same selection every time I went in.

A shame. I saw GameStop's announcement "GBA is about to become a collectible!" when deciding to stop trading GBA games. That's probably true. When GameStop stops selling it, that's much less competition for other stores, driving prices up.
One local store I occasionally shop at, gotta shed a tear for the poor loose SMB3 that, with a $20 sticker, is probably not going to get played again.

[soloman]

As someone who works at gamestop while going to school, I'll tell you how it is.

1. Limited space. Stocking the shelves with three major consoles, two handhelds, and a scant few pc retail titles is difficult enough. I couldn't imagine worrying about anything more than that when store space is on par with a two car garage.

2. The retro scene is very self consuming. We stopped accepting xbox games last year. There is now a stack of about 30 xbox games we keep behind the counter for the people that actually ask. They're all some variation of a football or racing game.

The good stuff has more demand than the garbage and speaking as a retro gamer i think it's safe to sau that we are all very picky and exacting. I get enough copies of Madden X whenever I buy a lot, do you honestly think I'm going to buy a single copy for full price?

3. Little demand. Last week we ran a 2 for 2 sale on GC, PS2, and GBA sale. More people traded in aforementioned games to use the credit on Portal 2/Mortal Kombat/SOCOM 4 than buy them. At the end of the sale I walked away with Twin Snakes, Fatal Frame, Rule of Rose, and Marvel vs Capcom 2 all CIB so it's not like there was a lack of good titles.

4. Why would you subject yourself to retail prices? I'm sure there 's a good one out there but i would never shop at a retro store. Plenty of sharks online but I can almost always find what I want and at least have a chance at negotiating.

All in all, refusing GBA games has made work slightly easier and we're starting to ship off more PS2 titles back to headquarters. I will say i've been surprised by customer questions like one guy who asked for a Genesis power adaptor and I told him without hesitation the specific type, model, and where to find a proper universal one and what tip to use. I've had a prankster ask for Battletoads and without skipping a beat said "would you like to preorder the standard edition or Battlemaniacs which comes with Doudle Dragpn DLC and a Dark Queen bust?". The dude stammered and hung up.

The average customer, though, is someone whose only gaming experience is the latest sports game or the last big shooter. I've met a few nerds who enjoy a god chat but setting out NES games or whatever would only serve to confuse people who still think DS games can be shoved into a GBA or think Sony's memory stick is universal and works on Nintendo platforms.

[NayusDante]

There used to be a company that took retro games and packaged them for retail distribution. I remember that K-Mart had an aisle end rack devoted to NES games, which usually sold for $5 each (this was around 2002). They were blister packed with printed labels. If GameStop were to sell retro games, it would likely be done that way.

[djshok]

Pretty much what's already been said. Plus who cares. It's better that they don't carry the retro stuff. Their prices suck and they keep their games in poor shape. They have a tendency to throw out the cover inserts and put stickers all over everything anyway. Unless it's brand new it's all damaged goods. Fuck them, I never shop there.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

It would be interesting if instead of shutting down some of the GameStop locations that were doubled-up in shopping malls - that GameStop re-branded some of them to classic used gaming locations.

Where it makes sense that they were losing revenue in having 3 GameStop/EB/Funco/Planet X locations in one shopping mall all selling the SAME PRODUCT, to me it would seem like a decent idea to move all of the product that they no longer carry at standard GameStop locations (PS1, Dreamcast, N64, GameBoy, etc.) to one of those 3 stores and calling it something like "Retro Stop" with ultra-low or normalized/blanket pricing on all software in each system category.

Or, maybe they've looked into something like that and determined that it wouldn't be profitable.

[NayusDante]

Don't forget Movie Stop. Just apply that model to retro games...

[tubeway]

They have teams of guys that are paid to actually research and evaluate ideas such as these. If it was a particularly profitable idea then they would be doing it already, especially in response to Play N Trade locations popping up. But look at how they've fared.

[Icarus Moonsight]

It's too easy to source retro games off the internet anyway, maybe an indy store or two also if you are lucky... The market is very tiny by comparison to current games too and that just can't jive with a large corporate retailer with physical store locations.

If anything, they'd do online distribution and since they've not done it, one has to assume they don't see a way to make enough profit to even try it.

[thegamezmaster]

Money changes everything. And where I live any retro store has gone under for the simple fact they price themselves out of the market.

[Greg2600]

Frankie, my guess with the multiple stores in a mall thing is that Gamestop was forced into certain stipulations as a result of the EB purchase. Existing contracts, that kind of thing, can't close the stores for X amount of time. Or they may simply be getting the rent so cheap it's worth it, but it makes no sense. How they STILL have 3 stores in Willowbrook Mall is mind boggling.

[Brianvgplayer]

They have teams of guys that are paid to actually research and evaluate ideas such as these. If it was a particularly profitable idea then they would be doing it already, especially in response to Play N Trade locations popping up. But look at how they've fared.

Did those teams of guys come up with the idea of putting discs of what are supposed to be new games in the same bag as the manual?

I understand why they don't sell classic games, but it's now to the point where they stop selling used games for systems only from the previous generation. Not too mention that their used games are often in extremely poor condition with the people who work there saying that games with scratches all over are scratchless.

I wish a Play N Trade pops up near me. The closest one is in Lusby. Another one in MD closed down. I hope that doesn't happen to the one in Lusby.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Frankie, my guess with the multiple stores in a mall thing is that Gamestop was forced into certain stipulations as a result of the EB purchase. Existing contracts, that kind of thing, can't close the stores for X amount of time. Or they may simply be getting the rent so cheap it's worth it, but it makes no sense. How they STILL have 3 stores in Willowbrook Mall is mind boggling.

Not so mind boggling considering that they only have one now. :D

[soloman]

Did those teams of guys come up with the idea of putting discs of what are supposed to be new games in the same bag as the manual?

I understand why they don't sell classic games, but it's now to the point where they stop selling used games for systems only from the previous generation. Not too mention that their used games are often in extremely poor condition with the people who work there saying that games with scratches all over are scratchless.

I wish a Play N Trade pops up near me. The closest one is in Lusby. Another one in MD closed down. I hope that doesn't happen to the one in Lusby.

Only one new game is gutted which is a display copy. If a new game goes on sale then it's gutted as well. I don't buy gutted new games but the only other alternative is to stick everything in a plastic display case/locked sliders which require a key and would make your waiting time even more horrendous because the computers Gstop uses are so antiquated. Holidays or major releases would be absolute nightmares.

This generation and last generation have seen more games released than any generation before it so there should be no mystery why the company says "enough is enough". I will say that I and my co-workers are really picky when it comes to discs and will hit the big ol' "refurbish" button if there's even the most minor of scratches. It sucks that not every store or employee has the same standards because some of the stuff people trade in looks like they used it as a fucking beer coaster.

[leatherrebel5150]

It would be interesting if instead of shutting down some of the GameStop locations that were doubled-up in shopping malls - that GameStop re-branded some of them to classic used gaming locations.

Where it makes sense that they were losing revenue in having 3 GameStop/EB/Funco/Planet X locations in one shopping mall all selling the SAME PRODUCT, to me it would seem like a decent idea to move all of the product that they no longer carry at standard GameStop locations (PS1, Dreamcast, N64, GameBoy, etc.) to one of those 3 stores and calling it something like "Retro Stop" with ultra-low or normalized/blanket pricing on all software in each system category.

Or, maybe they've looked into something like that and determined that it wouldn't be profitable.

This is the kind of thing I had in mind since there are 2 store fronts in a mall near me.

[tekworm]

The second poster was right, a lot of it is about shelf space, however a lot of it is that it's not a controllable aspect of their stores. When you have a faceless megachain like Gamestop, you want every store to run as close to exactly the same as you possibly can. Also, Gamestop, along with many other retailers are obsessed keeping payroll unfathomably low. Something like bringing in classic games would create a lot of "unwarranted" manhours in stores. It would also create an inventory too variable for them to keep under their thumb. I'm sure they would also see this as "free" promotion for a lot of companies. Think of a shelf where you saw a dozen old copies of Mortal Kombat. This would potentially be free shelf space and promotion for Warner Brothers, being as they are using this property to now turn a profit.

It's upsetting that we don't have any outlet that caters to this market, but unfortunately this is the way of the world I guess. I've tried a local Play & Trade here in Central NJ but I found the service to be just awful. I was treated rudely, and when I asked about a trading in a copy of a relatively new game I was looked at like I had a ski mask on. That cost them a lot of business. They don't know who they drove off..haha.

[soloman]

The second poster was right, a lot of it is about shelf space, however a lot of it is that it's not a controllable aspect of their stores. When you have a faceless megachain like Gamestop, you want every store to run as close to exactly the same as you possibly can. Also, Gamestop, along with many other retailers are obsessed keeping payroll unfathomably low. Something like bringing in classic games would create a lot of "unwarranted" manhours in stores. It would also create an inventory too variable for them to keep under their thumb. I'm sure they would also see this as "free" promotion for a lot of companies. Think of a shelf where you saw a dozen old copies of Mortal Kombat. This would potentially be free shelf space and promotion for Warner Brothers, being as they are using this property to now turn a profit.

It's upsetting that we don't have any outlet that caters to this market, but unfortunately this is the way of the world I guess. I've tried a local Play & Trade here in Central NJ but I found the service to be just awful. I was treated rudely, and when I asked about a trading in a copy of a relatively new game I was looked at like I had a ski mask on. That cost them a lot of business. They don't know who they drove off..haha.

In addition to this, training has to be a nightmare. I'm lucky that everyone I work with love games but it's all too easy to hire someone who doesn't give a shit because hey, man power is man power. I'm sure interviewing and training to deal with games across dozens of consoles is a nightmare.

Customer: Do you have Herzog Zwei?
Clerk: God, bless you.
Customer: I didn't sneeze.
Clerk: What?

[Icarus Moonsight]

How about Battletoads? :evil:

[Brianvgplayer]

Only one new game is gutted which is a display copy. If a new game goes on sale then it's gutted as well. I don't buy gutted new games but the only other alternative is to stick everything in a plastic display case/locked sliders which require a key and would make your waiting time even more horrendous because the computers Gstop uses are so antiquated. Holidays or major releases would be absolute nightmares.

I understand that Gamestop is a business and that classic games aren't profitable. I have been to Gamestops that have had multiple empty boxes of the same game on the shelf. I know why the games are gutted, but my beef is how poorly the discs are treated after they are gutted. I don't see why a final copy of a game has to be put in the same pouch as a manual where it can get scratched by a manual when thin cases and other ways to take the disc out and put it away without scratching it are available.

[j_factor]

Only one new game is gutted which is a display copy. If a new game goes on sale then it's gutted as well. I don't buy gutted new games but the only other alternative is to stick everything in a plastic display case/locked sliders which require a key and would make your waiting time even more horrendous because the computers Gstop uses are so antiquated. Holidays or major releases would be absolute nightmares.

I just went to a Gamestop like a week ago to see if they might still have Logan's Shadow PS2 new, and they had two gutted copies. And both had banged up cases. I inquired about two more games that they had on display as new, and both of those only had gutted copies as well (although only one each). It's really off-putting.

The simple alternative would be to use generic DVD cases and print out the covers. I don't know why they don't do that. It wouldn't cost that much, because they could re-use the cases when games sell out.

[NayusDante]

I just went to a Gamestop like a week ago to see if they might still have Logan's Shadow PS2 new, and they had two gutted copies. And both had banged up cases. I inquired about two more games that they had on display as new, and both of those only had gutted copies as well (although only one each). It's really off-putting.

The simple alternative would be to use generic DVD cases and print out the covers. I don't know why they don't do that. It wouldn't cost that much, because they could re-use the cases when games sell out.

They do this for special sales, but as the local rep told me, "GameStop doesn't pay for those." I even have a stack of unused inserts from '08 or so that I saved from the dumpster. Hundreds of inserts...

If you're posting on this forum, and you take offense to the gutting practice, then you're not part of their target market. They're a retailer, not a collectibles shop. They gut the games because "consumers want to hold a product in their hands before they buy it." Every other retailer I know of will put out a display model, then discount that unit. GameStop has a similar policy, but it's only on paper and rarely practiced.

I think we all know that GameStop could be a much better company to the consumer, but that's not their corporate mission and it's not profitable enough. They'll close more stores before they consider the collector market.

[Zing]

I remember buying the last copy of Final Fantasy III for the SNES on release day and being forced to take the display copy. The clerk offered to shrink wrap it for me, but I told him to not bother since I would be playing the game immediately anyway.

[j_factor]

They do this for special sales, but as the local rep told me, "GameStop doesn't pay for those." I even have a stack of unused inserts from '08 or so that I saved from the dumpster. Hundreds of inserts...

If you're posting on this forum, and you take offense to the gutting practice, then you're not part of their target market. They're a retailer, not a collectibles shop. They gut the games because "consumers want to hold a product in their hands before they buy it." Every other retailer I know of will put out a display model, then discount that unit. GameStop has a similar policy, but it's only on paper and rarely practiced.

I think we all know that GameStop could be a much better company to the consumer, but that's not their corporate mission and it's not profitable enough. They'll close more stores before they consider the collector market.

Would printing out inserts really cost them so much? The only cost is paper and ink. In labor they would actually save, as swapping out an insert is a little faster than opening a game, removing the disc, putting it in a sleeve and filing it away. I don't see how this would cut into their profitability.

[QuickSciFi]

At this point, I'd consider it an ominous sacrilege if they ever dared to venture thusly. They have no business handling retro games and systems. It's bad enough that they get to reduce the quality of every current gen game that passes through their hands. That's what they are: "Quality Reducers."

[FxMercenary]

Sorry folks, Rockband and Tony hawk boards just take up too much space, not to mention Collector's Editions. ( look at Killzone 3 )

Gamestop just doesnt care. They are there to make money.

Go hang out in one for an hour and look at the people that trade in their games. I always see them coming in with just discs, no cases, missing manuals etc...

I tried to trade in a Collector's edition complete once because I didnt like the game. They took the case and disc, and asked me if i wanted the rest back. I said no, and they chucked it all in the trash right in front of me.

Its just how most people are.

[NaturalChemical]

Yeah, I've noticed GS going further and further with this gutting practice. The other day my brother went in to buy a used 360 game, found the actual case with manual, and brought it to the counter. The employee pulled out a generic case, dropped the real one in a trash bin, and then as an afterthought asked "Did you want the art with that?". It's strange the way some stores are doing things now.

[soloman]

I understand that Gamestop is a business and that classic games aren't profitable. I have been to Gamestops that have had multiple empty boxes of the same game on the shelf. I know why the games are gutted, but my beef is how poorly the discs are treated after they are gutted. I don't see why a final copy of a game has to be put in the same pouch as a manual where it can get scratched by a manual when thin cases and other ways to take the disc out and put it away without scratching it are available.

It all boils down to the manager of the specific store. The manager at my store managed and repaired arcades in the 80s. He's a hardcore PC gamer and a big nerd. The only time the manual is kept in the same sleeve is when it contains codes (so people don't copy the codes) and he specifically says to put them at the front of the disc where the art is so the disc isn't scratched.

A particular store's policies are greatly influenced by the manager more than actual corporate who only care about how much money you're making. I've been fortunate enough to deal with good stores for the past 10 years but there are some absolute shit ones run by people who don't care and it detracts from the public's opinion.


Would printing out inserts really cost them so much? The only cost is paper and ink. In labor they would actually save, as swapping out an insert is a little faster than opening a game, removing the disc, putting it in a sleeve and filing it away. I don't see how this would cut into their profitability.

I noticed more promotional display boxes than normal. The number of games I gutted have decreased in the past few months as a result. Maybe there's a shift in this nationwide or, like I said, it could be because my manager wants as many sealed copies as he can before the regional manager complains about not having enough display copies.

Old titles will always be gutted, unfortunately. As NayusDante said the store targets the average consumer who like to physically put their hands on the product. I'd say about 1/4 of customers will pick up the case, read the back, then flip through the manual. These people are uneducated (about new releases), don't follow any gaming news, and immediately trade the game in when they're finished (usually scratched and in terrible condition). The average consumer is an impulse buyer. If you say "Hey, here's a new title and a new deal" they'll probably buy it just because it's NEW.

There are a few retro stores in my area and the boss has a friendly relationship with them. We're not supposed to but we hand out cards promoting these guys. One dude runs an internet cafe/retro gamer shop and trades old systems for time cards at his shop. Another dude writes erotic novels and sells antique collectibles out of his wife's knick knack shop. Retail gets a lot of weirdos but the regulars are mostly cool.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Erotic novels and antiques? Holy crap! Don't touch anything... Trust me.