Is Gamestop Evil? The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

[Soldier Blue]

So remember the travesty that was Gamestop trashing all PS2 cases and manuals? (of course you all do!)
Well, I went into my local Gamestop to pick up a copy of DigDug: Digging Strike for DS tonight on the way home from some errands.

Gamestop is now discarding and junking ALL used Nintendo DS cases and manuals in order to make room for the 3DS library!!

I explicitly told the employee how I felt about it - about how disrespectful it is to toss out 2/3 of the very merchandise their company makes their biggest margin on. Luckily, the salesperson was very compassionate to my outrage and agreed with me on all points, and he even offered to check in the back and at nearby stores to see if there were any copies of my game with the box and manual for me.

But still, this bullshit needs to stop! I know this subject has been beaten to death on this thread, but now that they're doing this on another system, it just proves that Gamestop doesn't give a damn about what the "Players" want.

:sigh: Next stop - eBay...

If that is the case, its going to be weird seeing loose DS cards for sale.

[Rurouni_Fencer]

If that is the case, its going to be weird seeing loose DS cards for sale.

They're in the glass case at the register. You can also hardly make out the game's title because a fat fucking yellow price sticker covers up the label..

[TEKTORO]

GOOD

I decided recently to renew my Powerups pro card due to the upcoming years titles,I wanted to get the magazine to read all about them.Also I know I may get a few gift cards to here for christmas so the buy 2 get 1 free coupon for renewing is a plus,and one last thing for powerup pro thursday 12/15 special deal is all gamecube games 50% off so theres some good on their behalf

[Nintendork666]

1. I don't understand how anyone could be satisfied with a caseless DS game... the carts are so tiny! And like someone else mentioned - make room for WHAT 3DS library?

2. I bet these GS exclusives have something to do with Nintendo trying to gain more appeal with the 'hardcore' gaming market. Maybe we'll start seeing GS giving Nintendo some heavier promotion in the near future.

[BurningDoom]

Like I've always said, they should sell both complete used games and cartridge/disc-only used games. But the cartridges/disc-only games should be cheaper. Cheap gamers would be able to obtain games not in their price-range, and collector's would still be able to get complete copies. Plus people trading in games can trade them in any playable condition. Everyone wins!

[NesimLE]

According to gonintendo...not sure how I feel about this if true. On one hand, good on Gamestop for helping to bring us a game we want to play. On the other hand...Nintendo wouldn't publish the game without GS subsidizing it? Would also explain the exclusivity if true.

This rumored information comes from a source that would like to remain anonymous...

- GameStop reached out to Nintendo to get Xenoblade Chronicles released in the states
- GameStop is helping to pay for publishing
- Nintendo is interested in localizing The Last Story as well
- This localization depends on sales of Xenoblade Chronicles preorders/sales
- Xenoblade Chronicles preorders are not doing well thus far

http://gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=168329

Also, if pre-orders aren't doing well, that wouldn't be a good thing, as we'll be less likely to get games like this localized in the future.

[Soldier Blue]

According to gonintendo...not sure how I feel about this if true. On one hand, good on Gamestop for helping to bring us a game we want to play. On the other hand...Nintendo wouldn't publish the game without GS subsidizing it? Would also explain the exclusivity if true.

This rumored information comes from a source that would like to remain anonymous...

- GameStop reached out to Nintendo to get Xenoblade Chronicles released in the states
- GameStop is helping to pay for publishing
- Nintendo is interested in localizing The Last Story as well
- This localization depends on sales of Xenoblade Chronicles preorders/sales
- Xenoblade Chronicles preorders are not doing well thus far

http://gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=168329

Also, if pre-orders aren't doing well, that wouldn't be a good thing, as we'll be less likely to get games like this localized in the future.

I'm sure pre-orders will pickup, they only just started at gamestop and not even yet at nintendo.com

[CRTGAMER]

I have read that December 31st of this year Gamestop will start phasing out PS2 and Gamecube games. Any one else read or heard about this?

Some local Gamestops no longer carry PS2 or Gamecube games.

@CRT: The GS where I argued with the manager has stopped carrying PS2 games and their GC selection is pitiful, so I wouldn't doubt that we'll start seeing PS2 and GC gone in more stores. Soon used PSP games will be the only reason to go into GS anymore, for me at least.

Gamestop is now discarding and junking ALL used Nintendo DS cases and manuals in order to make room for the 3DS library!!

yeah someone else mentioned this too. It makes no sense to me since DS is still a current system with new games being released.

This is what I was concerned about when the PS2 case toss initially took place. A continued practice on other games as newer systems take their place. Gamestop has the largest inventory of used games, a disaster that so many rare games get raped like that.

Read it here first
Notice the signs stating Gamestop now buys used iPads? My bet is Wii games will be case tossed next. Later it will be PS3 and 360 as the oversized Digital Download displays and iPad sell shelves take their place.

Voice your concerns thru the Gamestop link, maybe we might prevent case destruction.

Here is the direct Gamestop link that bypasses the survey.

http://mfisurvey.marketforce.com/GameStop/IndexCC.aspx

[Zing]

Actually, NeoStar Retail (Babbage's, Software Etc., and Funcoland) changed names to GameStop after spinning off from Barnes and Noble in 2004. Babbage's and Software Etc. merged in '94 and were named NeoStar (though that name wasn't used on company stores), then merged with FuncoLand in 2000. EB was bought out in 2005.

My local mall had all three: Babbage's, Software Etc, and Funcoland. They each had their good attributes.

Babbage's actually had the best prices and was the place to go for pre-orders and brand new games. "Pre-ordering" back then didn't mean what it does now. At that time, it just meant putting your name on a list, and the store calling you when the game arrived. You didn't put any money down and it didn't really guarantee you a copy, although there always seemed to be plenty of copies to go around.

Software Etc. was the only one of the three that accepted open game returns. I would buy games that I was unsure of there. However, I believe I ultimately only returned a single game.

Funcoland was the place to get imported games and used games. Their prices were actually kind of high. I do remember seeing copies Earthbound on the wall and wondering what the hell kind of game came in a big box like that, especially since I had never heard of it. Also, the Illusion of Gaia big box pack that came with the t-shirt.

[k.vlaros]

I had a huge collection of DS games a while back. That's why I know, first hand, how easy and relatively cheap it was to get factory-fresh Nintendo DS replacement cases direct from Nintendo. 10 cases (part 56663) were $12 with shipping. Highly recommended for serious collectors of the Nintendo DS Handheld Entertainment System!