SpoonyBard wrote:I decided to thumb through the copies of Xenoblade Chronicles at my local GS today (there were no copies of Metroid Prime Trilogy) and each one had minor damage in one section or another, the manual/nintendo codes were there, but in differing orders in each. None had a refurbish mark, and while all were in great shape it was clear that they had been opened, handled and used to some extent. I find it much more believable that they took in used stock and possibly bought out another stores stock of these games than issuing a covert reprint.
As for the steel cases, some people keep them and trade/return the discs, some GS employees probably pull the cases and keep them for themselves. It could definitely account for a lot of copies without them. I'm not denying that they're not out there - but every copy of Metroid Prime Trilogy i've seen at a Gamestop has had a generic case or a steel case with it.
Good point on the Manuals and Flyers in various orders, if on the shelf a customer might have mixed them up though. On the other hand, who would put the Nintendo points on top since the manual would be the paper to thumb thru. Did you check the sticker at the back of the case? Hard to see, but the R Refurbish sticker is actually underneath the sticker the local Gamestop slaps on.
I visited a newer Gamestop location to verify myself, the store had recently received one of each. At this store, no Metal Case for Metroid Trilogy. The employee mentioned pulling the shrink wrap and placing the price labels himself over the existing Refurbish Sticker. Note that the Refurbish Sticker can only be placed by the Refurbish Service Center and it was UNDER THE SHRINKWRAP.
To further the mystery, the disc stashed away in the drawer envelope is absolute pristine. The case is a newer Nintendo stamped case with the Ecco holes. The Metroid Cover is of hard glossy stock, the manual looked new, but there is no bonus flyers inside. However, as I already mentioned, Gamestop has produced glossy covers before for the Best Used Seller empty game cases. The Nintendo brand case is puzzling, but these can be easily aquired from other refurbish games sent in. It would make sense to get the best of the lot and shrinkwrapping to protect the contents while shipping out.
Right Click the attachments for a larger view
Cover is thick glossy material, just like previous gamestop produced covers. Case is ecco Nintendo brand.
- Gamestop R Refurbish Sticker Metroid Trilogy.jpg (226.19 KiB) Viewed 658 times
Take a close look at the back case Gamestop Stickers, you can see the R Refurbish Center sticker underneath.[/b]
- Gamestop R Refurbish Sticker Metroid Trilogy Xeonoblade.jpg (220.87 KiB) Viewed 658 times
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