As previously reported, GameStop is getting back into the business of selling used games from bygone eras ... though these sales are only happening online. That section of GameStop.com opened today, allowing users to buy "retro classics" from the retailer.
A few quick things I noticed right off the bat:
- Several of the games are pretty expensive, but most are actually in-line with what you'd find if you try to buy these games on Amazon or eBay. These prices can be easily beaten if you're lucky at a yard sale or pawn shop, but for the most part the prices aren't too unfair.
- That said, some prices are still kind of insane. The price for Conker's Bad Fur Day on the N64 is $79.99. Granted, this price is again along the lines of what you can find the game for on eBay, but if you just want to play the game (rather than collect it) it's about to be part of the Rare Replay collection on Xbox One for $30. But hey, if you wanna be a crazy collector, go for it.
- A lot of games and systems that were in stock hours ago are already sold out. To be fair, however, a key factor in this could be that GameStop has only been taking retro game trade-ins in select markets so far. Stock may be more plentiful if the company goes nationwide with the program.
- I was thinking about buying Castlevania Bloodlines on the Genesis but someone beat me to it. Darn you, other retro gaming fan!
- Aladdin on the SNES is $19.99. The Genesis version is $12.99. This creates the illusion that the SNES version of the game is better. It's not. Play the Genesis version.
Those things aside, it's interesting to have GameStop be back in the retro games space. If they can get more stock of worthwhile games in and maintain at least reasonably fair prices then it could be a good destination if you simply have to have a copy of NBA Jam for the Genesis and can't be bothered to hunt for it at your local flea markets.
