Summary
GameStophas kicked off a new initiative that will see select stores begin selling a wide variety of retro consoles and games. The latest blow to game collectors came earlier this summer when Xbox 360 shut down its digital marketplace. Hundreds of digital games and DLC became permanently delisted, some of which aren’t available anywhere else. In the preceding months, many gamers turned toGameStopor other retailers to try and snap up key titles before their digital counterparts were gone for good.
It’s safe to say thatGameStop as a video game retailer has been on a steady declineover the past decade in the new age of digital games. As the number of gamers who buy physical games has been steadily shrinking, GameStop stores have slowly transitioned into gaming merchandise stores, with toys, shirts, plushies, and more taking up space as the game shelves started shrinking. With that said, GameStop remains a viable place to buy new gaming hardware like consoles, controllers, and headsets.
Now, GameStop is making a move that’s sure to drive retro game collectors back in droves. On Twitter, GameStop announced that “the classics are back,” and that select GameStop stores will begin selling retro gaming consoles and games. From theNintendo Entertainment System and Sega Dreamcast, to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, a total of 18 retro consoles will be supported, including handhelds like the PlayStation Vita and Nintendo Game Boy. Gamers can enter their zip code on the GameStop website’s new Retro page to see the nearest stores that are part of the new initiative.
Consoles Included In GameStop’s New Retro Program
This is a wonderful move by GameStop and another win for game preservation during a time when it seems another online game has its servers shut down every week. This is also a relief for Xbox 360 fans, coming right off the heels of theXbox 360 Marketplace closing last month. There are undoubtedly games that Xbox 360 collectors have missed that they might be able to find at a GameStop Retro location. Most of GameStop’s retro consoles and games will be pre-owned, so while they can be ordered via GameStop’s online store, it’s recommended that interested gamers take a trip to their nearest participating GameStop to ensure what they’re buying is in good shape.
It’s unknown whether these GameStop Retro stores will have dedicated areas where the classic hardware and games will be displayed, or if they’ll be kept out of sight. Regardless, it’ll be interesting to see how this fares for GameStop, as it seems retro gaming might be the company’s only path forward in this nearly all-digital age. Many also wonder whether theXbox One and PlayStation 4will be added to the retro lineup in 10 years, if the program is still running at that point.
