GameStop preparing retro hardware pilot scheme in US

Sales and trade-in of retro hardware, games and accessories is to be reintroduced to GameStop stores in the US.

IGN reports that the program is planned for introduction in 250 of its stores, with most” retro systems dating back to the NES being supported including the SNES, Mega Drive (known as Genesis in the US), PlayStation, N64 and Dreamcast.

The company announced that PS2s would again be accepted for trade-in last month.

The stock, however, will not be sold in-store and will instead be offered via the retailer’s website, which can be accessed from stores for those without a home internet connection.

Traded-in hardware will be sent back to GameStop’s refurbishment centre for inspection, testing and repair, with an average turnaround between exchange and re-sale being two months. Items are expected to come with the same warranty as existing pre-owned hardware.

If successful the scheme could be rolled out nationally across the US by the end of the year.