As you finish games and upgrade your hardware, you'll inevitably end up with a collection of discs, cartridges, and consoles you no longer use. Instead of letting them take up space, you can trade in old games and hardware to get credit or cash towards your next purchase. Maximizing that value, however, requires a bit of strategy.
By properly preparing your items and understanding your options, you can ensure you get the best possible return for your pre-owned gear.
Step 1: Prepare Your Items for Sale
First impressions matter, even for trade-ins. A clean, complete item will always fetch a better price—or at the very least, be accepted without issue. Before you head to a store or list an item online, take a few minutes to prepare.
- Clean Everything: Gently wipe down consoles, controllers, and game cases with a dry or slightly damp microfiber cloth. Use a cotton swab to carefully clean any dust from seams and ports. Make sure game discs are free of fingerprints and smudges.
- Find All the Parts: For a console, you will get the maximum value if you have the original controller, power cable, and video cable (like an HDMI cable). For physical games, having the original case and cover art is essential. Missing pieces will significantly lower the offer.
- Factory Reset Your Console: Before selling a console, always perform a factory reset. This wipes all your personal data, saved games, and account information, protecting your privacy. Be sure to back up any save data you want to keep to the cloud or an external drive first.
Step 2: Compare Your Selling Options
You have several different avenues for trading in or selling your items, each with its own pros and cons. It pays to check the value across multiple options.
- Specialty Retailers: Stores that specialize in games are often the most convenient option. You can walk in with your items and walk out with store credit or cash. The tradeoff for this convenience is that they typically offer the lowest values, especially for cash. Store credit offers are usually higher than cash offers.
- Online Trade-In Programs: Some large online retailers have their own mail-in trade-in programs. You can look up the value of your item online, get a shipping label, and mail it in. This can sometimes offer better values than brick-and-mortar stores, but it takes more time.
- Selling Privately: Listing your items on an online marketplace will almost always get you the most money. You set the price and sell directly to another person. However, this requires the most effort: you have to take photos, write a description, deal with potential buyers, and handle shipping.
Step 3: Timing Is Everything
The value of used games and hardware is not static. It changes based on supply, demand, and time. To maximize your return, consider when you sell.
- Sell Sooner Rather Than Later: The value of a game is highest in the first few months after its release. The longer you wait, the more its value will drop.
- Trade Toward a Big Release: Many retailers offer promotional bumps to trade-in values in the weeks leading up to a major new game or console launch. They want you to use that credit to buy the new hotness from them.
- Consider the Next Generation: The value of consoles and their games drops significantly once a successor is announced or released. If you plan to upgrade to a new console generation, it's best to sell your old system before the new one hits the shelves.
FAQ: Trading In Games
What if my game disc is scratched?
Most retailers will not accept games with deep scratches that may affect gameplay. Some may offer a disc-skimming or repair service for a fee, but this will be deducted from your trade-in value. It's best to only trade in games that are in good, working condition.
Should I take the cash or store credit?
If you plan on buying something else from the same retailer, the store credit option is almost always the better deal. The cash offer is typically 20-30% lower than the credit offer. Only take the cash if you have no intention of shopping at that store again soon.
Are my old consoles from years ago worth anything?
It depends. Very common consoles from recent generations might not have high trade-in value at a standard retailer. However, older, well-preserved 'retro' consoles can be quite valuable to collectors on private marketplaces. It's worth researching your specific model online before trading it in.
Key Takeaways
- Clean your games and consoles and gather all original accessories to maximize their value.
- Always perform a factory reset on a console before selling it to protect your personal data.
- Compare offers from specialty retailers, online trade-in programs, and private marketplaces.
- Selling directly to another person online will usually yield the most money but requires more effort.
- Trade-in values are highest for recent games and drop over time, especially after a new console generation is released.
Related Reading
- Digital vs. Physical Games: Which Is Better for Your Budget?
- How to Spot and Avoid Scams When Buying Used Games and Hardware
- Is Buying Refurbished Tech for Gaming a Smart Move?