Most retro collections were never intended to be a collection. A Genesis will be placed in the back of your closet after moving. Someone hands you a shoebox full of loose N64 carts. A stack of PS2 discs accumulates behind the television for ten years. You go looking for something else and there they are.
A common sports title from 1998 may be worth very little money, however, some games from the same period can be worth a lot. For example, a complete in the box edition of a rare game could be worth more than the console itself. It is not age that determines the amount, but rather the condition of the item, whether it is complete, and if anyone wants it.
The location where you send the items is nearly as important as the items themselves. Companies exist that will buy games from you, and pay cash. Other companies will only buy games currently included in their catalogs and only give you store credit or a gift card. Although a marketplace may sell a single rare item for the highest possible price, you will need to create your own listings, ship the boxes yourself, and deal with returns where the sale terms require them.
Options provided below are intended for U.S. sellers. Availability varies depending upon where you live outside the U.S.
Before boxing up your collection and sending it to a potential buyer, consider four elements:
How you are going to be compensated; what the buyer actually accepts; the rules regarding condition; and the amount of work involved on your part.
1. GameStop
GameStop remains one of the best-known retailers that allows customers to trade in video games, consoles, controllers, and accessories. Customers can look up estimated trade values for their items online. Then customers can travel to a local GameStop store that participates in trade-ins to determine what type of compensation they will receive for their trade.
Trade-in compensation can come in two forms: cash and store credit. While cash may seem like the preferred method of payment, keep in mind that store credits typically have greater value than comparable cash offers, thus allowing those who intend to purchase another game or console from GameStop to utilize their store credit towards another purchase.
Values ultimately depend on the condition of the product(s), level of demand for said product(s) at present, necessity of any required components/accessories to function properly, and any current promotions offered by GameStop during the time frame that you trade in your items. If any controller(s), power cable(s), etc., are missing from a console or required accessory, it may greatly diminish the value of a console or render it unacceptable by GameStop’s standards.
Eligible items to trade-in can vary. Current databases maintained by larger retailers may contain more recent games and hardware. Older or lesser-known systems may not show up in these databases.
Choose this option when: You live close enough to a GameStop that participates in trade-ins. You prefer to complete the trade-in process in person. You are open to receiving store credit instead of cash.
2. The Old School Game Vault
The Old School Game Vault is a nationwide mail-in option for people who want to trade in retro video games, consoles, and accessories for cash.
Since 2008, The Old School Game Vault has been providing a national mail-in trading platform for individuals seeking to convert retro video games, consoles, and accessories into cold hard cash. The Old School Game Vault says it holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. With over 22,000 unique entries for video games, systems, and accessories, users can easily browse through prices for their items online prior to submission. Users may list multiple items together online prior to printing shipping labels to send their collection in as a single order.
All orders totaling $100 or more qualify for a pre-paid postage label to be sent via email. Upon receipt and successful processing of the items sent to The Old School Game Vault, users will be issued payment within 3 to 4 business days via either PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, Apple Cash, business check or Amazon Gift Card.
In addition to accepting games from numerous platforms (including Nintendo Entertainment System & Sega Genesis), The Old School Game Vault also purchases games from systems including PlayStation & Xbox. Their comprehensive database contains information on less common systems including Atari Jaguar, Atari Lynx, Neo Geo Pocket, Panasonic 3DO, Philips CD-i & TurboGrafx-16.
When it comes to conditions accepted for each format, it is generally true that The Old School Game Vault will accept loose cartridges for many cartridge-based systems. However, when dealing with disc-based formats such as PlayStation & Xbox, The Old School Game Vault generally requires the original disc(s), case(s), artwork(s), and manual(s), though some platforms allow deductions for missing manuals. For TurboGrafx-16 games there are specific requirements: users must submit the HuCard(s) with the original end label(s) still attached along with their original case(s) and manual(s).
Choose this option when: You wish to trade-in your retro collection for cash through a nationwide mail-in trading platform without having to individually list each item for sale. You do not want to spend hours negotiating with buyers & handling multiple transactions.
3. Amazon Trade-In
Amazon offers a trade-in platform for select products contained in Amazon’s Trade-In Catalog. Availability of eligible items varies per product, therefore sellers should first check availability of their item before determining if it qualifies for inclusion in Amazon’s Trade-In Program.
After sellers successfully submit eligible products and are approved by Amazon, they will be rewarded with an Amazon Gift Card. This can be beneficial to those who frequently shop on Amazon. However, it is essential to note that receiving an Amazon Gift Card is not equivalent to receiving cash.
Furthermore, Amazon’s Trade-In Platform should not be considered as a universally acceptable destination for all physical video games. Amazon’s Trade-In Program can change at any time and may be more suitable for selected electronic devices or other types of products versus entire collections of older cartridges or discs.
Prior to submitting your trade, ensure you verify which exact product model you are selling, how much storage space is included on that product model, and the condition of that product model prior to submitting your trade. Failing to choose the correct model can lead to an adjustment in your received value after inspection by Amazon.
Choose this option when: Your item is currently displayed in Amazon’s Trade-In Catalog. Receiving an Amazon Gift Card is a useful form of compensation for you.
4. Best Buy
The Best Buy Trade-In Program is available for select electronic items which include some gaming systems as well as other related items. Accepted products and their value will depend on the model, age, condition of each item in addition to the current status of the trade-in program.
If your trade is approved, Best Buy will provide you with a Best Buy eGift Card that can be used towards future purchases.
It’s possible that trading in your old gaming system (or newer) could make good sense if you are looking to upgrade to a new gaming system and/or need funds to purchase other electronic items at Best Buy. However, Best Buy’s Trade In program does not operate like a general video game trade-in platform. For example, a gaming console or gaming device may be considered acceptable for trade even though your individual physical video games may not qualify. Therefore, sellers should review Best Buy’s Trade-In Catalog prior to visiting one of their stores or shipping their items for processing.
Remove personal data from any console or device before you surrender it. Back up anything important, sign out of connected accounts, remove payment information, and perform the appropriate factory reset.
Consider this option when: You have an eligible gaming device and plan to use the proceeds toward another Best Buy purchase.
5. eBay
The eBay process is an open market; it is not a standard “trade in” process. When you sell on eBay you do not receive a fixed bid from a company, you list your product for sale, either at a fixed price or by auction.
In this way, you as the seller have more control over the asking price. This type of pricing allows for some flexibility if you’re selling something that may appeal to a specific collector such as a rare console, limited edition game, sealed copy of a game, or a complete-in-box collectible.
However, the increased ability to control pricing also means that there is a greater responsibility placed upon the seller. The seller is responsible for researching past sales of similar products, creating photographs of the product, writing descriptions of the product, answering customer inquiries about the product, packaging the purchased goods and shipping them to the customer, paying applicable fees, handling possible returns and disputes.
When using eBay as a method for selling your games always look at recent sales rather than current ask prices. The sale price that was actually achieved by another customer is indicative of what other customers are currently willing to pay for a similar item. A non-sold listing is merely representative of what the seller believes they can get for their item and does not reflect what another buyer has been willing to pay for a comparable item.
Consider this option when: You have a small number of potentially valuable items and are prepared to manage the listings and transactions individually.
Cash, store credit, or an individual sale?
Just because something is priced at the highest value doesn’t mean that it will provide the most valuable trade-in. The form of payment can significantly alter the potential value of your items to you.
You can spend money (cash) anywhere. If you have store credit or gift cards from retailers, there are limitations in where they can be used. Even if the store credit or gift card has more “value” than a cash offer, you cannot use them elsewhere.
If you choose to sell through an individual marketplace/online platform, you get to decide your prices. However, the fees charged by marketplaces/platforms, shipping cost, processing fees, time taken for delivery and possible returns all impact the total price received for your item.
Before accepting an offer, compare:
- Whether payment is cash, store credit, or a retailer gift card
- Shipping charges or prepaid-label requirements
- Marketplace and payment-processing fees
- Product and condition requirements
- The number of separate shipments or transactions required
- Inspection and payment timelines
- Policies for revised or rejected offers
The right choice depends on what you’re selling and how you want to be paid.
What should you do before trading in video games?
Prior to trading in video games, there are several steps you can take to help ensure the best possible experience, minimize the potential for additional requests, rejected items and unnecessary delay.
First confirm whether your exact game or console is accepted. Different versions, regionally released games, storage capacity differences and hardware revisions all impact value.
Additionally, test your physical games far enough to verify they actually reach gameplay. A disc that reaches the opening menu but freezes while loading may not be considered fully functional. Likewise test your console, including its power supply, controllers, disc drive, cartridge slot and video output.
Keep your games’ boxes, instruction books, artwork, cables, controllers and inserts together. Whether original component parts are required for acceptance and/or valuation purposes varies among companies. Just because a company accepts loose cartridges doesn’t mean they accept loose discs.
When shipping or handing over your console, remove any identifiable personal information. Sign out of accounts, unlink the device where necessary, delete any saved payment methods, and reset the console as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I trade in used video games for cash?
There are numerous places where you can trade in used video games for money such as The Old School Game Vault which has been buying and selling used retro video games throughout the United States since 2008. This national mail-in buyer has a database of over 22,000 games, consoles and accessories with searchable prices online. Orders of $100 or more qualify for a prepaid postage label, and you’ll get paid via PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, Apple Cash or business check within 3 to 4 business days after the company receives and inspects your games. Alternatively, you can choose an Amazon Gift Card.
GameStop is willing to give you cash for some of your games if you visit one of their many locations across the country. GameStop’s store-credit value may be higher than the cash they offer for those same games. Amazon and Best Buy typically give approved trade-ins in the form of their respective gift cards. eBay is different: you sell your games individually to other users for money rather than trading them in to a retailer.
Can digital video games be traded in?
Physical cartridges and discs can be passed to another owner. Most digital games are licenses tied to the buyer’s platform account. As a result, most digital video games cannot be traded in like a copy of a physical version of a game. Do not try to sell your gaming account with downloadable content in lieu of trading in your copy of the game. Selling your gaming account may violate the terms of the gaming platform and put your personal information or payment info at risk.
Is cash or store credit better for a video game trade-in?
Accepting a cash offer provides you with maximum flexibility because you can use it almost anywhere. On the other hand, an offer for store credit may provide a higher value than a cash offer, but you can only spend that credit at the retailer that provided it.
If you’re sure you’re going to buy another game or console from the same retailer then store credit might be preferable. However, if you’d rather not have restrictions on how you can utilize your funds then comparing various cash-only trade-in options would probably be your best option.
Do video games need their original cases to be traded in?
It really depends on what type of system and what type of buyer. Cartridge-based systems tend to be more flexible regarding packaging needs whereas disc-based systems often require the original packaging materials including the box, manual and artwork. Some buyers even have specific requirements based on the specific platform being traded. For example, a buyer may require a TurboGrafx-16 HuCard to retain its end label, original case, and manual. Requirements vary, and some buyers allow deductions for missing manuals. Therefore, it’s always best to check with the buyer first prior to shipping anything.
How is a video game trade-in value determined?
The value of a trade-in is determined by multiple factors including the exact title of the game, the platform it was designed for, the condition of the item, whether the item is complete (i.e., all original packaging materials included) current inventory levels, and buyer demand. Just because a game is old does not necessarily determine its value. There are plenty of common older titles that are worth relatively little due to their abundance compared to rare titles for the same platform that are valued much more highly. Compare current trade-in quotes as well as completed sales to assess the value of your games. Consider fees, shipping, payment type, and condition requirements as well as the initial amount.
Choose the trade-in method that fits the collection.
The shoebox in the closet is not one decision. It is usually three or four.
Sort before you ship. Anything scarce, sealed, or complete in box is worth pricing on its own, because that is where an individual sale earns its extra effort. Newer hardware often fits a retail or device trade-in program, especially if you were already going to spend the proceeds at that store. For much of a retro collection, the loose carts and the common discs, a nationwide mail-in buyer can save time, since accepted items move in one shipment instead of thirty listings.
Test what you can, keep cases and manuals with their games, and wipe personal data off every console before it leaves the house. Then compare the full process, not just the headline number. A slightly smaller cash offer with a prepaid label and a three-day turnaround can beat a larger figure that comes with fees, shipping, and a month of messages from buyers.
Last Updated: September 16, 2026
