PixlBit

All I have to do is spend $2,750 on new games at GameStop and I can get a FREE copy of Mario Bros. for the NES?  Where do I sign?!?!!

Also terrible - the coming soon item:  Super Scope 6 - SNES (Game Only)

I'm just making this >:/ face right now at how stupid this marketing plot is.

GAMESTOP, pinicle of video game retail sales.

"Also terrible - the coming soon item:  Super Scope 6 - SNES (Game Only)"

I don't know who's dumber: Gamestop for offering it, or someone actually trading their points for this?

Its like they went back to their Funco Land roots...sort of. For those who weren't around/ have short memories/amnesia, Funco Land was the place to trade in/ buy video games. That and they had kiosks of all the systems at the time. At least in my area. I remember one where there was a NES, SNES, Genesis, Turbo Grafx 16 and Neo Geo. I could 'test drive' (including Game Boy, Game Gear, Atari Lynx, but you had to bring those with you) any game they had, and if I liked it, and if my parents were in a good mood, get it for me.

One of the things I remember is that they emphasised you bring in your games for cash, store credit was secondary.  Oh how times have changed...

Wait, what were we talking about? Oh yeah, Killer Instinct for the low, low price of $2,6500. Maybe if they offered up Nintendo World Championship carts, including the gold one, you might see some collectors buying up loads of merchandise....

I remember Funcoland. I remember buying tons of old games there, mostly SNES and Genesis. World of Illusion anyone? Their prices were better too. I got Final Fantasy VII for 10 bucks.

Well, there's a reason I don't go to GameStop anymore.  Seriously, look around the site.  What else is there to spend the points on that's actually interesting?  A Duke Nukem statue?

Honestly I'd rather spend my money at locally owned places, like the video games store over on Lark St in Albany (where I can get NES games for like 5 bucks, AND they stock Atari and Coleco stuff as well.) No rewards program, sure, but unless I bought like... 3 consoles this year how the hell would I even get this stuff?

[edited, store is on Lark, not Pearl]

Wait, how did I miss a game store on Pearl St? How long has that been around? In any event, I know where I'm going on my next trip to Albany...

I will say that Gamestop has its pros and cons. I don't like a bunch of their practices, but sometimes it's the cheapest and easiest way to get certain games. Other times it's the only way. I'd love to see them declared a monopoly so we can open up some competition in the used game market, but I know that isn't going to happen any time soon.

BEHOLD! Pastime Legends!  It's pretty small, but you can get new games there too.  They don't have a ton of room for stock at that particular spot, but they have 3 other stores and can get stuff there for you if you want it.  I wouldn't be supriesd if you didn't see it there, like I said, it's really small.  It might not have even been there actually.  They have a stores in Schenectady and Scotia as well, I think the Albany store is their newest one.

If you are ever around Albany and want to check it out let me know.  Also, it's on Lark St, not Pearl.  My bad.

Ah, awesome, thanks for the link. I actually have seen the one in Scotia before on my way out to Sacandaga, so it's cool to know that it's actually more of a local chain. I swear those weren't there 4 years ago, but it's possible I just missed them. Very cool to hear though, I'll be making a point of checking out at least one of them the next time I'm out there - I'll definitely let you know.

It's actually quite the trend around here.  There's another chain called Jay Street Games that has locations in Colonie Center and the Crossgates mall, but they seem way more corporate in their approach.

Yeah, I remember them opening right before I left. They didn't seem to be all that great - mostly like a Gamestop knock-off with even worse priced games.

Sadly, there's no local video game shop where I live. There used to be two called M&M Video Games but they went under. If I want to buy a game in a store, it has to be GameStop or Best Buy.

I'm not a fan of either, but I view Best Buy as the lesser of the two evils for some reason.