The ScooterBlog

(It’s not quite free … but it might as well be.)

Here in Columbus and in my old stomping grounds of Cincinnati, there exists a very comprehensive computer store called Micro Center. Previously, they’ve dabbled in the gaming business but now they’re in it full bore, and as of a couple of months ago, they are also now taking in used games and getting into that business, much like many larger brick and mortar stores are starting to do.

So, in their efforts to build up a nice large used game stock, they’re offering a whale of a deal right now on trade-ins. If you trade in nine games, you get a coupon for $25 off of your next game purchase (can only use one per transaction). Now on the surface, this may not be impressive if you go by, say, the EB way of doing trade-ins (no sports before 07, must be a newer system, many exclusions). The beauty of this setup at Micro Center is two-fold:

• NO exclusions (Madden 03 is just fine!)
• ANY system from the Nintendo 8-Bit up to the present is welcomed! Now, the Atari Jaguar might not be a hit, but mainstream stuff is all okay.

So, if you have a bunch of games that really lack value, like old sports games or old Playstation / SNES / Genesis games that lack the case, this is a perfect way to take them in and convert it to a newer game or accessory you might need that has value in the current day. I actually did this with about 20 games to get two coupons, and used one of the coupons and the trade-in credit towards Halo 3 Limited Edition (yeah, mine has minor scratches … more soon). My final cost? $15! Getting the game all my friends are playing for that price, three days before a house closing is an absolutely cool thing!

So, go trade in your stuff and tell us about your trade-in deal in the comments. Let us know what your trade-in prices were too for comparison purposes. Myself? I had one new game in the mix, my NCAA Football 07 for 360, and it for $5.50, which really positively surprised me considering that you can’t sell it for that much on Half.com.