The Nintendo 3DS’ March 27th US release date is just a few days away which means gamers everywhere are gearing up to get their hands on the console. While it’s not exactly the most expensive console in the world when you add its $250 cost to the library of $40 games you’re sure to buy costs are sure to get quite high. Luckily, various retailers are holding deals that look to sooth the woes just a bit allowing gamers to get their hands on the glasses-free 3D display touting portable console without break the bank as much.

For example, if you feel you can part ways with your Nintendo DS once you get your hands on the 3DS you may want to consider picking i tup at Walmart. The reason I say this is because it was just made known that Walmart will be allowing gamers to trade in their Nintendo DS consoles towards the purchase of a 3DS. Details are a bit scarce but they will apparently be accepting up to two DS consoles for a total of $200 credit. Of course, what you get will largely depend on which model you have as trading in a DSi XL is sure to fare much better than a first generation DS.

Who’s looking to grab the Nintendo 3DS on march 27th?

While it’s virtually like giving your stuff away for free, GameStop’s trade-in program allows gamers to make a bit of extra cash off the games and hardware they no longer play or use. However, if you’re going into GameStop with a PlayStation 1 game, don’t expect to get a brick of gold in return. Regardless of this, if you’re looking to get rid of either your Game Boy Advance or GBA games, you may want to do so somewhat quickly.

The reason I say this is because GameStop has just announced that starting as early as April 2nd they will no longer be accepting either Game Boy Advance consoles nor Game Boy Advance games. Then again, like I said above, unless you’re really looking for some pocket change you’re probably better off just holding onto your GBA systems and games.

Gamers who have amassed a huge library of games know that they are essentially sitting on a gold mine. Of course, if you wait too long, games will lose their value and when you go to trade them in, they will be close to worthless. Luckily, places available to actually trade games in are in no short supply with the latest of such to be Amazon.co.uk. While Amazon.com has long been accepting trade ins, this is the first we’ve heard of their European branch doing the same.

Unfortunately, instead of cold hard cash you’ll be given Amazon credit for your trade-ins but then again, who cares? Amazon has pretty much everything you can ever think of, right?

via amazon.co.uk

Normally, trading your used games into GameStop would net you close to nothing. However, they are running a promotion that will give an extra 50% credit for trade-ins. Of course, you’re still only going to see anything from newer titles like BioShock 2, Modern Warfare 2 and New Super Mario Bros. Wii which will all net you $35.

There’s no word on when this promotion will end so you better hurry up and say goodbye to your brand new games sooner rather than later if you’re trying to get in on it.

via joystiq

Toys R Us has today released a press release letting us know that they will now begin accepting used console trade-ins much like competitor GameStop has been doing for some time now.

This program allows you to trade in everything from the Xbox 360 and Wii to the PS1 and Nintendo 64. Of course, you’re only going to be able to get yourself a gift card for the trade-in instead of cold hard cash but you win some you lose some, right?

Check out the press release after the break.

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The PS3 Slim is one of the most highly sought after consoles on the market to date (argueable, I know, but it’s just been announced) which might make owners of the PS3 Fat feel a bit left out.

Well, lucky for you guys GameStop has recently announced a promotion that will give $150 credit to anyone who trades in a PS3 Fat towards the purchase of a PS3 Slim.

Then again, you can probably just slap your PS3 Fat on eBay and get much more than you would from GameStop, but it’s the laziness that counts, right?

via psxextreme

Game Crazy has just released a previously unannounced app to the App Store for use with both the iPhone and iPod Touch.

According to the app’s description users will be able to see when new titles are set to come out along with viewing high-resolution trailers of said new titles. Additionally, users will be able to find out how much used game trade-ins will be worth so they can see if its worth it before they get to the store.

This app is definitly a welcome addition to the App Store and is sure to garner some internet. Unfortunately I don’t have any Game Crazys around me but does anyone want to make a bet on how long until Game Stop releases an identical app?

If you didn’t know, RadioShack has been running an online trade-in program for some time now — Due to its success they have recently made an anncouncement that they are expanding this program their 4,400 of their stores. Depending on which items you bring in, which could include games and consoles along with other electronics, you will recieve a certain amount of store credit in return.

Add another one to the “accepts trade-ins” list.

Read (GayGamer)

For years retail chain Gamestop has made a fortune off trade-in games. Now other retailers are beginning to get into the action, but someone eventually decided there must be a better way for gamers to swap an old title for a new one. If you’re lucky enough to have some gaming friends it’s possible to swap titles once you’re finished, but many of us don’t have that option.

In July 2006 a site was launched called Goozex which allowed gamers to send in titles towards ‘purchasing’ other games. It’s set up on a points system based on supply and demand; the more popular your game is the more points you’ll get for it. Users pay $1 per trade and their own shipping costs, but in spite of this Goozex estimates they save their users around $20 per trade, adding up to a total of $3.7 million in savings for their clients since the site’s launch.

The service does actually seem to be offering better values than conventional trade-ins, where games trade-in values quickly decline. Unfortunately none of the GameStop locations I called were able to give me prices over the phone, but Amazon was easier to find. They value Fable II at $16.50, Resident Evil 5 at $19.50 for either console version, Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition at $6.50 and Mortal Kombat: Armageddon for the Wii at $15. The highest point value on Goozex is 1000, which can essentially be calculated at six cents per point. This means that Fable II and Resident Evil 5 are both valued at $60, Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition and MK:A are both valued at $27.

It looks like GameStop may have finally met its match in terms of the used videogame market.

After Amazon.com’s recent announcement that they will begin testing a trade-in video game program, GameStop’s stocks dropped a full 13% ending the day $3.54 lower than the previous price.

I don’t know about you guys, but if Amazon offers more money for trade-ins than GameStop does, I have no problem receiving Amazon store credit for it.

Read (Joystiq)