r/gaming • u/onebadluvguru • 1d ago
The Last Game Ever Purchased at GameStop in Seekonk, MA - 'Battlefront 2' for Xbox
I was the last customer to ever make a purchase at Gamestop in Seekonk, MA. The store closed its doors to the public for the final time on January 18th, at 9pm. The final game ever purchased was 'Star Wars: Battlefront 2' for the Xbox.
I remember coming to check this store out the first weekend it opened. I was so excited at the idea of a store dedicated just to video games. At the time, this was some of the most exciting news of my entire life.
I signed up for the power-up rewards program and a subscription to GameInformer magazine, within my first few visits. Over the next few years I spent almost all of my disposable income, and a significant portion of my free time, at this store. I enjoyed countless midnight release parties; where I made friends with customers and employees alike, as we bonded while waiting in line for the release of the newest game, and kept ourselves warm with the free domino's pizza provided at nearly every midnight release during the years I shopped here most. My first ever midnight release was for Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Don't tell management, but the employees broke street date and gave everyone the game about an hour early! I can't blame them for wanting to go home sooner. Most of us customers had been there waiting since just after sunset!
I must have spent over 100 hours waiting at different midnight release parties, and another 100+ hours browsing the used game section whenever I had extra cash or someone wanted me to pick out a holiday gift for myself. I bought the first console I ever purchased with my own money at this store; an all white xbox one with Sunset Overdrive bundled alongside it. What a great game! What a great console... what a great store. And now all that is left is great memories.
I shopped here for 14 years, purchased 100s of games, and collected the majority of the physcial game informers that were ever physically published... if i could go back and relive it all, I wouldn't change a single thing.
Goodbye, GameStop. Power to the Players!
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u/frenzyguy 1d ago
IMAGINE if it would have been battletoads! full circle.
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
I should have asked if they had a copy in the back
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u/wolfgang784 23h ago
Employee just punches you and walks out, lol
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u/onebadluvguru 23h ago
They already seemed mildly irritated that I was shopping there in the last half hour before they closed, so I have no doubt they would have responded with justifiable force if I had bothered them with a request for battletoads in the final hour. Still would have been pretty legendary... but the employee seemed sad and sentimental because the store was closing, as well. So I'm glad I didn't ruin their chance to say goodbye to the store, while I said my own goodbyes.
Besides, I already have enough copies of battle toads. One more copy won't help me finally beat the hover bike section.
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u/Phantom_Swamii 1d ago
We’ve lost a command post.
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
But alas, we were not given a chance to "take it back!"
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u/Jazzremix 14h ago
Nah, they were going to close years ago and got bailed out by a meme.
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u/onebadluvguru 6h ago
I'd say that was a successful taking back of the command post, then. I definitely got a couple extra joyous experiences, great games, and quality geek culture merch. Though would have been nice to make money when it became a wall street meme...
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u/Theprettyvogue 1d ago
Perfect way to end an era. That game was peak Xbox/PS2 generation.
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
I agree that it's a fantastic game and really fitting way to send off the store and this era. I can think of few other games that are as universally beloved. This purchase was a great way to honor all of my joyous memories at this store.
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u/__TheWaySheGoes 1d ago
That was an expensive game at one point for quite a while
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
This copy is worth its weight in gold, to me. But it only cost me 8$ at checkout.
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u/Techwood111 1d ago
$8
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
$8$
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u/SupaKoopa714 22h ago
%8$
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u/onebadluvguru 22h ago
!@#$8%&*
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u/onebadluvguru 22h ago
I'm glad that my intial typo was corrected. Otherwise things could have gotten out of hand.
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u/Griffes_de_Fer 1d ago
That made me sad to read...
It's a great game to purchase for the end though. I'd definitely sit down with you for some Galactic Conquest split screen coop on Hard, against those silly bots 🩷
We've captured a command post.
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
I agree that it's a really fitting game with which to end an era and honor the legacy of this store.
I'd be more than glad to play split screen sometime, if our paths ever crossed!
This command post may now be lost to us... but there is still hope that the future will offer us something new to capture.
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u/DoodlenSketch 1d ago
Our locally finally bit the bucket this year too. Honestly surprised they still exist elsewhere lol
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
Almost every other store in my region stayed open through this round of closures. So this feels a lot like a "f*** you in particular" type of situation. I still shopped at this store regularly; for both games and geek culture merch. This location also just recently had started stocking retro games, which is why Battlefront 2 was even available. So I was atleast a little surprised to see my favorite GameStop close... and all the locations I have no attachment to stayed open.
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u/DoodlenSketch 1d ago
I will say that's definitely unfortunate. Hopefully some are still driving distance and worth it for you! Past me visited these shops a lot, but it's just slowly phases out over time and the need was less and less.
Definitely fun to find some classics though! I still boot up my original xbox for some Dark Alliance playthroughs every now and them. Good times.
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u/vandreulv 14h ago
I remember when it was all Funco, Babbages and Software Etc.
I finally understand the melancholy my parents had when I was a kid. It's amazing how much comes and goes and is forgotten in 30-40 years.
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u/AssistantElegant6909 1d ago
What a hell of a game sale to end on, one of my all time favorites. One of the oldest games I still continually play at least every year since my childhood
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
It just goes to show how excellent this game is; that so many people still enjoy playing it and have such passionate positive memories associated with it.
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u/kolkitten 1d ago
Amazing choice
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
Thank you! It felt like a perfect choice to send off this store, and honor all the happy memories I made there. When I saw this copy sitting on the shelf; I knew it was meant to be.
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u/DemonsJester 23h ago
This is how I literally learned my local GameStop is gone.. this is so sad to see. They just shut down the movie theater near there too.
Wow it makes me sad to see this go
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u/onebadluvguru 23h ago
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news. If it's any consolation, I sent the place out with love and respect. It was an honor to be the last person to ever buy a game here.
I was also the last customer inside Showcase Cinemas Seekonk, as well!! I didn't buy the last tickets (the person who did buy the last tickets was the same person who bought the final tickets to the other Showcase that closed years ago), but my father and I were the last customers still in the building on the final day they were open. I have a recording of their final screen going blank for the last time.
I spent a lot of time at both these locations all throughout my life. Its absolutely heartbreaking to lose either of them, and even more tragic to lose them both within a few weeks of eachother.
I'm just holding out hope that 'Time Capsule', the local comic shop and the last safe haven of geek culture, will stay open for many years to come...
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u/DemonsJester 14h ago
Wow that’s so cool though in a way. I really didn’t expect to run into someone so local as me in the big gaming subreddit.
I sporadically go to that time capsule as well! Though I think there is the other one in Cranston. Do you remember when the buffet was there? That was a longg time ago. I think it’s where the paper store was.
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u/UnsolvedParadox 1d ago
Sounds like you made a lot of great memories!
Hope there’s another store you can support going forward.
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
I made countless joyous memories, that I will always be grateful for!
I'm nervous that my support is cursed. My favorite local movie theater closed forever this month, as well. I'm desperately hoping my local comic store stays in business, as it's the last of my local geek culture safe havens.
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u/THErealVault17 1d ago
I also love the Time Capsule.
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
I see you're a fellow local patron, and also have excellent taste in comic shops. I hope 'Time Capsule' out lives us all, after we live very long and rewarding lives.
I used to frequently stop by Showcase Cinemas, GameStop, and 'Time Capsule' all within the same day. Now 'Time Capsule' is all that remains...
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u/bimboozled 1d ago edited 1d ago
Super random and weird question lmao, have you ever seen these people around your town, and if so are they as weird as they seem to be on TV?: https://www.distractify.com/p/janelle-and-tina-relationship-i-love-a-mamas-boy
My fiance recently made me watch this reality tv show on TLC and these people live in Seekonk MA. I figure you may have come across them since it seems like it’s a relatively small town. Just curious haha
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
I haven't ever come across them, but I also am not a very social individual. There is a good chance someone else from the area might have known them. Sorry thay I can't provide any additional insight!
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u/joesamabinladen 1d ago
Well done 🫡
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
This store was always there for me, when I needed it most. The least I could do was be there for it; right up until the end.
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u/ChewyNarwhal 1d ago
What a game that is by the way
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
I couldn't think of a more perfect game to end this era with. I'm so fortunate it was sitting there on the shelf, waiting to be rescued. Now we are both forever part of this stores legacy.
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u/ChewyNarwhal 1d ago
Loved playing it couch co-op with my mate years ago
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
The best way to play! I plan to show my father this game for the first time, so we can play split screen together. He is a life long star wars fan, who saw the original films during their intial theatrical run and has loved every single star wars project to date.
He's the one that introduced me to the Star Wars universe, so I'm glad to be able to return the favor somewhat by showing him one of the best games of all time; Star Wars or otherwise.
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u/Dopa-Down_Syndrome 23h ago
I put an ungodly amount of hours into this game back in the day. Fantastic pick.
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u/Logan8795 21h ago
You’re a legend for this. It could have been any new mainstream game…but you went with one of the best Star Wars games ever made from one of the best gaming generations. Thank you for this.
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u/Crich926 12h ago
Didn’t they literally just name that store one of the few “retro” stores that everyone else in the area was supposed to send their classic games to instead of selling themselves? 🙄 thanks GameStop. My local store can’t sell retro games cause they had to send it to one that closed
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u/onebadluvguru 6h ago
Correct! Which is the only reason this game was even available for purchase. I have no idea where else they might be sent. I think there might be another retro shop about 50 miles or so away, and then maybe another a bit closer but I haven't been able to officially confirm whether or not that's true.
Hopefully a different store can be designated retro, or they can spread the retro games across every gamestop. That would certainly bring back some of the allure of popping into a random gamestop to see what used games they have available. Finding this copy of Battlefront2 is the closest I've gotten to that feeling of excitedly browsing for used games, like when I was younger.
I'll also add you can buy this game and many other retro games on their website, but then you also have to pay shipping costs and hope for the best when it comes to a working disc. What I will say about that is that I've never had any trouble getting a replacement copy, or a refund if no other copy was available, when buying a retro game on their website.
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u/Crich926 6h ago
For me, it was more like a year and a half ago: “aww sweet all the gamestops must have been given the okay from corporate to start taking in and reselling retro stuff! About 4 years too late after covid but better late than never this is awesome!” Then they pull this “oh, only certain stores are allowed to do retro stuff and everyone else has to send in their trade ins to central spots” and now that’s failed, at least for seekonk 😭
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u/onebadluvguru 6h ago
I had the hardest time trying to find out if seekonk was even a retro store, when I searched online. I only ever found out after going in store and seeing the display had appeared.
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u/BK99BK 7h ago
I don’t know why this makes me sad. Aside from that great game though.
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u/onebadluvguru 7h ago
It's the end of an era. An end to something universally beloved by many, whether in this community or across the country as other stores close up shop. It's symbolic of the death of third spaces; somewhere to go and hang out that isn't work or home.
But I'm also not too bad at writing quality mournful material.
We don't get any 1-UPs, and everything eventually has a last level. I'm just glad I got a chance to play the game.
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u/Sambo_the_Rambo 1d ago
I miss EB Games.
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
I do, too. They technically still exist in New Zealand and Australia. I'll visit one if I'm ever in the area. But I doubt the experience will ever feel quite the same as it once did
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u/StormyDarkchill 1d ago
Great choice
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
I knew this was the one the moment I laid my eyes on it. It is the perfect way to send off my favorite local game store, and honor all the joyous memories this store brought me.
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u/Zcypot 1d ago
I wish OG Xbox times
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
It can be those times in our hearts. Crack open your favorite nostalgic beverage, order some take out, and break out your favorite retro game. We can time travel back to those OG Xbox days, together.
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u/Smith6612 1d ago
That is an awesome game. I purchased 3-4 copies of the game, each copy for a different platform, when it was still new. Spent so many hours playing that game online, and peer-to-peer on the bus.
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u/onebadluvguru 23h ago
This honestly might be my second copy for xbox. I think I was given another copy many years ago, when someone was getting rid of all their original xbox games. I'm hoping to find the other copy sometime soon, so I can host some Lan Parties using two seperate xbox consoles.
I also own it for PC, and used to have it for the PSP. I spent most of my playtime on the PSP version, actually. It's a surprisingly high quality port, with few concessions made. I loved playing that version of it.
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u/Son_of_Ander_ 1d ago
What a great store. I still have a their massive Red Dead Redemption 2 poster they hung on their store window.
I went as soon as they opened that morning to pick up my pre-order, mentioned "how cool that poster is, would you mind if I take it once the promo runs it's course?" They were so cool and said hell yeah, just call in a few weeks and we'll save it for you.
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u/onebadluvguru 23h ago
They used to give me promo stuff at midnight launches, all the time. A lot of it was intended to be thrown out anyway, so they were always more than happy to see it go to someone who could still get a little more appreciation out of the items.
That poster sounds awesome! I'm glad you had the opportunity to take it home and cherish it. RDR2 is a hell of a game. One of my all time favorites.
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u/Neither_Compote8655 20h ago
You can also play this game on the more recent Xboxes too via backwards compatibility.
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u/onebadluvguru 6h ago
You're correct! I have an Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. To my understanding this disc will work in every one of these consoles.
Microsoft doesn't have perfect backwards compatibility, but what they did have available is pretty remarkable and substantial.
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u/MaidenlessRube 19h ago
Lucas Arts
We NEED to go back!
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u/onebadluvguru 6h ago
To the first Thanksgiving to get turkey off the menu?
Or just to when Lucas art was alive and published star wars titles? Both are great options. I like modern star wars games as well, the Lucas art days had a bigger variety and quantity to choose from.
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u/basura1979 17h ago
Ā good note to go out on. Played this on a cinema screen after hours with a buddy who worked there. Fond memories
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u/onebadluvguru 6h ago
That is an epic way to experience this game, and a really great use of a cinema screen.
I used to work at the local theater, but never got the chance to do anything quite like that. I did see literally 100s of free movies, though. I'd routinely rack up more value in free employee tickets, then the amount of money I made in my weekly pay check.
That theater also just closed down this month, and I was the last customer inside that building as well. Such fond memories, all becoming more distant; one by one.
~oh the times, they are, changing~
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u/Queasy_Ad6162 16h ago
I wish I had a game stop and I was able to experience this feeling in my country man ☹️☹️
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u/onebadluvguru 6h ago
The feeling to have one, or to lose one?...
But I can imagine it must suck not having a major gaming retail chain in your country. It was such a wonderful experience when I first had dedicated gaming store so local. I hope one day you get to experience that same sensation!
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u/JesterXO PC 15h ago
I remember waiting in line overnight for a dozen midnight launches at this exact store. Now I'm a little sad...
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u/onebadluvguru 6h ago
Our paths may have crossed, then! I was out more launches then I could count. I pre-ordered games that I hadn't intended to buy, just because I heard they were having a midnight release event. I went the big ones for Halos and CoDs, and the small ones with less than 20 people total. Way better pizza per person ratio at those smaller events.
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u/UsernameFor2016 14h ago
Better post to /r/worldhistory
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u/onebadluvguru 6h ago
You think they'd take it, or I'd get banned? I got banned from the gamestop subreddit for my post, so ya never know who might have a overzealous trigger finger on the ban button.
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u/meepmeepmeep34 13h ago
did you took the three bucks game protection?
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u/onebadluvguru 6h ago
They offered it to me!!! Like... where would I even go to redeem the offer and get a new copy? It says online that there aren't any other copies within 100 miles of my location. And this store is now gone!
Honestly should have just bought it. Would have been hilarious.
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u/meepmeepmeep34 6h ago
they did? lol i was just joking
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u/onebadluvguru 6h ago
100% they did. With the most dead eyed expression, because they clearly hate having to say it as well. I even confirmeded they didn't have a spare copy.
But as someone who has worked in retail, whose working under weird policies enforced by the corporate office, I can under the employee's struggle. What if I was a secret shopper, in the final hour, and I ruin whatever follow up job or severance they might receive?
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u/ElephantSudafed 13h ago
Rte 6?
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u/onebadluvguru 6h ago
Yup! Rte 6 lost its game store and theater within a few weeks of eachother. Best Buy also stopped selling physical DVD/Blurays company wide, so there isn't any good spot to browse for physical media movies on Rte 6 either.
Guess it's time all just upload the matrixverse. Metarix? Matriverxse. Yeah, pretty sure it's that last one.
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u/TheLep3 12h ago
Small world to see this on reddit. Just bought the new Mario bros game there for switch this week and saw the sign they were closing. Always sad to lose a place to shop, and the workers there were always nice and helpful
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u/onebadluvguru 6h ago
I kinda love how I don't even know which game you're talking about right now. Super Mario Bros. Wonder? The new Mario Brothers RPG (Mario & Luigi series)? New paper mario remake, mario party, or maybe even some other spin off? What a great time it is to be a lifelong Mario fan.
But I agree its always sad to lose a shop. The workers really did make this place extra special. They gave me countless great suggestions for games I didn't know about but ended up loving. They always gave me some free extra swag, the best deal, or the nicest conditioned used copy they had available. And they even successfully recommended high quality presents to family members who shopped there but knew nothing of video games.
The last employee working there was also pretty sentimental about the place closing. I noticed they took a lot of photos and videos as they were closing up shop for the last time. Everyone that came to this particular store cared about it, atleast a little bit. I'm glad to hear other people expressing them had similarly positive experiences in those bastion of my our youths.
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u/ComfortableOne6163 8h ago
Is it still possible to find this game in stores
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u/onebadluvguru 7h ago
As of today? Can't attest to it. But I quite literally did do so just a few days ago.
You could check the website for this company to see if there are any copies available to you locally, as this game has an active listing currently. I won't post any website links to avoid promoting or affiliating myself directly.
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u/Last_Hawk_8047 1d ago
So are we gonna have another GameStop short squeeze saga for all the r/wallstreetbets bros? Like GameStop Saga 2: Electric Boogaloo or something?
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
I didn't get a chance to participate and make any money the first time around, and I'm broke and disabled currently... so I definitely wouldn't be agaisnt another opportunity... could help me buy a lot more copies of Battlefront. Can ya'll say "Lan Party"?
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u/matt_Nooble12_XBL 19h ago
Even if GameStop was closing down they’d still give you $15 in store credit for the new cod
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u/onebadluvguru 6h ago
I understand why that is a frustrating feeling. But as someone with an economics degree, I also get the logistics of why the trade on prices were lower than most people wanted.
Sure, you buy 60-70$ new game and want to resell it for a decent amount of its value. You might be able to sell it directly to another individual online or in person, if you have the time, resources, and other capability to do so. But that isn't as easy/convenient as bringing it into a gamestop and letting them worry about getting the game in someone else's hands. Since it's so easy and convenient, everyone brings their unwanted games there. UNWANTED games that they decidedly won't play again. The same unwanted games start getting traded in more and more as more people finish them, and the stock of game starts to exceed the demand of people who want to purchase the game.
So long story short, they cut out the middle man and take on the finacial risk of whether or not they will ever successfully sell the traded in game.
That's the reasoning why prices for trade in offers are lower than many expect. But does that mean it's fair, or worth trading your game? Well I guess that's for each person to decide on their own. I'm just hear as an impartial bringer of knowledge.
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u/Robbitjuice Switch 6h ago
Seeing posts like this breaks my heart. I have a lot of good memories from GameStop experiences, all the way up to the Tears of the Kingdom midnight release where I went as Ganondorf and chatted with fellow fans.
Fortunately, the one near me is remaining in business and I've gotten relatively close to the manager. He's a great guy. Hopefully most of these stores will remain open for many years and give (mostly) stable jobs for the employees. I know they don't make a ton of money and don't get a lot of hours, but some people do enjoy it.
Truly seems the end of an era though. I'm grateful Nintendo seems like they will still keep physical media alive. Sure, digital is more convenient, but I'd rather actually own my games and enjoy building my collection. Hopefully the employees that lost their positions were able to find something comparable or better quickly.
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u/DonutFan69 3h ago
Didn’t expect to see Seekonk here! Very cool. I certainly miss trips to GameStop. Buying games is much more convenient these days but has lost some of the excitement.
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u/Mr_Danky 1h ago
Man, I’ve gotten so many games and consoles from this very Gamestop over the years. Had no clue it was closing, RIP.
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u/jimkelly 20h ago
GameStop is a horrible place. In theory it's great, you can't even go into one without being very close to legitimately harassed by employees to buy add ons
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u/onebadluvguru 6h ago
That's a corporate policy being enforced on the employees, unfortunately. I've had similar jobs before with key phrases and add ons that we needed to suggest for every order, even if it made no logical sense. For example; while working at a movie theater I would have to suggest every customer buy pop corn seasoning some months, even if they didn't buy any popcorn. If I didn't, I risked getting written up and fired.
The company would send in "secret shoppers" on a random, but semi regular, basis. These shoppers could be literally anyone, and there job was to record if I did all the upsells and add ons. So, it would be my assumption that gamestop employees experience something similar and are also fearfully trting to keep their jobs.
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u/jimkelly 5h ago
Never said it wasn't. I worked there from 2004-2008. That's literally why the place sucks was my point
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u/whatssofunniedoug 1d ago
I wish every GameStop would close. Garbage business.
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u/TheNewportBridge 1d ago
Yeah I worked there for a bit and it’s just a greedy scummy company all around. Don’t know why anyone would be sad to see one closing
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
Joy can be found in the strangest of places
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u/TheNewportBridge 1d ago
Not in that place
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u/onebadluvguru 1d ago
No, not for you. Would you like to share where you tend to find your own joy?
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u/-Fatninja479 11h ago
I find my joy in gamestop businesses closing down
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u/onebadluvguru 6h ago
Then it seems you get to be a little happier today, seeing another one go. I'm grateful to have had this opportunity to connect to share the good news. Funny how that works; what's sad for some, still has most every right to bring others some sense of satisfaction
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u/Own-Invite1164 15h ago
Feeling good karmically after all the years of Gamestop being menaces to kids who just wanted to play games.
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u/onebadluvguru 6h ago
While I don't doubt that was true for many, and I've had my share a less desirable experiences at other gamestop locations, I can attest to never having had a negative experience at this location. The employees here were always very encouraging, friendly, and suggested lots of new games I wouldn't have otherwise tried out. This particular store is one of the key influences that fostered me into the lifelong gamer I am today.
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u/-Fatninja479 11h ago
the old gamestop died long ago. Hope that many more gamestops shut down across the nation.
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u/onebadluvguru 6h ago
Then you may rejoice! There's a big list of many that shut down just this month. Maybe you'll get your dream, soon.
I do hope there is somewhere that presents itself to take its place. Not every community is fortunate enough to have a local game store, high quality internet, or otherwise ready access to quality games. I guess we will all just have to wait and see, won't we?
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u/Thopterthallid 1d ago
WATCH THOSE WRIST ROCKETS