GameStop rebrands Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii U as 'historical artifacts'
GameStop has now classified the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii U as 'historical artifacts' in the gaming world. The retailer previously labelled these consoles as 'retro' in a light-hearted social media announcement. Their decision follows a set of criteria that includes age and compatibility with modern titles.
The three consoles—each from the seventh and eighth generations—have officially been rebranded. GameStop's move comes as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 approach their 20th anniversary, a threshold the company considers 'retro'. Another factor is their inability to run current games like Fortnite, along with the scarcity of original component cables.
GameStop has also adjusted its trade-in policy for these systems. Customers can now exchange defective retro consoles, even if they lack accessories or show cosmetic wear, as long as they power on. To encourage participation, the retailer is running a limited-time promotion. Until March 21, traders will receive an extra 10% credit when exchanging consoles older than the newly redesignated ones.
The reclassification marks a shift in how GameStop views older hardware. Defective units can now be traded in, provided they still turn on. Meanwhile, the promotion offers a short-term incentive for gamers to part with their ageing systems.
