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GameStop To Stop Selling Consoles With Bundled Digital Codes

by Donald Theriault - September 17, 2015, 12:55 pm EDT
Total comments: 12 Source: GiantBomb

Something to watch with Wii U and New 3DS console sales.

It appears that a new GameStop policy introduced as of this quarter may force changes to Nintendo's sale policy for systems.

First announced during the chain's last quarterly results and reported by GiantBomb, the policy mandates that all console bundles be sold with physical copies of games instead of digital codes. Currently, the most prominent Sony and Microsoft console bundles are sold with included codes. Nintendo's current Wii U bundle includes a preinstalled Mario Kart 8 and Nintendo Land, while the previous bundle with Super Mario 3D World was initially a disc but changed to a preinstalled game.

It appears the policy was enacted after the Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer bundle was announced or terms negotiated, as it has a code inside whereas the FIFA 16 Xbox One bundle was changed to a disc for GameStop. If the policy continues for future New 3DS bundles they will either include a disc, a preinstalled copy of the game or be forced as a store exclusive, such as with Walmart's exclusivity on the Super Mario Maker bundle or Best Buy with the Splatoon system bundle.

Talkback

Ian SaneSeptember 17, 2015

As someone that prefers physical media this works out better for me.  But obviously the reason Gamestop is doing this is because one can't trade in a downloaded game.  Because their whole used game business model only works with physical copies they're going to try to discourage digital downloads.

MythtendoSeptember 17, 2015

Lousy policy. The only one who benefits from this is GameStop since people can't trade in digital games. Digital games not only save room for the gamer, but it also helps the environment by reducing how much physical content the publisher has to make. This is one more reason not to buy hardware at GameStop.

Ian, how does this affect you at all? No one was forcing you to buy a hardware bundle, and I hope none of the console manufacturers gives in to GameStop's policy. I hope this causes GameStop to suffer by having gamers get their bundles at other retailers.

fred13September 17, 2015

Personally, I prefer digital. Right now, I'd trade my physical copy of Nintendo Land for a digital copy without any hesitation.

Mop it upSeptember 17, 2015

I don't buy systems from GameStop anyway, in fact I pretty much go there only for used stuff.

Ian SaneSeptember 17, 2015

Quote from: Mythtendo

Ian, how does this affect you at all? No one was forcing you to buy a hardware bundle, and I hope none of the console manufacturers gives in to GameStop's policy. I hope this causes GameStop to suffer by having gamers get their bundles at other retailers.

Well I don't own a Wii U and I don't really see non-bundles available for it.  When I get around to getting one it would be nice if the bundled game was a physical copy since that's what I would prefer.  I don't care for Gamestop but if the manufacturers cave on this then the consumers get both options available to them and can choose based on their preferences.

YmeegodSeptember 17, 2015

Couldn't MS and Sony just have the game preinstalled like Nintendo?  I'm guessing Gamestop will eventually go after those preinstalled deals as well.

Doesn't really matter to me, haven't shopped at GS in a few years now, goddamn sticker whores.

jarodeaSeptember 17, 2015

Good policy for those who, like myself, generally prefer physical copies.  Also good for those who want to trade in the bundled game to defray the cost of the console.  Though none of this matters to me given I haven't shopped at Gamestop since I let IGN's Wii forum convince me to purchase Medal of Honor: Heroes 2.

StratosSeptember 17, 2015

Quote from: jarodea

Though none of this matters to me given I haven't shopped at Gamestop since I let IGN's Wii forum convince me to purchase Medal of Honor: Heroes 2.

Hah! They got you? I was convinced for the same reasons but drug my feet on the purchase in favor of some other titles and took so long that Modern Warfare released and put all other FPS offerings on the console to shame, so I got that instead.

jarodeaSeptember 22, 2015

Quote from: Stratos

Quote from: jarodea

Though none of this matters to me given I haven't shopped at Gamestop since I let IGN's Wii forum convince me to purchase Medal of Honor: Heroes 2.

Hah! They got you? I was convinced for the same reasons but drug my feet on the purchase in favor of some other titles and took so long that Modern Warfare released and put all other FPS offerings on the console to shame, so I got that instead.

Bleh, 5 days late but oh well.  Yeah the game was said to have the greatest Wii FPS controls and online ever.  Everyone on the forum was friending everyone such that you could on the Wii so I figured what the heck join the fun.  I seem to recall the on-rails game mode was well thought of also, this being before the on-rails glut hit the Wii.  Long story short, other than controls kind of the game did not live up to the hype and it's the last time I bought a game on forum hype.

StratosSeptember 22, 2015

Did you ever try Modern Warfare or Black Ops on the Wii? Nothing else compared for pointer controls.


I dearly love Black Ops 2 on the Wii U because it seemed to do most everything right and had the hardware punch to back it.

ejamerSeptember 22, 2015

Quote from: jarodea

Quote from: Stratos

Quote from: jarodea

Though none of this matters to me given I haven't shopped at Gamestop since I let IGN's Wii forum convince me to purchase Medal of Honor: Heroes 2.

Hah! They got you? I was convinced for the same reasons but drug my feet on the purchase in favor of some other titles and took so long that Modern Warfare released and put all other FPS offerings on the console to shame, so I got that instead.

Bleh, 5 days late but oh well.  Yeah the game was said to have the greatest Wii FPS controls and online ever.  Everyone on the forum was friending everyone such that you could on the Wii so I figured what the heck join the fun.  I seem to recall the on-rails game mode was well thought of also, this being before the on-rails glut hit the Wii.  Long story short, other than controls kind of the game did not live up to the hype and it's the last time I bought a game on forum hype.

Sorry to hear it disappointed.


I found MoH:Heroes a solid "jack of all trades" type game. Between on-rails play, a campaign, and online multiplayer there was plenty to do... and even though none of the pieces were great examples of their respective genre, there wasn't enough competition to make it look bad at the time. (Helps that I got it on sale for a very good price.)


Definitely agree that it hasn't held up well. If not for nostalgia, I wouldn't really recommend it to anyone at this point.

Mop it upSeptember 24, 2015

Yeah, MoH: Heroes 2 was the best of its kind on Wii when it released, it was just soon outclassed by games like The Conduit and Call of Duty Modern Warfare Reflex. One of those "you had to be there" type dealies.

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