GameStop is one of the most popular retailers when it comes to the sale of gaming products including consoles, video games, merchandise, and software. The company was founded in 1984 and has its headquarters in Texas, United States.
While it offers an array of products, you may not always get the items you want. Item price on GameStop is an issue as well. Users often find some items expensive.
Luckily, there are other platforms like GameStop that you can try. I have listed some of them below.
Check them out.
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Best GameStop Alternatives
1. Sega
First up on this list of the best GameStop alternatives is Sega. It is a Japanese company with headquarters in Shinagawa, Tokyo.
The company also has international branches in Irvine, California, and London. It was founded in 1951 and mainly deals with the development and sale of video games and other entertainment accessories.
Some of the most popular games from this company include Sonic the Hedgehog, Total War, and Yakuza. The company is also known as a leading producer of arcade-style games.
Two of its most long-running games in that category include Virtua Fighter and Initial D Arcade Stage. The company develops games for all video game consoles including PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
It is equally important to point out that Sega develops games for mobile devices and PC. Some of the games from this company can be played within web browsers while others require users to download and install.
Sega also develops and sells merchandise with themes related to the games they produce. Some of the merchandise you can find under this brand include custom mugs, posters, hats, and t-shirts.
While the company has retail shops in different locations, customers can always opt to make purchases online and have their items delivered to the most convenient destination.
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2. Best Buy
Best Buy is considered one of the most popular consumer electronics chains in North America. It was founded in 1966 and has its headquarters in Minnesota.
In its initial years of operation, the company mainly dealt with the sale of music products. However, it later expanded and started dealing with a variety of electronics including video games, gaming accessories, software, and video game consoles.
Best Buy slightly differs from GameStop because the latter puts a lot of emphasis on mobile games while the former offers a wide variety to suit different platforms.
Another difference is that Best Buy does not develop any games. Instead, it only steps in as a retailer. Best Buy has multiple retail locations across the North American continent.
That makes it possible for individuals to walk into a local store and buy the products they need. There is also the option of purchasing digital games.
The process of downloading such games typically takes less than 30 minutes. However, buyers with slow internet may have to wait a little longer as the download takes place.
3. Amazon
Amazon is one of the most popular online retail platforms in the world. It is owned by Jeff Bezos and was founded back in 1994.
Unlike GameStop, Amazon deals with a lot more products and is not restricted to the gaming industry. Nonetheless, Amazon has a wide range of video games, gaming accessories, and video game consoles.
One of the things that give Amazon an edge over GameStop is the fact that it has a comprehensive delivery infrastructure. That makes it possible for individuals to place orders for products and have them delivered within a short time.
Customers can order items from Amazon even if they are located in far-flung areas of the globe. Individuals within the US even enjoy free shipping offers from Amazon.
Another important point to note is that Amazon features both in-house and third-party sellers. That makes it possible for individuals to get new or used products.
Of course, new products tend to be more expensive but there are used products that are cheaper but still meet customer expectations.
Finally, note that Amazon has a huge online presence which is why it tends to get more customers than GameStop.
4. Walmart
Walmart has built a reputation as the largest discount chain globally. The company was founded in 1962 and has over the years built approximately 10,590 stores around the world.
With that in mind, it is easy to understand why it is one of the most successful retailers. It deals with the sale of a lot of products but also offers a range of video games, gaming accessories, software, and consoles.
One of the things that distinguish Walmart from GameStop is its relatively lower prices. That means you can walk into a Walmart store and purchase a gaming console, accessory, or software at a much cheaper rate than GameStop.
It is worth noting that GameStop has more variety when it comes to gaming products and electronics. Individuals can subscribe to Walmart’s exclusive deals and get first access to new products at cheaper rates.
For example, those with a subscription are likely to get their hands on the latest PlayStation 5 consoles without spending a dime more. Some exclusive subscriptions even allow buyers to get to the top of the waitlist instantly.
Walmart also has an online presence meaning you can simply log on to the site and browse through its stock. Once you identify the gaming products you need, place an order and have them ship them to your destination of choice.
5. Sony
Next on this list of the best GameStop alternatives is Sony. This company has its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan and deals with the manufacture of consumer electronics, IT products, and video games.
It is also famous for developing the popular PlayStation console. Sony has a unique relationship with GameStop because they are both competitors and partners.
To be clear, individuals can buy the PlayStation console and Sony accessories from GameStop. In essence, GameStop purchases products from Sony at a lower cost and then resells them at a higher cost.
The two companies have a revenue-sharing agreement that ensures both benefits from the sale of products. Keep in mind that Sony is one of the most trusted brands in the world which is why its products are always in high demand.
Sony has multiple retail shops across the world making it easy for consumers to walk in and buy any product they want physically.
There is also the option to go online and place an order through the various online retailers that stock their products. Sony mainly develops games for its video game consoles.
However, the company has set plans in motion to acquire Savage Game Studios which will open up opportunities to create mobile games for iPhone and Android devices.
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6. Microsoft
Another excellent alternative to GameStop is Microsoft. The company is considered the second most valuable firm globally and has its headquarters in Washington.
Microsoft is one of the leading manufacturers of electronics including computers and computer accessories. The company also develops software for different purposes.
Microsoft is the developer of the Xbox series of gaming consoles. The company produces games meant for different platforms including consoles, PC, mobile, and the web.
Some of the most popular games developed by this company include Microsoft Sudoku, Microsoft Solitaire Collection, Forza Motorsport, and Minecraft.
This company is almost similar to Sony in its dealings with GameStop. That is because it is both a competitor and a partner.
The company develops its own products and sells them directly to consumers. However, it also works with GameStop by providing products to the latter and sharing the profits.
It is worth pointing out that the two companies are somewhat different because GameStop provides products for a wide range of companies. However, Microsoft only sells products that are manufactured under its brand.
One of the things that have contributed to Microsoft’s success is the fact that its products are available on almost all the retail brands on this list.
The company also sells products directly from its online website and the various app stores on Xbox, Android, and iPhone.
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7. Target
Target is another excellent discount retailer you can go to instead of GameStop. The company was founded in 1902 and has its headquarters in Minnesota.
It operates over 1,868 physical stores in North America. Like most companies on this list, Target offers an array of products including electronics, video games, and gaming accessories.
Recently, the company came up with a new concept called the Game Room. It is fashioned in a similar manner to GameStop’s store remodel program.
The idea behind it is to let gamers visit the Game Room and explore the latest in the world of gaming. In this program, gamers get to learn about some of the latest game releases and gaming accessories available on offer.
It is meant to excite individuals and attract new customers as a way of boosting sales. Unlike GameStop, Target does not have its own gaming consoles or video games.
Instead, it only sells products that are developed by other companies including Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. Some of these products include digital games, video game consoles, gaming chairs, and software.
Because of the large number of physical stores in North America, Target is easily accessible to customers in various localities. Individuals can also go online and make purchases through Target’s online store.
The company offers delivery and shipping services to ensure that customers can get their items at a place of convenience.
8. 2nd & Charles
Next up on this list is 2nd & Charles, which is a retailer that buys and sells different items including video games, CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, and books.
This particular retailer has multiple stores spread throughout the United States. Buyers can therefore visit any of the stores to purchase the items they need.
Alternatively, individuals can go to the company’s website and browse the catalog of items that are available for sale. The company’s customer support is quite active and often responds to inquiries within a short period.
In contrast to GameStop, this particular retailer strongly believes in upholding the value of used items. That is why it is able to purchase used video games or books and then put them up for sale.
In that way, the company ensures that individuals can get their desired items at a cheaper rate.
As noted earlier, this retailer makes it easy to sell your used video games or consoles and get some money instead of discarding them for free.
It is also important to note that you can find brand-new video games and gaming accessories from this retailer. Although it is not as popular as the first three alternatives on this list, it certainly comes across as one of the best GameStop alternatives.
9. Nintendo
Nintendo is another exceptional company that makes it to this list. It was founded in 1889 and started out as a handmade playing card manufacturer.
However, it evolved to become one of the most reputable electronic product manufacturers. The company has over the years designed some of the most exciting video game consoles.
It has also come up with some of the most popular video games. Some of these include Splatoon 3, Mario Kart, Nintendo Switch Sports, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Nintendo’s games are often available in different formats including removable media such as cartridges and discs, and online formats allowing individuals to make purchases and download remotely.
Nintendo’s game consoles and video games are available through GameStop but can also be purchased directly from other online retailers.
Nintendo offers subscription services making it possible for gamers to access new games and classics right from the comfort of their homes.
Nintendo also has an online subscription service that gives gamers access to the latest gaming news, technology, reviews, and features. That is one of the things that distinguishes the company from GameStop.
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10. eBay
Another platform you can turn to when looking for the latest in gaming products is eBay. This is considered the second largest online marketplace right after Amazon.
eBay conforms to a slightly different business model when compared to GameStop. That is because it allows third-party sellers to post their products on the platform and sell them.
This makes it possible for individuals to post their second-hand gaming accessories, consoles, and even games. Of course, the platform also has a number of brand-new products you can choose from.
Another thing that makes the two companies different is that eBay does not manufacture any gaming products. It simply creates a conducive environment for sellers and buyers to interact.
The company also incorporates an auction style of selling. That means consumers can get some of the most competitive deals when buying gaming products from this platform.
Finally, eBay offers a variety of delivery options so that items can be shipped to the place you indicate while making your order.
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11. Valve Corporation
Valve Corporation is another one of the most popular companies that deal with the development of video games. While it was founded in 1996, it has not yet managed to be as big as the brands above.
However, it is still one of the best alternatives to GameStop. The company specializes in making some of the most immersive virtual video games.
Its first video game console went into the market in 2021 and was known as Steam Deck.
To make the console even more interesting, the company installs Proton software which makes it possible for users to play games that are otherwise only compatible with Windows systems.
Like most video game developers, Valve also avails its products through GameStop and other retailers on this list. Customers can also go directly to the company’s website, browse through the list of available products, and make purchases.
One of the things that give Valve an edge over GameStop is its early access offerings. That means customers can get their hands on the latest games and accessories before they hit the general market.
The company also runs various online promotions to increase sales.
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12. Epic Games
Epic Games was founded in 1989 and has its headquarters in North Carolina. The company started out as a tech support service provider.
However, it slowly evolved into a video game developer. Unlike GameStop, Epic Games mainly focuses on the creation of shooter games.
It has also come up with an innovative game engine that makes it possible for individuals to develop their own games and then get valid licenses for them.
The company sells both its games and third-party games to ensure that consumers have what they need.
Individuals can gain access to the games available by visiting the company’s website and downloading whatever games they fancy.
The company often runs promotions and provides subscriptions to give loyal customers the motivation to stay.
13. Newegg
Newegg is another exceptional alternative you might want to have a look at. The company has its sales office in California.
It offers a variety of products including home appliances, apparel, electronics, and computers. However, it is also big on gaming products such as merchandise, video games, and video game consoles.
It does not develop any games or products but sells third-party items including Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox, among others.
While the company offers just about any gaming item you might want, it puts special emphasis on its high-end and high-quality gaming accessories. These include controllers, headsets, and chairs.
Customers can also make purchases online and have their products delivered to the address they indicate during checkout.
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14. Zia Records
Zia Records is a music and movie retailer with headquarters in Las Vegas. The company also deals in the sale of video games.
It is not quite like GameStop because it allows you to buy, sell, and even trade your old consoles and games. The retailer, therefore, stocks both new and used items.
One of the best things about buying from this particular retailer is that it offers free shipping if whatever you purchase costs over $50.
You can browse through the retailer’s website to find a store near you in case you want to make a physical purchase or trade-in.
Like most retailers seeking to beat the competition, this particular company has a special program called Zia Rewards. It ensures that customers can get extra benefits whenever they make purchases from the company.
Zia Records has a huge catalog of gaming products including video games, consoles, accessories, and hardware.
15. G2A
Another good alternative you might want to check out is G2A. It is another popular digital marketplace with offices in the Netherlands, Poland, and Hong Kong.
In contrast to GameStop which mainly deals with new products, G2A places more emphasis on the resale of gaming products. Of course, the store also has brand new products if that is what you are looking for.
Its system is also different because it mainly uses redemption keys. Some of the products you can find through this marketplace include electronics, software, video games, and merchandise.
This particular company differs slightly from other retailers because it makes it a point to sell almost all products at a cheaper rate than the competition. It usually has daily offers to help customers save some cash.
There are also subscription plans to ensure that loyal customers get the most impressive offers including updates on the latest releases.
Another impressive thing about this marketplace is that it is available to customers worldwide. Its payment plans are such that they can work with almost all major payment methods.
G2A also provides 24/7 customer support meaning you can get in touch at any time and make inquiries or raise concerns regarding your order.
Finally, note that G2A has software and video games that are compatible with all gaming platforms including Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC, and mobile.
To Summarize
All the platforms on this list are excellent alternatives to GameStop. However, if you are looking for your favorite gaming items but don’t want to spend too much money, you might want to go for retailers that stock second-hand products such as 2nd & Charles and G2A.
Overall, Amazon comes across as the best on this list because it offers both new and used products.
It also has a wide reach with one of the largest catalogs of gaming products.
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