GameStop Retro
In 2026, GameStop launched Retro sections in all U.S. stores
- To meet demand for vintage physical gaming consoles, GameStop introduced Retro in 2024 to some stores
- The initiative targets a global retro console market that reached an estimated $3.8 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $8.5 billion by 2033, according to a report from Co-op Board Games, per Investing.com
- In 2026, Retro was launched in all U.S. locations
- Retro is a component of the turnaround of GameStop, helping to maximize GameStop's existing network of stores and improve GameStop's profitability
While the retro console market is not enormous, it is also not negligible. At present, the retro console market is mostly fragmented — there aren't many dedicated retail businesses that sell vintage video games and consoles. Shoppers can find these items on platforms like eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace, and must handle the friction that comes along with using those methods.
GameStop’s potential advantage is that it provides retail trust, national brand recognition, trade-in infrastructure, immediate liquidity, and physical inspection — all of which reduce friction compared with pure peer-to-peer platforms.
This makes GameStop Retro a suitable move for the company without it having to invest significant resources towards developing it.
The return rates are kind of high, but we're building out the Retro business in our stores currently.
It's still small but it's a growing category for us.
