Where to Trade in Old Switch for a Switch 2 at GameStop: Best Process and Tips
Just a few days ago, I upgraded my Nintendo Switch (the long battery life model) to the new Switch 2 at GameStop. The trade-in process came with a deduction of 190 euros from my total, which included an additional 9.99 euro reduction because some of my game cards were missing their boxes (as detailed in step .5). After paying the difference for the second-generation console, I learned that it won’t be available until June.
The confusion began with the vague information on the official website, so I visited the store and had the staff clarify everything for me (as explained in steps .2 and .3).
Here’s how the console trade-in works:
It doesn’t matter where your original console was purchased. The OLED version is valued at 160 euros, while both the standard and long battery versions are worth 130 euros. Meanwhile, the Lite version comes in at 80 euros. These amounts can be combined if you’re trading in multiple consoles, but all accessories must be intact—though the packaging box isn’t necessary.
For game card trade-ins:
Only European versions of games are accepted, and both the cartridge and its box are required. First-party titles like Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, and Mario series games typically fetch around 35 euros each, and you can stack multiple cards for greater value.
⚠️ If your game is missing its box, expect a 5-euro deduction per card (though this policy may vary slightly depending on the store).
⚠️ Non-European versions of major first-party titles will still be accepted by GameStop, provided the game box is included. (😂 Again, this rule might differ between locations.)
⚠️ To see which specific games qualify for trade-ins, log into the GameStop website, visit the game card homepage, and look for the green text that reads “Prodotto VALIDO per le promozioni.
” Any game marked with this label can be brought to the store for valuation (as illustrated in step .4).
Edward Grant 
Ada Stephens 
Bennett Schmidt
I just traded in my original Switch too and was surprised by the deduction for missing game boxes! It’s good to know what to expect beforehand. Did you find the staff helpful during the process? I thought they did a decent job explaining everything.
Yes, the staff was pretty helpful! They took the time to explain the trade-in process and even pointed out which accessories were worth keeping for extra credit. It can still be a bit surprising when deductions are made for missing items, but their explanation definitely helped. Thanks for sharing your experience—it’s good for others to hear about what to expect!
That’s good to know about the trade-in process at GameStop. I didn’t realize they deduct for missing boxes—good tip to keep that in mind. It’s also interesting that the new Switch 2 isn’t out yet; I’ll have to wait before upgrading. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I just traded in my original Switch too, and the deduction for missing boxes was surprising! It’s good to know the details before going in, like the one about the June release date. I wish I had waited a bit longer to avoid the extra cost, but still happy to upgrade. GameStop’s process was smoother than expected though.
I just traded in my original Switch too, and the deduction for missing boxes was frustrating but expected. It’s good to know the process is similar everywhere, though waiting until June for the new model feels like a long time to save up the extra cost.
I didn’t know they deducted for missing game card boxes—good to know! It sounds like the trade-in process is straightforward but comes with some unexpected costs. I wonder if the delay until June is industry-wide or just GameStop’s issue. Thanks for breaking this down step by step!
You’re welcome! Yes, those little details can make a big difference during trade-ins. The June delay might be specific to GameStop due to supply chain issues, but it’s always good to check with your local store. Thanks for sharing your thoughts—it’s helpful to hear from fellow readers like you!
That’s good to know about the trade-in process at GameStop. I didn’t realize they deduct for missing boxes—good tip to keep that in mind. It’s a bummer the new Switch 2 isn’t out yet; I was hoping to get my hands on one sooner. Guess I’ll have to hold onto my old model a bit longer!
I just traded in my original Switch too and the deduction for missing boxes was annoying but expected. It’s good to know the process is pretty straightforward at GameStop. I’m also waiting for the Switch 2 release in June, hope it doesn’t get delayed further!
I just traded in my original Switch too, and the deduction for missing boxes was annoying but expected. It’s good to know the trade-in process is straightforward, though waiting until June for the new console feels like a long time to wait. I wish I could’ve kept more of my games’ boxes intact—lesson learned for next time!
Interesting read! I didn’t know GameStop would deduct extra for missing game boxes – good to know before trading in mine. The June release date is a bummer though, feels like a long wait after paying upfront.
Interesting read! I didn’t know GameStop would deduct extra for missing game boxes – good to know before trading mine in. The June release wait seems rough though, did they at least let you keep your old Switch until then?