Best Buy extends game trade-in program to stores

NEW YORK (AP) — Electronics retailer Best Buy Co. said Thursday it is offering store credit in exchange for used video games at nearly 600 of its stores, expanding an online trade-in program that has been in place for about a year.

The move follows Wednesday's announcement by Target Corp. that it is launching an electronics trade-in program at 850 of its stores later this year. Besides video games, Target also will offer store credit to customers who turn in their mobile phones and iPods.

Best Buy plans to roll out the trade-in program to the rest of its 1,089 stores by October.

The company also said it will start selling used video games in its stores soon, but it provided no specifics. The current trade-in program involves customers mailing in games after filling out forms online.

GameStop Corp., the world's largest video game retailer, has long offered such trade-ins. Selling used games is a big part of its business, and it has helped the retailer appeal to budget-conscious gamers in the recession.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. also offer video game trade-ins.