The machines, currently being tested in 77 Wal-Mart locations in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, should be relatively simple to use. You scan the bar code on the game box in order to receive a quote. Once you accept the quote, you insert the game discs, which I am assuming are checked for damage before being accepted. Then things get a bit cloudy.

While the Video Game Buy Back kiosk shown in this photo has a Wal-Mart sign that says "Trade in Games for Credit", it doesn't seem to mean Wal-Mart store credit. According to an e-Play representative, the machines only support charging the trade-in value back to a credit card, which takes 2-3 days, according to the instructions on the company's website.

We also asked e-Play who sets the trade-in prices for the games, and are awaiting a call back with that information, as the representative we spoke with did not know.

NeoCrisis had a chance to try out one of the machines this weekend, only to find that most of their games wouldn't scan and the one that did (Mirror's Edge) wasn't in the kiosk's database.

Not exactly a GameStop killer of a trade-in program, really. With no immediate payout, I can't see these kiosks taking any substantial amount of trade-in business from the video game retailer any time soon.

UPDATE: e-Play has confirmed that they themselves set the trade-in prices based on a proprietary algorithm that can change as regularly as daily based on a number of different factors. They also verified that trade-in credit can only be applied to a credit card or debit card at this time, so no Wal-Mart store credit is changing hands.

Also, a representative from Wal-Mart contacted us to let us know that if the pilot program is successful, the company would consider working with e-Play to provide actual Wal-Mart credit instead of a charge back.

Trade Used Games at Walmart [NeoCrisis via Cheap Ass Gamer]

"Our launch into pre-played games and the acquisition of gamerbase.com underlines HMV's long term commitment to games as it becomes an ever-increasing part of our overall product mix," said HMV managing director Simon Fox.

An interesting development, but I've always felt that trade-in programs work better in video game-specific retail stores. Many electronics and entertainment chains in the states have tried this and failed miserably. Remember MediaPlay? Yeah, we were such dorks back then.

HMV enters pre-owned market with Re/Play launch [GamesIndustry.biz]

Calling it their "Get Off The Couch & Go Outdoors" offer, from May 21st though the 26th you can trade in an old video game for 15% off Bass Pro Shops branded merchandise across several categories. I particularly like the generic, photoshopped Xbox game case, and the fact that they chose to portray a more active watersport than fishing, which is pretty much just sitting on your ass drinking beer in a different place than when you are gaming. The "Sit Somewhere Else" offer just wouldn't have had the same ring to it.

I'm not sure what they'll be doing with the games, but I'm getting a lovely mental image of the ape scene from 2001.

Update: Just got this from Bass Pro Shops PR: "The donated games will all be going to Get Well Gamers (http://getwellgamers.org/index.php) for redistribution among their network of hospitals. M rated games will find their way to troops overseas through GWG's partnership with Fun for Our Troops (http://www.funforourtroops.org/)." I'm going to go feel really, really bad now.

Bass Pro Shops Sales Circular [Bass Pro Shops - Thanks Ivan!]

As late as yesterday I was getting reports from stores stating there would be no program, but today all of the stores I talked to yesterday have changed their tune, stating that the premium systems would be worth $250 (from $190), with cores fetching $200 and first-gen Xbox systems being worth $50.

The trade-in credit can be used towards anything, so if you were looking to offload an original Xbox, now would be the time.

I'll be seeing the GameStop manager who yesterday assured me there would be no trade-in program of any sort later today. If he winds up missing I was at your house the whole time. Michael Fahey

Gamestop/EB Games is running a special for the next week, starting tomorrow ,where they will give you $50 trade in credit for your Gamecube towards the purchase of a Wii. You can also get a $50 trade in for your Gameboy Advance SP to put towards a brand spankin' new DS. Now, you're probably sayin to yourself, why would I want to trade in my old consoles when everyone's been out of Wiis and DSs for weeks? Well, rumor around the tubes has it that a windfall of the little console that's whipping the big boy's butts should be arriving at your local retailers tomorrow. If this is true, I would suggest getting to your favorite store bright and early to beat the burgeoning crowds. Flynn De Marco

Gamestop Weekly Flyer [GameStop]

EB/Gamestop is offering a hundred dollars credit towards any PS3 system with the trade in of your old PS2. Surprisingly, unlike most EB/Gamestop deals, you are not required to trade in any games, but you must have all of the following items; A working PS2 system including all appropriate cords and controller, a second PS2 controller and any brand 8mb PS2 memory card. The offer is good through Feb. 18.

I don't know about you, but I'm not quite ready to part with my good old PS2. We've been through a lot together, moved to three different states and it even survived Hurricane Katrina while most things in my living room did not. Somehow, a hundred dollars just doesn't seem worth the price for an old faithful friend. Flynn De Marco

EB Games Weekly Ad [EB Games]

Reader NeoCutter writes to let us know the kinda official skinny on rumors that Gamestop was only taking Wii and PS3 pre-orders with a $50 trade-in.

NeoCutter was told by store employees that the company is "testing" a new pre-purchase strategy in Guam and Hawaii. (Something several other moles have been able to confirm for us.)

To quote NeoCutter, " This thing better stay a test. What a bunch of greedy corporate crap!" Brian Crecente

Gamestop Forcing Trade-Ins for PS3, Wii Reserves? [Gamestop]