Wal-Mart is having used game stores -- Game Trade -- opening in five of its stores around the country as an experiment.

I know this because of the story below -- and because of one of the five is in my town (Morgantown, WV).

It means there will be three Gamestops (including one across from this Wal-Mart), one Game Trade, and two independent stores in this community of just over 50,000.

I will provide more info when it opens. 

Anyone know where the others are located?

Mike from Morgantown

http://www.industrygamers.com/news/walmart-confirms-entry-into-used-games-market/

Following the failed initiative for kiosk-type used game trade and buy back offerings, we reported that Walmart was once again trying to break into the used game business. In a reply to our inquiry earlier this morning, Walmart has stated that they are indeed testing out the new concept in five locations in an experimental capacity.

In a statement to IndustryGamers, the retailer said, “Walmart is always looking for new ways to help give customers more convenience and savings, and we continually test concepts with new products and businesses in stores and online.  We are currently working with Game Trade, a start-up services provider, in a lease agreement to test their Game Trade stores in five Walmart locations.”

It's not just about used games, however. The Walmart spokesperson continued, "These locations will offer previously-owned games, movies and entertainment hardware at competitive values.  Game Trade stores will accept trade-ins of media and other entertainment items for Game Trade store credit or cash."

It's clear that Walmart is still evaluating just how successful this can be for the company; the retailer added, “There are no plans at this time to lease space for more locations in Walmart stores beyond these five until we understand more about customer response, which we will monitor with great interest.”

With the second-hand games market seemingly gaining importance and comprising a larger part of the average gamer's spend, it is a juicy market to get into, one that Walmart is certainly not ignoring. Walmart possibly getting back into the game could put pressure on GameStop and its continued dominance of the used game market.  

I think this is where they are headed. Rental stores all over the country are closing down because of netflix and downloads. We have had 1 larger rental store in my town for a very long time with a couple others with rental machines and stuff. Now the rental store was forced to close and there is no place in town to rent games anymore.

I dunno if its a good thing but nobody can compete with walmarts $1 rentals, and most people are already at walmart anyway, then they rent and have to come back the next day to return the rental and end up buying other stuff. Now with the competition closing down they can take advantage of it, and like the movies they are gonna make it some price nobody else can compete with.

Low prices = good, rental stores closing all over the country = bad.
I'm not paying $7 for a rental like they want me to at hollywood video, that is ridiculous.