WALDORF, Md. — GameStop has officially classified the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii U as retro consoles, and the company’s La Plata location is now designated as a participating retro store, giving Southern Maryland gamers a local place to trade in systems from the era.
For many gamers, the news may feel like a reminder of just how quickly technology moves. Consoles that once represented the latest graphics and online gameplay are now being grouped with the classics that defined earlier generations.
GameStop’s announcement also took a lighthearted tone, noting the systems date back to a time when component cables were common, Fortnite did not yet exist and George W. Bush was president. The company also added that while the consoles are now officially considered retro, they are “still very cool,” and anyone who owned one at launch is “absolutely not old.”
The designation places the consoles among older legacy hardware as part of GameStop’s retro gaming program, reflecting both their age and their growing place in gaming history.
The PlayStation 3 launched in 2006, the Xbox 360 in 2005 and the Wii U in 2012, meaning the oldest of the systems is now approaching two decades since release.
To mark the transition, GameStop is offering a retro trade-in promotion through March 21, with customers eligible for an additional 10% trade credit when bringing in qualifying consoles, games and accessories from those generations or earlier. The company also notes some non-working systems may qualify for trade-ins.
The three systems helped define a major era in gaming, introducing high-definition graphics to more households, expanding online multiplayer communities and bringing motion-based gameplay further into the mainstream.
While now considered retro, the systems remain popular among collectors and players who continue revisiting titles from that generation.
The La Plata retro store is located at Rosewick Crossing, 232 Rosewick Road, Suite 80.
Got a tip or photo? Text us at 888-871-NEWS (6397) or email news@thebaynet.com.
Join The BayNet Membership for exclusive perks and zero ads.
Don’t miss a story—sign up for our newsletter!
