GameStop’s “Trade Anything Day” has quickly become one of the most talked-about promotional events in the gaming and tech community. The idea is simple but exciting: walk into a GameStop store and trade almost anything of value—gaming accessories, electronics, collectibles, and in some cases even unusual items—for store credit. This type of event boosts foot traffic, clears out old tech from your drawers, and gives customers a chance to upgrade their setups without spending full price.

But as with any promo, there are rules, requirements, and a clear list of exclusions that customers need to know before walking in with a box full of random gadgets.

This article covers everything you need to know about GameStop’s Trade Anything Day, including:

What it is and why GameStop runs it
Full list of accepted items
Condition requirements
Items that GameStop will not accept
Tips to maximize your trade-in value

Let’s get into it.

What Is GameStop’s Trade Anything Day?

GameStop created this limited-time promotion to allow customers to trade a wider range of items than they normally accept. During the event, instead of only taking standard gaming gear (consoles, games, controllers), store employees can evaluate almost anything that has resale value.

The goal is simple:

Bring more people into stores
Increase inventory for refurbished items
Encourage upgrades by giving customers credit toward new consoles, games, or accessories

The promotion usually appears around major retail periods such as:

Holiday season
Back-to-school
New console releases
Major game launches

GameStop often pushes it heavily on social media using the tagline:
“If it works, we’ll take it.”

But of course, there are boundaries.

How Does Trade Anything Day Work?

The process is straightforward:

Bring your items—anything you think might have value
Store staff evaluates them to check condition and usability
You get store credit based on GameStop’s trade-in system
You can spend the credit on games, consoles, accessories, collectibles, gift cards, and more

The difference from normal trade-ins is the expanded list of accepted items during the event.

Full List of Items GameStop Accepts on Trade Anything Day

This list includes categories confirmed by past years’ events and GameStop’s official trade policies. Keep in mind that acceptance may vary slightly by location, but these categories are generally accepted nationwide.

1. Gaming Consoles (Working or Not)

GameStop usually accepts:

PlayStation (PS4, PS5)
Xbox (One, Series S/X)
Nintendo Switch
Older consoles like PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii

Even broken consoles may have salvage value.

2. Video Games (Any Generation)

Physical copies of:

PS5, PS4
Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
Nintendo Switch
Retro titles (SNES, PS2, GameCube, etc.)

Scratched discs may be reduced in value but are usually accepted.

3. Controllers & Accessories

Items like:

Xbox and PlayStation controllers
Nintendo Joy-Cons
Chargers, docks, cables
Headsets
Keyboards and gaming mice
VR controllers and accessories

Again, they don’t always need to be perfect—but must be fixable.

4. Smartphones & Tablets

GameStop accepts major brands:

iPhones
Samsung Galaxy
Google Pixel
iPads
Amazon Fire tablets

Devices must not be iCloud/Google locked.

5. Laptops & Chromebooks

Most modern working laptops qualify, especially:

Windows laptops
Chromebooks
MacBooks (2015 or newer)

Condition matters more here because resale value depends on usability.

6. Smartwatches & Wearables

Including:

Apple Watch
Samsung Watch
Fitbit
Garmin devices

Bands may be worn, but the device must power on.

7. PC Hardware & Components

Surprisingly, many PC items qualify:

Graphics cards
Keyboards
Cooling fans
Webcams
PC speakers
Wi-Fi adapters

As long as the item can be tested or resold.

8. Collectibles & Figures

GameStop often accepts:

Funko Pops
Gaming figurines
Collectible toys
Anime merchandise
Plush toys (clean and undamaged)

These often trade for lower value, but they’re still allowed.

9. Retro & Odd Items

One thing that makes Trade Anything Day fun is GameStop’s willingness to accept unique items like:

Old MP3 players
DVD players
Bluetooth speakers
Older digital cameras
Smart home gadgets
Board games
Niche hobby electronics

Not all stores allow this, but many do.

List of Requirements for Trade Anything Day

Even though the event sounds flexible, there are rules.

✔️ 1. The item must hold resale or refurbishment value

GameStop evaluates items based on:

Condition
Repair potential
Popularity
Ability to resell

If something is too damaged to repair, they won’t accept it.

✔️ 2. The item must be legal and non-dangerous

No weapons, no hazardous materials, no banned electronics.

✔️ 3. Devices must not be locked to accounts

GameStop cannot accept:

iCloud-locked iPhones
Google-locked Android phones
PIN-locked tablets or laptops

You must factory reset your device.

✔️ 4. Must include essential components

For example:

Laptops need the charger
Consoles need the power cable
Phones need to power on

Some stores may allow incomplete items, but value will drop.

✔️ 5. Proof of ownership if requested

Stores rarely ask, but if an item appears suspicious, they may request confirmation.

❌ Items GameStop Will NOT Accept (Exclusions List)

This is just as important as the accepted list. GameStop will reject the following categories, even during Trade Anything Day.

❌ 1. Damaged Beyond Repair Electronics

If it:

Will not power on
Has water damage
Is physically broken
Is missing critical parts

…it will be excluded.

❌ 2. Locked or Stolen Devices

Examples of items they refuse:

Stolen items
Account-locked iPhones
PIN-locked tablets
Laptops with unknown passwords

This is for security and legal reasons.

❌ 3. Hazardous Items

GameStop does not accept:

Batteries that are swollen
Leaking electronics
Vape devices
Anything flammable

❌ 4. Clothing or Shoes

Even if gaming-themed.

❌ 5. Books, magazines, or printed materials

They have no resale system for these.

❌ 6. Food, drinks, or perishables

(Yes—people have tried.)

❌ 7. Very old/obsolete tech

Items such as:

CRT televisions
Broken DVD players
Old printers
Fax machines

These are typically rejected due to low resale value.

Tips to Maximize Your Trade-In Value

Here are ways to get more store credit out of your items:

✔️ 1. Clean your device before trading

Dust, fingerprints, and grime lower trade values.

✔️ 2. Bring all accessories

Including:

cables
chargers
controllers
original boxes (optional but helpful)

✔️ 3. Factory reset phones/laptops

Stores offer higher value when the item is ready for resale.

✔️ 4. Check GameStop’s trade estimator

Their website provides rough estimates for many common products.

✔️ 5. Trade on bonus days

Sometimes GameStop offers:

10–30% extra credit
Extra credit for Pro Members

Combine these with Trade Anything Day for maximum return.

Why Trade Anything Day Is Popular

There are several reasons why the event gets huge attention every time:

⭐ 1. It’s fun

People love seeing what unusual items GameStop will accept.

⭐ 2. It’s convenient

Instead of trying to sell on Facebook Marketplace or eBay, you get instant credit.

⭐ 3. It’s a great way to declutter

Old tech lying in drawers suddenly becomes valuable.

⭐ 4. Perfect time to upgrade

Many customers use trade credit towards:

PS5
Xbox Series X
Nintendo Switch OLED
New games and accessories

Final Thoughts

GameStop’s Trade Anything Day is easily one of the most exciting promotions the company runs. Whether you want to clear out your old gaming drawer or trade in unused electronics, it’s a great chance to earn store credit—sometimes for things you didn’t even know still had value.

Just remember:

Bring items in working or repairable condition
Reset devices before trading
Avoid items in the exclusion categories
Bring accessories for maximum value

With the right preparation, Trade Anything Day can help you trade your unused gadgets for something you’ll actually enjoy.