For folks like me who are video game fans and toy fans, Toys “R” Us has launched a very cool program in the same vein as video game retailers like Electronics Boutique, Gamestop, etc…  Toys “R” Us will now take in used video games in exchange for a store credit gift card that can be used on any item in the store.  The full information on the new program pulled from Toy News International is at the “Read the Rest of the Story” link below:

“To help customers find additional value in their used video games, today Toys”R”Us introduced a video game trade-in program at Toys”R”Us stores nationwide. Now, gamers who are ready to move onto new challenges can exchange their used video game titles from almost any system, including classics like Intellivision or the newest platforms, for a Toys”R”Us gift card representing the value offered for the trade-in. Gift cards can be immediately used on any product available in Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us stores or online at Toysrus.com.

Customers can participate in the video game trade-in program at Toys”R”Us stores in the United States as follows:

— Used video games in their original cases, with the original case
artwork may be brought to a Toys”R”Us Guest Services desk.

— Games will then be scanned and prices will be offered for individual
titles.

— Gamers confirm that they want to accept the offer to exchange any, or
all, of the games they brought to the store.

— Once the transaction is complete, customers receive an activated gift
card equal to the total worth of all games traded.

— Immediately upon receiving the gift card, customers can purchase any
product from iPods and toys to candy and diapers at any Toys”R”Us or
Babies”R”Us location or online at Toysrus.com.

“The video game trade-in program is another way we’re providing customers with additional value when they visit our stores,” said Bill Lee, Vice President, Divisional Merchandise Manager, Toys”R”Us, U.S. “This program is designed to make the exchange process completely hassle-free for customers by accepting games from even the oldest systems, including the original Atari 2600 and 32-bit Sega Genesis.”

Beyond helping customers trade games from current systems such as the Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable, Toys”R”Us stores will accept games from almost every gaming system imaginable. Games from systems such as the Atari 2600, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo Game Boy, Nintendo 64, Nintendo NES, Intellivision, Sega Genesis can be exchanged.

The new video game trade-in program builds on the company’s growing strength in the juvenile electronics marketplace. In recent years, Toys”R”Us has added electronic devices and services that kids crave to its product offerings, including Apple’s iPod, digital cameras for toddlers and netbooks. Additionally, Toys”R”Us stores offer a large assortment of licensed electronics, including TVs, radios and karaoke machines featuring images of classic and new characters such as Disney/Pixar Cars, Hannah Montana, Barbie , TRANSFORMERS and more.

Toys”R”Us will support the video game trade-in program through advertisements in newspaper circulars nationwide beginning September 13.”

This is GREAT news in my mind.  Sure, I enjoy video games, but toys are my bread and butter.  If I can pick up a game, play it for a couple of weeks, then turn it in for TOY money?  Just tell me where to sign up.  Great idea.