It used to be awesome. Great trade in rates, really low prices, lots of retro games. Now GAME has bought it, it went SHIT. Exactly the same as GAME under a different brand, now. Fucking sucks.

Oh the old Gamestation. Those were the good days. But GAME had to go and buy them and now it's been ruined.

Gamestation used to be awesome for retro or second hand games,now it just falls in line with every other store which offers pre-owned games.

i once got sonic 2, street fighter 2, mortal kombat and streets of rage for £4.99 can;t beat that.

Blockbuster selling and Game buying was the worst thing to happen to it.

I just go to Game for everything now, unless the supermarkets do their 29.99 deals on new releases. that's how i got gears 2

Ooh cool! But there's already two Games in Meadowhall, unless they're replacing one...

Depending on what I'm looking for, I go to different shops. Game is good for not much, Gamestation's good for deals, but as people have said they've got worse recently, and then I go to independents for my retro-fix.

Worst thing that they did: getting rid of their wide selection of old handheld stock.

Gamestation used to sell loads of cool retro games/consoles for a fair price and really cool gaming merchandise. I got some really cool belt buckles from the one in Camden ages ago.

That being said all gamestations look like a car boot sale in someones old garage and smells like an old world war 2 army boot that has never been cleaned

My Gamestation (Ipswich) is very good, I managed to find War of The Monsters in there for £20 and the staff are pretty awesome too (my friends older brother works there).

I actually very rarely buy anything at Gamestop. I don't usually buy used games (unless it's the only way to find one), so I go to Best Buy 90% of the time. I go in to Gamestop to look around sometimes, since they're located by about every Wal-Mart, Target, etc. out here, but I never really buy anything there.

It pains me to say it, but Gamestation are indeed a watered down GAME nowadays.
I worked at chateau d'Gamestation for a few years and have left recently. Good riddance (I may sound a little melodramatic, so forgive me!)
I don't dislike GAME. They are/were the Ying to the 'stations Yang! They complemented each other.
Game are the friendly shiny corporate face of retail who'd shake your hand, wear a forced grin and ram the latest offerings down your throat in a desperate bid to show you that they cared.
Gamestation were a more real, indie type of experience who'd appeal to gamers on a more personal level. The smell of urine on the then stained floors felt like home. They had it all. Retro games, Passion, real opinions, pierced faces and baggy jeans.
One or the other may appeal to you. It doesn't matter which. You had a choice.

Unfortunately, the apes wearing the suits didn't take that into consideration. With an "I don't care" attitude, they thought it would be a far more wise decision to alienate most of the Gamestation core audience and cash in on ideas that were more suitable in a GAME environment. The ideas they've implemented in theory may be good, but it sure would be swell if they did it propally at least.

No more retro. It's true. We physically had to destroy a lot of it. (not all mind) My assistant manager looked close to tears and he never shows emotion. It's a sign of weakness!
Warranties. Almost overnight we were expected to change from shy bashful nerds into sale sale salespeople. Clark Kent to Superman. No training. You will not believe the pressure these poor guys are under now.
Preowned Games. Our trade prices dropped significantly whilst our friendly rivals now soared? "Why aren't you doing so well? I dunnae understand!?" they cried.
To counter balance this we trade in any disc, NO MATTER the condition. A repeat customer is a happy customer!

I could spend all day doing this, but my therapist would rather I told him all this at an hourly paid rate. I'm certainly not in Kansas anymore and couldn't be happier!

It really depends with Gamestation these days. They used to all be great and generally know what they were talking about until GAME brought them. Now unless you go to some big city they no longer stock retro game which sucks because I used to take a train ride just to look at the retro things when they sold it. The ones that do still sell retro games are great, I hope that doesn't stop.

As for game, well I've already written a really long blog about how corrupt they are so heres a link... http://screwattack.com/node/2199

The shop I prefer is a small one in a town near where I live called Game Exchange. The guy who works there actually plays games, plays games in the shop, knows what he's talking about and has over 140K Gamerscore. No really, he does... http://live.xbox.com/member/Red%20Herb

I haven't for a full year, don't sell them my games either! Thanks to Local gamestore "Game Guy" Walmart and Steam for new releases, and Goozex for trading everything else!

I WORK FOR THEM, I WORK FOR THEM! I love the old gamestation mentality! <3 they used to have a great attitude towards gamers and gaming and the geek way. since getting taken over by Game its stared changing slowly.

They price match and beat any trade in price offered in a ten mile radius. They even add a pound to sweeten it. Also I think as you can get some xb360 games at 4 for 20 the trade in price reflects the low prices on offer.

Here in the UK, I use HMV as they do 10% student discount on everything including online purchases. They've only just started doing preowned. But I've never been one to buy second-hand games anyway. As far as I'm aware every game specific store has a lot of overpriced stuff.

Too bad GameStop's biggest in the US. No GameStations here from what I can tell. :(