GameStop will let you trade your Xbox Series X for a PlayStation 5

It's not a straight-up swap for one flagship console to another but it's still a massive discount if you're planning to switch sides.


The PlayStation 5 is on track to sell as many units as the PlayStation 4 if not more.

In the ever-shifting sands of the gaming landscape, where allegiances are both fervent and fragile, the battle between Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation continues to mesmerize. While the two behemoths clash, offering promises of unrivaled gaming experiences, another player – GameStop – has risen from the fray with a tantalizing proposition.

Although the debate rages on, it seems the time has come for some to reconsider their loyalties. Why? For the American gaming faithful, a siren’s call emerges from the digital bazaars.

According to a revelation on Reddit by user Meteorboy, those who are ready to part ways with their Xbox Series X may dance over to the PS5’s embrace with barely a scratch on their wallets. Through GameStop US’s alluring deal, which now offers Pro members a $50 bonus on trading in specific consoles, the transition from Xbox to PlayStation becomes nearly seamless.

Series X owners can exchange their consoles for a PS5 for next to nothing at GameStop US stores!
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The numbers speak for themselves: with the current trade value for the Xbox Series X being $385, the bonus catapults the figure to $435, just shy of the PS5’s tantalizing $450 price tag. And for those immersed in the particulars, the trade credit, contingent on state laws, might even be tax-free.

With such a tantalizing proposition, how could you say no?

Yet, this is no mere tale of dollars and cents; it’s an exploration into the soul of gaming itself. The PlayStation and Xbox are not just consoles but universes, each boasting its unique allure. While the PS5 enchants with the DualSense and a handful of exclusive gems like Final Fantasy 16, Xbox counters with the promise of the Game Pass, offering a deluge of exclusive titles with no added investment.

While trailing far behind the PlayStation 5, the Xbox Series X is no slouch itself.

Bethesda’s massive library of games have already joined gaming’s most popular video game subscription service. Call of Duty and Diablo, among others, will both follow suit, contrary to what their management are saying.

The broader context reveals another layer to this intricate dance. The PS5 is leading the charge and its sales figures far outpace the Xbox Series X/S. This revelation, shared amidst the legal tussles surrounding Microsoft’s soon-to-be-closed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, paints an intriguing picture. Even with Sony’s sales dominance, one can’t discount the resilience of the Xbox. As Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, reassures the world, Microsoft remains unwavering in its gaming vision.

Beyond the sales numbers and trade deals, the true essence of this gaming epoch lies in the experiences. Whether it’s Sony’s magnetic pull with its blockbuster exclusives or Xbox’s allure of an all-encompassing gaming library via Game Pass, choices are aplenty. Both systems promise a future laden with excitement. Microsoft’s commitment to backward compatibility stands out, especially with support for accessories and games spanning multiple generations. Sony, on the other hand, dazzles with its early strong lineup, even as Xbox continues its acquisition spree in pursuit of exclusive content.

GameStop is doing all the right things to make you want to subscribe for a Pro membership.

The consoles themselves, while mirroring each other in power and performance, diverge in design. The PS5, grand and towering, contrasts starkly against the Xbox Series X’s compact, boxy demeanor. Both, however, are monuments to gaming evolution, with SSD tech ensuring that gamers are thrust into action within mere seconds.

So, which side are you on? While the PS5 seems to be the current darling, the Xbox Series X, with upcoming titles such as Avowed, Starfield, Fable, and Forza Motorsport, among others, remains a formidable contender.

At the end of the day, whichever system you choose, you’ll walk away the winner. But, if Team Green just isn’t cutting it for you anymore, feel free to pay your nearest GameStop a visit.

It’s curious that GameStop is doing this promotion right around the same time that Sony is rumored to be clearing out stocks of the incumbent PS5 model to make way for a new one.

While you’re at it, you might want to check out if they have refurbished Steam Decks on stock.

Ray Ampoloquio
Ray Ampoloquio // Articles: 7186
With over 20 years of gaming experience and technical expertise building computers, I provide trusted coverage and analysis of gaming hardware, software, upcoming titles, and broader entertainment trends. // Full Bio