The GameStop infinite money glitch recently caught massive attention online after shoppers discovered a way to earn more store credit than they spent. What started as a regular trade-in promotion quickly turned into a viral loophole. Once the issue became widely known, GameStop acted fast to shut it down and restore balance to its trade-in system.
GameStop has remained relevant as a physical gaming retailer by offering frequent promotions and trade-in deals. While most of these offers work exactly as planned, this one briefly created a gap that some customers learned to exploit.
The Promotion That Started It All
The glitch began with a promotion offering a 25% bonus on trade-in value for pre-owned items. The goal was to encourage customers to trade in games and consoles they no longer used. However, the system did not properly balance the bonus against the retail price of new hardware.
Customers realized they could buy a Nintendo Switch 2 for $414.99 along with a low-cost pre-owned game priced under $1. When both items were traded in together, the bonus was applied to the total value. This pushed the trade-in credit up to $472.50, giving customers $57.51 in extra store credit.
Why the Glitch Became an “Infinite Money” Trick
The main issue was repetition. There was no limit on how many times customers could repeat the process. After trading in the console, it would be marked as pre-owned and placed back into inventory at a lower price. Customers could then buy it again and repeat the same trade-in steps.
One YouTuber revealed they were able to earn hundreds of dollars in store credit using this method. As more people shared the trick online, the glitch quickly went viral and drew widespread attention.
Trade-In System: Before and After the Fix
| Area | Before the Fix | After the Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Trade credit value | Higher than retail price | Correctly balanced |
| Bonus limits | No restrictions | Strict limits added |
| Repeat trades | Allowed endlessly | Blocked by system |
| Promotion control | Vulnerable | Fully secured |
Why GameStop Patched the Glitch
GameStop explained that its system briefly valued the trade-in higher than the console’s original retail cost. This created a narrow window where customers could turn simple transactions into unlimited store credit.
Once discovered, the company updated its trade-in rules immediately. While GameStop praised the creativity of customers, it made it clear that its promotions are designed to reward fair use, not to function as infinite money machines.
What Changed for Customers
The glitch being gone does not mean fewer deals. GameStop has confirmed it will continue offering promotions and trade-in bonuses. The key difference is that future offers will now have tighter controls to prevent similar issues.
For everyday shoppers, this ensures a stable and fair trade-in system that benefits everyone equally.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how the GameStop infinite money glitch worked—and why it’s gone now shows how quickly a small system error can grow when shared online. GameStop’s quick response protected its business and preserved customer trust. While the loophole is closed, it remains a lesson in how promotions must be carefully balanced in today’s viral world.
