GameStop recently made headlines after confirming it had patched a viral issue known as the infinite money trade glitch. The glitch allowed some customers to earn extra store credit by repeatedly trading in items during a promotional offer. While the trick spread fast online, GameStop stepped in quickly to stop it and restore balance to its trade-in system.
Despite the growth of online shopping, GameStop continues to stand out as one of the few physical video game retailers still running strong. The brand often attracts gamers with limited-time promotions, trade-in bonuses, and deals on pre-owned games. However, one recent offer opened the door to an unexpected loophole.
What Triggered the GameStop Infinite Money Glitch
The issue started with a promotion that gave customers a 25% bonus on trade-in value for pre-owned items. On paper, the offer was meant to reward loyal shoppers. In reality, some customers realized they could use it in a clever but unfair way.
Here’s how it worked. Customers would buy a Nintendo Switch 2 priced at $414.99, along with a very cheap pre-owned game costing under $1. When both items were traded in together, the system applied the bonus and boosted the total trade credit to $472.50. That meant the customer gained $57.51 in extra store credit from a single transaction.
Since the system allowed this process to be repeated, customers could loop the same steps multiple times. One YouTuber even claimed to earn hundreds of dollars in trade credit while buying the same console back at a lower pre-owned price.
Before and After the Patch
| Feature | Before the Fix | After the Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Trade-in value | Higher than retail price | Aligned with retail cost |
| Bonus usage | Repeatable without limits | Controlled and restricted |
| Customer gains | Unlimited store credit | Fair reward system |
| System balance | Exploitable | Fully restored |
GameStop’s Official Statement
GameStop confirmed it was aware of the GameStop infinite money glitch after it was exposed online. The company explained that its system briefly valued a pre-owned trade higher than the console’s retail price. This created a small window where customers could repeat the transaction endlessly.
The company stated that the glitch has now been patched and trade promotions have been updated. While GameStop said it appreciated customer creativity, it made it clear that its stores are not meant to function as “infinite money printers.”
What This Means for Future Promotions
GameStop has also reassured customers that promotions are not going away. The brand remains committed to offering trade-in bonuses and special deals. The main goal of the update is to ensure fairness, so no single customer can misuse the system at the expense of the business.
For everyday shoppers, this fix means trade-in offers will continue, but without loopholes that disrupt pricing and availability.
Final Thoughts
The GameStop fixes viral infinite money trade glitch story shows how quickly a small system error can turn into a major issue when shared online. GameStop acted fast, protected its trade-in program, and kept its promise to continue rewarding customers. While the loophole is gone, the conversation around smart exploits versus fair use is far from over.