A little while back, I heard about Goozex from the PC Gamer Podcast. It sounded interesting and I had some games that I no longer really wanted, so I thought I’d try it out. It seems pretty intuitive and, if it works, it’ll be a great way for me to continue to get value out of games that I no longer play or plan on playing. It works for all three of the systems I own (PC, DS, and Wii), which is nice. I like the fact that that I can do something with those old games other than eBaying them or (shudder) trading them in to GameStop for a tenth of a percent of their retail value. I also like that I can put together a list of games I want, Netflix-esque, and wait for them to arrive once I have some points built up. I feel I can be a little bit riskier in my gaming ventures, since if I don’t like a game I can immediately trade it back and get the full value that I “paid” for it in return.

This all comes with one caveat, though: while I have traded games to Goozex, I have not yet received a game from Goozex. The issue arises from the fact that you’re relying on other gamers, who may or may not be at their computers for a few days. I was slated to receive a copy of Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword, pending the seller’s acceptance of the trade. However, because he never accepted, I never got the game. I was refunded my points and my trade token and put back in the queue, but it’s still irritating to be looking forward to something and not get it. I’m now slated to get Marvel Ultimate Alliance, and the seller has 25 hours to make a decision on that. Hopefully I’ll get a game this time.

Update: I’ve now received Puzzle Quest and Assassin’s Creed for the DS and Mass Effect for the PC through Goozex. I’ve also got Final Fantasy III for the DS, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time for the PC, and Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker for the GameCube all on the way. Not bad.