As we head into the sweltering heat of June, the console market feels surprisingly chilly. With no major blockbusters to stir the pot and hardware prices on the rise, gamers are playing a cautious game of wait-and-see. To make matters worse, recent policy shifts in second-hand trading platforms have effectively poured cold water on the used game market.

Store owners largely point to the third quarter’s packed release schedule as the culprit. To fill the void, retailers are pivoting aggressively toward merch and gacha machines. In fact, many of these spaces are shifting away from being mere game shops, transforming into holistic hubs for gaming and subculture retail.

Following the announcement of a September price hike, a wave of 'buy it now' panic has gripped Nintendo fans. Even though stock was already scarce and prone to disappearing, the fear of higher costs has sent gamers scurrying to small retailers in Yongsan, Sindorim, and the Kukje Electronics Center in a desperate bid to secure a console.

On the software front, nothing is exactly setting the world on fire. Casual staples like 'Tomodachi Life', 'Animal Crossing', and various Mario and Pokémon titles continue to tick along steadily. Square Enix is enjoying a bit of a moment, however, with 'The Thousand-Year Journey of Adventurer Elliot' and 'Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth' drawing significant attention.

Pre-orders are dominated by 'Rhythm Heaven: Miracle Stars'. Word is that nostalgic players from the DS era are snapping it up in droves. Conversely, 'Star Fox', which launches on the same day, is seeing surprisingly anaemic pre-order numbers, likely due to a lack of brand awareness.

Interest in accessories is also peaking as gamers look to deck out their consoles. The 'Pokémon Poco-Pia' craze has sent demand for 'Ditto' goods skyrocketing, with Hori’s newly released game card cases and pouches becoming particularly popular items.

Over on the PS5 side, 'The Thousand-Year Journey of Adventurer Meliot' has been a standout success, with initial stock selling out entirely and requiring restocks. Beyond that, the market is quiet, as most eyes are firmly fixed on the July pre-order slate.

Pre-orders for 'Professional Baseball Spirits 2026', 'Marvel’s Wolverine', and 'Tsukihime' are currently leading the pack. The former is generating significant buzz as the first in the series to officially support Korean, while the inclusion of the 2026 WBC—and, by extension, Korean players—17 years later has piqued interest.

As for GTA 6, inquiries at physical stores are virtually non-existent, largely because it’s expected to launch with a digital code in the box. Retailers seem unbothered, noting, 'They’ll likely drop a physical collector’s edition once the PC version arrives. A titan like GTA 6 is a guaranteed cash cow regardless of the format.'

Another notable shift: since the policy change on the second-hand app 'Danggeun', adult game trades have become easier, ironically leading to a massive drop in physical second-hand listings. Many stores have simply stopped buying used titles altogether, functioning now primarily as boutique outlets for international collectors hunting for out-of-print retro games.

The trend toward merchandise and gacha shops is accelerating. It’s no longer confined to the 9th floor of the Kukje Electronics Center; these shops are now claiming vacant spots on floors previously reserved for cameras, PCs, and audio equipment. Some of these gacha spots are virtually unmanned, and there is a noticeable increase in specialty stores directly importing 'Ichiban Kuji' lottery-style goods.