Target’s return policies for media and opened electronics can be difficult to navigate due to concerns over digital content and intellectual property. Video games fall under a modified return policy that differs significantly from the 90-day window for general merchandise. This guide provides a clear breakdown of the rules for returning opened and unopened video games to the retailer.
The Standard Policy for Opened Games
Target maintains a stringent policy for unsealed media products to address concerns about unauthorized copying. Once the factory seal on a video game, computer software, music, or movie is broken, the item is no longer eligible for a refund to the original form of payment. This rule is a long-standing industry practice designed to protect intellectual property.
The retailer considers any game not in its original, sealed condition to be “opened,” voiding its eligibility for a monetary return. This exclusion applies even if the game was only unsealed momentarily or remains unused. The policy applies uniformly across physical media, including discs, cartridges, and packaging containing a digital download code.
Returning Unopened Video Games and Software
Unopened video games, still in their original, sealed packaging, are eligible for a full refund or exchange within the designated window. Video games are subject to a 30-day return period, which is shorter than most other merchandise. This period begins on the day of purchase in-store or on the invoice date for online orders.
When returning a sealed game within the 30-day window, the refund is typically processed back to the original method of payment. If the original payment method cannot be credited, or if the purchase used a gift card, a refund may be issued as a Target GiftCard. The item must be in new, sellable condition to qualify for a full refund.
Exceptions for Defective or Damaged Products
The only scenario in which an opened video game is accepted for return is if the product is found to be defective or damaged upon opening. A defective product does not function as intended, such as a corrupted disc, a cartridge that fails to load, or a non-functional digital code. The retailer allows an exchange for the faulty game, but this transaction is limited strictly to a replacement.
The exchange must be for the exact same title. The policy permits the exchange for the same title on a different gaming platform if necessary. Customers cannot exchange a defective copy of one game for a working copy of an entirely different game or for a refund. The exchange-only rule ensures the customer receives a working product without violating the general policy against returning opened media for money back.
Essential Requirements for Processing Any Game Return
Certain documentation and physical requirements must be met for any game return, whether unopened for a refund or defective for an exchange. The most important requirement is providing proof of purchase, which can be the original receipt, the packing slip for an online order, or the purchase history visible in the Target app. The store can often look up transactions made using a credit card or a Target Circle Card, but having the physical receipt expedites the process.
The return must include all original accessories, components, and packaging that came with the game, even if the item is defective. Adhering to the standard 30-day return window for electronics and entertainment is a requirement for all game returns, unless a specific extension applies to the purchase.
How the Target RedCard Affects Return Timelines
Target Circle Card holders, which include both Debit and Credit Card options, receive a benefit that extends the standard return window. Using a Target Circle Card automatically adds an extra 30 days to the return period for most items. For video games, this extension effectively doubles the standard 30-day window, giving the shopper a total of 60 days from the purchase date to initiate a return or exchange.
This benefit only extends the time limit for the return, not the condition under which the return is accepted. An opened video game purchased with a Target Circle Card is still subject to the same “exchange only for the same title” rule. The extension provides a longer period to return a sealed game for a refund or to exchange a defective one.