The one rule that saves you
Don't open it. Almost every store treats a sealed game as an ordinary return and an opened game as something else entirely. Once the plastic is off, the best you can usually hope for is swapping it for another copy of the same game. That doesn't help when the problem is that it's the wrong game or the wrong console.
So if there's any chance you guessed wrong, wrap it sealed, tape a gift receipt to the box, and tell the person they're welcome to swap it.
Store-by-store return rules
These are the standard rules from each store's published policy, as of late October 2026. Policies change, so treat this as a guide and check your receipt.
| Store | Sealed games | Opened games | Digital codes and gift cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 30 days from delivery for most items | 100% restocking fee if opened, activated or used, so effectively no refund | Not returnable |
| Walmart | 30 days for most electronics. New, unopened items get a full refund. | No specific published rule for opened games, so ask before you buy | Downloadable games and software are final sale |
| Target | 30 days for electronics and entertainment | Exchange only, for the same title (on the same or a different platform) | Check your receipt |
| Best Buy | 15 days (60 days for My Best Buy Plus and Total members) | Exchange for the identical item only | Digital games not returnable |
| GameStop | 15 days for unopened new items (30 days for Pro members). Pre-owned and collector's editions: 7 days. | Opened new hardware and software are final sale. Defective items can be swapped for the same item. | Not returnable |
"Exchange for the same title" sounds generous, but it only fixes a defective copy. Target is the friendliest here, as it allows the same game on a different platform, so a PS5 copy can become a Switch 2 copy. That's a useful safety net if you're unsure about the console.
Holiday 2026 return windows
Most big stores stretch their return windows over the holidays, so a gift bought in November can still be returned in January.
- Amazon: items bought November 1 to December 31, 2026 can be returned until January 31, 2027.
- Walmart: most items bought October 1 to December 31 can be returned until January 31. Items from third-party Marketplace sellers may not qualify.
- Target: electronics and entertainment bought November 1 to December 24, 2026 get an extended window. The final 2026 deadline wasn't posted when we checked. Last year's was January 24.
- Best Buy: the 2026 holiday window wasn't posted when we checked. Last year, purchases from October 31 to December 31 could be returned until January 15.
- GameStop: no holiday extension is listed in its published policy, so the standard windows apply.
On Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy, check who's actually selling the item. Third-party sellers can have different, stricter rules than the store itself. If you want the store's return policy, buy items sold by the store.
How gift receipts work
A gift receipt lets the person you're buying for return or exchange the gift without seeing what you paid. Here's what they usually get back:
- Amazon: a gift returned by the recipient is refunded as an Amazon gift card.
- Target: a Target GiftCard. Gift receipt returns can't be processed on the day of purchase.
- Walmart: an exchange, or a refund to a Walmart gift card.
- Best Buy: store credit at the purchase price for gifts returned in a store.
- GameStop: a GameStop gift card or an even exchange, not a refund to the original payment.
In other words, a gift receipt protects the gift, not your cash. That's usually fine, since the point is that they end up with something they want.
Digital games and console stores
If you bought a game directly from a console's online store, the store's own refund policy applies. They vary a lot:
| Store | Refund policy |
|---|---|
| Steam | Refundable within 14 days of purchase if played for less than 2 hours. Gifts are covered too, and the money goes back to the buyer. |
| PlayStation Store | Cancellable within 14 days of purchase, but only if the game hasn't started downloading or streaming. Automatic downloads can start on their own, which ends eligibility. |
| Xbox / Microsoft Store | Digital items aren't refundable unless the offer or the law says otherwise. You can submit a refund request, but approval isn't guaranteed. |
| Nintendo eShop | Purchases are final and non-refundable, except where Nintendo authorizes a refund or the law requires one. |
The takeaway: on Steam, a digital gift is low-risk. On Nintendo, it's a final decision. If you're unsure of their taste, a gift card avoids the problem. Our guide to gift cards vs. physical games explains when that's the better gift, and how to gift a digital game covers how to send one on each platform.
Want to avoid needing a return at all? Run through the 10 most common gift mistakes before you check out, and confirm exactly which console they have.
Quick answers
Can you return an opened video game?
Rarely for money. Target lets you exchange an opened game for the same title, Best Buy allows an exchange for the identical item, Amazon charges a 100% restocking fee on opened games, and GameStop treats opened new games as final sale. If it might be wrong, don't open it.
Can you return a digital game code or gift card?
Generally no. Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and GameStop all list downloadable games, digital codes or gift cards as non-returnable. Check the console store's own refund policy instead.
How long do I have to return a holiday gift in 2026?
It depends on the store. Amazon says items bought November 1 to December 31, 2026 can be returned until January 31, 2027, and Walmart's holiday window runs to January 31 as well. Best Buy and Target hadn't published their final 2026 deadlines when we checked, so confirm on the receipt or the store's site.
Can a gifted Steam game be refunded?
Yes, within Steam's normal window of 14 days from purchase and under 2 hours played. An unredeemed gift can be refunded, and a redeemed gift can be refunded if the recipient starts the request. The money goes back to the person who bought it.
ShouldIBuyThisGame.com is reader-supported. Some links are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability change constantly, so always check the current listing before you buy.