Where to Donate Video Games and Gaming Consoles in Toronto

Places That Accept Video Game and Gaming Console Donations in Toronto

Toronto has several options for donating used video games, working gaming consoles and accessories, including scheduled pickup and drop-off locations for reusable gaming equipment.

Most people looking to donate gaming items have used games or consoles, so those options are listed first. Programs accepting only brand-new gaming items come afterward, followed by recycling options for equipment that is no longer suitable for reuse.

This guide covers PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo systems, handheld consoles, physical games, controllers and other gaming accessories.

Toronto Video Game and Gaming Console Donation Options

#1 DonateYourStuff.ca

DonateYourStuff.ca provides free scheduled donation pickup for qualifying used video games, gaming consoles and accessories throughout Toronto.

Donation method: Free scheduled pickup.
Accepts: Qualifying PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo consoles, handheld gaming systems, physical video games, controllers and related gaming accessories.
Locations and hours: Pickup is available throughout Toronto rather than through a public drop-off location. Pickup dates and arrival windows are arranged for qualifying requests.
Important details: Consoles must be fully functional and should include the power cords, controllers, chargers or other important accessories needed to use them. Physical games should be original and playable.

Remove personal accounts, saved passwords, payment information and parental controls before donating a console.

Pickup is intended for donations that reasonably justify sending a vehicle. One game or controller will usually not qualify on its own. A console setup, several systems, a larger game collection or gaming equipment combined with other accepted donations is more likely to qualify.

Submit your location, approximate number of consoles, games, controllers or boxes and a general description of what you have.

Official Information:
Video Game & Console Donation Pickup
Request a Donation Pickup

#2 Double Take

Double Take is a Toronto thrift store operated by Yonge Street Mission and specifically accepts used original video games that remain playable.

Donation method: Drop-off.
Accepts: Original video games in playable condition.
Location: 310 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 2G7.
Important details: Games should be genuine and usable. Bootleg, pirated, burned or badly damaged games are not suitable.

Gaming consoles are not specifically listed in Double Take’s published media guidelines, so contact the store before bringing console hardware.

Donations must be handed directly to staff rather than left outside. Double Take does not provide donation pickup.

Official Information:
Double Take Donation Guidelines
Double Take Contact Information

#3 The Salvation Army Thrift Store

Salvation Army Donor Welcome Centres provide a broad Toronto drop-off option for used games, working electronics and gaming accessories.

Donation method: Drop-off at Donor Welcome Centres.
Accepts: Reusable games and electronics that meet current donation requirements.

Toronto locations include:

• 665 St. Clair Avenue West
• 1219 Bloor Street West
• 1447 Queen Street West
• 3711 Keele Street
• 20 Leslie Street, Unit 101
• 60 Overlea Boulevard
• 2291 Kipling Avenue
• 1921 Eglinton Avenue East, Unit 7
• 1225 Kennedy Road, Unit D1

Important details: Used gaming equipment should be clean, functional and suitable for continued use.

If you have several consoles or a particularly large game collection, contact the location before transporting everything at once.

The Salvation Army Thrift Store does not provide residential donation pickup.

Official Information:
Salvation Army Accepted Donations
Salvation Army Toronto Donation Locations

#4 Value Village

Value Village Community Donation Centres provide another Toronto drop-off option for used video games, working gaming consoles and accessories.

Donation method: Drop-off at participating Community Donation Centres.
Accepts: Reusable electronics, games and toys at participating donation locations.

Toronto donation locations include:

• 772 Dovercourt Road, Unit 100
• 18 Edward Street, Units 3 and 5
• 2119 Danforth Avenue
• 3701 Lawrence Avenue East, Unit 1
• 1525 Victoria Park Avenue
• 1030 Wilson Avenue
• 2549 Weston Road
• 605 Rogers Road
• 1020 Islington Avenue
• 45 Woodbine Downs Boulevard

Important details: Not every Value Village storefront accepts donations. Check that the location is identified as a Community Donation Centre before taking gaming equipment there.

Consoles and accessories should be functional and suitable for reuse.

Value Village is a for-profit thrift retailer. Its Community Donation Centres accept reusable goods on behalf of nonprofit partners.

Official Information:
Value Village Toronto Locations

#5 Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Holland Bloorview accepts selected brand-new video games through its gift-in-kind program.

Donation method: Arranged drop-off after approval.
Accepts: Brand-new video games in original packaging along with selected new toys and entertainment items.
Location: 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON M4G 1R8.
Important details: This is not an option for used video games or previously owned gaming consoles.

Contact the hospital first and wait for approval before bringing a donation.

This option is most relevant when you have an unopened game or other new gaming item rather than a used collection.

Official Information:
Holland Bloorview Gift-in-Kind Donations

#6 SickKids

SickKids accepts approved donations of brand-new toys and entertainment items for patients.

Donation method: Arranged drop-off after approval.
Accepts: New items in their original packaging that meet current hospital needs. Gaming-related items may be accepted when approved by the hospital’s donation team.
Location: 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8.
Important details: SickKids is not a destination for used games, consoles or previously owned accessories.

Contact the hospital before purchasing or bringing gaming items. Donations must be approved and coordinated before delivery.

Official Information:
SickKids Donation Information

#7 Best Buy Canada – Electronics Recycling

If a gaming console or electronic accessory is broken and no longer suitable for donation, Best Buy provides an electronics recycling option.

Donation method: In-store electronics recycling.
Accepts for recycling: Gaming systems and many related electronic accessories at participating locations.

Toronto locations include:

• Bay & Dundas, 65 Dundas Street West
• Leaside, 147 Laird Drive

Important details: Recycling should be used for gaming equipment that can no longer reasonably be reused.

Do not recycle a working console simply because it is old. Older PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo and handheld systems can still have reuse value.

Best Buy may refuse unsafe electronics, including equipment with severe physical damage, leaking components or damaged batteries.

Remove your personal information and accounts before recycling a console.

Official Information:
Best Buy Battery and Electronics Recycling
Best Buy Toronto Locations

#8 City of Toronto – Electronics Recycling

The City of Toronto accepts gaming consoles and other electronic equipment through its e-waste program when the equipment is no longer suitable for reuse.

Donation method: Electronic-waste recycling.
Accepts for recycling: Video game consoles, handheld gaming systems and other qualifying electronic equipment.
Toronto recycling options: Eligible electronics can be handled through the City’s electronic-waste collection system or taken to a Drop-Off Depot that accepts e-waste.
Important details: Gaming consoles should not be placed inside the Blue Bin or regular garbage.

Remove personal information from the console before recycling it. Batteries should also be handled according to current City requirements.

Physical video game discs and cartridges are separate from the electronic console and should not automatically be treated as e-waste.

Official Information:
City of Toronto Electronic Waste
City of Toronto Drop-Off Depots

How to Choose Where to Donate Video Games and Gaming Consoles

The main decision comes down to whether your gaming equipment still works, how much you have and whether pickup or drop-off is more practical.

Pickup or Drop-Off?

If you have a console setup, several gaming systems, boxes of games or gaming equipment combined with other qualifying donations, scheduled pickup may be easier than transporting everything yourself.

For a few games or one console, a Toronto drop-off option may be more practical.

Donate or Recycle?

Working gaming equipment should stay in use whenever a suitable donation option exists.

A console that no longer powers on, has serious hardware failure, contains an unsafe battery or cannot reasonably be used again should go through electronics recycling.

Recycling should be the fallback, not the first destination for working games and consoles.

What Condition Should Donated Video Games and Consoles Be In?

Used gaming equipment does not need to look new, but it should remain functional and practical for another person to use.

Consoles Should Start Normally

Connect the console to power and make sure it boots normally.

Watch for:

• Repeated shutdowns
• Serious overheating
• Persistent error messages
• Unusual mechanical noises
• Failed disc drives
• Damaged power connections

Cosmetic scratches are different from a system that no longer works reliably.

Controllers Should Work

Test:

• Buttons
• Analog sticks
• Directional pads
• Triggers
• Charging ports
• Wireless pairing

Severe stick drift, broken buttons or damaged charging ports can make a controller difficult to reuse.

Disc Drives Should Read Games

For consoles that use physical discs, test the drive with a compatible game.

The system should accept, read and eject the disc normally.

Physical Games Should Be Playable

Check discs for:

• Cracks
• Deep scratches
• Severe contamination
• Damage around the centre hole

Check cartridges for:

• Cracked shells
• Corrosion
• Damaged contacts
• Missing pieces

Power Supplies Should Be Safe

Do not donate:

• Frayed cords
• Exposed wiring
• Melted adapters
• Damaged plugs
• Cracked power bricks

Keep the correct power supply with each console whenever possible.

Handheld Systems Need Extra Checks

Test handheld gaming systems for:

• Screen damage
• Charging
• Buttons
• Analog sticks
• Speakers
• Touchscreens
• Cartridge slots
• Battery condition

Do not donate a handheld console with a swollen or leaking battery.

How to Prepare Video Games and Gaming Consoles for Donation

Back Up Anything You Want to Keep

Save screenshots, game captures and other files you want before resetting the system.

Sign Out of Accounts

Remove accounts connected to:

• PlayStation Network
• Xbox
• Nintendo
• Steam
• Epic Games
• Other gaming services

Do not leave saved passwords or payment information on a donated console.

Remove the Console From Your Account

Deactivate or remove the system from your online account when the platform provides that option.

Factory Reset the Console

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to reset the system.

A proper reset helps remove:

• User profiles
• Saved passwords
• Local game saves
• Wi-Fi information
• Payment information
• Browsing data

Remove Discs and Cartridges

Check disc drives and cartridge slots before packing the console.

Keep physical games in their cases or another protective container.

Keep Console Sets Together

Keep the correct:

• Power cord
• Power supply
• Controller
• Charging cable
• Dock
• HDMI cable
• Sensor
• Stand

with the console they belong to.

Keep Accessories Identified

Label unusual accessories such as:

• Racing wheels
• Arcade sticks
• Motion controllers
• Guitar controllers
• Dance mats
• Headsets
• Camera accessories
• Wireless adapters

Pack Consoles Securely

Original packaging is useful but not required.

Use a sturdy box and protect the console, controllers and games from impacts during transportation.

Keep Gaming Equipment Dry

Store packed consoles and games indoors or in another dry location until donation.

For complete packing and pickup staging information, review How to Prepare Your Donations.

Toronto Video Game and Gaming Console Donation Questions

Are old or retro gaming consoles still worth donating?

Yes.

Older systems such as the Nintendo Wii, GameCube, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, original Xbox and Xbox 360 can still be useful to players and collectors when they work.

Age alone does not make a console unsuitable for donation.

Can I donate video games without their original cases?

Usually.

A physical game can still be usable without its original case if the disc or cartridge is clearly identifiable and protected from damage.

Use a replacement case, disc sleeve or other suitable protective container.

Can I donate PC games with used activation codes?

Sometimes, but their usefulness may be limited.

Many PC games use activation codes tied permanently to Steam, EA, Ubisoft or another account. Once a code has been redeemed, another person may not be able to activate the game.

Older PC games without account-based activation can be easier to reuse.

Can I donate games rated M for Mature?

Possibly.

General thrift and reuse programs may accept mature-rated games, while hospitals, children’s programs and other youth-focused organizations may have stricter requirements.

Can I donate gaming accessories without the console?

Often.

Controllers, racing wheels, arcade sticks, gaming headsets and other accessories may still be useful on their own when they work and can be clearly identified.

Keep proprietary cables, adapters and wireless receivers with the accessory whenever possible.

Donation Pickup Available Throughout Toronto

DonateYourStuff.ca video game and gaming console donation pickup is available throughout Toronto for qualifying donations, including downtown Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York, York and neighbourhoods across the east and west ends of the city.

A–D

Agincourt North, Agincourt South-Malvern West, Alderwood, Annex, Avondale, Banbury-Don Mills, Bathurst Manor, Bay-Cloverhill, Bayview Village, Bayview Woods-Steeles, Bedford Park-Nortown, Beechborough-Greenbrook, Bendale South, Bendale-Glen Andrew, Birchcliffe-Cliffside, Black Creek, Blake-Jones, Briar Hill-Belgravia, Bridle Path-Sunnybrook-York Mills, Broadview North, Brookhaven-Amesbury, Cabbagetown-South St. James Town, Caledonia-Fairbank, Casa Loma, Centennial Scarborough, Church-Wellesley, Clairlea-Birchmount, Clanton Park, Cliffcrest, Corso Italia-Davenport, Danforth, Danforth-East York, Don Valley Village, Dorset Park, Dovercourt Village, Downsview, Downtown Yonge East and Dufferin Grove.

E–H

East End Danforth, East L’Amoreaux, East Willowdale, Edenbridge-Humber Valley, Eglinton East, Elms-Old Rexdale, Englemount-Lawrence, Eringate-Centennial-West Deane, Etobicoke City Centre, Etobicoke West Mall, Fenside-Parkwoods, Flemingdon Park, Forest Hill North, Forest Hill South, Fort York-Liberty Village, Glenfield-Jane Heights, Golfdale-Cedarbrae-Woburn, Greenwood-Coxwell, Guildwood, Harbourfront-CityPlace, Henry Farm, High Park North, High Park-Swansea, Highland Creek, Hillcrest Village, Humber Bay Shores, Humber Heights-Westmount, Humber Summit, Humbermede and Humewood-Cedarvale.

I–L

Ionview, Islington, Junction Area, Junction-Wallace Emerson, Keelesdale-Eglinton West, Kennedy Park, Kensington-Chinatown, Kingsview Village-The Westway, Kingsway South, L’Amoreaux West, Lambton Baby Point, Lansing-Westgate, Lawrence Park North, Lawrence Park South, Leaside-Bennington, Little Portugal and Long Branch.

M–P

Malvern East, Malvern West, Maple Leaf, Markland Wood, Milliken, Mimico-Queensway, Morningside, Morningside Heights, Moss Park, Mount Dennis, Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown, Mount Pleasant East, New Toronto, Newtonbrook East, Newtonbrook West, North Riverdale, North St. James Town, North Toronto, O’Connor-Parkview, Oakdale-Beverley Heights, Oakridge, Oakwood Village, Old East York, Palmerston-Little Italy, Parkwoods-O’Connor Hills, Pelmo Park-Humberlea, Playter Estates-Danforth, Pleasant View and Princess-Rosethorn.

R–T

Regent Park, Rexdale-Kipling, Rockcliffe-Smythe, Roncesvalles, Rosedale-Moore Park, Runnymede-Bloor West Village, Rustic, Scarborough Village, South Eglinton-Davisville, South Parkdale, South Riverdale, St. Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands, St. Andrew-Windfields, Steeles, Stonegate-Queensway, Tam O’Shanter-Sullivan, Taylor-Massey, The Beaches, Thistletown-Beaumond Heights, Thorncliffe Park and Trinity-Bellwoods.

U–Y

University, Victoria Village, Wellington Place, West Hill, West Humber-Clairville, West Queen West, West Rouge, Westminster-Branson, Weston, Weston-Pelham Park, Wexford/Maryvale, Willowdale West, Willowridge-Martingrove-Richview, Woburn North, Woodbine Corridor, Woodbine-Lumsden, Wychwood, Yonge-Bay Corridor, Yonge-Doris, Yonge-Eglinton, Yonge-St. Clair, York University Heights and Yorkdale-Glen Park.