UK retailer GAME rolls out its 'Rent a 3DS for a month for £7' ploy

With UK retailers in full competition mode over the Nintendo 3DS launch, specialist retailer GAME has pulled out the stops with its latest marketing campaign.

Entitled "Play The Nintendo 3DS For £7", it's effectively offering punters a rental scheme for the launch month.

It works as you pre-order a 3DS from GAME's website, paying a maximum of £198 when it's out on March 24 - which seems to be the current consensus among big retailers such as Amazon, Tesco and John Lewis.

Then, making sure you look after your despatch note, the box and various bits and bobs - charging cradle, AC adapter, stylus, 2GB SD card and AR cards - and, of course, making sure your 3DS is spotless - you can return it in any GAME store up to April 25 for any reason as a trade-in.

GAME guarantees it will pay you £190 as in-store credit or £180 cash if you do so, hence the £7 (or £17 cash) figure.

It's certainly a neat marketing ploy, although if 3DS stock is limited, some people will no doubt be pre-ordering units to attempt to sell them quick on eBay and make some cash.

If you're tempted, you can see full details - remember to read the small print - here.