Now that new video games regularly top the $60 mark, being a gamer -- even a casual, once-in-a-while gamer -- can be an expensive pastime. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways knowledgeable shoppers can get more for their money. Here's a few of our favorite tactics.
Get 'em while they're not hot
So many games, so little time.
Rummaging through the bargain bins of your favorite game stores can often yield good deals, but often as not the games in there are discounted for a reason: they're terrible. However, both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 offer budget lines composed of older games that sold well in their day -- and that means they're usually well worth the money. Look for the characteristic "Platinum Hits"packaging on the 360, or the "Greatest Hits" range on the PS3. There's nothing comparable on the Wii (yet) or the PC, but gamers could do a lot worse than flipping through the catalog of Good Old Games, a download service that offers good quality older games for bargain prices.
Rent before you buy
If you're the type to only play one or two games at once, and you're not overly obsessed with getting your hands on the latest and greatest games to hit the market, you should go have a chat with the guys and gals at Gamefly. They're the video game equivalent of Netflix -- pay a flat monthly rate, and you can borrow a set number of games, handily shipped in the mail. You can keep them as long as you like, and compared to a video game-buying habit, they're insanely affordable. The basic plan is $15.95 per month, roughly a quarter of the cost of just one brand new game. Not a bad deal, although once you cancel, you'll have nothing but memories to show for it.
Trade up
Offload your games and get some cash.
We know what you're thinking. Yes, buying and selling used games is a big money-spinner for retail chains like Gamestop. Yes, you're not going to get anywhere near what you paid for the game, and yes, they're going to make big profits off you. Still, what good do your games do sitting around gathering dust? Might as well make what you can from them, and the chains occasionally run promotions that'll boost your profits. If that's still not good enough, you'll get better returns (but with more hassle) from the likes of eBay and Craigslist.
Let freedom reign
What better way to save money while gaming than by playing free games? There are plenty out there, and a surprising number rival the quality of full-priced video games. Take Free Realms, the World of Warcraft-like online world that's raking in players at unbelievable rates. Or check out the selection of fun, fast and free games offered by a certain five-letter web site that starts with a Y and ends with a !: you'll find them right here. If your tastes skew more to the core side of gaming, the ever-reliable IGN.com has a list of their favorites, too.
Be a savvy shopper
Saving these is the ultimate goal.
Although retail stores offer good deals from time to time, you'll find most savvy gaming bargain hunters do their searching online. Amazon's prone to one-day, platform-specific "Gold Box" sales that can often net significant discounts -- although the get-'em-while-they're-hot deals change fast and aren't usually published in advance. Steam, the favorite online distribution system of PC core gamers, often puts games on short-term sales. Be quick and watch the Steam web site, and you can occasionally snag some great experiences at up to a 50% discount, even on comparatively new games. And we're duty-bound to point out that Yahoo! itself runs promotions on its download games from time to time. Keep your eyes on games.yahoo.com for details.
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Posted: 24 Jun 2009
