Gaming can be an expensive hobby. And since the World Health Organization encouraged more gaming during the pandemic, those numbers have been steadily rising. With costs rising and budgets tightening, how can you save money on video games without making any sacrifices to your existing habits? 




1. Wait longer for a game

 

It’s the coolest thing in the world when a new video game or video game system first comes out, and you get the chance to play it!  But that’s also when it’s at its absolute highest price.

Instead, wait a few months before you make your purchase.  In as short as three months you can see the price drop significantly. 

 

2. Buy Games in Bundles

Buying in bulk is a popular way to save money on all sorts of goods, so why not do it with games too? The trick is finding bundles that are worth your time.

Humble Bundle is a good place to start. It offers pay-what-you-want bundles on games, comics, software, and more; a portion of what you pay goes to charity. Humble Bundle rotates bundles out every few weeks, but if you look at the right time, you can end up with new games for just a few bucks. Other sites like Fanatical, IndieGala, and Itch.io have their own weekly or monthly bundle deals that can help you save money on more games. You may even be able to score some deals on GOG or Steam.

 

3. Buy Used Games

This is an obvious one, as long as you have a console that plays physical discs, but it can make a huge difference. If you're buying a recently released game, you could save $10 or $20 on a newer title. For games that have been out for a while, you could save even more.

Taking this route can require some patience. Recently released games don't tend to hit the used market quickly, and it takes even longer for their prices to go down to a reasonable level. But this patience can be rewarded with significant savings.

Stores like GameStop sell used games, but most of the time they're only a few dollars less than new games, especially for recently released titles. Places like eBay, Amazon, and Craigslist are all better places to check for used games. You can also try other local ways, like Facebook Marketplace.

Taking this route can require some patience. Recently released games don't tend to hit the used market quickly, and it takes even longer for their prices to go down to a reasonable level. But this patience can be rewarded with significant savings.

And Sell Used Games, Too

After you've bought and played a used game, it's a good idea to sell it to someone else if you don't plan to play it anymore. Not only does this help put money back in your pocket, but it helps other people save money on gaming, too.

The same places where you buy used games are also great places to sell games. You probably won't make back all the money, but even if you end up paying $20 overall, that's a great deal on a newer game.

 

4. Rent or Borrow games from friends

If you really have your heart set on wanting a certain video game, I’d highly recommend renting it first.  That way you’ll get that “taste” you’re after and also find out if the game is any good or not before committing to the purchase.

Along the same lines of renting, borrowing a game from your friend first is a great way to try it before you buy it.  Again, this way you’ll be able to find out if it’s a dud, just okay, or completely worth buying a copy of your own.




Summary

With these strategies, you can save money while still playing premium games. With a bit of patience and using the right services, it's possible to get the games you want while almost never paying full price.