If you’re reading this article, then we both know, you like video games. C’mon admit it. It’s ok. =)

I’ve been playing video games for the past 25+ years. I’ve started playing video games way back on the Atari 2600 and Coleco Vision. I had a decent collection of games between the two systems. Fast forward to today, and you see a heck of a difference in video games. One of those differences is the cost. So how do you continue to enjoy video games despit ethis cost? Well here are four ways to get your game on, while saving some money in the process. 

Buy used instead of new

I’ve purchased a number of video games used. The major difference you’ll notice is… the cost saves. The cost you’ll save will vary by video game. If you’re wanting to buy a recently released game, you could save a few dollars; more if it’s older. A few minors things to note about when buying a used game are:

• You may not have the full label. It’s possible to get a game case with a generic instore label with just the wording on the outside. This is more true with older games. 
• You may not get the manual, but how many of use read the manual? Most console games have information about how to play a game in the game itself. This is more true with older games. 
• The possibility of a worn game disc. For the most part, you should be fine here, but if the game is worn, or is not playable, the store you purchased the game from will do an exchange, or give you back your money. Out of the number of games I’ve purchased used, I’ve only had one game that didn’t work. 

Wait for a game to get old before you buy it. 

When a video game comes out on the market, it is usually priced somewhere around $40 to $65 dollars. If you wait a few months, the price for the game will go down. It may take some time like a few months, and in a few rare cases, up to a year; but if you don’t mind waiting, it could be well worth it. You could spend as little as $20 on average for a game that has been on the shelves for period of time.

Why Buy When You Can Rent

We rent movies, why not video games. If you have a number of games now in your collection, I want you to take a look at them, and think “how many of these games do I want to keep?”. How long will you play these games for? I have a number of games collecting dust, that haven’t been played in years. So why keep a game if you’re only going to play it all the way through once, maybe twice? Ever played a game you purchased to find that you’ve stopped playing it half way through it because you didn’t like it? Well why buy when you can rent. 

A number of companies now exist where you can rent the game, have it delivered to your home, and when you’re done with the game, return it. That’s it. It’s pretty simple. You can pay about $50-60 for a new game, $20-40 for a used game, or you can pay $9-12 a month to get a game or two a time, and get more games when you’re done. 

• GameFly
• Games N Flix