Gamer On A Budget
I’ve written a few articles about gaming, because it is something that I really love to do. I like to get into new games, play them, find out what they are about, and have as much fun with them as possible! I also like to talk about them and share my experiences.
Unfortunately, I am not a rich gamer kid or someone with unlimited resources with which to buy every game under the sun, so I have to be frugal about my spending, as well as find the right buy at the right time.
In some instances, this means that I am getting into a game that others have played for months or even years. This is good in some ways because I find that if I have trouble with a section of a game, I can look up online and see how others have beaten the specific challenge. If it’s a game that involves a multiplayer component, it can be a negative issue because I am now getting into a game late where others have leveled up to the highest points, and I am just getting started. They know the ins-and-outs and nuances of the game, and I still need to figure out what I am doing.
Recently, I have purchased some “Game of the Year” versions of games and had a great time with them. Not only do you get the game at a reduced price, you also quite often get some extra content that the original game didn’t come with. Sure, they may be older games, but in the case of primarily single player games, it really doesn’t matter if everyone else in the world has already played it – it is still New To You!
For example, my recent Batman: Arkham City Game of the Year Edition came with the Catwoman DLC, Challenges Map Pack, Harley Quinn’s Revenge, The Nightwing and Robin Bundles, and 12 skins for the playable characters. That’s a whole lot of value that I got for a grand total of $20 plus tax! And it is a spectacular game, to boot, which I have not even half finished after a guesstimated 30+ hours playing! That’s a whole lot of Barney Stinson “WHAT UP!?”
How do you game on a budget?
First off, you have to decide if you want that brand new game right now, or you can wait a while and get the same thing for next to nothing. If you can wait, then that is the best thing to do. Games often have sequels, and once they come out, the original goes down in price and often comes with a whole lot more than the original (as noted above). Or, just waiting a few months until people are no longer buying the game new, you can find that stores will drop the price considerably so that you can find great bargains even
A buddy of mine recently got COD: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 for $20 from someone who wanted to get rid of the games. They had tired of them and no longer needed the games, so they became a first hand play for him through a second hand buy! That’s some great value (I only have Black Ops 2, and it cost me the full $60 CAD when it came out – who’s laughing now?)
Looking in kijiji, craigslist, or local newspapers, you can sometimes find a good deal on games. Of course, it comes with the caveat of “Buyer Beware”, because you never know who is trying to scam you. But if you find someone respectable, you can get some good deals!
Check out the used section at your local video games retailer – Best Buy, Future Shop, Walmart, Gamestop – they all carry an array of used games that you can get on the cheap!
eBay is another good place to look. I did a search and found some Grade A titles for as low as $6.99 (http://www.ebay.com/bhp/cheap-xbox-360-games)! You can’t go wrong with a $7 game, but again, you need to be aware that you might get scammed, so go in aware of the risks and make sure you know what you can do to get your money back if things go awry!
Is it really worth it?
That’s really hard to answer with any certainty for each person, but for myself – and obviously for Hooch, who got all the game he wanted and more for 1/3 the price I paid – it is definitely a possibility. My Arkham City questing was 2 years later than release, but it is JUST as good a game now, and I got all kinds of bonuses by getting the GOTY edition, for a fraction of the original game’s price!
If you’re looking to grab the latest Grade A title for next to nothing, you will likely be disappointed. But if you don’t mind waiting a few months for the game to go super cheap, you can come up with a grab bag of goodies for the price of a new game on launch day!
Where have you found your best deals for Gaming On The Cheap?
