Did you know that
75% of American households have at least one gamer? So there’s a very big chance that you and/or some members of your household love to game.
However, video games don’t come cheap. If you wanted to play and own every single game you’re interested in, then you’d have to be rich to afford that.
But there
are ways to get a good game collection without spending every penny you have.
Are you wondering how you can amass a huge video game collection without breaking the bank? Here are some tips you can try!
Ask for Them as Gifts
One of the best ways to grow your video game collection is to ask for them as gifts. That way, you don’t have to pay a cent for your games! For example, you can ask them to gift you the titles you’re interested in for:
- Your birthday
- Christmas
- Graduation
- Anniversary
- Valentine’s Day
If there’s nothing that piques your interest around those days, then you can always ask for a gift card. These are usually good for a long period of time and you can then purchase the video games you want at the appropriate times.
Set a Gaming Budget
Setting up a gaming budget is a fantastic way to get the games you want, but without accidentally eating into money for necessities.
Sit down and look at which games you’re interested in. Then, determine how much “fun money” you have leftover after paying rent and bills for the month. From there, you can determine how much of your fun money you want to dedicate to your video game library.
When you take some time to look over your finances like this, you’d be surprised at just how much you can spend monthly on expanding your video game collection.
Look Out for Sales
Of course, you never want to pay full-price on anything if it’s possible to get it cheaper. This is entirely possible, so long as you spend some time rooting out these deals.
If you’re a fan of physical stores, then you shouldn’t just buy your games at one place. Do some research to see which places sell for cheaper, and which have frequent video game sales. Chances are, you’ll be able to score a brand new game at a price lower than the MSRP.
Steam Sales
If you play on a computer, then you most likely have Steam installed. What’s great is you can browse, purchase, and play straightaway.
Another plus of using Steam is they always have sales. In fact, they have major ones, such as the Steam Summer Sale. If you can wait for one of these big sales, you can get some for up to 70% off!
Steam also has a bunch of
free-to-play games available, so you won’t have to spend a cent unless you want to.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday
While these two events happen in very short timeframes, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are also great for getting fantastic deals on video games. If you can wait for late November, then you can get the most bang for your buck.
Do note that most deals aren’t very good, so you’ll have to do your research, root around, and show up early (either in person or online) to grab what’s good. It might be worth waking up extra-early on those days just to secure the video games you want.
Buy Used Games
One of the cheapest ways to accumulate video games is to buy them used. Perhaps there’s been a classic game you’ve wanted but just don’t have it.
In that case, it just doesn’t make sense to pay for it new. Many video game stores don’t just carry new games, but also ones that are used that they’ve bought from customers. By buying used, you can add to your collection without spending a fortune.
Check Online Selling Groups
Video game stores aren’t the only place you can find used games. There are also lots of online selling groups and platforms you can check, such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
With this method, you’ll have to wait and get lucky to purchase titles you’re interested in. Make sure you keep a close eye out and check daily, maybe even several times a day.
Check Thrift Shops
Another great way to find used games is by visiting thrift shops. Some people sell games and consoles without realizing their worth, so in some cases, you might walk away with a fantastic steal. It’s also a great way to get other bargains for your home.
Wait a Little Bit Before Buying Games
If you don’t like the idea of buying used games, then the next best thing you can try is to have a little patience. When games first come out, not only are they sold out immediately, but they’re also at the highest prices they’ll ever be.
If you can wait at least a month or so before getting a title, you can save at least 10% on the purchase price. Sure, you might have to be behind your friends for in-game progress, and you’ll have to avoid spoilers, but all these savings will definitely add up! You’ll be able to have more money for video games.
Play a Generation Behind for Consoles
If patience is your strong suit, then playing a generation behind can be well worth your money. Once a new console generation comes out, you can pick up both the prior generations and games for dirt cheap.
Chances are, you’ll have other friends doing the same thing. So you won’t have to worry too much about having to play solo. And if that’s what you prefer anyway, then this is an excellent way to build up your video game library without spending too much.
Play on the PC if Possible
In general, PC games are cheaper than console games. With so many gaming platforms available (such as Steam and Epic Games), they’re all competing with one another to get your attention. For this reason, you’ll be able to find great deals and even free games on a daily basis.
You don’t necessarily have to play on a desktop computer either. There are plenty of solid gaming laptops as well, such as those from
www.lenovo.com. As long as you’re not playing on a console, you should be able to find better prices.
Use Sites Like Humble Bundle
Humble Bundle is a website that puts together enticing deals and gives a part of its profits to charities. Not only can you get games at amazingly low prices, but you’ll be doing your part in helping out charities in need. It’s a win-win situation!
Humble Bundle also has subscriptions available where you pay a certain amount a month and you’ll receive more games than someone who just pays once. You can also get great deals on things like books and software.
Try Out Xbox Game Pass
The name of the
Xbox Game Pass is a little bit misleading. You don’t need an Xbox to subscribe; you can also do so on a PC. You also don’t really get to own these games, but rather, rent them.
If you’re just after the achievements and the experiences of playing certain video games, then the Xbox Game Pass is certainly worth it. You pay a low monthly fee and get full access to their games library. So if you’ve been curious about a new game but don’t want to pay $60 for it, you can do a full playthrough for just a few bucks.
Set up Trades With Friends
While you won’t get to keep games permanently, it’s still a way to grow your video game collection in a sense.
If you have a group of gamer friends, you can all agree to pitch in and each buy a few games. Once you’re all done playing with your respective games, swap games. Depending on how many games there are between you, this can keep you entertained for quite some time.
Maintain Your Console and Games
Last, but not least, maintaining your console and games is key to building your video game collection. If your console fails and you have to buy a new one, that’ll put a huge dent in your budget. And if your games get so scratched up to the point of no return, that can also eat into your budget.
Make sure you keep your consoles in places where they won’t get too hot or humid. And if you see the faintest scratch on your disks, get a buffing kit to get those pesky scratches out.
Start Building up Your Video Game Collection Today
After reading this article, you now know how to build up your video game collection without emptying your entire bank account. The most important thing is to set a budget and be resourceful. By stretching every dollar, you’ll be able to purchase more of the video games you want!
If you enjoyed this article on gaming on a budget, then make sure you take a look at our other blog articles too!
