With the gaming industry growing bigger and more popular every year, it’s no surprise that gamers are looking for ways to save money. There are many different avenues you can take to find deals on your favorite games, consoles, or accessories. You just have to know where to look!
That’s why we created this guide with all of our best tips for saving money on gaming gear. We’ll show you how you can get the latest releases at a fraction of the cost, as well as how video game stores stack up against each other in terms of price and quality. This buying guide is full of information, so sit back, relax, and enjoy!
Buy Used Games
The first tip for saving money on your gaming gear is to buy used games. This will work for both consoles and handheld systems. You can generally save up to 50% or more when you purchase a game that someone else has already played. It doesn’t make sense to spend $60-70 on a new game only to sell it back the next week for half of what you paid (or less). Instead, you should look to buy used games at either GameStop or EB Games.
You can also save money on used consoles. These are sold by pawn shops and independent sellers online, where you can even get a gaming laptop under $500 from. While these consoles tend to be slightly older, you can still get plenty of life out of them. Just think about how old your last cell phone was before the new one came out. You paid top-dollar for that phone just a few years ago, but it wasn’t until something even better was announced that you decided to upgrade.
*Side note: When you decide to buy used, make sure you purchase a warranty for your games and/or consoles if possible. Some stores like BestBuy include these warranties for free with their already great deals, while others will sell them at an additional cost. It’s better to be safe than sorry because no one wants to pay full price after they’ve already bought used!
Take Advantage of Bundles and Sales
Another great way to save money and find the best deals on gaming gear is to take advantage of sales and bundles. Every year, more companies offer holiday-themed bundles, discounts on preorders, and limited edition items that make signing up for email lists a necessity. This includes console manufacturers like Nintendo, as well as third-party retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy.
Make sure to sign up for email lists from your favorite online retailers, so you can be the first to know when they have new games or bundles in stock. This gives you the opportunity to get in on a deal before it’s gone for good or sold out.
You should also check in with video game stores from time to time because they also have their own limited offers. For example, pick up a new monitor or other accessories that you’ve been curious about while it’s on sale. You might be surprised by how much money you save.
Watch for Game Deals and Price Drops
When you’re looking to buy new gaming gear, it’s important to watch for price drops and deals on your favorite games. If you’re planning on purchasing a game anyway, watch for deals and see if it’s cheaper to buy the game now rather than wait. This way, you can get your new gaming gear at the cheapest possible price.
The same goes for sales on consoles or accessories. When there is a sale on systems like the PlayStation 4 Pro console, the Nintendo Switch, or the Xbox One S, you’ll want to make sure you watch for them and take advantage of these deals on gaming gear. If you don’t need a console right now, you can hold out and make sure that you’re getting the newest console as soon as it’s on sale.
Get Free Games From Memberships
Another good way to save money on games is by taking advantage of memberships you may already have. For example, if you’re a subscriber to PlayStation Plus, Xbox Live Gold, or Nintendo Switch Online, there’s no reason not to take advantage of the perks that membership offers.
When using these services for gaming gear, you’ll want to take advantage of the free monthly games offered by each service. PlayStation Plus offers a game each month for subscribers, and Xbox Live Gold does as well with their Games With Gold program. Nintendo Switch Online also gives members free access to online play, but that’s it; they don’t offer any games for this membership like PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold do.
Trade Your Old Games for New Ones
Sometimes when you’ve finished a game, it can be hard to get rid of it. This is especially the case with popular games, where there’s a good chance that your friends will want to borrow them from you.
If this sounds like your situation, consider trading in some of your old video games for credit toward new ones. You can look for the best deals on your favorite games by visiting cashback sites, then put that credit toward buying new games that you’ll actually enjoy playing. Use these methods to get the newest and most popular video games, while saving money at the same time.
Subscribe to a Monthly Game Service
Another good way to save money on new games is by subscribing to a monthly game service. Whether you’re looking for a video game streaming service, a downloadable game service, or a mid-generation update like the Nintendo Switch, there’s something out there that will fit your needs.
With these types of services, you’ll essentially rent access to a large online library of video games. You’ll get to play as many games from the service’s library as you want during your membership, all while saving money on the number of new video games that you would have had to purchase otherwise. Plus, these services often give members access to digital copies of new releases that they can buy for a lower price.
If you are a gamer, it is likely that you would love to find the best deals on gaming gear. There are many ways in which gamers can save money and get great deals on their favorite equipment. Guess what, we’ve done that above. Feel to bookmark this post and go over it at will.