Alright, let's be honest. Times are tough. The economy's not the best, and you may be looking to cut back on spending and save money. As we all know, buying games and consoles can get expensive. $60 for a new game can put quite a dent in your wallet. A $250 console can hurt as well. And that is why I've begun looking for new ways to save money on gaming. Of course, buying used games is a given. But always look for other opportunities to save.
Here's what happened to me. I walked into GameStop yesterday with $30, looking to pick up a used game. I walked out with $5 in one hand and 3 games in the other. Sure, it may not surprise some of you, but it sure was a shock to me. Buying 3 used games for less than half the price of 1 new game was a great deal that I couldn't pass up.
Here's how I did it. I had previously acquired a GameStop PowerUp Rewards card a few months prior. In addition to Rewards points for every purchase and a GameInformer subscription, I also get 10% off on all used games. As I walked in, I noticed a sign that said "buy 2 used games, get 1 free". That was the moment when I knew I wouldn't be walking out with just 1 game. I grabbed Gears of War 2 and Medal of Honor and took Halo 3: ODST as my free game. So I ended up spending $25.69 on 3 games instead of $30 for 1. To add on to that, a friend of mine walked into GameStop and bought nearly 60 PlayStation 2 games for just $15. It just goes to show that keeping an eye out for deals, sales, and other ways to save can pay off. You may be able to get quite a lot of bang for your buck.
I'm not by any means the type that has to buy new games and always has to have "the new thing," especially when it comes to games. That doesn't mean I never buy new games, because I do. However, I only buy something new if I really anticipate the game and can't wait to play it. But sometimes, I like to look through older games and see what gems I can uncover. It's not like I'm sacrificing any of the entertainment value. I care little for graphics, and since I have never played those games before, it's as much of a new experience for me as playing a brand new game would be.
Perhaps not everyone shares my attitude for some reason or another, but this way of thinking has saved me money without giving up any of the entertainment value.