If there's one thing I've learned in my scant few years as a real, live, semi-responsible adult, it's how to never pay full price for anything. Keeping up with all the latest titles (and older must-plays) can get expensive! So, let me enlighten you with a quick guide on how to save dough, while never having to shell out for a used game.
#5 For release day, always plan ahead
I've been around the block a few times, and I know that it's easy to keep myself from getting hyped for a game months before it comes out. But, by some mystical force, I often find myself absolutely needing a game 24 hours before it's released. I can't explain it. Marketing companies probably have some radio signal they send off that activates my Hyrulean Candidate conditioning, forcing me to buy games in a brainwashed haze.
I know I'm not the only one. Unfortunately, when this happens, more often than not I'm forced to put down $60 on a game.
Why? Because I didn't plan ahead. Observant gamers will know that the week before a game is released is prime-time for deals. Check the newspaper ads for Best Buy, Fry's, Toys R' Us – keep an eye on any establishment that sells games. I recently found an insane deal at K-Mart for L.A. Noire. I walked in, bought it on launch day, and received a $20 coupon off a future game purchase, as well as a free under $20 game.
Keep an eye out and plan a week ahead before you buy a game – never rush out and impulse-buy a $60 game!
#4 Keep an eye on Steam
“How are water vapors going to help?” you ask. Well, little fella, there's a big world out there, and you have a lot to learn! Steam is Valve Software's digital storefront for PC and Mac games. There's a huge catalog of games to pick from, and there's at least one sale every day. If you're cheap, and you're not a PC Gamer, you're missing out on a great opportunity to exercise your cheapness.
As of this writing, there are literally at least 100 games on sale on Steam right now. I know because I checked the specials section on Steam's main page, which has made it terribly convenient for me to impulse buy games on sale.
The only problem with Steam's sales is that there is no advance knowledge of what is getting discounted. I'm pretty sure even Valve doesn't know. They just have this mysterious vacuum tube that extends from a fiery abyss deep below their office complex, which occasionally spits out little white notes onto Gabe Newell's desk about what is going on sale.
What was I saying? Oh yeah, check Steam daily.
#3 Too lazy for that last one?
Well, you could always have someone do it for you.
The Game Deals message board on Reddit should be your Shangri-La if you never want to pay full price on a game. It's like a meticulously maintained digital thumb board where people across the world post up game deals they've uncovered. You'll feel as though you have a personal team of game-sales sleuths looking for deals – and they'll find more than your garden-variety Steam Sale. Theses guys find sites and stores selling discounted games that you'd probably never find on your own. It's like they will discount sites into existence. Amazing.
Though, you should be warned that as good as the Game Deals crew at Reddit is, they don't pick up on everything. If you're serious about getting deals on games, you'll have to put in some of your own footwork.
#2 Trade your old games in!
Look, I know what it's like to become attached to old games. I have an original 1985 Nintendo, and I'd sooner part ways with my legs, than let go of Ol' Grey. But let's be honest here, there are some games that aren't worth putting into a time capsule. Rather than leave them on your shelf until the apocalypse, trade 'em in (when society collapses on itself, it's not like those old games will be worth anything more than target practice).
Yeah, we all have mixed feelings about trading in old games. I get that. But, trading in a game you'll never play again is a good way to save some scratch! And that's what we're talking about here, right?
I've noticed that first-party DS games provide the best value. I don't know why, but even a 6 year-old game like Mariokart DS can still bring in a surprising amount of money as a trade-in. Maybe there's some tiny Japanese island that uses Mario and Pokemon games as currency?
#1 Wait a month or two
I can't explain why, but for some reason there's a sweet-spot for game deals a month or two after a game is released. I've saw Portal 2 go on sale for $29.99 a month after it came out. Shogun 2 is 33% off via Steam two months after it came out. Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (360) was selling for $35 on Amazon, three months after it game out.
Maybe it's companies buying too much stock, anticipating the initial release-day rush for a game? It could be that they're just being nice for those of us who are perpetually late to the party. Or maybe the guys determining the prices we pay for games just like to get drunk and enter random prices into their databases. I don't know!
What I do know, however, is this rule is the one I listen to the least, when I should be paying attention to it the most. It's that damn Hyrulean Candidate brain-washing!
