I know what you’re thinking: “I already know how to buy video games!” Well, I am sure you do, but the meaning of this post is simply to give some advice on the matter depending on the type of game you’re buying, and what kind of benefits you want to get along with it.
I break games into 4 Categories, and give you an idea of where to buy them and why.
1. Big Name Games
By “Big Name Games”, I mean games like Madden 2K9, Halo 4 and etc. Games that anyone with the appropriate system will probably feel compelled to buy.
Best place to buy: Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart, Target, Wholesale stores
Reason 「理」: Constant price wars between mega-powers mean you can probably get a better deal than at a place like Game Stop or EB. I was employed at Best Buy for roughly a year, and saw these games come and go in mass quantities. By mass I mean upwards of 150 copies per system. And yet there would always be people who reserve them. If you are like me, and try to buy games the day they are released, then reservations are entirely unnecessary for this type of game. However, if you are the type who is likely to meander in whenever they happen to remember that Halo 4 is out, then definitely make a reservation, as you cannot be trusted. If you are interested in any kind of promotional item that comes with the reservation, act fast, as they run out extremely quickly.
When to Buy: The first week or two of release
2. Small Name Games
By “Small Name Games”, I mean games that are released by small companies with a tiny but dedicated fan base.
Best place to buy: Direct from publisher’s website, Gamestop, EBgames
Reason 「理」: Generally released in low numbers, and the bigger guys sometimes don’t even bother until a week or so after the game has been officially released. Also, many of these kind of games come with an incentive to reserve, like an OST, art book, or stuffed animal. In some cases, a limited edition is released as well, which usually goes fast since for an extra $10, you can get a lot more.
When to Buy: A.S.A.P.
3. Wild cards
By “Wild cards”, I mean games that are not easily categorized. They are games that are so new or different from the norm, that even the companies themselves who produce them cannot predict how well they will sell. The best example that comes to mind would be Rock Band’s Limited Edition bundle. While EA did predict the game would be intensely popular, with the $169.99-129.99 price tag, it is best to make sure you are getting your moneys worth.
Best Place to Buy: Gamestop, EBgames
Reason「理」: Since these games are fairly new, you may have questions about them. The smaller places are usually the most knowledgeable and most capable of providing any help you may need, beyond making the purchase
When to Buy: With games like this, there is not much hurry. It is better to just wait and see what kind of reception it gets, and make a decision based off that. Do your research!
4. Old Games
By “Old Games,” I mean games that have been released and are no longer in print, making them difficult to find. I am sure we have all been in this situation, and the desire to own it seems to be accentuated by its rarity. Try your best to stay calm. The old me would have gotten in the car and driven to all the Gamestops or EB’s in the area trying to find it. Now I realize that if you take your time, you can get a better deal and probably get more for your money.
Best Place to Buy: E-bay or Amazon (used)
Reason「理」: Since these games are so rare, you will have a tough time finding them at a Gamestop or EB. Especially since they only carry games for last gen systems (i.e PS2, XBOX etc.) and up. The internet is where people who love games as much as you or I gather, so if you are careful about user feedback and ratings, than you should have no problem buying it. Also, there should be many copies to choose from, so the price will be more fair than at a used games store.
When to Buy: A.S.A.P
Note: It is nearly impossible to predict when a game will become insanely rare and popular, but DO NOT wait too long. Last year I purchased Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne (or Maniacs) off of eBay for around 45 USD. It now sells for about 70 USD. Probably due to the popularity of Persona 3, more people are looking for a similar experience. The sooner you can find it, the better!
4 comments (See more)
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4
by Atlus for PS2
Hours Played: 50-55
Recent Accomplishment: I ran out of damn treasure keys… I guess I will have to start hunting treasure hands.
Does anyone else totally love the fox? I pretty much give him all my money but it’s worth it.
- Roy: I think it would be awesome if the entire game was woodland creatures fending off humans. Possibly rednecks...
- Kabling: Maybe the website and logo were bad on purpose? I don’t know
… - Sophie: But what better way to spend our meagre sums than on armoured helms? We’ll look so...
- Foxes: Replace the main guy with a beaver carrying an enormous book instead and I’d play it
- Foxes: Don’t bring my room into this
I LOVE USELESS CRAP ESPECIALLY 1/1 SCALE ARMORED HELMS
[...] by none other than my favorite guy, R. He starts off with a pretty informative post on how to approach buying video games. I especially like his thoughts on buying what he calls “small name games,” basically [...]
I completely agree with what you said about the “old games”. Last year I was looking for a brand new copy of “ICO” for PS2( which originally released in 2001) and they were all 70 dollars or more, I believe they’re closer to 100 dollars now.
Yea it’s a really bad feeling to shell out that kind of money on a game which was probably selling for half that when it was in print.
Ico is a great game by the way, I love the last battle! I can’t wait to see what else Team ICO has in store for us…
On other other hand, as us cheapassgamers have learnt on big-budget and all but the smallest print-run releases you should always wait. There seems to be a curve where game prices go down 3-12 months after release and then pick up in value absurdly again.
Just going through a list with extreme luck i was able to pick up:
DDS1 + DDS2 $49.99 new for both($25 a piece this was a few years back)
Izuna/Etrian for 19.99 a piece new
All the final fantasy GBA games for less then 19.99 NEW
Then there is the stuff that bombed/overprinted/big budget stuff where I managed to get it for less then $15 New
Final Fantasy 3
Magical Starsign
Rogue Galaxy
Final Fantasy XII
Dragon Quest 7
Arc The lad
Wild Arm games
heh… touch detective 2 $9.99!
etc…
Basically you just have to time it right for when the big-name stores mark down their prices and then go in that day and pick them up before anyone else does.
Good luck!
and just reading the comments here: Ico is another one that was just sitting around new in stores for months at 19.99 price tag. Stores just wanted to get rid of that thing, amazing that it’s priced as it is now.
It’s true that there is probably a “sweet spot” in terms of when to buy. Knowing that exact moment can be tough. Thanks for the input guys.
Well roy does have a good point i purchased SMT: Nocturn at a very resonable price of 19.99 USD and i retardedly sold back for 26 USD and the next week i couldent take it and bought it back for 35 USD and now im keepin it untill i get the guide and its worth more. and another mistake by me once more i sold, (and roy remembers when i did this) Suikoden 1 for the PS1 and i was young and i got like 46 USD for it and today i truely miss that game and dont want to dish out 115 USD for it. Take my advise if you have a rare game hold onto it untill its worth a good shiny penny.