Still paying full price for games? Save some cash (or simply get more for your money) with our handy advice!
1. Track sale prices
One of the best ways to save money when buying games is to keep track of the numerous sales that run across online storefronts. Any PC gamer worth their salt will be aware of the mighty Steam sales in summer and winter, but simply browsing the sale is liable to end up with you buying games you don’t really need just because they were discounted.
Savvy gamers can use SteamDB to track pricing on individual games, letting you know if a game has been sold at a cheaper price in the past. Console gamers might want to check out PSPrices, which includes email alerts for when specific games go on sale. There are other websites (including the r/GameDeals subreddit) but these two are our favourites.
2. Take advantage of free games
It’s easier than ever to get games for free, especially if you’re on PC. The Epic Games Store has regular game giveaways with no purchase required, often offering triple-A games (most recently Borderlands 3 and the Bioshock Collection). You can also get free games through the Amazon Gaming app if you already have a Prime subscription.
Console gamers have it a bit tougher here, but don’t forget that anyone paying for Xbox Live Gold or any tier of the recently-revamped PS Plus can also claim monthly games for free. These subscriptions also unlock access to regular sales on the Xbox and PlayStation digital stores.
3. Buy used, sell on
Physical games may slowly be going the way of the dodo, but the used game market doesn’t want to die. Buying your games second-hand saves you money right off the bat, and if you’re willing to be patient you can often snap up a great deal.
This works both ways; when you’re finished with a pre-owned game, you can sell it on to make back some of the money. Amazon, eBay, and even Facebook Marketplace can be ideal places to do this.
4. Keep an eye out for bundles
Game bundles can offer an excellent way to save some cash when buying games. Humble Bundle is obviously king here, offering the ability to support charities with your purchases, while other platforms like Steam and Itch.io regularly offer developer bundles.
5. Check out a gaming subscription service
Rather than paying full-price for big games, prolific gamers might be better off opting for a game-streaming service. Game Pass (in either its Xbox or PC iteration) is obviously king here, offering a huge variety of games including new releases starting at just $10 a month.
PlayStation players can get access to Sony’s subscription service through the upper tiers of PS Plus, as the old PlayStation Now service will soon be rolled into the new-and-improved Plus. This platform doesn’t get the latest PlayStation games on day one, but still packs an impressive back catalogue including titles from the PS1, PS2, and PSP.
6. Get ahead with Mana
That’s right, there’s a rewards debit card for gamers now. Mana is a new service offering a Visa-powered payment card and checking account, with either a free standard card or the black steel ‘Pro’ card, which offers improved benefits for a monthly fee.
Mana is designed for gamers to benefit when they spend, allowing you to earn loyalty points like many other card providers but with special multipliers on gaming-related purchases. These points can then be spent on games or gift cards, with every purchase bringing you closer to your next free game. The Mana Pro card even includes subscriptions to a range of gaming-related services, such as Discord Nitro and Xbox Game Pass.
Mana Checking Account and related banking services provided by MVB Bank, Inc., Member FDIC. Transactional and withdrawal limits apply. Mana Visa (r) Debit Card issued by MVB Bank, Inc., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Visa terms and conditions apply.
