Mistakes You’re Making When Buying Games

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Gaming has always been a pricey pastime, whether it was feeding coins into arcade machines or upgrading to the latest console versions. Many of us remember renting games instead of buying them. The recent debate over the price of Mario Kart World and predictions that Grand Theft Auto 6 might cost around $100 highlight just how expensive new games can be.

When times are tough, it’s wise to be careful with how much money you spend on games. It’s easy to make mistakes that can hurt your finances, so let’s look at some common pitfalls to avoid when buying games.

Getting Sucked In By Sales

50% Off, You Say?

Image via Steam

If you use Steam, you probably know how easy it is to spend more than you intended. Often, it’s not one big purchase that gets us, but lots of small ones. Steam is really good at offering deals like Humble Bundle – collections of games at a significantly reduced price. Individual games are also frequently on sale, similar to what you find on stores like the Nintendo eShop.

It’s tempting to buy things when they’re on sale, but it’s important to distinguish between a genuine saving and an impulse purchase. Just because something is cheap doesn’t mean you’re actually saving money if you weren’t planning to buy it in the first place. For example, if you buy a $10 game that’s usually $40 but wouldn’t have bought it otherwise, you’ve simply spent $10. It’s easy to fall into the trap of collecting games instead of playing them. While great deals are available, take a moment to consider if you really need or want an item before buying it.

Not Waiting For A Sale

As Noted, A Bargain Is A Bargain

Many of us hold off on buying games at full price, hoping for a sale soon. Websites like Deku Deals, which tracks prices on Nintendo’s eShop, can help with this. It shows you a game’s price history, when it was last discounted, and if the current price is the lowest it’s ever been. It also tells you how long a sale will last.

With this knowledge, you can decide if it’s best to wait before buying something. Often, games that haven’t been released yet are offered at a discount if you pre-order. And if you don’t plan on playing a game immediately, you might find a better price closer to when you’re ready to start playing.

Jumping In Straight Away On Seeing Review Scores

A Glowing Recommendation Doesn’t Have To Mean A Purchase Then And There

Game reviews are often detailed and thoughtful, aiming to give readers a clear understanding of a game. However, people sometimes just look at the score—a perfect 10/10 might lead someone to buy a game immediately, thinking it’s essential. The problem is, this can lead to impulsive purchases and disappointment if the game doesn’t actually appeal to the buyer. As Anthony Taormina, who explains Game Rant’s review process, points out…

Everyone has different tastes. A game you absolutely love might have a small flaw that doesn’t bother you, but still lowers its score for someone else.

Calling something a “must-buy” is subjective and depends on how much you enjoy that type of game. It’s important to research before buying, as you might discover something that would make the game unenjoyable for you. Conversely, a game with lower ratings could still be perfect if it suits your tastes – remember that reviews aren’t always universal, and sometimes unfair criticism can skew scores. Reviews can be helpful, offering valuable perspectives (some RPGs have even been praised more than Clair Obscur: 33), so it’s worth taking the time to read a variety of them.

Not Considering Your Backlog First

When Will You Play It?

Image via Steam

As a gamer, I totally fall for those time-limited sales – it’s easy to justify buying something ‘for when I finally have time to play it.’ But it’s a real bummer when those games just end up collecting digital dust in my library. I’ve learned that before I click ‘buy,’ I really need to think about when I’m actually going to play it. If I can’t picture myself getting to it soon, I try to resist the temptation and skip the purchase.

As a huge gamer, I totally get it – my wishlist and Steam library are overflowing! There are always so many games I want to play, especially after a sale, but then something even bigger comes out, and suddenly that pile of unplayed games feels impossible. Honestly, I’ve learned the hard way that buying games on a whim just makes things worse. It would be awesome if Steam had better tools to help manage our backlogs, but really, it comes down to trying to stay disciplined and avoid adding to the mountain ourselves.

Falling For A Double-Dip Situation

Another Common Stumbling Block

Popular games often get released on multiple platforms, sometimes long after their initial launch – especially if they’ve been remastered or remade. If you really love a game, you might find yourself buying it again and again, ending up with the same title, like Resident Evil 4, on several different consoles.

Okay, so if I’m planning on replaying this game anyway, getting it again isn’t a big deal – especially if I’m ditching the platforms where I already have it. But honestly, if I won’t get back to it, buying another copy would just be a waste of money. I should probably think twice before clicking ‘buy’ in that case!

Buying Digitally And Physically

Ultimately, You Shouldn’t Need Both

It’s getting increasingly difficult to find physical copies of games, and while it’s disappointing, it makes financial sense. We now mostly get our entertainment online – from streaming services to digital game stores – though even those stores can struggle with huge releases. However, many gamers still prefer owning physical games, and for good reason. Digital downloads don’t contribute to preserving video game history and can leave players at risk if servers go down or access is lost.

Many big releases are still available to buy as physical copies, but some are only available to download. Others follow a common pattern: a physical copy is released several months after the initial digital launch. This creates a tricky decision: do you wait for the physical version, or satisfy your immediate desire with a download? Your patience, how excited you are about the release, and whether a physical copy is guaranteed all play a role. You might even end up buying both versions, which could significantly increase the overall cost, especially since physical editions are often more expensive.

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2025-12-19 02:36