There are two types of gamers: the kind to jump on new releases only to pay a hundred dollars or more on in-game purchases alone and those who see the value in older games but struggle with finding the best deals on classic titles. If you’re the former, why would you want to play something that’s been out for more than a couple of years, and where could you find such games to begin with?
Classic Video Games: Unbridled Entertainment At a Lower Cost
It’s easy to fall into the hype of what everyone else is playing, but is it worth your entire week’s earnings? Indulging in video games as your favorite pastime doesn’t have to cost so much. In fact, developers nowadays bank on you not questioning their system which is clearly designed to make you spend more than you need to through a number of tactics. But once you learn the truth, it’s easier to appreciate the level of entertainment that classic games have to offer.
How Modern Games Make You Spend More
Many recent titles come off as “free to play” which is technically true, but you’ll find that it’s nearly impossible to enjoy games when you adopt that practice. This is because the elements that make a game truly enjoyable are locked behind certain paywalls under the guise of being purely optional. Fortnite is a prime example of this, coming off as free to play when players are obligated to spend $10 every couple of months on the in-game battle pass which gives you access to everything that actually makes the game fun. That might not seem like a lot of money at first, but long-term players end up spending an average of $100 a year to play Fortnite as intended. Another popular example is Genshin Impact where playable characters can be won through a lottery system which can cost you anywhere from $1-$200 depending on your luck.
| Genshin Impact Primogem Bundles *14,400 gems are needed for a guaranteed 5-star character pull |
Fortnite V-Bucks Bundles *950 V-Bucks are needed for a 60-80 day battle pass |
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Hours of Fun For As Low As $5
The appeal of older games is that you only need to pay for the base game in order to experience everything in its entirety. There are no in-game purchases keeping you away from certain characters, stories, or missions. And since these games are older and therefore “outdated”, they come at a much lower cost. An average Playstation 3 or Xbox 360 game can cost anywhere from $5-$30 which is less than half the cost of a year’s worth of what gamers pay for in-game purchases. For instance, you can buy Skyrim for $5 (or $15 for the Legendary edition) and experience endless hours of content with immense replay value.
The Truth About Video Game Retail Stores
Now that you’ve decided to start on your classic video game collection, you may be tempted to swing by a video game retail store since those are notorious for buying and selling used games. The problem with this is that these types of stores have been known to outright exploit customers and employees alike. They make most of their money by buying your used games at a ridiculously low price and reselling them for more than double what they paid. This poor business practice of trading used games is often pushed on employees by putting their jobs at stake thus producing a high-stress environment that is then reflected onto the customers. Online listings are no different in the fact that sellers will price their games at an unreasonably high price for profit.
How Pawn Shops Are Changing the Game
If video game retail stores and online listings aren’t the best options, where else can you go for reasonably-priced used games? General pawn shops in Azusa with a diverse inventory of goods don’t solely rely on the trading of used games to stay afloat which gives them the headspace and flexibility to price their stock fairly while leaving room for negotiations. For the absolute best prices, there are a couple of tips for buying used games at a pawn shop:
- Pawnbrokers are more likely to give you a good deal if you buy games in bulk. Since the goal is to constantly make space for new inventory, they’ll jump at the chance to accomplish this in a way that leaves you happy with your purchase.
- If you notice any imperfections with the disc or the condition of the case, you can use that in your negotiations.
Pawn shops are also a great place to sell your games at a fair value. To ensure the best price, make sure you gather the original packaging and check the cleanliness of the disc. A good pawn shop will test your games on the spot to make sure that bunk games don’t end up being sold at their store as they want to uphold quality assurance.
Azusa Pawn Is Your Hub For All Things Video Games!
Looking for the best pawn shop for buying and selling video games? Azusa Pawn offers the best selection of game titles and will buy your games at a fair price! Learn more about how Azusa Pawn deals in video games or call (626) 334-2274 any day of the week to speak to the friendly staff with any questions you may have.