Controllers & Currency: Gaming on a Budget

How to enjoy the hobby while still saving money

Although gaming can be exciting and provide hours of entertainment, one other thing the hobby can do is take a huge chunk out of your wallet. Most new games releasing cost a minimum of $70 and consoles that play these games can be several hundred. So, what is a person supposed to do if they want to get into gaming but don't want to break the bank?

Surprisingly, there are many ways to enjoy the gaming hobby on a budget.

Tip #1 - Set a spending limit

Before you consider any other factors, it would be wise to sit down and set yourself a personal budget. Decide how much you're willing to spend on a gaming machine, as well as consider setting a weekly or monthly budget for games and other accessories. Although it can initially feel limiting, learning how to budget even for fun hobbies will save you a lot of heartache in the long run.

Tip #2 - Purchasing Consoles

Perhaps the most expensive part of gaming are the actual consoles or machines. PS5 and Xbox Series X both retail at $500 without any additional extra accessories or games. As far as gaming laptops or PCs, you could easily spend at least twice as much having a custom-built machine to run the software that you choose.

Although this particular area of the hobby can be difficult to complete on a budget, there are certain systems like the Nintendo Switch Lite that offer the majority of functionality at a fraction of the cost. The Switch Lite can play almost all the same games as a regular Switch. It does not come with the option to display the image on the TV through a dock, but by avoiding that feature you save a hundred and fifty bucks. If you have to have the newest consoles, pick either PlayStation or Xbox.

You can also consider older generations of hardware if you're just starting to get into the gaming hobby. A PS4 or Xbox One console are selling on online marketplaces for around $150. Some of them even come bundled in with games. The previous generation of PS3 and Xbox 360 sell for around $120 each and a Nintendo Wii can be bought around $100 if you're just looking to ease into the gaming hobby. Although it can be tempting to spend more for the latest and greatest, these older consoles still have plenty of incredible games to offer.

I managed to find this Nintendo Wii on an online marketplace for around $100.

Tip #3 - Finding Games

Finding games on a budget is not nearly as difficult as people make it out to be. Most retailers have bargain bins when it comes to older electronics. Just because a game is in the bargain bin doesn't mean it's a bad game. It's just not as new and shiny as the following years. Make sure to check video game stores for any kind of deals or promotions- and I don't just mean the larger retailers. Check online for a local video game store that may sell older titles at a discount. It's also an excellent idea to help small businesses over big retailers.

Avoiding all new releases each year is easier said than done and there will probably be at least one major release that you don't want to wait for. In this case what you really need to consider is which version is best for you and your budget. Most games have a standard edition, a deluxe edition, and a collector’s edition. The collector's edition tends to be the most expensive version and usually comes with a steel book or a statue or some additional goodies related to the game. The deluxe edition might come with some extra in game items and maybe a steelbook case if one is lucky.

Now there's nothing wrong with these versions, but they are often vastly more expensive than the standard version and the standard version is already around $70. Are the additional cosmetics really worth the extra charge? And with the collector’s edition you often need to consider where to put the additional items and if you genuinely have space to display them properly. Most games have an option to upgrade to the deluxe content at a later date for the price difference.

Tip #4 - Third Party Accessories

This next tip should be used with some discretion-on certain occasions, third party accessories are more than acceptable. Going with a reputable third-party brand can save you a lot of money in the long run. Perhaps the most common use is third party controllers. It's a bit trickier to do this with newer systems, because first party controllers can often have features that impact certain games. However, I have found excellent third-party Nintendo Switch controllers from 8bitdo and Powera. These are usually at least $20 cheaper than the first party pro controllers. I've also found some third-party GameCube controllers there are more user friendly due to a Bluetooth connection. I've even bought third party charging stations for controllers for a fraction of the price, although anything related to power and charging should be researched very carefully.

Tip #5 - Subscription Services

Subscription services are the new normal, even in the gaming world. However, if you're looking to save some money it might be worth it to cancel any gaming subscriptions or at the very least drop to a lower tier. Consider how often you use each subscription service and compare that to how much you pay each month. Do you really need every benefit available or are you okay with losing some extras?

This is a comparison of the different subscription plans for PlayStation, with Essential being the cheapest at $5 a month.

Tip #6- Replay & Rediscover

This final tip is for individuals who may already have some form of a collection. Perhaps the easiest way to save some money is to replay the games you already own, or work on some games you may not have finished. For the past several years, high quality games have been coming out at an alarming rate and many times you aren't able to finish your previous purchase before the next big release is available. Although it can be tempting to buy a brand-new game (especially if it's one you have been looking forward to), think about the games that are already on your shelf. It can be easy to start a game and then forget about it once the next release comes along but that doesn't mean there isn't still fun to be had with these titles. Consider working through your backlog and enjoying those games before you purchase any major releases

There's no denying that gaming is an expensive hobby. However, you can still enjoy hours of gaming without putting your wallet out to pasture.

This post was written by Vanessa Hart, creator of Deep Dive Gaming