Where do you buy your video games - and why?

March 21, 2008 9:17 AM

Where do you buy your video games?

I'm researching the phenomenon of stand-alone game stores (such as GameStop), and how they compete with big-box retailers. So gamers, why do you shop where you shop? What is it about standalone game stores that draws you away from, say, Target or Best Buy or online?

posted by jbickers to society & culture (41 comments total)

Pretty much entirely online, through Steam. I'm very lazy, don't want to interact with teenagers, don't care for packaging and everything I've wanted to play lately has happened to be on there.

If not Dteam, direct from the publisher online would be my next choice I guess, then Amazon.
posted by Artw at 9:26 AM on March 21, 2008

I shop at a regional chain called Got Game?. I think there're only a few, all of them in the Philadelphia area. I shop there because I can build an actual relationship with them. They know me, my tastes, my current library of games, and so can make decent recommendations. Likewise, they seem to give me much better prices on used games than the national chains.
posted by Netzapper at 9:28 AM on March 21, 2008

Target. Cheaper and less hassle. I also don't like the atmosphere in the Gamestops and what not. Kind of the dark unseemly underbelly of geek culture.
posted by ND¢ at 9:30 AM on March 21, 2008

We go to GameStop if we need a game now. We'd rather own used than new. But even for new releases, they get more copies. We tend to like oddball stuff, rather than simply the omfg big game releases.

Also, since the prices are almost identical, nothing makes the traffic, parking and shopping cart madness and bs of Target worth it. If we're at Target, Best Buy or Costco, however, we'll browse games.

On titles we really care about though, we're preordering on Amazon.
posted by Gucky at 9:30 AM on March 21, 2008

Gamestop, Steam, Wii Ware, XBox Live Arcade Marketplace, Independent Developers (Big Fish, PlayFirst, etc.), Target, Best Buy.
posted by kalessin at 9:37 AM on March 21, 2008

I buy most of our games at one local GameStop and occasionally at EB Games in a mall near me - Philly area. The people at GameStop are gamers themselves, not just people who happen to work in an electronics department. I've asked a few questions about various games at Target and have usually been met with shrugs and blank looks. At GameStop they recognize me when I come in and know what I like, and can make informed comments when I ask questions about a game. I mean...very in-depth informed comments. It's like they've played every single game in the store. I've also gotten a lot of used games at Amazon.
posted by iconomy at 9:38 AM on March 21, 2008

I've found ebay to be a pretty good deal. I've never bought a game off of there that didn't work (except Ico but that's another story.) and the games have alway been exactly as described (without box or instructions, etc.) I will go to GameStop but it seems like ebay (for old games) is usually the better deal (including shipping and all).
posted by crios at 9:40 AM on March 21, 2008

Target has their games behind glass in my neighborhood, and very limited selection. I'll look for deals in the circulars, (Toys R Rus is pretty good for that), but otherwise Gamestop has a wide selection and solid stock. Primarily, however, I buy off of Craigslist. I usually don't mind waiting. That said, I'll probably pre-order GTA IV at Gamestop a few days beforehand if I don't see a deal at one of the chain stores.
posted by yeti at 9:42 AM on March 21, 2008

For new releases, we'll buy anywhere the title's available, giving our preference to GameStop mostly because it's the closest possible place to my home. Older titles, any specialty store that sells used games is worth looking. Also, we comparison shop used games because the prices can have huge variation between the different chains(GameStop wants $30+ for various flavors of DDR on PS2, whereas GameCrazy usually asks less than $20).

I don't like buying games online, because gaming is one of the few areas that I value instant gratification much more highly than I should.
posted by owtytrof at 9:43 AM on March 21, 2008

There is a Half Price Books that carries used games.

I have found that it is an excellent source for games that will run on a 2 year old system, and already have the major issues worked out.

Either that or Steam if the game is on sale. Dropping 50-60 bucks on a game is the definition of crazy if you ask me.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 9:46 AM on March 21, 2008

I go to gamestop because:

1. The Targets and ToysRUs near me are incredibly busy. I can just stop at a gamestop and get something and get out.

2. I can sell my old games. Granted, what they give you is pretty lousy but it beats doing the ebay thing.

3. Selection. I find target gets sold out quickly and they also dont have any oddball game I might be interested in.

The downside is of going to these places is dealing with the annoying teenagers who work there and shop there.
posted by damn dirty ape at 9:47 AM on March 21, 2008

Target has their games behind glass in my neighborhood, and very limited selection.

My Target too, and that's a really good point. At GameStop you can pick up the boxes and read them and turn them over. It's a definite selling point when you're not already familiar with a title.
posted by iconomy at 9:51 AM on March 21, 2008

Target, Best Buy or Fry's when it's a day one buy. More often Best Buy because of the inventory tracker on their site. (I work for a video game developer so game releases are usually the news of the day. Refreshing the Best Buy inventory page and waiting for the grey "Unavailable" to switch to a shiny "Add to Cart" button is the norm on Tuesdays.)

I'm in the San Fernando Valley, so when I'm looking for something older or rarer, I head over to Game Dude, which is some kind of crazy video game heaven. Imagine, if you will, Amoeba Records for video games. Pics here.
posted by eyeballkid at 9:52 AM on March 21, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

eBay's Half.com has been pretty good to me over the years.
posted by whiskey point at 9:53 AM on March 21, 2008

I use Gamefly and buy most of my games through them, either by "keeping it" or if I notice a game I already know I like has a particularly low price. It's pretty much just really convenient and living in New York City I don't really find myself in malls or big box stores very often, but I do find myself online pretty much all the time.
posted by lampoil at 9:56 AM on March 21, 2008

I used to go to GameStop/EBGames. Not because I needed a retail experience or any advice, but because they were the place that would most reliably get a game on release day. I'm like a kid on Christmas with a new game and I want it now, now, now. But my local GameStop stores have gotten significantly worse in the last year and I loathe going there now.

Amazon used to do a terrible job selling video games; they'd not have them for days after a release, they'd ship slowly, total mess. I thinkt he remnants of their failed Toys-r-Us deal. Their game distribution is much better now and I order games through them, even if it means I may have to wait a day after release day.
posted by Nelson at 9:56 AM on March 21, 2008

The last two or three games I bought, I bought from sellers on Amazon's Marketplace. I'm not going to pay full price!
posted by Camel of Space at 10:03 AM on March 21, 2008

I use Half.com, too.
posted by Camel of Space at 10:06 AM on March 21, 2008

Target and Half.com-occasionally amazon marketplace.

I'm cheap.
posted by dinty_moore at 10:08 AM on March 21, 2008

My online game purchases really depend on the game in question. If it's available digitally and I don't think there's going to be a rush at launch, I'll go that route. Something like an MMORPG where I'm willing to wait a few days for the furor and bugs to die down, I'm far more likely to Amazon preorder.

When it comes to brick and mortar, I go to GameStop most often. My seven year old has a GameBoy and that's the only place she can buy something on sight. Anywhere else serves mostly as a reminder that we're behind the times with mere PCs and a PS2, with the occasional exception of Target -- ours has a fairly big and unbarricaded PC section.

For what it's worth, I find the adults in our GameStop a lot more odious than the kids.
posted by gnomeloaf at 10:15 AM on March 21, 2008

I use Amazon for new games, and either Amazon Marketplace or Ebay for used games. It's quick and simple to purchase online, and assuming you're willing to look and are not impatient, most of the time it's cheaper as well. I also don't have to deal with any annoying sales associates, which as a gamer who always knows exactly what he does and does not want, is a big bonus. The only obvious downside is that you have to wait to play the games; new titles generally don't come for a day or two after their release, and used titles can take weeks to arrive. That's not a huge deal for me though - I'm not so impatient that I can't handle a short wait for something I've likely been waiting for months or years for already.
posted by mjgrady at 10:15 AM on March 21, 2008

Steam, for convenience.
Amazon, for 2-day prime shipping, or for the Marketplace.
eBay for a gamble... I've gotten some great deals, but I've also received some pirated stuff that's made me report a few sellers to eBay...
posted by fvox13 at 10:16 AM on March 21, 2008

I usually wait until something appears in Fat Wallet or on ebay/craiglist. If I need something now I go to the closest store from where I'm located which tends to be Meijers or Target.
posted by bleucube at 10:17 AM on March 21, 2008

Usually Steam or another direct download service (e.g. Sam & Max Seasons 1-2). Being in Canada, I don't get taxed and I pay the USD price instead of the "Just-because-you're-in-Canada" price that usually $10 more than US.

If I have to go to a physical store, it's usually the EB by my office. It's closer than Future Shop or Best Buy and since there's no Target in Canada (sad-face), all the prices are basically the same. I'll call beforehand and make sure they've got whatever it is in stock though, I have no desire to browse the unseemly bowels of EB.

If I'm looking for something used, I'll try Craigslist or maybe eBay.
posted by Nelsormensch at 10:35 AM on March 21, 2008

GameCrazy or Craigslist for used. eBay for hard to find (Ico). Circuit City for new. I have bought from Target if they have a good price, but CC is only a mile from my house and they are usually no more expensive than anyone else.

I prefer to buy from a non-online source usually, because once I've decided to get a game, I don't want to wait for it. I do buy a lot of stuff online (clothes, shoes, etc.) but for some reason with games, I need instant gratification. I want to play the day I buy.
posted by peep at 10:37 AM on March 21, 2008

I try to buy from a local independently-owned used game shop, but due to the fact that their selection frequently sucks, I tend to wander to Target or Best Buy to get what I'm looking for.

If there's something a little more difficult to find, I can typically order it online through Amazon.

I avoid GameStop and GameCrazy like the black death. I don't support their practices and was completely turned off by the general attitude of their employees.
posted by phredgreen at 10:54 AM on March 21, 2008

The local GameStop is our game shopping destination of choice for the following reasons:
-carries a nice selection for all our current systems (PS2, XBox, DS, Wii, PC)
-Availability of bargain-bin older used games
-Employees generally know what they're talking about and can answer questions like "so, is it worth it to pay the extra $10 for the Game of the Year special edition?"
-Fun to browse and be able to pick up and look at the boxes without a major hassle
-availability of hard-to-find accessories like GameCube controllers, often used for savings

We mostly buy from the boxes (Target, Fry's, Microcenter, Costco, etc) when we're there anyway for something else and notice a good price on something we want, or if we have a coupon or know there's a sale at those stores.

Our local GameStop is a few doors down from our favorite local restaurant so we often stop by for some fun browsing before or after dinner, as well.
posted by oblique red at 11:15 AM on March 21, 2008

My son is the gamer in the family and he almost exclusively buys from an independent game store in the town next to ours. It's run by two guys who always recognize us, always have great recommendations, and they offer extra services like maintenance and repairs (often for free) that most regular stores can't or won't. It's just a good feeling to shop there.
posted by amyms at 11:58 AM on March 21, 2008

I've been going to GameStop particularly because of the guy who owns our local franchise. I recently bought a PS3 from him and had a few problems with a short in one of the cords. He told me to bring it in, replaced all the cords with the more expensive gold-plated connectors and didn't charge me anything. Since then I've made a point to buy all my games from him. Plus, he and his employees really know games and make great recommendations based on my preferences. Service like that will always bring me back.
posted by slogger at 12:38 PM on March 21, 2008

Honestly? Whatever store is closest. Toys R Us, Kmart, Virgin, whatever. I'll go into a Gamestop if I'm specifically looking for an old/used game (which is rarely) but I don't like shopping there as the hordes of 13-year-old gamer kids freak me out.
posted by greenland at 1:01 PM on March 21, 2008

I tend to buy at Best Buy because we have tons of them in the DC area which means there's a good chance you can get what you want... at least one store will have it. I'm a pretty well informed gamer, so I don't really need to talk to people at the store to find out whats good, so that helps as well :) I also am a big fan of the whole reward points thing which has helped me out a number of times. I WISH I had a better option than Best Buy, but I don't.

I have had a load of bad experiences with GameStops since the switch from EB Games. The one I used to go to all the time got rid of all their great workers who were awesome and funny and helpful, and now just push preorders like crazy. The vibe has changed, and I really only go there as a last resort.

I'm a huuuge fan of Steam, however, for PC games. EA's online service isn't that either. In the end, I think I would rather have physical media, but Steam's system works really well for me.
posted by tittergrrl at 1:16 PM on March 21, 2008

Seconding Half-Price books. I like buying 4 year old but excellent games for $5 - $9. Stock varies from week to week, so check back. I've probably bought 10+ games that way: Omicron, Yoot's Tower (and later SimTower), Silent Hunter, Quake III, and more that I can't remember right now.
posted by zippy at 2:56 PM on March 21, 2008

If it's a game I know I want two things happen. If it's a preorder, I search for the retailer with the best "preorder perk," if it's new, I pick it up at Best Buy because of my Reward Zone card.

If it's a game I'm not sure of, I pick it up at GameStop used and take advantage of the 7 day no questions return policy.
posted by phritosan at 3:03 PM on March 21, 2008

I go to an ebgames mostly because I can trade old stuff in with them and their location is more convenient for me. I'll hit up a futureshop when there's a title that the ebgames doesn't have in stock.
posted by juv3nal at 3:57 PM on March 21, 2008

Briefly - I worked at a gamestop for a year. Best job I ever had. Sort of. For a teenager.

Most of the people I met who shopped at gamestop loved it because there were knowledgeable employees on hand to recommend games for them to purchase for their grandchildren.

Today, my gaming has so drastically reduced and been cleaved down to such an esoteric genre (think tactical rpgs ports for dreamcast ... or stuff for my virtualboy) that I pretty much just scan ebay every couple weeks and discover something new maybe once every two or three months.

Really, there are probably only six or seven people on the planet who have the same taste in gaming as I do. We should probably just all become friends rather than selling each other copies of Nester's Funky Bowling over ebay every few months.
posted by Baby_Balrog at 5:18 PM on March 21, 2008

80 percent Steam, 20 percent Target/Best Buy.
posted by camcgee at 5:45 PM on March 21, 2008

A local independent game store. Its super-geeky, but its staffed by enthusiastic and generally knowledgeable guys who don't give me the hard sell on stuff. If they are out of stock, then my next stop is Target/Best Buy, which is staffed by utter morons who have no idea about games, what they have in stock etc. Its easy to pop in and check though. My final stop, if I am really desperate is Gamestop/EB. I hate going there because its generally staffed by clueless teenage boys who give me the hard sell on stupid crap like extra warranties, disk cleaners etc.
posted by Joh at 11:11 PM on March 21, 2008

What is Stream, and where is their website? I tried googling it and couldn't find anything (or rather, found too much) does anyone have a website for me?
posted by TheArpenter at 12:37 PM on March 22, 2008

TheArpenter: "What is Stream, and where is their website? I tried googling it and couldn't find anything (or rather, found too much) does anyone have a website for me?"

Steam
posted by peep at 1:39 PM on March 22, 2008

In Toronto, I generally go to independent game stores like Game Centre (always has new games on release day, very cheap used games) or Gamerama. Sometimes Blockbuster Video, because they sometimes have good deals on used games, and I feel bad because they won't exist in 5 years. Rarely places like Future Shop, Toys R Us or Walmart. Never EBGames, I've been in many times, but can't remember ever actually buying anything there.
posted by yellowbinder at 6:07 AM on March 24, 2008

New, I'm-in-no-hurry: Amazon.
New, I-want-it-today: Toys'R'Us. If they don't have it, there are a couple other big-box places in the same neighborhood. Best Buy's okay, too, if only because you can check the local store's inventory from their website.
Used, I'm-in-no-hurry: Amazon resellers, or eBay.
Used, I-want-it-today: GameStop, but I hate it with a burning goddamn passion, and so, usually, I just decide I can wait a couple days.
posted by box at 10:45 AM on March 26, 2008