DS Daily: The bargain bin

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DS Daily: The bargain bin

Posted Apr 27th 2007 9:00AM by Alisha Karabinus
Filed under: DS Daily

With bargain titles, it's sometimes easy to spot exactly where the development money didn't go, but sometimes, those quick-buck, knock-off bargain titles can be just what you're looking for -- especially if, like most gamers, you have limited funds to pour into your hobby. It's even better when great games get ignored and thus end up in the bargain bin, which is always nice on the ol' wallet. Used games are another cheap way to feed your addiction, unless of course you're staunchly opposed to trade-in practices at most gaming stores.

How do you manage when you're forced to game on a budget?

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1. Trades, trades, and more trades.

SG

Posted at 9:21AM on Apr 27th 2007 by Service_Games

2. I try, and I say try, not to buy a new game until I've finished my last one (doesn't always work well) but I definately veer towards used games and sales. I can't trade mine in, I did that once and now I regret it.

Posted at 10:12AM on Apr 27th 2007 by Sarah

3. Ebay == your friend.
I just picked up a copy of Pokemon Mystery Dungeon 2 weeks ago, for $15. Ebay's pretty cheap if you don't mind waiting for shipping.

Off-topic: Nushio, if you're out there, I caught another Stunky this morning. PM me on IRC if you still want it.

Posted at 10:37AM on Apr 27th 2007 by ConstyXIV

4. To be honest I have hardly ever found a deal on ebay, usually if the game seems cheap its because they've overcharged on the shipping. In fact I have never found a game on ebay sell less for what you could buy it used in a store, but maybe I'm not looking at the right times.

Posted at 12:51PM on Apr 27th 2007 by Sarah

5. If the auction ends on a weekend the price usually ends up higher than it would if it ended on a weekday for some reason.

Posted at 1:30PM on Apr 27th 2007 by hvnlysoldr

6. I buy used games at local stores and I also wait for sales. So far I've only actually paid full price for one game (FF III) -- could've saved $15 if I'd waited for that Target sale where all DS games were $25.

Used GBA games are a lot cheaper than used DS and they're still great games. It's hard to tear myself away from Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.

Posted at 3:39PM on Apr 27th 2007 by Kristi

7. Half.com is highly reccomended. Unlike eBay, people just name their price and sell you the game, so things don't get bid up. I'm also a big fan of the Cheapassgamer trade board.

Posted at 11:23PM on Apr 27th 2007 by ThatFuzzyBastard

8. When I got my GBA SP I used eBay almost exclusively. I got burned in the beginning by a few bootlegs, but eventually learned how to spot them.

I haven't bought a used DS game yet. Oddly enough, they seem more "worthy" of a new purchase than many of the GBA games were.

Posted at 1:27AM on Apr 28th 2007 by Xian!

9. I avoid the clearence bin titles because they are just cash wasters. I save up on a Walmart Gift card. Also, Ebay, Half.com, and Amazon should always be in your bookmarks. Gamestop when I feel like it. Never trade games. You can make more money if you sold them at a garage sale or the fab three.

Posted at 11:32PM on Apr 28th 2007 by Kevin

10. Trade-in values usually crappy.

I generally wait and buy games a couple of years after release, when they've dropped to less than $20.

Although Sony is much better about dropping game prices after a while than Nintendo is. Mario 64 DS is still 30 bucks, and that was a launch game for Pete's sake.

Posted at 2:33PM on Apr 30th 2007 by phanboy_iv

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