Xbox 360
Like it or not, this credit crunch is going to take a while to shift. Thankfully, as gamers, we're in a great position to weather the worst of the storm. Staying behind closed doors for nights on end is what we’re good at. Nevertheless, everyone has been affected in some way, and nobody should turn down the opportunity to save a bit of cash. Here's five sure-fire ways to make the most of tight times in the run up to Christmas.
1. Trade-ins
When was the last time you had a right good clear out? Trading in games can be the best way to avoid paying full price. Who knows, you might even get more than you bargained for, meaning maybe that elusive new release doesn’t have to be put off until next month. Most places offer you somewhere between 40 to 60 percent of their sale price for games, and trade prices are significantly higher than cash, so trading in a couple of crap games could net you a classic you would have otherwise foregone.
2. Buy Online
While there’s none of the satisfaction of swapping cash in hand for a game over the counter, it does tend to be an expensive affair every time. High street prices are raised to take that very convenience into account, so take your console or your laptop online and shop around.
Ebay is the obvious choice with plenty new and used copies of every game under the sun. Great deals on games start at 99p and console bundles could save you more than £50. You pay a small fee for shipping but taking advantage of the strength of the pound means buying import games from a US seller means you can save even more.
3. Virtual Console/PSN/Xbox Live
If you have your console hooked up to the internet, you’ll be well aware of the immense collection of retro games available for download. For example, £15 will net you 2000 Wii points, which lets you choose from hundreds of games from Nintendo’s back catalogue, Sega systems and other platforms. Games cost between 400 and 1000 points and provide great value as well as warming the heart as you immerse yourself in the cream of the crop from yesteryear. All systems have similar online stores that get constant updates so you’ll never run out of ideas. Mmmm, fuzzy, pixillated retro goodness…
4. Get a Life
All systems have stellar examples of the sandbox genre. A sandbox game is an endless paradise void of time limits, bad guys and endings in general. The key is to create a play area just as you like it with in-depth customization options and then maintain it to the standard that suits you. It’s not for everyone, but if you fancy yourself as a bit of a demi-god in a digital world, they provide infinite gameplay and a few are so beautifully crafted you won’t be able to put them down. Animal Crossing: City Folk is due out soon on Wii and 360 owners should consider Viva Piñata, while pocket sized versions are available of both games on the Nintendo DS. If you own a PS3 and can wait a few months, LittleBigPlanet is going to be worth the wait—the game even lets you create your own platformer and share them online!
5. Take it Online
All systems support WiFi play so if you have the internet, get connected! Challenging worldwide opponents for medals and trophies can bring a whole new dimension to a game, and it’s free! So don’t just play through the story mode: scan the leader boards and have a pop at the top. Multiplayer sessions of Halo 3, Portal, MarioKart Wii and Smash Bros. Brawl are ongoing. Forum tournaments are organized all the time, so get yourself on a message board and join the action. Playing against opponents is far more entertaining and spontaneous than AI. While you’re safe to burst into your victory dance in your room, somewhere far, far away you’ve made a yank burst into tears.
So that's it. I hope these tips help point you toward an area of gaming you either never considered or never knew existed. At the very least, they'll save you a few quid to get down to the pub with your mates.