Video Games: Better to Buy New or Used?

If you're like the many millions of kids and adults who enjoy playing a video game now and then, do you think it is really worth it to buy only new games instead of used? The game industry has become a billion dollar industry. It attracts young kids, teenagers and adults. I've even seen my parents play and actually purchase the Nintendo WII. My grandma plays bingo and puzzle games on her new Dell Computer that I recently hooked up for her. Games are just part of many people's lives.

I've experienced hundreds of games from at least 8 or more different video game systems. Could there be a difference between brand new games and used games? After saving up $50 as a kid and going to purchase the latest game, renting from blockbuster, borrowing games from friends, buying used on eBay and buying used from my local video game store, I've learned there really isn't a difference between buying new and buying used video games.

The benefits of buying new are; you get to open it for the first time and remove the plastic wrapping for your $50-$60 investment. The benefits of purchasing a used game are; you get the same exact thing minus the plastic wrapping for $20 or even $30 less. Used games have minor blemishes like bent pages in the manual or fingerprints on the disc. If you can deal with those small imperfections, then it is well worth buying used online or even at a store. Waiting a few months after a new game hits the market then buying it used will save you at least half price. Plus, you'll know if it really is a good game or not by what others comment.

At first, I only bought new games or received brand new ones for a gift on holidays, but over the last couple of years and from now on its only used. I still haven't had a problem with a used or rented game that wouldn't work. If they have fingerprints or smudges on the disc, that can be wiped off with a dry soft cotton rag or towel. Most of the time they have a 30 day guarantee so if there happens to be a problem you are protected. So the answer to is it better to buy new or used video games is a clear choice. Who wouldn't want to get the same item that works exactly the same as a new one for up to 50% less.