Let’s face it, gaming is expensive in 2025, and it’s not getting any cheaper. The price of new triple-A games is rising year on year, with titles like the upcoming GTA 6 predicted to breach the $100 threshold on launch day, and that’s not to mention the cost of hardware or accessories. So, it’s understandable that, like many, you might be finding it all a bit much. Gaming might be your favourite hobby or even your passion, but that doesn’t mean you need to go broke doing it. So, here are some ways to get better value for money as a gamer in 2025.
Bargain hunting: Seek out limited-time deals
If you’re someone who’s eager to play triple-A titles but just can’t justify the price tags that new releases come with these days, then you’ll need to be patient in waiting for discounted offers. Fortunately, there are opportunities. Once upon a time, Steam was the solitary bastion of hope for bargain-hunting gamers, but thankfully, most of the top platforms boast seasonal sales these days.
Sony, Microsoft, and even Nintendo are increasingly using seasonal sales to drive sales on their digital storefronts. Song and Microsoft often slash prices dramatically, sometimes as much as 90% on major titles, allowing you to get hold of the top-tier PlayStation and Xbox titles at a fraction of their normal prices. Nintendo is notoriously less generous with discounts, but there are still good savings to be found. These best deals are usually time-limited, though, so you need to be quick to snap them up.
In addition, it’s also worth monitoring digital marketplaces like Amazon or Walmart Marketplace, as there are often deals to be had there. Given the volume of products and offers, that can sound a bit overwhelming, but you can use a site like Best Reviews Guide to keep an eye on game discounts across different marketplaces, check ratings, and see which discounts are worth your while.
Cloud gaming: Access game libraries for a monthly fee
As they mature, streaming services are becoming an increasingly viable alternative to traditional gaming. If you’re interested in playing bombastic new releases, but don’t want to shell out a big price, then a game streaming subscription could be a good way to go, especially if you already do a decent amount of online gaming.
Xbox Game Pass, for instance, has a huge library of games available to stream, and if you already have an Xbox online subscription, then it only costs a small amount to upgrade. That will allow you to play hundreds of different games for a small monthly fee, and will even give you day-one access to triple-A releases if they are first-party Xbox games. Sony also has a similar service in the form of PlayStation Plus, where you can access PlayStation exclusives.
If you aren’t sure about cloud gaming and want to check that your Internet capabilities are up to scratch before shelling out, then GeForce NOW is a great option, as it offers a free version so you can trial the service. Although it comes with some limitations in the form of queues and session time limits, it will allow you to test your connection suitability and experience what it’s like to stream RTX-powered games at 4k so you can decide whether or not this option is for you.
Do it your way: Opt for indie game bundles
Perhaps you’re less infatuated with shiny, big-budget titles and more interested in some alternative PC gaming experiences, then you might find what you’re looking for on Humble Bundle or Fanatical. These platforms offer a wide range of different titles, some well-known ones and many indie ones, that you can buy in bundle packs. Sometimes, you can find bundles of seven or eight great games for as little as ten or fifteen dollars.
Often, these sites have great pre-made bundles which have been carefully curated by genre or developer to suit gamers with certain preferences. That’s great if you’re looking for something specific, like first-person shooters or RTS games, for example, but if your tastes are a little more eclectic and wide-ranging, then you also get the option to build your own bundles on these platforms. This will allow you to choose from a pre-determined selection of games, usually starting at a base price and the option to add more games for extra, with larger bundles offering better value per game.
Splashing out for the latest triple-A titles on release isn’t something you can do often, but bundles are a great way to try new games regularly without breaking the bank. Plus, you get the chance to support lesser-known indie developers making some of the most engaging and innovative games out there.
Gaming without going bust
As the price of games continues to rise, it’s getting more and more difficult to justify spending the big bucks on big-budget triple-A games, which, let’s face it, have a lower hit rate than they’ve ever had. If that sentiment resonates with you, then rather than shelling out for the latest releases, the smarter option might be to pursue some of these alternative options and try to get more back for your gaming buck. If none of these appeal to you, of course, there are always free-to-play options out there, with games like Fortnite, Genshin Impact, and many more to choose from. At the end of the day, it’s about finding what’s best for you and your budget, so do it your way.
