The Best Online Video Game Stores. Thanks to high-speed internet, being a gamer has never been easier. Just a few years ago, you had to deal with traffic jams and hunt for a parking spot at the mall to get your hands on the latest video games. Now, thanks to fast internet and the growing number of online video game stores, you can find and download the best games in minutes.
If you are looking for places to buy cheap video games online, you are in luck. With dozens of excellent sites catering to every type of gamer, you just need to know where to look. To make things easier, here is a list of the ten best platforms for buying video games online.
The Best Video Game Stores 2023
1. Steam
Founded in 2002, Steam is still considered by PC gamers to be the best place to buy cheap video games online. Steam is the most popular digital distribution platform for PC games on the internet, featuring over 34,000 games and 95 million monthly active users as of 2019.
If a PC game exists, you will find it on Steam. Loyal Steam users earn Steam Points, which they can exchange for games in the store, use to customize their community avatars, or award to other members.
2. Epic Games Store
The Epic Games Store is a digital game store for Windows and macOS operated by Epic Games.
Although it does not have as many games as leading platforms, the Epic Games Store offers dozens of exclusive titles, including *Fortnite* (of course) and the latest release in the popular *The Walking Dead* series. Therefore, it is worth visiting the Epic Games Store if you are looking for something special that you cannot find anywhere else.
3. GOG
GOG (originally known as Good ‘Ol Games) is one of the largest distributors of DRM-free (Digital Rights Management) games. That means if you don’t take our word for it, visit the GOG homepage to find discounts ranging from 20% to 90% on newly released games.
4. Humble Bundle
Humble Bundle started by offering game bundles at prices determined by the buyer. A portion of the payment went to charity, while the rest was distributed among the game developers.
Currently, in addition to selling its famous bundles, it operates a store where you can purchase individual games. Humble Choice subscribers receive a curated monthly PC game bundle, unlimited downloads of dozens of DRM-free games, and a 20% discount on thousands of titles available in the Humble Store.
5. Xbox Live
Xbox Live is a platform where you can purchase games for your Xbox console, as well as Xbox games for PC. The service has three tiers: a free tier where you can purchase individual games; a subscription tier (Xbox Live Gold) that includes multiplayer, community membership, and game discounts; and Xbox Game Pass for PC, which includes everything mentioned above plus access to over 100 great Xbox games for Windows.
6. Origin
Origin originally operated as a digital download platform—similar to Steam and GOG—before EA acquired it and transformed it into its official digital storefront. Today, Origin is the place to buy and download games from EA’s catalog without needing a physical copy.
If you want to download popular EA titles like The Sims, Star Wars, FIFA, Madden NFL, and NBA Live, you can purchase them on Origin
7. itch.io
itch.io is an open platform where users can upload, sell, or download independent video games. If you are a game developer, you can sell at any price point and customize your pages however you like. If you are a buyer, you can access thousands of unique, independent creations across every conceivable category.
Itch.io offers a wide range of free and paid content and is an ideal place to find a new PC game that suits your gaming needs.
8. CheapShark
CheapShark is a price comparison site that aggregates the best deals from nine digital download platforms, including Steam and GOG. On the homepage, you will see the top seven current offers from each store displayed side-by-side. You can click on any store to view all its deals and sort them by price, savings, user rating, and release date.
This is a very convenient option if you are looking for really low prices on specific games.
9. Green Man Gaming
Green Man Gaming is a major third-party download distributor offering thousands of games from various publishers. It also allows users to link their accounts and access games via the Steam platform.
10. Fanatical
Fanatical is another third-party platform that allows you to link your Steam account. As with Green Man Gaming, we recommend checking out Fanatical for great deals on Steam games before buying directly from the official Steam store.
Originally known as Bundle Stars, Fanatical continues to offer a wide range of game bundles for sale. It is also a great place to find downloadable content (DLC) to add to the games you already own on PC or Mac.
Types of Videogame Stores
Online video game stores have become a popular option for gamers to purchase and download their favorite titles.
These stores offer several advantages over traditional retail outlets, such as convenience, instant access to games, and the ability to make purchases from anywhere in the world.
- Online video game stores typically focus on specific platforms, such as PC and Mac, or gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox. However, they typically offer a wide range of games, including new releases, classics, and indie titles.
- Another type of online video game store is the digital distribution platform (DDP). These platforms allow developers and publishers to sell their games directly to customers.
- Game marketplaces represent an evolution of online video game stores.Like digital distribution platforms, they provide a space for independent developers to sell their games directly to players. They also include features such as early access to games, community forums, and development tools.
Safety Tips For Online Game Stores
When purchasing games from online stores, it is important to consider several factors to ensure a safe and satisfying shopping experience:
Ensure the platform is legitimate. The authenticity of the store is a crucial aspect. It is important to purchase games from reputable and trustworthy online stores known for selling legitimate products. Checking store reviews and ratings is an excellent way to verify authenticity.
Secure payments: Another important factor to consider is the available payment options. Ensure you choose an online store that offers secure payment methods, such as credit cards, PayPal, or other trusted payment gateways. Always check for the padlock icon in the address bar to ensure the site is secure and encrypted.
Check compatibility with your gaming device: Before completing your purchase, pay attention to the game’s system requirements and ensure they are compatible with your device. Reading reviews and checking game ratings can also help you make an informed purchasing decision.
Be wary of unbelievable deals and free giveaways. It is important to be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, as they could be scams or pirated copies. By following these tips, you can enjoy a safe and pleasant experience when buying games from online stores.
Learn more about how to shop safely online.
https://www.allstateidentityprotection.com/content-hub/internet-scam-deals
https://www.scamadviser.com/scam-reports/scam-alerts/13/beware-of-too-good-to-be-true-deals
The best games are just a few clicks away. The best sites for buying video games online offer instant gratification. Search for games, choose the one you want, buy it, and wait a few minutes for it to download to your computer. It couldn’t be easier.
