The Best Video Game Stores 2023
Never in the history of mankind has it been easier to be a gamer, and that’s thanks to high-speed internet. Just a few years ago, you had to fight traffic and fight for parking at the mall to buy the latest video games. Thanks to faster internet and the growing number of sites where you can buy computer video games online, you can find and download the best games in minutes.
If you’re wondering where to buy cheap video games online, you’re in luck. You definitely know where to look, as there are dozens of great sites catering to every niche. To help you get started, here’s our list of the ten best places to buy video games online.
The Best Video Game Stores of 2023
1. Steam
Founded in 2002, PC users still consider Steam to be the best place to buy cheap video games online. Steam is the most important digital distribution platform for PC gamers on the Internet, with over 34,000 games and 95 million monthly active users as of 2019.
If you have a video game on your computer, you’ll find it on Steam. Loyal Steam users earn Steam Points, which can be exchanged for purchasing video games available through the Steam store, customizing your Steam community avatar, or rewarding other community members.
2. Epic Games Store
The Epic Games Store is a digital game store for Windows and macOS, operated by Epic Games.
While it doesn’t have as many games as the more mainstream games, the Epic Games Store offers dozens of exclusive games, including Fortnite (obviously) and the latest installment in the popular series, The Walking Dead. Therefore, the Epic Games Store is worth checking out if you’re looking for something special that you can’t find anywhere else.
3. GOG
GOG, originally known as Good ‘Ol Games, is one of the largest distributors of DRM-free games. This means that you become the full owner of all the games you buy and you don’t need to log in to the GOG client to play them.
Another notable aspect of GOG is that it offers affordable discounts on games released a month or two ago. If you don’t believe us, visit the GOG homepage to find discounts of 20% to 90% on the latest releases.
4. Humble Bundle
Humble Bundle started out by offering collections of games (bundles) for a price set by the buyer, with a portion of which goes to charity and the rest is divided between the developers.
Today, it offers a physical store where you can buy individual games while also selling its popular bundles. Humble Choice subscribers get a select bundle of PC games each month, unlimited downloads of dozens of DRM-free games, and 20% off thousands of games in the Humble Store.
5. Xbox Live
Xbox Live is the place to buy games for your Xbox gaming system and Xbox games for PC. The service comes in three tiers: a free tier where you can buy individual games, a subscription tier known as Xbox Live Gold, which includes multiplayer games, gaming community membership, and game discounts, and Xbox Game Pass for PC, which includes all of the above, plus access to over 100 great Xbox games for Windows.
6. Origin
Origin was originally created as a digital download platform similar to Steam and GOG, before EA acquired it and made it its official digital store. Today, Origin is the only place where you can buy and download games from EA’s catalog without having to buy a physical copy.
If you want to download games from popular EA franchises like The Sims, Star Wars, FIFA, Madden NFL, and NBA Live, buy them on Origin.
7. itch.io
itch.io is an open platform where users can host, sell, or download independent video games. If you’re a game developer, you can sell at any price and design your pages however you want. If you’re a shopper, you can enjoy thousands of unique and independent creations in every possible category.
Itch.io offers a wide variety of paid and free content and is a great place to explore if you’re looking for a new PC game that will satisfy you.
8. CheapShark
CheapShark is a price comparison site with the best deals from nine digital download platforms, including Steam and GOG. On the homepage, you’ll see the top seven current deals from each store, side-by-side. You can click on any store to see all the deals and sort them by price, savings, user rating, and release date.
This is a handy store if you’re looking for great deals on specific games.
9. Green Man Gaming
Green Man Gaming is a large third-party download distributor that offers thousands of games from third-party publishers. It also allows users to sign up and access games through the Steam platform.
10. Fanatical
Fanatical is another third-party publisher that lets you link your Steam account. Like Green Man Gaming, we recommend visiting Fanatical to find great deals on Steam games before buying directly from the Steam store.
Originally known as Bundle Stars, Fanatical still offers a variety of bundles for sale. It’s also a great place to find downloadable content and add it to the games you already have on your PC or Mac.
Types of Videogame Stores
Online video game stores have become popular, allowing gamers to purchase and download their favorite games.
These online video game stores offer several advantages over traditional stores, such as convenience, instant access to games, and the ability to purchase them from anywhere in the world.
- Online video game stores typically focus on specific gaming platforms, such as PCs and Macs, as well as gaming consoles such as PlayStation and Xbox. However, they typically offer a wide variety of games, including new releases, classic games, and indie games.
- Another type of online video game store is a digital distribution platform. These platforms allow developers and publishers to sell their games directly to their customers.
- Game marketplaces are the new take on online video game stores. Similar to digital distribution platforms, these marketplaces also provide a platform for independent game developers to sell their games directly to gamers. In addition, they offer features such as early access to games, community forums, and development tools.
Safety Tips For Online Game Stores
When buying games from online video game stores, it is important to consider several factors to ensure a safe and satisfying shopping experience.
Make sure the repository is valid. One important factor is the authenticity of the store. It is important to buy games from trusted and reputable online stores that are known for selling legitimate games. Checking the reviews and ratings of the store is a great way to assess its authenticity.
Secure Payments: Another important factor to consider is the payment options available. Make sure you choose an online store that offers secure payment methods such as credit cards, PayPal, or other trusted payment gateways. Always check the lock icon in the address bar to make sure the site is secure and encrypted.
Check if the version is compatible with your device. Before completing your purchase, pay attention to the game’s system requirements and make sure they are compatible with your device. Reading reviews and checking game ratings can also help you make an informed purchasing decision. Beware of unbelievable deals and freebies. It is important to be wary of offers that seem too good to be true, as they may be counterfeit or pirated copies. By following these tips, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience when purchasing games from online video game stores.
Read more about safe online shopping.
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, find what you need, buy it, and wait a few minutes for it to download to your computer. It couldn’t be easier.
