Best Online Video Game Stores

The Best Online Video Game Stores. 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 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 great thing about GOG is that it offers cheap discounts on games that were 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 game collections (bundles) for a price set by the buyer, with a portion going to charity and the rest being split 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 started out as a digital download platform like Steam and GOG before EA acquired it and made it its official digital store. Today, Origin is the only place to buy and download games from EA’s catalog without the need for 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 marketplace 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 buyer, you can access thousands of unique, 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’s right for 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 of the stores to view all the deals and sort them by price, savings, user rating, and release date.

This is a handy store if you want to find incredible deals on specific games.

9. Green Man Gaming

Green Man Gaming is a major third-party download distributor that offers thousands of games from third-party publishers. It also allows users to connect and access games through the Steam platform.

10. Fanatical

Fanatical is another third-party publisher that allows you to link your Steam account. Like Green Man Gaming, we recommend checking out Fanatical for 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 to add to the games you already own on your PC or Mac.

Types of Videogame Stores

Online video game stores have become popular among gamers who buy and download their favorite games.

These online video game stores offer several advantages over traditional stores, including convenience, instant access to games, and the ability to purchase games from anywhere in the world.

Online video game stores typically focus on specific gaming platforms, such as PC and Mac, and 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 a new take on online video game stores. Like digital distribution platforms, these marketplaces provide a platform for independent developers to sell their games directly to gamers. They also 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 store is legitimate. 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 verify 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 option is compatible with your device. Before completing your purchase, pay attention to the system requirements of the game and make sure that they are compatible with your device. Reading reviews and checking game ratings can also help you make an informed purchasing decision.
Beware of special offers and freebies. It’s important to be wary of offers that seem too good to be true, as they could be scams or pirated copies. By following these tips, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience when buying games from online video game stores.