Best Online Video Game Stores. Never before in human history has it been so easy to be a gamer, and all thanks to high-speed Internet. Just a few years ago, you had to brave traffic and fight for a parking spot at the mall so you could buy the newest video games. Thanks to faster Internet and an increasing number of websites where you can purchase PC video games online, you can find and download the best games in minutes.
You're in luck if you're wondering where to buy cheap video games online. You must know where to look with dozens of fantastic sites catering to all niches. 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 widely regarded Steam as the best place to buy cheap video games online. Steam is the most prominent digital distribution platform for PC gamers on the Internet, with over 34,000 games and 95 million monthly active users in 2019.
If there is a video game on your PC, you will find it on Steam. Loyal Steam users earn Steam Points, which can be spent on purchasing cheap video games through the Steam store, customizing your Steam community avatar, or rewarding other community members.
2. Epic Games Store
Epic Games Store is a digital store for Windows and MacOS games managed by Epic Games.
Although it doesn't have as many titles as the most prominent players, the Epic Games Store offers dozens of exclusives, including Fortnite (obviously) and the most recent release in the popular series, The Walking Dead. Therefore, it's worth checking out the Epic Games Store if you're looking for something specific that you can't find anywhere else.
3. GOG
GOG, known initially as Good ‘Ol Games, is one of the largest distributors of DRM-free games. This means you become the complete owner of all the games you purchase and do not have to connect to the GOG client to launch your games.
Another thing worth noting about GOG is that it offers cheap discounts on games released just a month or two in advance. If you don't believe us, head to the GOG homepage to find discounts of 20% to 90% on recent releases.
4. Humble Bundle
Humble Bundle began by offering collections of games (bundles) at a price determined by the buyer, with a portion of the cost going to charity and the rest split between the game developers.
Today, it offers a regular store where you can buy individual games while selling its famous bundles. Humble Choice subscribers get a curated bundle of PC games each month, unlimited downloads of dozens of DRM-free games, and a 20% discount on thousands of games in the Humble store.
5. Xbox Live
Xbox Live is where you buy games for your Xbox game console and Xbox games for PC. The service consists of three tiers: a free tier where you can purchase individual games; a subscription-based tier, known as Xbox Live Gold, which includes multiplayer gaming, membership in a gaming community, and discounts on games; and Xbox Game Pass for PC, which consists of all of the above, plus access to more than 100 great Xbox games for Windows.
6. Origin
Origin originated as a digital download marketplace like Steam and GOG before EA bought it and turned it into its official digital storefront. Today, Origin is the only place to buy and download games from the EA catalogue without purchasing a physical copy.
If you want to download games from popular EA series like The Sims, Star Wars, FIFA, Madden NFL and NBA Live, buy them from Origin.
7. itch.io
itch.io is an open marketplace where users can host, sell or download independent video games. If you're a video game developer, you can sell at any price and design your pages however you want. If you're a shopper, you can benefit from thousands of unique, independent creations in every imaginable category.
Itch.io has a wide variety of paid and free content and is a great place to explore if you're looking for a new PC game to scratch your itch.
8. CheapShark
CheapShark is a price comparison site with the best deals from nine digital download marketplaces, including Steam and GOG. On the home page, you'll see each store's top seven current deals side-by-side. You can click on any of the stores to view and sort all the deals by price, savings, user-rated deal rating, and release date.
This is a convenient store if you want to find some bargain basement deals on a few titles.
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 to your Steam account. Like Green Man Gaming, we recommend checking out Fanatical for great deals on Steam games before purchasing directly from the Steam store.
Originally known as Bundle Stars, Fanatical still offers many bundles for sale. It's also an excellent place to find downloadable content to add to the games you already own on PC or Mac.
Types of Videogame Stores
Online video game stores have become famous for gamers to buy and download their favourite games.
These online video game stores offer several advantages over physical stores, including convenience, instant access to games, and the ability to purchase games from anywhere in the world.
- Online gaming stores usually focus on specific gaming platforms, such as PCs and Macs, and gaming consoles, such as PlayStation and Xbox. However, they typically offer a wide variety of games, including new releases, classic titles, and indie games.
- Another type of online video game store ais digital distribution platform. These platforms allow developers and publishers to sell their games directly to their customers.
- Game marketplaces are the new version of online video game stores. Like digital distribution platforms, these marketplaces offer a platform for independent game developers to sell their games directly to players. Additionally, they offer features such as early access to games, community forums, and game development tools.
Safety Tips For Online Game Stores
When purchasing games from online video game stores, it is essential to consider several factors to ensure a safe and satisfying shopping experience:
Make sure the repository is valid. One important consideration is the authenticity of the store. Buying games from reputable and trusted online stores known for selling legitimate games is essential. Checking a store's reviews and ratings is an excellent way to gauge its authenticity.
Secure Payments – Another essential factor to consider is the available payment options. 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 ensure the site is secure and encrypted.
Check if the version is compatible with your gaming device. Before finalizing your purchase, please pay attention to the game's system requirements and make sure they are compatible with your gaming device. Reading reviews and checking game ratings can also help you make an informed purchase decision.
Beware of hot deals and freebies. It's essential to be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, as they may be fraudulent 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 places to buy video games online offer instant gratification. Search for titles, find the one you want, buy it, and wait a few minutes for it to download to your computer. It doesn't get any easier than that.