There’s a moment when it hits you.
You're scrolling through the digital store. Looking at £69.99 for a single game. Not even a deluxe edition. No steel case. Just pixels. On your screen. For nearly seventy quid.
It’s madness.
So you back out. Check a few second-hand options. eBay, CEX, maybe Facebook Marketplace if you’re feeling brave. And there it is. Same game. Half the price. Sometimes even less.
But here's the twist—buying used isn’t just about saving cash. Not really. There's more to it. Stuff people don't talk about. Stuff that actually changes the way you game.
So let’s dig in.
Here are five solid reasons to go second-hand. Price is one. But it's definitely not the only one.
1. You Actually Own It
Let’s start here. Because no one talks about it enough.
When you buy digital, you’re not really buying. You’re renting. On borrowed time. Tied to accounts, servers, and terms and conditions nobody reads. One day that game might disappear. Delisted. Removed. You lose access. No warning. No refund.
With a physical, used copy? It’s yours. Shelf. Box. Disc. Cartridge. You can lend it, sell it, trade it, or just... keep it.
And there’s something about that. That tiny sense of permanence in a digital world where everything vanishes. It feels real.
2. There’s a Weird Joy in the Hunt
It’s not just shopping. It’s treasure hunting.
You walk into a charity shop or car boot sale and boom—Metal Gear Solid 3, staring at you from a cracked jewel case. Or you find Red Dead Redemption for a fiver at a Sunday market, complete with the original map folded inside. That stuff sticks with you.
You remember where you found it. Who you were with. That buzz when you realised it wasn’t scratched to hell.
Used games carry stories. Not just the ones inside them. But the ones around them too.
3. It’s Way Better for the Planet
We don’t think about this enough, but we should.
Every new game—physical or digital—has a footprint. Manufacturing. Shipping. Servers. Packaging. Marketing. It all adds up. Millions of copies flying around the world, boxed in plastic, shrink-wrapped, tossed in landfills when they’re “outdated.”
Buying used? That’s reuse. It keeps games in circulation. Cuts down on waste. One less disc in a bin. One less game sitting forgotten in someone’s loft.
It’s a small thing, sure. But small things scale. And if you game a lot (let’s be honest—we all do), it’s a pretty easy way to cut your impact.
4. You Can Explore Without Regret
Gaming should be fun. Low pressure. But when you drop £70 on something and it's just... okay? You feel trapped. Like you have to finish it. Get your money’s worth. Even if it’s boring. Even if you’re forcing it.
Used games remove that pressure. Spend £10 on a weird indie title or a B-tier shooter and who cares if it’s rubbish? You gave it a go. You learned. Maybe even laughed at how bad it was.
It’s how you discover new favourites. Ones you never would’ve gambled on at full price.
Second-hand lets you explore without guilt. And that’s where the joy creeps back in.
5. The Retro Scene Is Alive and Kicking
This one’s different. Not about savings. Not really.
More about connection. History. Vibes.
You pick up an old SNES cartridge. Or a scratched-up PS2 disc. You plug it in, hear that boot-up sound, and something clicks. You remember what gaming used to be like. Before battle passes. Before microtransactions. Just you, the controller, and the screen.
Used video games open that door again. They bring back what we’ve kind of lost. Simpler design. Tighter stories. Games that ended, and didn’t need three DLC packs to feel finished.
And the best part? You’re not alone. Retro’s having a moment. Forums. YouTube channels. Swap meets. People building collections not to hoard, but to revisit. To remember.
Bonus Thought: You’re Supporting the Real Economy
Look. Big publishers make money. Always have, always will.
But when you buy used, especially from local sellers—small shops, independent traders, even random folks clearing out old stuff—you’re putting money where it matters. Back into communities. Into real people.
That’s not nothing.
Some Quick Tips (Because Yes, There Are Traps)
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Always check the disc. Scratches happen. Some work fine, some don’t. Ask for photos if buying online.
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Check region codes. Especially on older games and imports.
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Be wary of fakes. Pokémon games are notorious. If it looks off, it probably is.
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Read seller reviews. eBay, Facebook, wherever—do a quick background check.
And remember: a bit of wear is okay. That’s the charm. That’s how you know it lived a life before it reached you.
Final Word
Used games aren’t just about being cheap. They’re about slowing down. Owning your stuff. Finding gems in dusty corners. Playing with freedom. Reconnecting with the roots of what made games fun in the first place.
In a world where everything’s turning into a subscription, where updates are constant and nothing feels permanent, second-hand gaming offers something radical:
A break.
So next time you’re eyeing a new release and wincing at the price? Pause. Take a look around. There’s probably a used copy waiting for you. Cheaper. Friendlier. More human.
And honestly? More fun.
