Rajat Singh
Looking for the best video game store? Whether you’re into retro games, next-gen consoles, or PC builds, finding the right store can make or break your gaming experience. So, here’s a breakdown of the top 10 best video game stores that should be on every gamer’s radar.
Each store on this list brings something different to the table, from killer deals to hard-to-find titles.
Here’s a quick summary of the Popular Video Game Stores:
- GameStop – Global leader with over 4,000 stores, great trade-in program.
- Steam – PC gamers’ paradise with over 50,000 games and massive sales.
- Best Buy – Great for consoles, bundles, and in-store tech support.
- Amazon – Huge selection with fast shipping and international imports.
- Walmart – Affordable day-one releases with convenient in-store pickup.
- PlayStation Store – Exclusive content and free monthly games for PS Plus members.
- Microsoft Store – Xbox and PC gamers can enjoy Game Pass with 400+ games.
- Target – Regular discounts and bundles, especially during holiday sales.
- GOG – DRM-free classics and indie games for true ownership.
- Epic Games Store – Free weekly games and exclusive content draws millions of gamers.
1. GameStop
Why it’s great: As one of the biggest video game retailers, GameStop dominates with over 4,000 stores worldwide. Despite going through ups and downs, GameStop remains a powerhouse for new releases, consoles, and pre-owned games. With their trade-in system, you can turn in your old games for store credit, making it easier to snag new titles.
Unique Features:
- Huge stock: From retro to next-gen, they’ve got it all.
- Exclusive deals: Get unique bundles and collectibles.
- Stats: 2023 revenue stood at $5.93 billion.
2. Steam
Why it’s great: If you’re a PC gamer, Steam is the #1 digital marketplace. It has an extensive library of over 50,000 games ranging from indie gems to blockbuster titles. Frequent sales, like the iconic Steam Summer Sale, offer massive discounts, sometimes as much as 90% off.
Unique Features:
- Library sharing: Share your game library with friends.
- Early Access: Play games still in development.
- Stats: Over 120 million monthly active users.
3. Best Buy
Why it’s great: Best Buy isn’t just for electronics. They carry a huge range of video games and consoles, often bundled with other products at unbeatable prices. Their Geek Squad support is also there for any technical hiccups you run into with hardware setups.
Unique Features:
- Tech support: Free setup help on major console purchases.
- Price matching: Get the lowest price available.
- Stats: Best Buy’s gaming sales generated over $5 billion last year.
4. Amazon
Why it’s great: Amazon is one of the best places to find hard-to-find games, obscure titles, and international imports. Prime members get exclusive discounts and two-day shipping, making it easy to snag new releases fast.
Unique Features:
- Insane selection: From digital codes to physical copies.
- Customer reviews: Extensive ratings on every product.
- Stats: Video game-related sales on Amazon hit $10 billion in 2023.
5. Walmart
Why it’s great: Walmart is a convenient, all-in-one shopping experience for video games. They have excellent day-one pricing for big releases, and their online ordering allows for same-day in-store pickup.
Unique Features:
- Great discounts: Always lower-than-average prices on new games.
- Online pre-orders: Get your game ready to pick up on launch day.
- Stats: Walmart sold over 20 million video game units in 2023.
6. PlayStation Store
Why it’s great: For PS5 or PS4 players, the PlayStation Store is the go-to digital platform for games. They offer exclusive content, early access to betas, and free games each month for PS Plus subscribers.
Unique Features:
- Exclusive titles: PlayStation games not available anywhere else.
- Free games: New PS Plus games every month.
- Stats: Over 100 million PS Plus subscribers.
7. Microsoft Store
Why it’s great: Like PlayStation’s counterpart, the Microsoft Store is the hub for all Xbox and PC games. With Xbox Game Pass, subscribers can access over 400 games for a monthly fee, including day-one releases.
Unique Features:
- Cross-platform: Play your games across Xbox and PC.
- Game Pass Ultimate: Stream and play games without downloading.
- Stats: Over 25 million Xbox Game Pass subscribers.
8. Target
Why it’s great: Target is another major retailer with a wide selection of games. Their RedCard discount program gives you an automatic 5% off every purchase. During the holiday season, they offer excellent deals and even bundle packages with consoles.
Unique Features:
- Holiday deals: Black Friday discounts are some of the best.
- In-store and online: Find games on both platforms.
- Stats: Target generated $2.5 billion from gaming sales in 2023.
9. GOG (Good Old Games)
Why it’s great: GOG is perfect for those looking to buy DRM-free PC games, allowing full ownership and offline play. While focusing on older, classic games, they also offer newer titles from indie developers.
Unique Features:
- DRM-free: Own your games forever.
- Classic titles: Games that aren’t available on Steam or elsewhere.
- Stats: GOG’s catalog has 4,000+ games, many exclusive to the platform.
10. Epic Games Store
Why it’s great: Epic Games Store offers weekly free games—sometimes top-tier titles worth $50 or more! Known for grabbing exclusivity rights to games like Fortnite and Borderlands 3, they have big plans to keep growing.
Unique Features:
- Exclusive content: Get games you can’t find elsewhere.
- Free games: New free games every week.
- Stats: Over 230 million users as of 2023.
Why You Should Care About These Stores
It’s important to know where to get the best deals, especially since the gaming industry is worth over $200 billion. With 2.7 billion gamers worldwide, competition among these stores is fierce, and you’ll want to maximize your buying power, whether you’re hunting for the latest triple-A titles or diving into indie masterpieces.
Final Thoughts
Every gamer has their preferences, but these best video game stores are the go-to places for most of us. Whether you prefer digital downloads or collecting physical copies, one of these stores is bound to have what you need. If you’re smart about when and where you shop, you can easily save hundreds of dollars a year on games, consoles, and accessories.
