Budgeting

One of the hardest decisions I ever face when I finish a game is whether or not to keep it, or sell it. I generally view myself as a video game collector, though hoarder is more appropriate. My rule of thumb is to keep a game unless I didn’t enjoy the game. Needless to say I have only traded in a handful of games. Here I will discuss a few valid reasons to trade in a game.

1. You didn’t enjoy the game.

The first, and most obvious, reason to sell a game is if you did not enjoy it or are generally unhappy with it. I have sold a few games based on this logic. The most recent in memory is Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeros. When I purchased the game I expected it to be a full size Metal Gear game; what I received was a game with one mission that would do over and over again with different challenges. I was sorely disappointed. I promptly traded in the game, upset that I had spent money on a game with very little content.

2. There is little or no replay value.

Replay value is an important factor for me when I weigh the price of a game. If a game has a high replay value (meaning I can play it over-and-over again without it getting old) than I will be more willing to spend a high price on the game. If the game is a one-and-done type then it makes more sense to do one of two things. Either buy, beat, and quickly sell the game to maximize its trade in value, or wait for the price to bottom out before purchasing.

3. You need cash now

Sometimes life gets you. You know, it gets you right where it hurts- your car breaks down, your furnace goes out, you owe taxes, etc. The last acceptable reason, in my mind, for selling games is for the cash. Emergencies happen and sometimes you just have to make ends meet.

4. The new iteration of the franchise is out (Credited to Wolfe Stedro)

There are a few game franchises that reboot their old games and franchises with HD remakes and newer versions of the old games. I really see this in two ways.

First, in regard to HD remakes where the game is the same just with updated graphics. For instance the release of The Last of Us on the PS4. If you purchase the newer version, why keep the PS3 copy?

Second, franchises like Call of Duty release a game yearly. If you are into the competitive multiplayer these games offer than you’ll generally want to stay up-to-date on the newest version. If you’re following the competitive crowd, then there is no reason to keep the old version.

Do you have other valid reason’s to sell a game? Is my list missing something? Leave a comment or tweet at us @UPgamerspodcast