Where to Get Video Games Now That We All Hate GameStop

In the ongoing saga of the global pandemic that has so far changed absolutely everything, now we have to talk about video games. But let’s back up for a second here first. In case you’ve been successfully hiding from all things news related, we’re all supposed to stay away from people for the foreseeable future. This is the most effective tool that we have to slow the spread of this novel coronavirus. And that means that only the most essential businesses should open. Businesses that provide the bottom tiers of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: hospitals, emergency services, grocery stores, and pharmacies are pretty much the only things that need to be operating right now.

And GameStop? No, I don’t think many of us would claim that GameStop counts as “essential”. But GameStop sure has claimed to be essential.

While video games are certainly a great way to stave off boredom and preserve a sense of normalcy in these times, no one has ever needed GameStop. So since their corporate structure has decided to put their workers at risk of contracting a potentially deadly disease, I figured it’s high time we talk about what alternatives we have to buying our games from physical GameStop stores. Most alternatives don’t allow for easy resale or purchase of preowned games, admittedly, but frankly GameStop’s pricing for pre-owned games is ridiculous and everyone knows it.

The Internet

Did you know that you can buy games on the internet now? It’s true. There are a lot of sites out there on the web where all you have to do is type into their fancy search bar what game, system, or accessory you want and they’ll just ship it to you. It’s crazy. You click a button, give it money, and then a few days later it just shows up at your house. You never have to talk to anyone. And better yet — they aren’t necessarily putting anyone at risk while claiming that they provide highly essential services! What a time to be alive.

Rumor has it that if you own a modern gaming system, or a computer, you can just buy and download the game you want directly to your system! That way you get the game as fast as your ISP allows and not a single person is put in harm’s way. Honestly, in the midst of a global pandemic it seems pretty cruel to shop at GameStop anyway.

Pretty Much Any Store That Sells Actual Essentials

Look, I’m a card carrying Millenial (just not a credit card because no one would trust me with one), and I assume you are too if you’re reading this. The only store I go to is Target. Notice: Target is not sponsoring this article. You can get pretty much whatever you want there. I love Target. They even sell pretty much every game you’re probably looking for.

We can be honest with each other here, this is a safe space, none of us really buy very many indie titles (unless Steam is having a sale, am I right?). It’s pretty much all AAA game titles for all of us. Other stores sell those! Basically every store you’ve ever shopped at sells the big titles. My point being, you can buy your games and actual necessities at one store. One stop shopping. That’s not something you can get at GameStop. Last time I checked they didn’t even sell pizza rolls (though to be honest I haven’t walked into a GameStop in a long time).

Other Video Game Stores

Obviously this entry is only for the future, assuming we ever get to leave our houses ever again. Don’t go shopping at your local game shop anytime soon — they probably aren’t open anyway (because they don’t have the hubris to think of their sales as more essential than their employees’ lives).

But there are other game stores out there. Maybe not in every town and city, but they exist. And most are independently owned by regular people who just happen to love games. Their pre-owned games and systems are priced better anyway. Shop at those places. Support local business, not GameStop.

Play the Games You Already Own

Seriously, you probably already own a lot of video games. With the exception of getting your hands on a copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you probably don’t need to be buying any new games right now. People are literally dying and all you have to do to protect yourself and others is stay away from other people. You’re a gamer — that’s like your superpower. Use your superpower and stay home.

See how fast you can speedrun Super Mario 64. Reconnect with some old favorites. Play some of those indie titles you bought on Steam that you never got around to playing because you decided to play Skyrim for the 847th time instead. There are a lot of things you can do to keep your gamer cred without going out to buy new games.

And if you do decide to pick up some new games, don’t do it at GameStop. It’s a nonessential business and they treat their employees terribly.