Video Game Sales

National Video Games Day: Celebrate With DealNewsers' Faves!

Published
Alan Byrne
BY:
Senior Editor

National Video Games Day celebrates all games – even Starfield. But we want to celebrate our favorites! Come see what games our team holds near to their cold, digital hearts.


Baldur's Gate 3 for PCBaldur's Gate 3 for PC
Store: Steam
Price: $59.99

Kicking things off with the newest game in our list, this is the breakout hit of the year – despite being a relatively niche sequel to a 23 year old game, it immediately rose up to ninth on the list of all-time most concurrent players on Steam. It certainly struck a chord with DealNews' Content Captain Jim, who says:

"I'm a person who bounces from game to game — rarely finishing any of them, and even more rarely replaying them. After the credits rolled in Baldur's Gate 3, I took a 5 minute break (to plan out the next run) and went right into creating a new party. This time, I have a crew of do-gooders instead of evil jerks and I'm already thinking about what to do for the next one…"



Grim Fandango Remastered for PC and XboxGrim Fandango Remastered for PC and Xbox
Store: Xbox Store
Price: $3.74 EXPIRED
Expiration: September 19

Roundup regular N. Gosker suggests you take a trip to the Land of the Dead, which isn't just the resting place of the point and click adventure genre, but also plays host to what Gosker considers its last hurrah. His memories pour forth thusly:

"Did I play through virtually the entirety of Grim Fandango back in the day with a walkthrough? Yes. Was I a young child attempting to navigate was it still generally considered to be one of most obtuse and difficult adventure games in the genre? Also yes, therefore I reject your judgement. It was all still so worth it to experience a memorable tale of fiendish corruption in the land of the dead, one that has stuck with me in the many intervening years since.

Some occasionally questionable puzzle logic aside, Grim Fandango is a showcase for practically every discipline of game creation operating to their fullest and this is perhaps no more evident than in director/writer Tim Schafer's razor sharp script that balances dry humorous wit with heartfelt drama. Ah, Grim Fandango. Thank you for existing. And now, an eight foot elemental demon singing about his beloved hot rod."



Hogwarts Legacy for PS5Hogwarts Legacy for PS5
Store: Best Buy
Price: $69.99
Shipping: Free shipping

Open-world wizarding is just as appealing a few months on from Hogwarts Legacy's release date. And if you're looking to preorder the Switch edition (releasing in November), you'll snag a $10 gift card if you do it at Best Buy. It was the PS5 version that bewitched our Kristen, who says:

"If you've ever daydreamed that your sad muggle life could be made better by getting to attend Hogwarts, you can now live your dreams. This game gave me the same giddy feeling as getting to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando. You get to explore Hogwarts Castle in a way you never have before and the grounds surrounding Hogwarts for miles. For video game fans, think Skyrim x Harry Potter. It truly is a magical game. 11/10 recommend."



Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy for PS4Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy for PS4
Store: Amazon
Price: $26.80
Shipping: Free shipping
Lowest By: $13

Up until this remake bundle was released, Crash Bandicoot was probably most widely played via its short cameo appearance in Naughty Dog's slightly more famous series, Uncharted. But now you can relive the glory days of 32-bit mascot platforming in glorious modern HD... or maybe re-die those days, as local woman Donna discovered much to her chagrined enjoyment:

"I spent the best years of my life parked in front of my cousin's friend's hand-me-down PlayStation 1, playing and replaying the first Crash Bandicoot. This 2017 re-release was (and still is) an amazing nostalgia trip. Be warned that the hitboxes are NOT THE SAME and you won't be able to muscle memory your way through Boulder Dash 26 years later."



Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster for PS4Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster for PS4
Store: Amazon
Price: $18.83
Shipping: Free shipping w/ Prime
Lowest By: $3

The most noble experiment in false advertising since The Neverending Story, the Final Fantasy series has delighted and disappointed DealNews meme expert Andrew in equal measure. But this confusingly numbered remaster remains solidly high in his estimations, as he expounds upon here:

"My recent (largely ignored) offer of the latest Final Fantasy (16) on this site, as well as my disappointment in the last few games in the series, reminded me of this gem. It's probably the last time the folks at Square Enix really excelled with a Final Fantasy. And despite being 22 years old (initially a PS2 offering), it still holds up (well, apart from some dodgy voice acting). It has one of the most engaging stories of the series, a ton of engaging side quests (unlike 16), likeable characters, a fun sport game called Blitzball, and of course the wonderful music of Nobuo Uematsu. Remind yourself of the last time Final Fantasy soared."



Deus Ex: GOTY Edition for PC (Steam)Deus Ex: GOTY Edition for PC (Steam)
Store: Steam
Price: $1.04 EXPIRED
Expiration: September 19

Who can even say who recommended this all-time classic. It will be a mystery. It will just be universally acknowledged as a good and correct recommendation.

Click here for the clever revealIT WAS ME, AUSTIN! IT WAS ME ALL ALONG!

When gushing about this game, I might be tempted to say something like: "This classic from Space Year 2000 packs every turn of the century conspiracy theory into one game, with systems that reward you for toying around with possibilities, a smart but by now extensively-memed script, and truly a soundtrack that won't quit."

I might then get carried away, and keep talking, as what few listeners I had begin to slowly back away from the raving madman, spittle flying from his gaping mouth-hole. I'd bellow: "It's also the oldest game to make it into the RPS Top 50 this year! And the main character is voiced by Jake from California Dreams, which maybe three people will appreciate. I think he was doing QA at the studio at the time? Something like that. Also, despite coming out in 2000, the World Trade Center is eerily absent from its New York skyline, although this is due to an internal misunderstanding rather than any kind of sinister Nostradamusing."

Video Game Basics

Video games can be pricey, but the resident deal experts here at DealNews know how to find the best deals on indie titles and AAA games alike. We've compiled a list of related articles as well as terms you should know when shopping for video games.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get a digital or physical video game?

Both have their pros and cons, but how you get your games is mainly about personal preference. Note that many games require an online connection to play, regardless of whether you have a digital or physical copy.

  • Digital games can be downloaded immediately upon release or purchase. Digital collector's editions typically only include in-game items. Digital games don't take up physical space.
  • Physical games offer a backup in case something happens to a digital copy of a game. Physical collector's editions can come with physical keepsakes. Physical copies of games can be resold or traded.

What does GOTY mean?

“GOTY” refers to the Game of the Year editions of a video game. While this can refer to a game being re-released after receiving many awards and accolades, most games — especially AAA titles — will receive some kind of award from somewhere. While the GOTY designation may be suspect, these editions of a game tend to be the better buy, as they almost always include all of a game’s DLC.

What is DLC?

DLC is downloadable content, or additional content for an already released video game. This can include additional assets like character skins or weapons, or full-blown expansions that add new quests and locations to a game. DLC is rarely free; it’s best to purchase DLC in a bundle with a GOTY edition.

What is a AAA game?

The term “AAA” is an informal name used for games produced by mid-size or major publishers. They typically retail for $60. “Deluxe” or “collector” editions include digital or physical extras, and can easily cost $100 or more.

What is an indie game?

Indie games are titles created by smaller teams (or even individuals) without the backing of a bigger parent publishing company. It can also be a general term referring to games that buck mainstream trends — even if the publisher is pretty big. In general, indie games are cheaper than AAA games; expect a list price between $15 and $30.

What do the ESRB game ratings mean?

The Entertainment Software Rating Board is a self-policing trade organization of game publishers, serving a role similar to the MPAA . The ESRB system assigns letters to denote the appropriate audience for a video game.

The ESRB ratings are:

  • Everyone (E): Content is generally suitable for all ages.
  • Everyone 10+ (E10+): Content is generally suitable for ages 10 and up.
  • Teen (T): Title is appropriate for ages 13 and up.
  • Mature 17+ (M): The game is unsuitable for ages below 17, and may include graphic content.
  • Adults Only 18+ (A): The game is intended for ages 18 and up, and may include very graphic or explicit content.
  • Rating Pending (RP): The title hasn't received a rating yet. This term is only used in advertising, marketing, and promotional materials related to the video game in question.
By: Julie Ramhold, Senior Staff Writer

Julie joined DealNews in 2015. Her work has been featured on MSN, Business Insider, Lifehacker, The Motley Fool, GoBankingRates, and Moneyish.

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