If you have a few bucks to spare, great games can be found on the cheap as well, especially if you’re patient.
“Official” Storefronts
Official storefronts means you are buying directly from the source. It is the easiest and safest way to buy digital games.
Steam (PC Games)
Hundreds of games on Steam go on sale daily. Steam also has large-scale sale events multiple times a year. You can use Steam’s build-in search to find ones within your price range (games under $5 in this example) or use sites like SteamDB to track the lowest price a game has ever been and how often it goes on sale.
Game Recommendations
Games for Under $5
Some popular/viral games that are always under $5 include:
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
 |
Vampire Survivors |
The game that popularized the wave of rogue-like shmup clones. |
$4.99
|
 |
The Exit 8 |
A horror game where you try to escape a train station by noticing eerie discrepancies. |
$3.99
|
 |
Geometry Dash |
A challenging rhythm action game with endless replayability due to its user-created levels. |
$4.99
|
 |
Buckshot Roulette |
The viral luck/strategy game where you play Russian roulette, with a twist. |
$2.99
|
 |
Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition |
A popular tower defense game where you fend off a zombie invasion with flowers |
$4.99
|
 |
Among Us |
The viral social deduction game that exploded in popularity during the pandemic. |
$4.99
|
 |
Mage Arena |
A PVP arena game where you use your microphone and say your spells out loud to cast them. |
$2.99
|
Games for Under $10
Some popular/viral games that are always under $10 include:
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
 |
Megabonk |
A 3D rogue-like shmup, similar to Vampire Survivors but with a lot more silliness. |
$9.99
|
 |
CloverPit |
A Balatro-like slot machine game where numbers go up. |
$9.99
|
 |
PEAK |
A co-op multiplayer where you and your friends climb a mountain. |
$7.99
|
Deku Deals (Console Games)
Deku Deals functions like SteamDB but for console games. Much like SteamDB, they also have a page featuring current deals.
Authorized Distributors & Game Keys
For those that seek deals over convenience, you can buy games keys from authorized distributors. These game keys are often redeemable on Steam, trading off the minor inconvenience of activating a game for steeper discounts.
IsThereAnyDeal (PC Games)
IsThereAnyDeal is a deal aggregation site featuring only authorized distributors, so you know you are buying safely and securely.
Alternatively, you can use this list of independently verified authorized distributors by r/GameDeals to verify each store’s safety.
Humble Bundle (PC Games)
Humble Bundle bundles allow you to “pay what you want” for different tiers of pre-bundled games and you are often able to get a number of very well-received games at a deep discount. These are great to get the most bang for your buck and to quickly add to your game library.
Deal Alerts
Not looking for any game in particular? Deal alert sites and accounts post deep discounts for games you didn’t know you were interested in.
- Cheap Ass Gamer Website & Twitter
- Wario64 Twitter
- r/GameDeals Subreddit
What About CD Key Sites?
Unauthorized CD key reseller sites such as G2A and Loaded (formerly CDKeys.com) can contain stolen keys or keys bought with stolen credit cards, both of which actively hurt game developers. I would highly discourage using them to obtain keys for indie games. You can find out more about CD Key sites from the video above.