Who remembers hand-me-downs? Who remembers anticipating an old t-shirt or an old pair of jeans from a relative who has no more use for them? As human beings, it’s only natural that we tire of things. When things become obsolete, it isn’t always because of misuse, sometimes, it’s just the way of life.

When it comes to video games, we grow out of them at a breakneck pace. Games that were near and dear to us two or even three years ago may not hold the same place in our hearts today. Specifications change. Game engines change. Graphics change. Gamers will inevitably move on from games they once held dear.

So, the question remains: What do you do with old PC games? The answer is simple, you sell them for money, trade them in or pass them on to someone who would like to play them.

Sell Them

As a gamer, you’ve got plenty of options to sell your old PC games. Websites like eBay or even Shopify offer gamers a wealth of old PC games and opportunities to earn back, if not a fraction, of the complete cost of the game when they originally bought it. In some instances, video games, especially PC games, can be appreciated over time. Many collectors and vintage aficionados are willing to pay top dollar to find that golden goose of a game.

This is even more so if the game is unopened. Of course, something should be said for sentimentality, but perhaps if you buy a PC game and then never find the time to play at all, you’d be nurturing a nest egg that could set not only you up for life but your family and the ones you care about as well. Selling games also serve as a way to clear up some clutter within your collection and your living space.

Trade

These days, many video game retailers offer the opportunity to trade in games for either store credit or cash returns. Of course, all of this is dependent on a few factors. The rarity of the game, availability of the store’s stock, what the store’s policy when it comes to trade-ins even is, to begin with, and a plethora of other stipulations. Retailers like Gamestop or even E.B. games in Canada all have policies regarding accepting games for trade-ins.

Console games also have different stipulations from PC games. Many consoles tend to live off of the idea of exclusivity. Thus, the clauses and requisites for the trade-in of console games are different from the trade-in of PC GAMES. The genre of the game also affects trade-ins as well. A pristine copy of an obscure RPG like Ultima Online might not fetch as much as the latest shooter or JRPG. In that regard, using your old PC games to gain a profit through trade-ins is very different and not quite as rewarding an endeavor as straight-up selling the games.

Pass them on

Let’s face it, not everyone is a business tycoon. Not everyone is an Elon Musk or Jacob Rothschild. The fact of the matter is sometimes, it’s just too much of a hassle to try selling an old PC game, and it’s disheartening to try trading a game in and having a store clerk tell you that all it’s worth now is pennies, or even worse, that it’s worth less than half the price of a current game.

Sometimes, it’s best to follow your inner altruism in cases such as these. You’ve had time to enjoy the game. You’ve had time to craft memories and enjoy your favorite storylines and characters., but not everyone has. In the same way that we pass on stories and history through books, can we pass on experiences through video games? All of this still says nothing about the kindness and altruism involved in giving someone less fortunate than you the opportunity to experience the same joy you did when you played your old PC game.

Pros and Cons.

Earning some income back through selling or trading in your games will always be a smart option. There are entire markets designed around offloading games past their prime into the hands of new owners. In a time when inflation can be felt worldwide, using video games to make money is as good an option as any. Giving your games away can also earn you some goodwill since when people give to the less fortunate, games are never really on their minds.

On the counter side to that, the entire resale and trade industry is designed to shaft you. Sometimes, retailers teach their staff to lie and cheat people not only out of their savings but also their cherished games. Plus, when giving your PC games to others, one has to wonder, will they even have a PC that can play the game the way you did? In the end, keeping your games to yourself may be better, if only for peace of mind.

Conclusion

In the end, your old PC games are just that, yours. No one has the final say on where they go or how they end up beside you. If your old PC games are being a hinder, though, I am at least glad that we’ve provided you with options to help you make the best decision in the future.