Playing video games is the favorite pastime of many people all over the world. Especially during this COVID-19 pandemic, the popularity of video games as a whole has skyrocketed as we are confined to our homes and looking for ways to interact with people outside of texting and Zoom calls. Whether you are brand new to playing video games (welcome!), or a seasoned veteran, there is no denying that getting lost in a game can be extremely fun—but it can also be extremely expensive.

In this current generation of consoles, video games can cost upwards of $70 (USD). That’s if you already own a console. If you can find a Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, or PlayStation 5, that’s another $300 – $500 (USD) you have to drop just to play one game. That is quite the investment no matter how serious you are about gaming.

In some ways, there…