Video games are expensive, and college students aren’t known for having large amounts of expendable income. Pirating and other less reputable options are out there, but you don’t need to degrade yourself with those methods. Here are a few tips to help you stretch a few dollars in the name of gaming.

Share

I will start things off simple with this seemingly self-explanatory tip. Gamers are social, at least with their own kind, so find some friends and start exchanging games. This is really easy if you live in the dorms.

Weekly house meetings are a great way to find other gamers. If you live alone, you’re going to have to get a bit more creative. If asking your neighbor for a cup of sugar and quickly scouring their apartment for a corresponding game console doesn’t seem like a viable option, I would suggest starting a gaming club or joining Game Renegades, Iowa State’s video game club.

Rent

Sadly, the number of movie and game rental stores in Ames has decreased since I was a freshman, but Family Video has a decent selection.

Another popular source for game rentals is GameFly. Monthly plans are available for $15.95, but there is no reason to bear the burden alone. Try splitting the cost with a roommate or starting a shared fund in your dorm.

Buy used

If waiting around a mailbox for games to arrive doesn’t appeal to you, you can still save some money by buying your games used. Ames retailers such as Gamers and GameStop have solid return policies for used games, so you don’t have to worry about getting ripped off.

The only drawback is that game developers and publishers are scrambling for new ideas to battle second-hand sales. A popular tactic is to add downloadable bonus content with new games, but if you don’t care about a new outfit or weapon for your avatar, this shouldn’t be enough to dissuade you from saving $5 to $10.

Embrace the classics

Sure the new slim Xbox 360 looks like a miniature black Ferrari for your living room, but a Super Nintendo can offer just as much entertainment. So, go find that old system in your basement and dust off those cartridges.

If your Sega Genesis didn’t last, or if you spent your childhood playing outside, don’t worry. The video game retailer Gamers buys and sells older games dating back to the Atari 2600.

Do the research

There are a number of inexpensive and free games out there, you just have to know where to look.

For example, “Aegis Wing” is a free Xbox Live Arcade game. This side-scrolling shooter isn’t anything too revolutionary, but it does support four-player co-op and enough content to keep you busy for at least a few hours.

Digital distribution services such as Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Store are a great way to save a few dollars. Most of the game prices are comparable to a movie ticket, and smaller developers have recently stepped up their game and created some impressive titles.

So before you resort to jailbreaking your PlayStation 3 or downloading that pirated copy of “Halo: Reach,” remember there are respectable ways to save your money that won’t result in permanent bans on your console.