Even if you're a hardcore gamer, it's easy to miss some of the best titles throughout the year (we were recently reminded after tuning into Bargain Bin Radio to revisit some older titles ourselves). Maybe you were taking time off from gaming, or were too busy playing another title...but the bargain bin of new/used games from just a few months or even years back are filled with opportunity without the early adopter price tag...
1. Mass Effect 1, 2, 3: I have been following Bioware games for a while, but the Mass Effect series was a big surprise to me. The games combine action and role-playing elements in a science-fiction setting that is hard to beat. The Mass Effect games are available for $60 for all three games. They come for Xbox and Playstation.
2. Fable 1, 2, 3: This was a surprising RPG series, that had lots of fun elements. I had plenty of fun playing this, even months after their initial release. These games are available on Xbox and will cost you $10-$18 each.
3. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion: This game is awesome but it is somewhat addictive. The good thing is that you can always switch it off since it's not an online game. Oblivion is available on PC, Xbox, and Playstation for $15 to $25.
4. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: If you love RPG games, but don't want to spend massive amounts of time online, then Skyrim is for you. The different available quests are very rewarding, and you can play the game again and again as different characters. Skyrim is available for $30 on PC, Xbox, and Playstation.
5. Halo 1, 2, 3: The first time I played Halo on Xbox, I was blown away. I played the game for hours. It's definitely one of the best FPS franchises on Xbox, and the older games are still fun to play. You can get them starting at $10 and more.
6. Halo 4: The latest Halo game was just released a couple of months ago, but you can already get it for almost half price. If you love fast-paced action, multiplayer gaming in a science-fiction setting, then Halo is for you. The game is available for $35 on Xbox.
7. Fall Out 3, New Vegas: This post-apocalyptic RPG is quite interesting, if you like the genre. It will keep you entertained for hours. You can get these games for $20 on Xbox and PC.
8. Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: If you love Star Wars and Jedi, then this game is definitely a must. You can play a variety of different characters, and complete missions by traveling to different planets. The game is available for $10 and more for PC and Xbox.
9. Jet Set Radio Future: I came across this game for Dreamcast, and when the sequel came out for Xbox I was pretty excited. You'll play as different rollerbladers in Japan, going around trying to escape the police, tagging walls with graffiti to earn points. The game is available for $13 for Xbox.
10. Jade Empire: I picked this game up in a bargain bin and was surprised at how much fun I had playing it. It was definitely well worth the price I paid. You'll create a character, fight enemies and have adventures in Mythical China. Jade Empire is available on Xbox for $18.
(Image: via Bargain Bin Radio)
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If you are going to play the games on this list, and there are a lot of really good titles on it, make sure that you start with Jade Empire, then play the Starwars games, and then Mass Effect. Since they are all Bioware games it can be frustrating to back track.
bioshock 1 and 2, beathazad, limbo, portal 1 and 2, antechamber, boarderlands all have striking design aspects, art direction, amazing concepts and puzzles. i love gaming.
We've been playing a lot of Assassins Creed, Rage and Tomb Raider! Older AC games are cheap to get and offer loads of play time!
Total agreement with Xtina - and emphasizing START WITH JADE EMPIRE!!! I don't have words for how much I love that game...and KOTOR and ME...
I'm a big fan of BioWare. Also the Fallout games! And the first Fable! (2 is fine, but 3 was a major disappointment, personally.) This article has made me so happy this morning! And very frustrated that I can't just go home and play all day...
Skyrim (and Elder Scrolls in general), the Fallout series, Jet Grind Radio and Jet Set Radio Future, and the Knights of the Old Republic games are all among my favorite video games of all time. I have always spent an inordinate amount of time playing video games, so trust me, these are amazing! I would also add the Final Fantasy, Katamari and Pikmin series to the list, though!
FYI, as at time of posting the article doesn't mention it, but the Fable games and the Mass Effect games are also on the PC. Halo 1 and 2 are also available for Windows. You can get the first Jet Set Radio game on PC, but not the sequel mentioned in the article.
Also in the bargain bin and worth one's time- L.A. Noir (the architecture alone is worth the $5 price of admission), Alan Wake, Dead Space 1 + 2, Portal 1 + 2, Space Channel 5 Part 2, Trine 1 + 2, The Witcher 2, Sonic Generations, The Walking Dead, and the older Assassin's Creed games. While it's only 6 months old, it's also only $1 - $3 (subject to platform), so also pick up Super Hexagon just to blow your mind.