Are Game Bundles Worth It?

Bundles promise many games for one low price. Sometimes they are a great deal, and sometimes you pay for a pile of games you will never open. Here is how to tell the difference.

Types of bundles

• Publisher or franchise bundles. Several games from one series or studio, often with DLC, sold at a discount on a store.
• Charity or community bundles. Large collections of indie games where the money supports a cause, common on itch.io.
• Tiered bundles. You pay more to unlock more games. The first tier is usually the weakest.
• Free bundles. Limited-time collections that cost nothing, which appear in the Free Now list.

Do the simple math

1. List the games in the bundle you would actually play.
2. Add up what you would pay for just those games at their current sale prices.
3. Compare that total with the bundle price. If the bundle costs more, skip it.

The “worth $400” figure in a bundle title uses full retail prices, which almost no one pays. Judge it by the games you want, not the headline value.

Check the details

• Keys vs account. Some bundles give store keys, others add games straight to your account or provide downloads.
• Region and platform. Confirm the keys work in your country and on your store.
• Duplicates. You may already own some games, which lowers the value.
• Quality. Large bundles can include very short or unfinished games. Check a few reviews.

When bundles make sense

• You want most of the games in it.
• It supports a charity you care about.
• You like trying small indie games and do not mind a backlog.

Beware of the backlog

The more you own, the less you play each game. A cheap bundle that you never open is not a saving. Pick the ones you will really try first.

Compare bundle prices with single-game discounts in Best Deals, and see how to judge a deal.