Video games serve as a virtual alternative to the physical strain of professional sports and mental strain of piloting. Explore the splendors of cyber-modernity with today's Groupon: for $10, you get $20 toward video games at FX Game Exchange, which has locations in Plano and McKinney.

A family-owned store, FX Game Exchange sells, buys, rents, and trades a multitude of video games. Feel free to tap the assistance of the friendly and console-astute staff members, who can help track down titles for vintage systems, such as Atari and NES, as well as contemporary standard bearers, such as Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Gamers are free to rent the hit first-person shooter Halo: Reach to play as a member of the elite Noble Six and uphold chivalry in a disturbingly ill-mannered future, or rock the buttons of Call of Duty: Black Ops to assume the role of a foot soldier during the Cold War (rentals cost $2 for one day, $4 for three days, and $6 for five days). Meanwhile, the Extreme Gamer lifetime membership ($14.99) guarantees regular customers 10% off all used games and accessories and at least an additional 10% on trade-in credit.

Reviews

Yahoo! Locals give the FX Game Exchange's McKinney location a perfect five stars:

• I recently found this store and it is the best gaming store hands down. – Mrs. Wright
• Absolutely amazing store with a very helpful staff and huge selection. They'll have pretty much anything that you're looking for, especially the older system games. – Acoustic Deuce