Answer #1 assumes that the game has just arrived at stores and you haven't heard any reviews about the game.
Answers #3-5 assume that the game's average- almost great.

IMO, I'll wait until that good game can be bought used, since there really isn't anything wrong with used games

You forgot one option. Most big name video stores get the games the same time the big name game stores do.

I'll rent the game first before I buy it.

Thanks for pointing that out! So, answer#2 also applies to renting it

I'll rent 'em first unless I know that it's a game I'm gonna want. Like Gran Turismo 4 or the latest Final Fantasy. (FFXII please hurry it up Square!)

I just vow never to get burned again like I did when I bought "Unlimited Saga". Which is absolutely the worst video game I have ever played in my life.

I don't even know when games are released half the time, i just turn up at the store with £40 and pick up whatever newish game takes my fancy

Depends what the game is - Halo 3, for instance, I'll have the minute Game opens on the day it comes out.

I usually check the reviews, but sometimes I just flat out disagree with them. EGM reviewed Rogue Leader III and Paper Mario 2 at about 7 out of 10 for very insignificant reasons. They said what was wrong with PM;2 was that it was too kiddy. Of course if it came out on Xbox or PS2, it would have gotten about a 9.
I usually rent where applicable. (Blockbuster doesn't rent GBA or DS games because they kept getting lost.)

I usually read reviews and talk to my friends who have games that I`m interested in, games that I just know I want like GTA:SA, I buy as soon as they are out, but usually I wait a while for the price to go down, it all depends on what games are out, for me!

i wait a couple weeks first of all then i check out the reviews and if its good ill buy it