How To Dress Up As Your Favorite Video Game Characters For Halloween On A Budget

It’s Halloween, and what better way to celebrate the spooky holiday than by dressing up as your favorite video game character? If you’re short on cash and still looking for a costume, here are a few quick, easy and awesome ideas to impress all your game-loving friends.

1. Zombie from “H1Z1”

You could also be a zombie from Bohemia Interactive’s “DayZ,” Techland’s “Dying Light” or a Nazi zombie from “Call of Duty: World at War.” Not that we think all zombies are the same. Sony Online Entertainment created a video to help zombie wannabes look the part in minutes, but you don't have to go all-out. Dripping some fake blood on your face will get the job done. The best part about dressing up as a zombie is that you can wear clothes you already own and throw some fake blood and entrails on – voila! -- you've got the perfect zombie costume.

2. Michael, Trevor or Franklin from “Grand Theft Auto 5”

If you’re a fan of Rockstar’s action-adventure game, “GTA 5,” and you happen to be a male, it’s pretty easy to dress up as playable characters Michael, Trevor or Franklin. It’s probably not the best idea to carry a fake weapon around, but carrying a fake wad of cash or baseball bat will probably help you not get arrested. Each character wears a different shirt, but it’s pretty simple to pick up a used one at a second hand outlet or thrift store. Make sure you practice looking as tough and angry as possible, and try to refrain from smiling.

3. Death Stare Luigi

Lots of people will dress up as the cute, cuddly characters from the Nintendo universe – Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, etc. But you can stand out from the crowd by dressing up as hardcore, bad-ass, passive-aggressive Luigi from “Mario Kart 8.” You don’t have to be super precise, like in the cosplay video below. Just throw on a green shirt and pencil in some really angry eyebrows.

Death Stare Luigi became popular following the Wii U racing game’s release earlier this year in May, and it’s one of the best Nintendo memes we've seen in years.

4. Fix-It Felix, Jr. from “Wreck-It Ralph”

The nice guy character from Disney’s “Wreck-It Ralph” wears jeans, a blue button down shirt, a hat, work gloves and work boots. Most people probably have jeans and a blue shirt in their closets, and you can pick up work boots and gloves for cheap at a hardware store. Drop by a kids’ store like Toys R’ Us to pick up a plastic hammer and spray paint it gold. Print out an oversized hero’s medal on a color printer, and -- you can fix it!

5. Pincess Peach

Her outfit may look extravagant, but it’s pretty simple. Pick up a vintage pink prom dress at a used clothing store, a blond wig from a costume store or drugstore and a gold, plastic crown. Peach’s signature blue earrings should also be easy to find. Affordable jewelry shops like Claire’s often have great deals on accessories, and they usually have Peach's white gloves as well.