Best ways to track PC & console game deals & codes?

Never Miss a Gaming Deal Again: Your Ultimate Tracking Guide

For budget-conscious gamers, finding the perfect deal on a highly anticipated title or a hidden gem is as thrilling as playing the game itself. The digital marketplace is constantly shifting, with sales, bundles, and discount codes popping up daily across various platforms. Keeping track of all these opportunities can be overwhelming, but with the right strategies and tools, you can ensure your gaming library grows without breaking the bank.

Dedicated Deal Websites and Aggregators

One of the most efficient ways to track game deals is by leveraging websites specifically designed to aggregate sales from multiple storefronts. These platforms scour major digital retailers like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, and Nintendo eShop, presenting all available discounts in one convenient place.

• IsThereAnyDeal: This site is a powerhouse for PC game deals, tracking prices from dozens of reputable stores. It allows you to create a wishlist and receive email alerts when a game drops to your desired price.
• CheapShark: Similar to IsThereAnyDeal, CheapShark focuses on PC games, offering price history graphs and deal alerts.
• IGN Deals / GameSpot Deals: While broader in scope, the deals sections of major gaming news sites often highlight significant console and PC sales.

Official Storefront Sales & Wishlists

Don’t overlook the direct sources! All major digital storefronts regularly host sales events. Keeping an eye on their announcements is crucial.

• Steam Sales: Known for their seasonal mega-sales (Summer, Winter, Halloween, Spring), Steam also has weekly and publisher-specific promotions. Their wishlist feature sends email notifications when games on your list go on sale.
• PlayStation Store / Xbox Games Store / Nintendo eShop: These console marketplaces have frequent weekly deals, holiday sales, and ‘Games with Gold’ (Xbox) or ‘PS Plus Monthly Games’ (PlayStation) offerings that often include full titles or significant discounts for subscribers. Use their built-in wishlists for alerts.

Community Forums and Social Media

The gaming community is a treasure trove of deal hunters. Leveraging these collective efforts can unearth deals you might otherwise miss.

• Reddit (r/GameDeals): This subreddit is incredibly active, with users posting deals for PC, console, and even physical games as soon as they appear. It’s an excellent source for flash sales and error pricing.
• Discord Servers: Many gaming communities and deal-focused servers have dedicated channels for posting game sales and promotional codes.
• Twitter: Follow official storefront accounts (e.g., @Steam_games, @PlayStationDeals) and popular deal-hunting accounts to get real-time updates.

Price Tracker Tools & Browser Extensions

Beyond dedicated deal sites, browser extensions and standalone tools can provide real-time price comparisons and historical data as you browse. Some even integrate directly with storefronts.

• Enhanced Steam (Browser Extension): While primarily for Steam, this extension can show you price history for games directly on their store page, helping you determine if a current sale is truly a good deal.
• CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon): If you’re looking for physical game deals or console hardware, this tool tracks Amazon price history and can send alerts.

Bundle Sites & Subscription Services

Bundles and subscriptions offer massive value, often providing multiple games for a single low price or access to a vast library.

• Humble Bundle: Known for its charitable game bundles, Humble Bundle offers collections of PC games (and sometimes console keys) at incredibly low prices, often with a ‘pay what you want’ model. They also have a store with frequent sales.
• Fanatical: Similar to Humble Bundle, Fanatical offers curated game bundles and a store with competitive discounts.
• Xbox Game Pass / PC Game Pass: A subscription service offering access to hundreds of games, including new releases, for a monthly fee.
• PlayStation Plus / Nintendo Switch Online: These services offer online multiplayer, cloud saves, and a selection of free monthly games or classic titles.

Email Newsletters & Publisher Promotions

Signing up for newsletters from your favorite publishers (e.g., Ubisoft, EA, CD Projekt Red) or game distribution platforms can also lead to exclusive deals and early access to sales notifications. Publishers often send out unique discount codes directly to their subscribers.

Tips for Smart Deal Hunting

• Check Price History: A ‘sale’ isn’t always the lowest price. Use trackers to see if the current discount is historically good.
• Compare Across Platforms: If a game is available on multiple PC stores (Steam, Epic, GOG) or consoles, quickly check prices on all of them before buying.
• Regional Pricing: Be aware that prices can vary significantly by region.
• Patience is Key: Most games will eventually go on sale. If it’s not urgent, adding it to a wishlist and waiting is often the best strategy.

Conclusion

Tracking game deals requires a combination of smart tools, community engagement, and a little patience. By utilizing dedicated deal aggregators, setting up wishlists on official storefronts, engaging with gaming communities, and exploring bundle sites, you can build an impressive game library without overspending. Happy hunting, and may your backlog be ever-growing with incredible bargains!