How to get notified about deep game discounts on Steam, Epic, and console stores?
Introduction: Never Miss a Deep Game Discount Again
The world of video games is constantly evolving, and so are the prices. With new titles releasing frequently and older blockbusters often going on sale, it can be a challenge to keep track of the best deals across various platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo eShop. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend hours manually checking every storefront. This guide will walk you through effective strategies and tools to ensure you get notified about those deep discounts, letting you snag your desired games at a fraction of their original price.
Leveraging Native Store Wishlists and Notification Features
The simplest and often most direct way to track price drops is by using the features built into the game stores themselves. All major digital storefronts offer some form of wishlist functionality that can alert you when a desired game goes on sale.
Steam Wishlist
For PC gamers, Steam’s wishlist is an indispensable tool. simply add games you’re interested in to your wishlist, and Steam will send you an email notification when any of those titles go on sale. You can also customize your notification preferences in your account settings.
Epic Games Store Wishlist
Similar to Steam, the Epic Games Store allows you to add games to a wishlist. When a game on your list receives a discount, Epic will typically send an email notification, ensuring you’re aware of the price drop.
Console Store Wishlists (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo)
Each major console platform provides similar functionality:
- PlayStation Store: Add games to your wishlist and receive email alerts for sales.
- Xbox Store: Use the “Add to Wishlist” feature to get notifications via email or the Xbox app.
- Nintendo eShop: Add games to your “Watch List” and check it periodically, or use third-party trackers for more direct notifications, as Nintendo’s native alerts can be less robust than others.
Harnessing Third-Party Deal Tracking Websites
While native wishlists are great, third-party aggregators take deal hunting to the next level, often covering multiple stores and offering more advanced filtering and alert options. These sites are essential for comprehensive coverage.
IsThereAnyDeal.com (PC Focus)
IsThereAnyDeal (ITAD) is a powerhouse for PC game deals. It tracks prices across dozens of digital storefronts (Steam, Epic, GOG, Humble Store, etc.). You can import your Steam wishlist, create a custom waitlist, and set up email alerts for specific price points or percentage discounts. It’s an absolute must for serious PC deal hunters.
DekuDeals.com (Nintendo Focus)
If you’re a Nintendo Switch owner, DekuDeals is your go-to. It tracks prices for physical and digital Nintendo Switch games across various retailers and the eShop. You can create a wishlist, get email notifications for price drops, and see historical price data to judge if a deal is truly good.
PSDeals.net and Xbox-Now.com (PlayStation & Xbox Focus)
Dedicated sites like PSDeals.net and Xbox-Now.com specialize in console game deals. They track prices across different regions of the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store, respectively. You can set up alerts for games on your wishlist and discover flash sales you might otherwise miss.
Browser Extensions and Dedicated Apps
For a more integrated experience, browser extensions can bring deal tracking directly to your browsing sessions, while some apps offer push notifications.
Price Comparison Extensions
Extensions like Enhanced Steam (for Steam store pages) or similar tools for other platforms can display historical price data and current deals directly on product pages. While not always direct notifications, they provide valuable context and highlight ongoing sales.
Dedicated Deal Apps
Some mobile apps, often tied to the third-party websites mentioned above (or general deal aggregator apps), can send push notifications directly to your phone when a game on your watchlist goes on sale. This is ideal for getting real-time alerts.
Community-Driven Deal Sources
Sometimes, the best deals are first spotted and shared by fellow gamers. Tapping into these communities can uncover obscure sales or incredibly short-lived flash deals.
Reddit Communities (e.g., r/GameDeals)
Subreddits like r/GameDeals are incredibly active, with users posting new discounts from various stores around the clock. You can follow these communities and often find deals before they hit mainstream aggregators. Setting up custom alerts for keywords within Reddit can also be effective.
Discord Servers and Forums
Many gaming-focused Discord servers and online forums have dedicated channels or sections for deal alerts. Joining relevant communities can provide real-time updates and discussions on whether a particular deal is worth it.
Following Official Social Media Accounts
While less direct for specific game notifications, following the official Twitter/X accounts or Facebook pages of Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo can alert you to major seasonal sales events (like Steam Summer Sale or Black Friday deals) as soon as they are announced.
Conclusion: Build Your Personalized Deal-Hunting Arsenal
The best strategy for getting notified about deep game discounts is often a multi-pronged approach. Start by utilizing the native wishlist features of your preferred platforms. Then, integrate powerful third-party tools like IsThereAnyDeal, DekuDeals, or PSDeals/Xbox-Now for comprehensive tracking and advanced alerts. Supplement these with browser extensions for quick price checks and actively engage with community-driven deal sources like r/GameDeals for the earliest possible notifications. By combining these methods, you’ll be well-equipped to catch those irresistible price drops and expand your game library without breaking the bank.
