Best tools to track PC & console game price drops for optimal savings?
Gaming can be an expensive hobby, but smart shoppers know that patience often leads to significant savings. With new titles constantly releasing and digital storefronts offering frequent sales, keeping tabs on price drops for PC and console games is key to building your library without breaking the bank. This guide explores the best tools and strategies to help you snag optimal deals and never pay full price again.
Essential Tools for PC Game Price Tracking
PC gaming offers a vast ecosystem of storefronts, from Steam and Epic Games Store to GOG, Humble Store, and independent retailers. Tracking deals across all these can be daunting, but several dedicated services simplify the process.
IsThereAnyDeal.com
Widely considered the gold standard for PC game price tracking, IsThereAnyDeal (ITAD) aggregates deals from over 100 reputable digital storefronts. You can create a wishlist, and the site will notify you via email when a game drops below a certain price or hits an all-time low. It also provides historical price charts, helping you decide if a current discount is genuinely good or if you should wait for better.
SteamDB.info
While primarily focused on Steam, SteamDB is an invaluable resource for PC gamers. It offers detailed historical price data for Steam games, allows you to track specific titles, and highlights ongoing sales and bundles. It’s excellent for seeing how often a game goes on sale and what its deepest discounts have been.
Epic Games Store & GOG Sales
Keep a close eye on the official Epic Games Store and GOG.com websites. Epic frequently gives away free games and runs aggressive sales with additional coupons, while GOG specializes in DRM-free titles and often has themed sales. Signing up for their newsletters is a good way to stay informed.
Top Trackers for Console Game Deals
Console gamers aren’t left out when it comes to savings. PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo all have digital storefronts that regularly host sales, and third-party tools can help you navigate these discounts effectively.
DekuDeals (Nintendo Switch)
For Nintendo Switch owners, DekuDeals is an indispensable tool. It tracks both eShop digital sales and physical game prices from major retailers. You can add games to a wishlist, set price alerts, and view historical pricing data, making it easy to identify genuine bargains for your Switch library.
PSPrices.com & XBDeals.com (PlayStation & Xbox)
Similar to DekuDeals, PSPrices.com and XBDeals.com are dedicated to tracking digital game sales on the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store, respectively. They offer wishlists, price drop notifications, and historical price charts, ensuring you don’t miss out on deals for your favorite console titles.
Official Store Notifications
Don’t underestimate the power of the official PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and Nintendo eShop. Most allow you to add games to a wishlist, and they will send you email notifications when those titles go on sale. It’s a simple, built-in solution for tracking your most desired games.
Cross-Platform and General Deal Aggregators
Sometimes, the best deals aren’t just on digital storefronts but also from physical retailers or through bundles. These tools cast a wider net.
CheapShark.com
CheapShark is an excellent aggregator that pulls deals from numerous PC digital storefronts as well as some console physical retailers. It’s great for quickly comparing prices across multiple platforms and seeing current hot deals. Its alert system is also quite robust.
Humble Bundle & Fanatical
These sites are not just storefronts; they frequently offer curated game bundles at steep discounts, often including multiple high-quality titles for a fraction of their individual prices. They also run regular sales on individual games, making them worth checking regularly.
Slickdeals & HotUKDeals (and regional equivalents)
These community-driven deal sites are treasure troves of information. Users actively post and vote on deals they find, covering everything from digital games to console bundles and accessories. While not game-specific, their “gaming” sections are always bustling with new offers.
Tips for Optimal Game Savings
Beyond using the right tools, adopting a smart shopping strategy can further enhance your savings.
- Be Patient: Most games will eventually go on sale. Unless it’s a must-have day one title, waiting a few weeks or months can save you significant money.
- Utilize Wishlists: Populate your wishlists on every storefront and tracking site you use. This is the simplest way to get automated notifications.
- Set Price Alerts: Don’t just track; set specific price thresholds. If a game usually sells for $60 and you’re willing to buy at $30, set an alert for that price.
- Check Historical Prices: Before buying, always look at the historical price chart. Is the current “discount” truly an all-time low, or has it been cheaper before? This helps prevent impulse buys on mediocre deals.
- Consider Bundles: Humble Bundle and Fanatical often offer fantastic value, bundling several games together for a very low price.
- Free Games & Trials: Keep an eye out for free game giveaways (Epic Games, PlayStation Plus, Xbox Games with Gold) and free trials, which can help you try before you buy or even add full games to your library for free.
Conclusion
Saving money on PC and console games has never been easier, thanks to a wealth of dedicated tools and a proactive approach. By leveraging price trackers like IsThereAnyDeal, DekuDeals, and PSPrices, staying informed about sales, and practicing smart shopping habits, you can build an impressive game library without overspending. Happy hunting, and enjoy your new games!
