How to find valid game discount codes & track sales across all stores?

The Ultimate Quest for Gaming Bargains

For many gamers, the thrill of a new release is only matched by the satisfaction of snagging it at a significant discount. Navigating the vast landscape of digital storefronts, flash sales, and elusive discount codes can feel like a game in itself. But with the right tools and strategies, you can transform from a hopeful browser into a savvy deal hunter, ensuring you never pay full price again.

Whether you’re looking for the latest AAA title, an indie gem, or a classic to relive, knowing where and how to look for discounts is key. This guide will walk you through the most effective methods to find legitimate discount codes and track game sales across all major platforms and stores.

Leverage Dedicated Deal Aggregators & Websites

The first line of defense in your money-saving quest should be dedicated deal aggregation websites. These platforms do the heavy lifting for you, scanning countless stores and presenting the best prices in one convenient location.

• IsThereAnyDeal (ITAD): Often considered the gold standard, ITAD tracks prices across dozens of PC game stores (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Fanatical, Humble Store, etc.). You can create a wishlist and receive email alerts when a game goes on sale or hits a desired price point. It also provides historical price charts, so you can see if a current deal is truly the lowest it’s ever been.
• CheapShark: Similar to ITAD, CheapShark focuses on PC game deals, aggregating from various retailers and allowing users to set price alerts.
• Console-Specific Trackers: For console gamers, sites like PS Deals (PlayStation), XB Deals (Xbox), and Deku Deals (Nintendo Switch) perform a similar function, monitoring official storefronts for price drops and providing wishlists.
• Bundle Sites: Keep an eye on sites like Humble Bundle and Fanatical, which frequently offer curated game bundles at steep discounts, often supporting charities. They also have their own storefronts with regular sales.

Monitor Official Storefronts and Publishers

While aggregators are excellent, don’t forget the source. Major platforms and publishers regularly host their own sales:

• Seasonal Sales: Steam’s Summer and Winter Sales, PlayStation’s Days of Play, Xbox’s Ultimate Game Sale, and Nintendo’s eShop sales are predictable events offering massive discounts. Mark your calendar!
• Publisher-Specific Sales: Many publishers (EA, Ubisoft, Activision, etc.) host sales on their own platforms or partner with digital retailers. Signing up for their newsletters can provide early access to these deals and even exclusive discount codes.
• Direct Store Visits: Regularly checking the ‘Deals’ or ‘Sales’ sections of Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and Nintendo eShop can yield unexpected finds.

Harness the Power of Gaming Communities

Gamers love a good deal, and they love to share them. Online communities are a treasure trove of discount codes and sale notifications, often catching deals even before aggregators do.

• Reddit: Subreddits like r/GameDeals, r/buildapcsales (which often includes PC game deals), and console-specific subreddits are incredibly active. Users post deals, discuss their validity, and sometimes even share unique discount codes they’ve found.
• Discord Servers: Many gaming communities, specific game servers, and deal-hunting groups on Discord have dedicated channels for sales and discount codes. Joining a few relevant servers can keep you in the loop.
• Twitter: Follow accounts dedicated to game deals (e.g., Wario64) and specific game publishers or stores. They often announce flash sales and discount codes instantly.

Employ Browser Extensions and Price Tracking Tools

To automate much of the tracking, consider browser extensions:

• Enhanced Storefront Extensions: While not strictly for discounts, extensions like ‘Enhanced Steam’ or ‘Augmented Steam’ can integrate price history from sites like ITAD directly into the Steam store page, helping you make informed purchasing decisions.
• General Price Trackers: Extensions like Honey or Rakuten (formerly Ebates) automatically search for and apply coupon codes at checkout across various online stores, including some game retailers. They might also offer cashback on purchases.
• Wishlist Integrations: Many deal sites offer browser extensions that let you add games to your wishlist directly from a game’s store page, streamlining the process of setting up price alerts.

Beyond Discounts – Freebies and Bundles

Sometimes the best discount is 100% off. Keep an eye out for free game offerings:

• Epic Games Store: Famously offers one or more free games every week, which you can claim and keep forever.
• Prime Gaming (Amazon Prime): Included with an Amazon Prime subscription, Prime Gaming regularly gives away free PC games and in-game content.
• Subscription Services: PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass, and Nintendo Switch Online all offer a rotating library of games at no additional cost beyond the subscription fee. Xbox Game Pass in particular provides incredible value.
• Charity Bundles: Humble Bundle and similar platforms often run bundles where you can get a collection of games for a very low price, with a portion going to charity.

Never Miss a Deal Again

Finding valid game discount codes and tracking sales across all stores requires a multi-pronged approach. By combining the power of deal aggregators, actively monitoring official storefronts, engaging with gaming communities, and utilizing smart browser tools, you can significantly cut down your gaming expenses.

Remember to set up wishlists and price alerts on your preferred platforms, subscribe to relevant newsletters, and regularly check community forums. With a little effort and the right resources, you’ll be well on your way to building an impressive game library without breaking the bank.