How to get instant alerts for game price drops on my PC/console wishlists?
Never Miss a Deal: Your Guide to Instant Game Price Drop Alerts
As an avid gamer, there’s nothing more satisfying than snagging that coveted title at a fraction of its original price. But keeping a constant eye on multiple storefronts across PC and various consoles can be a full-time job. Thankfully, a plethora of tools and services exist to do the heavy lifting for you, ensuring you receive instant notifications the moment a game on your wishlist hits a new low.
The Power of Price Drop Alerts
Why bother with price alerts? Simply put, they save you money and time. Instead of manually checking Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation Store, Xbox Marketplace, and Nintendo eShop daily, you can set it and forget it. These alerts notify you via email, browser notification, or even mobile app when a game on your wishlist or a specific title drops in price, allowing you to pounce on the deal before it vanishes.
PC Gaming: Tracking Deals Across Digital Storefronts
Steam, Epic, GOG & More
PC gamers have a fantastic ecosystem of deal trackers. Many platforms offer native wishlist notifications:
- Steam Wishlist: The most straightforward method. Add games to your Steam wishlist, and you’ll receive an email notification when they go on sale.
- Epic Games Store Wishlist: Similar to Steam, Epic also sends email alerts for wishlist items during sales.
- GOG Wishlist: GOG also provides email notifications for price drops on your wishlist.
Third-Party PC Game Deal Aggregators
For a broader view across multiple PC stores (Steam, Epic, GOG, Humble Store, Fanatical, etc.), dedicated deal aggregators are invaluable:
- IsThereAnyDeal (ITAD): This is arguably the gold standard for PC game deal tracking. You can import your Steam, Epic, and GOG wishlists, set custom price alerts, and receive notifications for historical low prices. It covers virtually every reputable PC game retailer.
- CheapShark: Another excellent aggregator that pulls deals from numerous PC storefronts. You can create a watchlist and receive email alerts.
- Enhanced Steam / Browser Extensions: Browser extensions like “Enhanced Steam” (though less active now, similar tools exist) or “Augmented Steam” directly integrate price history and deal alerts into the Steam store pages.
Console Gaming: PlayStation, Xbox & Nintendo eShop
Native Console Store Wishlists
Just like PC platforms, console digital storefronts often have built-in alert systems:
- PlayStation Store Wishlist: Add games to your wishlist on the PlayStation Store (via console or web), and Sony will often send email notifications when those games go on sale.
- Xbox Marketplace Wishlist: Similarly, Xbox allows you to add games to your “Save for later” list, and you’ll typically receive email alerts for price drops.
- Nintendo eShop Wishlist: The eShop also offers a wishlist feature, though its notification system can be less robust than its competitors. It’s still worth using in conjunction with third-party tools.
Specialized Console Deal Trackers
For comprehensive console deal tracking, third-party sites are indispensable:
- PSDeals / DekuDeals / Xbox Deals: These sites are specifically designed for their respective consoles.
- PSDeals: Tracks PlayStation Store prices across regions, allowing you to set up alerts for specific games.
- DekuDeals: The go-to for Nintendo Switch deals, tracking both digital eShop prices and physical game prices from various retailers. You can sync your Nintendo wishlist and get email alerts.
- Xbox Deals: Offers similar functionality for the Xbox ecosystem, allowing for price tracking and alert setup.
Cross-Platform and General Deal Monitoring
Deal Aggregator Websites & Apps
Some platforms cater to both PC and console deals, or offer a more general approach:
- CheapShark: As mentioned, CheapShark covers some console deals alongside PC, making it a decent cross-platform option for basic tracking.
- Gamedeals Subreddits: Communities like r/GameDeals on Reddit are constantly updated with new sales. While not “alerts” in the traditional sense, following these can keep you informed. Many also have Discord servers.
- Mobile Apps: Apps like “GameDeal” or others (search your app store for “game price tracker”) often aggregate deals from various platforms and can send push notifications.
Setting Up Your Alerts: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Choose Your Platform: Decide which tracking tools best suit your primary gaming platforms (e.g., IsThereAnyDeal for PC, DekuDeals for Switch).
- Create an Account: Most services require an account to save your wishlists and alert preferences.
- Import/Add Wishlist: If possible, import your existing wishlists from Steam, Epic, etc. Otherwise, manually add the games you want to track.
- Configure Alerts: Set your preferred price threshold (e.g., notify me when it’s below $20 or 50% off) and notification method (email, browser push, app notification).
- Stay Organized: Regularly review your tracked games and remove those you’ve purchased or are no longer interested in.
Maximize Your Savings: Pro Tips
- Be Patient: The best deals often come during major seasonal sales (Summer Sale, Black Friday, Christmas).
- Check Price History: Many trackers show a game’s price history, helping you determine if a “sale” is truly a good deal or if it’s likely to drop lower.
- Consider Bundles: Keep an eye out for game bundles (Humble Bundle, Fanatical) that can offer incredible value for multiple titles.
- Physical vs. Digital: Don’t forget to track physical game prices, especially for consoles, as they can often beat digital sales. DekuDeals is great for this.
- Regional Pricing: Be aware that prices and sales can vary significantly by region.
Never Miss a Deal Again!
With these powerful tools at your disposal, you can transform your game acquisition strategy from reactive to proactive. Set up your alerts today, sit back, and let the deals come to you, ensuring your gaming library grows without breaking the bank. Happy gaming and happy saving!
