Best tools to track PC & console game deals for maximum savings?

Never Pay Full Price Again: Your Guide to Game Deal Tracking

In the vast and ever-expanding world of video games, finding your next adventure doesn’t have to break the bank. With new titles releasing constantly and digital storefronts vying for your attention, discounts are plentiful. The trick is knowing where and how to find them. Whether you’re a PC gamer hunting for the next Steam sale gem or a console enthusiast looking for a PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch bargain, an array of powerful tools can help you track deals and maximize your savings.

This guide will walk you through the essential websites, apps, and communities that empower you to snatch up games at their lowest prices.

Dedicated Game Deal Aggregators: Your One-Stop Shops

These websites are the titans of game deal tracking, pulling information from numerous digital storefronts to present you with the best prices across various platforms. They are indispensable for serious bargain hunters.

IsThereAnyDeal (ITAD)

Often considered the gold standard, IsThereAnyDeal aggregates prices from nearly every reputable PC game retailer. You can create a wishlist, set price alerts for specific games, and even see historical low prices, helping you determine if a current deal is truly a steal or if you should wait longer. It’s incredibly comprehensive for PC gaming.

CheapShark

CheapShark focuses on PC game deals, similar to ITAD, but with a slightly different interface and feature set. It allows you to search for games, compare prices across various authorized retailers, and set up email alerts. Its API is also popular among developers creating their own deal-tracking tools.

GG.deals

GG.deals stands out by offering deal tracking for both PC (Steam, Epic Games, GOG, etc.) and console games (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch). It features price history graphs, a robust wishlist system, and the ability to filter by region. It’s an excellent all-rounder for gamers who play on multiple platforms.

Platform-Specific Sales Trackers

While aggregators cover many bases, some tools specialize in particular platforms, offering deeper insights into their respective ecosystems.

SteamDB (for PC)

For PC gamers who primarily use Steam, SteamDB is an invaluable resource. Beyond just showing current prices, it tracks price history, package details, concurrent player counts, and even predicts upcoming sale dates. Its enhanced functionality for wishlists and deal alerts makes it a must-have for any serious Steam user.

Deku Deals (for Nintendo Switch)

Nintendo Switch owners have a fantastic ally in Deku Deals. This site tracks prices from the eShop and various retailers, shows price history, and lets you create wishlists with email notifications. It’s impeccably designed and highly recommended for getting the best Switch game prices.

PSNProfiles & Xbox Store (for PlayStation & Xbox)

While not dedicated deal trackers in the same vein, both PlayStation Store and Xbox Store have robust wishlist features that will notify you when a game you’re interested in goes on sale. For more in-depth historical data, sites like PSPrices.com can offer insights into past PlayStation deals, and similar community sites exist for Xbox.

Browser Extensions & Wishlist Features

Enhance your browsing experience with extensions that bring deal-tracking directly to you.

Several browser extensions integrate with sites like IsThereAnyDeal or SteamDB, showing you price comparisons and historical lows directly on the game’s store page. This means you don’t even have to leave the page you’re browsing to check if you’re getting the best deal. Popular options include extensions by the aggregators themselves or third-party tools.

Almost all digital storefronts (Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop) offer a wishlist feature. Utilize these! When a game on your wishlist goes on sale, you’ll typically receive an email notification, ensuring you don’t miss out on a price drop for a title you’ve been eyeing.

Community-Driven Deal Finding

Sometimes, the best deals are discovered and shared by fellow gamers.

Reddit’s r/GameDeals

The subreddit r/GameDeals is an incredibly active community dedicated to finding and sharing video game deals. Users post sales from all platforms and retailers, often catching flash sales or obscure discounts that automated trackers might miss. It’s also a great place for discussion and finding out if a deal is truly worthwhile.

Discord Servers & Forums

Many gaming communities on Discord and dedicated forums have channels specifically for deal alerts. Joining these can provide real-time notifications for price drops and special promotions, especially for specific genres or platforms you follow.

Tips for Maximizing Your Savings

• Use Wishlists and Price Alerts: This is the golden rule. Set up alerts on multiple platforms (ITAD, GG.deals, SteamDB, Deku Deals, and platform-native wishlists) to ensure you’re notified the moment a game hits your desired price.
• Understand Price History: Don’t just jump on a sale. Check the price history on aggregators to see if the current discount is the lowest it’s ever been, or if it frequently goes lower.
• Be Patient: Most games eventually go on sale, often multiple times a year. If you’re not in a hurry, waiting for a deeper discount can save you a significant amount.
• Leverage Seasonal Sales: Keep an eye out for major sales events like Steam Summer/Winter Sales, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and publisher-specific sales.
• Consider Bundles: Humble Bundle and Fanatical often offer incredible value, bundling multiple games for a fraction of their individual prices.

Conclusion

With so many excellent tools at your disposal, there’s no longer any excuse to pay full price for games. By combining the power of dedicated aggregators, platform-specific trackers, browser extensions, and community insights, you can become a master of game deal hunting. Start setting up your wishlists and alerts today, and enjoy a constantly growing game library without emptying your wallet.