Best tools to track game deals & secure legit codes for PC/console releases?

Never Miss a Great Game Deal Again

In the vast and ever-expanding universe of video games, finding the right title at the right price can feel like a quest in itself. With new releases, seasonal sales, and countless digital storefronts, sifting through the noise to find a genuine bargain and, more importantly, a legitimate game code, is crucial for any savvy gamer. This guide will arm you with the best tools and strategies to track game deals across PC and console platforms, ensuring you always secure authentic keys.

Top Tools for Tracking PC Game Deals

PC gamers have a plethora of options when it comes to deal tracking, thanks to a more open digital marketplace. Here are the essential platforms:

• IsThereAnyDeal (ITAD): Often considered the gold standard, ITAD aggregates prices from a massive list of reputable digital storefronts, including Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Humble Bundle, Fanatical, Green Man Gaming, and many more. You can create wishlists, set price alerts, and see historical low prices, helping you determine if a deal is genuinely good.
• Enhancements for Digital Storefronts: Browser extensions like Enhanced Steam (now discontinued, but similar tools exist for other platforms) can display historical prices directly on store pages, as well as highlight current discounts.
• Specific Retailer Newsletters & Sales: Keep an eye on newsletters from major authorized resellers like Humble Bundle, Fanatical, Green Man Gaming, and the Epic Games Store, as they frequently run their own sales and bundles.

Essential Tools for Console Game Deals

While console digital markets are more closed, deals are still abundant, particularly on their respective storefronts:

• Official Digital Storefronts: The PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and Nintendo eShop regularly host massive sales. Checking these directly, or signing up for their email alerts, is fundamental.
• CamelCamelCamel (for Physical Copies): If you’re open to physical console games, CamelCamelCamel tracks Amazon prices, including historical data, making it invaluable for knowing when to buy disc-based titles.
• CheapAssGamer (CAG): A long-standing community-driven site focused heavily on console game deals, including both digital and physical releases from various retailers. Their forums are a treasure trove of user-submitted deals.
• DekuDeals (for Nintendo Switch): An excellent dedicated site for tracking Nintendo Switch game prices, both digital and physical, across numerous retailers. It offers price history, alerts, and more.

How to Secure Legit Codes and Avoid Scams

Finding a deal is one thing; ensuring the code is legitimate and will work is another. The grey market for game keys is rife with scams, so vigilance is key:

• Stick to Authorized Resellers: Always prioritize purchasing from official digital storefronts (Steam, Xbox Store, PlayStation Store, Nintendo eShop, Epic Games Store, GOG) or well-known authorized resellers. Authorized resellers have direct agreements with publishers to sell keys. Examples include Humble Bundle, Fanatical, Green Man Gaming, and sometimes even Amazon or Best Buy for digital codes.
• Beware of “Too Good To Be True” Prices: If a deal seems unbelievably cheap compared to all other legitimate sources, it likely is. This is a common red flag for grey market keys that may be purchased with stolen credit cards or from regional arbitrage exploits, which can lead to your key being revoked later.
• Research Unfamiliar Sites: Before buying from a site you don’t recognize, do a quick search for reviews, especially looking for complaints about revoked keys or poor customer service. Sites like Trustpilot can offer insights.
• Understand Regional Restrictions: Some keys are region-locked. Always check the product description for any regional limitations before purchasing, especially from third-party sites.

Smart Deal Hunting Strategies

• Utilize Wishlists and Price Alerts: Most deal tracking sites and official storefronts allow you to add games to a wishlist and set up email alerts for price drops. This automates much of the deal hunting process.
• Patience is a Virtue: Unless it’s a new release you desperately want, most games will eventually go on sale. Waiting for major seasonal sales (Summer Sale, Winter Sale, Black Friday) or publisher-specific promotions is a great way to save.
• Explore Bundles: Sites like Humble Bundle and Fanatical regularly offer game bundles where you can get multiple titles for a fraction of their individual cost.
• Free Games and Subscriptions: Don’t overlook platforms that give away free games (e.g., Epic Games Store weekly freebies) or subscription services like Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, or Humble Choice, which offer vast libraries for a monthly fee.

Conclusion

Tracking game deals and securing legitimate codes doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By utilizing the right tools like IsThereAnyDeal, specific console deal sites, and maintaining a healthy skepticism towards unbelievably low prices, you can build your game library without breaking the bank or falling victim to scams. Happy gaming, and may your wishlist always be full of discounted treasures!