What are the best price tracking tools for PC & console game deals?

In the vast universe of video games, sales are a recurring constellation, offering incredible opportunities to expand your library without breaking the bank. However, manually keeping tabs on every digital storefront and retailer for your coveted titles can be a daunting, if not impossible, task. This is where dedicated price tracking tools become a gamer’s best friend, automating the hunt for discounts and ensuring you snag those dream games at their lowest prices.

Top Cross-Platform Game Price Trackers

These tools cast a wide net, monitoring prices across multiple PC storefronts and often including console deals where applicable. They are indispensable for any serious deal-hunter.

IsThereAnyDeal

A veteran in the game deal space, IsThereAnyDeal (ITAD) is primarily focused on PC games but occasionally links to console deals. It aggregates prices from over 100 reputable digital storefronts, including Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Humble Store, and many more. Key features include a robust wishlist system that alerts you when games hit a desired price point or new historical low, comprehensive price history graphs, and bundles tracking. It’s an essential tool for tracking PC game prices.

CheapShark

CheapShark is another powerful aggregator that pulls data from numerous PC game stores. Its strength lies in its simplicity and efficiency, allowing users to quickly search for games and view current deals. While its interface might be more basic than ITAD, it’s excellent for quick price comparisons and features a deal alert system. CheapShark also highlights historical low prices, giving you context on whether a current sale is truly a great deal.

Console-Specific Deal Trackers

While some general trackers might touch upon console deals, these tools specialize in the ecosystems of PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo.

DekuDeals (Nintendo Switch)

For Nintendo Switch owners, DekuDeals is arguably the most comprehensive price tracker. It meticulously monitors both digital Nintendo eShop sales and physical game prices from major retailers. Users can create wishlists, receive email alerts for price drops, and view extensive price history for every Switch game. It also highlights games that have hit new historical lows, making it indispensable for nabbing those elusive Nintendo discounts.

PSDeals & XBDeals Communities

While not standalone tracking websites in the same vein, communities like r/PSDeals and r/GreatXboxDeals on Reddit are invaluable resources. They rely on user submissions to highlight ongoing sales, often catching deals moments after they go live. Many users also post price errors or regional deals that automated trackers might miss. For dedicated console players, these communities offer real-time updates and collective wisdom.

Browser Extensions and Community Hubs

Beyond dedicated websites, browser extensions and large community forums can significantly enhance your deal-hunting capabilities.

Enhanced Steam / Augmented Steam (Browser Extensions)

These browser extensions (available for Chrome, Firefox, etc.) supercharge your Steam shopping experience. While not direct aggregators for all stores, they embed price history directly onto Steam store pages, show current prices from other authorized resellers (like Green Man Gaming or Fanatical), and indicate if a game is part of a bundle. They are crucial for making informed purchasing decisions directly on Steam.

Reddit’s r/GameDeals

The r/GameDeals subreddit is a massive hub for all types of gaming deals, covering PC, console, mobile, and even hardware. Its strength lies in its active community, which posts new deals as soon as they appear, discusses the quality of deals, and highlights regional sales. It’s a fantastic place for discovering deals from both major and niche retailers.

Key Features to Look For in a Price Tracker

When choosing the best tool for your needs, consider these crucial features:

• Price History Graphs: Understanding a game’s pricing trends helps you determine if a current discount is truly a good deal or if it frequently goes lower.
• Customizable Deal Alerts: The ability to set notifications for specific price points, percentage discounts, or new historical lows is vital.
• Wishlist Integration: A good tracker should allow you to import or create a wishlist of games you’re interested in, then actively monitor them.
• Support for Multiple Stores/Platforms: The more retailers and platforms a tool covers, the less you’ll have to jump between different sites.
• Regional Pricing: If you’re outside of North America or Europe, check if the tool provides accurate regional pricing and deals.

Maximizing Your Savings: Pro Tips

• Combine Tools: Don’t rely on just one. Use a primary aggregator like IsThereAnyDeal, a console-specific tracker like DekuDeals, and supplement with community forums for comprehensive coverage.
• Be Patient: Most games, especially digital ones, will go on sale multiple times a year. If a deal isn’t fantastic, wait for the next one.
• Set Realistic Alerts: If you set an alert for an unrealistically low price, you might miss good-but-not-record-breaking sales.
• Check Reviews: Before buying a game just because it’s cheap, always check recent reviews to ensure it’s still worth your time and money.

Arming yourself with the right price tracking tools transforms you from a casual browser into a savvy shopper. No longer will you have to guess if a game is at its best price or fear missing a flash sale. By leveraging these powerful resources, you can strategically grow your game library, ensuring you enjoy more games for less money.