How to track PC & console game price drops for my wishlist effectively?

For avid gamers, the thrill of adding a long-awaited title to their collection is only surpassed by the joy of snagging it at a significant discount. With thousands of games across PC and various console platforms, and sales events happening year-round, keeping tabs on price drops can feel like an impossible task. Fortunately, a host of tools and strategies exist to help you effectively track game price drops for your wishlist, ensuring you never miss a deal.

Why Smart Price Tracking is Essential

The digital storefront landscape is a dynamic one. Games fluctuate in price, go on deep discounts during seasonal sales (like Steam Summer Sale, Black Friday, PlayStation Days of Play), or even become free for a limited time. Manually checking every game on your wishlist across multiple platforms and stores is not only time-consuming but also prone to error.

Effective price tracking allows you to make informed purchasing decisions, save a considerable amount of money, and avoid buyer’s remorse when a game you just bought at full price suddenly goes on sale. It empowers you to build your game library strategically, focusing on titles you truly want without breaking the bank.

Leveraging Dedicated Price Tracking Websites

These third-party websites are arguably the most powerful tools for multi-platform price tracking. They aggregate deals from numerous official and authorized resellers, giving you a comprehensive overview of the market.

PC-Specific Trackers

For PC games, IsThereAnyDeal stands out. It monitors prices across dozens of digital stores (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Fanatical, Humble Store, Green Man Gaming, etc.), displays historical low prices, and allows you to create a personalized wishlist with email alerts. Simply sync your Steam wishlist or manually add games to begin tracking.

Console & Multi-Platform Trackers

While PC has strong dedicated trackers, console gamers also have excellent options:

• PlayStation & Xbox: Sites like PS Deals and XB Deals are invaluable. They track sales on their respective digital storefronts, offer price history, and support wishlists with notification options.
• Nintendo Switch: DekuDeals is the go-to for Switch games, tracking eShop prices, physical game deals, and even bundles. It also features a robust wishlist and notification system.

Most of these sites allow you to set specific price thresholds, so you only get notified when a game drops to a price you’re comfortable with.

Utilizing Platform-Specific Wishlists & Notifications

Don’t overlook the built-in features of your preferred gaming platforms. Every major digital storefront offers a wishlist function that can send you direct notifications:

• Steam Wishlist: Add games to your Steam wishlist, and you’ll receive email notifications when those games go on sale.
• PlayStation Store / Xbox Store / Nintendo eShop: All allow you to add games to a wishlist and often send emails when items on your list receive a discount.
• Epic Games Store: Similarly provides a wishlist and email alerts for price drops.

While convenient, the limitation here is that these systems only track prices within their own ecosystem. They won’t alert you if a game is cheaper on a different storefront.

Browser Extensions and Mobile Apps for On-the-Go Tracking

For seamless integration into your browsing or mobile experience, consider dedicated extensions and apps.

Browser Extensions

Extensions like the IsThereAnyDeal Browser Extension or Augmentor for Steam can enhance your shopping experience by displaying price history and comparisons directly on store pages (e.g., when you’re browsing Steam, it shows if the game is cheaper elsewhere). These are excellent for quick checks while you’re already browsing.

Mobile Apps

Many of the dedicated tracking websites mentioned above also have companion mobile apps (or mobile-friendly websites) that allow you to manage your wishlist and receive push notifications on your phone. Apps like “GameDeals” (various versions available for iOS/Android) can aggregate deals from different sources, though their reliability can vary.

Advanced Tips for Maximizing Your Savings

• Be Patient: Almost every game eventually goes on sale, often several times a year. If you’re not in a rush, waiting for a deeper discount can pay off.
• Set Realistic Alerts: Don’t just set an alert for “any discount.” Determine a price point you’d be happy to pay (e.g., $15 for a new AAA title) and set your notifications accordingly.
• Check Multiple Stores: Even if you prefer one storefront, using a tracker that compares prices across many can reveal significantly better deals elsewhere.
• Consider Bundles and Subscriptions: Sometimes a game you want is part of a bundle (e.g., Humble Bundle) or included in a subscription service (Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium). These can offer excellent value beyond individual game purchases.
• Keep Your Wishlist Curated: Regularly review your wishlist. Remove games you’re no longer interested in to keep your tracking focused and notifications relevant.

Conclusion

Tracking PC and console game price drops effectively transforms you from a reactive shopper into a proactive deal hunter. By combining the power of dedicated price tracking websites, platform-specific wishlists, and convenient browser extensions or mobile apps, you can ensure that the games you desire find their way into your library at the best possible price. Happy gaming and even happier saving!