When’s the best time to buy new games for max savings on PC & console?

Timing Your Purchases for Maximum Game Savings

For avid gamers on both PC and console, the thrill of a new game can sometimes be tempered by its price tag. However, with a bit of patience and strategic timing, you can significantly cut down on your gaming expenses. Understanding the sales cycles and knowing where to look are key to building an impressive game library without breaking the bank.

Major Seasonal Sales: The Biggest Opportunities

These are the tentpole events in the gaming retail calendar, offering the deepest and most widespread discounts.

Winter/Holiday Sales (December – January)

Often considered the biggest sales period of the year, stretching from late December through early January. Every major digital storefront – Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop – participates with massive discounts across their entire catalog, including many AAA titles and indie gems.

Summer Sales (June – July)

Another crucial window, especially for PC gamers, with the Steam Summer Sale being legendary. Console platforms also join in, though sometimes with slightly less aggressive deals compared to the winter holidays. It’s a great time to pick up games you missed from the first half of the year.

Black Friday & Cyber Monday (November)

These post-Thanksgiving sales are not just for electronics; video games see some of their most significant price drops here. It’s an excellent opportunity to grab newer titles, often just months after their release, and physical copies frequently get bundled with consoles or other accessories at steep discounts.

Publisher & Platform-Specific Sales

Beyond the major seasonal events, many other sales occur throughout the year:

Publisher/Developer Sales

Individual publishers (e.g., Ubisoft, EA, Capcom) or even specific developers frequently host sales dedicated to their own game libraries. These can pop up unexpectedly and are fantastic for completing a series or diving deep into a specific studio’s work.

Platform & Retailer Sales

• PC: Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, Fanatical, Humble Bundle, and Green Man Gaming frequently host weekly deals, flash sales, and themed events (e.g., genre sales, indie showcases). Humble Bundle is particularly noteworthy for its charity-driven game bundles.
• Consoles: The PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and Nintendo eShop continuously rotate their sales, often tied to specific genres, franchises, or minor holidays. Keep an eye out for “Deals of the Week” or “Publisher Spotlights.”

New Game Releases vs. Older Titles

The golden rule of game buying is patience. Brand new releases rarely see significant discounts immediately. Expect to wait 3-6 months for the first substantial price drops, and often 6-12 months or more for truly deep sales. Older, popular titles, especially those a year or two post-release, typically offer the biggest percentage savings during major sales events.

Smart Strategies for Maximizing Your Savings

• Utilize Wishlists

  Almost every digital storefront has a wishlist feature. Add games you’re interested in, and you’ll often receive email notifications when they go on sale.

• Employ Price Tracking Sites

  Websites like IsThereAnyDeal (PC), DekuDeals (Nintendo Switch), PSPrices (PlayStation), and xbdeals (Xbox) track historical prices across various retailers and platforms, helping you identify the best time to buy and whether a current “deal” is actually a good price.

• Consider Bundles & Subscriptions

  Game bundles (like those from Humble Bundle or Fanatical) offer multiple games for a low, fixed price. Game subscription services (Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack) provide access to a vast library of games for a monthly fee, potentially negating the need to buy many titles outright.

• Wait for Definitive Editions

  Many popular games eventually release “Game of the Year,” “Complete,” or “Ultimate” editions that bundle all post-launch DLC at a discounted price. This is often the best value for money.

Conclusion

By understanding the major sale seasons, leveraging wishlists and price tracking tools, and practicing a bit of patience, you can significantly reduce your annual gaming budget. Armed with this knowledge, you’re ready to dive into a world of incredible games without overspending. Happy gaming and happy saving!