What’s the best tool to track specific game deals & codes across all platforms?

For any avid gamer, the thrill of snagging a game at a fraction of its original price or discovering a valuable code is unmatched. However, with titles launching across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and even mobile platforms, keeping tabs on every fleeting deal or limited-time code can feel like an impossible quest. Fortunately, a suite of tools and strategies exists to help you become a master deal hunter. The ‘best’ tool often depends on your primary platform, preferred game types, and the level of effort you’re willing to invest.

Dedicated Deal Aggregators: Your Central Hub

These websites are perhaps the most powerful weapons in a deal hunter’s arsenal, consolidating information from various storefronts into one searchable database. They typically offer price history, deal alerts, and often integrate with your game library.

• IsThereAnyDeal.com: Widely regarded for PC game deals, it tracks prices across legitimate digital storefronts like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle. You can build a wishlist, receive email alerts for price drops, and even connect your Steam library to track games you already own.
• CheapShark.com: Similar to IsThereAnyDeal, CheapShark focuses primarily on PC games but is excellent for quick price comparisons. It provides historical low prices and price drop alerts across numerous digital retailers.
• GG.deals: A strong contender for PC, GG.deals tracks both digital and some key reseller prices (with disclaimers), offers detailed price history graphs, and allows for extensive filtering based on DRM, store, and more.

Platform-Specific Wishlists and Alerts

While aggregators are great for cross-platform comparisons, don’t overlook the built-in features of the platforms themselves. These are essential for console gamers or those who stick to a single digital storefront.

• Steam Wishlist: For PC gamers, adding games to your Steam wishlist will automatically notify you via email when they go on sale.
• PlayStation Store Wishlist: Similarly, on PSN, wishlisting games will send you notifications for sales.
• Xbox Store Wishlist: The Xbox store also offers a wishlist feature with deal alerts for Xbox titles.
• Nintendo eShop: While the eShop doesn’t have a direct wishlist notification system, many third-party sites and community forums actively track and share eShop sales.

Community-Driven Platforms & Browser Extensions

Sometimes, the best deals are shared by fellow gamers in real-time or found through extensions that enhance your browsing experience.

• Reddit Communities (e.g., r/GameDeals, r/consoledeals): These subreddits are treasure troves of user-submitted deals, often including physical copies, bundles, and obscure sales not tracked by aggregators. They’re excellent for discovering console-specific deals or limited-time codes.
• Discord Servers: Many gaming communities and dedicated deal servers (e.g., Wario64) offer instant alerts for major price drops, pre-order bonuses, and codes across all platforms.
• Browser Extensions (e.g., Enhanced Steam, Augmented Steam): While primarily for Steam, these extensions overlay useful information like price history, regional pricing, and bundle info directly onto store pages, making it easier to spot genuine deals.

Publisher and Retailer Direct Channels

For exclusive codes or specific publisher sales, going straight to the source can be beneficial.

• Newsletters: Sign up for email newsletters from your favorite publishers (e.g., Ubisoft, EA, Activision) and major retailers (Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart). They often announce flash sales, exclusive discounts, or free game codes directly to subscribers.
• Social Media: Follow official social media accounts of game developers, publishers, and major retailers. They frequently post about sales, giveaways, and time-sensitive codes.

Advanced Strategies for the Serious Deal Hunter

To truly optimize your deal hunting, consider combining these tools:

1. Set Price Thresholds: Don’t just wait for ‘a sale’; wait for ‘your price.’ Many aggregators let you set alerts for a specific percentage off or an absolute price point.
2. Understand Sales Cycles: Learn when major sales typically happen (e.g., Steam Summer/Winter Sales, Black Friday, Prime Day).
3. Utilize RSS Feeds: Some deal sites offer RSS feeds, allowing you to get real-time updates directly to your feed reader.

Conclusion: Finding Your Ideal Setup

There isn’t a single ‘best’ tool that perfectly tracks every game deal and code across all platforms. The most effective approach is often a multi-layered one. For PC games, a dedicated aggregator like IsThereAnyDeal.com or GG.deals is indispensable. For console gamers, leveraging the native wishlist features combined with active participation in Reddit communities or Discord servers will yield the best results. By combining these methods, you can create a robust system that ensures you rarely miss out on that coveted game deal or elusive code, regardless of the platform.