How to get alerts for game price drops on all platforms, indie & AAA?

In the vast and ever-expanding universe of video games, waiting for the right moment to purchase can save you a significant amount of money. Whether you’re eyeing a critically acclaimed AAA title or a hidden indie gem, game prices fluctuate constantly across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Setting up price drop alerts is your secret weapon to never paying full price again.

The Quest for Affordable Gaming: Why Track Prices?

Gone are the days of impulse buys and missing out on sales. With a strategic approach to price tracking, you can snag games at their lowest historical prices, stretch your gaming budget further, and build an impressive library without breaking the bank. This strategy is equally effective for popular blockbusters, which often see substantial discounts post-launch, and niche indie titles that might have less frequent but equally valuable sales.

The digital storefronts for PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG), PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch are constantly running promotions. Manually checking each one is tedious and inefficient. Fortunately, a variety of tools and methods exist to do the heavy lifting for you, ensuring you’re notified the moment your desired game hits a price you’re happy with.

Cross-Platform Price Trackers: Your Central Hub

For a comprehensive view of game prices across multiple storefronts and platforms, dedicated price tracking websites are invaluable. These aggregators pull data from various retailers, allowing you to set wishlists and receive email or push notifications when prices drop.

IsThereAnyDeal (ITAD)

Primarily focused on PC gaming, IsThereAnyDeal is a powerful tool that tracks prices from over 50 PC stores, including Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Humble Store, and more. You can add games to your waitlist, set a desired price threshold, and receive email alerts when the game hits that price or below. It also shows historical low prices, helping you understand if a current deal is truly the best you can get. While its console coverage is limited, it’s an absolute must-have for PC gamers.

CheapShark & GG.deals

Similar to ITAD, CheapShark and GG.deals offer robust price comparison and alert features, often including console games alongside PC titles. CheapShark focuses on tracking legitimate digital PC game deals, while GG.deals provides a sleek interface for comparing prices across official stores and reputable key sellers, often including console versions from major retailers. Both allow you to set up wishlists and receive notifications, making them excellent choices for a broader gaming library.

Platform-Specific Wishlists & Notification Systems

While third-party aggregators are great, don’t overlook the native features built into the digital storefronts themselves. These are often the most direct way to get alerts for games on a specific platform.

Steam Wishlist

Every PC gamer should utilize the Steam Wishlist. Simply add games you’re interested in, and Steam will automatically send you an email notification when any of those games go on sale. This covers both AAA blockbusters and the vast array of indie titles available on the platform, and it’s incredibly reliable.

PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, & Nintendo eShop Wishlists

Console digital storefronts also offer similar functionality. Adding games to your wishlist on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, or Nintendo eShop will trigger email notifications when those games receive a discount. While these are platform-specific, they are essential for tracking prices on your preferred console and ensuring you don’t miss out on first-party titles or console exclusives.

Beyond Dedicated Sites: Other Smart Alert Methods

For the truly dedicated deal hunter, a few other methods can complement your primary tracking efforts.

Browser Extensions

Extensions like Honey or specific store enhancers can sometimes integrate price tracking directly into your browser, highlighting deals or historical price data as you browse storefronts. While not always ideal for comprehensive tracking, they can provide instant context.

Deal Aggregator Subreddits & Forums

Communities like r/GameDeals on Reddit are goldmines for discovering price drops, often posted by fellow gamers the moment a sale goes live. These communities frequently cover deals across all platforms and regions, including physical game sales. Many dedicated deal forums (e.g., HotUKDeals, Slickdeals) also have sections specifically for video games.

Email Newsletters

Sign up for newsletters from your favorite game retailers (e.g., Humble Bundle, Fanatical, Green Man Gaming, official console stores). While they might not be tailored to specific games on your wishlist, they’ll keep you informed about general sales events and significant discounts.

Maximizing Your Savings: Tips for Effective Tracking

• Set Price Thresholds: Don’t just track sales; define the price you’re willing to pay. Most advanced trackers allow you to set a specific target price.
• Compare Editions: Often, the base game goes on sale, but deluxe or ultimate editions might offer better value if the included DLC is something you want. Compare prices carefully.
• Be Patient: Sales cycles exist. If a game just came out, it might be months before its first significant discount. Older games will see more frequent and deeper cuts.
• Check Multiple Sources: Relying on just one tracker might lead you to miss a deal. Use a combination of a central aggregator and platform-specific wishlists.

Conclusion: Smart Gaming, Smart Spending

With these tools and strategies, getting alerts for game price drops on all platforms, for both indie and AAA titles, is easier than ever. By leveraging dedicated price trackers, native wishlist features, and community-driven deal aggregators, you can ensure you’re always informed about the best discounts available. Embrace smart shopping, and watch your gaming library grow without draining your wallet. Happy gaming!