How do I set up alerts for specific PC & console game price drops?

Never Miss a Sale: Your Guide to Game Price Drop Alerts

In the vast world of video games, sales are as frequent as new releases. From AAA blockbusters to indie gems, countless titles go on discount throughout the year. For budget-conscious gamers or those with extensive wishlists, manually checking prices can be a full-time job. Thankfully, a variety of tools and services exist to do the heavy lifting for you, ensuring you’re instantly notified when your desired PC or console game hits that sweet spot price. Setting up these alerts is straightforward and can save you significant money, letting you expand your game library without breaking the bank.

Dedicated Game Price Tracking Websites and Apps

The most robust way to track game prices is through specialized websites designed specifically for this purpose. These platforms aggregate data from various digital storefronts, offering historical price data, current deals, and customizable alert systems.

For PC Games

• IsThereAnyDeal (ITAD): Often considered the gold standard for PC game price tracking, ITAD monitors prices across dozens of digital storefronts (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Humble Store, etc.). You can create a personal wishlist, link your existing Steam library, and set custom price alerts via email or browser notifications. It also shows historical low prices, helping you decide if a current deal is truly the best it gets.
• SteamDB: While primarily a database for Steam, SteamDB also offers powerful price tracking features. You can add games to your SteamDB wishlist and receive email notifications for price drops, especially useful for tracking regional pricing and bundled deals.

For Console Games

• DekuDeals (Nintendo Switch): This site is indispensable for Nintendo Switch owners. DekuDeals tracks eShop prices, physical game deals from major retailers, and offers a comprehensive wishlist system with email alerts for price drops. It also displays historical prices and meta-critic scores.
• PSNProfiles / Gamedealhunter (PlayStation): While PSNProfiles is known for trophy tracking, it also has a decent deals section where you can track PlayStation Store sales. Gamedealhunter is another strong contender for PlayStation, offering robust filters and alert options.
• Xbox Store Tracker (Various Sites): Many general deal sites will cover Xbox deals. Dedicated trackers are less common but services like cheapassgamer.com often highlight Xbox sales. Microsoft’s own store wishlist is also quite effective.

Platform-Specific Wishlists and Notifications

Don’t overlook the built-in features of your preferred gaming platforms. All major digital storefronts offer some form of wishlist functionality that can notify you of price drops.

• Steam Wishlist: Easily add any game to your Steam wishlist. You’ll receive email notifications when games on your list go on sale.
• PlayStation Store Wishlist: Similar to Steam, the PS Store allows you to add games to a wishlist and sends email alerts for discounts.
• Xbox Store Wishlist: The Xbox app and console store let you wishlist games and will notify you when they go on sale.
• Nintendo eShop Wishlist: The Nintendo eShop also has a wishlist feature that will alert you to sales on your selected titles.

Browser Extensions & Community Resources

Beyond dedicated trackers, several other tools and communities can help you snag the best deals.

• Browser Extensions (e.g., Enhanced Steam, Augmented Steam): Some browser extensions for specific platforms enhance the store experience and can sometimes offer deal tracking or quick links to price history.
• CamelCamelCamel (for physical copies/Amazon): If you’re looking for physical copies of console games on Amazon, CamelCamelCamel is an excellent tool. It tracks Amazon price history and can send you alerts when an item drops to your desired price.
• Reddit Communities (r/GameDeals, r/buildapcsales): These active subreddits are goldmines for timely deals. Users constantly post new sales, often with detailed breakdowns and discussions about historical lows. While not an alert system in itself, following these communities can keep you informed.
• Discord Servers: Many gaming communities and deal aggregator services run Discord servers that provide real-time updates on sales.

Tips for Maximizing Your Savings

Setting up alerts is the first step, but a few additional strategies can help you make the most of your deal hunting.

• Be Patient: Most games, especially older titles, will eventually go on a significant sale. Patience is your greatest ally.
• Check Historical Lows: Use sites like IsThereAnyDeal or DekuDeals to see a game’s lowest recorded price. This helps you determine if a current sale is truly a good deal or if you should wait for an even deeper discount.
• Consider Bundles: Keep an eye out for game bundles (e.g., Humble Bundle, Fanatical) which often offer multiple games at a heavily discounted price.
• Follow Publishers/Developers: Sometimes studios announce sales directly through their social media channels or newsletters before they appear on aggregate sites.

Conclusion

Gone are the days of tirelessly refreshing store pages hoping for a sale. With the array of dedicated websites, platform wishlists, and community resources available, setting up alerts for PC and console game price drops is easier than ever. By leveraging these tools, you can ensure you never miss out on a great deal, growing your game library intelligently and saving money in the process. Start setting up your alerts today and enjoy the thrill of smart gaming purchases!