What are the best sites to track PC/console game deals and promo codes?

Unlocking Savings: Your Guide to Game Deals

For avid gamers, the cost of new titles can quickly add up. Thankfully, a thriving ecosystem of websites, communities, and tools exists to help you track down the best PC and console game deals, sales, and promo codes. With a little savvy, you can expand your game library without breaking the bank.

Finding a great deal isn’t just about stumbling upon a random sale; it’s about strategic tracking and leveraging the right resources. From comprehensive aggregators to community-driven forums, here’s a rundown of the best places to find those elusive discounts.

Dedicated Deal Aggregators & Price Comparison Sites

These platforms are your first stop for a broad overview of sales across multiple digital storefronts. They compile deals from various retailers, often providing price history and customizable alerts.

• IsThereAnyDeal.com: Often considered the gold standard, IsThereAnyDeal (ITAD) tracks game prices across dozens of PC storefronts. You can create a wishlist, get email alerts for desired price drops, and view comprehensive price histories to ensure you’re getting a genuine deal. It also highlights publisher bundles and free game giveaways.
• GG.deals: Similar to ITAD, GG.deals offers price comparisons for PC games, including historical data, region filtering, and a robust wishlist feature. It’s excellent for seeing the best current price and whether it’s a new low.
• CheapShark.com: A straightforward site primarily focused on PC game deals. CheapShark aggregates sales from major digital distributors and often links directly to the lowest price available. It’s a quick way to check for current discounts.

Top Retailers with Frequent Sales & Bundles

Beyond aggregators, several retailers are known for their regular sales events, exclusive bundles, and promo codes.

• Humble Bundle: Famous for its pay-what-you-want game bundles that support charity, Humble Bundle also has a robust storefront with daily deals, flash sales, and a monthly subscription service (Humble Choice) offering a curated selection of games.
• Fanatical: Similar to Humble, Fanatical (formerly Bundle Stars) offers excellent game bundles, individual game deals, and seasonal sales. They often have very competitive prices on keys for popular PC games.
• Green Man Gaming: This digital retailer frequently offers discounts on new releases and popular titles, often providing additional voucher codes that can be stacked on top of existing sales for even deeper savings.
• GOG.com: Known for its DRM-free policy, GOG frequently runs sales on both modern and classic PC titles, especially during major seasonal events.
• Digital Storefronts (Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop): Don’t forget the platforms themselves! These stores host massive seasonal sales (Summer, Winter, Black Friday), weekly deals, and daily discounts directly on their platforms. Consoles often have ‘Deals with Gold’ or ‘PlayStation Plus’ discounts for subscribers.

Community-Driven Deal Sites & Forums

Sometimes the best deals are unearthed by fellow gamers. These communities are invaluable for real-time updates and discovering niche promotions.

• Reddit (r/GameDeals): This subreddit is a constantly updated feed of user-submitted game deals from a wide array of storefronts. The community vets deals, discusses historical prices, and points out regional restrictions. There are also specific subreddits like r/buildapcsales which sometimes include PC game deals.
• Slickdeals, HotUKDeals, Dealabs, MyDealz (Regional Specific): These are broader deal aggregator sites, but they have dedicated gaming sections or tags. Users post deals, and the community votes on their hotness, providing real-time information on major sales and promo codes often overlooked elsewhere.

Browser Extensions & Wishlist Tools

To automate your deal hunting, leverage technology that brings deals to you.

• Browser Extensions: Some deal sites like ITAD and GG.deals offer browser extensions that can show you price history and current deals directly on a game’s store page, preventing you from overpaying.
• Digital Storefront Wishlists: Utilize the wishlist features on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo eShop. Most will notify you via email when a game on your list goes on sale.
• Email Newsletters: Subscribe to newsletters from your favorite retailers (Humble, Fanatical, Green Man Gaming, etc.) to get direct notifications about their sales events and exclusive promo codes.

Tips for Smart Deal Hunting

Even with all these resources, a smart strategy will maximize your savings:

• Be Patient: Most games eventually go on sale. Unless it’s a must-have day one purchase, waiting a few months can often save you 30-50%.
• Check Price History: Use sites like ITAD or GG.deals to see if the current sale price is truly a good deal or if the game has been cheaper before.
• Understand Regional Pricing: Deals and availability can vary significantly by region.
• Consider Bundles Carefully: While bundles offer great value, only buy if you genuinely want most of the games included.
• Read Reviews: Don’t fall for a cheap price tag on a game you won’t enjoy. Always check reviews before committing.

Conclusion

The world of PC and console gaming is rich with opportunities for saving money. By combining the power of dedicated deal aggregators, the frequent sales of major retailers, the real-time insights from gaming communities, and smart personal tools, you can build an impressive game library without overspending. Happy hunting!