What’s the best tool to track PC/console game sales & find discount codes?

Navigating the World of Game Deals

In the vast and ever-expanding universe of video games, finding your next great adventure at a reduced price is a thrill almost as good as playing it. With thousands of titles released across PC and consoles annually, sales, discounts, and promotional codes are your best friends. But how do you keep track of fleeting deals and ensure you’re getting the absolute best price? This guide will break down the top tools and strategies for becoming a savvy game deal hunter.

Top Price Comparison Sites for PC Games

For PC gamers, a few dedicated platforms stand out as indispensable. These sites aggregate prices from various digital storefronts, allowing you to see where a game is cheapest at any given moment.

• IsThereAnyDeal (ITAD): Often considered the gold standard, ITAD tracks prices across dozens of reputable PC storefronts (Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, Humble Store, Fanatical, Green Man Gaming, etc.). It offers historical low price data, wishlist integration, and email alerts for desired games.
• GG.deals: A strong competitor, GG.deals provides a similar service with an excellent user interface, price history graphs, and the ability to filter by DRM-free options or specific launchers.

Both of these sites are crucial for anyone looking to save big on PC titles, often revealing sales you might otherwise miss on individual storefronts.

Console-Specific Strategies and Tools

Console gaming requires a slightly different approach, as sales are typically confined to their respective digital storefronts (PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop) or major retailers for physical copies.

• Official Store Wishlists: Utilize the built-in wishlist features on your console’s digital store. Many will notify you when a wishlisted game goes on sale.
• DekuDeals (Nintendo Switch): This site is an absolute must-have for Nintendo Switch owners. It meticulously tracks eShop sales, physical game deals from retailers, and even compares prices across different regions. It also offers price history and email alerts.
• PSPrices & Xbox-Now: These third-party sites are excellent for tracking sales on the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store, respectively. They offer historical price data and notification features similar to PC aggregators.

For physical console games, keep an eye on major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, and Walmart, especially during holiday seasons or special sales events.

General Deal Aggregators and Communities

Beyond specialized game sites, general deal aggregators and active online communities are fantastic resources for discovering both digital and physical game discounts, including elusive discount codes.

• Reddit Communities: Subreddits like r/GameDeals, r/ConsoleDeals, r/buildapcsales (for hardware and sometimes bundles), and r/FreeGameFindings are incredibly active and user-driven. Deals are posted as they happen, often including coupon codes.
• Slickdeals / HotUKDeals (and regional equivalents): These general deal forums often feature gaming deals, submitted and vetted by a large community. They’re particularly good for finding physical game sales, hardware deals, and sometimes unique coupon codes that apply to specific retailers.

Browser Extensions and Integrations

Sometimes, the best tools integrate directly into your browsing experience, providing instant information when you need it most.

• Augmented Steam: While not a standalone deal tracker, this browser extension significantly enhances your Steam store experience by displaying prices from other stores (via IsThereAnyDeal), historical low prices, and other useful data directly on Steam game pages.
• Honey/Rakuten (formerly Ebates): While less focused on game sales specifically, these extensions automatically search for and apply coupon codes at checkout across a wide range of online retailers. While direct game purchases might not always have external codes, these can be useful for buying gaming accessories, merchandise, or even gift cards that can then be used for games.

Maximizing Your Savings: Pro Tips

Beyond using the right tools, employing a few smart strategies can significantly boost your savings:

• Wishlist Everything: Don’t just wishlist on one platform. Add games to wishlists on PC deal sites (ITAD, GG.deals) and console store wishlists to ensure you get alerts wherever a sale pops up.
• Set Price Alerts: Most advanced deal trackers allow you to set a target price. You’ll get an email notification only when the game drops to or below that price.
• Check Historical Lows: Always compare the current sale price against the game’s historical lowest price. This helps determine if it’s truly a great deal or if you should wait for an even deeper discount.
• Patience is a Virtue: Unless it’s a game you absolutely must play immediately, waiting a few months can often see a significant price drop, especially for new releases.
• Consider Bundles: Services like Humble Bundle and Fanatical frequently offer incredible value, bundling multiple games for a fraction of their individual cost.

Conclusion: Your Ultimate Deal-Hunting Toolkit

There isn’t a single ‘best’ tool, but rather a powerful combination that will serve you well. For PC games, IsThereAnyDeal or GG.deals are your primary weapons. Console players should rely on DekuDeals for Switch and the official store wishlists, supplemented by PS Prices or Xbox-Now. Integrate browser extensions like Augmented Steam for convenience, and tap into the communal knowledge of Reddit and general deal sites for broader coverage and those elusive discount codes.

By leveraging these resources, you’ll be well-equipped to track game sales effectively, snag discount codes, and grow your game library without breaking the bank. Happy hunting!