What’s the best way to track specific game price drops across all platforms?

The Quest for the Perfect Game Deal

For avid gamers, buying new titles at full price can be a hefty investment. The thrill of snagging a coveted game at a significant discount, however, is a reward in itself. With hundreds of games released annually and multiple digital storefronts – from Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG on PC to PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, and Nintendo eShop on consoles – keeping an eye on price fluctuations for specific titles across all these platforms can feel like an impossible task.

Thankfully, dedicated tools and smart strategies exist to simplify this process, ensuring you never miss a sale on that game you’ve been eyeing. The ‘best’ method often involves a combination of these approaches, tailored to your gaming habits and the platforms you frequent.

Dedicated Game Price Tracking Websites & Apps

The most comprehensive and efficient way to track game price drops across all major platforms is through specialized third-party websites and apps. These aggregators pull data from numerous digital storefronts, providing a centralized hub for deal hunting.

• IsThereAnyDeal (ITAD): Often considered the gold standard for PC gamers, ITAD tracks prices from dozens of authorized PC storefronts (Steam, Epic, GOG, Humble Store, etc.). You can create a wishlist, set up custom price alerts, and view historical low prices, helping you determine if a current sale is truly a good deal.
• CheapShark: Similar to ITAD but often including console deals, CheapShark focuses on delivering real-time game deals. It allows you to search for specific games, compare prices, and set email alerts for when a game hits your desired price point.
• GG.deals: This platform offers extensive tracking across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. It provides price comparisons, historical data, and a robust wishlist feature that sends notifications for price drops on your selected games across various digital stores. It’s particularly strong for cross-platform visibility.

These services are invaluable because they not only consolidate information but also often distinguish between different editions of a game and include prices from key sellers, not just the platform’s native store.

Leveraging Platform-Specific Wishlists & Features

While not truly ‘cross-platform’ in their notification capabilities, each major gaming platform offers its own built-in wishlist and notification system. Using these in conjunction with third-party trackers provides an excellent safety net:

• Steam Wishlist: Allows you to add games and receive email notifications when they go on sale.
• PlayStation Store Wishlist: Similarly, you can add games and get notified of price drops.
• Xbox Games Store Wishlist: Add games to your ‘Follow’ list to receive alerts on sales.
• Nintendo eShop Wishlist: Add games and receive email notifications when they are discounted.

These native wishlists are reliable for sales within their respective ecosystems, but they won’t inform you if the same game is cheaper on a different platform or a third-party seller. They are best for ensuring you don’t miss a first-party sale.

Browser Extensions & Community Alerts

For an extra layer of convenience, consider browser extensions and community-driven deal channels:

• Browser Extensions: Some price tracking sites, like Augur for IsThereAnyDeal, offer browser extensions that integrate deal information directly into storefront pages. When you visit a game’s page on Steam or Epic, the extension might show you if it’s cheaper elsewhere or its historical low.
• Reddit & Discord Communities: Subreddits like r/GameDeals and various Discord servers are hotbeds for real-time deal alerts posted by fellow gamers. These communities often catch flash sales or niche deals that might take longer to appear on automated trackers. Joining a few relevant groups can give you an edge, especially for quickly expiring offers.

Key Features to Prioritize in a Tracker

When choosing your primary tracking tool, look for these essential features:

• Multi-Platform Support: Crucial for seeing deals across PC and consoles.
• Historical Price Data: Lets you see if a current sale price is truly a good deal or if the game has been cheaper before.
• Customizable Alerts: Email, browser, or app notifications for when a game hits a specific price or goes on sale at all.
• User-Friendly Interface: An intuitive design makes managing wishlists and navigating deals much easier.
• DRM Information: (For PC games) Knowing if a game uses Steam, Epic, GOG, or a third-party DRM can be important for some users.

Tips for Savvy Deal Hunting

Beyond using the right tools, a strategic mindset can further maximize your savings:

• Be Patient: Most games will eventually go on sale. If it’s not urgent, waiting a few months can yield significant discounts.
• Set Realistic Price Targets: Don’t always wait for a game to hit rock bottom if you’re eager to play it. A 50-60% discount is often a great deal for newer titles.
• Consider Bundles: Keep an eye on Humble Bundle, Fanatical, and similar sites. They often offer great value bundles that include games on your wishlist, sometimes for a fraction of their individual prices.
• Check During Major Sales Events: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Summer Sales, Winter Sales, and various publisher-specific sales are prime times for the deepest discounts.

Conclusion

The best way to track specific game price drops across all platforms is to adopt a multi-pronged approach. Start by leveraging a powerful, dedicated price tracking website or app like GG.deals or IsThereAnyDeal (with CheapShark as a strong alternative) for comprehensive, cross-platform coverage and historical data. Supplement this with the native wishlist features of your primary gaming platforms and keep an eye on community-driven deal sites like Reddit’s r/GameDeals for real-time alerts. By combining these strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to catch the best game deals, ensuring you never pay full price for your next gaming adventure.