Which tools track historic low prices for games & alert me to upcoming sales?
Never Miss a Great Game Deal Again
For avid gamers, buying games at full price can quickly add up. Thankfully, a plethora of online tools and communities exist to help you snag titles at their historic low prices and alert you to upcoming sales events. Whether you game on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, there are smart ways to ensure you get the most bang for your buck.
Essential PC Game Price Trackers
PC gamers benefit from a highly competitive digital marketplace, with numerous storefronts offering sales year-round. Knowing where and when to buy can save you a fortune.
IsThereAnyDeal (ITAD)
Often considered the gold standard for PC game price tracking, IsThereAnyDeal aggregates prices from dozens of legitimate digital storefronts, including Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Humble Store, Fanatical, and Green Man Gaming. It allows you to create a wishlist and receive email alerts when a game reaches a specific price point or hits a new historic low. You can also view comprehensive price histories for any game, helping you decide if now is the right time to buy.
SteamDB
While primarily focused on Steam, SteamDB is an invaluable resource for tracking sales, price history, and even identifying regional price differences. Its detailed charts show a game’s price fluctuations over time on Steam, and you can add games to your SteamDB wishlist for email notifications. It’s also excellent for spotting unannounced sales or understanding bundle inclusions.
Other PC Storefronts and Bundles
Many PC-specific stores like GOG, Fanatical, and Green Man Gaming have their own robust sale sections. Additionally, sites like Humble Bundle frequently offer curated bundles that provide incredible value for multiple games, often tied to charitable causes.
Console Game Price Monitoring
Tracking console game prices, especially for digital titles, has become significantly easier thanks to dedicated platforms.
Nintendo eShop Discounts with Deku Deals
For Nintendo Switch owners, Deku Deals is indispensable. It tracks both digital eShop prices and physical cartridge prices across major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. You can create wishlists, set price alerts, and view the complete price history for any Switch game, making it easy to decide if a “deal” is truly a good one.
PlayStation Store & Xbox Store Sales
Similar services exist for other console platforms. Websites like PSPrices.com (for PlayStation) and Xbox-Now.com (for Xbox) track digital prices across various regions, allowing you to set up wishlists and alerts for games on your respective console’s storefront. They often highlight games available through subscription services like PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass, adding another layer of value.
Aggregators and Community Alerts
Beyond platform-specific tools, several aggregators and communities keep a pulse on deals across the entire gaming landscape.
CheapShark
CheapShark is another powerful price aggregator that pulls deals from numerous PC storefronts and some console retailers. Its strength lies in its simplicity and ability to compare prices quickly. You can set up alerts for specific games, browse trending deals, and see the lowest prices from reputable sellers.
Reddit’s r/GameDeals
The r/GameDeals subreddit is a bustling community where users post and discuss game deals as soon as they go live. It’s an excellent source for flash sales, obscure discounts, and community insights on whether a deal is worth it. Subscribing and enabling notifications can give you real-time updates.
Twitter Accounts & News Sites
Many dedicated Twitter accounts (e.g., @Wario64, @videogamedeals) and gaming news websites are known for breaking deal news rapidly. Following these sources can provide instant alerts for major sales or unexpected price drops.
Setting Up Your Price Alerts
To effectively leverage these tools, configure your alerts wisely:
- Create Wishlists: Populate wishlists on your preferred storefronts (Steam, PS Store, eShop, Xbox Store) and on tracking sites like IsThereAnyDeal or Deku Deals.
- Email Notifications: Enable email alerts for price drops that meet your criteria.
- Browser Extensions: Some sites offer browser extensions that can show price history directly on store pages.
- RSS Feeds/Discord Bots: For advanced users, many deal sites offer RSS feeds or Discord integration to push alerts directly to your preferred platforms.
Tips for Smart Game Shopping
- Be Patient: Most games, especially popular ones, will eventually go on sale. If you’re not in a hurry, waiting can save you significant money.
- Check Price History: Always consult the price history graphs. A 50% off sale might look good, but if the game routinely goes 75% off, it might be worth waiting.
- Consider Bundles: Humble Bundle and similar sites offer incredible value. Always check if a game you want is part of a bundle.
- Read Reviews: Don’t let a low price blind you. Always check recent reviews to ensure the game is still enjoyable or if it has received necessary updates.
Conclusion
With the right set of tools and a little patience, you can dramatically reduce the cost of your gaming hobby. By utilizing price trackers, community alerts, and smart shopping habits, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite games without breaking the bank, always securing them at their historic low prices or during significant sales events.
