Video game buyers fall into two distinct camps: those that want to get in on the action immediately and those that are willing to wait for a better deal. Sometimes, in the vast and complex world of video games, these two desires converge. For example, preorders for a game will see discounts, or other incentives, before its release. Waiting is the best way to find a great deal on video games, regardless of whether you’re buying them for your PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or PC.
There’s no doubt that the best time for you to purchase an Ubisoft product is just a couple of weeks after it launches. Ubisoft often offers great deals on video games. So if you aren’t in a rush to buy the latest Far Cry or Assassin’s Cry, wait and you will get them for a fraction of what they retail at. The deal may get even better over time. Mario + rabbits: Kingdom Battle, for example, is a good example. A full-priced title at launch, you can now find it for less that $20. The game is also great.
Video Game Deals
Choose your preferred platform to find the best video games deals.
Get the best PS5 video game deals
EA
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
You can save $10 by using the coupon that appears on the product page.
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Nintendo Switch Video Game Deals
Nintendo
The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Sun Kingdom
Tears of the Kingdom is $10 cheaper with the code IGNZLDA.
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Xbox Video Game Deals
EA
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Clipping the coupon will instantly save you $10.
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The Best PC Gaming Deals
Valve
Steam Special Offers Page
Steam, the GOAT in gaming deals, has a page of “special offers” that includes game deals when Steam Sale is not running.
Green Man Gaming
Live Deals
On this landing page, you can find all of the current GMG sales and promotions.
GOG
Live Deals
Good Old Games offers a wide range of discounts on everything from classics to modern games.
Epic Games
Epic Games Store Deal Page
This is the storefront that Fortnite created, where you can get deals on PC games of all kinds.
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When are the best video game deals?
Always, there are video games on offer. Sometimes the sale prices are the lowest ever and occur during a nondescript period. There are always games on sale, but there are two main times when you can get the best deals: Black Friday and special publisher events.
Black Friday Video Game Deals
Black Friday offers the most deals, especially on video games. Black Friday used to be the Friday following Thanksgiving. However, the event now spans a period of two to three weeks, starting on the weekend prior to Thanksgiving and ending with Cyber Week, the week immediately following Black Friday.
These video games are often the most heavily discounted at the beginning Black Friday shopping event, which can start as early Sunday afternoon. Some of these simple deals may last until Black Friday itself, but the very best of them often sells out before the day. IGN Deals has a lot of information on Black Friday, so be sure to keep up with us. on Twitter @IGNDeals You can bookmark the official IGN Deals webpage.
Publisher Game Deals
The best way to reduce your backlog is by taking advantage of special deals from publishers and stores. You know how hard it is to resist Steam Sales, even if you already have 100 games in your backlog. Black Friday can be predicted, but most of the events of publishers are not. Nintendo’s MAR10 Day promotion, which takes place around March 10, is the only exception. Keep an eye on these major video games deals.
- PlayStation Days of Play Event
- This usually occurs around E3, or what used to be E3, and is held in June. Sony offered a limited-edition Days of Play PS4 in addition to a lot of games discounts.
- Xbox Ultimate Game Sale
- Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass controllers are on sale, along with Xbox games.
- Nintendo eShop Summer Sale
- Nintendo also offers a lot of indie games, as well as a number of first-party titles, at incredibly low prices.
- Steam Sale
- Valve is perhaps the most famous and celebrated video games deal event. Valve puts its huge PC gaming library up for sale several times a years, with Steam Summer Sale (Summer Sale) and Steam Winter Sale (Winter Sale) being the two best opportunities to save on gaming.
The list is not exhaustive, but these are by far the biggest and best.
When is a game deal a real deal?
When a game is on sale so long, the “deal” becomes just the new price. You might find a game on Amazon at a 20% discount from its original MSRP. IGN Deals tries to only face legitimate and new deals. I would recommend that you let us assist you. You’ll know if a game has a perma deal once you start browsing deals.
On sites like camelcamelcamel, you can check the price and determine with certainty if there is a new sale or whether it is just a new, low-priced product masquerading itself as a promotion. Amazon has started to add little notes, such as “Lowest Price for 30 Days,” to its listings.
Seth Macy wants to be friends with you. He is the Executive Editor of IGN Commerce. He hosts the Nintendo Voice Chat Podcast.
