Black Friday and Cyber Monday are big sale days for gamers. Whether you're looking for hardware or software, you should be able to find something to buy for the upcoming holiday season. If there are games or consoles you want to buy, this month is the time to do it..
Whether you're shopping for yourself or Christmas shopping for others, here's everything gamers need to know to make the most of the big post-Thanksgiving sales.
Black Friday is the name of the infamous Friday that follows Thanksgiving in the United States. It marks the start of the Christmas shopping season. As such, tons of products are heavily discounted.
This makes Black Friday the best time of year to buy anything you don't want to pay full price for.
In 2018, Black Friday is celebrated on November 23. .
Cyber Monday is the Monday immediately after Black Friday, a time when online retailers noticed their sales spike sharply. As the name suggests, this is the day for online sales and is a more relaxed alternative to Black Friday. Since you don't have to go to a store and compete with physical crowds, it's less intense.
In 2018, Cyber Monday is celebrated on November 26. .
Which day you focus on depends on where you want to do your shopping. Black Friday sales take place in physical stores and online, with sales for just about everything.
Cyber Monday is strictly online only, which means sites like Amazon or Newegg are your destinations. Steam and console digital marketplaces usually have sales around this time as well.
The appeal of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales is that almost every retailer participates. This means that the variety of items you can find is staggering.
But what does that mean for you as a player? What should you look for after Thanksgiving?
If you're looking to build your own PC How to Build Your Own PC How to Build Your Own PC It's very rewarding to build your own PC; as well as intimidating. But the process itself is quite simple. We will guide you through everything you need to know. Read More Amazon, Newegg and other retailers will no doubt have deals on PC components.
It is advisable to have a shopping list. Know in advance what components you want to buy to avoid buying unwanted parts at deep discounts. And are you still making common mistakes in building your PC? Use these tips to avoid common problems Building your first PC? Use These Tips to Avoid Common Problems There's nothing like powering up a PC you've put together, especially considering how much money you've saved and the PC knowledge you've gained during that sweet, sweet bonding time. Read More
If you want to buy a ready-made PC, beware of discounts on major brands. For comparison, try buying directly from manufacturers' websites and see if they offer any additional offers.
Consoles are often an expensive item for gamers. If you're in the market for one, you should know what's available right now.
Thinking of an Xbox? The Xbox One S, which is capable of playing 4K video but not 4K gaming, is the cheapest option. Microsoft's most powerful Xbox One X, released in 2016, is much more powerful and therefore capable of 4K gaming. We have compared Xbox One models Xbox One X vs. Xbox One S vs. Xbox One:What are the differences? Xbox One X vs. Xbox One S vs. Xbox One:What are the differences? Did you notice the new Xbox One X? Find out how it's different from Xbox One S and original Xbox One and see which one is best for you. Read More
If you are interested in a PS4, you can choose between PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro. PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim:Is it worth the money? PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim:Are they worth the money? Sony has announced its new PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim! But are any of them worth the money? Here are all the details you need to know! Read more . The Slim is the standard console without 4K support, while the Pro is more robust and capable of 4K gaming.
Nintendo's newest system, the Nintendo Switch, will likely be on sale as well. Nintendo isn't known for deep discounts, so if you see a Switch bundle that includes the game you want, grab it while you can.
The only current portable system is the Nintendo 3DS (and 2DS). It's a bit long in the tooth now, but it still has a fantastic library and is a great option for kids. Take a look at our 3DS model. New 3DS XL vs. New 2DS XL:Which is the best portable Nintendo? New 3DS XL vs. New 2DS XL:Which is the best portable Nintendo? Tempted in the 3DS library by the new 2DS XL? Not sure if the new 3DS XL is better? Here's how the three models compare and which one is best for you. Read further for more information.
In general, the packages are a good buy. Assuming you don't already have the game in a console bundle, it's likely to offer better value than the console itself. They also make especially nice gifts, as the recipient can immediately put the console to use.
An extra controller is great as they don't depreciate in value as quickly as gaming.
Individual games are easy to pick up on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This is a great opportunity to get great discounts on games. Top 7 Sites for Video Game Deals and Deals Top 7 Sites for Video Game Deals and Deals Video games are expensive, but you can save money by buying them on sale. Here are seven of the best websites for finding cheap video game deals and great deals. Read more.
Both PlayStation Store and Xbox Market have pages detailing Black Friday sales. If you don't care about digital games, you can buy your Black Friday games directly from your console. The Nintendo eStore doesn't list a Black Friday sale, but you'll probably find some deals for the Switch and 3DS there.
Steam Sales is justifiably famous for its generous deals and packages during the many seasonal events. The dealer gets Black Friday, of course, so wait to buy PC games on your wish list until the sale goes live.
In addition to Steam, EA's Origin and GOG also often participate in Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales. One of the advantages of buying games through these platforms is that you are not competing with others to buy. So you can shop all day without worrying that they're out of stock.
One of the best ways to take advantage of Black Friday discounts is to buy game accessories or merchandise. These are usually not essential, so you may be more willing to buy them when they are below full price.
Now is a good time to upgrade or get new headsets, mice, controllers, and charging cradles. If you have a player in your life and you want to buy something for them, accessories are a good option. Check out our list of essential PC gaming accessories The Most Essential PC Gaming Accessories for Every Budget The Most Essential PC Gaming Accessories for Every Budget Started PC gaming but don't know what to buy? We've got you covered. No matter how much you have to spend, here are the most important accessories. Read more for some ideas.
Most retailers show their Black Friday ads early. These allow you to see what will be available and decide if it's worth challenging the stores. Many of these are large enough to be their own catalogs, so take a look.
You can use sites like BFAds to find all the flyers published or leaked to the public. Most of these services have email newsletters so you can get updates right away.
Cyber Monday ads aren't as closely monitored as Black Friday deals. However, several websites have pages advertising their Cyber Monday sales. To stay on top of those sales, consider bookmarking those pages or signing up for email alerts from sites you plan to buy. You can always unsubscribe later.
Now you know what to look for as a gamer on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. But don't get too carried away.
Be sure to keep an eye on your budget, as low prices can lead you to buy more than you originally intended. Don't buy games they wouldn't otherwise be interested in just because they're on sale. Similarly, a PC component that seems like a tempting bargain might not be worth its price.
Remember that not every price drop is a bargain. Some prices are marked up before Black Friday and then “marked up” again. Use a price comparison tool to make sure you're really getting a bargain.
Finally, make sure you make your transactions as secure as possible. Review our ways to protect yourself against Black Friday scams. 7 Scams to watch out for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. 7 Scams to watch out for on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. As you shop for deals this Black Friday and Cyber Monday, scammers will be hunting for you. Here's how to shop safely online. Read more; It might be worth using gift cards to buy digital games if you're concerned about security or overspending.
