Your Ultimate Guide to Finding Gaming Console Deals on Black Friday

Black Friday is the best time of year to score a deal on a new gaming console, but the competition can be fierce. If you’re hoping to find a Nintendo Switch or another console on sale, you need a smart strategy. This guide will give you the actionable tips and insights you need to navigate the sales and find the perfect deal.

Understanding Black Friday Console Deals

First, it’s important to understand what a “sale” or “clearance” deal actually looks like for a popular item like a gaming console. Retailers use Black Friday to attract customers, and console deals are a major draw. However, massive price drops on the latest models are rare. Instead, you are more likely to find these types of offers:

  • Bundles: This is the most common type of deal. A retailer will package the console with one or two popular games, and sometimes an accessory or a subscription service (like Nintendo Switch Online), for the standard price of the console itself. For example, a popular past deal was a Nintendo Switch with a digital copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for $299, the normal price of the console alone.
  • Gift Card Promotions: Retailers like Target and Dell often offer a console at its regular price but include a generous store gift card. For instance, you might buy a PlayStation 5 for \(499 and receive a \)75 Target gift card, effectively lowering the price if you’re a regular shopper there.
  • Discounts on Older Models: When a new version of a console is released (like the Nintendo Switch OLED or the PlayStation 5 Slim), retailers use Black Friday to clear out inventory of the older hardware. These can be great deals if you don’t need the absolute latest tech.
  • Refurbished Console Sales: Official refurbished consoles from Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft can be a fantastic value. These are often units that have been returned, professionally repaired, and certified to work like new, usually with a warranty. Retailers like GameStop and the official Nintendo Store are great places to look for these.

Top Consoles to Watch This Black Friday

While the Nintendo Switch is often a hot item, it’s smart to keep an eye on all the major players. Here’s what to expect for each.

Nintendo Switch (OLED, Standard, and Lite)

The Nintendo Switch remains incredibly popular, and Black Friday is one of the few times you’ll see it discounted.

  • The Best Bet: Look for the standard Nintendo Switch bundled with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and a 3-month Nintendo Switch Online membership. This bundle has appeared for several years running at major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy for around $299.
  • Switch OLED: As the premium model, deep discounts are unlikely. You are more likely to see a bundle with a popular new game or a gift card offer.
  • Switch Lite: This handheld-only version is a prime candidate for a straight price drop. Look for deals that bring its price down from \(199 to the \)150-$170 range, sometimes with a memory card included.

Sony PlayStation 5 (Standard and Digital)

The PS5 is still in high demand, so don’t expect massive price cuts.

  • Bundles Are Key: The most common deal will be a PS5 console bundled with a blockbuster game like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. These bundles usually sell for the standard price of the console and the game separately but are often the only stock available.
  • Look for Accessories: Black Friday is an excellent time to get deals on DualSense controllers, headsets, and SSD storage upgrades for your PS5.

Microsoft Xbox Series X & Series S

Microsoft is often more aggressive with its Black Friday pricing, especially for the all-digital Series S.

  • Xbox Series S: This is often the best-value console deal of the season. It’s not uncommon to see the Series S bundled with digital currency or a game pass subscription for well under its $299 retail price. Keep an eye on Walmart and the official Microsoft Store.
  • Xbox Series X: Similar to the PS5, the flagship Xbox Series X is more likely to be featured in a bundle with a game or a gift card than a direct price cut.

Your Black Friday Strategy: A Step-by-Step Game Plan

Success on Black Friday requires preparation. Follow these steps to maximize your chances of getting the console you want.

1. Start Your Research Early

Don’t wait until the week of Thanksgiving. Black Friday sales often start in early November.

  • Know What You Want: Decide on the exact console and bundle you’re looking for. This focus will prevent you from getting distracted by other “good” deals and missing out on the one you truly want.
  • Set a Budget: Know your maximum price and stick to it. This helps you evaluate whether a deal is truly worth it.

2. Monitor the Major Retailers

Keep a close watch on the websites and weekly ads for the biggest electronics retailers.

  • Online Giants: Amazon is a must-watch, but their deals can be lightning-fast.
  • Big Box Stores: Walmart, Target, and Best Buy are the most reliable sources for the famous console bundles. Check their websites daily in the weeks leading up to Black Friday.
  • Specialty Stores: GameStop often has exclusive bundles and is the best place for trade-in offers to lower your out-of-pocket cost.
  • Warehouse Clubs: Costco and Sam’s Club sometimes have excellent, unadvertised bundles that include extra controllers or subscription cards.

3. Use Deal-Tracking Tools

Let technology do the hard work for you. Set up alerts on deal aggregator websites.

  • Slickdeals: This community-driven site is one of the best resources. Users post and vote on deals, so the best ones rise to the top. You can set a deal alert for “Nintendo Switch” and get a notification the moment a deal goes live.
  • CamelCamelCamel: This is an essential tool for Amazon. It tracks the price history of any product, so you can see if the “deal” price is actually a good one.
  • Retailer Apps: Download the apps for Target, Walmart, and Best Buy. Enable push notifications to get instant updates on when their biggest sales start.

4. Prepare for Checkout

The most popular console deals sell out in minutes, sometimes seconds. Speed is everything.

  • Create Accounts: Before the sale begins, create an account on each retailer’s website.
  • Save Your Information: Securely save your shipping address and payment information to your accounts. This will shave critical seconds off your checkout time.
  • Be Ready at Go-Time: Many online deals start at a specific time, like midnight EST. Be logged in and ready on the product page a few minutes before the sale is scheduled to begin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Black Friday console deals better than Cyber Monday? Generally, yes. The best console doorbuster deals, especially bundles, are typically released for Black Friday itself. Cyber Monday may have good deals on games and accessories, but the headline console offers usually appear earlier.

Is it safe to buy a refurbished console? Yes, as long as you buy from a reputable source. An officially refurbished console from Nintendo or a certified refurbished product from GameStop comes with a warranty and has been tested to meet factory standards. It’s a great way to save money.

What is the best console bundle to look for? The best bundle includes a game you actually want to play. The Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a classic because the game has near-universal appeal and is rarely discounted on its own. For PlayStation or Xbox, look for bundles with major first-party titles.