The Holiday 2014 Video Game Buyer's Guide
Looking for the best console bundles and cheapest game deals for yourself or as a gift? We've got you covered.
Video games are expensive, but there are some good deals out there in the run up to the Christmas holidays. Whether you're looking for console bundles or specific games, taking the time to shop around will always pay off and the good news is that prices of games tend to drop very quickly. Here are some of the best deals we've found in the run up the gift buying season, for console bundles, this year's biggest games and bargain titles on PC.
We'll update the best deals as they become available throughout December.
Console bundle deals
The thing to remember with console bundles is that good offers are snapped up very quickly. GAME in the UK has been discounting the Wii U for the past month but at the moment it's selling at fairly standard prices. Dropping money on a console is expensive, so if you a bargain deal snap it up quickly as it's not likely to last for very long. Also remember that limited editions/colours can up the price of a system just for aesthetic reasons - if your console is going to be under the TV out of sight, don't spend more on something just because it looks cool.
PS4
GAME is selling a PS4 with one controller, Far Cry 4, Driveclub and The Last of Us: Remastered digital download for £349.99. Sounds like a good deal and it's free delivery via the website.
For the same £349 price you can get the PS4 with FIFA 15 and Minecraft on Amazon UK.
If you're in the US and want a PS4 with GTA V and The Last of Us you can pick one up at GameStop for $399.99, which is a great deal. Otherwise the same price will get you the console with either Destiny or Far Cry 4.
Xbox One
In the UK you can buy the Xbox One with one controller and three games; Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and Forza Racing 5 digital edition for £349.99. There's free delivery on that from the website too.
Amazon is selling the Xbox One with Assassin's Creed: Black Flag and Assassin's Creed: Unity for £329.99, or the Xbox One bundled with Grand Theft Auto V or Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, both for £329.
In the US GameStop is offering the Assassin's Creed Unity Xbox One bundle for $349.99, which also comes with Assassin's Creed: Black Flag. For the same price you can also get the white Xbox One bundle with Sunset Overdrive
Wii U
Amazon UK is selling the Mario Kart 8 Wii U 32GB bundle for £235 or pay £249 for the console with New Super Mario Bros. and Luigi double pack.
In the US GameStop is offering a Wii U bundled with Super Mario 3D World for $299.99, or for $329.99 bundled with Mario Kart 8.
Next: where's cheapest to buy the biggest console games of the year?
Deals on the best console games of the year
Keep in mind game prices go up and down on a daily basis, especially this time of year, and some websites may try and sell you a game even though they are waiting for stock from their supplier. Double check on deals to make sure it's actually in stock and will arrive before Christmas if you're giving as a gift.
Here's the best deals we can find on some of the biggest console games of the year in the UK.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
The Hut is selling Dragon Age: Inquisition for £37.98 on PS4 and Amazon has it for £37.85 on Xbox One. Both good deals.
Destiny
Simply Games had Destiny on PS4 for £34.85 while the cheapest we can find it on Xbox One is £39.85 on Amazon.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
Still pretty pricey, this one. Amazon is the cheapest place selling Advanced Warfare for £39.85 on PS4 but it's £42.85 on Xbox One.
FIFA 15
On PS4, ShopTo is selling FIFA 15 for £34.85 and Simply Games has it for £36.85 on Xbox One.
Grand Theft Auto V
This one will hold its price so don't expect big discounts. GTA V on PS4 costs £42.99 on Amazon and £41.95 at Game Collection on Xbox One.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
Bit of a bargain this: ShopTo is selling Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor for £29.86 on PS4 and Amazon has it for £28 on Xbox One.
Next: The best deals for cheap PC games on Steam
Best PC game deals on Steam
Money goes a long way on Steam. PC games are always cheaper from the very start, and there's a long-standing tradition of heavy discounts on real high-end titles. Again, hunt around, and see what you can get for your money. All of these recent releases clock in at under £12.
Insurgency
Released at the start of the year, New Worlds' tactical FPS is tight and tense. A bargain at £10.99.
The Forest
In Steam early access, The Forest is creepy, a little bit buggy but packed with tension and horror weirdness. It's only £10.99.
Nether
Another first-person horror game, Nether has you scrambling around for supplies and survival and is well worth dropping £6.99 on it.
I Am Bread
Just released, I Am bread is from the makers of Surgeon Simulator. Check it out for £5.94.
Goat Simulator
It's a simulator about being a goat. It's messy, funny and worth a punt at £6.99.
Final Fantasy XIII-2
I classic RPG series comes to PC at the bargain price of £11.69. See what all the fuss is about.
The Binding of Isaac Rebirth
£10.99 for one of the best randomly generated roguelike RPGs seems like a good deal to us. Get involved.
Lichdom: Battlemage
A first-person mage-em-up with bugs but plenty of neat crafting options. At £8.99 it's worth taking the risk.