Console Deal Checker: Black Friday 2026
The quick answer
A deal is real only if the sale price is lower than what the item normally costs, the add-ons you need are included or priced in, and you can send it back. Run the five checks below in about three minutes per deal.
Check 1: Price history, not the crossed out price
A shop's "was" price proves nothing. Look up the item's price history on a public price tracker for your country, or note the price yourself in the weeks before. Compare the sale price with the lowest normal price of the last 90 days.
Worked example with made-up numbers
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| "Was 500, now 400" | Looks like 20% off |
| Price last month: 420 to 450 | Real saving is only 5% to 11% |
| Lowest in 90 days: 399 | This is a normal price, not a deal |
The maths, so you can check it
Real discount % = (lowest normal price - sale price) / lowest normal price x 100. If the answer is zero or negative, it is not a deal, whatever the banner says.
Check 2: Does the storage fit your console?
A cheap console or bundle may have a small drive, and big games take a lot of room (GTA 6 is up to 212 GB per Rockstar support). Read the storage size in the listing. Check your console maker's list of supported storage before buying an SSD. Match the exact model.
Check 3: Bundle traps
Ask what is really in the box. Is the game a download code or a disc? Does the code expire? Is the controller included, or only one? Add up the price of each part if bought alone. If the bundle costs more than the parts you would actually buy, skip it.
Check 4: Return window and who sells it
Find the return policy before you pay. Note how many days you have, who pays return shipping, and whether opened games or digital codes can be returned (codes often cannot). Prefer a seller you can name and reach.
Check 5: The too good to be true test
If the price is far below every other shop, be careful. Look for odd web addresses, payment only by bank transfer or gift card, and codes sold on social media. Pay by a method that lets you dispute the charge.
We list no prices and no shops, and we earn nothing from any purchase. Dates checked on the web on 12 Nov 2026: Black Friday 27 Nov, Cyber Monday 30 Nov 2026.
Send us a deal to check
Send the item, the shop, the price and what you want to play. We reply with the checks above applied to it and what to watch for.
Unofficial guide. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any game studio, console maker or shop. Product and game names are used only to say what a deal is for.