Black Friday is barrelling towards us once again, complete with the usual sales extravaganzas and big discounts that we’ve all come to expect. Making method out of the madness can sometimes seem like a bit too much to manage, but luckily we’re on hand to help point you in the right direction.

Gaming can be an expensive hobby, what with the seemingly never-ending release schedule of consoles, games and downloadable content, but Black Friday can be a great opportunity to stretch your money that little bit further if you’re a gaming aficionado.

Not sure where to start? We’re here to keep you straight, with all the information, tips and deals that you need to save on gaming deals this Black Friday.

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What is Black Friday?

If you don’t usually pay too much attention to sales and discount days, then you might not know exactly what Black Friday is.

Black Friday is the first Friday after the Thanksgiving holiday in the USA and was started to get stores off to a running start in the lead-up to the busy Christmas shopping season. In recent years we’ve been seeing more and more UK stores starting to take part in the Black Friday fun.

This year Black Friday falls on the 23rd of November, so be sure to get your wishlists ready and keep your eyes peeled for the best deals on the day.

What gaming deals should I look out for on Black Friday?

Central Fife Times: Gaming Deals Black Friday. Photography by Anas Alshanti. Photography on Unsplash Gaming Deals Black Friday. Photography by Anas Alshanti. Photography on Unsplash

There’s set to be an absolute boatload of gaming deals arriving this Black Friday, but it can be hard to tell exactly what is going to be included. To keep you laser-focused on the best savings we’ve put together some of our top picks for the kind of deals you can expect to see.

Consoles – Big savings on consoles and console bundles (including games) are the bread and butter of Black Friday, with substantial discounts to be expected from lots of different stores.

This year we’ll likely see the usual PS4 and Xbox One bundle discounts alongside a cut-price Nintendo Switch – after the swathe of fantastic Switch releases in 2018, now might be the right time to grab Nintendo’s flagship console.

Games – 2018 has been a bumper year for fantastic releases, including God of War, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Spider-Man. You can expect to find some discounts on all these games on Black Friday, but the biggest savings will usually be on older titles – perfect for finishing off an incomplete game library (or getting someone a special stocking filler ahead of time).

Downloadable Content – Both Sony and Microsoft are planning to have sales on their digital marketplaces this Black Friday, so you’ll be able to pick up digital copies of the biggest games and the latest downloadable content releases for less.

Merchandise – Stocking up on gaming merchandise can be much more affordable when you do the bulk of your shopping on Black Friday. You’ll find deals on everything from t-shirts for Fortnite obsessed family members to action figures, badges, posters and more from the biggest franchises of the year.

Accesories – Been putting up with some faulty controllers?  Reckon you’d like to take the dive into Virtual Reality? Black Friday has plenty of ways for you to save on all the extras bits that can help take a gaming experience to the next level, including offers on premium gear like the Xbox Elite controller.

What stores should I watch for gaming deals on Black Friday?

Almost all the largest retailers are set to take part in the fun this Black Friday. To help you out we’ve put together a few of our recommendations for the ones to watch when it comes to gaming deals this year.

  • Amazon* – Stocking almost everything under the sun, Amazon is the natural place to start if you’re looking for some good gaming deals on Black Friday. Last year the savings from Amazon ranged from discounts on PC hardware like GTX 1080s to deals on Xbox One S bundles.
  • GAME* – Last year GAME had some big discounts across their full range of accessories, consoles and – of course – games. This year they’re all set to kick things off with a bang, so be sure to keep an eye out for deals on Amiibos, console bundles and some of the biggest games of the year.
  • Zavvi* – On Black Friday this year you’ll find more than just deals on consoles and games at Zaavi. Their extensive range of gaming merch is perfect for kitting out your wardrobe with some of your favourite properties – they’ll even have offers on gaming themed Christmas jumpers for you to confuse your Nan with.
  • HMV* – Last year HMV featured a <I>mahoosive</i> discount on the then recently released Destiny 2, dropping the price from an RRP of £54.99 all the way down to £19.99**. It’s well worth keeping an eye out for similar deals this year, which might even include savings on the recently released Red Dead Redemption 2.
  • SteelSeries* – If you’re a PC gaming aficionado then we’re sure you’ve heard of SteelSeries. Their high-quality accessories and peripherals have made them a favourite for headphones, keyboards and mice. This Black Friday you’ll have a chance to pick up some premium quality gear without the premium price tag – what’s not to like?

Can I save on gear for my PC on Black Friday?

Central Fife Times: Black Friday PC Deals. Photography by Reina Kousaka. Photography on UnsplashBlack Friday PC Deals. Photography by Reina Kousaka. Photography on Unsplash

Yes, of course you can!

If you’ve been thinking of upgrading your PC or building your very own custom machine, Black Friday is a great time to pick up some of the best equipment out there without having to spend too much.

GPUs (graphic cards) are the best place to start – they’re essential for PC gaming, but usually a little on the pricey side. Luckily, you’ll find lots of stores featuring discounts on both of the leading NVidia and AMD cards.

What PS4 deals should I look out for on Black Friday?

Black Friday is well known for its console bundle deals, so now can be a great time to take the dive and pick up a PS4 or PS4 Pro alongside a few games. The bundles are usually cheaper than buying the console and games separately.

If you’re already a proud PlayStation owner, then you can use the sales to pick up some extra bits for less, like a new controller or discounted PS Plus subscription. You could also save on a PS VR bundle and join the future of gaming in virtual reality.

Are there any Xbox exclusives I can save on this Black Friday?

The digital Xbox Store is set to take part in the sales this year, so you should be able to find plenty of offers on Xbox exclusives, like Gears of War 4, State of Decay 2 and Halo Wars 2.

We also recommend having a look around for any deals on the Xbox Elite Controller so that you can really take your gaming to the next level.

With Black Friday only a short time away, you won’t have to wait long to take advantage of some amazing savings on gaming. Remember to pay this page* a visit on the big day for the latest deals and discounts, but most importantly, have fun!

**offers correct as of 08/11/18