Black Friday Game & Console Deals
Black Friday is back again! But this year, gamers may need to brace themselves: consoles aren't exactly cheap, and prices are only getting steeper.
Switch 2 went up in price, PS5 went up in price, and even the Steam Deck couldn't escape rising costs. Black Friday used to be about who slashed prices the hardest; this year it's about who blinks first.
Luckily, November still has one big ace up its sleeve — GTA 6 launches on November 19, landing exactly one week before Black Friday. Will PS5 roll out a GTA 6 bundle? Will the ROG Xbox Ally, Steam Deck, and Legion Go have a shot at price cuts? Let's get straight to the price predictions — less beating around the bush, more talk about how to buy smart.
| Popular Models | Current Reference Price | Black Friday Predicted Price | Editor's Advice |
| Switch 2 | $499.99 | $499.99 with a free game | Recommended | Bundles first |
| PS5 Slim Disc | $649.99 | $549–599 | Recommended | Sweeter under $549 |
| PS5 Slim Digital | $599.99 | $499–549 | Depends on needs | $499 worth considering |
| PS5 Pro | $899.99 | $799–849 | Wait and see | At least $100 off |
| Xbox Series X | About $799.99 | $699–749 | Depends on needs | Game Pass users take note |
| Steam Deck OLED 512GB | $789 | $649–699 | Recommended | Consider around $649 |
| Steam Deck OLED 1TB | $949 | $799–849 | Depends on needs | Consider around $799 |
| ROG Xbox Ally X | $999.99 | $849–899 | Recommended | Consider around $849 |
| ROG Xbox Ally | $599.99 | $499–549 | Recommended | $499 is a better fit |
| Legion Go 2 Z2E | $1999.99 | $1599–1699 | Wait and see | Wait for a clear deal |
| Legion Go S SteamOS Z2 Go | $799 | $649 | Depends on needs | Watch for clearance deals |
Note: The "Black Friday Predicted Price" is an estimate of the promo range; the "Editor's Advice" is my personal take on the price threshold worth considering. These are two different things — final prices are subject to retailer promotions. Different configurations and bundles may also vary.
1. Nintendo Switch 2: Don't Wait for a Big Bare-Console Price Drop
The Switch 2's performance this year speaks for itself — Nintendo's first-party exclusives still hit hard. That said, Nintendo taught players a lesson this year: consoles don't always drop in price — sometimes they go up.
The U.S. official price has already risen from $449.99 to $499.99. Hoping for a bare console back at $399 on Black Friday? I'd put that wish aside for now. Rather than a straight price cut, I'm more optimistic about game bundles, freebies, and gift card promotions.
If you can get a console plus a game for close to the bare-console price, that's actually more worth watching. After all, Nintendo first-party games don't tend to go on sale much, so bundles are the more realistic way to save.
Recommendation: Recommended for Nintendo exclusive players
Good buy price: Bare console $499.99; bundles with popular games are worth considering more
2. PS5 Slim / Pro: This Year's Star Is Very Likely GTA 6
If I could pick only one console worth stalking this year, I'd cast my vote for the PS5. The reason is simple: GTA 6 is finally coming! The game launches on November 19, just one week before Black Friday.
But Sony's pricing this year isn't exactly friendly. Since April, U.S. PS5 prices have gone up again — the standard edition hits $649.99, the digital edition $599.99, and the PS5 Pro reaches $899.99. Buying a console now means your wallet needs some mental preparation.
So what I most want to stalk this year isn't a bare PS5, but the PS5 Slim Disc + GTA 6 bundle. If retailers can pack the game in, even if the console itself doesn't drop much, it's still a better deal than buying the console and game separately. Of course, no official GTA 6 console bundle has been announced yet — this is just a prediction based on the release timing.
As for the PS5 Pro, it's better suited for players with 4K TVs who are picky about image quality and frame rates. For regular players, the Slim is enough — no need to spend a big chunk extra for performance.
Recommendation: PS5 Slim Disc recommended; Pro players should wait for a discount
Good buy price: Slim Disc around $549; GTA 6 bundle around $649; Pro around $799
3. Xbox Series X: Focus on It If You Have Game Pass
Let's not go too deep on Xbox this year. The Series X's edge is still Game Pass and Microsoft's gaming ecosystem. If you're already a subscriber, you can check whether retailers have Black Friday deals. Otherwise, with the same budget, I'd prioritize the PS5 or a handheld.
Recommendation: Depends on needs; Game Pass users should pay attention first
Good buy price: Consider it around $699
4. Steam Deck OLED: Gabe, Can the Price Loosen Up a Bit More?
The Steam Deck's advantage isn't how new the hardware specs are — it's that SteamOS is a pleasure to use. Turn it on and play; your game library carries right over. For people who've bought a lot of Steam games, it's still a very appealing handheld.
The problem is the price isn't cheap this year: OLED 512GB now sits at $789, and 1TB at $949. At this price point, it's hard not to feel nostalgic for the old Steam Deck.
If Black Friday brings the 512GB down to around $649, I think it's worth seriously considering. The 1TB version depends on your needs — after all, no matter how much storage a handheld has, it's never enough once you install enough games.
Recommendation: Recommended for Steam library players
Good buy price: 512GB around $649; 1TB around $799
5. ROG Xbox Ally: For Performance Seekers and Windows Handheld Fans
If the Steam Deck is a handheld that feels more like a game console, the ROG Xbox Ally is more like cramming a Windows gaming PC into your hands. You can play games from Xbox, Steam, and other platforms — greater freedom, but you'll also need to accept the occasional fiddling that comes with Windows handhelds.
The standard edition sells for $599.99, suited for players on a budget who want to experience a Windows handheld; the Ally X sells for $999.99, with higher specs, suited for those who care more about performance and battery life.
My thinking: if the standard edition hits $499, its appeal really shines; if the Ally X drops to around $849, that's also a price worth seriously considering. As for the pricier special editions, regular players don't need to force themselves to buy for the collector's value.
Recommendation: Standard edition suits beginners; Ally X suits performance chasers
Good buy price: Ally around $499; Ally X around $849
6. Lenovo Legion Go: Big-Screen Fans Can Wait
The Legion Go series takes the big-screen route. The Legion Go 2 especially — its large OLED screen and high refresh rate are better suited for RPGs and open-world games. A big screen really does boost immersion, but the price also tends to cool your enthusiasm.
If you care more about the system experience, keep an eye on the Legion Go S's SteamOS version; if you want a bigger screen and stronger performance, then consider the Go 2. My advice is don't rush to buy at full price — at least wait for a decent Black Friday deal.
Recommendation: Big-screen handheld fans can watch it; regular players should wait and see
Good buy price: Go 2 Z2E around $1699; Go S SteamOS Z2 Go around $649
7. 2026 Black Friday New Game Price Predictions: Which Are Worth Waiting For?
Buying the console is just the first step — what really keeps draining your wallet is usually the games. This year brings big titles like GTA 6, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and Marvel's Wolverine. My advice for buying games on Black Friday: wait for discounts on older games, play it by ear on new ones, and don't expect day-one blockbusters to drop dramatically overnight.
| 2026 Black Friday Popular Game Price Predictions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Game Title | Reference Price | Black Friday Predicted Price |
| GTA 6 | $79.99 | $69.99–79.99 |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 | About $69.99 | $49.99–59.99 |
| Marvel's Wolverine | $69.99 | $49.99–59.99 |
| Resident Evil Requiem | $69.99 | $39.99–49.99 |
| Phantom Blade Zero | About $59.99 | $39.99–49.99 |
| 007 First Light | $69.99 | $39.99–49.99 |
| Pokémon Pokopia | $69.99 | $49.99–59.99 |
Editor's Top Picks:
- GTA 6: Doesn't launch until November 19, which falls right in the first week of release during Black Friday. Want to wait for a discount? Better to hope for retailer gift cards or console bundles first.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4: Already out in October — Black Friday is a good time to watch for the first round of discounts. If you're not in a hurry, you can wait.
- Resident Evil Requiem: Released early in the year, so there's already some room for a price drop — around $39.99 is worth watching.
- Marvel's Wolverine: Action game fans should keep an eye on it — if it hits around $49.99 on Black Friday, it'll be much sweeter than full price.
- Pokémon Pokopia: Nintendo first-party games usually hold their price, so hitting $49.99 would already be a decent price.
Reminder: The above are editor predictions, not retailer-announced promo prices. Game prices vary by platform, physical/digital editions, and different versions; for hot new releases like GTA 6 especially, the actual retail page is what counts.
8. Game Guy's Black Friday Shopping List
A quick summary: this Black Friday, don't just focus on "how much the price dropped" — look at whether the combination you're getting is a good deal.
| Your Needs | Priority Focus | My Advice |
| Planning to play GTA 6 | PS5 Slim Disc | Prioritize stalking the GTA 6 bundle |
| Nintendo exclusive games | Switch 2 | Look at game bundles first |
| Chasing image quality and performance | PS5 Pro | Consider after it drops to around $799 |
| Steam games on the go | Steam Deck OLED | 512GB around $649 is worth a look |
| High-performance Windows handheld | ROG Xbox Ally X | Around $849 is a better fit |
| Big-screen handheld fan | Legion Go 2 | Wait for a clear deal, no rush |
My personal take: console prices themselves may not see particularly dramatic cuts this year, but game bundles, gift cards, controllers, and storage accessories are still worth stalking. Especially with GTA 6 — whether the console drops a few dollars is one thing, but whether you can grab the game along with it is the real focus of this Black Friday.
Finally, which one are you most looking to stalk this year? PS5, Switch 2, or ROG Xbox Ally? Drop your target price in the comments — maybe we'll find the same great deal together!
Love gaming, love life. I'm Game Guy — see you on Black Friday!
