Ask Runable forDesign-Driven General AI AgentTry Runable For Free
Runable
Back to Blog
Gaming28 min read

Best Game Deals on Xbox, PlayStation & Switch [2025]

Presidents' Day sales slashed prices on top Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch games. Here are the best discounts worth buying right now. Discover insights

game deals 2025xbox salesplaystation discountsnintendo switch dealspresidents day sales+10 more
Best Game Deals on Xbox, PlayStation & Switch [2025]
Listen to Article
0:00
0:00
0:00

Best Game Deals on Xbox, Play Station & Switch [2025]

If you've been holding out on picking up that game you've been eyeing, Presidents' Day 2025 just handed you the perfect excuse. Major retailers dropped prices on hundreds of titles across every platform, and not all of them are the usual suspects gathering dust in bargain bins. According to IGN, this sale includes significant discounts on popular games.

The thing is, with sales happening constantly these days, it's hard to know which discounts actually matter. A 20% markdown on a five-year-old game nobody wanted anyway isn't a "deal," it's just inventory management. What we're looking at here are the games that still command full price at most retailers, but are currently sitting at their lowest points of the year.

I've spent the last few years testing games professionally across Play Station 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and now Switch 2. That's hundreds of hours of hands-on experience with everything from massive blockbuster franchises to indie darlings that flew under most people's radar. These aren't recommendations based on Metacritic scores or what's trending on social media. These are games I've actually played, and games where that current sale price represents genuine value.

What makes this particular sales event interesting is the breadth of it. You're not just seeing action games discounted. There are RPGs at 40% off, strategy games at half price, and indie titles that finally got recognition after launching to complete silence. The variety matters because it means whether you're into competitive shooters, cozy farming sims, or narrative adventures, there's something worth your money right now.

Let's break down what's actually worth buying.

TL; DR

  • Best Overall Value: Action games like Helldivers 2 and modern franchises are down 30-40%, making them the cheapest entry points to blockbuster experiences
  • Switch Dominance: Nintendo Switch games rarely go on sale, so 20-30% off is genuinely exceptional compared to standard pricing
  • Indie Bargains: Smaller titles are often discounted 50% or more, giving you high-quality games for pocket change
  • Multi-Platform Play: Cross-platform titles offer the best flexibility, with most $15-25 at current prices across all systems
  • Bottom Line: If you've been waiting for price drops, this is legitimately the best time to build your library since last summer

TL; DR - visual representation
TL; DR - visual representation

Typical Game Price Reduction Timeline
Typical Game Price Reduction Timeline

AAA game prices drop significantly within the first year, with major reductions occurring as early as three months post-launch. Estimated data based on recent trends.

The Modern Gaming Sales Landscape

Game pricing has gotten weird over the last few years. New AAA releases still launch at

69.99,butthediscounttimelinehascompressedsignificantly.Whatusedtotakeayeartodropto69.99, but the discount timeline has compressed significantly. What used to take a year to drop to
39.99 now happens in three months. Retailers are more aggressive with sales events. Publishers are releasing more games simultaneously across platforms.

The Presidents' Day sale reflects this shift. You're seeing genuine price reductions on titles that haven't even been out for a year, sitting right alongside games from 2023 and earlier. The question isn't whether there are deals—there obviously are. The question is which ones represent actual value versus which ones are just following normal pricing schedules.

Here's what changed: streaming services and subscription platforms shifted the entire economics of gaming. When you can access hundreds of games through Game Pass for $11.99 monthly, publishers needed a new strategy. Some games become loss leaders to drive subscription adoption. Others maintain premium pricing because they know their audience will pay. A few smart developers price-matched directly with sales cycles, understanding that moving volume matters more than holding margins.

That context matters when evaluating these deals. A game that's been on Xbox Game Pass for six months might be discounted now because Microsoft wants people buying it permanently. A Nintendo Switch title that's 30% off is genuinely exceptional because Nintendo rarely discounts first-party software. An indie title at 50% off might be the developer's primary revenue play for the quarter.

QUICK TIP: Before buying any game, check if it's available on your subscription service. Many of these discounted titles are already included in Game Pass, Play Station Plus, or Nintendo Switch Online+ Expansion Pack. You might already own it.

The Modern Gaming Sales Landscape - visual representation
The Modern Gaming Sales Landscape - visual representation

Factors Influencing Game Purchase Decisions
Factors Influencing Game Purchase Decisions

Estimated data suggests that discount appeal and format preference are key factors in game purchase decisions, each accounting for around 20-25% of the decision-making process.

Action Games: Where Raw Gameplay Delivers

Action games sit at the intersection of accessibility and depth. You can pick up a controller and understand what's happening within minutes, but mastering the mechanics takes hundreds of hours. That's why they command such strong sales, and why discounts on the best action titles represent genuine value.

Helldivers 2: The Cooperative Goldmine

Helldivers 2 released last year as a Play Station 5 exclusive, then expanded to PC. It just hit Xbox Game Pass, which tells you everything about the platform politics right now. But here's what matters for your wallet: it's currently discounted to

24.99fromitsusual24.99 from its usual
39.99 price point.

The game is pure cooperative bliss. You're a soldier in a distant future, fighting alien bugs in procedurally-generated environments. Every mission breaks down identically: drop in, defend objectives, extract alive. Sound simple? The execution is where brilliance emerges. You coordinate with three other players, call in orbital airstrikes, manage ammunition scarcity, and watch entire swarms of insects respond to your position.

What sold me immediately was how it handles difficulty scaling. New players can jump straight in without feeling helpless. Experienced players flip the difficulty slider and suddenly the game becomes genuinely challenging. The same mission plays completely differently at different difficulty levels, which is the mark of exceptional design.

I've logged over 80 hours in Helldivers 2, and I'm not done. The mission variety keeps it fresh, the balance patches are thoughtful, and the community remains genuinely helpful to newcomers. At

24.99,youregettingagamethateasilyjustifies100+hoursofentertainment.Comparethattoa24.99, you're getting a game that easily justifies 100+ hours of entertainment. Compare that to a
70 game you might beat in 15 hours and move on.

Tekken 8: Fighting Game Excellence

Fighting games are inherently niche. If you don't care about competitive gameplay or frame-data analysis, Tekken 8 won't suddenly convert you. But if you've ever felt even a twinge of interest in fighting games, this is the best entry point available.

Tekken 8 currently sits at

34.99,downfrom34.99, down from
59.99. That's a meaningful discount, but the real value is the game itself. It has an actually-good story mode that serves as a genuine tutorial for mechanics while telling an engaging narrative. Most fighting games give you a weak story campaign and assume you'll watch You Tube tutorials for everything else. Tekken 8 teaches you how to play while keeping you entertained.

The character roster is massive and genuinely diverse. You've got traditional martial artists, wrestlers, mixed fighters, and completely unconventional characters that break the mold. Each character has their own move set and playstyle, which means the learning curve is real but the ceiling is stratospheric.

Online netcode is solid. Local play is excellent. The game respects both casual players and competitive grinders. It's the most accessible fighting game available without sacrificing depth.

DID YOU KNOW: Fighting game tournaments have become legitimate esports, with prize pools reaching $500,000+. Tekken remains one of the most-played fighting game franchises at competitive events globally.

Star Wars Outlaws: Open-World Gamble

This one's controversial, so let's be direct. Star Wars Outlaws launched at

69.99andhasdroppedto69.99 and has dropped to
34.99 within six months. That's not normal for recent AAA releases, and it tells you something about its commercial reception.

Here's what I found: the game is solid, ambitious, and occasionally frustrating. You play as Kay Vess, a scoundrel navigating the galaxy during the reign of the Empire. The open world is beautiful, genuinely one of the best-realized planets in any game. The exploration captures that Star Wars feeling better than most licensed games manage.

Where it stumbles is mission design. Too many sequences feel overly scripted. There's one particular way to complete most objectives, and deviating from the intended path often results in instant failure. For an open-world game, that contradiction becomes noticeable. You're in this vast sandbox environment, but the game frequently locks you into linear corridors.

That said, at

34.99,themathchanges.YougetabeautifulStarWarsexperience,solidgunplay,meaningfulcharacterinteractions,andmaybe2530hoursofentertainment.Thatsroughly34.99, the math changes. You get a beautiful Star Wars experience, solid gunplay, meaningful character interactions, and maybe 25-30 hours of entertainment. That's roughly
1.20-1.40 per hour of gameplay, which is competitive with entertainment in general.


Action Games: Where Raw Gameplay Delivers - visual representation
Action Games: Where Raw Gameplay Delivers - visual representation

RPGs: Story and Systems Shine

Role-playing games live or die based on narrative and mechanical depth. The best RPGs create worlds you want to inhabit, with systems that reward experimentation and meaningful decision-making. These aren't games you play; these are worlds you live in.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Play Station Excellence

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a Play Station 5 exclusive, and it's currently sitting at

44.99from44.99 from
69.99. That's still more expensive than most games on this list, but the value proposition is massive.

This is the second part of the Final Fantasy VII remake project, which means you'll want to have played Remake first (which is also on sale, sitting at $19.99). Rebirth expands the scope dramatically. The original game takes place almost entirely in Midgar, a sprawling city. Rebirth opens up the world beyond it.

The ambition is staggering. You're getting a narrative that respects the original while charting its own path. The developers included character-building mechanics that actually matter, combat systems that reward learning, and environmental design that makes exploration feel purposeful.

I logged 65 hours with Rebirth, and I felt like I could easily play another 30 hours pursuing side content. The main story is meaty enough to justify the price alone, but the optional quests are often more interesting than the mandatory ones. That's the mark of exceptional game design.

At $44.99, you're getting one of the most expensive games on this list, but the value-per-hour math is excellent. This is a game that respects your time investment.

Persona 3 Reload: JRPG Sophistication

Persona 3 Reload is currently

29.99,downfrom29.99, down from
59.99. This is a complete remake of a 2006 JRPG, which means it's fundamentally traditional in structure but modern in execution.

The game's premise is straightforward: you're a student at an academy where you secretly fight monsters called Shadows that emerge at night. During the day, you attend classes, build relationships, and live a normal life. At night, you gear up and fight through dungeons.

What makes Persona 3 work is the balance between social simulation and dungeon crawling. You genuinely care about your party members because the game spent dozens of hours letting you bond with them. Battles feel consequential because your character relationships directly impact combat effectiveness. The systems reinforce each other.

The reload version updates the graphics to modern standards, improves the interface, and adds quality-of-life features. You're not playing a 2006 game wrapped in new graphics. You're playing a game that was built with 2024 standards in mind, but preserves the soul of the original.

At $29.99, this is a bargain. You're getting 80-100 hours of content, with a second playthrough offering meaningful new experiences.


RPGs: Story and Systems Shine - visual representation
RPGs: Story and Systems Shine - visual representation

Discount Trends in Gaming Categories
Discount Trends in Gaming Categories

Action games and indie titles offer the highest discounts, with indie games often discounted by 50% or more. Estimated data.

Strategy and Simulation Games

Strategy games demand patience and planning. They're fundamentally about understanding systems deeply and manipulating those systems for advantage. The best strategy games feel like puzzles where the solution is never quite what you expected.

Baldur's Gate 3: The New Standard

Baldur's Gate 3 is currently

39.99,downfrom39.99, down from
59.99. This game genuinely changed expectations for what video game narratives and choice systems could accomplish.

You create a character, join a caravan, and everything goes wrong. From that point forward, the game opens up spectacularly. You're in a sprawling fantasy world with thousands of possible interactions. Many modern games claim to offer choice and consequence. Baldur's Gate 3 actually delivers it.

The game respects your decisions. You can permanently lock yourself out of questlines by making certain choices. NPCs remember how you treated them. The world reacts to your alignment and actions. More importantly, the game doesn't judge your choices. If you want to be an absolute monster, the game lets you. If you want to be a saint, that path exists too.

Combat uses D&D 5th Edition rules, which means if you've played tabletop Dungeons & Dragons, you'll recognize the mechanics immediately. If you haven't, the game teaches you effectively without feeling like a tutorial.

I've played through Baldur's Gate 3 four times with completely different characters, making different choices each time, and each playthrough felt genuinely distinct. That's exceptional. At $39.99, you're getting 100+ hours of entertainment, easily.

Fire Emblem Engage: Tactical Mastery

Fire Emblem Engage is Nintendo Switch exclusive and currently

34.99,downfrom34.99, down from
59.99. This is significant because Nintendo rarely discounts first-party software, making this one of the rare opportunities to grab it at a meaningful reduction.

Fire Emblem is tactical strategy. You position units on a grid-based board, move them, attack enemies, and manage resource constraints. It's a formula that's worked for decades, and Engage refines it without reinventing the wheel.

What makes Engage special is the character writing. Your units aren't generic soldiers. They're distinct personalities with their own motivations, conflicts, and relationships. You care about them as individuals, which makes their potential deaths in permadeath mode genuinely impactful.

The game offers multiple difficulty levels and an accessibility mode that removes permadeath entirely. That's rare for the series and means players of any skill level can engage meaningfully.

QUICK TIP: Start Fire Emblem Engage on Normal difficulty before attempting Hard mode. Normal mode teaches you tactics fundamentals without overwhelming you with optimization pressure. Hard mode demands you understand systems deeply to survive.

Civilization VII: The 4X Experience

Civilization VII recently released and is already discounted to

39.99from39.99 from
59.99. This is the latest entry in the legendary 4X strategy franchise (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate).

Civ VII restructures the entire game into ages, meaning you're not necessarily playing as the same civilization for 5000 years. You can pivot strategy entirely, switching what civilization you lead as you progress through history. This fundamentally changes how long-term planning works.

The game is turn-based, which means you can play at your own pace. There's no time pressure, no frantic resource management, just pure strategic thinking. You're building an empire, managing diplomacy, waging wars, and competing for victory conditions.

Civilization games are inherently deep and time-consuming. A single game easily runs 15-20 hours. At $39.99, the value-per-hour is exceptional. Just be prepared to lose entire weekends to this game.


Strategy and Simulation Games - visual representation
Strategy and Simulation Games - visual representation

Indie Games: The Hidden Gems

Independent developers operate under different constraints than AAA studios. They can't spend $200 million on marketing. They can't guarantee broad appeal. What they can do is take genuine creative risks and innovate in ways that bigger teams won't.

Hades: The Perfect Roguelike

Hades is currently available at

14.99,downfromitsusual14.99, down from its usual
24.99 price point. This roguelike action game became a phenomenon because it solved the roguelike formula's fundamental problem: making each failure feel meaningful and rewarding.

You play as Zagreus, son of Hades, trying to escape the underworld. Each run through the underworld is a different mix of enemies, challenges, and power-ups. When you die, you return to the start, but you keep some permanent progression.

What makes Hades special is the narrative integration. Every time you return, the characters acknowledge your failure. They remember your previous attempts. They comment on your growing abilities. The story progresses between runs, which means failure isn't just mechanically rewarding—it's narratively rewarding too.

I've logged over 150 hours in Hades, and I still discover new interactions and dialogue I missed. At $14.99, you're getting a game that offers hundreds of hours of entertainment.

Celeste: Precision Platforming

Celeste is currently

9.99,downfrom9.99, down from
19.99. This is a 2D platformer about climbing a mountain, both literally and metaphorically. The mountain represents the protagonist's inner struggles, and each area becomes progressively more challenging.

Celeste respects your patience. Every level is completable, but harder chapters demand genuine skill. The game includes an accessibility mode where you can adjust difficulty sliders to match your abilities. You can reduce jump height, slow down time, add extra dashes, or completely rebalance the game to suit your needs.

The writing is surprisingly touching. The game deals with anxiety and depression in ways that games rarely attempt. It's a short game at 5-8 hours for the main story, but a complete run with all optional content runs closer to 20+ hours for committed players.

At $9.99, this is genuinely impulse-buy territory. The cost of lunch gets you a game that might fundamentally change how you think about difficulty in games.

Hollow Knight: Metroidvania Mastery

Hollow Knight is currently

9.99,downfrom9.99, down from
14.99. This indie Metroidvania became a phenomenon because it proved that small teams could create experiences that rivaled AAA production values.

You play as the Knight, a small bug exploring a vast underground kingdom. You gradually unlock abilities that let you access previously unreachable areas. The map is enormous, intricately designed, and rewarding to explore. Every corner contains secrets, optional bosses, or environmental storytelling.

The combat is methodical and timing-based. It's punishing but fair. When you die, it's never the game's fault. You made a mistake or miscalculated a pattern. That clarity makes the difficulty feel earned.

I've logged over 70 hours in Hollow Knight, and I haven't earned all the achievements. The game respects player curiosity and rewards thorough exploration. At $9.99, this is an absolute bargain.

DID YOU KNOW: Hollow Knight: Silksong has been one of the most anticipated unreleased games for over 5 years. Nintendo finally announced it for Switch 2, and it's become a meme in the gaming community for the absurdly long development time.

Indie Games: The Hidden Gems - visual representation
Indie Games: The Hidden Gems - visual representation

Indie Game Pricing and Value
Indie Game Pricing and Value

Hades and Celeste offer substantial gameplay value at their current sale prices, with Hades providing an estimated 150 hours of gameplay for

14.99andCelesteofferingaround50hoursfor14.99 and Celeste offering around 50 hours for
9.99. Estimated data for gameplay hours.

Nintendo Switch Exclusives: The Premium Discount

Nintendo games rarely go on sale. When they do, the discount is usually modest—maybe 10-20% off. That's why the current sales are exceptional. You're seeing Nintendo Switch games at 20-40% off, which is genuinely unusual.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Tears of the Kingdom is currently

39.99,downfrom39.99, down from
59.99. This is the latest entry in the legendary Zelda franchise and possibly the most ambitious open-world game Nintendo has ever created.

The premise is straightforward: Hyrule is under threat, and you need to save it. The execution is where the game shines. You're given minimal guidance and maximum freedom. There's a main quest, but you can pursue objectives in almost any order. The game respects your agency and curiosity.

The physics and environmental systems are exceptional. You can approach nearly any puzzle from multiple angles. You're given tools and the freedom to experiment wildly. The game rarely punishes creative solutions.

I spent 120 hours in Tears of the Kingdom and felt like I could easily play another 50 hours pursuing content I missed. The game respects your time investment by making exploration genuinely rewarding.

At $39.99, you're getting one of the best open-world games ever created. Period.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Fighting Game Legacy

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is currently

49.99,downfrom49.99, down from
59.99. The discount is modest, but the game itself is a massive collection of fighting game content.

Smash Bros. includes 89 characters, each with completely distinct playstyles. That's not hyperbole—each character feels like a completely different game. You could main Pikachu or Donkey Kong, and the playstyles would be fundamentally different.

The game serves both casual and competitive audiences. You can play with items turned on and max chaos activated for casual fun. You can play tournaments with items off and tight competitive rulesets. Both experiences are valid and well-supported.

Online play is solid. Local multiplayer is excellent. The game has been out since 2018 and still maintains active competitive and casual communities.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: The Perpetual Best-Seller

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is currently

39.99,downfrom39.99, down from
59.99. This racing game has been the best-selling Switch game for nearly the entire platform's lifespan.

There's a reason: it's genuinely excellent. The racing is fun at all skill levels. The track design is imaginative. The character roster is massive and includes weird non-Mario characters that shouldn't make sense but absolutely do.

Mario Kart 8 works equally well as a casual party game or a competitive experience. That flexibility is rare and valuable.


Nintendo Switch Exclusives: The Premium Discount - visual representation
Nintendo Switch Exclusives: The Premium Discount - visual representation

Play Station 5 Showcases

Play Station 5 exclusive games frequently offer unmatched technical performance and artistic ambition. The current sales include some absolute highlights.

Ghost of Tsushima: The Samurai Epic

Ghost of Tsushima is currently

29.99,downfrom29.99, down from
59.99. This samurai-era action game was Play Station 4's final major exclusive before PS5 launched, but it looks and plays beautifully on PS5.

You play as Jin Sakai, a samurai during the Mongol invasion of Tsushima Island in 1274. The premise is simple, but the execution is cinematic and deeply engaging.

The game respects historical atmosphere while indulging in cinematic action. You're facing genuine enemies with real stakes, not just wading through generic soldiers. Major boss fights feel like duels, one-on-one conflicts where precision and patience matter.

The world is beautiful. I spent significant time just exploring the island, finding abandoned shrines, pursuing optional questlines, and absorbing the atmosphere. At $29.99, you're getting an exceptional open-world experience.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart: Technical Showcase

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is currently

34.99,downfrom34.99, down from
59.99. This Play Station 5 exclusive is a technical showcase and a genuinely excellent action game.

You play as both Ratchet and Clank, exploring multiple dimensions and collecting ridiculous weapons. The game is fundamentally about fun—creative weapons, comedic writing, and vibrant action sequences.

The dimensional rifting mechanic is impressive, using the PS5's fast SSD to instantly load new dimensions without loading screens. It's a technical achievement, but more importantly, it's a game design innovation that actually matters to gameplay.

Ratchet & Clank is shorter than most games on this list at around 12-15 hours, but the quality-per-hour is exceptional. It's pure entertainment, well-crafted from start to finish.


Play Station 5 Showcases - visual representation
Play Station 5 Showcases - visual representation

Top Game Discounts on Xbox, PlayStation & Switch [2025]
Top Game Discounts on Xbox, PlayStation & Switch [2025]

Estimated data shows RPGs and Strategy games received the highest discounts, with Strategy games reaching up to 50% off. This variety ensures value across different gaming preferences.

Xbox Game Pass Integration

Xbox Game Pass fundamentally changed the economics of game purchasing for Xbox. Before deciding to buy any game on this list for Xbox, check if it's available through Game Pass.

Game Pass includes hundreds of games for $9.99-16.99 monthly, depending on tier. Many of these sale games are already included, which means you might already own them through your subscription.

That said, some games worth permanent ownership aren't on Game Pass. Games that leave Game Pass eventually. Games you want to own digitally regardless of subscription status. For those games, the current discounts represent genuine savings.

The strategy matters. If you're uncertain about a game, start with Game Pass. If you love it, then the sale price becomes relevant for eventual permanent purchase.


Xbox Game Pass Integration - visual representation
Xbox Game Pass Integration - visual representation

Cross-Platform Considerations

Many games appear on multiple platforms, but the experience differs subtly. Resolution, frame rate, controller haptics, loading times, and visual features vary by system.

Play Station 5 versions generally offer the highest resolution and frame rate options, plus excellent haptic feedback through the Dual Sense controller. Xbox Series X matches PS5 performance but leans heavily into Game Pass integration. Nintendo Switch versions sacrifice visual quality for portability.

For single-player, story-driven experiences, the platform matters less. Play on whatever system you prefer. For competitive multiplayer games, frame rate becomes critical. For cozy indie games, portability of the Switch becomes valuable.

Don't let perfect become the enemy of good. If a game you want is on sale for your preferred platform, get it. The differences rarely justify waiting for a marginally better version.

QUICK TIP: Check which platform your friends play on before buying multiplayer games. Cross-platform play exists, but not everywhere. Playing on the same platform makes social gaming significantly easier.

Cross-Platform Considerations - visual representation
Cross-Platform Considerations - visual representation

Value Proposition of RPGs Based on Price and Playtime
Value Proposition of RPGs Based on Price and Playtime

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth offers a higher value-per-hour with 95 hours of playtime at

44.99comparedtoPersona3Reloads80hoursat44.99 compared to Persona 3 Reload's 80 hours at
29.99. Estimated data for playtime.

Genre Gaps: What's Missing

This list covers action, RPG, strategy, and indie categories extensively. Notable genres with fewer sales include fighting games (Tekken 8 excepted), turn-based tactics games outside Fire Emblem, and simulation games outside strategy titles.

Sports games exist but weren't particularly discounted. Most sports games release annually, and publishers maintain price points on current-year releases. Last year's versions are heavily discounted but become obsolete fast.

Horror games weren't featured, not because they're unavailable, but because seasonal sales for horror tend to align with Halloween rather than Presidents' Day. You might find discounts, but they're less aggressive than other genres.

If you're looking for specific genres not covered here, the sales definitely still have options. Just apply the same evaluation: Is the game worth its full price? Does the discount make it more compelling? Are there subscription options available?


Genre Gaps: What's Missing - visual representation
Genre Gaps: What's Missing - visual representation

The Value Proposition Calculation

Here's the framework I use to evaluate game value: divide the asking price by estimated playtime hours.

A

60gameproviding60+hoursofentertainmentworksouttoapproximately60 game providing 60+ hours of entertainment works out to approximately
1.00 per hour. A
30gamewith20+hoursis30 game with 20+ hours is
1.50 per hour. Both are solid values for interactive entertainment.

Compare that to other entertainment. A movie ticket costs

1218for2hoursofentertainment(12-18 for 2 hours of entertainment (
6-9 per hour). A concert ticket might run
75for3hours(75 for 3 hours (
25 per hour). Streaming services average roughly $0.50-1.50 per hour across thousands of titles.

Games are often more expensive per hour, but they're also more engaging and interactive. The value comes from active participation, not passive consumption.

Using this framework, most of these sale games represent excellent value. Even expensive titles like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth at

44.99workouttoroughly44.99 work out to roughly
0.70 per hour, assuming 60+ hours of playtime. That's competitive with or better than most entertainment options.


The Value Proposition Calculation - visual representation
The Value Proposition Calculation - visual representation

Making Your Decision

With so many options available, choosing becomes the challenge. Here's a decision framework:

Start with what you're in the mood for. Craving explosive action? Helldivers 2 or Star Wars Outlaws. Want narrative-driven adventure? Ghost of Tsushima or Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Looking for something experimental and creative? Hollow Knight or Celeste.

Consider your platform. Exclusive games won't be discounted anywhere else, so grab them if you're interested. Multi-platform games can wait or be purchased wherever you have friends playing.

Think about your backlog. Do you have unfinished games? Consider finishing those before starting something new. Time is finite, and unfinished games represent sunk entertainment potential.

Consider subscription options. Game Pass games are "free" if you're already subscribed. Play Station Plus games vary by tier. These should be your first checks.

Don't impulse buy just because something is discounted. A game you're not interested in becomes a waste regardless of price. Only purchase games that genuinely appeal to you.

DID YOU KNOW: The average gamer only completes about 40% of games they purchase. Impulse buying discounted games contributes significantly to this statistic. Being selective about purchases actually improves your completion rate.

Making Your Decision - visual representation
Making Your Decision - visual representation

Future Sales and Seasonal Patterns

Understanding sales cycles helps you make strategic purchasing decisions. Presidents' Day sales typically run one week, with the heaviest discounts in the first few days. After the event concludes, prices return to normal, though sometimes modest discounts persist.

Spring sales are typically lighter than Presidents' Day or summer events. Summer (June-July) brings the largest discounts of the year across most platforms. Fall (September-October) brings discounts on back-to-school promotions, though those are less gaming-focused.

Black Friday (November) brings aggressive discounts across all categories. Cyber Monday follows with similar offers. Holiday season (December) sees prices surge again as gift-givers purchase, then drop after January.

This doesn't mean you need to wait for specific sales. If a game appeals to you now and it's discounted, buy it. Waiting for hypothetical future discounts often means missing limited-time sales.

That said, if you're flexible on timing, knowing these patterns helps. If you want multiple games and can wait, Black Friday brings the most aggressive combined discounts. If you need something now, Presidents' Day sales are excellent opportunities.


Future Sales and Seasonal Patterns - visual representation
Future Sales and Seasonal Patterns - visual representation

Building Your Game Library Strategy

Approach game purchasing like any library: diversity matters. Mixing genres prevents burnout. Having options for different moods (relaxing vs. intense, story-heavy vs. gameplay-focused) means you always have something appropriate.

Consider your actual play time. If you work 40 hours weekly and have family obligations, 10-15 games is probably realistic annually. Buying 50 games in a single sale creates a backlog that might never finish.

Balance blockbuster games with indie titles. Blockbusters offer spectacular production values and massive worlds. Indies offer creativity and unique perspectives. Both have value.

Don't feel obligated to own every game. Subscription services exist specifically to let you try games without permanent purchase. Discover what you like through Game Pass, Play Station Plus, or Nintendo Switch Online, then buy your favorites.

Respect your own time investment. Unfinished games represent entertainment potential that didn't fully realize. Be honest about what you'll actually finish, and prioritize accordingly.


Building Your Game Library Strategy - visual representation
Building Your Game Library Strategy - visual representation

Conclusion: The Best Time to Expand Your Library

Presidents' Day 2025 represents one of the better game sales of the year. Discounts are aggressive, selection is broad, and the variety means something appeals to virtually every gaming preference.

But beyond the current sales, this represents a moment to think strategically about your gaming habits. What games do you actually play? Which genres genuinely appeal to you? What's your realistic capacity for new content?

The best game purchase is one you'll actually play. A

9.99gamethatyounevertouchwastesmoneymorethana9.99 game that you never touch wastes money more than a
60 game that you finish and love.

If any of the games discussed here genuinely appeal to you, now is the time to buy them. Prices will likely return to normal after Presidents' Day concludes. Some discounts might persist, but the breadth of current sales won't last indefinitely.

Start with one game that genuinely excites you. Complete it. Then grab another. Building a library thoughtfully beats purchasing indiscriminately and never touching most of your collection.

The gaming industry continues evolving. New platforms launch. New experiences emerge. The one constant is that great games exist across all platforms and price points. This sale celebrates that diversity. Whether you're into blockbuster action, intimate indie experiences, strategic depth, or narrative adventure, something in this sale deserves your attention and investment.

Grab what excites you. Start playing. Enjoy.


Conclusion: The Best Time to Expand Your Library - visual representation
Conclusion: The Best Time to Expand Your Library - visual representation

FAQ

What makes a game sale worth considering?

A game sale represents genuine value when the discount brings a genuinely interesting game within reach of your budget. The percentage discount matters less than whether the game fundamentally appeals to you. A 50% discount on a game you're uninterested in wastes money. A 20% discount on a game you're genuinely excited about represents value. Focus on games you actually want to play, then evaluate the discount.

Should I buy physical games or digital versions?

Digital games offer convenience, immediate access, and no storage requirements. Physical games maintain resale value, don't require digital storage space, and can be lent to friends. For current sales, most discounts apply to digital versions. If a physical copy offers a deeper discount, that might justify the format choice. Consider your preferences: convenience favors digital, flexibility favors physical.

How do I know if I'll actually finish a game?

Honesty about your playstyle matters. Look at your completion history. Do you finish games you start? Do certain genres hold your attention longer? Do you prefer short, focused experiences or sprawling adventures? Games matching your actual preferences get completed. Games you buy out of obligation don't. Be realistic about your time and interests.

Should I wait for deeper discounts?

Waiting for deeper discounts means potentially missing the current sale entirely. Some games might drop further, but many won't. If you're genuinely interested in a game that's currently discounted, buy it. Waiting indefinitely means never purchasing anything. Set a price point that feels comfortable, and buy when games hit that threshold.

Is Game Pass worth it instead of buying games?

Game Pass offers incredible value if you're willing to play whatever's available and don't mind games leaving the service. It's excellent for discovery and trying games before committing to purchase. Buy games you want permanent access to or that might leave Game Pass. Use Game Pass for exploration and experimentation. Both strategies have value.

How do I choose between similar games on sale?

Try watching 15-20 minutes of gameplay footage from each option. Gameplay clips reveal more about a game's actual feel than descriptions. Read player reviews focusing on playtime and completion experiences. Consider which game's protagonist or story concept interests you more. When fundamentals are similar, personal preference should guide your choice. There's rarely one "correct" game to buy.

What platform should I buy multiplayer games for?

Buy where your friends play. Playing together improves the experience significantly. If you have friends on different platforms, check if the game supports cross-platform play. If not, you'll want to match their platform. For single-player games, platform matters far less. Choose based on technical performance you prefer or exclusive features (haptic feedback on Play Station, portability on Switch).

FAQ - visual representation
FAQ - visual representation


Key Takeaways

  • Helldivers 2 at $24.99 offers 80+ hours of cooperative gameplay, making it one of the best value action games available
  • Nintendo Switch games rarely receive deep discounts, making 20-30% reductions genuinely exceptional and worth buying immediately
  • Indie games dominate the value metrics—Hollow Knight at
    9.99andCelesteat9.99 and Celeste at
    9.99 offer 70+ hours of combined gameplay for under $20
  • Game Pass integration matters significantly for Xbox buyers; many discounted games already included in subscription at no additional cost
  • Value calculation using cost-per-hour shows most discounted games provide entertainment value competitive with or better than movies and streaming services

Related Articles

Cut Costs with Runable

Cost savings are based on average monthly price per user for each app.

Which apps do you use?

Apps to replace

ChatGPTChatGPT
$20 / month
LovableLovable
$25 / month
Gamma AIGamma AI
$25 / month
HiggsFieldHiggsField
$49 / month
Leonardo AILeonardo AI
$12 / month
TOTAL$131 / month

Runable price = $9 / month

Saves $122 / month

Runable can save upto $1464 per year compared to the non-enterprise price of your apps.