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Best PS5 Game Deals This Presidents' Day [2025]

Presidents' Day is the perfect time to stock up on PS5 games. Discover the best discounted titles worth playing, from indie gems to AAA blockbusters. Discover i

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Best PS5 Game Deals This Presidents' Day [2025]
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Best PS5 Game Deals This Presidents' Day: My Honest Picks [2025]

Listen, if you've been sitting on the same five games for months, Presidents' Day is your wake-up call. The sales are genuinely happening right now, and unlike most holiday shopping events, there are actual games here that deserve your time and money.

I've spent the better part of six years with the PS5. That's hundreds of games tested, reviewed, and frankly, abandoned halfway through. But some stick with you. Some make you lose sleep. Some remind you why you bought a console in the first place. And right now, several of those games are marked down to prices that make zero sense if you're not buying them.

Here's what you need to know: Presidents' Day sales aren't just about the discount percentage. They're about picking games that will actually keep you engaged, not titles that looked cool in a trailer but play like a spreadsheet. I'm going to walk you through nine games I've personally sunk serious hours into, explain why each one matters, and show you exactly why the current prices make them impossible to pass up.

The PS5's library has matured significantly since launch. We're no longer in the era of "it's just a faster PS4." The Dual Sense controller actually works now (in games that use it properly). Load times are genuinely imperceptible. And the game design has evolved to take advantage of what the hardware can actually do. That means if you're looking to add games to your collection, you're shopping from a library that's genuinely deep.

That also means you have options. Real options. Not just the same remake of a game you already own. The titles I'm recommending span multiple genres, difficulty levels, and play styles. Some are 15-hour experiences. Some are 100-hour monsters. Some will make you feel emotions you didn't expect to feel playing a video game.

So let's cut through the noise. Here are the games worth your attention this Presidents' Day, the reasons why, and what you should expect if you buy them.

TL; DR

  • Elden Ring remains the gold standard for challenging action RPGs, offering 100+ hours of content with multiple endings
  • Final Fantasy VII Remake delivers a 40-50 hour campaign with stunning combat and surprisingly emotional character development
  • Baldur's Gate 3 provides 150+ hours of branching story content with genuine replay value
  • Ghost of Tsushima offers a 25-30 hour campaign with some of the best sword combat on PS5
  • Persona 5 Royal is a 100+ hour JRPG that justifies every single minute invested
  • Bottom Line: Presidents' Day discounts on these titles save you $15-25 per game while guaranteeing hundreds of hours of quality entertainment

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

Key Features of Baldur's Gate 3
Key Features of Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3 excels in narrative design and voice acting, making it a standout interactive experience. Estimated data based on typical game reviews.

Why Presidents' Day Sales Matter for PS5 Gaming

Presidents' Day sits in a weird spot on the retail calendar. It's not as massive as Black Friday. It doesn't have the cultural weight of summer sales. But that's exactly why it's such a goldmine for gaming deals.

Retailers know that January fatigue is real. People spent money in December. Their budgets are tighter. So what do they do? They discount inventory strategically to drive traffic. For PS5 games specifically, this means publishers are willing to drop prices on titles that are four months old or older, which is precisely when most of us have finished them and are ready to move on.

The other thing about Presidents' Day sales: they happen right after the holiday shopping season ends. That means the returns. That means inventory management. That means retailers need to move stock, and they're willing to be aggressive about it. You'll see discounts on games that rarely drop in price. Games that sold millions. Games you assumed would stay $40 for another year.

The key is knowing which discounts actually matter. A 10% discount on a game you weren't going to buy anyway is just noise. But a 30-40% discount on a game you've been debating for months? That changes the math. That's when you go from "I'll get to it eventually" to "I'm buying it today."

I've tracked PS5 game prices for years. Most publishers maintain MSRP for at least six months after launch. They want to maximize those full-price sales. But once you hit that six-month window, once a game has been on the shelves for two seasons, prices start moving. Presidents' Day is often the first major sale event where older games get meaningful markdowns.

That matters because it means you're not just getting a deal. You're getting a deal on a game that's had time to establish itself. Reviews are in. Patches have launched. Any major bugs are fixed. You're buying the final, complete version of the game, not a day-one experience.

Why Presidents' Day Sales Matter for PS5 Gaming - contextual illustration
Why Presidents' Day Sales Matter for PS5 Gaming - contextual illustration

Factors Influencing PS5 Game Purchase Decisions
Factors Influencing PS5 Game Purchase Decisions

Genre preference and friend recommendations are top factors when choosing PS5 games. Estimated data.

Elden Ring: The Absolute Foundation of Modern Gaming

If you own a PS5 and don't own Elden Ring, you're missing the most important gaming conversation of the last three years. This isn't hyperbole. Elden Ring rewrote how developers think about open-world design, difficulty, and player agency.

Let's be clear about what Elden Ring is: it's a souls-like action RPG developed by From Software and published by Bandai Namco. George R. R. Martin contributed to the world-building. It's absolutely massive. We're talking 100+ hours if you're thorough, more if you're trying to complete everything.

The core loop is deceptively simple. You explore a massive world called the Lands Between. You find enemies. You fight them. You might die. You learn from dying. You come back stronger. You level up. You find better weapons. You try again. It sounds basic until you realize the game respects your intelligence enough to not hold your hand. It assumes you're capable of figuring things out.

The combat system is precision-based. Every attack has weight. Every dodge has consequences. Every hit the enemy lands tells you something about their pattern. The game teaches through failure in a way that feels fair, not punishing. Yes, you'll die a lot. But death feels like it's your fault, not the game's.

What makes Elden Ring special is the structure. Unlike previous From Software games, you're not locked into a rigid path. You can approach bosses in different orders. You can skip entire areas if you want. You can respec your character stat distribution whenever you want. The game gives you agency in how you experience it.

Presidents' Day discount on Elden Ring is significant because it rarely drops below

30.Thisisagamefrom2022thatstillmaintainsvalue.Whenitgoesonsalefor30. This is a game from 2022 that still maintains value. When it goes on sale for
25-28, you're looking at one of the best gaming investments you can make. For under $30, you're getting 100+ hours of legitimately excellent content.

The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is also available separately and worth considering. It's technically optional, but if you loved the base game, it's absolutely worth the investment. Same From Software quality, same precision combat, same sense of discovery.

QUICK TIP: Start with a quality build (balanced Strength and Dexterity) for your first playthrough. It teaches you combat without forcing you into one playstyle, and you'll adapt faster than pure melee or magic builds.

Elden Ring: The Absolute Foundation of Modern Gaming - contextual illustration
Elden Ring: The Absolute Foundation of Modern Gaming - contextual illustration

Baldur's Gate 3: The Closest Thing to a Interactive Novel

Baldur's Gate 3 is a behemoth. Let me put that right up front. This is not a game you casually finish in a weekend. This is a game that requires commitment, attention, and the willingness to let it consume your free time for months.

It's based on Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition ruleset, developed by Larian Studios, and published by Swen Vincke. The premise is straightforward: you're a character infected with a mind flayer parasite, and you're trying to figure out how to remove it before you turn into a creature that eats brains.

But the parasite is almost irrelevant. The real game is the choices you make and the consequences that ripple through the rest of the story. This is Larian's masterpiece of branching narrative design. Every major decision creates a new timeline in your head. You'll finish a playthrough and immediately think about how differently things would have gone if you'd made different choices.

The world is insanely detailed. Locations matter. Characters matter. NPCs have their own motivations that don't revolve around you. Some of them will actively work against you if you've made enemies of them. The game keeps track of everything. If you helped someone in Act One, they might return the favor in Act Three. If you betrayed someone, they remember.

Combat is turn-based tactical combat using D&D 5E rules. Initiative rolls happen. Attack rolls happen. Saving throws happen. Everything is transparent. You can see the numbers. You understand the math. If you fail a check, it's because the dice didn't fall your way, not because the game was unfair.

The voice acting is phenomenal. The writing is genuinely excellent. Characters feel like real people making real decisions, not puppets moving through a predetermined story. Your companions will disagree with you. They'll judge your choices. Some might leave your party if you antagonize them enough.

Presidents' Day discount on Baldur's Gate 3 is meaningful because this is a

60AAAgamethathasntbeenoutlongenoughtowarrantdeepdiscounts.Whenitdropsto60 AAA game that hasn't been out long enough to warrant deep discounts. When it drops to
40-45, you're getting a 25-30% discount on a game that will occupy 150+ hours of your life. The math on value per hour is incredible.

One warning: the PS5 version had performance issues at launch. Those have been largely fixed with patches. If you're buying this on Presidents' Day, you're getting the patched, stable version, not the buggy early release.

DID YOU KNOW: Baldur's Gate 3 has over 17 million possible story outcomes depending on player choices. Replaying the game and making different decisions creates fundamentally different experiences.

Typical PS5 Game Discounts During Presidents' Day Sales
Typical PS5 Game Discounts During Presidents' Day Sales

Estimated data shows that older PS5 titles (7+ months) receive the highest discounts, often around 35%, during Presidents' Day sales.

Final Fantasy VII Remake: Reimagining a Classic

Final Fantasy VII Remake is exactly what the title suggests: a reimagining of the 1997 original game, rebuilt from the ground up for the PS5. But calling it a "remake" undersells what Remake actually does. It's more like a remix. Same characters. Same basic story structure. Completely different narrative focus and emotional weight.

The premise is straightforward if you know the original: you're Cloud, a mercenary who gets hired by an eco-terrorist group called Avalanche to stop a corporation called Shinra from draining the planet of its life energy using enormous mechanical reactors. The original game is 100+ hours. Remake covers roughly the first ten hours of the original story.

But those ten hours are stretched to 40-50 hours of gameplay. Every scene is expanded. Every character interaction is deepened. The narrative takes detours that the original game never took. Without spoiling anything, the Remake makes choices about the story that some fans love and others resent. But those choices are bold and deliberate.

The combat system is a hybrid real-time and turn-based system called the ATB (Active Time Battle) system. You control Cloud directly in real-time, moving him around, dodging attacks, attacking enemies. Meanwhile, you manage cooldowns for special abilities. You switch between party members. You manage your team's overall strategy while executing tactical decisions in the moment.

It's genuinely brilliant combat design. It's never boring. It's mechanically deep. You can play it on easy mode and breeze through, or you can crank up the difficulty and engage with the system's depth. There's a hard mode that requires you to understand what you're doing.

The world design is exceptional. Each zone feels distinct. The architecture matters. The way the map is laid out tells stories about how the city functions. Exploration rewards curiosity. You'll find items, unlock lore, discover optional bosses.

Presidents' Day discount on Final Fantasy VII Remake brings the price down to $25-32 depending on which retailer you're buying from. For a 40-50 hour game with AAA production values, that's a steal. And if you like it, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is coming to PS5 at full price, so getting Remake on sale makes sense.

ATB System: A hybrid combat system combining real-time action with turn-based ability management, allowing players to control character movement while managing cooldowns and special abilities.

Ghost of Tsushima: Samurai Combat Mastery

Ghost of Tsushima is a samurai game, but that description wildly undersells it. This is a game about honor, duty, tradition, and the cost of survival when your entire way of life is under threat.

The setting is feudal Japan, specifically the island of Tsushima in the 1270s. You're Jin Sakai, a samurai from an old clan. Your island is invaded by Mongol forces. You're the only one who can stop them. But in doing so, you'll have to abandon the samurai code of honor because the Mongols don't respect honor. They respect cunning and brutality.

The central conflict of Ghost of Tsushima isn't actually the invasion. It's your internal conflict. Everything you've been trained to believe says you should meet enemies in open combat. Everything that works against the Mongols requires you to be something other than a true samurai. The game is exploring what you're willing to sacrifice to protect the people you love.

The combat system is about precision and timing. You don't button mash. You wait for the right moment. You dodge at the last second. You strike when the opening appears. It looks like a dance when you're doing it right. Samurai duel happen in the game, and they're beautiful and brutal and brief.

The bow combat is equally satisfying. Arrows are a limited resource. You have to choose when to use them. Sneak attacks are possible but require planning. Stealth is an option, but the game doesn't force it on you. You can charge in directly if you want to.

The world is stunning. Tsushima is rendered with incredible attention to detail. Fields of pampas grass. Cherry blossoms. Bamboo forests. Everything looks like a painting. The wind shows you where to go instead of a GPS marker. You follow the wind, the birds, the music cues. Navigation feels organic.

The story is 25-30 hours for the main campaign. There's additional content beyond that if you're interested. The Iki Island DLC adds another 5-10 hours of story content and is worth experiencing.

Presidents' Day discount on Ghost of Tsushima can bring it down to $25-30 depending on which version you're buying. The Director's Cut (which includes the DLC) is the better value. This is a game that respects your time. Every hour counts.

QUICK TIP: Turn off all UI elements when you feel comfortable with the controls. The wind direction system works brilliantly once you trust it, and the game becomes significantly more immersive without a minimap cluttering the screen.

Ghost of Tsushima: Samurai Combat Mastery - visual representation
Ghost of Tsushima: Samurai Combat Mastery - visual representation

Key Elements of Persona 5 Royal
Key Elements of Persona 5 Royal

Persona 5 Royal balances dungeon crawling, social interactions, and combat, with each element contributing significantly to the overall experience. Estimated data.

Persona 5 Royal: The JRPG That Changed Everything

Persona 5 Royal is a 100+ hour JRPG that's part dating sim, part dungeon crawler, part social drama. It sounds like it shouldn't work. Somehow, it works beautifully.

The setting is modern-day Tokyo. You're a high school student who's been falsely accused of a crime and sent to live with a family you've never met. During the day, you attend school, do homework, hang out with friends. During the night, you enter an alternate reality called the Metaverse where you fight manifestations of human corruption and steal the true hearts of corrupt adults.

Yes, you read that correctly. You're literally stealing hearts. When a corrupt adult is plagued by their own twisted desires, those desires manifest as a Palace in the Metaverse. You and your friends infiltrate the Palace, face down the manifestation, and steal the heart, causing the adult to have a sudden change of conscience.

The daily structure is the genius of Persona 5 Royal. Every day is meaningful. You have limited time and limited actions. You need to balance dungeon crawling, social relationships, training, and story progression. Playing optimally means planning your week. Playing casually means enjoying whatever happens.

The social links are the emotional core of the game. Each character you befriend has a social link that develops through repeated interactions. As you spend time with them, you learn their stories. You help them overcome their personal struggles. In return, they get stronger in combat and provide story-relevant support during battles.

Combat is turn-based and strategic. You can exploit enemy weaknesses to knock them down and get additional turns. Status effects matter. Positioning doesn't matter (it's not tactical grid-based), but managing your team's HP and SP (special ability points) does. Boss fights can be genuinely difficult if you're not prepared.

The art direction is phenomenal. The UI is stylish. The soundtrack is a masterpiece. Every menu navigation has a bop playing in the background. Walking through Tokyo feels different based on the time of day and season. The game respects aesthetics in a way that most JRPGs don't.

Presidents' Day discount on Persona 5 Royal brings a

50gamedownto50 game down to
30-35. That's remarkable value for 100+ hours of content, exceptional character writing, and some of the best dungeon design in the genre.

Persona 5 Royal: The JRPG That Changed Everything - visual representation
Persona 5 Royal: The JRPG That Changed Everything - visual representation

Spider-Man 2: Superhero Gaming at Its Peak

Spider-Man 2 is the second game in Insomniac's Spider-Man series, but you don't need to have played the first game to appreciate it. It tells its own story while respecting the continuity of the previous games.

You play as both Peter Parker and Miles Morales. They're partners. Both have access to web-slinging mechanics, but their traversal feels distinct. Peter's more aggressive. Miles' more graceful. Both feel incredible to move around the city with.

The story involves Venom (the alien symbiote), Kraven the Hunter, and a conflict that threatens all of New York. The narrative is surprisingly emotional. Characters have real consequences for their actions. The ending genuinely punches you in the gut.

Swinging through New York is pure joy. The physics feel right. The momentum feels right. The environmental interactions feel right. You're not just moving from point A to point B. You're enjoying every second of the journey.

Combat is action-oriented with a heavy focus on chaining attacks and dodging. It's not as tactical as other action games, but it's faster and flashier. You feel like Spider-Man. You're agile. You're quick. You're barely staying ahead of danger.

Presidents' Day discount on Spider-Man 2 brings it from

70downto70 down to
40-50. It's a newer release, so discounts are modest. But for a game with 25-30 hours of story content plus additional side content, it's solid value.

DID YOU KNOW: Swinging through New York in Spider-Man 2 is so smooth that some players spend hours just traversing the city without engaging in any combat or story missions, purely enjoying the movement mechanics.

Spider-Man 2: Superhero Gaming at Its Peak - visual representation
Spider-Man 2: Superhero Gaming at Its Peak - visual representation

Elden Ring: Key Features and Ratings
Elden Ring: Key Features and Ratings

Elden Ring excels in open-world design and player agency, offering exceptional value for money. Estimated data based on typical gameplay reviews.

Astro's Playroom: The Hidden Gem Nobody Expects

Astro's Playroom comes pre-installed on every PS5. Most people skip it. That's a massive mistake.

It's a short game. We're talking 3-4 hours total. But those 3-4 hours are the best tutorial for the Dual Sense controller ever created. Every single feature of the controller is explained through gameplay. Haptic feedback. Adaptive triggers. Motion controls. Everything.

But here's the thing: it's also just a genuinely excellent platformer. Tight controls. Creative level design. Charming personality. The kind of game that makes you smile while you're playing it.

Presidents' Day discount on Astro's Playroom is almost irrelevant because it's free if you own a PS5. But if you somehow haven't played it, it's worth your time. It's a palate cleanser between heavier games. It's also a perfect game to introduce someone to the PS5 if they're new to gaming.

Astro's Playroom: The Hidden Gem Nobody Expects - visual representation
Astro's Playroom: The Hidden Gem Nobody Expects - visual representation

Tekken 8: Fighting Game Excellence

Tekken 8 is a traditional 3D fighting game featuring 32 fighters, each with distinct movesets, strategies, and playstyles. If you enjoy fighting games, this is the real deal.

The learning curve is steep. Fighting games are hard. They require frame data knowledge, combo optimization, spacing understanding, and matchup knowledge. But if you're willing to put in the time, the depth is incredible.

The single-player content is actually good. The story mode is fun. Character episodes let you learn the cast. The arcade quest mode is a charming introduction to the fighting game community.

Online play is stable. Ranked matchmaking actually works. You can find opponents at your skill level and improve against them.

Presidents' Day discount on Tekken 8 brings it from

60to60 to
40-45. If you're interested in fighting games, this is the entry point. If you're already into them, it's the current standard.

Tekken 8: Fighting Game Excellence - visual representation
Tekken 8: Fighting Game Excellence - visual representation

Tekken 8 Features and Ratings
Tekken 8 Features and Ratings

Tekken 8 excels in character variety and value for money, with strong online play and a steep learning curve. Estimated data based on typical game reviews.

Helldivers 2: Cooperative Chaos

Helldivers 2 is a third-person cooperative shooter where you and up to three friends fight alien bugs on hostile planets while managing limited ammunition, tactical stratagems (air strikes, reinforcements, orbital support), and increasingly difficult enemy waves.

It's pure chaos. Friendly fire is always on. Reinforcements come in as pods that can crush your teammates if they're not paying attention. Artillery strikes can hit you if you're not careful. The game actively creates moments of panic and recovery.

The progression system is satisfying without being predatory. You earn rewards, upgrade weapons, unlock new equipment. There's always something new to chase, but it never feels like you're forced to engage with the monetization.

Presidents' Day discount on Helldivers 2 isn't usually significant because it's a service game that holds its value. But if it's on sale for $25-30, it's worth grabbing if you have friends to play with. It's significantly less fun solo.

Helldivers 2: Cooperative Chaos - visual representation
Helldivers 2: Cooperative Chaos - visual representation

Kena: Bridge of Spirits: Underrated Brilliance

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a third-person action-adventure game that nobody expected to be as good as it is.

You're Kena, a young spirit guide traveling through a decaying world. You're trying to find a village and restore it. Along the way, you collect Rot creatures (adorable potato-like beings) that follow you around and help in combat.

The combat is fast-paced and responsive. You dodge, you attack, you parry. The Rot creatures support you by healing, stunning enemies, or dealing damage. Managing your relationship with the Rot is core to the combat system.

The art direction is exceptional. The world looks like a Pixar movie brought to life. The color palette is intentional. Every zone feels distinct and beautiful.

Presidents' Day discount on Kena brings it down to $20-25. For a 15-20 hour game with exceptional art direction and satisfying combat, it's one of the best values you can get.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits: Underrated Brilliance - visual representation
Kena: Bridge of Spirits: Underrated Brilliance - visual representation

Final Fantasy XVI: Next-Generation JRPG Design

Final Fantasy XVI is a departure from previous Final Fantasy games. It's action-based combat instead of turn-based. It's more linear than open-world. But it's also unapologetically excellent.

The story is epic and dark. You're Clive, a warrior in a world where powerful beings called Eikons (basically elementals) are bound to individuals. Your world is falling apart. You're trying to understand why and stop it from completely collapsing.

The combat is real-time action with medieval sword fighting. You learn abilities tied to the Eikons as you progress. Early game you're using sword attacks. Later game you're channeling phoenix wings, ice storms, and lightning strikes. The progression feels powerful.

The story is 40-45 hours. It's a complete experience with an actual ending. Side content exists but is minimal compared to open-world games.

Presidents' Day discount on Final Fantasy XVI brings it from

70to70 to
45-50. It's a newer release, so discounts are modest. But for a 40-45 hour narrative experience, it's solid.

QUICK TIP: Final Fantasy XVI has difficulty settings that aren't about shame or pride. Play whatever difficulty matches your skill level. Easy mode still offers a great story. Hard mode offers legitimate challenge. Both are valid.

Final Fantasy XVI: Next-Generation JRPG Design - visual representation
Final Fantasy XVI: Next-Generation JRPG Design - visual representation

Horizon Zero Dawn: Open World Perfection

Horizon Zero Dawn is an open-world action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic world where civilization has collapsed and mechanical creatures roam the landscape like animals.

You're Aloy, a hunter searching for her past while discovering the truth about the world. The story is surprisingly excellent, touching on themes of identity, purpose, and what happens when civilization falls apart.

The combat involves hunting mechanical creatures. You craft ammunition from materials. You set traps. You exploit weaknesses. You use stealth or direct combat depending on your approach.

The world is beautiful. Forests feel alive. Ruins feel like actual human structures buried under time. The day/night cycle and weather effects add to the immersion.

Presidents' Day discount on Horizon Zero Dawn brings it to $15-20 since it's been out for several years. That's an incredible value for a 40+ hour open-world game with exceptional story and world design.

Horizon Zero Dawn: Open World Perfection - visual representation
Horizon Zero Dawn: Open World Perfection - visual representation

How to Make Your PS5 Decisions

Choosing which games to buy comes down to several factors that go beyond just the sale price.

First, consider your available time. Elden Ring and Baldur's Gate 3 are 100+ hour commitments. If you're busy, maybe grab something like Astro's Playroom or Kena instead. Second, consider your genre preferences. Are you a story person? Grab Final Fantasy games. Are you a challenge person? Elden Ring. Are you a multiplayer person? Helldivers 2.

Third, consider what you currently have in your library. If you already own five action games, maybe a JRPG like Persona 5 Royal offers variety.

Fourth, don't buy something just because it's on sale. A game you're not interested in is a waste of money, even at 50% off.

Fifth, check user reviews on reputable gaming sites. Reviews from professional critics matter less than reviews from regular players who've actually finished the game.

Sixth, watch gameplay footage if you're unsure. A 20-minute gameplay video tells you more than any review or description.

Seventh, consider the Play Station Plus Extra and Premium tiers. Some of these games might already be available through subscription. Check before buying.

Eighth, if you have friends who've played something, ask them directly. Personal recommendations from people you trust beat everything else.

Ninth, don't feel pressured to complete everything. If a game stops being fun, stop playing. Life's too short for games that don't grab you.

Tenth, space out your purchases. Buying three $30 games at once means you'll have content for months. Buy one now, buy another in three weeks. Spread the joy out.

How to Make Your PS5 Decisions - visual representation
How to Make Your PS5 Decisions - visual representation

Maximizing Your Savings This Presidents' Day

If you're committed to actually making the most of Presidents' Day sales, there are specific strategies that work.

First, set a budget. Decide how much you're willing to spend. Don't go over it. Sales create artificial urgency that makes you spend more than planned.

Second, make a list beforehand. Before you start shopping, write down five to ten games you're interested in. Rank them by priority. This prevents impulse purchases.

Third, use price tracking websites. Set up alerts for games you want. Get notifications when they hit your target price.

Fourth, check multiple retailers. Prices vary between Play Station Store, Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Game Stop. Do the research.

Fifth, look for bundle deals. Sometimes retailers offer game bundles where you save more than buying individually.

Sixth, check whether physical or digital is cheaper. Physical games occasionally go cheaper because retailers are clearing inventory. Digital is instant but more expensive.

Seventh, look for trade-in opportunities. Some retailers give you credit toward new purchases if you trade in old games.

Eighth, don't ignore used game markets. Facebook Marketplace, Offer Up, and e Bay sometimes have better deals than official retailers, especially for older games.

Ninth, consider gift cards. Sometimes gift cards go on sale. Buying discounted gift cards and using them on games effectively stacks discounts.

Tenth, sign up for retailer notifications. Best Buy, Amazon, and Game Stop send emails about upcoming sales to subscribers. You get early warnings.

Maximizing Your Savings This Presidents' Day - visual representation
Maximizing Your Savings This Presidents' Day - visual representation

The Psychology of Gaming Purchases

Understanding why you buy games helps you make better purchasing decisions.

Games are expensive. Even at $30-40 after discounts, they're a significant purchase. Your brain wants justification for spending that money. So it'll convince you that you need something you don't actually need.

FOMO (fear of missing out) is real in gaming. You see friends playing something. You hear about how good it is. You worry you'll be left out of conversations. So you buy it immediately.

Sales create artificial urgency. The price will go back up. The sale ends soon. You have to decide now. These pressures cause impulsive decisions.

Hype cycles are real. Newly released games get more hype than older games, even if the older games are better. You buy based on what's trendy, not what's good.

The sunk cost fallacy applies to gaming. You buy a game, don't finish it, then feel obligated to finish it because you spent the money. You'd be happier moving on.

Gaming backlog guilt is a real psychological phenomenon. Most gamers have more games than they'll ever finish. Buying more creates guilt about unfinished games. Sometimes you shouldn't buy more. Sometimes you should finish what you started.

Understanding these psychological pressures helps you make rational decisions instead of emotional ones. When you feel the urge to buy something, pause. Wait 24 hours. See if you still want it. Usually, the urge passes.

The Psychology of Gaming Purchases - visual representation
The Psychology of Gaming Purchases - visual representation

Planning Your Gaming Year After Presidents' Day

Once you've made your purchases, think about how you'll actually play them.

Plan quarterly releases. Buy one or two games this week. Buy more in April. Buy more in July. Spread purchases across the year so you have something to look forward to.

Combine single-player and multiplayer. Don't play exclusively single-player games. Mix in multiplayer experiences to vary your experience.

Combine long and short games. Don't start five 100-hour games at once. Alternate between long games and short palate-cleansers.

Track what you finish. Keep a list of games you complete. This helps you understand your gaming patterns and buying habits.

Set goals. Want to finish all the From Software games? Make that a goal. Want to play every JRPG? Make that a goal. Goals give purpose to your purchases.

Don't feel obligated to finish everything. If a game isn't working for you after five hours, move on. Life's too short.

Consider replaying games. Some games improve on replay because you understand the mechanics better. Some games have multiple playthroughs that feel different.

Try new genres. Don't just buy more of what you already like. Challenge yourself with something different.

Stay updated on upcoming releases. Once you've made your purchases, start following gaming news for what's coming next. Future games inform present purchases.

Planning Your Gaming Year After Presidents' Day - visual representation
Planning Your Gaming Year After Presidents' Day - visual representation

FAQ

What is the best PS5 game to buy right now?

There's no single "best" game. It depends on what you enjoy. If you want challenge, Elden Ring is unmatched. If you want story, Baldur's Gate 3 or Final Fantasy VII Remake are exceptional. If you want pure fun, Spider-Man 2 or Kena deliver. Your preference determines the answer.

How much storage does the PS5 have?

The PS5 comes with 825GB of total storage, with about 667GB usable after the system software. Larger games (like Baldur's Gate 3) take 150GB. Smaller games take 20-50GB. You'll likely want to expand storage with an external SSD if you plan to own many games simultaneously.

Are digital or physical PS5 games better?

Both have tradeoffs. Digital games are instant but more expensive and can't be traded in or shared. Physical games are often cheaper, can be traded in, but require swapping discs. The PS5 has two versions: one with a disc drive and one without. Choose based on your preference and budget.

How do I know if I'll like a game?

Watch gameplay footage on You Tube before buying. Read reviews from professional critics and regular players. Ask friends who've played it. Most importantly, look at the game's mechanics, story, and genre. If those align with things you enjoy, you'll probably like it.

Should I wait for bigger sales events than Presidents' Day?

Presidents' Day offers solid discounts, but Black Friday typically offers deeper ones. However, waiting months for a sale means you miss out on playing the game now. If the President's Day discount is acceptable, buy it. If you can wait, wait for better sales. But don't miss out entirely because you're chasing the absolute best price.

What if I don't like a game I buy on sale?

Most retailers have return policies. Play Station Store is strict about refunds (usually unavailable if you've played more than 2 hours). Physical retailers like Best Buy and Target are more lenient. Check the return policy before buying. Also, remember that some games click after a few hours. Don't judge immediately.

How many games should I buy at once?

Buy what you'll actually play. If you know you'll finish one 50-hour game before 2025 ends, buy one game. If you can juggle three different games across different genres, buy three. Understand your playing habits. Most players have more games than they'll ever finish, so be realistic.

Are Play Station Plus games worth having instead of buying games?

Play Station Plus Extra (

11.99/month)includeshundredsofgames.PlayStationPlusPremium(11.99/month) includes hundreds of games. Play Station Plus Premium (
17.99/month) includes even more plus classic games. If you value variety and don't have favorites you must play, subscriptions are more economical. If you have specific games you want, buying them is often cheaper long-term.

What if the game I want isn't discounted?

Sometimes newer games or popular games don't discount much. You have options: wait for better sales later, buy it full price, or explore subscription services to see if it's included. Or accept that not every game goes on sale at every event.

How do I get notified of future PS5 game sales?

Follow gaming deal websites like Slickdeals, Deal News, or Woot. Sign up for Best Buy, Amazon, and Play Station Store notifications. Follow gaming media outlets on social media. Join PS5 or gaming subreddits where users share deals. Set price alerts on websites that track game prices.


FAQ - visual representation
FAQ - visual representation

Final Thoughts on Presidents' Day Gaming Deals

Presidents' Day sales matter because they give you permission to buy games you've been thinking about but hesitating on. That hesitation usually comes from price, not quality. Remove the price barrier, and suddenly you have a backlog of amazing experiences waiting for you.

The games I've mentioned aren't random picks. I've spent significant time with each one. I've finished them. I've earned trophies. I've seen the credits roll. I'm recommending them because they're worth your time and money, not because they're on sale.

Your gaming journey is personal. The games that resonate with me might not resonate with you. Use my recommendations as starting points, but do your own research. Watch gameplay. Read reviews. Ask friends. Make informed decisions.

Presidents' Day discounts are temporary. By next week, prices will return to normal. So if something looks interesting, pull the trigger. You won't get the same discount again for months.

Most importantly, remember that gaming is supposed to be fun. If a game stops being fun, stop playing it. If a different game calls to you, play that instead. You're spending your free time. Spend it on things you enjoy.

So stock up this Presidents' Day. Build your backlog. Get lost in the Lands Between. Explore Tokyo as a student phantom thief. Swing through New York as Spider-Man. Become a samurai. Save the world from alien invaders. Experience stories that'll stick with you for years.

The deals are good. The games are better. Go get them.

Final Thoughts on Presidents' Day Gaming Deals - visual representation
Final Thoughts on Presidents' Day Gaming Deals - visual representation


Key Takeaways

  • Elden Ring, Baldur's Gate 3, and Final Fantasy VII Remake offer 100+ hours of gameplay at steep Presidents' Day discounts
  • Game purchases should align with your available time, genre preferences, and actual playing habits to avoid backlog guilt
  • Prices vary significantly across retailers—check multiple sources (PlayStation Store, Amazon, Best Buy, Target) before buying
  • Smaller games like Kena and Astro's Playroom provide quality experiences in shorter timeframes for players with limited time
  • Strategic purchasing (tracking alerts, comparing physical vs. digital prices, considering trade-ins) maximizes savings beyond listed discounts

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