Joystiq Holidaze: best of Black Friday
We've trimmed the fat and cut the crap, bringing you the gaming highlights from the retail world's annual sale. Remember, the best shopper is an armed a prepared shopper. Use this guide to target the needs of your whiny loved ones, while avoiding bold-lettered traps (Joytip: It's no bargain price if you're cleaning out retail garbage). This year's sales favor Xbox 360 products, though there are valuable savings in the PlayStation 3 department. As for PSP? Not so much (actually, none at all). And only a few Nintendo-brand listings pop out (Joytip: Unless you're camping on the concrete, ignore Wii bundle listings; the console will be as scarce as ever).
This Joystiq guide focuses on brick and mortar retailers (Amazon's Black Friday listings are here) and only includes our recommendations. (Joytip: Each image is linked to additional information about the corresponding product). Please use the comments section to share additional deals you've discovered!
Hardware
- Joytip: Avoid retailer-assembled bundles that force you to buy games & accessories you don't want
- Joytip: Don't purchase retailers' replacement plans; manufacturers have solid built-in warranties -- especially Nintendo
Xbox 360 Pro Value Bundle (w/ Forza 2 & Marvel Alliance) & 2 games (choice of: Halo 3, Assassin's Creed, Call of Duty 4, or SmackDown! vs. RAW)
FYE - $419.97 [after $50 mail-in rebate]
Xbox 360 Pro Bundle
Best Buy - $349.99 [free Guitar Hero 2 bundle]
Halo 3 Xbox 360 & Halo 3 game
Target - $459.98 [$60 gift card]
Xbox 360 & migrate paid Xbox LIVE subscription (for original Xbox) to Xbox LIVE Gold
Any retailer - price varies [free Halo 3]
Offer expires 12/21/07
Refurbished Xbox 360 Pro Bundle
Micro Center - $229.99 [save $120]
Joytip: lacks HDMI; susceptible to older model defects
Xbox 360 HD DVD drive
Wal-Mart - $179.99 [free Heroes Season 1 HD DVD/DVD Set]
Xbox 360 HD DVD drive
Any retailer - $179.99 [5 free HD DVD movies; mail-in form]
Offer expires 2/28/08
PlayStation 3:
40GB or 80GB PlayStation 3
BJ's - $299.99/399.99 [$100 instant rebate]
80GB PlayStation3
Wal-Mart - $499 [10 free Blu-ray movies of choice]
Any model PlayStation 3
Any retailer - price varies [5 free Blu-ray movies; form]
Offer expires 2/29/08
Nintendo DS:
DS Lite Zelda/Nintendogs bundles
Circuit City - $139.99 [save $10]
DS Lite Zelda/Nintendogs bundles
FYE - $129.99 [after $20 mail-in rebate]
PlayStation 2:
PlayStation 2
FYE - $99.99 [after $30 mail-in rebate]
PlayStation 2
GameStop - $129.99 [receive $30 gift card]
- Joytip: If you're really in the market for a PS2, why not hold out for the new model?
Software
Assassin's Creed
Circuit City - $59.99 [receive $10 gift card]
Call of Duty 2
Circuit City - $9.99 [save $20]
Call of Duty 4
Target - $48 [save $11.99]
Gears of War
Target - $38 [save $21.99]
Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2
Best Buy - $20 [save $20]
- Guitar Hero 2 bundle (includes guitar)
Circuit City; Kmart; Sears - $59.99 [save $30]
Halo 3
Circuit City - $59.99 [receive $10 gift card]
Orange Box
Kmart - $39.99 [save $20]
Project Gotham Racing 4
Circuit City - $44.99 [save $15]
skate
Target - $48 [save $11.99]
Wii:
Super Mario Galaxy
Circuit City - $34.99 [save $15]
PlayStation 3:
Assassin's Creed
Circuit City - $59.99 [receive $10 gift card]
Call of Duty 4
Target - $48 [save $11.99]
Ratchet & Clank Future
Circuit City - $59.99 [receive $10 gift card]
skate
Target - $48 [save $11.99]
Nintendo DS:
Meteos: Disney Magic
Toys R Us - $9.99 [save $10]
PlayStation 2:
Bully
Circuit City - $9.99 [save $10]
Joytip: Enhanced Xbox 360 & Wii ports are in the works
All EA Sports 08 games
Wal-Mart - $19.88 ea. [save $10.11]
Guitar Hero III bundle (includes guitar)
Circuit City - $89.99 [receive $10 gift card]
Accessories
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller
Kmart - $39.99 [save $10]
Xbox 360 Wireless Headset
Target - $48 [save $11.99]
PS3 Blu-ray Remote
GameStop - $9.99 [save $15]
- Joytip: Don't waste $$$ on brick-n-mortar stores' overpriced HDMI cables, shop for cheaper options online: HDMI cables (Amazon) -- anyone'll do, really
- Joytip: Avoid 'cooling systems' like Nyko's infamous Intercooler
- Joytip: Plastic extensions don't make Wii Sports more fun (but if you must, be less of a sucker by buying the Sports Pack at Circuit City for the $9.99 sale price)
- Joytip: Consider switching to AA rechargeable batteries for all applicable accessories (they offer longer playtime than battery packs)
Dumpster Diving
Buy two used games or accessories, get one free
GameStop - prices vary [buy 2, get 1 free]
Entire stock of games is buy one, get one free [limit 4 free games]
KBtoys - prices vary [buy 1, get 1 free]
Links to Store Locators
Bonus: Fanboy's Recommend
- DS Fanboy: Micro Center offers convoluted process for two free games
- PS3 Fanboy: Finding the best PS3 deals on Black Friday
- PSP Fanboy: Finding the best PSP deals on Black Friday
- Massively: Black Friday: where's the love?
- Wii Fanboy: Buy the 'last copies' of these cheap games at Best Buy
- Wii Fanboy: TRU Sale: Buy 2 Wii games, get 1 free [Expires 11/21]
- Xbox 360 Fanboy: Best of Xbox 360 Black Friday deals
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
blehh @ Nov 21st 2007 3:04PM
right clicked>bookmarked this page
FOXHOUND @ Nov 21st 2007 3:09PM
much thanks for the compiled list. :]
Tango Charlie @ Nov 21st 2007 3:13PM
Dell.ca (so probably Dell.com, too) is having some pretty inexpensive prices on games each day this week.
For example, today Bioshock's on sale for 45$, and Fifa for $40.
Spiza @ Nov 21st 2007 3:14PM
Nice job excluding PC games. I guess they don't count?
Best Buy has BioShock, Orange Box for $25.
gonk @ Nov 21st 2007 3:20PM
only on friday? darn, i won't be near a best buy
Spiza @ Nov 21st 2007 3:37PM
These are good on Saturday as well. Hopefully they stay stocked though. BB is also supposed to be putting some stuff online, but its not all up yet. You might be able to purchase online and pick it up later, missing the crowds.
ogvor @ Nov 21st 2007 4:41PM
I thought this site covered all video games. Their are some great deals on PC games, and even though I bought it for Xbox 360, I'm buying orange box for 25, since that's near the price of Portal anyway. Then I'll be able to play the maps PC games make for Portal!
Edog Lost @ Nov 21st 2007 3:15PM
I am thinking about getting the HD dvd add on for the 360. I have seen the current list of free HD DVDs, Isn't there a way to get the first season of Heros for free?
Yuccadude @ Nov 21st 2007 3:26PM
If you buy it at Wal-Mart, but you don't get the 5 free movies.
Mr Khan @ Nov 21st 2007 3:19PM
Damn, of all the Wii games (even the good ones) to go on sale, it has to be Galaxy?
Put Radiant Dawn on sale, plz
WiNG @ Nov 21st 2007 3:55PM
metroid prime on sale plz
Dacool561 @ Nov 21st 2007 3:25PM
* Joytip: Don't purchase retailers' replacement plans; manufacturers have solid built-in warranties -- especially Nintendo
Exception here for the 360. I'd definately pick up a replacement plan if they will even offer one for it.
gonk @ Nov 21st 2007 3:43PM
why? m$ has the 3 year thing for free
Liquid @ Nov 21st 2007 7:06PM
I see where you are coming from by recommending the xbox in-store replacement plan, but in recent months the horror stories have really died down. I believe the 360's in stores now don't suffer from the over heating issues that plagued the early models.
Ramifications @ Nov 22nd 2007 1:55AM
Ummm HELLO! 3 YEAR WARRANTY !!!!! Buying an extended warranty is like throwing money away, especially when the manufacturer covers for such a long period of time like 3 years.
Mike @ Nov 21st 2007 3:32PM
if you're looking for hdmi cables, go to monoprice.com
as a matter of fact, go there for any cables. You won't find a better price and they work perfectly.
Dio @ Nov 21st 2007 3:39PM
Best Buy has The Orange Box(PC version) for $25 =/
Slaziman @ Nov 21st 2007 5:23PM
lol@5 bucks per game. Sweetest gaming deal ever just got sweater? Portal for 5 bucks is insane~~~!
Slaziman @ Nov 21st 2007 5:24PM
lol@5 bucks per game. Sweetest gaming deal ever just got sweeter? Portal for 5 bucks is insane~~~!
Slaziman @ Nov 21st 2007 5:25PM
lol@trying to fix a spelling mistake and seriously failing by double posting, then cluttering the thread even more with an apology
Grey Fox @ Nov 21st 2007 3:42PM
Man I can't wait till boxing day up here in Canada, its going to fucking rock.
WiNG @ Nov 21st 2007 3:53PM
I don't know what boxing day is, but I'm sure the 10 year old Halo 3 players with concerned mothers are fans.
Kevin @ Nov 21st 2007 4:35PM
@WiNG
Boxing Day is December 26th in Canada. Don't know why it has that name, but it's the day that most stores get rid of all the extra Christmas stuff at low, low prices.
Geist @ Nov 21st 2007 9:05PM
Huh, didn't know Boxing Day was a Canada-only thing.
Rabidkeebler @ Nov 21st 2007 3:45PM
Where is the love for the PC? I think Orange Box for the PC will be on sale for $25 at Best Buy.
Dio @ Nov 21st 2007 3:55PM
Yes it is XD
Wal-Mart also has this cool sound video rocker chair for $30.
Timodi @ Nov 21st 2007 4:13PM
I second the PC lovin. $25 Orange Box and Bioshock is a steal.
Silent Xenocide @ Nov 21st 2007 3:47PM
Anyone know where one can get a modded PS2? There are plenty of imports I want to play on mine but the disc tray is broken so I figured I would just get a modded one.
Mike @ Nov 21st 2007 4:19PM
Can anyone confirm that Orange Box Xbox 360 will be $39.99 at Kmart. I have the ad but it says the price will be $59.
Zon @ Nov 21st 2007 4:31PM
Nice list I'll probably pick up orange box
Arno @ Nov 21st 2007 5:18PM
Probably worth mentioning:
Best Buy will have The Orange Box (PC) for $24.99 the whole weekend. I'm getting that for sure.
colin @ Nov 21st 2007 5:49PM
thanks for making this
+bookmark
Mr. P @ Nov 21st 2007 6:45PM
My local GameStop is opening at 7am Friday, and they're hoarding all the Wiis until then. What time do you think I should arrive?
driven2sin @ Nov 22nd 2007 10:57PM
u r already to late... all your wiis are belong to campers
Liquid @ Nov 21st 2007 6:58PM
Excellent article James. It's great this is getting some digg attention. Alot of parents could stand reading this for the Joytips alone. Top notch.
Rob Accomando @ Nov 21st 2007 9:47PM
omg, I want that dead rising pic as a poster.
Vander @ Nov 21st 2007 9:56PM
No love for the PC Gamers!
Orange Box AND Bioshock just $25 each at Best Buy
Phillip @ Nov 21st 2007 11:09PM
Thought I'd mention: NewEgg has CoD4 for $45 on PC and $55 on console with free 3-day shipping.
PC: http://tinyurl.com/27afmd
XB: http://tinyurl.com/37p7k7
PS: http://tinyurl.com/2ke4ch
Not sure how long this deal lasts (may be permanent), but it was in the "day after Thanksgiving preview" email they sent out.
driven2sin @ Nov 22nd 2007 10:56PM
so PS3 for $300 at BJs ? even if it was just a bluray player that is something to consider....
aaron_k7 @ Nov 24th 2007 2:24AM
PSP:
http://www.pspfanboy.com/2007/11/23/more-black-friday-deals-spotted/
http://www.pspfanboy.com/2007/11/21/todays-deals-after-burner-marvel-trading-card-4gb-ms/
Had to navigate away from Joystiq as it's a Nintendo-leaning site ;o)