The short answer
Black Friday gaming deals 2026 peak on Friday, November 27, but most PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo offers should start about a week earlier, as they did in 2025. However, consoles cost more this year after 2026 price increases, so the best savings will likely be on bundles, controllers, headsets and games rather than big console price cuts. Meanwhile, GTA 6 launches on November 19, eight days before Black Friday.
- Black Friday 2026: Friday, November 27; Cyber Monday is November 30.
- Will PS5 be on sale for Black Friday 2026? Not announced yet. In 2025, Sony took $100 off the PS5 Pro and sold Fortnite PS5 bundles from $399.99.
- Xbox Series X Black Friday 2026: The Series X now lists at $799.99. In 2025, Microsoft’s own store did not cut console prices; the savings were on games, controllers and trade-ins.
- Switch 2 Black Friday: Expect bundles rather than a price cut; Nintendo lists the Mario Kart World bundle at $549.99.
- GTA 6 PS5 bundle: No official bundle has been announced as of October 29, 2026.
Nov 27
Black Friday 2026
Nov 19
GTA 6 launch date
$899.99
PS5 Pro US list price
$100
Off PS5 Pro on Black Friday 2025
Last checked: October 29, 2026.
In this article
Black Friday, the shopping day after US Thanksgiving, is the biggest discount window of the year for video games, and 2026 is an unusual one. First, every major console maker raised prices this year. Second, Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6), Rockstar Games’ long-awaited open-world crime game, arrives on November 19, just before the sales begin. As a result, Black Friday gaming deals this year are less about cheap consoles and more about smart timing, bundles and accessories. For dates, store hours and the wider sale calendar, start with our Black Friday 2026 guide.
Below, we break down what PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo actually offered last year, what each console officially costs right now, and how to tell a real deal from a fake one. In addition, we cover gaming PCs, laptops, controllers, headsets and subscriptions. We only quote list prices from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo, so you know exactly what a discount must beat.
When Do Black Friday Gaming Deals Start in 2026?
Black Friday gaming deals usually start about a week before Black Friday itself, so expect the first big offers around November 20, 2026. In 2025, for example, Sony’s PlayStation deals began on November 21, while Xbox and Nintendo started their sales on November 20.
However, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo had not announced 2026 Black Friday deals as of October 29, 2026. Some retailers have started, though. Target’s Early Black Friday deals run November 5–7 (announced October 21), and Costco’s Black Friday page lists promotions for November 27–30. Walmart announced its holiday events on October 26: Early Black Friday Deals run November 12–15 and Black Friday Deals run November 23–29, both starting online at 12:01 a.m. ET with Walmart+ early access, and stores open for Black Friday deals at 6 a.m. local time on November 27. Walmart has not announced specific console deals or prices, so see our Walmart Black Friday guide for updates. Best Buy revealed its holiday calendar on October 27: Early Black Friday deals start November 6, a 10-day Black Friday event runs November 19–28, and Cyber Week deals run December 1–6. Grand Theft Auto VI and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time are among its featured products, but the release gives no specific console or game deal prices. Amazon had not announced Black Friday sale dates as of October 29, 2026. Amazon has already held its October Prime Big Deal Days event (October 6–7, 2026, according to NBC News Select), so the next big wave of gaming discounts should be the Black Friday run itself. Timing matters, too: in the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) October 20 holiday survey, 64% of shoppers said they would likely wait until Thanksgiving weekend to do most of their holiday buying.
| Date (2026) | What happens | Why it matters for gamers |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 12 | GTA 6 pre-load and physical copies available | Digital pre-orders can start downloading |
| Thu, Nov 19 | GTA 6 launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S | Peak demand for consoles and storage |
| Around Nov 20 (not announced) | Likely start of console-maker sales | Based on 2025 timing (Nov 20–21) |
| Nov 5–7 | Target Early Black Friday deals (announced Oct 21) | First official retailer Black Friday window |
| Fri, Nov 6 | Best Buy Early Black Friday deals start (announced Oct 27) | New deals drop every Friday; no console prices announced |
| Nov 12–15 | Walmart Early Black Friday Deals (announced Oct 26) | Online from 12:01 a.m. ET Nov 12; Walmart+ members get early access |
| Nov 19–28 | Best Buy 10-day Black Friday event (announced Oct 27) | Starts the same day GTA 6 launches |
| Nov 23–29 | Walmart Black Friday Deals (announced Oct 26) | Online from 12:01 a.m. ET Nov 23; stores from 6 a.m. local on Nov 27 |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Thanksgiving Day | Walmart, Costco, Lowe’s and Best Buy stores are closed; many online deals go live early |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Black Friday | Main sale day |
| Mon, Nov 30 | Cyber Monday | Last day for many online offers |
| Dec 1–6 | Best Buy Cyber Week deals (announced Oct 27) | Another chance at console and accessory deals |
| Dec 17 – Jan 4, 2027 | Steam Winter Sale | Next big PC game sale |
Console List Prices to Beat This Black Friday
A Black Friday console deal only counts if it beats the official list price, and those prices rose in 2026. Sony raised US prices on April 2, 2026, Microsoft raised Xbox prices on August 1, 2026, and Nintendo raised the Switch 2 to $499.99 on September 1, 2026. No console list price has changed since then.
| Console | US list price | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 (disc, 1TB) | $649.99 | PlayStation Blog, effective Apr 2, 2026 |
| PS5 Digital Edition | $599.99 | PlayStation Blog, effective Apr 2, 2026 |
| PS5 Pro | $899.99 | PlayStation Blog, effective Apr 2, 2026 |
| PlayStation Portal | $249.99 | PlayStation Blog, effective Apr 2, 2026 |
| Xbox Series X (disc, 1TB) | $799.99 (was $649.99) | Xbox Wire, effective Aug 1, 2026 |
| Xbox Series X Digital (1TB) | $749.99 (was $599.99) | Xbox Wire, effective Aug 1, 2026 |
| Xbox Series S (1TB) | $599.99 (was $449.99) | Xbox Wire, effective Aug 1, 2026 |
| Xbox Series S (512GB) | $499.99 (was $399.99) | Xbox Wire, effective Aug 1, 2026 |
| Nintendo Switch 2 (standalone) | $499.99 (was $449.99) | Nintendo, effective Sep 1, 2026 |
| Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle | $549.99 | Nintendo.com |
| Switch 2 + Nintendo Switch Sports Resort Bundle | $529.99 | Nintendo.com |
Sony’s official price announcement blamed “continued pressures in the global economic landscape.” Similarly, Xbox Wire said Xbox consoles would rise by $100 for 512GB models and $150 for 1TB models, and that the 2TB model is being discontinued. Applied to last year’s prices, that puts the Series X at $799.99, the Series X Digital at $749.99, the 1TB Series S at $599.99 and the 512GB Series S at $499.99, as MP1st reported. Meanwhile, Nintendo confirmed the standalone Switch 2 rose to $499.99 in the US on September 1, according to VGC.
Watch out. Because list prices went up, a “$100 off” tag in 2026 may still leave a console more expensive than it was last Black Friday. Always compare the sale price against the list prices above, not against an inflated “was” price.
Black Friday PS5 Deals: What to Expect
Black Friday PS5 deals for 2026 have not been announced, but last year’s sale gives a clear pattern: discounted bundles, $100 off the PS5 Pro, and $20–$100 off accessories. Sony’s PlayStation’s Black Friday Deals 2025 post listed the offers below, starting November 21, 2025, “for a limited time.”
| PlayStation item | Black Friday 2025 offer (US) |
|---|---|
| PS5 Digital Edition, Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle | $399.99 recommended retail price |
| PS5 1TB, Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle | $449.99 recommended retail price |
| PS5 Pro | $100 off |
| PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition | $100 off in select regions |
| PlayStation VR2 | $100 off |
| DualSense Edge controller | $30 off |
| DualSense controller | $20 off |
| PlayStation Portal | $20 off |
| PS Plus 12-month (new members) | Up to 33% off |
Will the PS5 be on sale for Black Friday 2026?
Possibly, but Sony has not confirmed anything yet. Its 2025 Black Friday sale included both console bundles and straight discounts. That said, the PS5 now lists at $649.99 after the April 2026 increase, so even a $100 discount would leave it above last year’s sale price.
PS5 Pro Black Friday: is $100 off likely again?
A repeat is possible but unconfirmed. In 2025, the PS5 Pro was $100 off. Now that the Pro lists at $899.99, a similar cut would put it near $799.99. If you plan to play GTA 6, which Rockstar says “plays best on” PlayStation 5, compare the Pro carefully with the standard PS5; our PS5 Pro vs Xbox Series X review explains the performance gap.
PS5 and PS5 Pro — Best for GTA 6 players
The standard PS5 is the value pick, while the Pro suits players with a 4K TV who want the best image quality. Watch for bundles first, because last year they offered the lowest entry price.
- List price: PS5 $649.99; Digital Edition $599.99; PS5 Pro $899.99.
- Good deal: a bundle or discount that beats these list prices without a third-party seller markup.
- Where to buy: Check today’s PS5 price on Amazon or see PS5 Pro listings.
Black Friday Xbox Deals: Consoles, Controllers and Games
Black Friday Xbox deals have recently focused on games and accessories rather than console price cuts. In 2025, Microsoft’s store kept Xbox Series X|S consoles at full price, according to Insider Gaming, and instead offered up to $130 off a new console with an eligible trade-in.
Meanwhile, the 2025 Xbox sale ran from November 20 through December 3 for most offers. It included up to 75% off selected games, up to 38% off Xbox Wireless Controllers and up to 17% off the Xbox Wireless Headset. Game Pass, Microsoft’s game subscription, offered new members 14 days of Essential or Premium for $1.
Will the Xbox Series X be on sale for Black Friday 2026?
It is uncertain. Microsoft has not announced 2026 Black Friday plans, and it did not discount consoles in its own store last year. However, retailers sometimes run their own promotions. In addition, Xbox Wire notes that Certified Refurbished consoles sell for up to $100 off MSRP at Microsoft Stores, which may beat a Black Friday tag.
Xbox Series X and Series S — Best for Game Pass fans
Xbox Wire calls the Series S “the lowest-cost way” for console players to enjoy this year’s biggest games, including GTA 6. The Series X, by contrast, suits players who want a disc drive and more power.
- List price: Series X $799.99; Series X Digital $749.99; Series S 1TB $599.99; Series S 512GB $499.99 (since August 1, 2026).
- Good deal: a retailer discount, gift-card bundle or trade-in that beats refurbished pricing.
- Where to buy: Check Xbox Series X on Amazon or compare Series S listings.
Black Friday Nintendo Switch 2 Deals
Black Friday Nintendo Switch 2 deals will most likely be bundles, not price cuts. In 2025, Nintendo offered the console with a game rather than cutting its price, according to Engadget.
Last year, the Nintendo eShop held “Cyber Deals” from November 20 to December 3, 2025, and select retailers cut some physical Switch games to $40 from November 23. Notably, Switch 2 accessories were missing from Nintendo’s announced deals. For 2026, the standalone Switch 2 lists at $499.99 after the September 1 increase, while the official Nintendo Switch 2 page lists the Mario Kart World Bundle at $549.99 and the Nintendo Switch Sports Resort Bundle at $529.99, with the latter open for pre-purchase from October 22, 2026.
Is the Switch 2 going to be on sale for Black Friday?
A direct price cut looks unlikely based on last year’s sale, although nothing is confirmed for 2026. Instead, look for retailer gift cards or bundles that include a full game. Since a bundle includes a game you would otherwise buy separately, it is often the best value. For more context, read our Switch 2 one-year review, and if you are deciding which games to add, see our best Switch 2 games list.
Nintendo Switch 2 — Best for families and handheld play
The Switch 2 is the only one of the three major consoles that doubles as a handheld. However, GTA 6 is not coming to it, so choose it for Nintendo’s own games.
- List prices: Switch 2 $499.99; Mario Kart World Bundle $549.99; Sports Resort Bundle $529.99.
- Good deal: a bundle with a gift card or extra game at list price.
- Where to buy: Check Switch 2 bundles on Amazon.
GTA 6 and Black Friday: Pre-Orders, Bundles and Timing
GTA 6 launches on November 19, 2026, for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, so it will be brand new during Black Friday and is unlikely to be discounted. According to Rockstar’s pre-order announcement, the standard edition costs $79.99 and the Ultimate Edition costs $99.99.
- Pre-order bonus: the Vintage Vice City Pack, for pre-orders and purchases made before November 20, 2026.
- Digital pre-orders: also get a free month of GTA+ and can pre-load from November 12.
- Physical copies: contain a download code and are available from November 12.
- Platforms: PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only; there is no PC or Switch 2 version announced (see our GTA 6 PC release date explainer).
Is there a GTA 6 PS5 bundle for Black Friday?
No official GTA 6 console bundle exists as of October 29, 2026. Rockstar’s GTA 6 page and pre-order announcement do not mention one, and Sony has not announced one either. Rumors have circulated, but treat any “GTA 6 bundle” listing with caution until Sony, Microsoft or Rockstar confirms it.
Pro tip. If you want GTA 6 on day one, buy the console during an early Black Friday sale and the game separately. That way, you keep the Vice City pre-order bonus and are not waiting on an unconfirmed bundle. Check GTA 6 pre-order listings on Amazon.
Black Friday Gaming PC and Gaming Laptop Deals
Gaming PCs and gaming laptops are a major Black Friday category, but 2026 prices face the same memory and storage pressure as consoles. In fact, Xbox Wire said console storage and memory prices had risen more than 2.5 times, which also affects PC parts and laptops.
Therefore, judge a gaming laptop deal by its components, not by the size of the discount. Check the graphics card (GPU) model, the amount of RAM and the SSD size first. Then compare two or three retailers before you buy. If you prefer to build your own, our best gaming PC builds for 2026 show where to spend and where to save.
Best Black Friday gaming deals for PC players
- Gaming laptops: prioritize the GPU and at least 16GB of RAM; browse gaming laptops on Amazon.
- Prebuilt desktops: check that the power supply and cooling match the GPU.
- Upgrades: an SSD or RAM upgrade may help an older PC more than a new one; see our guide to increasing FPS.
Controllers, Headsets and Accessories Worth Watching
Accessories are where Black Friday discounts have been most reliable. In 2025, Sony cut its controllers and headsets by $20–$30, while Xbox controllers were up to 38% off in Microsoft’s sale.
| Accessory | Black Friday 2025 offer | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| DualSense controller (PS5) | $20 off (Sony) | Amazon |
| Pulse Elite headset (PS5) | $20 off (Sony) | Amazon headsets |
| Xbox Wireless Controller | Up to 38% off (Microsoft Store) | Amazon |
| Switch 2 Pro Controller | Not in Nintendo’s 2025 deals; list price $89.99 | Amazon |
Also, think about storage. GTA 6 and other big releases take up a lot of space, so an expansion SSD can be a smart Black Friday buy if your console is nearly full.
PS Plus, Game Pass and Steam Sale Deals
Subscription deals return most Black Fridays, and they are often the easiest savings to bank. In 2025, PlayStation Plus, Sony’s online and game-library service, offered new members up to 33% off a 12-month plan, and existing members could save 33% when upgrading tiers.
Xbox, by contrast, offered 14 days of Game Pass Essential or Premium for $1 in 2025, rather than discounting longer plans. Because subscription prices changed several times in 2026, check the current price on PlayStation.com or Xbox.com before you lock in a year.
When is the Steam sale around Black Friday?
Valve’s Steamworks event calendar does not list a late-November seasonal sale for 2026; the next major sale is the Steam Winter Sale, from December 17, 2026, to January 4, 2027. Before then, the calendar lists smaller themed events, including Steam Scream V (October 26 to November 2).
How Do You Spot a Real Black Friday Gaming Deal?
A real deal beats the official list price from the console maker and comes from an authorized seller. In other words, ignore the “was” price on the tag and compare against the numbers in our price table instead. As a benchmark, Adobe forecasts online electronics discounts will peak at up to 30% off, and toys at 29%, during Cyber Week.
- Know the list price first. Use the official figures from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo.
- Value the bundle honestly. A bundle only saves money if you would have bought the included game anyway.
- Check the seller. On marketplaces, make sure the console ships from and is sold by the retailer or an authorized seller.
- Use price history. A price-tracking tool shows whether a “deal” is actually lower than usual.
- Read the return window. Holiday return policies vary by retailer, so confirm the deadline before you buy a gift. For example, Amazon says items bought November 1 to December 31, 2026, can be returned until January 31, 2027; Best Buy says most purchases made October 30 to December 31, 2026, can be returned through January 15, 2027 (January 31, 2027, for My Best Buy Plus and Total members); Target had not announced its 2026 holiday return window as of October 29.
Pro tip. Sign up for sale alerts on PlayStation Direct, the Microsoft Store and the Nintendo store now. That way, you will see official Black Friday gaming deals the moment they go live, often before retailer ads spread online.
Finally, if the deal you want is gone by Friday, do not panic. Many offers carry over to Cyber Monday, so see our Cyber Monday 2026 guide for the next window.
Our verdict
Black Friday gaming deals in 2026 will reward patience and homework. Consoles cost more than they did last year, so bundles and $100-style discounts on the PS5 and PS5 Pro are the most likely console savings. Meanwhile, Xbox and Nintendo have recently favored game, accessory and bundle offers over hardware cuts.
If GTA 6 is your main reason to buy, a PS5 or Xbox Series X|S purchased in an early sale, plus the game at launch, is the safest plan. Otherwise, the most dependable savings will be on controllers, headsets, subscriptions and older games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the PS5 be on sale for Black Friday 2026?
Sony has not announced its 2026 Black Friday deals as of October 29, 2026. However, Sony ran a Black Friday sale in 2025 that started November 21 and included $100 off the PS5 Pro plus Fortnite PS5 bundles from $399.99. Because the PS5 now lists at $649.99, compare any 2026 offer against that official price.
Will the PS5 Pro be discounted on Black Friday?
It is possible but not confirmed. In 2025, Sony took $100 off the PS5 Pro during its Black Friday promotion. Since the PS5 Pro now has a US list price of $899.99 after the April 2026 increase, a similar discount would bring it to about $799.99. Check PlayStation Direct and major retailers from mid-November.
Will the Xbox Series X be on sale for Black Friday 2026?
Microsoft has not announced 2026 plans. In 2025, its own store kept Xbox Series X|S consoles at full price and offered up to $130 off with an eligible trade-in instead. Since August 1, 2026, the Series X lists at $799.99 and the 1TB Series S at $599.99, so certified refurbished units may be the cheaper route.
Is the Switch 2 going to be on sale for Black Friday?
A straight price cut looks unlikely based on last year’s sale, and nothing is announced for 2026. In 2025, Nintendo focused on bundles and game discounts instead. Today, the Switch 2 lists at $499.99, the Mario Kart World Bundle at $549.99 and the Sports Resort Bundle at $529.99, so watch for gift cards or extra games.
Is there a GTA 6 PS5 bundle for Black Friday?
No official GTA 6 console bundle has been announced as of October 29, 2026. Rockstar’s pre-order announcement covers the $79.99 standard edition and $99.99 Ultimate Edition for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with launch on November 19, 2026. Treat any unconfirmed bundle listing with caution until Sony or Rockstar announces it.
When do Black Friday gaming deals start?
Black Friday gaming deals usually start about a week before Black Friday. In 2025, Xbox and Nintendo sales began on November 20 and PlayStation deals on November 21. Black Friday 2026 falls on Friday, November 27, so expect console-maker offers around November 20. Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo have not confirmed 2026 dates, but Target’s Early Black Friday deals run November 5–7, Best Buy’s Early Black Friday deals start November 6 and Walmart’s Early Black Friday Deals run November 12–15.
