Although Black Friday is still a few weeks away, players should start preparing for the busy holiday shopping season if they want to snag the best deals possible. While last year’s Black Friday event was slower than usual, 2021’s offerings should be better than those offered in 2020.
To get ready for the shopping season, here is a breakdown of everything players need to know about Black Friday 2021. Detailed below are the plans of major retailers, the availability of the PS5 and Xbox Series X, and which games are getting massive discounts this year. It’s worth noting that everything here is based on retailers’ initial Black Friday ads and may still change once the holiday season is in full swing. This article will be updated to reflect changes and announcements as the Black Friday season moves forward.
When is Black Friday This Year?
Black Friday happens the day after Thanksgiving, so players should officially expect Black Friday 2021 to start on Friday, November 26, 2021. However, it is also worth noting that most retailers do hold pre-Black Friday sales, which players should take advantage of to avoid shipping problems when retailers are overwhelmed with orders on the day itself.
Here is the schedule of when Black Friday deals will go live from major retailers*:
*Dates will be updated as these retailers announce more.
Will There Be Stocks of PS5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch on Black Friday?
Although stocks of the PS5 and Xbox Series X have improved compared to last year, players should expect that both consoles will still be challenging to get. Also, players shouldn’t expect any sort of deals or discounts on these consoles, though PS5 and Xbox Series X bundles will probably be more available than standalone units.
Players can also use many methods to ensure they get a PS5 or Xbox Series X this year. First, players should follow social media accounts that report restocks of both the PS5 and Xbox Series X. As previously mentioned, bundles will probably be more available than standalone units, so for those who have extra to spare, targeting these bundles is perhaps their best bet. As far as the Switch is concerned, there may be stock shortages of the new OLED version, but Nintendo has already announced that bundles of the original Switch will be sold on Black Friday.
Black Friday Video Game Deals
Additionally, Nintendo also released a sneak peek of its Black Friday deals. Luckily for Switch fans, Nintendo will offer several first-party games such as Paper Mario: The Origami King, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and many more. While other retailers are yet to reveal their gaming deals for Black Friday 2021, players can expect small-to-significant discounts on massive games such as Resident Evil Village, Back 4 Blood, Far Cry 6, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and Deathloop.
