I’ve been at this game game long enough to know when a sale is phoned in versus when it’s the real deal on...er, deals. This week is firmly in the latter category. The line-up spans inventive indies, glossy blockbusters, and a few experimental oddballs that prove risk-taking still has a place in game development. Join me as I single out the very best to buy.
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This Day in Gaming ?
In retro news, I’m celebrating the 22nd birthday of Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow, an OG Xbox classic. For the few of us with Internet decent enough to use Xbox Live 3.0, this terrorist hunting sequel/glorified expansion was boss. The offline offerings were ok, too, thanks to tense split-screen co-op/solo missions where teammate coordination was key and death was often only one bullet away.
Any remastering of this (or the Vegas series) could bring liquid to my eyes, faster than the blatant tear gas spam of its AI tangoes. For now, I'm slumming it with the closest modern equivalent, Ready or Not.
This Day in Gaming
Aussie birthdays for notable games.
- Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe (PC) 1991. eBay
- Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow (XB) 2003. eBay
- Galaga Legions (X360) 2008.
Nice Savings for Nintendo Switch
On Switch, Inside is practically giving itself away. Its stark monochrome puzzles remain one of the boldest statements Playdead has ever made. I also dug Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, which revived the kart-racing chaos of my childhood with polish that makes it still worth jumping into today.
- Spyro Reignited Trilogy (-31%) A$48 A gorgeous remaster of the purple dragon’s first three adventures. Tight platforming, vibrant worlds, and nostalgic charm make this a great pick for long-time fans and new players seeking colourful 3D collect-a-thon action.
- Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled (-33%) A$47 Marsupial racing at its peak with challenging tracks, cheeky shortcuts, and all the marsupial mayhem you remember. A fantastic alternative to Mario Kart, especially for couch rivals hungry for fierce rubber-burning showdowns.
- Inside (-90%) A$2.90 Limbo’s spiritual successor delivers eerie puzzles, unsettling visuals, and an unforgettable ending. Short yet haunting, it’s one of indie gaming’s finest hours at a price that’s basically spare change.
- Moving Out (-80%) A$7.50 Co-op chaos from Aussie devs SMG Studio. Shove fridges out windows, dodge ghosts, and argue with mates about who dropped the sofa. A hilarious alternative to Overcooked with slapstick physics charm.
- Limbo (-90%) A$1.50 Minimalist platforming horror that kickstarted Playdead’s reputation. Moody, oppressive, and loaded with inventive deaths, it’s a cult classic that still feels unsettling today, and an absolute bargain at under two bucks.
Expiring Recent Deals
- Mario Party Superstars (-20%) - A$64
- Super Mario Party Jamboree (-20%) - A$64
- Crisis Core FF7 Reunion (-24%) - A$64.50
- Celeste (-75%) - A$7.50
- Ultimate Chicken Horse (-55%) - A$9.80
Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.
Exciting Bargains for Xbox
Over on Xbox Series X, Gotham Knights shines brighter in co-op than critics gave it credit for, especially when you dive into its Bat-family lore. I’d also consider Unicorn Overlord Monarch Ed. a safe punt given it’s from the 13 Sentinels crew, Vanillaware, who never miss on style.
- Seagate 1TB Expansion (-34%) A$205 Expand your Xbox storage with this official SSD. Near-instant load times, seamless Quick Resume, and plug-and-play ease make it a must for digital collectors sick of deleting installs for space.
- Fatal Fury: CotW Special Ed. (-67%) A$30 SNK’s legendary brawler returns with crisp animation, technical depth, and a nostalgic roster. This special edition sweetens the deal with extras fans of the King of Fighters lineage will truly appreciate.
- Unicorn Overlord Monarch Ed. (-60%) A$45.10 From Vanillaware comes a tactical RPG with gorgeous hand-drawn art and layered strategy. A feast for fans of Fire Emblem-style battles wrapped in majestic fantasy storytelling and replay-worthy kingdom-building depth.
- Gotham Knights (-73%) A$29.90 Patrol Gotham as Bat-family favourites in this co-op brawler. While divisive at launch, updates have smoothed edges and the discounted price makes it worthwhile for comic fans craving crime-fighting co-op fun.
- Forza Horizon 5 (-50%) A$49.90 Open-world racing perfection. Speed through stunning Mexican landscapes, customise dream cars, and dive into endless seasonal events. Playground Games’ series remains the crown jewel of casual and competitive driving experiences.
- Battlefield 6 Phantom Ed. (-7%) A$139 A premium edition for die-hard shooter fans. Expect blockbuster battles with destructible environments and large-scale mayhem. This edition packs exclusive content but isn’t a big discount, more a collector’s splurge.
Xbox One
- Call of Duty: MW2 (-50%) A$43 The 2022 entry revitalises Modern Warfare’s legacy with cinematic gunfights, tight multiplayer, and a blockbuster campaign. A solid half-price deal for shooter veterans chasing polished action and reliable online chaos.
- TopSpin 2K25 (-92%) A$9 Tennis makes a comeback with TopSpin’s precise controls and licensed courts. Sharpen your backhand, grind career mode, or go online. At this deep discount, it’s essentially a grand slam steal.
- Mass Effect Leg. Ed. (-90%) A$9.90 Shepard’s trilogy remastered with smoother combat, visuals, and DLC bundled. It’s the definitive way to replay BioWare’s iconic sci-fi saga, and at this price it’s practically mandatory for RPG connoisseurs.
- Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (-85%) A$14.90 An underrated Marvel gem with witty writing, colourful cosmic action, and an emotional story. Forget the MCU expectations, this stands tall as one of Square Enix’s strongest single-player superhero outings.
Expiring Recent Deals
- Alien: Isolation (-80%) - A$11.90
- Persona 5 Tactica (-73%) - A$26.10
- Remnant II (-47%) - A$39.90
- Wild Hearts (-86%) - A$14.90
- Dragon's Dogma 2 (-55%) - A$48.50
- Batman: Arkham Col. (-87%) - A$10.60
- Elden Ring (-21%) - A$67
- Resident Evil 7 (-60%) - A$9.90
Or just invest in an Xbox Card.
Pure Scores for PlayStation
PS5 deals include Star Ocean The Second Story R, a lavish reimagining of a cult-classic RPG that blends 2D sprites and 3D environments beautifully. Diablo IV also deserves a mention, since its seasonal updates have finally put it in the shape Blizzard always promised.
- Ready or Not TWP Ed. (-21%) A$79 Tactical SWAT action with gritty realism. Clear rooms, rescue hostages, and survive tense firefights. Built for hardcore players who crave authenticity over spectacle, this edition bundles in mission variety and customisation options.
- Battlefield 6 Phantom Ed. (-7%) A$139 Battlefield’s next-gen spectacle emphasises chaos with sprawling maps and cinematic destruction. The Phantom Edition offers bonus packs, though the discount is slim. Best suited to completionists or early adopters wanting everything bundled.
- Star Ocean: The Second Story R (-50%) A$34.90 A lovingly remade PS1 RPG classic. Retro visuals meet modern combat fluidity, making it a nostalgia trip with modern polish. A standout for fans of Star Ocean or vintage JRPG adventures.
- Diablo IV (-55%) A$33.70 Sanctuary’s hellish playground invites endless demon-slaying, loot grinding, and dark storytelling. This discount makes jumping into Blizzard’s latest even sweeter, especially with seasonal content and expansions steadily fleshing out its grim world.
- Spider-Man: Miles Morales Ult. (-50%) A$62.40 Swing through Harlem with dazzling acrobatics, heartfelt storytelling, and a stylish new Spidey. The Ult. edition folds in remastered content, making it the complete Marvel superhero experience for PS5 players.
PS4
- LEGO Marvel Col. (-87%) A$11.60 Three LEGO Marvel games bundled together, covering Avengers to X-Men antics. Accessible, family-friendly fun with heaps of characters, humour, and smashing bricks. At under $12, it’s a superhero toy box bargain.
- Bayonetta (-75%) A$9.40 PlatinumGames’ stylish witch cuts down angels in balletic, over-the-top fashion. A genre-defining hack-and-slash with dizzying combos, camp flair, and unrelenting action. At this price, there’s no excuse to miss it.
- Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (-60%) A$27.90 A faithful rebuild of Crash’s first three adventures. Harder than you remember, prettier than you dreamed. A nostalgia bomb with just enough modern tweaks to keep platforming fans entertained.
- Watch Dogs 2 (-90%) A$6.90 Hacktivist mischief in a vibrant San Francisco sandbox. Drones, pranks, stealth, and hacking systems combine for Ubisoft’s most playful open world. At 90% off, it’s cheaper than a fast-food lunch.
Expiring Recent Deals
- Hogwarts Legacy (-75%) - A$27.40
- God of War: Ragnarok (-29%) - A$77.90
- Final Fantasy XVI - A$47.10
- Sackboy: A Big Adventure (-27%) - A$68.50
- Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance (-55%) - A$44.90
- Far Cry 5 + New Dawn Bndl. (-85%) - A$21.70
- Wreckfest PS5 ed. (-65%) - A$19.20
- Red Dead Redemption 2 (-75%) - A$22.40
PS+ Monthly Freebies
Yours to keep from Aug 1 with this subscription
- Lies of P | PS5, PS4
- DayZ | PS4
- My Hero One’s Justice 2 | PS4
Or purchase a PS Store Card.
Purchase Cheap for PC
And PC? Battlefield 2042 may have stumbled at launch but DICE has quietly hammered it into a solid, chaos-filled shooter. Meanwhile, Hogwarts Legacy Del. Ed. lets you live the wizarding dream, and trivia nerds will love that nearly every tapestry and statue in the castle is lifted straight from the book appendices.
- Hogwarts Legacy: Del. Ed. (-78%) A$21.90 Explore Hogwarts and beyond in an expansive wizarding RPG. Customise spells, duel dark wizards, and uncover mysteries. The Deluxe edition sweetens things with extras, making this discount a no-brainer for Potterheads.
- Battlefield 2042 (-95%) A$4.40 While shaky at launch, updates have stabilised the modern-warfare shooter. Massive battles, futuristic tech, and classic Battlefield destruction shine through, and at under five bucks it’s finally worth enlisting.
- Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced (-50%) A$22.40 Rockstar’s phenomenon keeps giving with expanded online chaos and sharper visuals. Enhanced tweaks add smoother performance, making this edition the definitive way to revisit Los Santos’ satirical, crime-ridden playground.
- Batman: Arkham Col. (-88%) A$10.60 Three Rocksteady Batman games bundled, covering the Dark Knight’s greatest hits. Slick combat, moody storytelling, and heaps of extras make this package a must for superhero fans craving peak Arkham action.
- Assassin's Creed Mirage (-70%) A$23.90 A back-to-basics Assassin’s Creed set in Baghdad. Parkour rooftops, stealthily eliminate targets, and savour classic AC vibes. At this discount, it’s an easy leap of faith for lapsed fans.
- Dead Cells (-56%) A$15.80 A roguelite masterpiece blending Metroidvania exploration with tough combat. Procedural levels, slick controls, and heaps of updates make it endlessly replayable. Still one of the best indies in the business.
Expiring Recent Deals
- Far Cry 6 (-80%) - A$17.90
- Tony Hawk's 3 + 4 (-25%) - A$56.20
- Black Mesa Def. (-80%) - A$5.90
- TB VelocityOne Flightdeck (-18%) - A$573
- Persona 5 Royal (-63%) - A$35.10
- Disco Elysium – The Final Cut (-75%) - A$14.20
Or just get a Steam Wallet Card
Legit LEGO Deals
- Marvel Logo & Minifigures (-47%) - A$79
- Star Wars R2-D2 (-32%) - A$139
- Ahsoka’s Jedi Interceptor (-29%) - A$49.90
- Pixar ‘Up’ House (-27%) - A$65.90
Expiring Recent Deals
- City Scrapyard with Cars (-38%) - A$80
- Jango Fett Helmet (-32%) - A$87.90
- ARC-170 Starfighter (-29%) - A$77.90
- City Holiday Camper Van (-27%) - A$29
Adam Mathew is a passionate connoisseur, a lifelong game critic, and an Aussie deals wrangler who genuinely wants to hook you up with stuff that's worth playing (but also cheap). He plays practically everything, sometimes on YouTube.
