Black Friday Deals - Hardware

[Guild McCommunist]

Are you a fan of Spain's famous Running of the Bulls that occurs once every year? Are you interested in the American take on it? Well, if you are, you're probably wasting most of your post-Turkey Day (and now Turkey Day night) waiting in the cold to get trampled at your local store. However, if you survive, you'll be able to nab some sweet deals. So here's a rundown of some of the deals on hardware so you don't get trampled in vain.

We've got some stellar deals on the 3DS, Vita, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, DSi, and Wii this year, so go ahead and take a look!

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3DS

Nintendo's latest handheld is now approaching it's second holiday season, so expect some better deals on it than last year.

• Flame Red 3DS w/ Super Mario 3D Land pre-installed - $149.99 @ Target and Best Buy
• Flame Red 3DS w/ Super Mario 3D Land pre-installed and $30 coupon for K-Mart Members- $169.99 @ K-Mart
• Flame Red 3DS w/ Super Mario 3D Land pre-installed and $20 coupon for Sears Members- $169.99 @ Sears
• Flame Red 3DS w/ Super Mario 3D Land pre-installed and 3DS headset - $169.99 @ Toys R Us
• Limited Edition 3DS w/ Super Mario 3D Land pre-installed and one of three NintenDogs/Cats games - $170 @ GameStop

Guild's Suggestion: Well, I hope you like Super Mario 3D Land, as every bundle has it. It seems like the Target and Best Buy ones are the best, as the others require membership to make them worthwhile or the bonuses aren't terribly worth it. There's also some game deals lurking around for the system so you can easily walk away with the system and three games for around $200. Unfortunately, I haven't spotted anything for the 3DS XL.

A side note on the Wii U: There's nothing this year, seeing as the console will not even be a week old by the time Black Friday hits. Better luck next year. I also haven't seen anything for the original Wii.

Vita

Sony's latest handheld is approaching its first holiday season, with Sony rolling out some bundles to help the struggling system sell some more. On top of that, these bundles seem to be getting some nice price cuts, making this the prime time to pick up a Vita if you're interested.

• Exclusive White Vita system w/ Assassin's Creed Liberation and 4GB memory card - $199.99 @ Sony
• Black Vita system w/ Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified and 4GB memory card - $199.999 @ Sony
• Black Vita system w/ Lego Batman 2: DC Superheroes and 4GB memory card - $199.99 @ Sony

Guild's Suggestion:For bang for your buck, technically the Call of Duty bundle is the best, with the other games costing $40 at retail and Declassified costing $50. However, with the game's miserable reviews, expect the price to tank and the market will be harsh. You could probably resell it or trade it in immediately for some decent money back but the value on it is dwindling. The only game here to get good reviews is Assassin's Creed, and the white Vita is exclusive to the bundle. So nab that. Either way, the games are about $40, the memory card is about $20, so you're getting the system for roughly $140.

A side note: These are all officially from Sony, I haven't seen any store-specific deals. Also, it looks like there's nothing on the PSP this year.

Playstation 3

Sony's Playstation 3, like its competitive Xbox 360, is a veteran of Christmas seasons. However, only in the past couple of years, with the introduction of the PS3 Slim, has it gotten to be really noteworthy. This year seems like the best, with Sony shipping out affordable game bundles for new PS3 owners to easily catch up on the system's library.

• 250GB Playstation 3 Slim w/ Uncharted Dual Pack (Uncharted 1 and 2), inFamous Collection (inFamous 1, 2, and Festival of Blood), and 30 Day Playstation Plus Trial - $199.99 @ Sony
• DualShock Wireless Controller - $39 @ Sony

Guild's Suggestion: Sony's only offering one deal this year, but it packs a hell of a punch. At $200, you get 4 retail games and one downloadable one (all received rather well) and the 30 Day PS+ Trial offers a pretty hefty selection of games for a month. The controller isn't stellar savings but you may as well pick one up if you're looking for some local multiplayer. However, combine this with some recent game compilations for the system (God of War Saga, which has all the main series and PSP games as well as numerous HD Collections for Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank, etc) and the growing Playstation Plus benefits, and this is my big suggestion this year.

Xbox 360

Much like the Playstation 3, the Xbox 360 has been around the block for holiday deals. In recent years though, the big thing has been the Kinect, with most bundles incorporating the peripheral. However, if motion controls aren't your thing, there's still some gamer-centric deals.

• Glossy White 4GB Xbox 360 w/ Skylanders and exclusive Skylanders figurine - $149.99 @ Walmart
• 250GB Xbox 360 w/ The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Forza 4: The Essentials Edition - $199.99 @ Best Buy, Fred Meyers, Fry's, and Newegg.
• 4GB Xbox 360 w/ Kinect and Kinect: Disneyland Adventures - $199.99 @ Target, Amazon, Sam's Club, Meijer, K-Mart, and Microsoft Stores
• 250GB Xbox 360 w/ Call of Duty: Black Ops II - $249.99 @ GameStop
• 4GB Xbox 360 w/ wired headset - $169.99 @ RadioShack
• 4GB Xbox 360 w/ $50 gift card - $179.99 @ Toys R Us

Guild's Suggestion:There's a little something for everyone. I can't really suggest any of the 4GB models as you'll probably need to invest another solid chunk into a new hard drive. Still, they're all geared towards different audiences, so it depends on what you're looking for. Since most of you are looking for a "pure gamer" type of thing, I'd suggest the Skyrim and Forza bundle. Skyrim is a solid game to dump hours into and, if you're money conscious, it'll last you a while. If you go home and be a family man, I'd suggest the Kinect bundle. While it won't appeal to any of us most likely, Kinect: Disneyland Adventures ranked up a pretty decent Metascore. While not a great gaming peripheral, the Kinect does have some usefulness. Considering the recent dashboard update and the recent addition of Internet Explorer to the console, it's now a solid multimedia peripheral. However, 4GB will get filled really quick and you'll probably need to invest at least $50 for a solid hard drive.

Wii

While Nintendo's last console has been out of the limelight for the past few months, the console is now entering its "bargain busting" phase. If you've been interested in a Wii and never got one, or just want to replace an old Wii, with deals hovering below the $100 mark, now's absolutely the time.

Disclaimer: Seeing as every black Wii now comes bundled with Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, and a Wii Remote Plus, I have omitted these from the listings. They are included in all Black Wii listings and all remotes are now Wii Remote Pluses.

• Black Wii w/ Just Dance 2 Kids - $119.99 @ Target
• Black Wii - $99.99 @ Sears
• Black Wii w/ $25 gift card - $129.99 @ Hastings
• Black Wii w/ LEGO Remote Controller and $10 gift card - $129.99 @ Toys R Us
• Standard Wii - $89 @ Sam's Club and Walmart

Guild's Suggestion:I can't really suggest any of the pack in games. You'll probably have the most fun with Wii Sports Resort but even then, you won't be touching it as much as any other game you buy. However, the Black Wii does contain the two Wii Sports games and the smooth black color for only $10 more than the standard white console. In general though, the console may be pretty much done for, but now is the best time to buy one. Games are in the perfect middleground of being old enough to be cheap but not old enough to be rare. You know what to invest for and it's not a gamble either like any new console. With the recent Youtube app, longstanding Opera and Netflix apps, and the ability to play music and movies via homebrew, it makes a pretty solid multimedia console. Not as good as the Xbox 360 or Playstation 3, but at half the price, it's an acceptable trade off.

DSi

Much like the Wii, Nintendo's blockbuster handheld is now entering the comfortable middleground of affordable prices and wide availability. While you may consider picking up a 3DS or 3DS XL instead, these are still worth considering. With 3DS updates blocking flashcarts and some minor gripes about DS compatibility, these devices are both affordable and reliable.

• Standard DSi - $79.99 @ K-Mart (membership required for discount)
• Standard DSi - $99.99 @ Meijer
• DSi XL - $99.99 @ Walmart

Guild's Suggestion:While nothing spectacular, at a sub-$100 pricing across the board, it's a perfect time to upgrade an old DS Phat or Lite or even a DSi to its larger counterpart. However, it mostly comes down to preference. Personally, I'd suggest the DSi XL at Walmart. The bigger screens are a plus to me and it's the same price as the DSi. However, not everyone likes the larger screens and size of the XL, so the standard DSi at Meijer for the same price may be more to your liking. The system, despite the 3DS taking center stage, still built itself a very sturdy library, and you can have tons of playtime just buying a console, a flashcart, and a MicroSD.

A Public Service Announcement

To use this as a soapbox a bit, I think it's fair to warn you all about Black Friday. Every year it's a bit of a disgraceful day for the United States, with deaths reported every year as innocent people are trampled for Tickle Me Elmo dolls. Just remember: it's only things. There's no reason to be barbaric and savage if someone took the last Wii U. You can always buy things, you can't buy dignity. I'd also suggest spending your post-Thanksgiving day enjoying your holiday break, spending time with your family and friends, and reheating leftovers for the equally good "Thanksgiving: The Return". Especially with today's technology, there's no reason to push and shove people in a Walmart when you can just take advantage of Cyber Monday.

Another aside: Deals are constantly changing and some are just last minute surprises. This is only a compilation of leaked and officially released info I have found. If you find a deal I have not listed, please post the deal and the source. If it's legitimate, I'll add it.

Enjoy and stay safe!

 

[Qtis]

I'd go for the PSVita or 360 deals, since those interest me the most, but alas, living in Europe makes this kinda moot :3

EDIT:

The PS3 pack with Uncharted and Infamous is excellent! I payed 195€ for my 160 GB PS3 (YAY Finland for the prices) and the games have been around 10-15€ each. That's easily worth it! The 3DS and Wii offers are good too and I'd grab those if there was need (not sure of the Wii GC compatibility, but the Wii itself has quite a few good games).

 

[Clarky]

the PS3 deal I would recomend, for what you get in the package its a great bundle

 

[Gahars]

To use this as a soapbox a bit, I think it's fair to warn you all about Black Friday. Every year it's a bit of a disgraceful day for the United States, with deaths reported every year as innocent people are trampled for Tickle Me Elmo dolls. Just remember: it's only things. There's no reason to be barbaric and savage if someone took the last Wii U. You can always buy things, you can't buy dignity. I'd also suggest spending your post-Thanksgiving day enjoying your holiday break, spending time with your family and friends, and reheating leftovers for the equally good "Thanksgiving: The Return". Especially with today's technology, there's no reason to push and shove people in a Walmart when you can just take advantage of Cyber Monday.

But what good is our materialistic consumerism if people don't die for it?

As for the deals, they're pretty good this year. Not good enough to justify the long lines in cold weather, I'd say, but hey, that's just me.

 

[FireEmblemGuy]

Some notes on the Vita sales:
Toys 'R' Us has the CoD Black Ops Declassified bundle plus a 10-in-1 Vita accessory kit for $199.99, Thursday night thru closing time Saturday. (Source)
Amazon's apparently going to have the AC3 bundle (with the superior Crystal White Vita) and an undisclosed bonus tossed in, $199.99 all-day Gold Box deal Friday. (Source)

Also, Meijer's apparently having a 40% sale on ALL Vita games, so if you're really lucky you might be able to score Persona 4 Golden for under $25.

 

[Attila13]

That PS3 bundle is smexy as hell!
For my luck as of last year there is a Black Friday too here where I live!
I hope that they'll make some good deals here too!

 

[Joe88]

I don't see whats wrong with shoving a pregnant woman on the floor to save $10 on call of duty (this is really mw1 with a different name) 6

last year's deals were better though
picked up a 160GB PS3 with LBP2 SE and R&C All4One and 30 day PSN+ for $199 (this was a year ago)
Xbox 360 4GB Slim for $149

 

[chyyran]

Eh, my family won't be going down to the US this year for Black Friday, and since we Canadians have only an inferior version of this arguably barbaric "holiday", I highly doubt I'll be able to pick up one of these deals.

Still, that Vita deal looks good, but I have yet to see the hacking scene make as much progress as I've expected.. Not really interested in the consoles, since I have a PC that can already play most of the multiplats, just waiting for Steam's thanksgiving sales.

 

[Yepi69]

89$ a Standard Wii, such a good deal.

 

[Chary]

PS3 deal is amazing. I might actually go out and finally buy one for that price.

 

[Arras]

Yeah, the PS3 and Wii are pretty impressive. I wish there was a Black Friday here too Oh well, not that I really need more games, I have enough I want to finish.

 

[jimmyemunoz]

Those deals aren't exactly deals in the sense that I look at them. To me it looks like half-way decent coupons are being offered for use, not "deals!" Wish I could have been more excited. By the way, has anyone told console manufacturers that there's a recession?

 

[TripleSMoon]

This is a great article, Guild. Perhaps someone can make another for game deals like this?

Also, when you say a "standard" Wii, do you mean the old Wii with the GameCube compatibility? Doesn't matter to me since I already have one, but I'm curious.

Those deals aren't exactly deals in the sense that I look at them. To me it looks like half-way decent coupons are being offered for use, not "deals!" Wish I could have been more excited. By the way, has anyone told console manufacturers that there's a recession?

...?

 

[ShadowNeko003]

The new Wiis aren't BC with GC?

Anyway, I'm getting myself a PS3 finally!

 

[Arras]

The new Wiis aren't BC with GC?

Anyway, I'm getting myself a PS3 finally!

Here's a tip from me: get a year PS+. Tons of free games, it pays itself back immediately. I got Bulletstorm, Infamous 2, LittleBigPlanet 2, Just Cause 2 and a bunch of other games that I'm all interested in right off the bat and three new ones every month <3

 

[chrisrlink]

wow $200 for a ps3? cool wish I could pick one up

 

[Tom]

I'm getting that sony 3d tv , 24 inch ,3d, simulvision, and a game for only 180

 

[tenraiha]

About the 3DS bundle, is the pre installed Super Mario 3D Land a full game or a demo?

 

[Guild McCommunist]

About the 3DS bundle, is the pre installed Super Mario 3D Land a full game or a demo?

Full game.

 

[tenraiha]

Thank you sir.