Cheap Games Consoles Top deals on Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, and Sony PS3
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This is a rundown of all the top current games console deals. If you've seen a better deal, please post in the discussion and we'll add it here.
Please note that all these offers are subject to availability as stocks are constantly coming and going, so don't hang about.
Before you start:
- Think carefully before buying – prices may change as we reach the summer sales season so can you wait?
- Spending over £100? – get free section 75 protection.
- Do you REALLY need ‘em? See the money mantras.
Important! Ensure you know how to shop safely before trying these deals
Tips for shopping safely
Whether it's a retailer or restaurateur, airline or air-conditioner seller, computer shop or car rental company, there are always two main risks: either it's a dodgy company, or it's a legit company that has financial problems and goes bust.
The aim of these tips is to help you minimise the risks.
What happens if a company goes bust?
Quite simply, its customers are immediately transformed into creditors.
This hits hardest if you've ordered goods or tickets from them, and not had delivery, as then you are simply one of a line of people trying to get your money back out of the company's assets, and you usually get back much less than you paid in.
Even if you've had delivery, if the company you bought from goes under and there's a problem with the goods, it can mean you've no comeback.
While MoneySavingExpert.com endeavors to check deals are valid, we don't check companies' finances - even huge names like MFI and Woolies have folded - so it's very important you use the right strategies to stay protected where possible...
DO: Pay by credit card for goods over £100
Pay by credit card for something over £100, eg, flights, kitchens, sofas, and Section 75 laws super-charge your consumer rights.
Unlike debit cards, cheques & cash, pay in full or part (even just £1) on a credit card and by law the lender's jointly liable with the retailer. This means you have exactly the same rights with the card company as you do with the retailer, so if it goes bust, you can simply take your complaints there instead and get money back if no delivery.
Yet it's important you ALWAYS REPAY IN FULL each month, so there's no interest cost. See the Section 75 guide for a full guide and Cashback Credit Cards for how to earn cash on top too.
DO: Protect purchases under £100
Section 75 doesn't apply to purchases under £100, but there's still an option which can help. It's not a legal protection, just Visa rules, but it's a good secondary back up.
Spend on a Visa credit or debit card and, if the goods don't appear within 120 days, you can ask your bank to reclaim the cash from the seller's bank. See the Visa Chargeback part of the Section 75 guide for full details.
DON'T: Use unfamiliar sites without checking
Bogus websites are often set up to cash in on popular products like Ugg boots and Tiffany necklaces, so be wary if it's an unfamiliar site. And don't think that because it appears on a reputable search engine, that makes it a reputable site - always check.
DO: Check the site's legit
Most folks know to look for a security padlock on a website's bottom right, but that doesn't mean the site's legit, just that payment's secure.
To find out who registered the site and when, search the Whois database. Reputable firms should also appear on the Companies House site, the UK Govt's official companies register. Be very wary of businesses with just a PO BOX or email address.
Study the site's worldwide web ranking on Alexa. Anything in the top 100,000 means it's reasonably big - a good, though not foolproof, indication of legitimacy. Do a quick Google search for other shoppers' experiences.
DON'T: Let your anti-virus run out
Crucially, ensure your security's up-to-date - free software can be downloaded to your computer in five mins. Full details in the Free Anti-Virus Software guide.
DO: Know your distance selling rights
Many people are surprised to learn you've MORE rights buying online (or telephone/catalogue) due to the Distance Selling Regulations.
This gives a legal right to send most goods back within a week for a full refund (including outward delivery costs), even if there's no fault. You'll usually need to pay for the return delivery. Read Consumer Rights for a full guide.
However, of course this is balanced by the fact that, order online, and that automatically means a time gap between ordering and delivering - when the company has your money. So if it goes bust in that time, the distance selling rights don't help.
DO: Understand sometimes there's no protection.
Ultimately, there is always a risk that a company can go bust. If the above routes don't apply, then you have to make a decision about whether you're willing to take the risk of parting with your cash.
Don't be overly scared of this: every day we all make transactions based on trust, and this is part of that, but do balance up the amount you're spending against the risk. Don't give large amounts of money to a company you're not sure of.
CloseNintendo 3DS
This is the first time we've seen big discounts for this portable console - getting you a 3DS (the newest version, with 3D effects) for the same price you'd pay for the older DS or DS Lite models.
- Nintendo 3DS £115 - online and in-store.
You can currently get a 3DS for £115 from Tesco Direct* and Amazon* (normal price £195), in either Aqua blue or Cosmos black.
From Amazon delivery is free, while Tesco's standard delivery costs £5 but you can order online and collect in-store for free. You can also buy direct in-store, but it's likely to be popular, so ring ahead to check stock.
Online prices can fluctuate fast, so always double check the price before you take the plunge.
- Nintendo 3DS £120 - in-store.
It's reduced from £185 to £120 in Morrisons stores until Sun 21 August 2011 - again in Aqua blue or Cosmos black. Find your nearest Morrisons.
Found a cheaper deal?
Let us know in the Cheap Games Consoles Discussion
and we'll add top finds here
Nintendo Wii
The most family-oriented of the consoles, Nintendo's Wii appeals mainly to casual gamers rather than the hardcore, who are more likely to opt for an Xbox or PS3.
The Wii was so popular at launch it took years for prices to come down. Yet now Nintendo's announced the Wii 2's coming in 2012, while the current prices below may be good deals, it may be worth holding off:
- Wii white console £99. This white Wii includes Wii Sports and is £99 online at Asda Direct* (standard delivery's £2.95 or free to collect in store). It's listed as 'clearance', so stocks are likely to go soon though.
- Wii white console £109.99. This comes with Mario Kart, a white Wii Wheel and Wii Remote Motion Plus Controller. It's online at Amazon* with free delivery; do note Amazon's prices can fluctuate depending on traffic so always check the price before buying.
- Wii white console £109.99. Includes Mario Kart, £109.99 delivered from Game*.
In terms of computing and graphics power the Wii lags well behind the other two, but this isn't an issue since its appeal is in its innovative controllers and instant playability rather than fancy visuals.
Sony PS3 Slim
The PS3 is the most expensive of the consoles, though prices have dropped with the launch of the sleeker and more energy efficient slim version (pictured).
The only console that doubles as a true high-def media player owing to its Blu-Ray drive, it also offers a large hard drive as standard.
- 320GB PS3 Slim with Move starter pack £285. There's also free Collect+ delivery from a local shop at Very.
Microsoft Xbox 360
Still very much the hardcore gamer's console, the 360 offers the most number of games (it was released earliest of the three) as well as top-quality graphics. Remember, there are some added costs if you play games online though.
The 360 recently launched 'Kinect', a control mechanism which uses your body as the controller, dispensing with buttons and joysticks entirely. Buying one separately will cost in the region of £100 so if you're planning to buy an Xbox and thinking of getting one, picking up a bundle could be worthwhile.
Xbox 360 4GB console
- £134.99 delivered from Amazon*. Amazon's prices can sometimes change quickly when demand increases so ensure you check first. If it does, the next best price we've found is below.
- £134.99 delivered from HMV*.
- £139.99 delivered from BestBuy*.
- £144.99 delivered incl 3 Month Xbox Live Gold membership (worth £6-15) from Game*.
Xbox 360 4GB with Kinect (can play some games without a controller).
- £199.99 in-store including Kinect Adventures game at BestBuy*.
