Ars Technica
Today’s Dealmaster is headlined by the return of Microsoft’s annual “Deals Unlocked” sale, which brings discounts on a number of Xbox and PC games at both the Microsoft Store and a handful of outside retailers. The promotion kicked off earlier this week, ahead of Microsoft’s E3 2021 conference on June 13, and runs through June 17.
Much like we did with Sony’s PlayStation summer sale last month, we’ve combed through all 554 offers advertised in Xbox’s sale to find the most attention-grabbing, actual deals of the bunch. You can find the full list of them below. In general, most of the discounts here aren’t the absolute lowest we’ve tracked, but there are still plenty of worthwhile games priced lower than we typically see throughout the year.
Among the highlights are Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Gears 5 both marked down to $10; the excellent 2D platformers Ori and the Will of the Wisps and Ori and the Blind Forest bundled together for $17; the first notable discount we’ve seen on the Xbox version of MLB The Show 21; the Ultimate Edition of our 2019 game of the year Control available for $16; and various older yet worthwhile titles priced below $10, including Titanfall 2, The Witcher 3, Sleeping Dogs, Hellblade, and more. Perhaps unsurprisingly, many of these games are also available as part of an Xbox Game Pass subscription; as part of the sale, Microsoft is still pushing the aggressive “three months for $1” promotion for new subscribers that we highlighted last month.
If you’re more of a PC or PlayStation person, our deals roundup has no shortage of other discounts worth noting, including offers on wireless headphones we like, the latest Roku Ultra streaming box, new lows on a handful of LG OLED TVs, and various early Prime Day deals for Amazon Prime members.
Note: Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.
Top 10 deals of the day
Best deals of Xbox Deals Unlocked sale
Enlarge / The gorgeous 2D action-platformer Ori and the Will of the Wisps.
- Xbox Deals Unlocked: various Xbox and PC games on sale at Microsoft.
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Xbox, PC, digital) $6.99 at GameStop (digital copy for $15, also on Game Pass—normally $30).
- Ori: The Collection (Xbox, PC, digital) for $17.49 at Microsoft (also on Game Pass—normally $35).
- Halo: The Master Chief Collection (Xbox) for $9.99 at Amazon (digital copy for $20, also on Game Pass—normally $30).
- Gears 5 (Xbox) for $9.99 at Amazon and GameStop (digital copy for $16, also on Game Pass—normally $25).
- Gears Tactics (Xbox) for $9.99 at Amazon and Best Buy (digital copy for $24, also on Game Pass—normally $30).
- MLB The Show 21 (Xbox Series, digital) for $59.49 at Microsoft (XB1 version for $50, also on Game Pass—normally $70).
- It Takes Two (Xbox, digital) for $29.99 at Microsoft and Amazon (normally $35).
- Control: Ultimate Edition (Xbox, digital) for $15.99 at Microsoft (base game also on Game Pass—normally $40).
- Titanfall 2: Ultimate Edition (Xbox, digital) for $2.99 at Microsoft and Amazon (also on Game Pass—normally $10).
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt—Game of the Year Edition (Xbox, digital) for $9.99 at Microsoft (normally $25).
Enlarge / Titanfall 2 has one of the most thrilling first-person shooter campaigns in recent memory.
- Far Cry Insanity Bundle: Far Cry 3, Far Cry 4, + Far Cry 5 (Xbox, digital) for $17.99 at Microsoft (normally $50).
- Burnout Paradise Remastered (Xbox, digital) for $4.99 at Microsoft (also on Game Pass—normally $20).
- Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice (Xbox, PC, digital) for $7.49 at Microsoft (also on Game Pass—normally $20).
- Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition (Xbox, digital) for $4.49 at Microsoft (normally $15).
- Red Dead Redemption 2 (Xbox, digital) for $26.99 at Microsoft (normally $35).
- Doom Eternal (Xbox, PC, digital) for $23.99 at Microsoft (also on Game Pass—normally $40).
- Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate (Xbox, digital) for $23.99 at Microsoft (normally $45).
- Sunset Overdrive (Xbox, PC, digital) for $4.99 at Microsoft (also on Game Pass—normally $15).
- Rayman Legends (Xbox, digital) for $4.99 at Microsoft (normally $15).
- Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (Xbox, digital) for $5.99 at Microsoft (normally $15).
- Metal Gear Solid HD Edition: MGS2 + MGS3 (Xbox, digital) for $9.99 at Microsoft (normally $20).
Enlarge / The trippy third-person action game Control topped our 2019 Best Games list.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War—Cross-Gen Bundle (Xbox, digital) for $45.49 at Microsoft (XB1 version for $36—normally $60).
- PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (Xbox, digital) for $6.99 at Microsoft (also on Game Pass—normally $20).
- Resident Evil 2 (Xbox, digital) for $15.99 at Microsoft (normally $20).
- Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (Xbox, digital) for $3.99 at Microsoft (normally $20).
- Rare Replay (Xbox, digital) for $7.49 at Microsoft (also on Game Pass—normally $20).
- South Park: The Stick of Truth + South Park: The Fractured But Whole (Xbox, digital) for $23.09 at Microsoft (normally $35).
- Tomb Raider: Definitive Survivor Trilogy (Xbox, digital) for $19.99 at Microsoft (normally $40).
- Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor—Game of the Year Edition (Xbox, digital) for $4.99 at Microsoft (normally $15).
- Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales (Xbox, digital) for $5.99 at Microsoft (also on Game Pass—normally $20).
- Dragon Ball FighterZ (Xbox, digital) for $8.99 at Microsoft (normally $20).
- Two Point Hospital (PC, digital) for $8.74 at Microsoft (also on Game Pass—normally $30).
Enlarge / The diminutive, M1-equipped Apple Mac Mini.
Samuel Axon
Laptop and desktop PC deals
- Apple Mac Mini (2020) mini desktop PC—Apple M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB for $599.99 at Amazon (discount seen at checkout—normally $670).
- 27-inch LG 27GL850-B gaming monitor—2560×1440, IPS, 144 Hz, FreeSync for $386.99 at Amazon and Walmart (normally $450).
- 32-inch LG 32GK650F-B gaming monitor—2560×1440, VA, 144 Hz, FreeSync for $296.99 at Amazon and BuyDig (normally $350).
- Samsung 870 Evo (500GB) 2.5-inch SATA internal SSD for $59.99 at Samsung, Amazon, and Adorama (normally $67).
Enlarge / The recently released action-horror game Resident Evil Village.
Video game deals
- Ubisoft Forward: Extra $10 off various PC, Switch, PS4/PS5, and Xbox games at Ubisoft ($15+ purchases only, use code: FORWARD).
- Epic Mega Sale 2021: Extra $10 off various PC games priced $14.99 or more at Epic Games Store (coupon renews upon use, discount seen at checkout).
- Control (PC, digital) for free at Epic Games Store (normally $30).
- Prime members only: Battlefield 4 (PC, Origin) for free at Amazon (normally $20).
- Prime members only: Batman: The Telltale Series (PC) for free at Amazon (normally $15).
- Resident Evil Village (PS5, PS4, Xbox) for $49.94 at Amazon and Walmart (normally $60).
- Monster Hunter Rise (Switch, used) for $39.99 at GameFly (normally $60).
- Bravely Default II (Switch, used) for $39.99 at GameFly (normally $60).
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury (Switch) for $49.94 at Amazon (normally $60).
- Immortals Fenyx Rising (Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox) for $24.99 at Amazon and GameStop (normally $30).
Enlarge / The charming co-op platformer It Takes Two.
Enlarge / Razer’s Huntsman Mini is an ultra-compact mechanical keyboard that works well for games.
Gaming deals
Enlarge / Planet is a recommended board game for players of all experience levels.
TV and home entertainment deals
- Roku Ultra (2020) 4K HDR media streamer for $69 at Amazon and Target (normally $90).
- Prime members only: 50-inch Toshiba Fire TV Edition 50LF621U21 (2020 model) 4K LED TV for $309.99 at Amazon (normally $350).
- 50-inch Toshiba C350 Fire TV (2021 model) 4K LED TV for $399.99 at Amazon (normally $470).
- 48-inch LG CX (2020 model) 4K HDR OLED TV for $1,249.99 at Amazon and Best Buy (My Best Buy account required—normally $1,450).
- 48-inch LG C1 (2021 model) 4K HDR OLED TV for $1,399.99 at Amazon and Walmart (normally $1,600).
- 55-inch LC C1 (2021 model) 4K HDR OLED TV for $1,599.99 at Amazon and Target (normally $1,800).
- 65-inch LG CX (2020 model) 4K HDR OLED TV for $1,849.99 at Amazon (normally $2,000).
- 75-inch Sony X950H (2020 model) 4K HDR LED TV + $100 Visa gift card for $1,998 at BuyDig ($2k w/o gift card at Amazon and Best Buy—normally $2,650).
Enlarge / Anker’s Soundcore Life Q30 is an impressive wireless noise-cancelling headphone that costs less than $100.
Electronics deals
- Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm) smartwatch for $329 at Target, Amazon, and B&H (normally $350).
- Apple iPad Air (64GB) 10.9-inch tablet for $549 at Amazon and B&H (normally $570).
- Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Bluetooth noise-canceling headphones for $59.99 at Amazon (clip $20 coupon—normally $80).
- Jabra Elite 85h Bluetooth noise-canceling headphones for $174.64 at Amazon (normally $225).
- Beats Solo Pro (Light Blue) Bluetooth on-ear noise-canceling headphones for $119.99 at Verizon (use code: FATHERSDAY—normally $180).
- Apple AirPods Max Bluetooth noise-canceling headphones for $499 at Amazon and B&H (normally $540).
- Logitech Ergo M575 wireless trackball mouse for $40.99 at Target (normally $48).
- Logitech MX Master 2S wireless office mouse for $49.99 at Lenovo (use code: MXMASTER50—normally $60).
- Fitbit Charge 4 activity tracker for $99.95 at Amazon, Kohl’s, and Walmart (normally $130).
- CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB) Starter Pro Kit—Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB RAM), aluminum case, Samsung EVO+ (64GB) microSD card, power supply, USB-C power switch, micro-HDMI to HDMI cable (6ft) for $94.99 at Amazon (clip $15 coupon—normally $110).
Enlarge / The Raspberry Pi 4.
Smart home device deals
- Apple HomePod Mini smart home speaker for $89.98 at Sam’s Club (normally $99).
- Marshall Stanmore II Voice wireless smart home speaker for $249.99 at Amazon (normally $360).
- Lenovo Smart Clock Essential smart digital clock + speaker for $29.99 at Lowe’s (normally $50).
- Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light (HF3520/60) sunrise alarm clock for $79.95 at Amazon (normally $100).
- Prime members only: Blink Mini (3-pack) 1080p indoor security camera for $49.99 at Amazon (normally $85).
- Prime members only: Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd gen) smart display + Blink Outdoor (2-pack) 1080p outdoor security camera for $114.99 at Amazon (normally $265).
- Prime members only: Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd gen) smart display + Blink Outdoor (3-pack) 1080p outdoor security camera for $159.99 at Amazon (normally $335).
Enlarge / Amazon’s latest Echo Show 5 smart display.
- Prime members only: Amazon Eero 6 mesh Wi-Fi 6 router for $83 at Amazon (normally $129).
- Prime members only: Amazon Eero 6 (3-pack) mesh Wi-Fi 6 system—1x router + 2x extenders for $181 at Amazon (discount seen at checkout—normally $279).
- iRobot Roomba 614 robot vacuum for $199 at Amazon and Walmart (normally $224).
- Eufy Smart Scale P1 wireless digital bathroom scale for $29.99 at Amazon (normally $40).
- Eufy RoboVac 30 robot vacuum for $159.99 at Amazon (normally $225).
- Eufy Video Doorbell 2K wired video doorbell for $119.99 at Amazon (normally $160).
- TP-Link Kasa KP303 smart Wi-Fi power strip—3x AC, 2x USB-A for $24.99 at Amazon (normally $29).
- TP-Link Kasa HS103 smart Wi-Fi outlet for $7.49 at Amazon (clip 50% coupon, 4-pack for $25—normally $15).
Apple’s HomePod Mini smart speaker.
Accessories and miscellaneous deals
- Prime members only: Audible Premium Plus 4-month membership for $27.80 ($6.95/month) at Amazon (auto-renews at $14.95/month after first four months—normally $60).
- New subscribers + Prime members only: Amazon Music Unlimited 4-month membership for free at Amazon (auto-renews at $8/month after first four months, three months free for non-Prime members—normally $24).
- Jackery Explorer 500 portable power station—500W, 518wH, 3x USB-A, AC, 12V car outlet for $419.99 at Amazon and Jackery (clip $80 coupon—normally $500).
- Instant Pot Duo Nova (6qt) 7-in-1 electric pressure cooker for $69 at BuyDig (normally $90).
- LectroFan white noise machine for $31.16 at Amazon (normally $40).
- Anker PowerPort PD 1 18W USB-C PD wall charger + Anker PowerLine II (3ft) USB-C to Lightning cable for $15.99 at Amazon (clip $9 coupon—normally $25).
- Vava VA-UC020 8-in-1 portable USB-C hub—100W USB-C PD, USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, SD, microSD, 3.5mm, HDMI (4K@60Hz) for $33.99 at Amazon (clip 15% coupon—normally $40).
- iOttie Easy One Touch Wireless 2 (Dashboard) car phone mount + wireless charger—10W Android/7.5W iPhone for $34.95 at Amazon (normally $50).
- Apple Leather Case for iPhone 11 Pro Max for $20 at Amazon (normally $34).
- AmazonBasics USB-C to USB 3.1 Adapter (10-pack) for $42.80 at Amazon (normally $70).
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