If You’re Staying In This Weekend, These Banger Game Bargains I Found Are a Must - Joystick Press | Games

The physical and digital shelves are looking McChockers today, and I’ve done the digging to find the stuff that’s genuinely worth your coin. From cult favourites to fresh spins on old classics, these deals deliver more than just savings. Being something of a gaming almanac myself, I’ve spent time with most of what I’m presenting (so you know you’re getting real picks, not just a price list).

This Day in Gaming 🎂

In retro news, I’m lighting an 18-candle cake for Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword with the fiery blast of a nuclear missile strike. This 2007 expansion supercharged Civ IV’s solid strategy base with fresh scenarios, deep espionage mechanics, and corporations that turned empire-building into a full-on business war.

I was blown away by how Beyond the Sword injected new life into the late game. While earlier Civ entries often slowed after the Renaissance, this expansion kept tension high with random events and colonisation options that demanded constant attention. The “Final Frontier” scenario was a clever nod to Alpha Centauri fans craving more sci-fi strategy. For many veterans, it was the perfect finishing touch on what some consider Mr Meier’s finest creation.

Aussie birthdays for notable games.

– Civ IV: Beyond the Sword (PC) 2007. Get

Contents

Nice Savings for Nintendo Switch

Over on Nintendo, Echoes of Wisdom finally lets Zelda step up as the hero. Her new copy-and-create powers make it feel like a clever remix of the puzzle solving I loved in earlier entries. Street Fighter 6 Switch 2 also deserves a look, especially with all the characters included and the fact it runs surprisingly smooth on the handheld.

Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (-20%) – A$64
Street Fighter 6 Switch 2 (-26%) – A$69
Pokémon Legends: Arceus (-20%) – A$64
God Eater 3 (-35%) – A$55.30
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled (-33%) – A$47.10
Sonic Colors: Ult. (-35%) – A$39

Expiring Recent Deals

Super Mario RPG (-29%) – A$57
Donkey Kong Bananza [Target] – $89
EA Sports FC 25 (-62%) – A$34
Sonic Frontiers (-35%) – A$65
Bioshock: The Col. (-80%) – A$17.90
Dead Cells (-50%) – A$18.70
Red Dead Redemption (-40%) – A$41.90

Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.

Exciting Bargains for Xbox

Xbox has Resident Evil 4 looking and feeling sharper than ever. It still has the suplex, the bingo line, and the best version of Leon’s jacket. Metaphor: ReFantazio is also out and already feels like a new favourite, made by the same crew who worked on Persona 5.

Resident Evil 4 (-49%) – A$30.40
Metaphor: ReFantazio (-40%) – A$68.90
Lords of the Fallen (-71%) – A$29.90
MotoGP 23 (-39%) – A$33.30
Lego Harry Potter Col. (-75%) – A$14.90

Xbox One

Witcher 3 Comp. (-80%) – A$15.90
Sonic Frontiers (-70%) – A$29.90
Gris (-80%) – A$5

Expiring Recent Deals

EA Sports FC 25 (-62%) – A$34
Red Dead Redemption (-40%) – A$41.90
Undisputed (-45%) – A$47
Cyberpunk 2077 (-65%) – A$31.40
Alan Wake 2 (-60%) – A$36.30
Little Nightmares II (-90%) – A$4.40
Octopath Traveler II (-60%) – A$33.90
Ori and the Blind Forest: Def. Ed. (-75%) – A$7.40

Or just invest in an Xbox Card.

Pure Scores for PlayStation

For PlayStation 5, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle blends whip cracking and puzzle solving in a way that properly respects the films. Tekken 8 is also a go to pick, especially if you love slick fighters with real weight behind the hits.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (-17%) – A$99
Tekken 8 (-33%) – A$57
Monopoly 2024 (-47%) – A$26.30
WWE 2K25 (-47%) – A$64
Dead Space (-80%) – A$21.90
Silent Hill 2 (-50%) – A$49.90

PS4

Sleeping Dogs Def. Ed. (-37%) – A$25.20
Gris (-80%) – A$3.50
Stardew Valley (-50%) – A$10.40

Expiring Recent Deals

Silent Hill F (-16%) – A$109
Sonic Frontiers (-40%) – A$59
Stranger of Paradise FF Origin (-61%) – A$38.60
Epic Mickey: Rebrushed (-61%) – A$39
Gran Turismo 7 (-29%) – A$88.80
Streets of Rage 4 (-65%) – A$13.20
God of War Ragnarök (-58%) – A$46.10
Metaphor: ReFantazio (-40%) – A$68.90
Ghost of Tsushima Dir. Cut (-58%) – A$46.10

PS+ Monthly Freebies
Yours to keep from Jul 1 with this subscription

Diablo 4 (PS5/PS4)
The King of Fighers XV (PS5/PS4)
Jusant (PS5)

Or purchase a PS Store Card.

Purchase Cheap for PC

And on PC, Persona 5 Royal still stands tall, but RoboCop: Rogue City is the one I keep thinking about. Gritty, funny and faithful in all the best ways.