A new Year it means a new opportunity to fight for the next generation video game consoles. Although the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X were difficult to find in 2020, many players remain hopeful that the two systems will become more easily available in 2021.
Although there is no official evidence to support such hopes, it seems likely that the wave of parties is slowing. If you expect to secure an Xbox X Series or S Series before the end of winter, here’s what you need to know, including tools to install and retailers to watch in January.
Popfindr, OctoShop and other tools to find Xbox Series X consoles
If you’re not sure how to start finding stocks, don’t worry. There are several websites, Twitter accounts and Google Chrome extensions that track replacements for you. You can use them to find an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S console as soon as they are in stock. PopFindr is especially useful, as it helps you see inventory in local stores if you are planning to pick up a console in person.
If you’re putting the console online, an extension like OctoShop, which is also location-based and frequently checks multiple retailers, is also incredibly useful. When it comes to Twitter accounts, set notifications on @ Wario64, which tweets consistently when new consoles are made available. The Stock Informer Discord channel can also help you track replacements. If you want to give up these tools, you’ll have to do the legwork yourself, maintaining control over renowned retailers.
Target
The target is the big retailer to watch for 2021. After rumors circulated that the console’s refueling was planned, it appears that they finally arrived in the final week of December. Twitter users have been sharing screenshots of their successful X Series orders, which were supposedly available for pickup at the store.
It is not exactly clear whether this was the start of a new wave or something isolated, but it is worth keeping an eye on the X Series and S Series pages for updates.
GameStop
GameStop is worth following for Xbox updates because inventory tends to get a little longer compared to retailers like Amazon. GameStop has added console packages sporadically to the site, where players can pick up a console with some extra games or controls included. These offers tend to be intimidatingly priced, but that means they usually stay online for longer. If the initial investment is not a problem, it is worth following this path to avoid a headache.
The last time the retailer had a package available was on December 19 at around 12 pm Eastern, which remained for a while. This package included NBA 2K 21, Assassin’s Creed Valhallaand an extra controller.
Microsoft Store
The best advice when it comes to finding an Xbox is to keep an eye on the Microsoft Store. The retailer has been placing the new consoles fairly consistently since they launched, so this is one of his best chances to find one right now. The only problem is that shipping from the Microsoft Store tends to be a little slower than that of other retailers. It took me about three weeks to ship my own X Series.
Best buy
It’s been a hot minute since the Xbox Series X or Series S appeared on Best Buy. The retailer last put them on sale on December 15, so they can be upgraded before other retailers. The only problem is that they tend to sell out particularly fast there.
Although there are no official details, Best Buy generally announces stocks in advance to notify buyers in just a few hours. Last time, the retailer even provided a small window of time, saying the systems would be available after 9 am, so it’s worth keeping an eye on their social channels for updates.
Walmart
Walmart is one of the most recent retailers to have new Xboxes in stock. The S series last appeared on its website on December 23 at around 12:45 pm Eastern time. There was not much notice when this happened, but the retailer usually warns before consoles are released.
In general, Walmart is pretty consistent when it comes to inventory, so it’s a good retailer to keep an eye on if you don’t want to track a whole lot. Set up alerts on the X Series or S Series pages and keep your finger on the trigger ready.
Amazon
Amazon can be a snap and you lose the experience when it comes to new systems from Microsoft. The X Series and S Series seem to appear randomly and descend just as quickly. The last refueling appears to have taken place on December 17 at around 11:30 am East, two days after a broader refueling that hit most retailers on December 15. Whenever there is a rush, it is always good to keep an eye on Amazon the next day to see if it repeats the same pattern.
Newegg
Newegg has been a surprisingly good way to find an Xbox since it launched. Like GameStop, the retailer tends to launch larger packages with games and extras. Newegg’s last update came on December 21st, a little later than the mid-month wave, so it’s worth setting up alerts on the X Series and S Series pages on Xbox to ensure you don’t miss out on a less competitive race. at a less popular retailer.
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