Black Friday sales turn stranger and stranger every year. I think I got the first “shop Black Friday early!” email three weeks ago! Many stores are allowing you to shop at their sale prices online now and have been for a while. Nevertheless, it looks like the best deals are still to be had on the day itself, so we’ve got a roundup of the things your geek family is going to be looking for. Remember that items aren’t necessarily identical from store to store (video game bundles especially can be a bit different, movies have special editions for specific stores, etc.), so even if prices are listed for the same item, double-check on your own the specifics to be certain they’re exactly the same before making a choice. Some of these deals may also be offered only during limited hours, so check out the store’s website or ad to make your plan.
In the first column of each section is the Amazon price as of writing, and the links all go to Amazon so that you can both price compare (is it worth the line on Black Friday?) and to check out reviews in advance. Prices in each column reflect those given in early-release ads from each retailer.
Movies
Though not as much as they once did, cheap DVDs are still a draw into the store, so you’ll find plenty of them available. The following are a few of the popular choices this year. Remember to check the disc you’re getting to be sure that it’s the version you want.
Phones and tablets
Features vary so, again, be sure you’re comparing apples to apples when you get a deal. Check the storage space, features like Wi-Fi, carrier, whether it’s unlocked, etc.
| Amazon | Wal-Mart | Adorama | Best Buy | GameStop | Kmart | Toys R Us | Target | Newegg | TigerDirect | ||
| Galaxy Note 4 | free with contract | $0.00 | |||||||||
| Samsung Galaxy S4 | $330-350 | $0.97 | |||||||||
| Samsung Galaxy S5 | free with contract | $99.00 | $1.00 | $449.99* | $0.01 | 544.99* | |||||
| Phone (prices usually with contract) | Iphone 6 16 GB | $750-$1000 (unlocked) | $179.00 | $99.99 | |||||||
| Galaxy Tab 3 Kids Edition 7″ 8 GB | $179 or $124.99 refurbished | $129.99 | |||||||||
| Galaxy Tab 3 Lite 8 GB | $99.99 | $99.00 | $119.99 | ||||||||
| Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 | $139.00 | $149.99 | $149.99 | $149.99 | |||||||
| Galaxy Tab Pro 8″ | $349.00 | 279.99 (10.1″ version) | $199.99 | $199.99 | |||||||
| Galaxy Tab S 10.5″ 10 GB | $379.99 | $399.99 | |||||||||
| iPad Air 16GB Wi-Fi | $358.00 | $397 with $100 gift card | $319.99 | $399 with $100 gift card | |||||||
| iPad Air 2 | $482.48 | $489 with $100 gift card | $100 off | $499 with $140 Target gift card |
Cameras
Whether you’re looking for your first DSLR or a video camera, Black Friday is often a good time to do it.
| Amazon | Wal-Mart | Adorama | Best Buy | GameStop | Kmart | Toys R Us | Target | Newegg | TigerDirect | |
| Canon EOS Rebel T5 1200D with 2 lenses | $399-$599 (bundles differ) | $449.00 | $449.96 | |||||||
| Canon Rebel T5i with 2 lenses | $599-$849 (bundles differ) | $699.00 | $499.99 | |||||||
| GoPro Hero3+ Silver Edition | $299.99 | $249.97 | $249.99 | $249.99 | ||||||
| Nikon D3200 with 2 lenses | $319-$546 (bundles differ) | $499.00 | $499.99 | $496.99 | $596.95 | |||||
| Nikon D7000 with 2 lenses and SD card | $549-$1199 (bundles differ) | $1,099.96 | ||||||||
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 | $519.00 | $297.99 | ||||||||
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 | $298.00 | $249.00 | ||||||||
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 | $239.00 | $299.00 |
Video games
If you’re still playing Xbox 360 or Playstation 3—or would like to purchase one of those consoles—there are some great deals out there on those older games and systems. But as you can see below, if you want deals on the current version consoles, you’re going to have to look harder and check out the bundles.
| Amazon | Wal-Mart | Adorama | Best Buy | GameStop | Kmart | Toys R Us | Target | Newegg | TigerDirect | |
| Disney Infinity characters | varies | 30% off | $12.99 | |||||||
| Skylanders Giants characters | varies | $9.00 | ||||||||
| Skylanders Swap Force characters | varies | $9.00 | ||||||||
| Skylanders Trap Masters | $14.96 | $15.99 | ||||||||
| Skylanders Trap Team characters | $9.96 | $9.00 |
Playstation 4
| Amazon | Wal-Mart | Adorama | Best Buy | GameStop | Kmart | Toys R Us | Target | Newegg | TigerDirect | |
| Destiny | $49.75 | $49.99 | ||||||||
| Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls – Ultimate Evil Edition | $49.89 | $35.00 | $29.99 | |||||||
| inFAMOUS: Second Son | $25.49 | $25.00 | $19.99 | |||||||
| Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor | $48.51 | $24.99 | $29.99 | |||||||
| NBA 2k15 | $50.99 | $35.00 | $29.99 | |||||||
| Playstation 4 console | $399.99 | $399 with $50 gift card | $399.99 | $399.99 | ||||||
| The Amazing Spider-Man 2 | $34.49 | $24.99 | ||||||||
| Watch Dogs | $41.54 | $35.00 | $44.99 |
Wii U
| Amazon | Wal-Mart | Adorama | Best Buy | GameStop | Kmart | Toys R Us | Target | Newegg | TigerDirect | |
| Just Dance 2015 | $37.98 | $25.00 | $24.99 | $24.99 | ||||||
| Mario Kart 8 | $48.15 | $35.00 | $59.99+10% off the guide | |||||||
| Skylanders Trap Team Starter Kit | $49.99 | $37.00 | ||||||||
| Wii U Super Mario 3D World Bundle | $315.88 | $299.99 |
Xbox One
| Amazon | Wal-Mart | Adorama | Best Buy | GameStop | Kmart | Toys R Us | Target | Newegg | TigerDirect | |
| Destiny | $49.35 | $35.00 | $49.99 | |||||||
| Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes (2.0) Starter Pack | $54.99 | $39.99 | ||||||||
| Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor | $47.45 | $25.00 | $29.99 | |||||||
| Skylanders Trap Team Starter Kit | $49.99 | |||||||||
| Watch Dogs | $48.89 | $29.99 | ||||||||
| Xbox One Assassin’s Creed: Unity Bundle | $349.00 | $329.00 | $329.99 | $329.99 | $329.99 | $349.99 |
Nintendo DS
| Amazon | Wal-Mart | Adorama | Best Buy | GameStop | Kmart | Toys R Us | Target | Newegg | TigerDirect | |
| Nintendo 2DS with Mario Kart 7 | $151.05 | $129.99 | ||||||||
| Super Mario Bros. 2 Golden Edition Bundle | other variations $110-$220 | $149.96 | ||||||||
| Frozen: Olaf’s Quest | $19.99 | $15.00 | ||||||||
| Nintendo 3DS XL Mario Party Island Bundle | $249.99 | $179.99 |
