Track Game Release Dates on PC and Console

Keeping up with every game launching across Steam, Epic, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo can feel like a part-time job. This guide shows you a practical system to track upcoming releases so you never miss a launch day, pre-order window, or surprise drop. You will set up a mix of storefront wishlists, external trackers, and calendar alerts that work together automatically.

What You’ll Need

Accounts on the storefronts you use (Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox, PlayStation Network, Nintendo eShop)
A free account on an external tracking site like SteamDB, GG.deals, or Deku Deals (pick the ones that match your platforms)
A calendar app (Google Calendar, Outlook, or Apple Calendar) for launch day reminders
Optional: a Discord server or Telegram channel if you want notifications pushed to your phone

Step-by-Step

Create a master list of games you care about. Start a simple note in your phone or a spreadsheet with columns for game title, platform, expected release window, and source of the date. Write down every game you are even slightly interested in so you have a single reference point.
Use the wishlist feature on every storefront you own. Wishlists are the most reliable source of release dates because the publisher updates them directly. On Steam, click the heart icon on a store page. On the Epic Games Store, click the heart in the top-right corner. On Xbox and PlayStation, use the “Wish List” or “Follow” button on the game’s product page. On Nintendo eShop, use the heart icon on the game’s page.
Turn on email notifications for those wishlists. Steam sends an email when a wishlisted game launches or goes on sale. Epic does the same. Xbox and PlayStation send notifications through their mobile apps. Make sure your account settings allow marketing emails from these services, otherwise the alerts will not arrive.
Add an external tracker for cross-platform coverage. SteamDB (steamdb.com) is excellent for PC and shows the exact release date and time in your local timezone. GG.deals tracks PC and console releases and lets you set a custom alert for a specific game. Deku Deals covers Nintendo Switch exclusively. Create free accounts on the trackers that match your platforms and add the games from your master list.
Set calendar reminders for confirmed dates. When a game gets a solid release date (not just “coming 2025”), add it to your calendar. Set two reminders: one a week before for pre-loading, and one on the day itself. Use the game’s official release time if known; otherwise use midnight local time as a placeholder.
Check the “Coming Soon” sections of each storefront weekly. Storefronts curate these lists and they often include indie games that do not get big marketing pushes. Spend five minutes every Monday browsing the new additions to your wishlist and updating your master list.
Follow the developers and publishers on social media. Twitter/X, Bluesky, and official Discord servers are where delays and surprise launches get announced first. You do not need to follow every account; just the ones for games on your master list.
Set up a Discord or Telegram bot for push notifications. If you want alerts without checking email, services like IFTTT or Zapier can monitor RSS feeds from storefronts or trackers and send a message to your phone. This is optional but useful for high-priority games.

Common Mistakes

Relying on a single source. A release date on IGN or a fan wiki is often a placeholder. Always confirm with the storefront page or the official developer announcement.
Ignoring time zones. A game that launches on March 1st in Japan may launch on February 29th in the US. Storefronts usually show your local time, but external sites sometimes show UTC. Double-check before setting a calendar reminder.
Forgetting about regional pricing or availability. Some games release in North America and Europe on different dates. If you are not in the primary region, the storefront page will show the correct date for your region, but a US-based article will not.
Trusting “early access” dates as full releases. A game can enter early access on PC months before its console release. Make sure your tracker distinguishes between the two.
Not cleaning up your wishlist. Wishlists get cluttered with games you no longer care about, which makes it harder to spot the important notifications. Prune your list every few months.

Tips

Use SteamDB’s calendar feature. It shows all upcoming releases on Steam in a single view, filterable by date. It is the fastest way to see what is launching this week.
Set a recurring weekly task. Put a 15-minute “game release check” on your calendar every Monday. This keeps your master list current without requiring daily effort.
Pre-order only when you are sure. Tracking release dates is separate from pre-ordering. If you want to pre-load a game, wait until the pre-load date is announced (usually 1-2 days before launch) rather than pre-ordering months ahead.
Combine wishlists with price trackers. GG.deals and Deku Deals will also email you when a wishlisted game drops in price, which is useful for games you are willing to wait on.
Use the “follow” feature on Xbox and PlayStation. Following a game on these platforms adds it to your library’s “Coming Soon” tab, which is separate from your wishlist and often shows release dates more prominently.

Troubleshooting

No email notifications arriving. Check your spam folder first. Then go to your account settings on the storefront and verify that promotional emails are enabled. Steam’s setting is under Account Details → Preferences → Email. If it still fails, add the storefront’s email domain to your contacts.
The release date disappeared from a store page. This usually means the publisher delayed the game and the new date is not set yet. Check the developer’s social media for an announcement. If nothing is found, assume a delay and keep the game on your list but remove the calendar reminder.
External tracker shows a different date than the storefront. The tracker may be showing the global release date while the storefront shows your local date. Check the tracker’s timezone setting. If they still differ, trust the storefront.
Calendar reminders are not firing. If you are using a phone calendar, make sure the app has notification permissions enabled and that the event is set to alert you. Also verify the event is on the correct calendar account.
Too many notifications. If you are getting overwhelmed, turn off email alerts for wishlists and keep only the calendar reminders for confirmed dates. You can also use a separate email address for gaming accounts so the noise does not bury important messages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the most reliable source for release dates?
A: The official storefront page for the game is the most reliable. Publishers update these directly, and they always show the correct date for your region.

Q: Can I track games that are not on my wishlist?
A: Yes. External trackers like SteamDB and GG.deals let you follow any game without adding it to a storefront wishlist. You can also just bookmark the game’s page and check it manually.

Q: Do I need an account on every storefront to track games?
A: No. You can use external trackers to monitor games on platforms where you do not have an account. However, you will not get store-specific notifications like pre-load alerts without an account.

Q: How early should I set a calendar reminder before a launch?
A: One week before for pre-loading and one day before for the final countdown is a good rule. Some games allow pre-loading 48 hours ahead; others only 24 hours. The week-before reminder gives you time to check.

Q: What if a game gets delayed after I set my calendar?
A: Move the calendar event to the new date as soon as you hear about the delay. If no new date is announced, delete the event and keep the game on your wishlist. You will get a notification when the new date is set.

Q: Is there a way to track physical console releases?
A: Yes, but it is less automated. Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy have “notify me” buttons on product pages. You can also follow the publisher’s social media, as physical release dates often differ from digital ones by a few days.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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