Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey on sale, plus more gaming deals

Fall is here and it’s not just bringing pretty leaves and sweater weather. It’s also video game release season, as studios start gearing up for the holidays.

The two biggest October releases (so far) have been Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, which are both excellent continuations of giant video game franchises. While discounts on new games, especially AAA titles, are rare, the Steam key distributor Green Man Gaming has reliably been offering 10-15 percent off brand new games for the first few days after launch. As of this writing, both Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 are still discounted at Green Man Gaming for $50.97 and $55.19 respectively.

This week’s Xbox One update included an Xbox skill on Alexa and Cortana devices, another option to control your console with your voice. And Amazon is ready to step in. The retail giant is throwing in a free Echo device with NBA 2K19 Xbox One bundles “while supplies last”.

Finally, November’s Humble Bundle will include both Hollow Knight and Hitman, two games that normally retail for more than the $12 subscription fee on their own. The bundle will also include the survival horror game 7 Days to Die and at least four or five more mystery games.

Sometimes the weekend is just too short: Join us on Twitter for all the latest deals throughout the week.

Consoles and Hardware

• Xbox One S NBA 2K19 bundle + 3rd Generation Echo Dot at Amazon for $299.99.
• Xbox One X NBA 2K19 bundle + 3rd Generation Echo Dot at Amazon for $499.99.
• Factory Refurbished Nintendo Switch at eBay for $265 ($299.99 new).
• Select gaming accessories, including Xbox wireless controllers, Joy-Con charging docks and gaming bags, come with a $5 digital game credit at Amazon.
• Blue Yeti Microphone + Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Bundle at Amazon for $149 (usually $189.99).

Games

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 on PC at Green Man Gaming for $55.19 (usually $59.99).
• Assassin’s Creed Odyssey on PC at Green Man Gaming for $50.99 (usually $59.99).
• Dead Cells on Switch at Amazon for $29.99 (usually $34.99).
• Dead Cells on PC at Fanatical for $19.99 (usually $24.99).
• Shenmue 1 & 2 on PS4 at Amazon for $23.22 (usually $29.99).
• Octopath Traveler on Switch at eBay for $53.99 (usually $59.99).
• Resident Evil 7: Biohazard on Xbox One at Amazon for $20.55 (usually $39.99).
• Rocket League on PC (and assorted DLC packs) are 40 percent off at Humble.
• Reigns on iOS and Android for $0.99 and on PC for $1.49 (usually $2.99).
• Reigns: Her Majesty on iOS and Android for $0.99 and on PC for $1.49 (usually $2.99).
• Select 2K games, including XCOM 2, Civilization 6, and BioShock Infinite, are up to 80 percent off at Fanatical.
• Discovery Pack bundle with Kentucky Route Zero, War for the Overworld, Osiris: New Dawn, RWBY: Grimm Eclipse, Phantom Brave PC and Tricky Towers on PC at Humble for $10.

Miscellaneous

• PlayStation Gold Wireless Headset at Amazon for $72.94 ($99.99).
• Grey and Blue Xbox Wireless Controller at Amazon for $49.88 (usually $64.99).
• Halloween costumes and props 30 percent off at ThinkGeek with code SPOOPY.
• Cold weather essentials (including a blanket that makes you look like an octopus) are 30 percent off at ThinkGeek.

Console Pre-Orders

• Nintendo Switch Super Smash Bros. Ultimate bundle pre-order at Amazon, Walmart, GameStop and Best Buy for $359.99 (to be released Nov. 2).
• Nintendo Switch Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikachu bundle pre-order at GameStop and Target for $399.99 (to be released Nov. 16).
• Nintendo Switch Pokémon: Let’s Go Eevee bundle pre-order at Amazon, GameStop and Target for $399.99 (to be released Nov. 16).
• PlayStation 4 Pro 1 TB Red Dead Redemption 2 bundle pre-order at Walmart, GameStop and Best Buy for $399.99 (to be released Oct. 26).
• PlayStation Classic pre-order at GameStop, Best Buy and Target for $99.99 (to be released Dec. 3).
• Xbox One X 1 TB Fallout 76 bundle pre-order at Amazon, GameStop and Best Buy for $499.99.

Commerce Team Picks

• Both Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 have at least four versions to choose from, each with different exclusive content and features. It gets confusing and turns something that should be fun — buying video games! — into a chore. For help deciding which edition to buy, check out our breakdowns of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 editions.
• I rounded up my favorite family-friendly board games this week and my number one pick, Catan Junior, happened to go on sale this week. If you’ve got kiddos to entertain, this game is great to have on hand. Get it at Amazon for $24.49 (usually $34.99).
• Epic Games announced this week that Fortnite is getting a physical release. The Fortnite: Deep Freeze Bundle includes a winter-themed skins pack and 10,000 V-Bucks, Fortnite’s in-game currency, for $29.99.