Games

As we reported previously, PlayStation 5 Spider-Man 2 console bundle pre-orders kick off today in most of the world. The new Spider-Man 2 PS5 is also being joined by the limited edition console covers, allowing existing owners to bring the Spidey vibes to their setup alongside the new themed DualSense controller. We have all of the details you need down below on how to ensure you get a chance to score one – some items (especially the console bundle and covers) will likely sell out quickly, so you’re going to want to be ready for when everything goes live later this morning. Head below for everything you need to know about the PlayStation 5 Spider-Man 2 console bundle, Spider-Man 2 PS5 covers, and the Spider-Man 2 DualSense controller.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons are now playable on Switch Online. While you’re likely still exploring every nook and cranny of Nintendo’s latest version of Hyrule in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, two classic Zelda titles have now landed on Nintendo Switch Online. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons are about as brilliant a Zelda experience as they are oddball entries in the series and now anyone with a standard Nintendo Switch Online subscription can enjoy them in all of their glory. Head below for more details. 

After seeing call of Duty Black Ops Cold War and Alan Wake Remastered hit the game collection in July, Sony has now announced the next PlayStation Plus FREE games. After more than just rumors of the new PS5 Slim hit and the new Access Controller went up for pre-order, Sony has taken to the official PlayStation Blog to announce another batch of FREE games to for its subscribers just days before the new Spider-Man 2 PlayStation 5 goes up for pre-order. This time around we are hitting the links, experiencing an extraordinary, ever-expanding game universe from the creators of LittleBigPlanet, and diving into a “somber yet darkly comedic tale.” Head below for more details on the August PlayStation Plus FREE games. 

This afternoon’s collection of Android app deals and freebies is now ready to go down below the fold courtesy of Google Play. Joining our software offers, we are also tracking solid deals on Samsung’s latest 10.5-inch Galaxy Tab A8 tablets, a new all-time low on OnePlus 10T 256GB at $500, and this offer on Samsung’s recent Galaxy A14 5G. As for the apps, highlights include titles like City Destructor HD, Angelo and Deemon, Argo’s Choice, Underworld Office, a series of freebie app icon packs, and more. Head below for a complete look at today’s best Android game and app deals. 

Microsoft just unveiled pizza-scented wireless Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Controllers? I’m not sure if this is awesome or kind of gross, but it is definitely interesting. In celebration of the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem film from Paramount Pictures, Microsoft decided it would take the usual themed custom paint jobs we tend to see on its crossover collaboration gear to a new level. While we are indeed getting ooze green Xbox Wireless Controllers with designs representing each of the four titular half-shelled heroes, they also smell like a good slice of New York pizza. Head below for more details. 

Woot is now offering physical copies of Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe for $42.99 with free shipping for Prime members. A $6 delivery fee will apply otherwise. Regularly $60, this is 28% off the going rate, well under the best prices on Amazon, and the lowest we can find. This one has rarely seen any notable price drops since its release last fall. It dropped to $45 at Amazon for Prime Day and is now even lower. This is a remake of the original 2011 Wii game with enhancements across the board. It features 1- to 4-player collaborative action featuring everyone’s favorite pink blob, plenty of additional playable characters (King Dedede, Meta Knight, and Bandana Waddle Dee), and a host of mini games including Samurai Kirby, Magolor’s Tome Trackers, and Booming Blasters in the Merry Magoland amusement park. Head below for more of today’s best console game deals. 

Check out the new Arcade1Up Kith cabinet. Arcade1Up’s latest retro arcade project comes by way of a crossover project with fashion and internet-hyped fashion brand Kith. Delivering the traditional retro vibes we all know and love from Arcade1Up, the Kith crossover adds a fashionable streetwear touch to the experience here – it is as much a functioning Capcom arcade cabinet as it is a piece of pop culture furniture, if you ask me. Head below for a closer look and more details on the new Marvel-focused Arcade1Up Kith cabinet. 

GameSir is introducing its new G7 SE Controller for Xbox and PC today. Carrying special magnetic anti-stick drift Hall Effect triggers/thumbsticks, customizable faceplates you can paint on, and a whole range of customizations you can tweak within the software, the latest from GameSir is worth a look for gamers sick and tired of spending money on unreliable joysticks. Not to mention the near-endless aesthetic customization potential with the faceplates. Head below for a closer look at the now available new G7 SE Controller. 

Update: Pre-orders are now live on Amazon and directly from PlayStation on the new PS5 Access controller. 

Gaming is a pastime and an experience for everyone, young and old, no matter the circumstances, and Sony is looking to make its beloved platform an even more inclusive one with its upcoming Access controller for PS5. Following in line to some degree with Microsoft’s Xbox Adaptive Controller and HORI’s officially licensed Flex Controller for Nintendo Switch, the Access controller for PS5 is designed to provide a particularly customizable and versatile gamepad for those with disabilities or special needs when it comes to gaming on Sony’s platform. Head below for more details and a closer look at the new Access Controller ahead of the pre-order launch later this week.

Razer unwrapped its new collection of console skins for PlayStation 5 and Xbox users at the tail end of last month, and we are now starting to see the entire collection come available on Amazon for the first time. Once an option relegated to smaller brands and less than legal console shell replacements, the new Razer Vinyl Console Skins allow gamers to add some personality to their otherwise stark white or black current-generation Microsoft and Sony gaming machines. Head below for a closer look. 

Just after introducing official price hikes to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Microsoft has now unveiled Xbox Game Pass Core. The new subscription tier now sits alongside Xbox Game Pass for PC, Console, and the Ultimate option to, in many ways, complete the move over the Game Pass branding. Xbox Game Pass Core is set replace Xbox Live Gold to provide a more affordable way for gamers to access online multiplayer action, member-exclusive deals, and provides trimmed down, entry-level access to the on-demand game library. Head below for more details. 

Woot today is offering a rare chance to save some actual cash on a Microsoft Xbox Series S. Right now, open-box units are marked down to $227.69 Prime shipped, with a $6 delivery fee applying otherwise. Today’s offer lands from the usual $299 price tag, pairing today’s price cut with $71 in savings. Prime Day did see some bundle offers on new condition consoles, but there weren’t any actual markdowns on the console alone. While stock shortages have all but ceased to exist as of late, that doesn’t mean we’re seeing discounts on Xbox Series S left and right now. But thanks to today’s offer, you can bring home Microsoft’s latest console experience. Capable of 1080p 120Hz gaming, Xbox Series S uses the same processor as its higher-end X counterpart while also offering 512GB of onboard storage. Includes a 90-day warranty. Head below for more.

Friday morning is here, we are just hours away from heading into the weekend, and all of the best iOS app deals are waiting down below. But before you check those out, hit up the price drops we are tracking on Apple AirTags, the return of all-time lows on iPad Air 5, and ongoing deals on the transparent Beats Studio Buds+. As for the apps, highlights include titles like myDream Universe, This War of Mine, Incredibox, Railroad Ink Challenge, and more. Head below the jump for a complete look at all of Friday’s best iOS game and app deals. 

Microsoft has now launched its summer Ultimate Game Sale. Jam-packed with over 960 digital titles, you’ll find up to 80% in savings to load up your back catalogue alongside some newer releases. Star Wars Jedi Survivor, Elden Ring, Call of Duty Modern Warfare II, Ghostwire Tokyo, Dead Island 2, and LEGO 2K Drive (here’s our hands-on review) are just scratching the surface of the amount of games that are on sale this weekend for Xbox gamers. Head over to this landing page to browse through everything and be sure to dive into the now live ID@Xbox Demo Fest 2023 to try out some unreleased titles all weekend long. The rest of the best game deals are waiting down below. 

While the early Amazon Prime Day deals are now in full swing alongside the Walmart+ event and Best Buy’s Black Friday in July, Target is also getting in on the action this year. Most of the best price drops are going out be found on Amazon and Walmart this year by the looks of it (as per usual), but there’s still some great deals being thrown around in the now live and free-to-join Target Circles members sale. Head below for more details and a closer look. 

Switch Online members can now play MLB The Show 23 for FREE this weekend. Nintendo is back at it again with another one of its FREE play weekends. These events are always a good time, typically come along with a discount for folks looking to keep the game, and are a great way to try out a new title in its entirety without dropping a nickel. This time around it is the latest edition of the formerly PlayStation-only MLB The Show series so you can bring the hardcore baseball simulation to your portable Switch console to enjoy all until next week, or for good if you decide to purchase it at 50% off. Head below for more details. 

Microsoft has now taken to the official Xbox Wire to announce the 2023 ID@Xbox Demo Fest. Much like last year’s event, the Demo Fest will be delivering a large selection of games for players to try out for FREE starting early next week. The event is designed to expose gamers to new titles they might not have otherwise heard of, give them a chance to try them out well before they are done (in some cases), and let the developers know that they think of the experience. Head below for more details. 

A new PlayStation 5 Slim might be on the way, according to Microsoft. We are certainly on the back end of the current console-generation, and what the next iteration of gaming hardware from Microsoft and PlayStation might look like is entirely up in the air – all digital streaming devices maybe? But it looks like Microsoft thinks we are still to expect a next iteration known as the PlayStation 5 Slim before any of that happens after it mentioned as much during the recent FTC v. Microsoft hearing, according to reports. It also seems to think it has the inside scoop on an/the upcoming PS5 handheld pricing. More details below. 

Happy 4th of July folks! We have now rounded up the rest of the iOS games and apps that have now been marked down for the holidays and added them to our giant list of price drops down below the fold. Just be sure to also scope out the deals we are tracking on Apple Pencil 2 and the return of all-time low pricing on Apple Watch Ultra and the Alpine Loop alongside everything else in our Apple deal hub. Spanning just about every genre out there, we are tracking loads of deals on some of the best App Store experiences and everything is waiting for you down below. 

Today’s fresh new Android game and app deals have now been added to the massive collection of titles we are tracking down below for the 4th of July. Just be sure to also scope out the new all-time lows now live on Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 styles from $200 as well as this OnePlus 11 5G bundle with up to $240 in savings. As far as the apps go, highlights include titles like Lovecraft’s Untold Stories, Juicy Realm, Samorost 3, Botanicula, KORG Kaossilator, and more. Head below for a complete look at today’s best Android game and app deals. 

Joining a massive collection of iOS game and app deals for July 4th, we have now gathered up the best-of the-best that went on sale over the weekend and this morning into a neat list down below. Today’s software offers are joined by price drops on Apple’s latest 24-inch M1 iMac as well as AirPods 3 and everything else discounted for the holidays right here. As for today’s new Independence Day app deal additions, highlights include titles like Sandbox Planet, NotifiNote, Street Kart, Evoland 2, Dungeon of the Endless: Apogee, Candleman, Fait, and more. Hit the jump for a complete look at today’s best Mac and iOS app deals. 

All of the best iOS game deals for the holidays are waiting down below. The July 4th weekend is now upon us and the App Store continues to burst at the seams with solid price drops on a wide range of top-tier titles. Ranging from the latest Kingdom Rush and Iron Marines games to the wonderful Moncage, a slew of classic board game adaptions, hardcore indie games, music production apps, and more, we will be adding titles to this growing list throughout the weekend and into next week as we approach Independence Day 2023. Head below for all of the best 4th of July iOS game and apps deals and have a wonderful weekend!

As we head into July 4th weekend, Google Play is serving up a giant collection of top-tier Android game and app deals, and the list has now gotten even longer. We will be adding to this collection as more deals pop over the weekend and into next week, just be sure to also scope out the offers we are tracking on Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 and its 15W Fast Wireless Charger at the Amazon low. As for the apps, new highlights added to our holiday collection below include Monopoly, Doom and Destiny Worlds, to The Moon, Muse Dash, Forager, Dead Cells, and much more. Head below for best Android apps and games on sale ahead of July 4th. 

Update: The deal below has jumped up to $29.69 now, but that’s well below the $45 list and, with the official price jump going into effect tomorrow, the best price around from a trusted source. 

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price hikes are imminent and we have now spotted a notable deal just in time. Trusted online retailer CDKeys is now offering 3-months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at $25.79 with free digital delivery. Regularly $45 and currently listed at $41.50 via Amazon, this is nearly 45% off the going rate and the lowest price we can find from a trusted source. Today’s deal is also within $1 of our previous mention and a great chance to ensure your subscription is set into the future at a discount. CDKeys is a trusted source for discounted Xbox Game Pass subscription deals and regularly serves up some of the lowest prices around. The official price jump has now been confirmed and will go into effect starting on July 6 or August 13 for existing Game Pass users on a monthly subscription. You can get a complete breakdown of how the price jump will work in our feature piece right here and then head below or additional details. 

This afternoon’s collection of the best Android game and app deals is now ready and waiting down below the fold. Just be sure to scope out these Google Assistant-ready Kasa smart home deals from $10 as well as the all-time lows now live on the Samsung Galaxy S22/Ultra. As for the apps, highlights include titles like Mortal Crusade, Zombie Age 2, Rush Rally Origins, Pop the Tiles, Deep Space: First Contact, FTP Server, and more. Head below for a complete look at today’s best Android game and app deals. 

The July PlayStation Plus free games have been officially unveiled. Taking to the PlayStation Blog this morning, Sony has now unveiled what’s on tap for the free game library next month for PlayStation Plus subscribers. Last month we saw NBA 2K23, Jurassic World, and the moody Trek to Yomi, but this time it around it’s all about hardcore Cold War-era shooters, the mysterious town of Bright Falls, and a heart-warming eco-conscious adventure experience. Head below for more details and a closer look at the July PlayStation Plus free games. 

Some new SEGA Switch Online games are launching today. Nintendo has now taken to its official Twitter feed to unveil the next batch of SEGA Genesis titles landing in its Switch Online library. While most folks are still reeling of the announcement of the new Super Mario Bros. Wonder game, the upcoming remake of Super Mario RPG, and everything else it showcased in its latest Nintendo Direct presentation, the Genesis Switch Online library is being infused with some classics starting today. Head below for more details. 

After just taking a closer look at what’s new for Pikmin 4, I am back with some insight on the latest party game from Nintendo. Everybody 1-2 Switch! is slated to land on consoles at the end of the month, and ahead of time I got to experience just what will be arriving come June 30.

Microsoft has now unveiled a new Barbie Xbox console alongside additional goodies as part of its collaboration with the upcoming film. The new Barbie movie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, is set to hit theaters next month, but first let’s take a look at the new custom Barbie Xbox console, in-game content, and controller faceplates. Before the film hits the silver screen on July 21, 2023, Microsoft is bringing Barbie’s signature flair to its platform in the form of in-game content for Forza Horizon 5, the first-ever Xbox Barbie dolls, and its “most stylish” custom Xbox hardware yet. Head below for a closer look at the new Barbie Xbox console and more. 

Pikmin 4 is set to release next month on July 21. Ahead of time, Nintendo invited me to come check out what the fourth installment of the franchise is all about. Last Thursday, I got to spend over an hour and a half playing Pikmin 4, exploring all there is to be excited about from the upcoming game. Here are my first impressions on the story mode, refreshed gameplay, and the new Dandori Battle versus mode, alongside nearly 10 minutes of new footage from the game.

After officially announcing the release date and then showcasing new gameplay earlier this week during the latest Nintendo Direct, the new HORI Pikmin 4 Switch case has emerged. Much like the Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and Splatoon 3 gear before it, HORI is now ready to unleash its latest officially licensed accessory in celebration of the upcoming release of Pikmin 4 on July 21, 2023. Adorned with adorable iconography and characters from the new game, the HORI Pikmin 4 Switch case is now available for pre-order, and you can get a closer look down below. 

After official Xbox game price hikes officially went into effect back in October of last year and speculation ran rampant that console and Xbox Game Pass would be next, the inevitable is now on the way now. Xbox hinted at as much, but it is really hitting home now. Various reports are now suggesting official Xbox Game Pass price hikes are on the way as early as next month alongside a price jump on its flagship consoles as well. It’s time to lock in your subscriptions now before the price increases go live folks. Head below for more details. 

Today’s mid-year Nintendo Direct is scheduled to go live at 7 a.m. PT/10 a.m. ET, as we detailed yesterday. After what can only be described as a more than exciting year for Nintendo Switch owners, mainly, if not entirely, because of the incredible new Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, it’s time to see what else Nintendo has up its sleeve for the remainder of 2023 and potentially into 2024 – that’s where the most exciting stuff will likely land after all. Having said that, you never know what Nintendo might have in store for this year’s holiday season and we might very well get a surprise or two there. Head below to watch today’s Nintendo Direct presentation. 

The next Nintendo Direct has now been announced. Nintendo unleashed the epic beast that is Zelda Tears of the Kingdom already this year (it is now on sale at its best Amazon price yet), but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have more in store for us for the remainder of 2023. One might even suggest this upcoming presentation could cap off the summer gaming presentations in a major way after seeing PlayStation and Xbox take the stage alongside the Summer Game Fest show. Head below for more details on the next Nintendo direct presentation. 

City builders have to be my favorite gaming genre as of late, and while the iconic title, Cities Skylines II, is still months away. However, a game you might not have heard of (or maybe just haven’t looked at in a while) is Kingdoms and Castles. This unique city builder simulation is about growing your kingdom from a tiny hamlet into a “sprawling city and imposing castle.” The new update released over the weekend introduces industry and infrastructure, which changes pace from the last update, which focused on combat and interaction with the AI. There’s a lot to like in the recent Kingdoms and Castles update, so head below where we unpack all you can expect here. Plus, the game is even on sale right now.

After rolling out its new PlayStation Plus system over the last year or so, it looks like PS5 cloud gaming is on the way in a major way. While Sony has always seemed as though it was playing catch-up with Xbox Live/Game Pass, and in many ways it has, its PlayStation Plus initiative is making a valiant attempt at bridging the gap for its player base. Today, alongside details on the next batch of titles coming to its streaming catalog for members and 10 days of activities for the community, Sony is announcing that it is now testing out cloud streaming for supported PS5 games. More details below. 

Update: Amazon has once again brought back its nearly 30% price drop on the wireless Luna gamepad, dropping the price down to $49.99 shipped.

Amazon is now giving folks another shot at scoring its multi-platform wireless Luna gamepad at $49.99 shipped. Regularly $70, this is nearly 30% off the going rate and the best price we can find. Today’s deal is matching both our previous mention and the 2023 low to deliver the second-best overall total all-time. While it was built for Amazon’s Luna cloud gaming service, it also works on Windows, Mac, Fire TV, Fire tablet, iPhone, iPad, Chromebook, and Android devices to deliver a truly multi-platform wireless experience. You can even use the controller’s mic to launch games with Alexa on Fire TV or Fire Tablet devices. USB-C charging, low-friction thumbsticks, a D-pad, and textured grips are all in place here and you can get a deeper look at the user experience in our hands-on review. Head below for more.

Over the weekend during the Xbox Games Showcase, we got more information about Cities: Skylines II, including an official release date, pricing, and also a preview of some features we can expect to see in-game. Most notably, there’s been a complete overhaul of several key game aspects including refreshed road-building mechanics (native grid construction, anyone?), new zoning abilities, and much more. Cities: Skylines II launches October 24 on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. I’m excited about this launch, so head below as I unpack everything we know about the upcoming Cities: Skylines II in out trailer deep dive below.

Following the Summer Game Fest showcase last week as well as this past weekend’s Xbox and Starfield events, the summer gaming bonanza continues with this afternoon’s Capcom show. While much of the major unveils are now behind us, there’s still more to come from the publisher behind the Resident Evil, Mega Man, and Street Fighter franchises. Capcom has made a splash over the last few years with some of the better remakes in recent years – RE 2 and 3 alongside the beloved fourth entry in the series that’s now out in the wild, not to mention the latest release in the iconic Street Fighter series. But we are now about to see the future of Capcom’s lineup. Head below for more details and to watch today’s showcase digital event. 

After seeing Microsoft take the stage yesterday for its Summer Games Showcase, Ubisoft is back today for an event of its own. Revealing a collection of new titles, Ubisoft Forward arrives with better looks at the latest from Assassin’s Creed, an all-new Avatar game, and more.

Update: The Seagate special edition Starfield 8TB Game Hub and 2TB Game Drive are now available on Amazon at $229.99 and $109.99 shipped, respectively. They will begin shipping on September 6, 2023. Details below.  

Immediately following today’s Xbox Games Showcase, Bethesda’s first new game universe in 25-years was on full display and Seagate has now unveiled its new special edition Starfield Game Drive and Game Hub for Xbox. Following in line with the previously available Halo models and even these sweet Star Wars and Spider-Man variants featuring painterly renderings and matching LED glow lighting, Seagate is now teaming up with the folks at Bethesda to launch new drives “commemorating the explorers from Constellation.” Head below for more details on the new Seagate Starfield Game Drive and Game Hub. 

Microsoft today takes to the virtual stage for its third annual Xbox Summer Games Showcase. The 2023 event arrives to once again fill the void left by E3, delivering 90 minutes of content on all-new games, updates on long-awaited titles, and much more. Head below for all of the details on the latest titles coming to Xbox Series X/S, PC, Game Pass, and more including trailers, release dates, and so much other info.

We are almost ready to head into the weekend, but first let’s roundup all of Friday’s best Mac and iOS app deals. This morning has already seen solid price drops go live on Apple’s AirTag alongside summer deals on Beats Fit Pro and the wonderful Twelve South’s HiRise 3, but for now it’s all about the apps. Highlight titles include Pixelizator, Go Rally, Afterplace, Stardash, BFT – Bear Focus Timer, and Swim Out. Head below for a complete look at today’s best Mac and iOS app deals. 

Update: Pre-orders for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Collector’s Edition are scheduled to go live at 7 a.m. PT/10 a.m. ET via PlayStation Direct.

At today’s Summer Game Fest, Insomniac officially unveiled the October 20, 2023 release date for the highly-anticipated Spider-Man 2 and it can’t come fast enough! Sony delivered an epic gameplay demo of the game at its PlayStation summer showcase and we now have details on pre-order kick-off dates, all of the details you need on the pre-order bonuses, the Spider-Man 2 collector’s edition, and much more. Head below for all of the details. 

This big-time Summer Game Fest showcase is kicking off shortly! Sony started of the summer of gaming with a notably epic PlayStation Showcase featuring the Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater remake, Alan Wake II, Assassin’s Creed Mirage gameplay, Dragon’s Dogma II, and much more, but it’s now time for Geoff Keighley’s massive event. And if last year’s show is any indication, we are in for a real treat. It will likely be much longer than Sony’s, completely platform-agnostic, and will almost certainly be loaded with both world premieres and gameplay debuts for some of gaming’s biggest upcoming titles. Head below to follow along with today Summer Game Fest showcase.