Games
After finally bringing its original Elite Series 2 to the Xbox Design Lab last October, today, Microsoft is announcing a series of new enhancements and upgrades to the bespoke gamepad design service. While it has since introduced the new trimmed-down Core 2 model (full review right here), Microsoft is looking to bolster interest in the more feature-rich and pricey flagship model by introducing the newest expansion to Xbox Elite Series 2 with Xbox Design Lab starting today.
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The new Uniqlo Super Mario Bros. Movie apparel is now live. Uniqlo’s official clothing line is now available for purchase directly via the official site, spanning a range of t-shirt designs for adults and kids to celebrate the launch of Mario’s animated big screen debut. Joining the new JAKKS Pacific’s Super Mario Bros. toy lineup and the new Monopoly Super Mario Bros. Movie game, fans of the film and the Mushroom Kingdom can now secure themselves and the family some Uniqlo Super Mario Bros. Movie tees. Head below for a closer look.
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Just last month, Cities: Skylines 2 was announced to the world by Paradox Interactive and Colossal Order, stating the iconic game would be released later this year. After having spent some time recently with Cities: Skylines (the original), I personally long for a multiplayer experience of some kind… but it’s unlikely to ever come, according to the game’s developers. Keep reading to find out more about why Cities: Skylines 2 likely won’t get multiplayer and also the return of an icon, for better or worse.
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Hasbro has now officially released the new Monopoly Super Mario Bros. Movie Edition Game. The day has finally arrived for Mario, his world famous brother, and the rest of the beloved characters of the Mushroom Kingdom to take their place on the big screen with the release of the Super Mario Bros. Movie. After a slew of exciting trailer releases as part of Nintendo’s movie-only Direct presentations and the expected official toy line we featured previously, Hasbro’s iconic Monopoly franchise is ready to get in on the action starting today. Head below for more details on the official Monopoly Super Mario Bros. Movie Edition Game.
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Your Wednesday collection of the best Mac and iOS apps are now ready to go courtesy of Apple’s online digital storefronts. Just make sure you check out this morning’s deals on Apple Watch Series 8 and the new all-time low we are now tracking on the latest 512GB M2 Mac mini at $690 as well. Highlight app deals include titles like Plant Light Meter, Mars Power Industries, Star Vikings Forever, Legacy 3 – The Hidden Relic, SimpleMind − Mind Mapping, and more. Head below for a complete look at today’s best Mac and iOS app deals.
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Pre-order now/Launches April 28If you haven’t heard of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor yet, well, it’s the sequel to the beloved Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order game of a few years ago. The sequel officially releases at the end of this month, and we’re finally starting to get more information about it. Various industry leaders have now had a chance to play portions of the incoming title early and have resoundingly loved the improvements that Respawn is making to Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, with some saying it improves “every aspect of the original.” What’s changed, and what can you expect from Star Wars Jedi: Survivor when it launches on April 28? Let’s take a closer look.
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Update: After debuting for the first time back in April, the new Xbox Special Edition Wireless Controller Remix with the included Xbox Rechargeable Battery Pack has now hits its $69.94 shipped all-time low. Regularly $85, this is 18% off the going rate and the best we have tracked since release. Full details below.
Microsoft is expanding its gamepad selection today with the new environmentally-friendly Remix Xbox Wireless Controller. After launching the all-green model just ahead of St. Patrick’s Day last month, Xbox is looking ahead to Earth Day with the new Remix Special Edition that is “partly” made from reclaimed CDs, water jugs, and other recycled controller parts. Delivering a sort of multi-tone earthy color scheme that fits right in with the theme here, the new Remix model is now up for pre-order and you can get a closer look down below.
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You know those HORI Split Pad Pro controller for Switch? They provide a full size controller experience for Nintendo’s console but only in portable mode. However, we are now tracking a new Amazon low on the HORI Split Pad Pro with Attachment Set at $59.99 shipped. This regularly $80 package provides the same on-the-go Split Pad Pro experience detailed above – effectively attaching to either aside of the Switch display for full size controls – alongside a middle attachment so you can also use it like a wired pro controller when at home. It certainly doesn’t feature the new Zelda Tears of the Kingdom paint job like the new Nintendo model, but it is officially licensed with a sort of translucent black treatment, red accents, and a more versatile design. Head below for more details.
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What first seemed like another April Fools’ joke has now been confirmed to be the real thing as ASUS officially unveils its new handheld gaming PC. The brand oddly decided to introduce the machine on April Fools’ Day 2023 as “ROG’s First Gaming Handheld Console,” but the new handheld gaming PC is now officially confirmed as a real thing with a Best Buy pre-order listing on the way (sign up for the waiting list here). Head below for a closer look and some additional details on the new ASUS Steam Deck competitor.
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Today, Mattel and Velan Studios are announcing the all-new Hot Wheels: Rift Rally mixed-reality gaming experience, combining physical RC cars with augmented reality courses in which you will be able to race around. The game itself is available on iOS, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5, and you can order the starter kits today. Hot Wheels: Rift Rally brings a new racing experience into your home with “over-the-top digital environments” while transforming your floors “into high-speed raceways.” The standard and collector starter kits are available starting today from a variety of retailers. Ready to learn more about this new racing experience? Keep reading below the fold.
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For those who haven’t played The Long Dark yet, it’s a pretty fun survival game where you’re attempting to live in the Alaskan wilderness after crashing your plane. Well, The Long Dark is now getting its first paid expansion with Tales from the Far Territory on Xbox. Coming in two parts, the first drop is called Part One: Forsaken Airfield, and the second will be Part Two: Signal Void. If this sounds interesting to you, then keep reading to find out all we know about the first expansion of The Long Dark.
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A new Diablo IV Xbox bundle has emerged. Following a pair of beta tester weekends ahead of this summer’s release of Diablo IV, Microsoft has announced a new special Xbox bundle to mark the occasion. Taking to the official Xbox Wire this morning, Microsoft has now officially unveiled the new Xbox Series X – Diablo IV Bundle with some bonus in-game goodies, a copy of the game, and your standard issue Xbox Series X console setup. Head below for a closer look.
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Update: The new Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch OLED Model console is now up for pre-order at Amazon.
Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Switch console pre-orders will begin soon. Not to take anything away from the particular amazing looking Fuse system and crafting Nintendo highlighted in this morning’s gameplay video, but the new Zelda Tears of the Kingdom OLED Switch was easily one of the highlights of today’s official Nintendo presentation. While the price isn’t exactly anything to write home about, it’s not all that much more than the standard OLED model console (unless you buy it on sale anyway) and comes covered in a gorgeous Tears of the Kingdom-inspired paint job with golden Joy-Con. Head below for more details on when and where to pre-order the new Zelda Tears of the Kingdom OLED Switch console as well as a closer look at the new Pro Controller and Switch carrying case.
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Long have we waited, but The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom gameplay Direct showcase has arrived. Considering how close we are to release in mid-May now, this might very well be the final good look at the game we get before hand. There’s no way to know for sure, but with how long Nintendo has waited to actually show off a proper gameplay demo, this could be it. Head below to follow along with today’s Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom gameplay event and more.
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New Zelda Tears of the Kingdom gameplay is now officially on the way. Cutting it about as close as you could imagine, Nintendo has finally announced the long-awaited and expected Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Direct! The game is, as of right now, still expected to release on May 12, 2023 and Nintendo has now finally announced we will be getting a solid chunk of new gameplay tomorrow morning. Head below for more details on tomorrow’s new Zelda Tears of the Kingdom gameplay presentation.
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Today, the 2K Games in partnership with the LEGO Group is launching the latest brick-built video game. Hitting the road as something of a spiritual successor to the popular late ’90s game LEGO Racers, LEGO 2K Drive arrives with even more kart customization, co-op and online racing, and tons of courses to traverse when it launches on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X later this spring.
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As we reported just over a year ago, Nintendo will sadly be shutting down the Wii U and 3DS eShop for good very soon. This will leave a massive collection of games in limbo for folks that don’t scoop them up before Monday – a sad and inevitable eventuality for some digital media. You’d better grab the titles you want soon because the clock is ticking, and there’s no telling if some of these titles will ever be seen again in an official (or legal) manner.
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Tuesday is here and so are your daily Mac and iOS app deals. Joining this morning’s software price drop collection, we are also tracking discounts on the 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pros as well as the newer M2 model at up to $200 off, alongside everything else in our curated hub. As for the apps, highlight deals include titles like iWriter Pro, Swift Miles, Orderly, myDream Universe, Eastern Market Murder, ABBYY Business Card Reader Pro, and more. Head below for a closer look at today’s best Mac and iOS app deals.
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Microsoft is serving up some FREE Xbox demos for a host of unreleased games starting today. The 2023 Game Developers Conference, or GDC, kicked off in San Francisco today with the show’s usual awards and breadth of exhibitors. But Microsoft has a special treat for folks whether you can make it to the show proper or not in the way of some FREE Xbox demos to enjoy for the week. These are very early looks at unreleased titles, and you don’t need anything but an Xbox console to play them all week long without dropping a nickel. Head below for more details.
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Much like the iOS side of things, Google Play is now offering up a sizable collection of top-tier Android game and app deals for the holidays. Be sure to check out the ongoing offers on the SteelSeries Stratus Duo Android controller and Turtle Beach’s Switch-style Atom model as well as discounts on the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G and the Samsung Galaxy S22/+, but for now it’s all about the apps. We are tracking loads of amazing titles on sale including BATTLESHIP, One Deck Dungeon, Templar Assault RPG, Crying Suns, Heroes of Steel RPG, Terraforming Mars, Forager, and more. Head below for a complete look at all of today’s Android game and app deals.
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New Game Boy Switch Online titles have arrived. After finally introducing the Game Boy and Game Boy Advanced libraries to its Switch Online membership during the last full-on Nintendo Direct event (not the Super Mario Bros. movie event from last week), Nintendo has now already added some new titles to the mix. Earlier this month it brought 2002’s Metroid Fusion to the Game Boy Advanced lineup, and now it’s time for some upgrades to the base Game Boy library, alongside a couple new titles for the Super NES and NES collections. Head below for more details on the new Game Boy Switch Online titles and more.
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Today, Paradox Interactive and Colossal Order are announcing one final bout of Cities: Skylines DLC updates before it looks to retire the game at the end of the year. Before the game is sunset, you’ll get a lot of community content packs to add a few last-minute features to the iconic city builder before Cities: Skylines II hits the market. Ready to see what all will be coming to the game starting March 22? Let’s take a closer look below.
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Update: Our MAR10 roundup below has now been updated with all of the best Mario Day deals. You can expect even more to be coming down the pipeline in the coming hours but as of right now all of the Switch game price drops are live alongside this year’s console bundle and more. We have also now added some licensed Switch cases and controllers from PDP and PowerA alongside this year’s collection LEGO building kit deals. Everything is waiting down below and be sure to check back throughout the day for more of the best Mario Day 2023 deals.
Mario Day 2023, or as it is affectionately known MAR10, has officially arrived! Mario day lands on March 10 every year and marks Nintendo’s annual celebration of its world-famous mustached hero. This year’s celebration includes everything from various in-person activities throughout the month of March to some fantastic deals on a wide range of first-party Nintendo games, a two-part eShop sale, a special Nintendo Switch console bundle, and more. But that’s just on the official Nintendo side of things, we are also expecting (and already seeing) plenty of third-party Mario Day deals on LEGO kits, Switch accessories, and collectibles as well. Head below to find all of the most notable Mario Day 2023 deals as they come in across the next 24 hours.
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The official Mario Day Switch console bundle was announced last week and is scheduled to go live today. This year’s hardware bundle is officially known as the Nintendo Switch Mario Choose One Bundle and will go live at various retailers today for $300 shipped. It includes the all-red Joy-Con controllers alongside your choice of one free Mario game download (Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe) as well as a sticker pack from the upcoming Super Mario Bros Movie. This, unfortunately, is not the newer OLED model console, but rather the latest-generation standard model, but is also a more affordable proposition for folks still looking to grab a console because of it. Head below for more details.
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We have spotted a number of notable deals on collectible gaming books representing a range of popular franchises as well as some coming just in time for the release of The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom. One notable standout here is the hardcover The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia for $20.66once you clip the on-page coupon. Shipping is free for Prime members or in orders over $25. Regularly $40, it more typically sits in the $26 range and is now at the lowest price we can find. This is within cents of our previous mention and a great time to land the 328-page Zelda lore book. It details a “comprehensive collection of enemies and items, potions to poes, an expansion of the lore touched upon in Hyrule Historia, concept art, screencaps, maps, main characters and how they relate, languages, and much, much more.” Head below for additional deals.
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The Starfield release date has finally been announced, and we can expect a full-on showcase for the game in just a few month’s time now. But today, the folks at Bethesda have released a “Starfield: Official Launch Date Announcement” to keep eager fans on their toes and to give folks a little something to look forward to before the #StarfieldDirect event on Sunday, June 11. Head below for more details.
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Following the launch of the new Stellar Shift model from last month, Microsoft is unveiling its new green Xbox controller today. Alongside the new Velocity Green wireless gamepad, there is also a matching green controller charger from Razer and an official hoodie on tap here today as well. Joining the flat base colorways like Shock Blue, Pulse Red, Deep Pink, and Electric Volt, the new green Xbox controller is now available for purchase directly from Microsoft along with the matching hoodie. Head below for a closer look and more details.
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Update 3/10: The Mario Day 2023 deals have officially begun and you will find everything waiting in our Mario day hub right here.
Mario Day game deals are scheduled to start going live today! While MAR10 proper won’t start until later this week on Friday, physical game deals in celebration of the mustached hero should be kicking off today. Last week, Nintendo unleashed an official press release for the 2023 Mario Day festivities, detailing loads of price drops, a Nintendo Switch Mario Choose One console bundle, an eShop sale, and a series of activities running all month long. While the console bundle isn’t scheduled to go live until later this week, we should be seeing some big-time physical Switch game deals hit today (if they aren’t already) and quite possibly the Mario Kart Live Home Circuit kits. Head below for more details.
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Just ahead of Mario Day 2023, Nintendo has announced Metroid Fusion will be the first addition to the new Game Boy Advanced Nintendo Switch Online library. As part of the first Nintendo Direct showcase of the year – there’s another one hitting next week just for the upcoming Super Mario Bros. movie – Nintendo dished up the latest footage on the highly-anticipated Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom (here’s how to score a deal on your pre-order), but it also announced the long-awaited arrival of Game Boy titles to its online library. And now, not even a month later, the first new title to hit the collection has been announced as Metroid Fusion is slated to land on March 9, 2023. Head below for more details.
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We now have the official details for the annual MAR10 Mario Day celebrations. Every year on March 10, Nintendo celebrates its most famous character with sales on games, special activities, console bundles, and 2023 is no exception. Last year’s event delivered on some serious Switch game deals (Mario titles and otherwise), Mario Kart Home Circuit, a range of third-party gaming accessories, toys, and LEGO kits, just for starters and Nintendo has now taken to its official site to announce what folks can expect this year. Head below for more details.
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Update: As promised below, the new custom LeBron James PlayStation 5 gear, including the LeBron James Limited Edition PS5 Console Cover and the Limited Edition DualSense Wireless Controller, will go up for pre-order on Thursday via direct.playstation.com ahead of the July 27 launch date. More details below.
Sony has now taken to its official blog to announce its new LeBron James PlayStation accessories. With four championships on the shelf and after becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, LeBron is now linking up with PlayStation once again for some specially-designed PS5 accessories. As part of the PlayStation Playmakers program, today Sony is announcing “a limited edition PlayStation 5 console cover and DualSense wireless controller collaboratively designed with PlayStation Playmaker, sports icon, philanthropist, entrepreneur (and part-time God of War), LeBron James.” Head below for a closer look and more details.
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Xbox and Lucasfilm are teaming up on some new Mandalorian and Grogu Xbox gear. The Mandalorian and Baby Yoda are making a triumphant return for season 3 of the hit Disney TV series starting today and Xbox is looking to celebrate the occasion with some custom consoles, controllers, and more, as you can see above. This gear won’t be getting an official release on store shelves by the sounds of it, so you’ll want to head below for more details on how to add it to your collection.
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Friday afternoon’s best Android game and app deals are now up for the taking down below the fold. Alongside today’s Google Play software offers we are still tracking deep deals on OnePlus 10T 5G, the 256GB Pixel 7 Pro, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, and even more in our Android discount hub. As for the apps, highlight offers include titles like Dwarf Journey, Net Signal Pro, Galaxy Genome [Space Sim], Doom & Destiny Worlds, Masters Gallery by Reiner Kniz, and much more. Head below for a complete look at today’s best Android game and app deals.
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If you’re a Forza Horizon 5 fan, then you’ll love the announcement Microsoft made this week. Rally Adventure, the racing game’s latest DLC, is coming on March 29. You’ll travel to Sierra Nueva, explore six new biomes, and plow through an “entirely smashable” Palm Forest. Are you ready to build a rally machine using all-new parts in Forza Horizon 5’s Rally Adventure? Keep reading if this is something you can’t wait to race into.
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It’s time for some new PS5 games and more of what’s on the way for the just-released PS VR2. It has been a busy week in the world of PlayStation to say the least, but we aren’t finished just yet. PlayStation VR 2 finally released this week, the new DualSense Edge pro controller is now live at Amazon and other retailers (here’s our hands-on review), and the next State of Play starts right now (4 p.m. ET) featuring new PS5 games, PS VR2 titles, and more. Head below to follow along.
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After being officially unveiled back in late summer 2022, the DualSense Edge professional gamepad made it out into the wild earlier this year. From its public debut, right through the pre-order phase and then right up until now, PlayStation’s very first pro controller has only ever been available via the brand’s online storefront – but all that changes today according to Sony. Head below for more details.
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PlayStation VR2 launch day has finally arrived! The latest iteration of PlayStation’s VR system is officially launching worldwide today. It has been a long time coming for Sony’s next-generation PS VR2 system. After being officially unveiled almost two years ago now for the first time, we got our first look at the headset in February 2022 and now, exactly one year later, PlayStation VR2 has finally landed. Head below for more details.
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Now less than 24 hours from the official launch of its next generation virtual reality gaming system, Sony has detailed ten new PS VR2 games. Just before launching its extensive VR2 FAQ and releasing the first official unboxing video, Sony took to its official PlayStation Blog to detail what we thought would essentially be the finalized launch window game lineup for the system. However, it now appears as though it wasn’t quite done yet with the announcement of ten new PS VR2 games this morning. Head below for more details.
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Update: Amazon’s official “For sale in North America” listing for the new SEGA Genesis Mini 2 console is now down at $89.20 with the usual $21.99 delivery fee. Regularly $100, this is the lowest price we have ever tracked on the latest model, so jump in now while you can. This is the official way to score one in the US (details on that below).
As you might know from our launch coverage back at the beginning of June, a new SEGA Genesis Mini console is on the way. Officially known as the SEGA Genesis Mini 2 or Mega Drive Mini 2 in Japan, it was unclear whether or not the new miniature console would make its way stateside. But it now appears it will indeed begin shipping here come later this fall with pre-order listings already live on Amazon (more on that below). Head below for more details on the new SEGA Genesis Mini 2, which is scheduled to begin shipping in late October of this year.
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It’s now time to look at some Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe pre-order deals and more. After first being unveiled back during September’s Nintendo Direct and then shown off again during last week’s event, we are now just over a week away from the release of Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe. An enhanced remake of the original 2011 Wii title, folks will be returning to Dream Land with the titular character starting next Friday, but we are already tracking some notable pre-order deals, the now live FREE demo, a brand new trailer, and more. Head below for a closer look and how to score the new Kirby remake at well below MSRP right now.
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Today, Cities: Skylines Remastered is finally available on Xbox Series X|S with all of its enhancements. Aiming to provide a “better optimized and more fun game experience” for console players, the latest Cities: Skylines is sure to bring hours of fun to your gaming setup. Delivering 25 buildable tiles, which is 16 more than what’s available on Xbox One, there’s also the addition of a quick selection tool, improved user experience, and updated snapping options available. Ready to build the city of your dreams? Keep reading to find out more.
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Ahead of the PlayStation VR2 launch next week, Sony has now launched the PlayStation Plus Festival of Play. In celebration of its PS Plus members, Sony is kicking off what is essentially a month worth of activities, including everything from deep deals on digital games via PSN, some digital collectibles, free game trials, a chance to win a Sony Bravia XR OLED TV, free multiplayer action, and more. You’ll want to head below for a complete breakdown of the highlights going live starting today.
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Well, we’re over a month into 2023, and there’s some new Minecraft news to enjoy. If you’re not sure what to expect from Minecraft 1.20, be sure to check out our coverage from October that digs into what is coming in the latest edition of Minecraft. However, we now have more information on at least three of the new aspects of the incoming update including details on the new sniffer mob, cherry blossom biome, and archeology. Keep reading to learn more.
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We are now just a couple weeks away from this month’s official PlayStation VR2 release. As Sony begins to ramp up coverage of its latest VR platform in preparation, it has now detailed the launch window games alongside the reveal of 13 new titles and, most recently, issues an extensive FAQ to answer any questions you might still have about the system and more. While we have gotten a good look at the headset and Sense controllers previously, Sony has now taken to its official PlayStation Blog to officially unbox the machine for the first time. Head below for a closer look.
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Late yesterday afternoon, Nintendo hosted its first major Direct presentation of the year and we are already tracking some notable Zelda Tears of the Kingdom pre-order deals. Alongside the launch of Game Boy titles on Switch Online, the world premiere of Pikmin 4 gameplay and much more, Nintendo showed off the latest trailer and gameplay footage for what could arguably be the biggest release in Switch history with Tears of the Kingdom. As official physical pre-order listings begin to go live at various retailers, we have also spotted a notable way to actually land the new Zelda game at a discount from official, trusted channels. Head below for more details.
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Game Boy Switch Online games are now officially a thing. As part of today’s exciting Nintendo Direct presentation, where we got a brand new trailer for The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, Nintendo officially added Game Boy and Game Boy Advanced titles to its Switch Online library. While much of the collection is already available now, some of it is also locked behind the Expansion pack membership. Head below for more details and the games now live on the service.
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Well, the day has finally arrived and the first major Nintendo Direct of 2023 is just minutes away from beginning. After rumors suggested we would be seeing the first Nintendo Direct of the year this week, it was officially confirmed yesterday morning when Nintendo took to its Twitter feed to announce today’s 5 p.m. ET start time. The show is about to start in just a few minutes from now so get ready and follow along down below.
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The upcoming Minecraft Legends game from Mojang and Blackbird Interactive is said to be “not your normal strategy game.” But what is it? The game launches on April 18 for Xbox, PC, Switch, and PlayStation, offering a “very new twist on the genre,” with features that I’m honestly looking forward to as I dig more into the Minecraft world. Sure, Legends is a PvP version of the beloved game, but there’s a lot to like about the launch. Sound intriguing? Keep reading to learn more.
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