Games

Over the weekend, Call of Duty released a community update as a “Warzone special briefing for our players.” Today marks the launch of Season Two for Call of Duty Vanguard and the current Warzone, so we’ll also take a look at that as well. However, we’re going to focus on the upcoming Call of Duty and Warzone launch slated for later this year, which Infinity Ward is leading the helm of development. So, what all can we expect from the 2022 release of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2? Well, let’s break down the latest blog post to find out.

You can now download the official EarthBound Player’s Guide from Nintendo. While there’s still no Mother 3 to speak of, Nintendo did bring the beloved EarthBound and EarthBound Beginnings to its Switch SNES and NES Online libraries for subscribers. This was easily one of the most exciting bits from a Nintendo Direct filled with notable announcements – new Mario Kart 8 courses, Switch Sports, and more – and it has now made the legendary EarthBound Player’s Guide available to all. More details below. 

The past few weeks have been pretty busy in Call of Duty news. We got word that Infinity Ward would be making the next game in the series, and that Microsoft plans to keep the game on PlayStation after the existing agreement expires. But, something we haven’t taken a look at yet is Microsoft’s president, Brad Smith, who gave an interview to CNBC. A lot of information came out of the interview, but what caught our eye is the fact that Brad mentioned Nintendo specifically… but does that mean Call of Duty on Switch could become a reality?

Update: Walmart is now throwing in an extra free exclusive steel water bottle with pre-orders on physical copies of Nintendo’s upcoming Switch Sports title at $49.99 – the same price pre-orders sell for at Amazon and elsewhere without the bottle. 

It has been a big month for Nintendo fans after an exciting Direct presentation, a series of upcoming Mario Kart 8 courses, and more, but now it’s time to dive into the new Switch Sports. As a sequel to the best-selling Nintendo game of all-time, Wii Sports, Nintendo is looking to re-capture some of the magic from its motion-controlled blockbuster from way back in 2006 with an updated version for its current-generation hardware. After selling well over 82 million copies, and now that Switch has finally overtaken the console it was made for in sales, it seems a fitting time for Switch sports to make a triumphant return. Head below for more details on the upcoming title, how to play it early, and more details on how to score the leg strap.

Well, the first Nintendo Direct presentation of the year has arrived with the new Switch games set to hit in the first half of the year. As we mentioned in our announcement coverage, Nintendo is scheduling around 40 minutes of straight updates and preview looks at what’s to come between now and, presumably, June of 2022. While it’s hard to say what exactly Nintendo will be showing off when it comes to new Switch games, Kirby and the Forgotten Land and quite possibly more of Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp will likely be on the docket. Although it’s the surprises that have us most excited, the guessing game is over now so head below to follow along with today’s Nintendo Direct presentation. 

Today, Microsoft announced that it doesn’t plan to make Call of Duty an Xbox exclusive and plans to keep the game on PlayStation past the existing agreement and “into the future.” This comes on the heels of Vanguard and Warzone’s Season Two announcement yesterday and the news last week of the upcoming Call of Duty game being made by Infinity Ward. There’s a lot to unpack here, so without further ado, let’s dive in.

While some folks are still trying to get their hands on Sony’s latest-generation of gaming, PS5 voice command support is on the way. The new “Hey PlayStation” feature will be available as part of the latest beta test for Sony’s hard-to-get home console starting today, alongside a host of additional features. Today’s rollout marks the second major PS5 software beta and essentially the first time participants will see the PS5 voice command support in play. Head below for additional details. 

The next Nintendo Direct has now been confirmed. The house of Mario will launch the next Nintendo Direct tomorrow afternoon with a string of details on the latest batch of new Nintendo Switch games on the way. This will mark the first Nintendo Direct presentation of 2022 and will give us a good look at what seem to be just titles that will be launching in the first half of the year. Head below for more details. 

With Apex Legends Defiance launching tomorrow, it’s time to take a more in-depth look at the changes we’ll see around Olympus as well as what to expect from the battle pass this season. Olympus will have an all-new look thanks to Mad Maggie, who’s responsible for the “sudden drop in altitude” for the normally airborne city. So, what all has changed in Olympus? Let’s take a closer look.

It’s that time of year again. The current Call of Duty is a few months old, and it’s now time to set our eyes on what’s to come at the end of the year. Truth be told, Call of Duty Vanguard hasn’t been a well-loved title by the community. In fact, in Activision’s fourth quarter earnings report, they started that both console and PC sales have declined year-over-year, showing lower “premium” sales of Vanguard verses Black Ops Cold War, which launched the year prior. Also, lower engagement in Warzone needs to be addressed. To combat this, Activision, which is being purchased by Microsoft, has once again turned to the Infinity Ward team to see if they can turn things around for the next Call of Duty installment.

KontrolFreek – makers of those popular controller thumbsticks and other gaming accessories – is reintroducing its CQC (close quarters combat) model with some modern enhancements today. The KontrolFreek thumb grip attachments are essentially risers for your gamepad that provide extra grip on the thumb-controlled joysticks for better grip and a more conformable experience overall. Today, the brand is bringing back its “OG” model to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the CQC Performance Thumbsticks release. Head below for a closer look. 

The next Grand Theft Auto game is on the way! GTA 6 is now confirmed to be in development. Anytime developer Rockstar makes a move it is an important one, but there’s nothing quite like the excitement behind the next entry in the Grand Theft Auto series. Speculation has been running wild for more than a while now on where Rockstar would take the series next, and while things are still under wraps, the storied developer has just confirmed GTA 6 (or whatever it will be called) is indeed in the works. More details below. 

Horizon Forbidden West launches on February 18, and we just got a closer look at the upcoming game in an all-new trailer. The accompanying blog post gives us a “sneak peek at the massive variety of amazing things to do” in the Forbidden West, which includes gear, upgrades, activities, and “much more.” After watching the trailer a few times, I’ve gotta say, it has plenty of Skyrim vibes with a robotic twist, and I’m not even more excited for the Forbidden West launch.

Sales reports put the Switch as the best-selling Nintendo console ever. While it seems as though, mostly due to COVID-19 and subsequent shipping shortages industry-wide, that console sales would be much lower than normal – and to some degree they are, but the Switch has surpassed Nintendo’s juggernaut Wii sales numbers according to the latest numbers. After Xbox Series S had a strong holiday season last year and Sony looking to put another million PS4 consoles out in the wild this year to make up for a lack of its latest machines, the latest Switch sales numbers clock in at 103.54 million since its launch back in 2017, making it the best-selling Nintendo console ever. More details below. 

While we saw the latest Apex Legends season, Defiance, teased twice last week, we finally have detailed information on the new Control LTM as well as what Mad Maggie’s abilities will be. Control looks to be a very unique game mode that’s 9v9 and has infinite respawns. Mad Maggie is poised to be an interesting addition to the Apex Games as well, with some pretty powerful abilities. Curious to learn more? Head below to find out all the details we have on the upcoming Apex Legends Defiance season.

Your Pokémon Legends Arceus delivery is likely already (or about to be) on its way so you can jump into the Hisui region as soon as possible today. Pokémon Legends Arceus launch day orders will be arriving at homes across the US at any time now, so you can finally explore the Hisui area of the Sinnoh region like never before. While not all pre-orders of Pokémon Legends Arceus will arrive today, many of them will, especially the digital copies, and it won’t be long before you start building out the region’s very first Pokédex and lay eyes on the game’s legendary Arceus Pokémon for the first time on your own display. If you haven’t yet ordered your copy, you’ll find the best prices below, along with some of the game’s themed accessories and more waiting for you. 

Announced earlier this week, Apex Legends Defiance is launching on February 8 with mad Maggie. We only really got a bit of backstory on why Mad Maggie was being sent to the Apex Games, but not a whole lot of information besides that. The Defiance launch trailer is finally here and it’s nearly three minutes long, filled with glimpses of Olympus, some peeks at what Mad Maggie’s abilities could be, and fun quips between the characters. Let’s take a closer look below.

Have you ever wanted to play a proper AAA Boba Fett game starring the bounty hunter himself? Us too, but after Star Wars 1313 was cancelled years ago our dreams drifted out in to a galaxy far, far away. Not only did we just recently get some light details on what Respawn is working on next – a new Jedi Fallen Order game alongside what sounds like an upcoming first-person shooter set in the world’s most famous sci-fi universe – some interesting footage of that unreleased Star Wars 1313 game you might remember has surfaced. Head below to take a look for yourself. 

Crysis is a franchise for the ages. Back in April 2020, we got our first glimpse at Crysis Remastered, a complete reimagining of the fabled title that originally was released 15 years ago. However, Crysis Remastered didn’t truly bring any new content, instead, it just refreshed what already was. The Crytek team is ready to change that up though, as a Crysis 4 is now under development. The current title is still a work-in-progress, but at the same time, it would remain in line with the other games that have been released. What all do we know about Crysis 4? Head below for more details.

Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order is probably one of the best story-based games released in the fictional universe in the past few years. I’ve enjoyed plenty of play time in the title, but it’s time for the next story to be worked on. Announced today, Respawn, the same team behind Jedi Fallen Order, is working on the next game in the franchise. On top of that, the team is also designing a Star Wars FPS as well as a strategy game – that’s three titles from a fan-favorite Respawn development team in partnership with EA and Lucasfilm. While we don’t know everything that these games will be, we have more details on today’s announcements below.

It’s that time again. February will introduce a new season in Apex Legends, this time dubbed Defiance. “Madness takes control” is the tagline here, and that madness comes in the form of Mad Maggie. We’ve heard Mad Maggie’s voice lines throughout the Apex Games before, but it’s time for her to finally make a debut as a playable character. In addition to Mad Maggie, we’re also getting a new limited-time mode and refreshed Olympus map. What else is in store? Let’s take a closer look.

The new Pokémon game releases this week and Nintendo just dropped a lengthy six-minute overview trailer to go along with it. Pokémon Legends: Arceus has to be one of the most anticipated Switch titles of the year, and we are just days away from the official launch date this Friday. This is the next main line RPG in the series, and the first truly new Pokémon game we have seen since Sword and Shield released back in 2019 – the Shining Pearl and Brilliant Diamond remakes launched at the tail end of last year. Head below for a closer look at today’s new Pokémon Legends: Arceus – Overview Trailer. 

While everyone is still digesting the Microsoft Activision acquisition – and whether or not Call of Duty will end up an Xbox exclusive – a new Lunar New Year Xbox console has been in the lab. Microsoft is celebrating the Year of the Tiger with a (very) limited edition Xbox Series S console decked out in special edition artwork for the Lunar New Year, but it will not be easy to get one. Nonetheless, you’ll still want to head below to check out the red and gold design. 

The Steam Deck portable PC gaming system launches next month, and Valve is currently in the process of reviewing essentially every title on Steam for compatibility. A few days ago, some games were being updated with a “Steam Deck Compatibility” score ranging from one to four to determine whether the game is unpayable, barely playable, playable, or verified to work well. Some games like Death Stranding are verified, while others like Subnautica are just listed as “playable.” In all, SteamDB shows under 100 titles with this tag so far, but what does this mean for the Steam Deck?

Update: Nintendo took to its official Twitter feed late last night to unveil the February 25, 2022 Legend of Zelda Majora’s Mask Online release date. You can check out the announcement trailer below.

The Zelda Majora’s Mask Switch Online release is coming next month. While it was unclear how often Nintendo would update the somewhat controversial Expansion Pack tier of its Switch Online game library, the announcements are starting to hit. After adding five new titles to the SEGA Genesis side of things back in December, earlier this week it announced Banjo-Kazooie would be making its triumphant return to Nintendo platforms as part of its more expensive Expansion Pack (now available with more details right here). Quickly following that launch, Nintendo took to its official Twitter account to reveal the next game coming to the service, the beloved Legend of Zelda Majora’s Mask. More details below. 

After being initially announced in 2019, and then delayed indefinitely on April 5 of last year, we finally have an official release date for LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. The game will make its way to all Xbox One and newer platforms, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, and PC on April 5 of 2022. What all can we expect from the latest LEGO Star Wars release? Let’s take a closer look below.

Will Call of Duty be an Xbox exclusive? And what about the rest of the Activision Blizzard titles that are now nestled in Microsoft’s growing stable? These are some of the biggest questions gamers are pondering after Microsoft announced it was going to be dishing out the cash equivalent of $68.7 billion to absorb the Activision Blizzard conglomerate earlier this week. After suggesting some of the big Bethesda franchises would soon be locked to its gaming platforms, Microsoft might very well do the same thing with Activision Blizzard’s most popular IP as well. Although, Sony has now taken to the airwaves to offer gamers less-than-confident assurance that won’t be the case. More details below. 

Banjo-Kazooie is set to make a not so triumphant return to Nintendo hardware this week. While it has been years since we saw a proper Banjo title on a Nintendo system, this one will be coming as part of the arguably controversial Nintendo 64 Switch Online library that is locked behind the Expansion Pack paywall. While some gamers were a little bit salty over the more pricey online tier, Nintendo is indeed bringing Banjo-Kazooie to its N64 Switch Online this week. Head below for more details. 

Microsoft is about to buy Activision Blizzard. In Microsoft’s continued attempt at global gaming domination, and after spending a small country’s fortune on Bethesda, it is about to fork out the equivalent in $68.7 billion to acquire Activision Blizzard. This transaction, according to today’s press release, will make Microsoft “the world’s third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony.” Activision Blizzard has had its fair share of issues in the press as of late, but Microsoft is looking at the bigger picture for gamers here and will now absorb what appears to be all of the company’s major gaming franchises in the process. More details below. 

For the first time in 20 years, we’re getting a new Dune RTS game. Based around Frank Herbert’s Dune universe, Dune Spice Wars will be a real-time strategy game that has 4X elements. While we don’t know the exact pricing yet, nor the release date, the developers released an FAQ over the weekend to answer some questions that the community posed after the title was announced last month. So, what will Dune Spice Wars be? Let’s take a closer look.

We are getting another look at what will presumably be the soon-to-be officially announced Starfield Smartwatch. Starfield is the next big RPG from Bethesda – think Elder Scrolls in space, but likely even bigger – that’s set for release at the end of the year and now looks as though it might very well have a real-world companion smartwatch to go along with the experience. We seemingly caught a brief glimpse of the Starfield Smartwatch back in summer 2021 as part the “Into the Starfield: The Journey Begins” video Bethesda released to hype up its next open-world experience, but new details have recently surfaced with an even better look and more information on what is hopefully more than just a game-branded smartwatch. Head below for more. 

Some Kirby 30th anniversary content is on the way from Nintendo. This year marks the adorable little guy’s 30th year as everyone’s favorite pink gaming mascot after debuting way back in 1992 with Kirby’s Dream Land on the Game Boy. After launching a slew of new content for Mario’s 35th anniversary back in September of 2020 (including a new Mario battle royale game, the Super Mario 3D All-Stars Collection, and a new Game & Watch-style handheld), Nintendo has already started the festivities for Kirby with some deals and freebies. Head below for a closer look. 

The HITMAN Trilogy is finally complete, and the team now wants everyone to have many different ways to explore the World of Assassination. The collection includes all three games in a single package, which makes it easier than ever before to become Agent 47. While the game is launching on PlayStation, the real ticket here is the fact that HITMAN Trilogy is coming to Xbox and PC through Game Pass, which means existing subscribers will be able to play without any additional purchases. What all does the HITMAN Trilogy include? Let’s take a closer look.

Forever Skies is an all-new first-person sci-fi action survival game from a team of ex AAA developers with “survival not guaranteed.” The team consists of 20 or more developers and the title has been secretly worked on for the past two years. In Forever Skies, you play as a scientist who returns to Earth after it was destroyed by a global ecological disaster, flying in a high-tech airship as you seek to expand, rebuild, and repair it. What else will you be doing in Forever Skies? Let’s take a closer look below.

We learned recently that Sony has decided, despite previous statements, to continue production on PS4 through 2022 while Microsoft has officially ceased all production on its previous generation Xbox One consoles. It would appears that Sony has decided to continue building its last-generation consoles in support of what has been a complete nightmare trying to score its new PS5 hardware, but Microsoft seems confident enough in its Series X/S SKUs to have completely shuttered all production of the Xbox One machines. Head below for more details. 

Today, Ubisoft and Nintendo announced that the one of the most iconic Assassin’s Creed collections is coming to Switch on February 17. The Collection consists of all the games that Ezio stars in, including Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations. Ezio is the “most celebrated and iconic Assassin” in the franchise according to Ubisoft, and the game’s release is more than just a port as it offers Switch-exclusive features. So without further ado, let’s dive into the details of the release for Assassin’s Creed Ezio Collection on Nintendo Switch.

It’s time to take a look at Pokémon Legends Arceus pre-order deals, the latest details on the game, and some of the retailer bonuses. The long-awaited next entry in the Pokémon RPG series is some two weeks away from release, and we are starting to see some notable price drops available for folks looking to save a buck or two on what will likely be one of those Nintendo Switch games that rarely goes on sale. We also got a new trailer this week teasing some new creatures and the game’s crafting system, beyond what we already knew. Hit the jump for a closer look. 

Today, we are taking a look at the new black and white Switch controllers and travel case from PDP. Designed to match the latest model OLED Switch console that ships in black and white, the new controllers and travel pouch are the latest additions to its Faceoff Deluxe+, Rock Candy, and OLED Edition case collections with a release date set for later this month. Now up for pre-order on Amazon, anyone looking for a black and white Switch controller and case to match that new OLED Switch you scored over the holidays will want to take a closer look down below. 

1Password is easily among the best password manager systems out there — it essentially provides a secure system with which all of your personal passwords are stored and offers up a single, easy to remember pass so you can login in anywhere in seconds. I use it everyday and don’t really know what I would do without it. If you haven’t signed up yet, new users can do so at 50% off for the first year, making now a wonderful time to make your life much easier than it likely already it is without one of these handy password manager systems. Head below for the details. 

A new Mario Kart game is apparently in the works at Nintendo. Recent reports suggest a new Mario Kart Switch game, or Mario Kart 9 as it will likely be called, is on the way and is already in development at Nintendo. Considering the franchise has long since been one of the most popular, well-received, and best-selling titles on just about every gaming platform Nintendo has put out over the last decade or more, it’s probably about time anyway. Nintendo has heavily relied on titles outside of the Mushroom Kingdom like Animal Crossing most recently to drive sales, but it sounds like Mario’s latest console is about to get a whole new racing circuit soon. 

For its first major event of 2022, Apex Legends is breaking its norm and releasing a new map…mid-season? That’s right, in the middle of the Storm Point season, we’re getting the Habitat map as part of the Apex Legends Dark Depths Flash Event. It’s for Arenas and looks quite interesting. With two primary POIs and plenty of choices to make from the start, will you be diving into Habitat and Dark Depths tomorrow? The event runs through February 1, so there are only a few weeks to take advantage of this limited-time event. Keep reading for more details.

GameStop is now offering pre-orders on the First 4 Figures The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Hylian Shield Statue at $71.99 shipped. Down from the regular $80, this is the lowest price we have tracked on the GameStop exclusive standard edition model that is now $38 below the exclusive edition we featured back in December. This epic Zelda collectible measures about 11.5-inches tall and sits atop a magnetic pedestal to display it in all its glory. The PVC statue can easily be removed from the stand when you need to block some guardian lasers and includes a First 4 Figures collectible leaflet. Head below for more details. 

Earlier this week, Microsoft and Ubisoft teamed up to announce the game studio’s first major release of 2022, Rainbow Six Extraction, would be launching day one for Xbox Game Pass subscribers on console, PC, and the cloud. On top of this unprecedented launch, Ubisoft is also releasing its Ubisoft+ subscription on Xbox as a separate service which offers many of the company’s famed titles. What all does this launch include, and could it be hinting at a bigger partnership in the future? Let’s take a closer look

We’re now diving into all of Tuesday’s best deals on Mac and iOS apps. Pairing nicely with the collection of official iPhone 13 cases that went on sale today, we have a list of apps down below for decking out your new smartphone. Highlights include titles like Doom & Destiny Advanced, myDream Universe, ALTER EGO COMPLEX, Groove Rider GR-16, and more. Head below the fold for a closer look at today’s best deals on Mac and iOS apps. 

In today’s best game deals, Amazon is offering Dying Light Platinum Edition for Nintendo Switch at $29.99 shipped. Matched at Best Buy. Down from its normal going rate of $50 and our last mention of $35, today’s deal marks a new all-time low that we’ve tracked. This is the latest version of the “award-winning” game that also includes all all DLCs and add-ons for the ultimate experience. You’ll be in an infected world where only the strongest make it, having to master combat skills and fight monsters on all fronts, both human and the undead. Unique mechanics are also present here, allowing you to parkour from rooftop to rooftop, create your own weapons, and help other survivors. Head below for the rest of today’s best game deals including Red Dead Redemption 2, Riders Republic, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered, Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles, WWE 2K Battlegrounds Digital Deluxe, and much more.