Games

Retro Games — the company responsible for the TheC64 Commodore 64 Mini console — is at it again with its new THEA500 Amiga mini console. More specifically, the upcoming Retro Games THEA500 Mini is essentially “a fully licensed re-imagining of the much-loved 16-bit home computer,” featuring 25 classic Amiga games alongside the ability for users to “side-load” games via a USB stick. Head below for a closer look, more details, and the launch window. 

If you’re still waiting for GPU prices to come down, or next-generation consoles to come back in stock, then it’s possible you’re not able to play some of the latest AAA games how they were intended to be enjoyed just yet. Sure, AMD’s latest CPUs with built-in Radeon graphics can help hold you over, but that’s not a perfect solution, either. Well, Microsoft has finally announced that Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) is available for Windows 10 PCs if you’re in the Insider program. This is ready to use for those with Game Pass Ultimate, which includes access to the service. So, what’s available to play as part of Xbox Cloud Gaming, and how can you sign up? Let’s take a closer look.

Recently, the Night School Studio team announced that its latest game, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, is not only coming to PC and Switch, but also PlayStation. As a sequel to the beloved game Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, you’ll continue the story started back in 2016, this time following Riley Poverly, who’s “grappling with the repercussions of post-adolescence” as she’s made choices that she might end up regretting. “Is she who she really wants to be?” Let’s take a closer look at what we can expect from Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, coming to PlayStation, PC, and Nintendo Switch in 2022.

An original copy of Super Mario Bros. has just sold for a whopping $2 million, according to reports. That completely destroys the previous record-holder — a sealed copy of Super Mario 64 that went for $1.56 million just last month — for the most a video game like this has ever sold for. Head below for more details.  

Battlefield 2042’s October release is drawing closer, and EA has announced to limited gamers that six playtest sessions will launch between August 12 and August 15. Not only that, but we also received more information and details on the minimum and recommended requirements, so we’ll take a look at that to see how hard this game will be to run. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at what to expect from Battlefield 2042’s playtest and requirements.

With usable PS5 storage topping out at roughly 667GB, the 10 million lucky owners out there could be running low on space. While Gigabit internet connections and no data caps can pave the way for downloading on demand, arguably the best way to enjoy your library is to have it all stored locally. Thankfully, Sony had the foresight to allow NVMe storage upgrades. Until recently, use of PlayStation 5’s M.2 slot has been restricted by software, but that has started to change with a new beta program now available. Below, you’ll discover which NVMe options should be fast enough to properly expand PS5 storage.

Turtle Beach’s long-awaited Recon Controller is finally available for Xbox Series X and Series S. With quite a few features packed in, as well as easy access to audio controls, there’s quite a lot to love here. The 8-way D-pad and “smooth” thumbstick movement ensures that you’ll find plenty to love about Turtle Beach’s latest controller. What else does it deliver? Let’s take a closer look at the Turtle Beach Recon Wired Game Controller.

After seeing the new Electric Volt and Daystrike Camo editions hit back in March, Microsoft has now unveiled the new Aqua Shift Special Edition Wireless Xbox Controller. Just announced over o the official Xbox Twitter feed, the new Aqua Shift Special Edition features one of Microsoft’s most unique designs yet, not to mention some unique attributes you won’t find on the basic paint jobs we are used to seeing. Head below for a closer look and to lock in your pre-order. 

A new Waze Halo update adds Master Chief voice navigation and more in celebration of the upcoming release on Xbox. While the launch date for the anticipated Halo Infinite is still under wraps, Microsoft and developer 343 Industries are starting the marketing campaign, it would appear, and the latest has Master Chief helping you get to that dinner date and back. Head below for more details on the new Waze Halo update. 

If you’re one of the lucky 10 million folks that own a PlayStation 5, the new PowerA DualSense Twin Charging Station could be an accessory worth adding to your setup. Like Sony’s first-party solution, the new PowerA offering can refuel two DualSense controllers at once while also giving your setup a more tidy appearance. Instead of mimicking Sony and Hori solutions, PowerA’s new solution more closely resembles Nyko Charge Arc with two slots that allow the back of each controller to lean toward each other. Continue reading to learn more.

Tuesday, Apex Legend enters its 10th season with Emergence. Of course, there’s quite a bit new, including World’s Edge updates, Ranked Arenas, a new weapon, and Seer, the latest Legend to enter the game. Seer is a recon legend, and his abilities surround that quite well. While Seer might seem similar to Bloodhound on the surface, honestly, there’s quite a bit of difference here, so let’s take a closer look.

PlayStation 5 SSD access is kicking off today with the rollout of the PS5 software beta program. Alongside enhancements to the user interface, expanded 3D audio support, an upgraded Control Center interface, and more, users will can now access to M.2 SSD slot with third-party storage. Head below for a closer look at the PS5 software beta program and the PlayStation 5 SSD access. 

Launched yesterday, Tribes of Midgard lets you have the chance to “become a legendary hero of Norse mythology.” Coming in as a co-op action “surthrival” RPG, Tribes of Midgard is either a solo or team-based game, Tribes of Midgard offers many unique aspects. The world you play in is “bright, colorful, and procedurally generated” that gives players the ability to “endlessly explore its areas” as you aim to “create your own Viking adventure.” How does Tribes of Midgard play, what’s the goal, and how much is it? Well, let’s break it all down below the fold.

Sony has now unveiled the most recent PlayStation 5 sales numbers, and things are looking good — if you’re Sony and not some poor gamer that still can’t get one anyway. Sony has now revealed that PS5 continues to be its fastest-selling console in history despite sales numbers slowing over the last couple months and how difficult it even is to get one. As of July 18, 2021, Sony says it has now sold more than 10 million PlayStation 5 consoles, narrowly outpacing the PS4 predecessor by about a month. Read on for more details. 

Microsoft’s Flight Simulator 2020 launched last year on PC, and brought with it some truly realistic visuals. It was announced shortly after launch that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 would be making its way to Xbox at some point, and while many were excited, just as many were skeptical of its performance and graphical clarity. Well, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 launched today on Xbox and our first impressions are… wow! Honestly, I know how powerful the Series X is, but I never thought it would be this powerful. Let’s take a closer look.

Last month, we got our first quick look at the upcoming Simpsons arcade cabinet from the folks at Arcade1Up. And today, the brand has issued a new press release informing folks of pre-order information alongside even more details on the retro-style remake of the classic Simpsons machine. Players will take on the role of Homer, Marge, Bart, and Lisa this summer with pre-orders kicking off next month. Head below for more details and today’s first-look video.

It looks like we could be getting a new PlayStation 5 soon. Less than a year from its initial debut in November 2020, reports and new details from the official PlayStation site are pointing at what appears to be a new model revision of the all-digital PlayStation 5 with some slightly different specs. Details regarding the new PlayStation 5 were spotted in official documentation found on the Japanese PlayStation site alongside what appear to be official overseas retailer listings. Read on for more details. 

In today’s latest Xbox Wire post, we take a look at upcoming releases on Game Pass. While we’re still a week or so out from things like Flight Simulator 2020 launching on Xbox Game Pass, there are some titles available today as well. Whether you want to dive into Battlefield V through Xbox Cloud Gaming or take to the skies in Flight Simulator 2020, there are 12 total titles coming to Game Pass over the next week.

The new Nintendo Switch OLED pre-orders will be going live starting today at various retailers. Nintendo came out of nowhere at the beginning of the month to finally unveil the next iteration of its Switch hardware with the new OLED model in two colorways, matching accessories, and more. While it was still unclear at the time when listings would go live, we now know Nintendo Switch OLED pre-orders will be available starting today at 3 p.m. ET. Head below for details and quick links. 

As we finish up the Genesis event where the original Kings Canyon and World’s Edge maps returned, it’s time to take a look at what’s coming next for Apex Legends. This time around, we’re heading into Arenas with the Thrillseekers Event. Introducing a new Overflow Arenas map that delivers a never-before-seen POI as well as weekly reward tracks and cosmetics, this time around, things will be a bit different in the Apex Store. What’s changing? Keep reading to find out.

Sony is back again today with its next State of Play presentation — a series of live streams that showcase new and upcoming PlayStation games — featuring new Deathloop gameplay, indie titles, and more. After the Horizon Forbidden West State of Play back in May, Sony has made it quite clear we won’t be seeing any more of Guerilla’s upcoming open world epic, nor will the next God of War or next-generation PS VR details make an appearance, but we are expecting quite a “lengthy gameplay segment” from Bethesda’s upcoming time-bending FPS, Deathloop, among other things. It all starts now, and you can follow along down below. 

The new Assassin’s Creed game almost always gets leaked, and it looks like it just happened again. Except this time, it’s not necessarily a new Assassin’s Creed game in the traditional sense, but rather some kind of live service experience that appears to be codenamed Assassin’s Creed Infinity. As opposed to the franchise’s usual (mostly) single-player experience that takes gamers to a particular point in history, it sounds like the franchise is moving over to more of a live service setup with multiple games smashed together and regular updates to keep the experience fresh. Head below for more details. 

The new Monopoly Animal Crossing game board is now up for pre-order. After quickly appearing at Walmart and GameStop before being taken down (it still appears in some GameStop stores by the sounds of it), Entertainment Earth is now offering pre-orders on the new special edition Monopoly set at $24.99. While we await pre-order listings for the new Switch OLED console model Nintendo announced this morning, it looks like fans of its adorable island-building game world are now able to (legitimately) order the new Monopoly Animal Crossing Edition board game. More details below. 

Following Nintendo’s announcement of the Switch (OLED Model), we’re now taking a look at two upcoming games, with one launching today and the other coming sometime next year. Ubitus K.K. is a “world-leading cloud gaming provider” and today announced the release of A Plague Tale: Innocence – Cloud Version, as well as the upcoming launch of A Plague Tale: Requiem – Cloud Version coming sometime in 2022 to Nintendo Switch. Given that we saw no actual performance increase for the Switch (OLED Model), it’s evident that more demanding games like A Plague Tale and Hitman before it will continue to be the solution for portable gamers. What all comes with this release? Let’s take a closer look.

After years of speculation, Nintendo just took to its official Twitter feed to unveil the brand new Nintendo Switch OLED model. It is said to bring the “versatility of the Nintendo Switch experience with a vibrant 7-inch OLED screen, a wide adjustable stand, and more.” It is set for release on October 8, 2021. More details below.

Sony and Sucker Punch Games have taken to the official PlayStation Blog to announce the Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut. This is not just an updated version of the same game on PS4 and PS5 to bolster interest in the title a year after release, either. Alongside a host of enhancements for PlayStation 5, the Director’s Cut includes an entirely new island to explore as well as new missions and stories that take place there, and “some new updates that are a direct response to some of the community’s most-requested features.” Head below for all of the details. 

It looks like Sony is about to announce that it purchased Bluepoint Games — the studio behind the brilliant Demon’s Souls and Shadow of the Colossus remakes. While in the process of officially announcing its acquisition of developer Housemarque, some mix-ups on the PlayStation Japan Twitter account might have just accidentally unveiled the Bluepoint Games purchase as well. This doesn’t quite guarantee the upcoming Metal Gear Solid remake, but we can dream, can’t we? Head below for more details. 

The official Destiny Toaster is now a thing. During a summer 2020 charity event, developer Bungie announced that if fans helped it hit a certain benchmark, it would look into actually producing a Destiny toaster for the community, and that day has arrived. The new Destiny toaster is now available for pre-order on the Bungie Store, but it’s going to cost you more than you were hoping for. Head below for more details and a closer look. 

It’s that time of year again. EA SPORTS announced Madden NFL 22 earlier today with a full trailer and pre-orders opening. There’s an all-new Dynamic Gameday aspect, which will “impact gameplay across every mode.” EA says that Madden NFL 22 “will feel fresh with a deeper level of strategy and storytelling in each match-up and in each stadium.” So, what all does the latest Madden game have? Let’s take a closer look.

Microsoft today is relaunching the Xbox Design Lab. After announcing a temporary closure starting back in October 2020 to give it time to refresh the service as Xbox Series X/S launched, Microsoft took to the official Xbox Wire today to announce the relaunch of its bespoke Xbox controller program. Alongside some additional design options, this means the latest model Xbox wireless controllers can now be customized to your heart’s content, providing you’re willing to shell out the slight uncharge for doing so. Head below for all of the details. 

Welcome to the 9to5Toys best of E3 2021 roundup. After a year off in 2020, and with all of the major showcases behind us now, it’s time to catch up on the most exciting announcements from the (virtual) show floor at this year’s E3 conference. While, to some degree, it felt like some of the publishers weren’t quite ready to meet gamers’ demands when it comes to E3-level reveals, it was still quite a notable showing. From The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild 2 and Starfield to our first good look at Elden Ring, the new Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy game, a new 2D Metroid, and the “world’s most powerful” RTX 3080 14-inch laptop from Razer, it was quite an exciting four days’ worth of reveals and announcements. Head below for a full catch-up and our picks for the most anticipated announcements/reveals in the 9to5Toys best of E3 2021 roundup. 

It’s now time for the Nintendo E3 2021 game sale. The iconic game publisher just wrapped up its E3 presentation with the first gameplay footage of the Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild sequel (it releases in 2022), the new 2D Metroid Dread game, and much more. But now it’s time for today’s massive Nintendo E3 2021 game sale with “hundreds of titles” marked down to fill out your Switch library for the summer. Be sure to take advance of this Nintendo Switch Online deal and then head below for the Nintendo E3 2021 game sale.

Well, with Microsoft and Bethesda behind us now, it’s on to the main event: the Nintendo E3 2021 showcase. After confirming this year’s presentation earlier this month, we know we are in for 40-minutes of pure Nintendo Switch games and it all starts now. Be sure to catch up on our coverage of the all the biggest reveals in our E3 2021 hub, including last night’s notable Razer event that revealed ‘world’s most powerful’ RTX 3080 14-inch laptop (and much more), but it’s all about the Mushroom Kingdom and new Switch games right now. Head below for the Nintendo E3 2021 showcase. 

Welcome to day 3 of the world’s biggest gaming event and the Capcom E3 2021 presentation. Yesterday we caught the PC gaming show as well as the Guardians of the Galaxy title in the Square Enix showcase and the massive 90-minute long Xbox and Bethesda event. Before that we saw Ubisoft take the stage just after our first good look at Elden Ring, but it’s now time to hear what Capcom has brought to the virtual show floor this year. Head below to watch the Capcom E3 2021 presentation. 

It is now time for the Square Enix E3 2021 presentation. Hot on the heels of the massive Microsoft and Bethesda event that just wrapped up (new Starfield footage, 27 Game Pass titles, Forza Horizon 5, Halo Infinite, and more), it is now time to see what Square Enix has in store. You’ll want to catch up on the Ubisoft and Gearbox events from yesterday as well as the Summer Game Fest presentation that capped off with an Elden Ring reveal, but for now all eyes are focused on the future of gaming during the Square Enix E3 2021 showcase. It’s waiting for you down below. 

Welcome to the Microsoft Xbox E3 2021 showcase, Bethesda included: Halo Infinite, Fable, Elder Scrolls 6, Starfield, Indiana Jones, and more. Microsoft acquired the behemoth game publisher for an equally massive $7.5 billion last year, which should almost certainly make for a particularly special event today. We have already caught some major reveals and announcements this year, including Elden Ring, Rainbow Six Extraction and Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope alongside everything from yesterday’s Gearbox presentation. While we’ll have coverage of today’s big Square Enix show later this afternoon, for now it’s on to one of this year’s biggest events, the Xbox E3 2021 showcase, and it all starts now down below. 

E3 2021 is now in full swing with yesterday’s showcase (Elden Ring included), and Microsoft has now announced its second Summer Game Fest Demo event. Last year, as part of Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest promotion, Microsoft offered up loads of playable demos to its gamer base via the ID@Xbox Summer Game Fest Demo event, and it will be making a triumphant return again this year. Starting next week, there will be over 40 demos for gamers to try out, almost like being on the show floor at E3. Head below for more details. 

While the show proper doesn’t start until June 12, OtterBox is unofficially kicking off E3 2021 today with the announcement of its new Power Swap Controller Batteries. Officially part of the “Designed for Xbox program,” the OtterBox Power Swap Controller Batteries offer what the brand refers to as an “industry-first power solution for console and cloud gamers at E3” with uninterrupted gameplay time in a complete wire-free setup. Head below for a closer look. 

E3 2021 is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, June 12, but we will actually be getting some major presentations well before that, including today’s Summer Game Fest showcase. Hosted by video game personality Geoff Keighley, Summer Game Fest initially started last year as a sort of replacement for the cancelled E3 2020 event and has transformed into what will presumably be a yearly summer celebration of gaming. This year it’s showing up to E3 2021 with a host of its own special game reveals and announcements including Call of Duty: Black Ops – Cold War content, Among Us, gameplay world premieres, and some “other surprises and reveals.” It all starts now, and you can watch the live stream down below. 

Today’s the day. Battlefield 2042 has been announced, and we got our first glimpse at the game during the reveal trailer. Battlefield is out of the early 20th century and is now solidly seated 21 years in the future, taking place in 2042. This time around, you’ll have to battle dynamic storms, environmental hazards, and “total combat freedom” to become the winning team in the up-to-128-player battles. So, what all did we learn today? Let’s take a closer look.

After unveiling its 12-in-1 Mortal Kombat Legacy Cabinet and seven others at CES earlier this year, Arcade1Up is now announcing a new Simpsons arcade machine. And by new we mean a sort of re-release of The Simpsons classic arcade in celebration of the original’s 30th anniversary. We still don’t have all of the details on the new 3/4 scale machine just yet, but we do have pre-order information and a closer look at the marquee art down below. 

Massively multiplayer online games (MMO for short) can be a load of fun. Sure, things like Apex Legends, Call of Duty, and many other titles are technically MMO, but nothing fits the category better than sims, I think. While I’m still waiting for proper multiplayer support in Sims 4, there’s a distinct lack of fun in online multiplayer sims that don’t have some form of heavy story to them. In comes Palia, a unique MMO that features an “enchanting world full of mystery.” You play as a newly re-emerged human in Palia, where you’ll have to find your place in the world. What all does it entail, and how does the game itself look? Well, the trailer has me intrigued for sure, so let’s take a closer look.

A new wave of consoles tends to lead to a bunch of new accessories, and a couple of new Hori offerings are now available for pre-order. There’s a new Hori DualSense Dual Charger and a 3D Surround Gaming Neckset that works with Xbox Series X|S. While the former tries to go head-to-head with Sony’s first-party DualSense charging dock, the same cannot be said about Hori’s gaming-focused Neckset. Wearable speakers have been made by Sony, Bose, and others, but none of those were specifically made with game consoles in mind. Continue reading to learn more.

Remember that quirky little Playdate handheld gaming console we featured last year? Well, it’s finally ready to hit store shelves after a series of delays alongside a completely new slate of launch titles and internals. Made in collaboration with equally as unique boutique tech brand Teenage Engineering, the mini hand crank-laden handheld looks as though it’s actually about to see the light of day with a launch presentation scheduled for next week. More details below.