Games

It was June when we last heard anything about Xbox Cloud Gaming on previous-generation consoles, but today, during Gamescom 2021, Microsoft released the final details — and it’s better than we initially thought. While we originally heard about this feature coming to the Xbox One, which is really awesome, it’ll also launch on Xbox Series X|S. Why is that important? Well, some games are Cloud only, but the real bonus here is you won’t have to download or install any compatible game to play it, as long as you have a fast enough internet connection. That’s right — if the game is part of Xbox Cloud, you just hit “play” and are instantly launched in. Want to learn more? Keep reading as we break it all down.

Microsoft is set to host its Xbox Gamescom showcase today. Scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, everything is kicking off right now as part of the virtual part of this year’s show. While we aren’t really expecting any world premieres and the like, it does sound like we are getting near an hour and a half of updates on games you’ll be playing come holiday season or sooner, as well as details on Xbox Game Pass and more. Head below to watch today’s Xbox Gamescom showcase. 

After details regarding a new PlayStation 5 model were spotted in an official Japanese manual last month, it looks like the new SKU is real and has officially landed in Australia. The thus far quite quiet rollout of the new PlayStation 5 model is reportedly already starting both overseas and stateside with a few of the updated features mentioned in our report last month alongside a new clamp and more. Head below for all of the details. 

Bethesda has announced that it is releasing another version of Elder Scrolls V with the Skyrim 10th Anniversary Edition. In celebration of the iconic role-playing game’s 10th anniversary, the folks at Bethesda have decided to launch another version of its celebrated fantasy title known as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition. This time around it will include all three of the game’s major DLC expansion packs alongside its November 2021 release date. Read on for more details. 

While Nintendo has made a name for itself with many vibrant controllers of its own, PowerA takes things to a whole new level. This is made abundantly clear by four offerings that have now joined the PowerA Switch controller lineup. Headliners include Dungeon Jump Mario and Heroic Link, but Mario Pop Art and Power-Up Mario offerings are also worth getting excited about. It’s worth noting that only one of four new controllers is wireless, which could be a deal-breaker for some. Thankfully, each wired offering clocks at roughly half the price. Continue reading to learn more.

Xbox Game Pass is getting a load of new titles soon. We took a look at what’s coming at the end of the month, including Stardew Valley, last week, but Xbox Wire is back with another nine games launching on the platform soon. Ranging from cloud availability for NFS Heat, Battlefront II, and Jedi Fallen Order to the launch of Myst, Humankind, Twelve Minutes, and Psychonauts 2, there’s plenty to love here. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look.

It’s time to dive into everything we learned in today’s Pokémon Presents showcase including new details on the upcoming RPG, Pokémon Legends Arceus. We already detailed all of the latest details regarding the iOS launch of Pokémon UNITE, but we also have some new gameplay details on the upcoming Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl remakes and the mainline action-RPG Arceus title set for release in early 2022. Read on for all of the details. 

Amazon currently offers the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch at $80 shipped. Typically fetching $100, you’re looking at the second-best price to date that comes within a penny of the all-time low. This is also only the third notable price cut so far. PowerA Fusion Pro arrives as the brand’s flagship gamepad for upgrading your Switch with a more capable gameplay experience. Alongside packing a more ergonomic form-factor, there’s mappable paddles on the back for customizable actions, as well as a rechargeable battery, motion control, rubberized handles, and a USB-C input. Over 190 customers have left a 4.2/5 star rating. Get a closer look in our review of the Xbox version, and then head below for more.

Xbox Game Pass continues to showcase that it’s the best value in gaming on both console and PC, as Microsoft continually expands the already massive library. Well, there’s a list of eight total games coming to Game Pass on August 31, with many other titles launching to buy. One of the most surprising, but also most welcomed. What all does Stardew Valley bring to Game Pass, and what other titles are also on the way? Let’s take a closer look.

There is actually a hidden PlayStation 5 web browser, if you know where to look. While it certainly isn’t a full-on browsing experience with an editable URL bar, there are ways to access it if you know where to look. While most folks already have a phone, tablet, or laptop at the ready for this kind of thing, never mind some of the dedicated web apps like YouTube and Hulu, some might very well be interested in making use of this sort of PS5 browser workaround. Read on to find out where to access the PlayStation 5 web browser. 

It’s starting to look more and more like we are about to get an official remastered Grand Theft Auto Trilogy. Rumors have been bouncing around the internet for years regarding some kind of remaster project over at Rockstar Games, but it now appears as though sources close to the matter are suggesting we will see a remastered collection of the original PS2-era Grand Theft Auto games before the year is out, if not this fall. Head below for all of the details. 

It’s now time for the next Nintendo Indie World Showcase. Nintendo last checked in with its ongoing indie game showcases in April, but we are now in for another 20 minutes of games heading to Switch this year and beyond. This is a great way to get a look at some of the more interesting and unique titles heading to the Switch library over the course of this year, as well as offering up a chance to see some brand new, unannounced games. Head below to watch today’s 20-minute Nintendo Indie World Showcase. 

Cards Against Humanity is “a party game for horrible people,” according to the box. But if you’re looking for something that’s a bit more PG-rated than the traditional game, the company’s Family Edition, launched last year, is a great choice. It ditches some of the more vulgar cards the game became known for in favor of more family-friendly alternatives, while still retaining its fun and unique style. Well, it’s time to expand your deck, as the Glow in the Dark card set just launched today and includes 300 additional options to choose from when playing that features “groundbreaking toilet humor.” Sound like your type of family game night? Keep reading to find out more.

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.