Games

While both the Series X|S and PlayStation 5 support Dolby Vision, neither system has offered the high-end HDR technology for gaming…until now. Today, Microsoft is releasing Dolby Vision gaming for both the Series X and Series S, launching with over 100 titles either ready to go or coming soon. This is in addition to the thousands of classic HDR10 and Auto HDR games that are already on the market, all of which will be seeing improved picture quality with Dolby Vision. How can you get this and what does it mean for the next generation of gaming? Let’s take a closer look.

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have unleashed some new details on the upcoming Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Pokémon Shining Pearl, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus. With release dates quickly approaching on the remakes, Nintendo has dropped some new trailers and details on more of the game’s standout features as well as details on mountable Pokémon in Legends: Arceus, plus much more. Everything is found below. 

Life is Strange Remastered Collection was announced back at E3 2021. The long-awaited title finally has an official launch date of February 1, 2022. This launch will contain both Life is Strange Remastered as well as Life is Strange Before the Storm Remastered, launching on Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. What all can we expect from the the launch? Let’s take a closer look.

Just ahead of the official launch of the new OLED model Switch console, we are getting the first new Nintendo Direct presentation since E3 in July. Set to start right now (6 p.m. ET), we are in for roughly 40 minutes of upcoming Switch announcements and updates (mostly) regarding titles launching this winter, according to Nintendo. Head below to follow along with today’s new Nintendo Direct presentation. 

Today, Razer announced a slew of new accessories for Xbox and PlayStation. Ranging from the Kaira X Wired Headset for both Xbox and PlayStation, the Xbox White Suite, and even the Universal Quick Charging Stand for Xbox, there are quite a few announcements to cover today. So, without any more delay, let’s take a look at everything Razer just announced below.

If you’ve been looking for a way to properly tote your beloved Series X from one place to another, Hyperkin’s new Xbox travel bag could have your name all over it. Not only does it hold Microsoft’s most powerful console, but you’ll also have room for controllers, cables, and more. With three modular compartment arrangements to choose from, buyers should be able to easily find the ideal setup for future journeys. Once everything is stowed inside, an adjustable 4-foot shoulder strap makes it all simple to carry.

We finally have information on a sequel to the award-winning action adventure hit originally launched 20 years ago. Outcast 2 is official, and brings Cutter Slade back into the spotlight after pioneering the genre of non-linear open-world games two decades ago. It all begins in the “spectacular alien world of Adelpha.” There, you find the Talans enslaved, the natural resources of the world stripped, and your own past having been intertwined with the robot forces. It’s up to you to save the planet, but can you do it?

It’s time to take a look at some Switch Bluetooth speakers now that Nintendo has introduced support for the wireless audio standard. In a recent announcement, Nintendo has finally issued an update for Switch that allows it to support wireless Bluetooth audio, which means you can get rid of that wired connection and move to a Switch Bluetooth speaker rig, whether it’s just for portable gaming, or when you get kicked off the big screen in the living room. Head below for more details and some solid Switch Bluetooth speaker options.

Battlefield 2042, the latest installment in the series and originally announced on June 9, is seeing a delayed launch. Originally slated to release on October 22, the game will now launch on November 19, almost a full month later. DICE, the team behind Battlefield 2042, released a statement as to why the game is delayed, as well as some additional information on upcoming betas and more.

Last month, Microsoft announced the ability to play Xbox games on your Windows 10 PC. However, this feature was exclusive to those on the Insider build of Windows 10, which isn’t available widely to the public. Now, this update has been made available to all and also brings a few other features. You’ll find that not only can Windows 10 now play Xbox Cloud Gaming titles, but also stream from your console, both while at home on your local network or when out of town. So how do you take advantage of this, and what can you do with it? Keep reading to find out more.

Nintendo Switch price drops could be on the way in the US if a recent official move in Europe is any indication. Nintendo has now brought the suggested retail price for its base model Nintendo Switch in Europe down, as reports suggest, to make way for its more expensive OLED model launching in October. The lowered MSRP could point at an upcoming drop stateside as well, but there have been no official announcements as of yet. Read on for more details.

It’s time to hit the court, NBA 2K22 is finally available worldwide on multiple platforms. Bringing with it some all-new features, and a slew of new modes with graphical enhancements, NBA 2K22 will be a must-play game for anyone who’s a fan of the franchise. From the new Your Journey, Your City mode in MyCAREER, Dream Team, First Fridays, and more, there’s a lot to like here. Ready to be played on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC, let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from NBA 2K22.

PlayStation Showcase 2021 starts now! Sony’s yearly update stream tends to bring some of its biggest first- and third-party upcoming games to the forefront, and we are expecting much of the same from today’s event. Last year’s event showed off the God of War sequel, and we are expecting to see more from Gran Turismo 7 as well as Horizon Forbidden West that just recently went up for pre-order. That’s not even mentioning any of the amazing third-party titles we could be seeing today. Head below for more details and to watch along with today’s PlayStation Showcase 2021. 

The new Razer Halo Infinite gaming gear is now going up for pre-order. Razer has unleashed a collection of themed gear ahead of this year’s highly-anticipated Halo Infinite release in December. You’re looking at Halo-themed versions of some of Razer’s most popular keyboards, headsets, and mice models, among other things, with pre-order details now available for everything. Head below for a closer look.

Racing games are a blast. They let you try to pull off all sorts of crazy shenanigans without taking them onto the actual road where it can put your life or someone else’s at risk. Using a game controller can take away much of the realism, however, which is why several companies make steering wheels and pedals. Thrustmaster T248 is the latest to catch our attention, and it takes things even further with an integrated Race Dashboard Display that can display more than 20 different driving statistics. The wheel is parked with a new T3PM pedal set that boasts “thousandth-of-a-second precision.” Continue reading to learn more.

Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy titles are reportedly on the way. Nintendo’s online service is already filled with titles from its classic game systems, but judging by a series of reports this week, including various independent sources close to the matter, Nintendo might very well be announcing the inclusion of Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles as early as this month. Head below for more details. 

No Man’s Sky just celebrated its five-year anniversary, and with it Hello Games released the title’s largest update yet. Frontiers, as it’s called, finally lets you run your own alien settlement and become an Overseer. That’s far from the only thing in this update, as there will be prebuilt planetary settlements, “breathtaking” nebulas in space, an all-new base-building grid menu, and much more. So, let’s take a closer look at everything in the No Man’s Sky Frontiers update.

Remember Big Brain Academy for Nintendo DS? Well, a new version is now coming to Nintendo Switch. Taking to its Twitter feed and official YouTube channel this morning, Nintendo has now unveiled the new Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain — it’s new brain-teasing puzzler party game for Switch. This one continues Nintendo’s support of more casual, family-oriented games on its flagship platform with a Mario Party-like experience that is specifically tailored toward brain teasers, puzzlers, and other challenges to get you thinking, just without the colorful Mushroom Kingdom characters. Head below for a closer look and the Big Brain Academy announcement trailer. 

It looks like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X Cyberpunk 2077 upgrades alongside the promised next-generation Witcher 3: Wild Hunt are still on pace to land in 2021. As per a recent CD Projekt financial report, the Polish-based game developer is still targeting a late 2021 release date for the proper next-generation versions of its two flagship titles. We already knew both upgrades were slated to launch this year, but with all of the delays hitting the industry still, it was becoming harder to believe CDPR could make it happen. However, it, at least, sounds as though both upgrades will hit before the year is out. More details are below. 

Jurassic World Evolution 2 was shown off during the PC Gaming Show back at E3 2021 in June, but we now have a release date and more information on the title. Launching November 9 for Xbox One, as well as Series X|S, Jurassic World Evolution 2 is now available for pre-order with an additional bonus to those who purchase before it launches. Two editions are being released, with the Deluxe version including “many incredible extras like additional prehistoric species.” So, what all can we expect from Jurassic World Evolution 2, and will it be on Game Pass? Keep reading to find out more.

After Sony announced third-party SSD support and reports of a new PS5 SKU on the way, we now have new details on the not-so upgraded PlayStation 5. After the new SKU was spotted in Australia and elsewhere, select folks have now got their hands on the new PlayStation 5 model to tear the thing up and find out what’s really going inside. A few minor changes were made to the stand base and the like, but it was the drop in overall weight most gamers were interested in. We now know how Sony managed to bring the heft down, but it might not be the upgrade you were hoping for. 

Amazon’s first open world game, New World, is finally nearing its official release following multiple delays. First announced back in 2018, the game is finally getting ready to be officially released, though the current launch date is a full month after the previously set August 31. New World is slated to enter open beta on September 9 with a full release on September 28, which is just over a month away at this point. We have a new trailer to watch that showcases some gameplay as well as tells the unique story of the game, so head below for more details on the beta and the video.

Today, we are taking a look at the brand new official Numskull Halo Infinite merchandise line. After its Gamescom 2021 showcase, Microsoft unleashed the release date for its highly-anticipated shooter alongside a special edition Xbox Series X and Elite Series 2 controller, but now, it’s time for the official merchandise line from Numskull. In celebration of the franchises’ 20th anniversary, the brand is launching some official Halo Infinite merchandise, including a snapback, ceramic mug, and a CosCup depicting Master Chief. Head below for more details and pre-order information. 

Turtle Beach recently announced that it’s bringing its best-selling console gaming headset, the Recon 200, back for next-generation platforms. The Recon 200 Gen 2 is made to work with Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch, as well as PC and mobile. This makes it a versatile headset and, at $60, will be a go-to for many budget-focused gamers. What all features will it have, and should you buy? Let’s take a closer look.

It looks like the official Halo Infinite release date has surfaced. After Microsoft’s Gamescom main event came and went yesterday without even a mention of Halo Infinite, folks have now spotted some Microsoft store listings suggesting the game will release in early December. An official announcement is expected later today during its Gamescom Opening Night live event. Head below for more details. 

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.