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6/29/2026

We saw several reveals, including the final team in Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls featuring Deadpool, Loki and Blade, Bob in Tekken 8, Robo-Ky’s gameplay trailer in Guilty Gear -Strive-, Lux and Samira reveals in 2XKO, the Bakunawa Killer reveal in Virtua Fighter Crossroads, and more. See timestamps below!

6/29/2026

The Samurai Outriders slash their way through MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls! The fifth team entering the Challenge of the Champion is led by Robbie Reyes as Ghost Rider, and features three new playable characters: Blade, Deadpool, and Loki! Beta will be available July 24-26, 2026.

6/28/2026

The so-called "Bakunawa Killer" has been tied to a series of violent attacks throughout Vilasapara. Check out the latest reveal trailer for Virtua Fighter Crossroads.

6/28/2026

Check out Bob who was revealed at EVO 2026 for Tekken 8.

6/28/2026

One of the most contentious topics in the Fortnite community is the one surrounding its many exclusive cosmetics that may never be available to obtain ever again. As it stands now, folks have been fighting about this for years, with a lot of players arguing that it's only right that new players get a chance at those classic battle pass skins like Drift or Peely. But this is actually a legal question, rather than something we could put to a vote, so these discussions rarely get anywhere near the heart of the matter. At issue is Fortnite's FOMO-based system of microtransactions. In the first few years of Fortnite, Epic leaned hard on exclusivity as a motivating tool. The idea was that if you saw a player using a skin that you like but can't have, it would encourage you to grind out future battle passes and pick up anything you think is cool from the shop as soon as possible. But once it became clear that Fortnite might be around for decades, Epic realized that it's not so good to have ultra-famous characters like Darth Vader permanently locked behind an old battle pass that can never be purchased again. These days, Fortnite almost never releases any new exclusives. Every free or promotional item now comes with a disclaimer that it could pop up in the item shop later, and battle pass items from Chapter 5 Season 4 (pictured above) and on can now hit the shop 18 months after the season ends, and the first of these landed in the item shop together on June 28: Gwenpool, Peelverine, Mysterio, Captain Jones, and War Machine. You can feel confident that any new cosmetic that pops up these days will eventually hit the shop, unless it says so very clearly on the item page.  It's a very different situation than it used to be. There are tons of items from older passes, as well as lots of other old cosmetics, that remain stuck in exclusivity hell, and many other cosmetics whose status is ambiguous and hard to gauge. Thanks to Epic's hard pivot away from exclusivity the last couple of years, and the natural cycling in and out of players, they've created an environment where it can be hard to figure out what old skins are actually exclusive and which ones aren't, because nobody's really been keeping track as we went. At least not accurately. But that's what this article is ultimately about--sorting out which Fortnite cosmetics actually are exclusive, and which ones are not. Below, we'll break it all down as best we can--but keep in mind that Epic's lawyers may be the only ones who really have the answers here. But since they aren't going to be sharing that info with us, this piece is the next best thing. Let's dive in. Skins that are permanently exclusive and will not return Any battle pass skin from Chapter 1 Season 2 through Chapter 5 Season 3  Free Winterfest 2019 skins Anything in the shop that was marketed as "exclusive." Partial exclusives or grey areas Monthly Crew skins PlayStation Plus skins Early phone collabs Level Up skins Twitch Prime packs Skins that are not exclusive Most FNCS skins Console pack-ins Any battle pass skin from Chapter 5 Season 4 or after Regular item shop items Music pass (aside from Ultraviolet Billie), OG pass, and Lego pass items Real money packs Winterfest skins (other than 2019) Refer a Friend/Reboot Rally skins Any other free skin Skins that are permanently exclusive and will not return Any battle pass skin from Chapter 1 Season 2 through Chapter 5 Season 3  Everything in this era is truly exclusive. This is because Epic promoted the passes as the only way to ever get the included items. The battle pass FAQ used to say this during Chapter 2 Season 7: "Rewards from a Battle Pass can only be earned in that season, and will not be available in later seasons." The back half of that sentence--"will not be available in later seasons"--is not ambiguous at all. So if Epic were to sell items from one of those old passes, that quote would suddenly become false, and that would, in turn, open the company to litigation and fines. Very few old battle pass skins could hypothetically sell well enough to be worth the potential price. There are 222 skins that fall into this category, which represents just 8% of all Fortnite skins. Examples: The Reaper Drift Peely Skye Aquaman Mystique Groot Rick Sanchez Predator Doctor Strange Darth Vader Indiana Jones Spider-Gwen Geralt of Rivia Eren Yeager Optimus Prime Solid Snake Peter Griffin T-60 Power Armor Free Winterfest 2019 skins Epic's blog post announcing the first Winterfest claimed that the free cosmetics from the Winterfest lodge would be "exclusive to this year’s Winterfest!" This was the only Winterfest where they described the rewards that way. Items: Lt. Evergreen Wooly Warrior Anything in the shop that was marketed as "exclusive." The Fortnite Championship Series-themed Major Glory and The Champion were each sold in the item shop as a "time-limited exclusive," which is pretty clear. Likewise, The Paradigm skin and its accompanying emote were promoted on Twitter with this claim: "These exclusive items are only available for a limited time." And, in 2024 when The Paradigm mistakenly returned to the shop for two hours, Epic confirmed its status as a permanent exclusive. Partial exclusives or grey areas Skins in this category probably can return, but due to the use of certain wording in their promotions, they might remain exclusive to the method through which they were previously available. In some cases, that makes them essentially exclusive, if not literally--since you probably can't play Fortnite on a Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 these days anyway. But most of the skins here don't face that sort of obstacle, and those could come back any time. Even so, players often think of the skins in this category as being exclusive. It makes sense--no skin in this category has ever appeared in the item shop or become available again any other way. But, technically, anything here could come back at any time--but the circumstances required to do so may not be worth the effort. Monthly Crew skins Epic has consistently stated that the monthly skins you receive for subscribing to Fortnite Crew can come back at any time, though they've also referred to these skins as being Crew exclusives--the Fortnite storefront on the Epic Games Store mentions that one of the perks of a Crew subscription is an "always-new Outfit Bundle that only Fortnite Crew members can get" every month. No Fortnite Crew skin has ever come back after rotating out at the end of its month, but that doesn't mean they can't. But if any of them did come back, you would almost certainly need to be subscribed to Fortnite Crew to get them. Examples: Vi Alli Cube Assassin Sylvie Phaedra Loveless Dahlia Breezabelle Princess Lexa Durr Taisho PlayStation Plus skins Like the Crew packs, these packs are stated to be exclusive to PlayStation Plus members. So it's the same story as it is with the Crew skins, essentially--they would likely only be able to return for PS+ subscribers. Examples: Blue Team leader Prodigy Cloud Striker Subzero Cryptic Early phone collabs There have been a number of skins over the years that required you to play Fortnite on a specific model of phone or tablet. In more recent years, Epic has tended to include language specifying that these sorts of promotional items can be sold in the item shop after the promotion ends. But some early examples--like Galaxy for 2018 Samsung tablets, Ikonik for Samsung S10 phones, and Honor Guard for the 2019 Honor 20 phone--were promoted as being exclusive to specific phone models that are now at or beyond the end of their lifespans, most of a decade later. Examples: Ikonik Glow Galaxy Honor Guard Wonder Level Up skins From Chapter 3 Season 1 until Chapter 5 Season 4, Fortnite offered a "Level Up Quest Pack" during the last month of each season that would include a skin and its accompanying accessories. By then collecting the pack's time-gated level-up tokens during rounds of Battle Royale, owners would unlock a very different and unique bonus style. These skins were not referred to as "exclusives," but the cool bonus styles were specifically stated to only be available to unlock through the end of the season. So it's likely Epic could bring back the base styles for these skins, but perhaps without the time-gated bonus styles--and without the bonus styles, those skins are a lot less enticing. It's probably not a coincidence that Epic stopped making these the very same season they ended exclusivity for new battle passes. Examples: Ayida Axion Sentinel Monarch Phantasm Twitch Prime packs The skins included in both Twitch Prime packs were advertised on Twitter as being exclusive, but it's conceivable they could be offered again for Amazon Prime members or as a Twitch drop. Items: Havoc Sub Commander Trailblazer Skins that are not exclusive Any skin not listed in the previous categories is not an exclusive and could return to the item shop at any time. The vast majority of skins fall into this category--more than 2,000 of them, in fact. Here are the categories of skins that always have a chance of popping up in the item shop, and examples of each type. This includes some skins we previously believed were exclusive.  Most FNCS skins Epic recently brought back two older FNCS skins, Dummy Supreme and Championship Aura, which were thought to be exclusives because they had a tag that said "Limited Time!" on their shop pages. Until then, no FNCS skin with that tag had ever returned, while the ones released more recently without that tag return every season. We suspect the distinction between these two skins (and several other FNCS skins) is that they were not otherwise promoted as exclusives. We just inferred that these ones would be, because of that tag, and because the first two FNCS skins Epic released, The Champion and Major Glory, actually were exclusive. Examples: Championship Jonesy Recon Champion FNCS Championship Seeker FNCS 3:1 Champion Console pack-ins Console bundle skins, like Royale Bomber on PS4 and Wildcat on Switch, have likewise long been considered exclusives, but none of them were ever really advertised as such. With the Royale Bomber skin, for example, Epic told Polygon in 2018 that the PS4 console bundle was "the only way you can get the ‘Royale Bomber’ at this time," which specifically confirmed that it was not exclusive, and the skin was later offered in a controller bundle as well. However, none of these skins have ever been sold in the item shop, and the codes for these items sell for a lot of money on the secondary market. While Epic doesn't make any money directly from those purchases, the people buying them almost certainly spend a lot of money in Fortnite, too. And it would probably alienate those folks if Epic took a skin they'd spent hundreds of real-world dollars to get and sold it in the shop for 1,200 V-bucks. So this is a bit of an uncertain category. Examples: Neo Versa Eon Huntmaster Saber Any battle pass skin from Chapter 5 Season 4 or after These skins can appear in the shop starting 18 months after the end of their respective seasons. Homer Simpson Superman Emperor Palpatine Godzilla Evolved Doom Bugs Bunny Regular item shop items Buzz Lightyear Stellaron Hunter Kafka Rocksteady Moon Knight Satoru Gojo Music pass (aside from Ultraviolet Billie), OG pass, and Lego pass items They can be sold any time after the pass ends without any waiting period, though Epic has not been in any hurry to get most of these items into the item shop--only three music pass skins and one Lego pass skin have shown up so far. The Weeknd James Hetfield Sabrina Carpenter Power Punk The Visitor (Reality Unknown) Andy Fangerson Real money packs This includes Starter Packs, Save the World packs, and any other bundle that requires or required genuine human currency to purchase Court Queen Erisa Megatron Slayer Charlotte The Devourer Winterfest skins (other than 2019) Krisabelle Polar Peely Santa Dogg Holiday Boxy Refer a Friend/Reboot Rally skins Rainbow Racer Redcap Xander Any other free skin Runway Racer Jackie Chord Kahele First Order Stormtrooper That's everything there is to know about the suddenly more confusing world of Fortnite Item Shop exclusivity rules. There's a lot that is left in a gray area, but a lot else that's not so unclear. In fact, it's often quite clear that Epic is giving itself permission to be less restrictive when it comes to selling--and reselling--skins in the game.

6/27/2026

Robo-Ky joins the Guilty Gear -Strive- roster as a Season Pass 5 Playable Character coming on July 2nd.

6/27/2026

Check out over 8 minutes of gameplay featuring primarily Magneto and Black Panther from Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls.

6/27/2026

Adventure Time: The Complete Series Boxed Set (DVD) $33 (was $50) See at Amazon This Prime Day you can pick up one of the most influential series of the 2010s for a steep discount: the Adventure Time boxed set for just $33 (down from $50). Pendleton Ward's fantasy series earned rave reviews during its run and is still a cult classic today thanks to its many spin-offs. If you've been looking for an excuse to return to the land of Ooo, now's a good time to do it. Adventure Time: The Complete Series Boxed Set (DVD) $33 (was $50) This bundle includes all 279 episodes that aired from 2010 through 2018, across 22 discs. It's packaged in a slipcase that looks just like the Enchiridion (a semi-cursed magical tome) from the show. The set also includes the Minecraft crossover episode "Diamonds and Lemons", alongside the usual assortment of bonus features. These chronicle the Adventure Time process, with featurettes, behind the scenes clips, and more. See at Amazon Adventure Time: The Complete Series bonus materials Sonic Sounds from Ooo Farewell Tour Animatics Music Videos Minecraft crossover episode, "Diamonds and Lemons" Special features from previous releases If you've never seen it, Adventure Time follows the exploits of Finn the Human and Jake the Dog as they go on quests across the fantastical land of Ooo. The show started as a satirical dig at the fantasy genre and its predictable tropes, but over time developed its own lore and multi-season arcs of long-form storytelling that pay off in a satisfying and emotional grand finale. The series has been praised for its multilayered narrative and diverse roster of characters, with several spin-offs following in the footsteps of the original series. Amazon is also offering Prime Day deals on two more Cartoon Network DVD boxed sets: you can grab all 245 episodes of Regular Show for $29 (was $44), and the classic run of Courage the Cowardly Dog is just $12 (was $18). Throw in the complete series box sets for Ed, Edd, and Eddy for $18 (was $34) and Dexter's Laboratory for $23 (was $40), and you've got several Saturday mornings' worth of cartoons to enjoy. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Hundreds Of 4K Blu-Rays Are On Sale For Prime Day, Some Up To 60% Off Save Up To 70% Off Video Games And Hardware In Woot’s Summer of Gaming Sale Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (10)

6/26/2026

The Dark Knight Trilogy Collection (4K Blu-ray boxed set) $28 (was $38) See on Amazon There's a Batman series for every generation, and if you grew up in the late 2000s, that was the Christopher Nolan Dark Knight Trilogy. Even if Christian Bale isn't your generation's iconic Batman, Amazon has cut the price of the 4K Blu-ray boxed set on the Nolan trilogy to just $28 (down from $38), a nice 25% discount. The Dark Knight Trilogy Collection (4K Blu-ray boxed set) $28 (was $38) This Blu-ray bundle includes Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), and The Dark Knight Rises (2012), all packed inside a Batman-themed box. Standard-def Blu-ray copies of the films are also included, and these contain the special features for each movie. See on Amazon These are films that look absolutely stellar in 4K. And they boast support for HDR10 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. On top of that, each movie comes with a selection of bonus features. Batman Begins has some of the most extensive bonus features though, they go deep into the production of the film, charting Nolan's desire to make a grounded Batman movie from start to finish. The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises also have a solid mix of extras ranging from featurettes on the villains to documentaries, galleries, and retrospectives on the saga. To complete the collection, you can also pick up the original collection of Batman live-action movies on 4K Blu-ray. These cover the era that saw Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, and George Clooney don the Dark Knight's cowl. This Blu-ray box set has been discounted to $33 (was $45). If you're looking for even more movies to fill out your collection of physical media, you should check out the hundreds of 4K Blu-rays discounted for Prime Day. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Hundreds Of 4K Blu-Rays Are On Sale For Prime Day, Some Up To 60% Off Save Up To 70% Off Video Games And Hardware In Woot’s Summer of Gaming Sale Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (10)

6/26/2026

If you've been looking to expand your board game collection, Prime Day is a great excuse to do just that. Amazon's deal event has loads of board games on sale--enough to keep you rolling dice and manipulating little plastic whatsits long into the night. A few highlights include the game night classic Catan for $30 (down from $55), the official LEGO party game, Brick Like This for $13 (down from $20), and the Lord of the Rings Trick-Taking Game for $22 (down from $27). That last one took a spot on our Best Co-Op Card Games list. Have a look at these and a few others we've found on sale for Prime Day. Catan: The Game $30 (was $55) The agricultural board game Catan is a mainstay in many collections, and for good reason. If you're unfamiliar, it's a game where you and your fellow settlers use resources like brick, ore, and wheat to trade and develop your societies. The hex-based grid makes games dynamic and keeps things fun and varied no matter how many times you play it. See at Amazon Brick Like This! The Official Lego Party Game $13 (was $20) Whether you're a novice or a master builder, Brick Like This is a fun way to test your building skills in a party game environment. You and a teammate swap instructor and builder roles and race the other teams to create mini-models using the familiar interlocking Lego bricks. See at Amazon Escaping Extinction $8 (was $10) Ever wonder what it would be like if you could have saved the dinosaurs from their inevitable extinction? Escaping Extinction is a board game that sets you and fellow players to the task of cooperatively building a rocketship to help the prehistoric beasts escape their doomed planet. See at Amazon Lord of the Rings Trick-Taking Game $22 (was $27) Frodo wouldn't have gotten far without Sam. In the Lord of the Rings Trick-Taking Game you work cooperatively to reenact the Fellowship of the Ring, from leaving the Shire to the formation of and ultimate breaking of the Fellowship. The card illustrations have a cozy stained-glass aesthetic that fits right in with the classic tale. Provided you can excuse that they yassified Frodo into a circuit twink. Worth noting: it's one of top picks in the Best Co-Op Card Games guide. See at Amazon Kinfire Chronicles $135 (was $180) A deluxe game for fans of board games of truly epic length and scope, The Kinfire Chronicles is a card-based role playing game for you and up to four friends. In it, you pick from six playable heroes each with distinct backstories, and over the course of a 60-ish minute game, develop their skills with the included library of 400 cards. That may sound daunting, but it's also designed to be quick to set up and play, with 60-minute games designed to for maximum replay value as you try out different hero builds. This was another of our Best Co-Op Card Games. See at Amazon Agatha Christie: Death on the Cards $12 (was $22) This one is a murder mystery game based of one of the most influential mystery writers of all time. Agatha Christie: Death on the Cards gathers some of her most famous characters like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple to solve a social deduction murder mystery. The subject matter may be grim but the inviting art style makes it a good fit for the family, and another of our Best Co-Op Card Games. See at Amazon The Chameleon $17 (was $25) The Chameleon is a bluffing game that puts one player in the role of a secret chameleon. Like other bluffing games, Ultimate Werewolf and Blood on the Clocktower, it's the job of the other players to figure out who's real, and who's just blending in. See at Amazon Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Hundreds Of 4K Blu-Rays Are On Sale For Prime Day, Some Up To 60% Off Save Up To 70% Off Video Games And Hardware In Woot’s Summer of Gaming Sale Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (10)

6/26/2026

Looking to join the Empire, rebel scum? Good news, the Star Wars Black Series Clone Trooper II helmet is on sale! Not a huge discount, it's $95 (down from $110), but it's enough of a price cut that it could be convincing if you've been on the fence about joining the late-Republic armed forces that would eventually become the Imperial army. The Clone II Trooper armor was introduced during the later years of the Clone Wars as an improvement over the Phase I design (which you see in Attack of the Clones). The Phase II version was built to be lighter, more ergonomic, and better at protecting the wearer from environmental hazards. Its look serves as a direct blueprint for the Galactic Empire's Stormtrooper armor. Clone II was phased out by the time the Empire rose, but the mark it made lives on. See at Amazon This helmet is part of The Black Series, a premium line that includes Darth Vader, Boba Fett, the Mandalorian, and more. Any of them would make a fine addition to a Star Wars collection and honestly they look super cool on display. But why leave it on a shelf when you can put it on to instantly transform yourself into a member of the nascent Empire's military forces? This one features a button on one side, which you can press for a voice distortion effect that will make you sound like a real Clone Trooper. It measures 13.37 inches wide, 11.25 inches deep, and 14 inches high, and is fully adjustable--this helmet is designed to fit an adult though, so, sorry, kids. This helmet is part of The Black Series, a premium line that includes Darth Vader, Boba Fett, the Mandalorian, and more. One other helmet from the series is included in Amazon's Prime Day sale: Clone Captain Rex, which is marked down to $125.39 from its usual $140. This is the lowest price it's been at on Amazon for the past 90 days, making it an unusually good deal. One other Black Series helmet is on sale for Prime Day, and it's a good one: Clone Captain Rex. It's marked down to $125 from its usual $140. This is the lowest price it's been at on Amazon for the past 90 days, too. Hasbro also revealed new additions to the Walmart-exclusive Premium Mini Helmet line earlier this year, which includes Darth Vader and Clone Captain Rex. These follow The Mandalorian and Stormtrooper variants announced in March, which opened for preorder during Walmart's Collector-Con. They don't have electronic features like the large ones do, but at six inches, they're easier to fit on a display shelf. All four retail for $35 each and are slated for a Summer 2026 release. Amazon has plenty of other Star Wars collectibles on sale for Prime Day, including Lego sets, collectible books, t-shirts, and more. Keep an eye on our Prime Day coverage to see the best deals out there as the deal event winds down. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Hundreds Of 4K Blu-Rays Are On Sale For Prime Day, Some Up To 60% Off Save Up To 70% Off Video Games And Hardware In Woot’s Summer of Gaming Sale Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (10)

6/26/2026

It's the final stretch of Prime Day, and if you've been looking to stock up on some Xbox Series X games for the rest of the year, better grab 'em while you can. Xbox consoles might have gotten more expensive over the last couple years but Amazon is taking some of the sting out of those price hikes with discounts on some of this year's biggest games. Capcom's catalog is well-represented among the Prime Day deals with two of its best recent games, Resident Evil Requiem and Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection on sale for $56 (down from $70). Requiem has been enjoying critical acclaim since launch, for blending the best of the franchise into a spooky, action-packed adventure. And Monster Hunter Stories 3 is a riveting blend of the best the series has to offer, with new gameplay elements like creature-collecting. Feel like taking a trip back to James Cameron's hit alien franchise? No not that one, the other one, the problematic one with the blue people. If so, you might want to check out Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. The Prime Day deal includes the expansion, From the Ashes as well as several other DLC packs for $25 (was $40). Other titles worth highlighting in the Prime Day Xbox Series X sale include PGA Tour 2K25 for $15 (was $20), Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined is down to $45 (was $60), and Elden Ring Nightreign is $20, (was $55), and it's an Amazon-exclusive edition. If anything catches your eye, you'll want to move quickly because these deals will end on June 26. Amazon is also offering deals on PS5 and Nintendo Switch games, so if you're looking to pump up those console libraries, be sure to check out our Prime Day deals Hub. Amazon Prime Day Xbox Series X Game Deals Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora - From the Ashes Edition -- $25 ($40) Code Vein 2 -- $40 ($70) Code Vein 2: Ultimate Edition -- $66.49 ($100) Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed -- $20 ($40) Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined -- $45 ($60) EA Sports FC 26 -- $23.75 ($70) Elden Ring Nightreign (Amazon exclusive edition) -- $20 ($55) The House of the Dead 2 Remake: Infect Edition -- $25 ($40) Life is Strange Reunion -- $30 ($40) Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection -- $56 ($70) My Hero Academia:All'ss Justice -- $30 ($60) The Oregon Trail: Deluxe Edition -- $28 ($40) Pac-Man World 2: Re-Pac -- $19 ($30) PGA Tour 2K25 -- $15 ($20) Resident Evil Requiem (Amazon exclusive edition) -- $56 ($70) Roadcraft -- $25 ($44.34) Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties -- $30 ($60) If anything catches your eye, you'll want to move quickly because these deals will end on June 26. Amazon is also offering deals on PS5 and Nintendo Switch games, so if you're looking to pump up those console libraries, be sure to check out our Prime Day deals Hub. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Hundreds Of 4K Blu-Rays Are On Sale For Prime Day, Some Up To 60% Off Save Up To 70% Off Video Games And Hardware In Woot’s Summer of Gaming Sale Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (10)

6/26/2026

Deal events like Prime Day are a great time to counteract a bit of the damage the RAM shortage and supply chain issues have caused to PC hardware prices in the last couple years. Especially if you're in the market for Republic of Gamers gear. Through its ROG line, Asus has become a mainstay of the PC gaming space, and quite a few of its gaming laptops, monitors, and accessories are on sale for Prime Day. Thankfully, you won't have wade through hundreds of Amazon listings to find some of the best deals, we went ahead and did that for you. Here's a look at what we found. Asus ROG gaming laptops The Asus ROG Strix series of laptops has made a name for itself over the years as reliable and high-performing portable gaming rigs. One of the standout deals we found is a discount on the Asus ROG Strix G16, a compact powerhouse that features a 2.5K LED screen, 32GB of RAM, and a mobile version of the Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti GPU. Another one in the Strix series, the G18, is also on sale. It features a larger 18-inch display but isn't quite as powerful as the discounted Strix G16. The G18 capable hardware though--you can spec it up to an AMD Ryzen 9 CPU, a 1TB SSD and an Nvidia RTX 5050 GPU. That's as solid amount of horsepower, and you will definitely be able to run recent releases on its 1080p screen. Another ROG laptop we found on sale is the Asus ROG Flow Z13. It's not as high-performing as its siblings here, but if you don't mind a 13-inch display and you're looking for something a little more everyday-carryable, it's worth checking out. Asus ROG Strix G16 -- $2,100 ($2,590) 16-inch 2.5K LED 240Hz refresh rate Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU 1TB SSD 32GB RAM Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti GPU Asus ROG Strix G18 -- $1,240 ($1,700) 18-inch 1080p LED 144Hz refresh rate AMD Ryzen 9 CPU 1TB SSD 16GB RAM Nvidia RTX 5050 GPU Asus ROG Flow Z13 -- $1,610 ($2,100) 13-inch 2.5K LED 180Hz refresh rate AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 CPU 1TB SSD 32GB RAM RDNA 3.5 onboard graphics Asus gaming monitors Monitors are one of the most expensive but impactful ways you can upgrade your gaming setup. That's why it's always nice to a broad assortment of them included in sales like Prime Day. These Asus monitors were designed specifically for gaming, and they offer high-resolution display panels and esports-level refresh rates. Other gamer-centric features include ELMB (Extreme Low Motion Blur), variable refresh rates, and a gamer-aesthetic styling with built-in RGB lighting. Several models are on sale, ranging in size from 27 to 32 inches. Asus ROG Swift 27in OLED monitor -- $664 (was $800) Asus ROG Strix 32in 4K OLED monitor -- $814 (was $1100) Asus ROG Strix 27in 1440p monitor -- $549 (was $649) Asus ROG Strix 26.5in 1440p QD-OLED monitor -- $534 (was $759) Asus ROG Strix 32in 4K OLED monitor -- $699 (was $999) Asus gaming accessories What's a gaming setup without a slick mouse and keyboard? Models like the ROG Falchion Ace and Azoth X mechanical keyboards have feel premium, offer durable build quality, as well as fast-actuation keys and a suite of customization features. The Azoth X also comes equipped with a two-inch OLED display that can be used to monitor your PC stats and play custom animations. It's a little over the top but it's fun to play with. If you're looking for a mouse tuned by esports pros, the ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab mouse is on sale for $76 (was $150). It was co-developed with professional FPS players to provide users with a lightweight and high-performing mouse tuned for competitive gaming. For more Prime Day tech deals, be sure to check out our other coverage, including a big sale on Razer gear. ASUS ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Wireless Esports Gaming Mouse -- $76 ($150) ASUS ROG Delta II Wireless Gaming Headset -- $143 ($230) ASUS ROG Falchion Ace 65% RGB Mechanical Keyboard -- $67 ($120) ASUS ROG Azoth X Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard -- $162 ($270) For more gaming gear and tech deals, be sure to check out our Prime Day coverage hub--and hit up the sale on Razer gear Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Hundreds Of 4K Blu-Rays Are On Sale For Prime Day, Some Up To 60% Off Save Up To 70% Off Video Games And Hardware In Woot’s Summer of Gaming Sale Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (10)

6/26/2026

The Steam Machine isn't even out yet, though Valve has begun sending out confusing emails about whether people are in the "queue" or on the "waitlist" for the device. That hasn't stopped netizens from doing the inevitable, though: listing their reservations on eBay to make a quick buck. If you head over to eBay—or GameBay (?), since GameStop really wants to buy the online marketplace—and search for the Steam Machine, you'll see a handful of postings for Valve's upcoming living room PC. The system is already expensive, running between $1050 and $1430 depending on the model, but these listings go for about double the regular price. The Steam Machine listings GameSpot has viewed so far are all for "confirmed reservations." This means that the eBay seller received one of those perplexing emails from Valve securing their spot in the "queue"—not the "waitlist," which is an important distinction we just broke down. Some of the sellers even state that they'll ship the not-a-console console to you as soon as it ships to them, which could be sometime in early July. It's at a markup, though, with the cheapest going for $1363.70 (now sold) and the most expensive running your wallet a cool $3200. This isn't all that surprising to see, since this tends to happen with most in-demand or sold-out hardware from the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X to the Nintendo Switch 2 and the Steam Deck. Still, it is kind of curious, particularly since one listing called the Steam Machine "a piece of gaming history." There's no doubt that Valve's upcoming device is fascinating, with early impressions calling it a tiny but mighty piece of gaming hardware. Maybe the hyperbole will help the seller sell their reservation, which is listed for $2600.

6/26/2026

With Valve's Steam Machine releasing on June 29, you may be confused as to when you'll be able to actually purchase the not-a-console console. It's a little perplexing, so let us help you make sense of the email you might've just gotten in your inbox. Valve has begun sending out preorder emails notifying you about the outcome of the randomized drawing you were able to sign up for recently. That email, though, isn't the actual one that allows you to buy the device. Instead, it's a notification telling you whether you'll soon be sent a second email to place an order, or if you'll have to wait for more supply to become available at some point in the future. What's confusing is the terminology the company's using. If you're in the "queue," you can buy the specific model of Steam Machine within three days of your email. If you landed on the "waitlist," you'll have to wait until more supply becomes available. This is the email sent to those in the queue, who can place an order soon: "When your Steam Machine 512GB becomes available, we will send you a separate email with the option to purchase. You'll then have 3 days to complete the purchase before we cancel your reservation and move on to the next person in the queue. This is the only email you will receive about the results of the randomization. If you ended up with a reservation queue spot for more than one model, you were allocated a reservation for the highest-end model, and were removed from all the others." And this is the email sent to those placed on the waitlist: "When we did the one-time randomization of the list, your place in line ended up beyond the number of units we'll have in this production run. As we work our way through the reservation queue, some customers may cancel their reservations. If that happens, you may be moved into the reservation queue, and you'll be notified via email that you have a reservation after all. This is the only email you will receive about the results of the randomization. If you ended up with a waitlist spot for one or more models, you'll be placed on the waitlist for the model that you were closest to the front of." Early impressions of the Steam Machine sound promising, as it operates as a living room PC that appears to be a novel way into PC gaming. It runs well, runs quiet, and runs small. It also runs your wallet, with prices as low as $1050 and as high as $1430. I hope you have half of a month's rent just lying around somewhere.

6/26/2026

The final phase of Battlefield 6's Season 3 content rolls out on June 30 with the High-Value Target update, and Battlefield Studios has released the patch notes early. This reveals several adjustments to Battlefield 6 and Redsec, including gunplay changes, tuning of vehicle equipment, and additional improvements to the game's netcode. Content-wise, the update brings a new multiplayer mode, a casual battle royale mode with bots, and a new melee weapon. There is also the limited-time Wet Work event, which allows players to complete objectives across Battlefield 6 and Redsec in order to earn some new rewards. Season 3's updates are focused on improvements designed to give Battlefield 6 a more polished feel, and the High-Value Target update continues to expand on this. The patch notes detail even more netcode and combat readability improvements. With these netcode-specific improvements, players should hopefully notice less dying behind cover and inaccurate hit indicators. The developer says hit confirmations now display faster when receiving damage, and damage feedback is no longer delayed when taking damage from multiple sources at the same time. Damage handling has also been improved during occasions when the server receives multiple damage events at once, which the studio says should reduce extreme cases of players dying behind cover. Additionally, blood effects no longer appear on screen from shots that did not hit the player. Gunplay changes are another major part of the update. Adjustments were made to various categories, including muzzle velocity, bullet drag, recoil variation, and bolt-action rifle ranges. Battlefield Studios says, "Core gunplay has been updated to reward more deliberate aim, better recoil control, and stronger weapon mastery. " Weapon-ballistic changes arrive to most primary weapons. Bullets will now travel slightly slower and lose speed more quickly over distance, which the developer says is meant to "increase the importance of leading moving targets and rewarding precision aim." Bullet drag has been increased by 40% across all weapons, and by 100% when using Match Grade ammo. Additionally, muzzle velocity is reduced for most primary weapons. Bolt-action rifle "sweet spot" ranges have been narrowed to following ranges: L115 sweet spot range decreased from 120-175m to 100-133m M2010 ESR sweet spot range decreased from 75-120m to 75-100m PSR sweet spot range decreased from 100-150m to 90-120m SV-98 sweet spot range decreased from 54-90m to 54-75m While aiming might sound more difficult now, the developer has paired the changes with a reduction to recoil variation across the entire weapon pool to make the game's weapon behavior more predictable and controllable. "Weapons should feel less erratic during sustained fire while also retaining their individual recoil characteristics," Battlefield Studio says. Season 3's new melee weapon The developer also follows up the vehicle changes made at the start of the season with additional adjustments designed to target vehicle-focused equipment. These are small changes for equipment that is either under- or overperforming. Notably, this gives a buff to the attack helicopter's heavy rocket damage. This increases the heavy rocket damage against tanks, helicopters, and jets. The RPG-7V2 launcher is also improved with a damage increase against both tanks and helicopters. The Smoke Generator now provides damage-reduction benefits similar to Thermal Smoke, causing impact damage against vehicles inside the smoke cloud to register as minimal hits. Changes are made to the Mobile Anti-Air Vehicle ammo types: Armour Piercing Anti-Air Ammunition damage against aircraft increased from 160 to 200 General Purpose Anti-Air Ammunition damage against aircraft increased from 110 to 130 High Velocity Anti-Air Ammunition damage increased from 48 to 52 against helicopters, and from 60 to 65 against jets High Velocity Anti-Air Ammunition heat generation per bullet reduced from 4.2% to 3.6% The full patch notes for Battlefield 6's High-Value Target update can be found below, as shared by Battlefield Studios. BATTLEFIELD 6 GAME UPDATE 1.3.3.0 On Tuesday, June 30, our next game update will go live for Battlefield 6 and REDSEC. At 08:00 UTC, players will be able to download the update across all platforms and jump in with the latest gameplay changes, including weapon and vehicle tuning, netcode improvements, UI and HUD updates, Portal additions, audio polish, AI improvements, and map and mode fixes. At 12:00 UTC, the new content in this update becomes available, including the Wet Work Event, Tactical Obliteration, Casual Battle Royale, the EOD Bot Arm melee weapon. Battlefield 6 Free Trial From June 30 to July 6, Battlefield 6 will be free to play for a limited time.* Jump into 5 modes across 4 maps, including the biggest map in Battlefield 6, Railway to Golmud, the reimagined Cairo Bazaar, Tactical Obliteration, and more. Download, squad up, and make your mark with a legendary Only in Battlefield moment. NEW CONTENT Wet Work Event Every player has a target on their back. Wet Work is a new Battlefield event built around cutthroat missions, high-value objectives, and high-stakes situations across Battlefield and REDSEC modes. Assemble your arsenal, identify your target, and begin the manhunt. New Mode Tactical Obliteration: The high-stakes Battlefield classic returns with a new level of intensity. With smaller teams and focused gunfights, Tactical Obliteration delivers a relentless chase for the bomb carrier in its purest form. Secure the bomb, escort your carrier to the detonation site, and obliterate the enemy. New Battle Royale Mode Casual Battle Royale: A faster, more accessible way to drop into Battlefield’s Battle Royale experience. Casual Battle Royale brings shorter, more approachable BR Quads matches with additional AI Bots, making it the perfect entry point for every squad. New Melee Weapon EOD Bot Arm: This bomb-defusing machine lends a hand in a different way. Repurposed from EOD equipment, the EOD Bot Arm is a new improvised melee weapon for close-quarters combat and last-ditch engagements. Major Updates for 1.3.3.0 New Content Arrives: The Wet Work Event begins, bringing a new hunt-or-be-hunted event experience across Battlefield and REDSEC, alongside Tactical Obliteration, Casual Battle Royale, the EOD Bot Arm melee weapon, and a new Battlefield 6 Free Trial. Gunplay Improvements: Core gunplay has been updated to reward more deliberate aim, better recoil control, and stronger weapon mastery. Damage multipliers, dispersion, muzzle velocity, bullet drag, recoil variation, and Bolt-Action Rifle sweet spot ranges have been adjusted so pacing shots, controlling recoil, and aiming for the upper body matter more consistently. Netcode and Damage Feedback Improvements: This update continues the netcode and combat readability improvements we’ve been making throughout the season. Hit confirmations, damage feedback, server-side damage handling, bandwidth prioritisation, and TimeNudge behaviour have received further tuning to reduce delayed damage, late enemy position updates, and extreme cases of dying behind cover. Vehicle Combat Tuning: This update builds on the vehicle changes introduced at the start of Season 3, with further tuning to counterplay, survivability, and weapon consistency. IFVs, MBTs, Mobile Anti-Air, Attack Helicopters, smoke systems, countermeasures, lock-on behaviour, and vehicle weapon damage have been adjusted to further refine their combat roles. REDSEC and Second Chance Polish: Battle Royale flow has been improved across looting, missions, Field Upgrade behaviour, Safes, UAV detection, and redeploy sequences. Second Chance transitions are now smoother, squads redeploy together more reliably, and players now face towards the centre of the ring when returning to the fight. UI, HUD and Front-End Clarity: Combat information and menu presentation have been improved across the game. Map indicators, objective messaging, revive prompts, hit feedback, Loadouts, Battle Pass rewards, Store previews, Ranked visuals, and profile customisation should now appear more reliably and be easier to read at a glance. Portal, Audio, AI and Map Polish: Portal creators gain new tools for moving platforms, physics impulses, camera controls, vehicle resupply, Obliteration support, and map imagery. Audio readability, AI vehicle behaviour, spawn placement, map collision, objective interactions, and mode-specific flow have also received further polish. CHANGELOG PLAYER: Dummy Targets no longer slide into place when entering the Firing Range. Firing Range now includes an additional target at 5m for testing close-quarters weapon damage. First-person ADS hit reactions now behave more consistently while seated in an open vehicle seat. Smoke Grenades now interact with spotting more reliably, preventing cases where smoke either blocked spotting incorrectly or failed to block spotting when it should. Soldier rotation now behaves correctly when changing stance while dragging a downed teammate. The Briefing Screen camera now centres correctly at the start of a round. Weapons no longer disappear in first-person after being revived. Netcode-specific Improvements Blood effects no longer appear on screen from shots that did not hit the player. Client hit confirmations now display faster when receiving damage. Damage corrections have been reduced by improving how client damage is matched with the server. Damage feedback is no longer delayed when taking damage from multiple sources at the same time. Damage handling has been improved when the server receives multiple damage events at once, reducing extreme cases of dying behind cover. Death timing is now more responsive in dense combat situations. Netgraph and connection icons no longer freeze when experiencing rubberbanding. Network bandwidth distribution has been improved to prioritise gameplay-critical players, such as nearby or visible enemies. Network TimeNudge now reacts more quickly when network or performance conditions change, reducing cases of delayed enemy positions. Network TimeNudge now recovers faster after performance spikes, with reduced spike severity. The client game clock now synchronises with the server more quickly after poor CPU performance. Time synchronisation now avoids unnecessary corrections during temporary latency fluctuations, reducing brief rubberbanding and stuttering. VEHICLES: Developer note: We’re making a series of changes to follow up on our update at the start of Season 3, targeting Vehicle Equipment that is under or overperforming. While we’ve made small changes to many systems, key changes include reducing the effectiveness of Thermal Smoke and increasing the damage of the RPG-7V2. ATPs now reset team ownership correctly when nearby friendlies are downed. Attack Helicopter Heavy Rocket damage increased from 94-250 to 120-320 against tanks, from 300 to 356 against helicopters, and from 450 to 520 against jets. Camera transitions when exiting a tank after using scoped turret view no longer clip through terrain. Emergency Countermeasures cooldown acceleration now remains active until Countermeasures are available again. Emergency Countermeasures cooldown acceleration reduced from 2x to 1.5x. Emergency Repair Pause On Damage timer increased from 1 to 2 seconds. Fixed an issue where tanks could take reduced damage from Top Attacks because they were being registered as a turret hit. Missile lock-ons no longer continue incorrectly against vehicles using, or positioned within, lock-on countermeasures. Projectile Intercept System activation time reduced to 0.55 seconds. Radio selection now works correctly when using a controller. RPG-7V2 damage increased from 173-460 to 188-500 against tanks, and from 1035 to 1125 against helicopters. The Smoke Generator now provides damage reduction benefits similar to Thermal Smoke, causing impact damage against vehicles inside the smoke cloud to register as minimum-angle hits. Main Battle Tanks MBT 120mm APFSDS Rounds damage reduced from 282-750 to 244-650 against tanks, from 600 to 520 against helicopters, and from 750 to 650 against jets. MBT 120mm HEAT-MP-T Rounds total blast radius increased from 4m to 5m, and lethal radius increased from 1m to 1.25m. MBT Aim-Guided Shell damage increased from 235-625 to 244-650 against tanks, and from 700 to 720 against helicopters. Infantry Fighting Vehicles IFV AP Shell initial velocity increased from 375 to 445 metres per second. IFV AP Shells now pierce the Projectile Intercept System. IFV AP Shells rate of fire increased from 120 to 160 rounds per minute. IFV Lock-Guided Missile damage increased from 390 to 450 against tanks, and from 845 to 975 against helicopters. Mobile Anti-Air Vehicle Armour Piercing Anti-Air Ammunition damage against aircraft increased from 160 to 200. General Purpose Anti-Air Ammunition damage against aircraft increased from 110 to 130. High Velocity Anti-Air Ammunition damage increased from 48 to 52 against helicopters, and from 60 to 65 against jets. High Velocity Anti-Air Ammunition heat generation per bullet reduced from 4.2% to 3.6%. Thermal Smoke Thermal Smoke damage received a cap increase from 75% to 100%, reducing its effectiveness in mitigating damage. Thermal Smoke no longer removes C-4 Explosives. Thermal Smoke now needs to cover the middle of a tank for it to gain damage resistance benefits. GADGETS: Goliath Compact Supply Pouches are no longer absorbed by nearby friendlies unless intended. LWCMS Portable Mortar resupply time can no longer be bypassed by redeploying or dying. M320A1 SMK and M320A1 THRM icons now display optics in the correct position. M84 Flashbangs no longer deal damage to gadgets. Placing a Motion Sensor after being revived now displays the Soldiers hands and the Gadget correctly in third-person. Shell impacts from Mortars and JAGM strikes are now visible on the Big Map. The GPDIS Grenade Intercept System no longer destroys itself after blocking one grenade. The MANET-DIS 5 Handheld Jammer now disables lights and visual effects on the GDPIS and MP-APS while they are jammed. The PowerPulse Defibrillator discharge sequence now completes fully before the gadget is removed when out of ammo. TRCRv2 Tracer Darts are now temporarily disabled when the attached vehicle activates countermeasures, or when a friendly player has an active Handheld Jammer nearby. WEAPONS: Angled Grips on the M16A4 and RPK-74M now apply the intended recoil reduction values. Hollow Point and Synthetic Tip Ammo descriptions now correctly reflect their lower penetration values. L115 iron sight attachment cost increased from 5 to 15, bringing it in line with other Bolt-Action Rifles. M2010 5-round magazine now sits correctly in third-person view. M45A1 and Vz.61 sidearms now use Subsonic Ammo by default. M87A1 magazine tubes no longer become invisible in third-person view. Speedloader attachments now play the correct animation in third-person view. The Extended Fast Magazine on the L115 now uses the correct 3D asset. The PP-19 no longer clips through the character model while in the Loadout screen. The Taclight-Hip icon now displays correctly. Thermal Scopes no longer cause sudden full-screen brightness spikes while playing on Eastwood. Updated the description of the L115 32” Custom Extended Barrel to display the correct weight value. USG-90 hip-fire weapon position has been lowered to reduce how much screen space it occupies. Weapon and camera sway no longer becomes disabled after firing and zooming in quick succession. Weapon parts now appear correctly in the Customization menu and when viewed as loot on the ground. AK-205 AK-205 314mm Fluted Barrel icon now better reflects the attachment model. AK-205 barrel icons now display correctly. AK-205 ergonomic attachments now correctly update weapon stat values. M16A4 M16A4 Carry Handle Iron Sight naming now displays correctly. M16A4 Carry Handle Iron Sight no longer disconnects from the weapon when reloading or rotating quickly. M16A4 Flip-Up Iron Sight naming now displays correctly. M16A4 single-fire behaviour in third-person now ejects one shell casing per shot. M16A4 third-person reload animations now correctly press the magazine catch and release. RPK-74M RPK-74M Ballistic Tip attachment cost set to 20. RPK-74M soldier finger animation now behaves correctly after firing a single shot. RPK-74M third-person crouch pose no longer hyperextends when using underbarrel grips. RPK-74M third-person prone pose no longer clips the hand through the magazine. Bolt-Action Rifles Sweet Spot Bolt-Action Rifle sweet spot ranges have been narrowed, requiring more intentional positioning by the shooter and making it easier for targets to traverse. L115 sweet spot range decreased from 120-175m to 100-133m. M2010 ESR sweet spot range decreased from 75-120m to 75-100m. PSR sweet spot range decreased from 100-150m to 90-120m. SV-98 sweet spot range decreased from 54-90m to 54-75m. WEAPON BALLISTIC CHANGES: To make long-range engagements more engaging, we've adjusted projectile physics across most primary weapons. Bullets now travel slightly slower and lose speed more quickly over distance, increasing the importance of leading moving targets and rewarding precision aim. Bullet Drag has been increased by 40% across all weapons and by 100% when using Match Grade ammo. Muzzle Velocity reduced for most primary weapons. Muzzle Velocity Adjustments: ES 5.7: Decreased from 650 m/s to 510 m/s (-21.54%) LMR27: Decreased from 880 m/s to 800 m/s (-9.09%) SCW-10: Decreased from 428 m/s to 398 m/s (-7.01%) SG 553R: Decreased from 519 m/s to 483 m/s (-6.94%) TR7: Decreased from 648 m/s to 604 m/s (-6.79%) NVO-228E: Decreased from 671 m/s to 626 m/s (-6.71%) M417A2: Decreased from 600 m/s to 560 m/s (-6.67%) M121 A2: Decreased from 600 m/s to 560 m/s (-6.67%) CZ3A1: Decreased from 360 m/s to 336 m/s (-6.67%) M240L: Decreased from 630 m/s to 590 m/s (-6.35%) M4A1: Decreased from 630 m/s to 590 m/s (-6.35%) VCR-2: Decreased from 704 m/s to 660 m/s (-6.25%) SOR-300SC: Decreased from 563 m/s to 528 m/s (-6.22%) GRT-BC: Decreased from 599 m/s to 563 m/s (-6.01%) RPKM: Decreased from 670 m/s to 630 m/s (-5.97%) M123K: Decreased from 670 m/s to 630 m/s (-5.97%) M433: Decreased from 670 m/s to 630 m/s (-5.97%) SGX: Decreased from 402 m/s to 378 m/s (-5.97%) QBZ-192: Decreased from 644 m/s to 608 m/s (-5.59%) DRS-IAR: Decreased from 720 m/s to 680 m/s (-5.56%) M/60: Decreased from 720 m/s to 680 m/s (-5.56%) AK4D: Decreased from 720 m/s to 680 m/s (-5.56%) PW5A3: Decreased from 432 m/s to 408 m/s (-5.56%) M16A4: Decreased from 720 m/s to 680 m/s (-5.56%) SVK-8.6: Decreased from 720 m/s to 680 m/s (-5.56%) PSR: Decreased from 720 m/s to 680 m/s (-5.56%) SV-98: Decreased from 720 m/s to 680 m/s (-5.56%) L115: Decreased from 703 m/s to 664 m/s (-5.55%) L110: Decreased from 780 m/s to 740 m/s (-5.13%) B36A4: Decreased from 780 m/s to 740 m/s (-5.13%) M277: Decreased from 624 m/s to 592 m/s (-5.13%) PP-19: Decreased from 468 m/s to 444 m/s (-5.13%) M39 EMR: Decreased from 800 m/s to 760 m/s (-5.00%) SVDM: Decreased from 800 m/s to 760 m/s (-5.00%) GRT-CPS: Decreased from 800 m/s to 760 m/s (-5.00%) M2010 ESR: Decreased from 800 m/s to 760 m/s (-5.00%) Mini Scout: Decreased from 800 m/s to 760 m/s (-5.00%) M250: Decreased from 760 m/s to 724 m/s (-4.74%) Kord 6P67: Decreased from 760 m/s to 724 m/s (-4.74%) USG-90: Decreased from 570 m/s to 543 m/s (-4.74%) SL9: Decreased from 510 m/s to 486 m/s (-4.71%) L85A3: Decreased from 814 m/s to 778 m/s (-4.42%) UMG-40: Decreased from 488 m/s to 467 m/s (-4.30%) SOR-556Mk2: Decreased from 800 m/s to 768 m/s (-4.00%) PW7A2: Decreased from 600 m/s to 576 m/s (-4.00%) VZ.61: Decreased from 326 m/s to 313 m/s (-3.99%) AK-205: Decreased from 737 m/s to 708 m/s (-3.93%) KTS100MK8: Decreased from 840 m/s to 808 m/s (-3.81%) RPK-74M: Decreased from 840 m/s to 808 m/s (-3.81%) KV9: Increased from 348 m/s to 362 m/s (+4.02%) RECOIL CONSISTENCY CHANGES: We've reduced recoil variation across the arsenal to make weapon behavior more predictable and controllable. Weapons should feel less erratic during sustained fire while retaining their individual recoil characteristics. Recoil Variation Adjustments: TR-7: Decreased from 47.1° to 40.8° (-13.4%) AK4D: Decreased from 25.4° to 20.0° (-21.3%) NVO-228E: Decreased from 36.8° to 28.9° (-21.5%) VCR-2: Decreased from 64.9° to 50.3° (-22.5%) M433: Decreased from 50.9° to 41.4° (-18.7%) M16A4: Decreased from 46.4° to 37.5° (-19.2%) B36A4: Decreased from 37.4° to 28.0° (-25.1%) L85A3: Decreased from 29.4° to 22.8° (-22.4%) SOR-556 MK2: Decreased from 17.3° to 12.7° (-26.6%) KORD 6P67: Decreased from 35.3° to 28.9° (-18.1%) M417A2: Decreased from 19.8° to 15.4° (-22.2%) SG 553R: Decreased from 43.3° to 35.8° (-17.3%) SOR-300SC: Decreased from 19.2° to 15.8° (-17.7%) M277: Decreased from 39.4° to 34.4° (-12.7%) M4A1: Decreased from 37.9° to 30.7° (-19.0%) GRT-BC: Decreased from 31.2° to 26.1° (-16.3%) QBZ-192: Decreased from 23.5° to 19.9° (-15.3%) AK-205: Decreased from 7.8° to 7.4° (-5.1%) RPKM: Decreased from 22.7° to 17.5° (-22.9%) DRS-IAR: Decreased from 35.2° to 29.3° (-16.8%) KTS100 MK8: Decreased from 10.9° to 9.5° (-12.8%) RPK-74M: Decreased from 18.9° to 16.1° (-14.8%) M121 A2: Decreased from 39.5° to 31.8° (-19.5%) M240L: Decreased from 41.8° to 34.5° (-17.5%) M/60: Decreased from 38.8° to 29.9° (-22.9%) M250: Decreased from 39.7° to 35.9° (-9.6%) M123K: Decreased from 55.9° to 47.7° (-14.7%) L110: Decreased from 39.4° to 31.0° (-21.3%) SCW-10: Decreased from 35.0° to 33.5° (-4.3%) UMG-40: Decreased from 17.4° to 13.0° (-25.3%) KV9: Decreased from 57.6° to 50.0° (-13.2%) CZ3A1: Decreased from 59.1° to 50.8° (-14.0%) SGX: Decreased from 39.8° to 31.7° (-20.4%) PW5A3: Decreased from 33.2° to 28.3° (-14.8%) PP-19: Decreased from 21.4° to 18.0° (-15.9%) SL9: Decreased from 16.2° to 13.0° (-19.8%) USG-90: Decreased from 42.8° to 35.5° (-17.1%) PW7A2: Decreased from 33.3° to 27.8° (-16.5%) VZ. 61: Decreased from 20.8° to 18.4° (-11.5%) Developer Note: These changes are part of our ongoing gunplay refinement work within Battlefield Labs. Our goal is to make longer-range gunfights require players to lead their shots more consistently against moving targets, while also improving survivability for players on the receiving end. Players will now notice greater projectile travel time at range, but they will also be paired with more predictable recoil control during sustained/prolonged engagements allowing for more situations to define your scenario through skill. Damage Multipliers To better reward skill and mastery, average Time to Kill (TTK) has been slowed down without affecting the best possible TTK. Damage to limbs and lower torso has been reduced for all weapon classes except shotguns and sidearms. This change generally increases the amount of shots to kill by one when hitting these areas multiple times but landing headshots will compensate for the lower damage dealt to limbs and lower torso. In most engagements, this means that players that are more intentional about keeping their aim at the chest or at the head of their target will be more likely to win a gunfight. To maintain weapon balance and consistency, recoil for automatic weapons has also been adjusted, headshot multipliers for automatic weapons have been slightly increased, and base damage values have received minor adjustments. Automatic Weapons Damage Multipliers: Head: Increased from 1.34x, 1.5x, 1.75x to 1.4x, 1.57x, 1.8x (depending on headshot ammo type) Chest: Unchanged (1x) except against armor where the damage is now decreased from 1x to 0.84x Stomach: Decreased from 1x to 0.84x Limbs: Decreased from 1x to 0.84x DMRs Damage Multipliers: Head: Unchanged (1.34x, 1.5x, 1.75x) Chest: Unchanged (1x) except against armor where the damage is now decreased from 1x to 0.91x Stomach: Decreased from 1x to 0.91x Limbs: Decreased from 1x to 0.91x Sniper Rifles Damage Multipliers: Head: Unchanged (1.75x) Chest: Unchanged (1x) except against armor where the damage is now decreased from 0.8x to 0.67x Stomach: Decreased from 0.8x to 0.67x Limbs: Decreased from 0.8x to 0.67x Weapon Dispersion Dispersion has been adjusted to make firing behaviour more demanding for most weapons. It remains more forgiving for weapons with very low damage output, while weapons with medium to high damage output now require greater reliance on proper shooting technique and weapon mastery. Weapons with higher damage output now experience a more aggressive increase in dispersion, especially immediately after the first shot. This places greater emphasis on burst firing or single firing when engaging at extended ranges. Lower damage output weapons are affected less, and in some cases may have slightly reduced dispersion growth. On average, dispersion growth has increased by 14%. Weapons with the highest damage output can receive up to a 22% dispersion increase. Weapons with the lowest damage output can receive up to a 48% dispersion growth reduction, with smaller differences in absolute terms. MAPS & MODES: Capture points can now be pinged correctly. M-COM “Destroyed Support” events now trigger correctly. Objective A on Cairo Bazaar can now be captured while using the Assault Ladder gadget and from the nearby stairs while playing King of the Hill. Obliteration Bomb objectives no longer become trapped under debris piles. Obliteration now backfills with Bots to populate the server and meet game start criteria. Player spawn placements have been adjusted on Eastwood, New Sobek City, Saints Quarter, and Siege of Cairo. Players will no longer clip through terrain objects while in the Siege of Cairo pre-game lobby. Strikepoint round outcomes now correctly account for full team wipes, regardless of capture progress. Strikepoint rounds no longer end in a tie after a full team wipe when no capture progress is active. Updated the Automated Anti-Air range to be consistent across all maps. Water no longer flickers when viewed from a distance. PROGRESSION: Nightfall Hardware Challenge 1 now calculates vehicle damage progress consistently, preventing cases where vehicle damage could count higher than the value shown on screen. Updated several Challenges to support “OR” completion requirements, giving players multiple valid ways to complete the listed objective. UI & HUD: “Reconnection” dialogs now remain responsive if the player is disconnected while the EAConnect overlay is open. Added a “Mark All Seen” button to Loadouts, Battle Pass, Store, Profile, Challenges, and Play. Air vehicle icons now remain visible when aircraft are at a higher altitude than the player. An Event tab has been added, making it easier to explore event content, track progress, and earn rewards. Battle Pass and Store previews for soldiers inspecting the L85A3 now display the correct hand position. Battle Pass items now remain correctly framed within the menu. Battle Pass screen keybindings no longer cause tier advancement and slide navigation to trigger at the same time. BF Pro challenges can now be tracked as intended. Capture icons now move correctly with the train on the Deploy Screen on Railway to Golmud. Career Rank XP Booster rewards now appear correctly in rank-up notifications and End of Round progression animations. Combat areas for flying vehicles now appear correctly when viewed on the Big Map. Corrected an issue for Obliteration where multiple instances of the Bomb objective would appear in the CommoRose for Squad Leaders and the objectives would show the wrong text. Bomb objectives should now only appear when they are pingable and have the correct context text: pickup, intercept, and escort. Cosmetic items now display the correct icons and artwork more reliably. Damage numbers and hit indicators no longer move far away from the screen centre when reloading while zoomed. Deploy Screen camera no longer shifts unpredictably when attempting to centre. Distance limits for displaying nearby medics while downed have been adjusted to 50m. Enemy icons now appear correctly on the Big Map. Free Mode Trial tiles now keep their Trial tags after a menu refresh. Gadgets and melee weapons now appear correctly framed within the Loadouts menu. Hit indicators no longer appear before a spectated player is seen damaging another player. Obliteration game mode name now appears correctly in its Custom Search description title. Player pings on M-COMs in Obliteration no longer clear immediately when they do not match tactical advice context. Profile customization items, including backgrounds, badges, stickers, and Dog Tags, now load faster on Xbox Series S. Profile tabs now display hover visuals when hovered and focus visuals when focused. Purchased Battle Pass tier items no longer appear incorrectly locked. Revive icon opacity for friendlies now applies correctly when zooming. Selecting “Mark All Seen” now clears all “New” indicators within that section of the menu. Spotted notifications now continue to appear correctly after a player’s first death. Sprays now appear correctly in Store bundle previews. The “Alliance Disbanded” notifications no longer briefly appear after the initiation sequence. The “Getting Revived by” UI text no longer appears compressed. The crosshair no longer moves unintentionally when swapping weapons while sprinting. The Loadout screen now displays the correct Mastery Rank badges and progression for favourited weapon packages. The pre-game lobby now displays the player’s selected Training Path. The Scoreboard no longer plays the “Liked” animation when opened for the first time in a match. Weapon Charm thumbnails now display with the correct orientation. World icons no longer use the “When Zooming” opacity setting while not zooming. SETTINGS: Accessing Audio Settings through the Social menu while in the Firing Range no longer causes the game to become unresponsive. Added a new option to disable projection for hit indicators separately from the crosshair, allowing hit indicators to remain centred on screen instead of following the sight. PORTAL: “Core_Stinger_RankUp” music now triggers more reliably and as intended. “Core_Urgency” music parameter now correctly reaches 4 instead of capping at 3. “mod.SetPlayerMaxHealth()” error logs now display the correct value. “MovingPlatform” has been added, allowing creators to place objects that can move along a defined path for custom experiences. Added “SetThirdPersonCameraPosition” and “SetFreeCameraCollision” Actions. AI Redeploy Delay Multiplier now only affects AI redeploys, and no longer applies to their first spawn. Custom Bazaar has been added to the Spatial Editor. Free Camera has been updated with a new control system. M-COM functionality and Bomb asset have been added to Obliteration. Operation Metro community map has been added to the SDK. Physics Impulse now includes an example and a Readme file. Physics Impulse now includes the “ApplyAreaImpulseAndDamage” Action, allowing creators to apply impulse and optional damage to vehicles within an area. Physics Impulse now includes the “ApplyImpulse” Action, allowing creators to apply impulse directly to a single vehicle. Portal Performance tools have been added, including functions for server-side average game frame time and Portal logic frame time. Screen Effects now support Freeze Max amounts above 200. Sound Effect feedback now plays when joining a match through the Portal Server Browser. Text formatting now appears consistently in the Portal Server Browser. The “EnableSpatialObject” function has been removed. Creators can now use “SpawnObject” and “UnspawnObject” to add or remove objects. The Rules Editor now updates correctly after importing a Blockly JSON file. The Train on Railway to Golmud now only loads the variant requested by the experience creator. Third-person camera collision and positioning have been improved. Top-down orthographic map images have been added to the SDK for Multiplayer maps and REDSEC POIs. Vehicle Resupply Station has been added to the SDK. Verified modes have been added for Squad Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch. AUDIO: Commander voice lines in Obliteration no longer coach players to use vehicle support unless they are currently in a vehicle. Cutter voice lines now use the correct “Destroyed” and “Threat” dialogue. Defibrillator charge replenishment now has unique sound effects. Focus sound now plays correctly on the “Select Character” button when using a controller. Foley audio no longer cuts off when stopping movement. Land vehicle Doppler and pass-by audio has been improved. Lopez voice lines no longer reference tanks when other enemy vehicles are present. Navigation sound effects now play correctly when switching classes with controller shoulder buttons in the pre-game lobby. Navigation sound effects now play correctly when viewing player profiles through the Social menu. Obliteration urgency music now plays correctly when a match ends by time limit. Small concrete buildings now provide improved destruction audio feedback. Small vehicle wreck fire audio now has improved spatialisation. Soldier armor damage audio now scales more clearly with the amount of damage taken, improving clarity and directionality. Soldier armour damage audio has been updated to feel snappier, improving hit readability when taking multiple hits in quick succession. Sound effect feedback now plays when joining a match through the Portal Server Browser. The Defibrillator reload animations now include new audio. Vehicles no longer randomly play low-health sounds when they should not. Weapon-to-shoulder movement now has added audio when stopping a sprint. Wooden surfaces now play the correct sounds when destroyed by a melee weapon. AI: Bot-controlled bikes in Rush can now reliably reach objectives in the final sector on Cairo Bazaar. Bot-controlled tanks on Rush now pass over parked vehicles more reliably than before on Cairo Bazaar. Bots can now use boost when driving cars and tanks. Bots now recognise parked vehicles as obstacles. Bots now turn more effectively at speed when driving cars and tanks. Vehicle positioning and locomotion have been improved for bot-controlled tanks and cars. REDSEC PLAYER: Added a new Recon Training Path, Disruptor, featuring the Mobile Jammer and Hardware Suppression System for counter-gadget and electronic warfare play. Ammo and armour plates can now be automatically looted when placed on certain couches. Class Armory Crates, Armory Crates, and Tactical Armory Crates now reset and become lootable again when Second Chance is disabled. Corrected an issue where ammo and armour plates sometimes had to be manually picked up. Corrected an issue where weapon drops sometimes were empty. Improved infantry armour animations during stance transitions, including entering and exiting prone. Players no longer get stuck interacting with the Antenna during the Signal Decryption mission. Players redeploying through Second Chance, or from other redeploy sources, now face towards the centre of the ring when spawning. Pointman Training Path Rank 2 no longer requires players to reload the HE Grenade Launcher if the first round of ammunition had not been granted/generated after deploying. Second Chance fade transitions are now snappier and better hide redeploy transitions. Second Chance messages now appear with improved timing and added animations. Second Chance redeployment and spectating no longer result in a black screen. Second Chance respawn sequences now play at the player’s upcoming spawn location. Squads redeploying through Second Chance after a squad wipe now spawn together more reliably. Teams redeploying through Second Chance now redeploy together more reliably. The “Tank Hunter” mission can now be attempted more than once per match. Thermite Charges can no longer be picked up after sabotaging armoured vehicles. CALL-INS: Updated airstrike call-ins to correctly display their replenishment state before being equipped. Updated the Missile Strike Package inventory display to show the correct number of uses to the player. GADGETS: Grenade Launchers and explosives can no longer open Safes in Battle Royale. MAP: Lighting has been improved to address visual glitches across the Downtown area. Psygas now appears as intended in the Downtown layout in Gauntlet. REDSEC missions have been removed from the “Defense Testing Complex 3” area. The REDSEC Signal Hack antenna placement has been adjusted in the Chemical Storage area. UI & HUD: Distance limits for displaying nearby medics while downed have been adjusted to 100m in Battle Royale. Matchmaking screen no longer overlaps with loadouts when deploying in Gauntlet while the Loadout menu is open. PP-19 loot and upgrade feed entries now display the correct SMG icon. The Compass UI now correctly shows the presence of shooting enemies in Battle Royale. Updated several Contract and Counter Mission icons. COMPETITIVE: Introduced new categories for Weapon Camos, Charms and Stickers as well as Vehicle Decals to better separate Ranked rewards. Ranked screen season visuals now show the active game mode and no longer display the arbitrary year. Several Ranked Camo cosmetics have been moved to categories that better fit their style. The “Misc” category for Camos has been retired, with all “Misc” Camos moved to “General”. Top 250 Ranked Sticker has been renamed from “S3 Ranked Champion” to “S3 Ranked Elite” to better differentiate it from Top 1.

6/26/2026

With Grand Theft Auto 6 a few months away from blowing up the entire industry on November 19, some retailers appear to be getting antsy, as a new leak floating around online is providing new details about the crime sim. Posted to the notorious GamingLeaksAndRumors subreddit on June 25, gameplay details on GTA 6 appear to come from the Brazilian version of Amazon. Some of this information doesn't seem particularly new—like the dual-protagonist system or the higher graphical fidelity—but other parts sound kinda enticing ... if it's to be believed. For example, the supposed leak mentions that this rendition of Vice City is "the most massive, dense, and insane map" developer Rockstar Games has ever created. There will be dangerous swamps, crowded beaches, and realistic suburbs "designed to deliver brutal immersion and total freedom." The two protagonists—Lucia and Jason, who people speculate are either lovers or siblings—possess unique abilities that "directly influence the criminal ecosystem and the tactical intelligence of the missions." That doesn't sound too dissimilar from the roles the triple characters of Grand Theft Auto 5—Franklin Clinton, Michael Townley, and Trevor Philips—had, but with a bit more impact on the game's narrative development and gameplay interactivity. What may be most fascinating, though, is the role social networks play in GTA 6. If this leak is true, your in-game phone will allow you to follow Vice City influencers, discover "secret side missions" and "world events," and watch viral videos. So, think TikTok, but in GTA. Maybe RobTok? TikCrime? We'll workshop those names. This all comes together in a vibrant "living world controlled by artificial intelligence." Vice City, according to the leak, will pulsate in "a hyper-realistic way," with NPCs going about their lives based on advanced AI, creating a more immersive experience that allows you to participate in random events and walk into interactive establishments. It's giving Watch Dogs 2, but with what sounds like "a greater sense of immersion." Take it all with a grain of salt, though. This leak comes right on the heels of Rockstar Games peeling back the curtain on how much GTA 6 will cost—$80, though there is a more expensive $100 Ultimate Edition—and the fact that you only get a download code in the box instead of a disc. Going download-only makes sense in theory in 2026, but while preorders are now live, people have thoughts about the price. This is especially true following Xbox's upcoming price increase, which now means you gotta be rich to buy GTA 6 and a console come November—if your retailer is even carrying the game, that is.

6/26/2026

Assassin's Creed Shadows' story has come to an end with the release of Black Tides, the game's final narrative expansion and a tie-in to Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. Black Tides is surprisingly very good. It's not perfect (it's got some extremely annoying boss fights) but its story missions and animations and pacing and structure are all leaps and bounds ahead of the base game for Shadows. It left me wishing that Black Tides, as well as the other bite-sized post-launch expansions that led up to this three-hour finale, had been the true plotline of the base game all along.  Since I've reviewed Assassin's Creed Shadows, I've increasingly soured on the structure of the base game's story, as well as how the story concludes. While I still think the opening act of Shadows is strong--it's more affecting and fun to play through than the first 10 hours of Odyssey, Valhalla, and Mirage at least--and contains several especially excellent performances from Masumi Tsunoda (the English voice of protagonist Naoe), I can no longer easily forgive the faults of Acts 2 and 3.  Act 2 is simply way too long and aimless, with dozens upon dozens of targets hidden in repetitive hunts that lack the necessary cohesion and structure to give protagonists Naoe and Yasuke compelling character arcs. This entire 35-hour chunk of the 50-hour story is just too disjointed and purposeless. And then Act 3 pulls too far away from Naoe, the better hero to play as, to focus on Yasuke, and while this three-ish-hour conclusion finally begins to bring Shadows' story into the Assassin's Creed mythos and Assassin-Templar conflict, it ends frustratingly abruptly. That ending was then followed by several story-driven expansions, releasing every few months in the year following Shadows' launch. And almost every single one of them increased my appreciation for Shadows, building on one another to give the action-RPG the ending it always deserved. The specific additional stories that best built Shadows up are A Critical Encounter, a crossover with Critical Role's Assassin's Creed Shadows One-Shot that refocuses the game on killing Templars; A Puzzlement, a short but exceptionally tricky treasure hunt that adds the Isu into Shadows and amazingly reminds everyone that Odyssey's Kassandra is trolling everyone in the background of every game; Claws of Awaji, which addresses the lingering threads of Shadows' cliffhanger ending; and then finally, Black Tides.  In my review of Assassin's Creed Shadows' Claws of Awaji expansion, I talked about how the DLC addresses my biggest qualms with the base game's structure during Act 2. Namely, that the DLC makes the target hunt more meaningful by providing concrete results for your efforts, shortening the overall hunt, and building up each of the targets of the hunt to be more memorable. In a similar way, Black Tides addresses my issues with Act 3, as it gives emotional stakes to Naoe and Yasuke's partnership, and ensures the two's journey ultimately concludes with both joining the greater mythos of the series. In Black Tides, Naoe and Yasuke encounter Black Cross agents (elite Templar operatives who largely have only existed in Assassin's Creed books and comics up to this point) named Eamon Hathaway and Nirmala. Both Black Cross immediately make it clear that they're not in Japan to follow up on the efforts of the Templar members that Yasuke has already killed in Japan--Eamon even comments that the machinations that Yasuke and Naoe foiled during the main game mean extremely little to him. Even though the Templar Order wants Naoe and Yasuke dead, Eamon says he's willing to leave them be if they agree to let him and Nirmala be. Our heroes do not just let things be, of course. Naoe and Yasuke investigate the two and, in an incredible twist, the two learn that the Black Cross are in Japan searching for the Observatory, the exact same McGuffin that Edward Kenway, the Assassins, and the Templars are still looking for over 100 years later during the events of Black Flag.  Given that the Observatory is in Jamaica and not Japan, Black Tides' race between the Templars and Team Naoe/Yasuke ends with both sides failing to find the site. However, the search does lead to a strong possible explanation as to how the Assassins possessed one of the cube-shaped blood vials ahead of the Templars. And, most fascinatingly, Black Tides hints at a potential reasoning for how Achilles Davenport was able to identify the Isu artifact at the end of Rogue's story on sight and realize he had too quickly misjudged Shay Cormac. In both cases, it seems as if Naoe and Yasuke took what they learned over the course of Black Tides' story and informed the leadership of the Assassin Brotherhood. Black Tides also seems to imply that the reason Yasuke is such a towering individual with a knack for warfare and an almost absurd level of plot armor when it comes to surviving what should be fatal wounds is because he has an abnormal amount of Isu DNA, making him like Odyssey's Kassandra. He's basically Assassin's Creed's version of a demigod, which retroactively sort of narratively explains why Yasuke has some of the superpower-like abilities of the action-RPG Assassin's Creed games, while Naoe's abilities are more human. It's an intriguing final reveal that feels on par with Minerva speaking to Desmond through Ezio at the end of Assassin's Creed II, or Abstergo Entertainment IT head John Standish revealing himself to be a Sage. Black Tides has me wanting to go back and replay Shadows to see how the development team might have been hinting toward Yasuke's true nature all along. In short, Black Tides establishes that the main plotline of Shadows is a silly goosechase in the overall politics of the rest of the world (which feels extremely validating based on how I felt the game mishandled that plotline), delivers several fun nods to other Assassin's Creed games and stories (including Shao Jun--the best part of Embers and Chronicles: China), reminds the audience that Kassandra is a delightful troll who should be included in every Assassin's Creed game in some way from here on out, and sets up the plotline for the next entry in the series: Black Flag Resynced. It ends in a way that--while still a bit of a cliffhanger--feels far more conclusive and rewarding than the base game of Shadows, and makes me excited to see what happens next (even if I already know what that story is because I played the original Black Flag 13 years ago). For the first time, Shadows feels like a true Assassin's Creed. Black Tides also just looks better than the base game Shadows. The cutscenes seem sharper, with the characters' faces being more expressive and the voice acting being more memorable and less wooden--I was totally caught off guard by just how goshdarn charming and witty Eamon was, which felt like a nod back to when Assassin's Creed had incredible villains. And the cutscenes had, remarkably, animations. Characters moved and acted like people, not awkward puppets, and duels between characters featured people running and sliding and jumping and twirling ... this seems silly, but trust me, lifelike movement has been missing from Assassin's Creed since the switch to the Ubisoft Anvil engine back in 2020. In fact, that is one of my biggest worries about Black Flag Resynced--some of the brand-new cinematics look very bad in comparison to the original cutscenes.  Best of all, Black Tides doesn't continue Shadows' habit of undermining its best idea: its two protagonists. The story has missions exclusive to Naoe and some that are exclusive to Yasuke. We get to have moments purposely structured for one hero or the other. And guess what? It's perfect. Because the story makes sure Naoe is in one spot and Yasuke in another instead of leaving it up to player choice, their relationship can actually develop based on the events of the story, and every mission can be structured with intent around their respective combat and traversal abilities. It took us until the end of the game's development to get here but we did, and it reinforces that Shadows should have always been like this. And that's my main takeaway for Black Tides: Why are we getting this story at the end of a year's worth of content drops? Why were all of Shadows' best ideas reserved for paid expansions and free updates? Shadows is what it is; there's no changing it now. But I can't help but wish that the game's fantastic first act had led into a far more concise and narrative-driven Act 2 that emulated the structure of Claws of Awaji, and then concluded with the Black Cross coming in for a Templar-centric Act 3 that set up Black Flag Resynced. And for this hypothetical reimagining of Shadows, we could have gotten memorable villains that you wanted to interact with, not simply check off of a massive kill list, and the cutscenes could have injected more life into each character than the uncanny, puppet-like movements that we got.  Still, thanks to Black Tides, I'm now more looking forward to Black Flag Resynced than I was a few months ago. I'm more confident that Ubisoft can achieve some level of life and dramatic performance with cutscenes in the Ubisoft Anvil engine, and I'm now curious as to whether Black Flag Resynced will feature new storylines that tie it more heavily to Naoe and Yasuke's tale. But as excited as I am, I'm also a little sad. This last update for Shadows hinted at a stronger vision for the game than the one we got and, for the first time in my 100+ hours with Shadows, I understood (even if only briefly) what Ubisoft Quebec was going for with the dual-protagonist set-up. Shadows has always been a good action-RPG, but apparently this entire time, it could have been a great Assassin's Creed.

6/26/2026

Pokemon Go is holding its next Super Mega Raid Day this Saturday, June 27, and it's introducing another new Mega-Evolved Pokemon to the game: Mega Skarmory.  While standard Skarmory favors defense, Mega Skarmory is a quick and powerful attacker, making it a formidable opponent in battle. It's also one of the coolest new forms in the game, gaining golden armor and giant, razor-sharp talons upon Mega Evolving. To help you conquer the new Super Mega Raid boss, we've rounded up some tips on how to defeat Mega Skarmory, including recommended counters and the best moves to teach it once you have one on your team. Mega Skarmory Raid Day Hours And Bonuses Mega Skarmory Weaknesses Best Mega Skarmory Counters Best Moves For Mega Skarmory Mega Skarmory Raid Day Hours And Bonuses Mega Skarmory is only appearing in Super Mega Raids on June 27. These Raids will occur from 2 to 5 PM local time and are even more challenging than standard ones, requiring a group of at least seven players who each have their own Mega-Evolved Pokemon. Fortunately, a few bonuses will be active during the event to make it easier to join Raids. The number of Remote Raid Passes you can hold is temporarily being bumped up to 20, and you can get up to six regular Raid Passes for free by spinning the Photo Discs at Gyms. You can see the full list of bonuses below: Remote Raid Pass limit increased to 20 (June 26-27) Receive up to six free Raid Passes by spinning the Photo Disc at Gyms Increased chance to encounter shiny Skarmory after completing a Raid On top of that, new Timed Research tasks will also be available during the event. Complete these to earn other helpful rewards, including a chance to catch Houndoom, which will be very effective against Mega Skarmory. Mega Skarmory Weaknesses While many Pokemon change types upon Mega Evolving, Mega Skarmory retains its steel/flying type combination, so it has the same weaknesses as standard Skarmory. The armor bird Pokemon is only vulnerable to fire and electric attacks, making those your best options to use when participating in a Mega Skarmory Raid. Best Mega Skarmory Counters Fire and electric Pokemon deal extra damage when using attacks of their own type, so you'll want to pack your team with as many of them as possible to maximize your chances against Mega Skarmory. Any fully evolved or legendary Pokemon of those types will prove useful, but here are a few recommendations: Fire PokemonTypeFast AttackCharged Attack Mega Charizard YFire/FlyingFire SpinBlast Burn Mega BlazikenFire/FightingFire SpinBlast Burn EnteiFireFire SpinOverheat HeatranFire/SteelFire SpinMagma Storm ReshiramFire/DragonFire FangFusion Flare BlacephalonFire/GhostIncinerateMind Blown CinderaceFireFire SpinBlast Burn Electric PokemonTypeFast AttackCharged Attack Mega AmpharosElectric/DragonVolt SwitchZap Cannon Mega ManectricElectricThunder FangWild Charge RaikouElectricThunder ShockWild Charge ElectivireElectricThunder ShockWild Charge ZekromDragon/ElectricCharge BeamFusion Bolt XurkitreeElectricThunder ShockDischarge RegielekiElectricLock-OnThunder Cage Best Moves For Mega Skarmory Skarmory's attack stats gain a significant boost upon Mega Evolving, turning the armor bird Pokemon into one of the most formidable attackers in the game. If you want to leverage Skarmory's flying type, you'll dish out the most damage by teaching it the Fast Attack Air Slash and the Charged Attack Sky Attack. These two moves will maximize Skarmory's offensive powers and make it a great counter against fighting, bug, and grass Pokemon. If you'd rather use Mega Skarmory as a steel-type attacker, your best options are the Fast Attack Steel Wing and the Charged Attack Flash Cannon. These will make the Mega Pokemon a very effective counter against rock, ice, and fairy types.

6/26/2026

Call of Duty Season 4 Reloaded is live in Black Ops 7, bringing the brand-new Kowakujo map to Zombies. Like previous Zombies maps, Kowakujo includes an Easter egg you can activate to play a new tune composed by Kevin Sherwood. Here, we guide you in finding the hidden headphones needed to unlock the secret song on Kowakujo in Black Ops 7's Zombies. How to unlock the Easter egg song for Kowakujo To activate Kowakujo's secret song, you first need to find three hidden headphones. The headphones are blue and have fuzzy ears like the Mister Peeks bunny. These can be interacted with in any order and at any time during your match. Press Square (PlayStation) or X (Xbox). Completing this Easter egg will play the new Zombies song called "Evencry," which is performed by Kevin Sherwood and also features Cole Rolland and Malukah. Mister Peeks headset #1 Headset in the Stables Head toward the small courtyard with the Death Perception perk machine. The Stables are located in the corner near the area's Mystery Box spawn. Look to the right of the boxes stacked in the corner, as shown in the image above. You'll see the headset has fallen down beside them.  Mister Peeks headset #2 Headset in Onsen Baths Head toward the Elemental Pop perk machine. The headset can be found in the room to the right of Elemental Pop, which is labeled the Onsen Baths. This one seems a bit tricky. You should hear the headset's music playing near the cubbies with the towels and sandals, as shown in the image above. This headset didn't appear visible to me here, but interacting with the area did trigger the laughing audio cue to confirm it was activated. Mister Peeks headset #3 Headset in Kitchens This headset is in the same room as the Double tap perk machine, labeled "Kitchens." The headset is inside a large wooden bowl on a bottom shelf.  Kowakujo's Easter egg song, "Evencry," will play once you've interacted with all three. You can only do these steps once per match to play the song.

6/26/2026

Ahead of its release next month, Ubisoft has released a playable part of Assassin's Creed Black Flag: Resynced online--playable sea shanties, that is. This is technically correct, which is the best kind of correct. Available online through various streaming platforms, the collection includes all the original shanties from the game, brand-new compositions, and the unreleased rendition of The Parting Glass by Sarah Greene. In total, that's 57 tracks to accompany you on your next voyage. You can listen to it through the links below, but we all know that you're going to have "The Wellerman" on a loop: https://open.spotify.com/album/59KZr80YaeZ6bT9Nt1sCY3 Spotify YouTube Music Apple Music Deezer Amazon Music Qobuz Tidal The original Black Flag's soundtrack required some work to completely unlock, as dozens of shanties had to be located and caught. Appearing in the game as glowing pieces of sheet music, players had to perform acrobatics to acquire each one, and once in their possession, protagonist Edward Kenway's crew would sing them while players were sailing. You could even take these seaworthy tunes on the go with you, as an Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag companion app synced to the game and downloaded the tracks to your smartphone. Sadly, the app has long been discontinued. Recorded in Montreal by a group of contemporary folk singers and musicians, the Black Flag soundtrack's catchy collection of sailing songs predated the rise of ShantyTok on TikTok around 2021. Scottish musician Nathan Evans recorded a rendition of The Wellerman that quickly went viral, and it wasn't long before more users began to join in with their own performances. For Black Flag, Ubisoft hired musician and professor David Gossage to produce the in-world music, which was then adjusted to fit the game's time period. Another interesting fact is that the singers recruited for the shanties had to dial back their singing so that they could sound like sailors, not a well-rehearsed choir. Assassin's Creed Black Flag: Resynced launches on July 9 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Preorders opened up for the game a few months back, and to kick off the marketing for the Black Flag remake, Red Bull Gaming tasked several athletes with recreating Edward Kenway's signature leaps of faith.  Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced - Standard Edition (PS5, Xbox Series X) $60 | Releases July 9 Preorder at Amazon View at other stores Preorder at Best Buy Preorder at Target Preorder at GameStop Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Digital Deluxe Edition (PS5, Xbox Series X, PC) $70 | Releases July 9 Preorder at Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Collector's Edition (PS5, Xbox Series X, PC) $200 | Releases July 9 Preorder at Amazon View at other stores Preorder at Best Buy Preorder at Target Preorder at GameStop Preorder at PS Direct Opinions are mixed on some of the changes that the remake will introduce, but overall, it looks like fans can expect a mix of graphical overhauls and quality-of-life updates. 10 Ways Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Differs From Ubisoft’s Original Pirate Adventure View Images

6/26/2026

PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S saw a significant drop in unit sales in May, according to new data from Circana. May's US Video Game Market Notes from Circana Senior Director Mat Piscatella detailed this slump, even as the month otherwise saw a 38% year-over-year increase in hardware spending. Sony sold 58% fewer PS5 units last month than in May 2025, as spending on the console dropped 43% year-over-year. It was the fewest number of PlayStation consoles Sony has sold in May since May 2000, back when the original PlayStation was its only console on the market in the United States. Meanwhile, Xbox's units sold fell by 12% between May 2025 and May 2026, making for the worst May performance since the Xbox debuted in November 2001. Oddly, Microsoft still saw hardware spending grow by 7% year-over-year despite the drop in units sold, likely due to the multiple price hikes Xbox consoles have received over the past year. Generally, it seems the past year of price hikes is finally catching up to PlayStation and Xbox. Circana's data points out that the average price of PlayStation and Xbox hardware has increased by 33% and 22%, respectively. That's now clearly impacting how many people will go out and buy a new console, even in a month of high-profile releases like 007 First Light, Forza Horizon 6, and Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. The continued success of the Nintendo Switch 2, which Circana estimates has sold 5.9 million units in North America, ultimately offset the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S' poor performance. Hardware spending increased by 37% between May 2025 and May 2026. When you also factor in video game sales and accessories, spending increased by 3% year over year. On Bluesky, Piscatella posted that May 2026 "will be last month with HW growth for a… while. Pricing and Switch 2 launch comp will be a nasty combo."

6/26/2026

With GTA 6 launching in a few months, Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone's Haunted Chocolatier is teeing up to be the next big "when the heck is it coming out" game. Announced five years ago, Barone has given a few updates and interviews on the status of the game, and in a new blog post, he wrote about the progress on his Stardew Valley follow-up. "I know it's taking a long time. A big part of that is that I am being very thoughtful about every aspect of the game," Barone wrote. "The things in the game which the player will be interacting with or using very often need to be 'perfect.' They need to be seamless, clear, intuitive, satisfying, aesthetic." Barone added that he'd spent time recently revisiting the recipe book for making chocolates, adding that this was one aspect of the game in particular he wanted to be flawless. Since this will be a major component in Haunted Chocolatier's gameplay, Barone wants it to present "just the right amount" of data to players that doesn't overwhelm. That's no easy task and a function that most players will likely take for granted, Barone wrote, saying that the process takes several rounds of iterations before he's finally satisfied. Beyond that look behind the curtain, Barone explained that this process was also one of the reasons why he hadn't shown off much of Haunted Chocolatier at all. "Partly, it feels like I'm serving a half-baked bread. I would rather serve a fully baked bread. Also, I know that many parts of the game will likely evolve and change before release, so if I reveal them early, I risk disappointing players if the final product does not match their expectations," Barone concluded. Haunted Chocolatier doesn't have a release date yet, but Barone is aiming for his tale of creating sweet treats and running a confectionery store to be a spooky experience. For now, Barone and the rest of his team remain "knee-deep" in development on it. Best Cozy Games To Cuddle Up With In 2026 View Images

6/26/2026

Before the days of flat-screen monitors and 4K quality, video games were played on big, square TVs that took up the whole living room. Today, Unico has unveiled its version of that old way to play, the ULW10 Retro Gaming Monitor, which will bring back the CRT gaming days of old with a new modern flair … and a reasonable size. The ULW10, also called the “Traveler,” features a 10.1-inch display at a 4:3 aspect ratio, with support for five different inputs: S-Video, RGB, RCA, VGA, and HDMI. Three color options will also be available: off-white, black, and a red-and-white design resembling the Famicom.  The dream of the '90s is alive. Buttons and knobs on the back of the device will allow for volume and RGB adjustment on the fly, while the monitor also features a detachable back piece, which allows uses to store cables, controllers, and more. Along with the ULW10, Unico has announced another home arcade cabinet, the Raiden R19, which will feature multiple titles from the classic shoot-'em-up franchise Raiden. The company also plans a restock of its original cabinet, the SNK MVSX. A Kickstarter campaign for the ULW 10 is planned for August 20, with early-bird pricing targeted at $279. The device, along with the MVSX and Raiden R19 cabinets, will be on display at Unico’s booth at EVO 2026 this weekend.

6/26/2026

I promise I'm not going to make a "set your phasers to" joke even though this post is about a Star Trek deal. Among the dozens of movies and TV series on sale for Prime Day is the entire run of Star Trek: The Next Generation on Blu-ray--all 41 discs of it. The massive boxed set is marked down to $97, from its list price of $135, the cheapest we've seen it since April. Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Complete Series Blu-ray Collection $97 Included in the collection are deleted scenes, and other featurettes, but the real star of the show (besides the hundreds of hours of peak 90's television) is the gag reel. Take a peek behind the scenes and see just how many F-bombs the polite and proper crew of the Enterprise drop when nobody's looking. Shop Now The Star Trek: Next Generation: Complete Series boxed set includes 41 discs featuring all 176 episodes of Star Trek: TNG's 1987-1994 run and subtitles in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Japanese. The boxed set also comes with some bonus content, including a blooper reel, deleted scenes, and other featurettes any Trekkie will enjoy. Looking for more deals like this one? Be sure to check our Prime Day Deals hub for all the best deals on Blu-ray box sets, video games, electronics, and more--just remember Amazon's sale ends June 26, so these deals won't stick around for long. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Hundreds Of 4K Blu-Rays Are On Sale For Prime Day, Some Up To 60% Off Save Up To 70% Off Video Games And Hardware In Woot’s Summer of Gaming Sale Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (10)

6/25/2026

Now available for $116.84 (was $180), the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming Headset is down to its lowest price ever for Prime Day. The standout feature of the headset is its ridiculous battery life--lasting up to 200 hours on a single charge, it's a good choice for anyone who regularly forgets to plug in their headset after each gaming session. It's also quite versatile, compatible with PS5, Switch, PC, and mobile devices. Prime Day runs through June 26. HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming Headset $116.84 (was $180) That impressive 200 hours of battery life is rated for Bluetooth usage--swap to 2.4Hz, and you'll still get up to 120 hours. Along with battery life, there are some other great specs lurking behind those earcups. For one, the Cloud III S Wireless is built with 53mm drivers to provide booming sounds and sneaking footsteps. The earcups themselves are plush leatherette, while the headband includes a bit of memory foam for a more comfortable fit. See at Amazon A detachable 10mm boom mic makes this ideal for both multiplayer and singleplayer gaming, onboard controls let you quickly toggle volume levels or mute the device, and you'll even get both USB-A and USB-C connectors for additional compatibility. Keep in mind that this does not work with Xbox, and this current deal only applies to the black model of the headset (the black/red model is $130). If you need an Xbox headset, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro X is also on sale for Prime Day. You'll find it for $150 (was $250), and it's compatible with PS5, Xbox Series X, Switch, and PC--so if you're gaming on all of those platforms, it might be worth the extra cash. Support for Microsoft Spatial Audio and Tempest 3D Audio on PS5 should make most games sound fantastic, and the unique GameDAC Gen 2 device should help improve overall audio quality. As mentioned above, Prime Day 2026's final day is June 26, so be sure to sift through all the savings while you can. If you need help wading through the thousands of offers, head over to our Prime Day Hub, where you'll find all our favorite discounts on games, Blu-rays, Lego sets, and more. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Hundreds Of 4K Blu-Rays Are On Sale For Prime Day, Some Up To 60% Off Save Up To 70% Off Video Games And Hardware In Woot’s Summer of Gaming Sale Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (10)

6/25/2026

If you've been holding out until Prime Day to upgrade your monitor, your patience has officially paid off. Amazon is offering the premium Samsung 32-Inch Odyssey G55C Series Monitor for just $190 (was $330), which is a new all-time low. The monitor has been no stranger to sales over the years, though its average price typically hovers around $275. And now that it's $190, it's an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a more immersive display for their desktop. Samsung 32-Inch Odyssey G55C Series $190 (was $330) This 32-inch monitor has a 2560x1440 resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. It also features a 1000R curve for enhanced viewing angles. Other notable features include Radeon FreeSync to prevent tearing and an Eye Saver Mode that reduces blue light. On the back of the display, you'll find the usual connectivity options (HDMI, DisplayPort, USB, Audio, Power). See at Amazon It's also got an eye-catching design--all black with some sharp angles that give it a distinctive but not over-the-top "gamer" vibe. User reviews on Amazon are overwhelmingly positive, with it earning 4.4 stars with around 1,800 reviews. Okay real talk, the Odyssey G55C Series is impressive, but it's not perfect. For instance, you can find monitors offering higher refresh rates. And 32 inches might be ideal for most games, but some could definitely benefit from an ultra-wide setup. If those are dealbreakers, consider taking a look at the Samsung 40-Inch Odyssey G7. It's down to its lowest price ever for Prime Day, and it gets you an 180Hz refresh rate along with an expansive 40-inch display. It's still pricey at $630 (was $1,000), but we've never seen it cheaper. For a more direct competitor to the Samsung 32-Inch Odyssey, the Alienware 34 Curved Gaming Monitor is $271 (was $350). It has a slightly larger screen (34-inches to the Odyssey G55C's 32-inches), slightly quicker refresh rate, a gentler curve, and a similar "gamer" aesthetic. If you're looking to upgrade other parts of your gaming setup, head over to our Prime Day Hub to check out the latest deals. This includes everything from video games and controllers to Lego sets and Blu-rays. Prime Day runs until June 26, and you'll need to be a Prime member to cash in on the savings. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Hundreds Of 4K Blu-Rays Are On Sale For Prime Day, Some Up To 60% Off Save Up To 70% Off Video Games And Hardware In Woot’s Summer of Gaming Sale Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (10)

6/25/2026

A bunch of great gaming monitors are on sale for Prime Day, including the Samsung 34-Inch Odyssey G5 Ultrawide. Now listed for $265 (was $400), this is one of the better deals we've seen for the monitor this year. Along with tons of high-end specs, it's pretty slick-looking, too. Like most products in the Odyssey lineup, it features an all-black design, aggressive angles, and a stand that allows you to tilt the screen (20 degrees of vertical motion) to find the best viewing angle. Samsung 34-Inch Odyssey G5 Ultrawide $265 (was $400) Offering a 1000R curve for immersive viewing angles, a 165Hz refresh rate, and 3440x1440 resolution, the Odyssey G5 Ultrawide is built for high-end gaming. It also supports AMD FreeSync Premium, which smooths out images to prevent tearing and stutter. Other notable specs include support for HDR10, ports for both HDMI and DisplayPort, and a headphone jack (yay). See at Amazon This isn't the lowest price we've ever seen for the Samsung 34-Odyssey G5 Ultrawide, but it's a much better price than usual. Amazon typically lists the monitor for nearly $343--so while it's frequently on sale, it's rarely as cheap as it is now. Keep in mind that the monitor doesn't let you adjust its height--even if it is tilt-adjustible. It is compatible with VESA mount arms and desk mounts though. It also doesn't have internal speakers, which is fine if you have external speakers or headphones connected to your computer. If you don't want the hassle of needing to even have external speakers, you could consider checking out the INNOCN 40-Inch 5K Ultrawide. It's equipped with built-in speakers, plus a stand that tilts, swivels, and is height-adjustable. Prime Day is bringing it down to $500 (was $1,000), and with a resolution of 5120x2160, it would be a nice choice for anyone with a rig powerful enough to drive all those pixels. There's also a more affordable 1440p monitor in this line, the INNOCN 40-Inch Monitor for $360 (was $480).. Looking for additional deals? Swing by our Prime Day Hub, where you'll find savings on games, gear, Blu-rays, and more. Prime Day runs until June 26. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Hundreds Of 4K Blu-Rays Are On Sale For Prime Day, Some Up To 60% Off Save Up To 70% Off Video Games And Hardware In Woot’s Summer of Gaming Sale Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (10)

6/25/2026

Amazon Prime Day is in full swing with an impressive variety of deals on controllers, AirPods, collectible books, video games, and more. If you happen to be shopping with any Amazon Prime credit card, you'll also get access to an additional deal: a 25% discount on the 825GB PlayStation 5 Digital Console--that's the version that's digital download only, no disc drive for using physical copies of games. Normally $599, the discount cuts the price down to $449, bringing it down below the asking price for a refurbished PS5 Digital (you'll have to add the console to your Amazon cart to see the promotional price). That's worth noting since Sony increased the price of all PS5 models in April. Just keep in mind this deal ends June 27, and there's a chance it could sell out before then. See at Amazon The PS5 Digital doesn't come with a controller though, so you might want to add one to your cart. Which is good news for Prime Visa cardholders, you can save an additional 10% off the DualSense Wireless Controller when using your card to pick one up. You can get the same discount on the DualSense Marathon Controller and the DualSense Edge in Midnight Black and White. The PS5 Digital might not have a disc drive, but beyond that it's identical to the regular version. If you're worried you'll regret not having a disc drive though, the good news is that you can buy a separate disc drive for $80 if you change your mind. The system also comes with Astro's Playroom pre-installed, so you can play something right away. More PS5 And Xbox Console Deals If you're shopping around for other console hardware deals, Amazon is also selling the Xbox Series S 512GB for $380 (was $400). While that might not sound like a massive discount at its current price, Microsoft announced it is raising the prices of all Xbox consoles starting August 1, at which point this Xbox Series S model will cost $500, and the Xbox Series X will cost $800. Then, over at Best Buy, you can bundle Grand Theft Auto VI preorders with an eligible new or refurbished PS5, PS5 Pro, or Xbox Series X|S console and get a free $50 Best Buy gift card. That a nice perk regardless of which console you pick up, but it's an especially good deal if you grab a refurbished model since they're often around $50-$100 cheaper than buying one new (and, therefore, much more affordable than many of these devices will be in the future). Xbox Series S (512 GB) $380 (was $400) See at Amazon Best Buy GTA VI & New Console Preorder Bundle Deal Get A Free $50 Gift Card See bundle at Best Buy Amazon's Prime card bonuses go way beyond gaming, offering up to 25% cash back on hundreds of items during Prime Day. These discounts only last for two more days, so keep them in mind to squeeze all the money you can out of Amazon. To that end, be sure to check out the rest of our Prime day coverage over at our Prime Day hub. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Hundreds Of 4K Blu-Rays Are On Sale For Prime Day, Some Up To 60% Off Save Up To 70% Off Video Games And Hardware In Woot’s Summer of Gaming Sale Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (10)

6/25/2026

Xbox Series S (512 GB) $380 (was $400) See at Amazon In case you hadn't heard, Microsoft is once again raising Xbox Series X|S console prices soon. Starting August 1, The Xbox Series X 1TB is jumping from $650 to $800 and the Xbox Series S 512GB will increase from $400 to $500. While these price increases are sure to impact sales for all Xbox consoles, it's a particularly heavy blow to the Xbox Series S, which was widely regarded as an affordable entry point to the current hardware generation prior to these price hikes. That said, there are still a few weeks before the higher prices go into effect, if you act fast, you can grab an Xbox Series S 512GB for just $380 (was $400) at Amazon. That's still $80 than its original launch price, but considering it'll soon cost $500, this might be the last time you can grab an Xbox Series S at this price point. This limited-time deal is part of the retailer's Prime Day sale that runs through June 26, so you only have about a day left to grab this deal (assuming it doesn't disappear before then). Xbox Series S (512 GB) $380 (was $400) Xbox Series S. The base 512GB SSD model of the Xbox Series S comes with the console, an AC adapter, HDMI, and a wireless Xbox controller with two AA batteries in their Robot White color. Compared to the Series X, this digital-only console has no disc drive and performs at slightly lower benchmarks, but the games available to play, as well as access to Xbox Game Pass, are all the same. And thanks to backwards compatibility, you can enjoy previous generations of Xbox's games. See at Amazon This isn't the only version of Xbox Series S available during Prime Day, but it is the best value. It originally launched in 2020 at $300, at the time a very reasonable barrier to entry for the next generation of games. Even after the first increase to $400, which is still less than the Series X launch price tag of $500, it was one of the least expensive consoles on the market. But now that the "cheap" option is about to cost the same as the Series X did at launch, it's much harder to justify the purchase. Though, to be fair, increasing prices isn't just an Xbox problem--nor is it unique to gaming consoles. If this Amazon Xbox Series S deal sells out--or you're shopping around for other options before the price hikes--it's worth noting that Best Buy is offering My Best Buy members a complimentary $50 gift card when they bundle Grand Theft Auto VI preorders with an eligible PS5 or Xbox Series X|S console--including select certified refurbished models of both platforms, which are much cheaper than buying either console new. Since My Best Buy is free to join, it's worth checking out while the promotion is available. Best Buy GTA VI & New Console Preorder Bundle Deal Get A Free $50 Gift Card See bundle at Best Buy Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Hundreds Of 4K Blu-Rays Are On Sale For Prime Day, Some Up To 60% Off Save Up To 70% Off Video Games And Hardware In Woot’s Summer of Gaming Sale Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (10)

6/25/2026

With the release of numerous screenshots, confirmation of predictably high price points for its standard and premium editions, as well as preorders going live, we are now fully in the midst of the Grand Theft Auto VI hype machine. I've got a pretty unpopular takeaway: Wow, this game might actually be gorgeous! Though I've often been adversarial to photorealism in games, there is something admirable about GTA 6's fidelity. Poring over its screenshots makes me want to just take pictures of it in action, which sounds more exciting than actually playing the game at this point. Look at how luscious the Floridian--I mean Leonidan wetlands look. Look at how impeccably styled Jason and Lucia, GTA 6's dual protagonists, can be. Look at the sheer diversity of bodies on display across its trailers and how expressively animated everyone is. They look real and beautiful, and it all makes me want to take out a camera and document it for myself. I certainly want to do that more than I want to flip a car in the midst of a police chase, though I guess that could also be fun. I've never really been one for photo modes in games. I've dabbled in titles that naturally lent themselves to a deluge of pictures, like Remedy Games' visually arresting Control, but I much prefer holding an actual camera, walking around new cities and countries, and shooting the landscape. I am, though, at best, a twice-a-year hobbyist, with the exception of all the pictures one casually accrues now that we all have high-quality cameras in our phones. GTA 6 might make all the difference though. Look at this picture! [caption id="attachment_1803684" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A pretty intimate picture of Jason.[/caption] I cannot stop thinking about this shot. Look at the shadow that Jason's jawline and scraggly beard nearly perfectly casts on his own neck. Without looking at the background elements, which more clearly telegraph that this is a video game screenshot, this simply looks like a photo of a real person. The angle and flash on Jason's clearly sour pout gives this picture the feeling of a surprise candid in the middle of a house party. You can infer a whole story from the composition of the image, in large part because the model at its center is capable of conveying so much in such photorealistic detail. It's damn impressive, and it's driven me to madness just thinking I could possibly take a similar shot. Others are transfixed by the detail of the mud in another screenshot Rockstar made available, but the point remains: GTA 6 is going to be a looker, especially on high-end systems like the PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X (which unfortunately are increasingly out of reach due to price increases). Regardless of the fact that my poor launch PS5 may struggle with it, I want to pose GTA 6's cast up and down the Leonidan coast. I want to dress these gorgeous models, set them loose on Vice City, and see what shots the ensuing chaos might yield. It's unfortunate that Rockstar is locking several fashionable fits behind the pricier Ultimate edition of GTA 6, but alas I hope that we'll be able to make due with the base game's options. I want to be a fly on every wall and photograph all of Vice City's weirdos. I want to find the perfect vantage points and angles from which to capture everything that the game has to offer. I cannot stress how much more I want to do this than engage in heists, street races, or whatever else GTA 6's vast playground will have to offer, and I desperately hope GTA 6 launches with the tools to do so. Photo modes are sometimes an afterthought reserved for future updates, if they are ever implemented at all, but this game feels tailor made to be seen through a lens. The lack of any photo mode in the last GTA title doesn't inspire hope--no, GTA V's SnapMatic does not count--but these screenshots do, and I'm holding out that Rockstar gets what a gorgeous game it's got and will enable players to document and share it. There's always been a real appetite for this stuff. [caption id="attachment_1803685" align="alignnone" width="3840"] GTA 6's wetlands look incredible.[/caption] It's not that I don't care about GTA 6, but I increasingly think that I don't care for the whole thing. The blockbuster nature of it, the criminal underworld it'll spotlight, the numerous action set pieces I'm sure it'll feature, the series' typical satire of modern American culture and politics--of which there is so much to mock--and of course, the ability to virtually vacation in Florida. I do, however, think that if GTA 6 wants to be the most photorealistic game in existence, then I may as well treat it as such and become its very own traveling virtual photographer. If it's good enough for Jack Quaid--a self-admitted virtual photographer who spends his downtime on set shooting games like Ghost of Yotei and Red Dead Redemption 2--then dammit, it's good enough for me. Of course, to get the most dynamic shots out of GTA 6, I will likely need to get into explosive firefights, filthy mudwrestling squabbles, and nail-biting car chases. I will likely have to field requests from odd strangers who, among other things, might demand I track weird creatures to ominous swamps and trip off some bad drugs. Maybe I'll even do both in tandem. And so to that end, I guess I'm excited to see what GTA 6 has in store and what ridiculous possibilities can be born from its inevitably deep sandbox, if only to get tremendous material for my virtual scrapbook. Maybe that's my way into the sweeping craze around GTA 6: my entry point into the mania, as well as my own way to celebrate the artists behind the game. Maybe taking pictures of all of GTA 6's mess is how I get more deeply involved in the community that is bound to spring up over GTA Online's inevitable successor or update, whenever that might be released. I don't yet fully know what to expect from GTA 6, in large part because Rockstar is being frustratingly coy about details despite a quickly approaching release date. I do know I'll have some unbelievably good sights to capture once GTA 6 is in my hands. I'm also sure that, like me, there will be hundreds if not thousands of players constantly snapping dazzling pictures and sharing them online in the months and years that'll follow! I know that, like GTA V and GTAO before it, it'll be a rich playground for virtual photography for a long time to come. I can't wait to get shooting … with a camera.

6/25/2026

I adore the first A Plague Tale, and while the second game, Requiem, did not grab me as much as the first, I do have a soft spot for it. A huge part of my love for these games is its protagonist, Amicia de Rune, who undergoes this incredible transformation from countryside noble to hardened espionage agent. So I was a little disappointed to see that the third game, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, is a prequel that goes back and focuses on a completely different character: Sophia, who Amicia met during the events of the second game. Not only that--this third game moves away from its predecessors' heavy focus on stealth for a more action-oriented, combat-heavy experience. Until now, I haven't looked at Resonance and felt the same draw to it that I did for Innocence and Requiem. That has completely changed now that I've actually had a chance to play the game. I played through a demo that covered the entirety of Resonance Chapters V and VI and was pleasantly surprised to see that this third entry takes the series in a direction that feels like Assassin's Creed. Or, at least, how I remember Assassin's Creed prior to its shift to an action-RPG franchise--when the series was a treasure hunt through history that usually involved a magical orb. Based on what I've seen so far, this is a fantastic new direction for A Plague Tale. Taking place about 15 years before the events of the first two A Plague Tale games, Resonance has you play as a much younger Sophia who is exploring a series of Minoan ruins on the island of Crete. Her way forward is guided by her father's words, a strange orb-like artifact, and vision-like dreams of Theseus, the mythological Greek hero known for conquering a labyrinth and killing the minotaur at its center. Given that Sophia is somewhat knowledgeable about the Prima Macula--the curse that summons and controls the rats in the first two games--by the events of Requiem, the implication is that her journey in Resonance is how she uncovers that knowledge and is able to help Amicia and her brother, Hugo. Now, if you'll allow me to be cheeky for a paragraph, let me point out all the ways this recent demo felt like playing a classic Assassin's Creed game. In the demo, Sophia made her way through Minoan ruins on the island of Crete, fighting off soldiers who belonged to an organization that wished to secure an ancient power to better their control of the world (Templars) and leaping down upon enemies to kill them from the shadows (air assassination). She carefully guards an orb that everyone wants (Apple of Eden) because the wielder can use the artifact to interact with the ruins in special ways. Sophia is also having dreams and waking visions of being Theseus, and reliving these memories allows Sophia to gain the Greek hero's knowledge and skills (bleeding effect) and also "meet" people from a past civilization who went on to inspire human myths, like Daedalus (Those Who Came Before). The implication is that Theseus is Sophia's ancestor, or Sophia is a reincarnation of the myth (a Sage). This is Assassin's Creed. This is just Assassin's Creed.  Okay, I guess it's not just Assassin's Creed. A Plague Tale games have always had a woman as the sole playable protagonist, and the same holds true for Resonance--Assassin's Creed would never… unless it's squirreled away on the Vita. I also really enjoyed how Resonance handles its open combat, something I've never felt about Assassin's Creed for its entire 20-year existence. I was extremely worried about A Plague Tale moving in a more combat-heavy, action-focused direction, but I really dug this demo because of the combat sections. Sophia goes down extremely quickly, encouraging you to hit hard and fast, all while carefully keeping track of your surroundings so you know which environmental hazards or items you can turn to your benefit--a spike trap to kick an enemy into, for example, or a wine bottle to toss at their head for an easy stun. This stops Resonance from fully devolving into a button-mashing mess even on the Normal difficulty (which I found surprisingly tricky during my first hour--these guards do not pull their punches). Plus, parrying feels so, so satisfying with just enough slowdown to give you that little boost of adrenaline for pulling it off, without pausing the action too long. You're back in the fight almost immediately, usually taking advantage of your incredible timing to pull off one of Sophia's incredibly rewarding assassination animations, which see the young woman stabbing into her target half a dozen times and delivering a war cry to those still standing.  I think my worry with this new combat-oriented direction stemmed from not knowing how Resonance would characterize Sophia in combat. Amicia has always been very human in that attacks and wounds that would merely stall an action hero are a death sentence to her. It upped the ante of every moment throughout each level in the first two games; even small threats could prove deadly. I wasn't sure if Resonance would hold true to that core pillar of the series, but it does. Sophia is deadly enough to hold her own in a fight, but only by relying on tricks and speed. It's as if the puzzles of the first two games have merely transformed into different kinds of riddles--ones that involve swinging swords instead of platforming. Ironically--and this is the last time I'll make the comparison between the two series, I swear--I think Resonance is the perfect blueprint for how Assassin's Creed should handle combat in any of its future action-RPG entries. The transition from Requiem to Resonance is also helped in that the essence of A Plague Tale is still here in this third game. The entire sixth chapter is devoted to using cover and light to slowly stealth your way past a terrifying and supernatural-looking monster that can only move while it's in shadow--the creature is almost as creepy as the first two games' tidal waves of rats. There's a great deal of mystery surrounding the beast as well, which reminds me of the opening hours of Innocence when Amicia and Hugo were trying to merely survive but were (like you, the player) deeply curious as to where in the hell this threat had come from. I'm glad I played this demo for Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, as doing so has caused this game to go from an "I don't know..." to "Okay, I need to play this." Part of that is because it heavily reminds me of a series I've adored for nearly two decades, but I'm also just eager to get back into its combat to kill more soldiers and maybe figure out what the hell that monster is that terrified me for an hour of play. Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is set to launch for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC on August 27.

6/25/2026

Just a couple of years ago, the Xbox Series S felt like a great holiday gift idea. I was able to pick up a console for $250 during Black Friday and introduce my brother to this generation of console gaming. He just had to buy a Game Pass for Console subscription, and he suddenly had access to a big library of current-gen games and all of Xbox’s first-party titles the day they released. Sure, games didn’t run quite as well on the slightly less powerful console, but it was good enough for a casual gamer like him. Following the price hikes announced today by Microsoft, the Xbox Series S no longer feels like such a good deal. While it’s still the cheapest way into current-gen gaming, the entire Xbox ecosystem has been price gouged to the point where the Xbox Series S no longer has a clear or appealing platform identity. When Microsoft first unveiled the Xbox Series S in September 2020, it was positioned as “the smallest, most affordable next-generation console.” But although it was a little weaker than the Xbox Series X and would display games at lower resolutions, it was $200 cheaper. And most importantly, it would play all the same games as Xbox Series X. It was a Game Pass machine, as buying the console and several months of Game Pass still wasn’t as expensive as buying an Xbox Series X. “If you just want to access what the platform offers now or what’s to come in Xbox’s future, and don’t mind the gap in graphical details and storage space, this is the Xbox for you,” GameSpot stated in its 2020 review. Over time, though, the cracks in the Xbox Series S’s value proposition started to show. Its lower specs impacted which games were being ported to both Xbox consoles. Most famously, Baldur’s Gate 3 was a PS5 console exclusive at first because Larian Studios couldn't achieve parity between the Xbox Series X and S versions of the game. Xbox compromised with the studio and let Larian ship a version of Baldur’s Gate 3 on Series S without local co-op, despite the feature being available on Series X. From that point on, Xbox Series S didn’t feel like a true next-gen console anymore. An Xbox Series S console and Xbox Controller sit next to each other. Then the price increases began, starting with Game Pass.  In 2024, Game Pass for Console was discontinued, and the cheaper Standard and Core tiers no longer included day-one releases. In 2025, prices skyrocketed even higher. As of May 2026, prices are down slightly, but remain higher than the recent past. Right now, your Game Pass options are $10 a month for the limited Essential library, $15 a month for the Premium catalog that lacks day-one releases, or $23 a month for the Ultimate tier that includes everything. As if those prices weren't steep enough, we're now seeing unprecedented spikes in console pricing. Because of component shortages and price increases driven by the AI boom, in which Microsoft is a major player, the Series S has seen its price rise multiple times over the past year or so. Its retail price increased to $380 in May 2025, $400 in October 2025, and now $500 in August 2026. While it’s still cheaper than the Xbox Series X, “affordable” doesn’t feel like an accurate way to describe the Xbox Series S anymore. An Abox Series S and Xbox Controller hovering in a promotional video by Microsoft. The Xbox Series S felt affordable enough that I bought it as a gift a few years ago. I definitely would not do the same thing for an underpowered $500 console in 2026. I’d just give my brother some cash or a gift card and tell him to pick up a Nintendo Switch 2 or a refurbished PlayStation 5 Digital Edition for his current-gen gaming needs. While the Xbox Series S was a clever way to give Xbox an enticing advantage over the competition in 2020, it now feels like an albatross dragging this generation down as it nears its end. Microsoft’s own choices to invest in AI and continually modify the price of Xbox Game Pass have completely ruined what was once one of its most appealing Xbox consoles.

6/25/2026

Best Buy GTA VI & New Console Preorder Bundle Deal Get A Free $50 Gift Card See bundle at Best Buy Judging by previous Grand Theft Auto launches, Grand Theft Auto VI is sure to be one of the biggest video games in the medium's history when it launches for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19. This is the type of game that some fans will hold off on buying a new console for--unfortunately, for those who waited on buying a PS5 or Xbox Series X|S until GTA VI, you now have to contend with the recent price increases for both consoles, not to mention GTA VI's higher-than-average $80 price tag (or $100 for the Ultimate Edition). However, My Best Buy members can ease some of the sticker shock by bundling GTA VI preorders with an eligible PS5 or Xbox Series X|S model to receive $50 Best Buy store credit. Note that My Best Buy offers three membership tiers, including a free basic membership, the paid My Best Buy Plus ($30/year) and My Best Buy Total ($200/year) tiers. All three membership tiers are eligible for this deal, but you must be an active member before purchasing the bundle to qualify for the $50 gift card credit. Best Buy GTA VI & New Console Preorder Bundle Deal Get A Free $50 Gift Card Best Buy's bundle deal applies to select new and refurbished PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S consoles--and the refurbished consoles are an especially good deal, considering prices keep increasing--but models are selling out fast. See below for a list of eligible consoles that are still in stock at the time of publishing. To get the deal, you also need to add Grand Theft Auto VI to your cart and purchase it and the console in the same order. The $50 gift certificate will be automatically credited to your Best Buy by November 25. Eligible PS5 Consoles PS5 (Launch model) - Refurbished -- $500 PS5 Pro 2TB -- $900 PS5 Slim (With disc drive) 1TB -- $650 PS5 Slim Digital Edition 825GB -- $600 Eligible Xbox Series X|S Consoles Xbox Series X 1TB (Black) -- $650 Xbox Series X All-Digital 1TB -- $600 Xbox Series S 1TB - Refurbished -- $300 Xbox Series S 1TB -- $450 Xbox Series S 512GB -- $400 See bundle at Best Buy Eligible consoles include both new and refurbished PlayStation 5 standard, Pro, and Slim models, as well as new and refurbished Xbox Series X and Series S. Both disc-based and digital-only consoles are included. The refurbished 825GB PlayStation 5 with a disc drive is only $500, saving you $150 compared to the price of a new model. The Xbox Series S 512GB digital console is $300 refurbished, so you'll save $100 off what you'd pay for a new one. Best Buy's console bundle deal isn't the only way to preorder Grand Theft Auto VI, of course. Fans can pick up the game at multiple retailers now, with both the $80 standard edition and $100 Ultimate Edition up for grabs. While the game is available in "physical" PS5 and Xbox editions, no version of the game actually include the game on disc--boxed copies only include a download code. You can read more about what each version includes in our Grand Theft Auto VI preorder guide. Grand Theft Auto VI Preorders Grand Theft Auto VI Standard Edition $80 | Releases November 19 Preorder at Amazon (PS5) View at other stores Preorder at Amazon (Xbox) Preorder at Best Buy Preorder at Walmart Preorder at Target Preorder at GameStop More Deals And Preorders Hundreds Of 4K Blu-Rays Are On Sale For Prime Day, Some Up To 60% Off Save Up To 70% Off Video Games And Hardware In Woot’s Summer of Gaming Sale Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (10)

6/25/2026

With Assassin's Creed Shadows' final update released and Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced's launch date coming next month, you may be wanting to take this chance to jump into Ubisoft's nearly 20-year franchise. And thanks to Steam's Summer Sale, you can do so for a significantly cheaper price than normal, as every game in the franchise has been heavily discounted. Well... almost every game. There is one notable exception. Yes, it's the one you're probably thinking of. Every Assassin's Creed on sale (and not!) during the Steam Summer Sale: Assassin's Creed: Director's Cut Edition -- $5 ($20) Assassin's Creed 2 -- $5 ($20) Assassin's Creed Brotherhood -- $5 ($20) Assassin's Creed Revelations -- $6 ($20) Assassin's Creed III Remastered -- $10 ($40) Assassin's Creed Liberation HD -- $5 ($20) Assassin's Creed Black Flag - Gold Edition -- $40 Assassin's Creed Freedom Cry -- $3.74 ($15) Assassin's Creed Rogue -- $6 ($20) Assassin's Creed Unity -- $7.50 ($30) Assassin's Creed Syndicate -- $7.50 ($30) Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China -- $3 ($10) Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India -- $3 ($10) Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia -- $3 ($10) Assassin's Creed Origins -- $9 ($60) Assassin's Creed Odyssey -- $12 ($60) Assassin's Creed Valhalla -- $15 ($60) Assassin's Creed Mirage -- $20 ($50) Assassin's Creed Shadows -- $31.50 ($70) As you can see, Black Flag is the only game in the franchise to not get a discount. Edward Kenway's pirate adventure has been $40 and continues to be $40. If you're willing to skip the 2.5D action-platformer Chronicles games, and only focus on the fully 3D action-adventure entries, you can also opt for the Assassin's Creed Franchise Bundle, which is normally $517.36, but is 67 percent off for the Steam Summer Sale. That brings the price down to $169.27--that's about $20 cheaper than just buying all 16 games separately.  If you only have time to play one of these games before the release of Black Flag Resynced on July 9 (which makes sense--some of these games are very, very long), then go for Shadows. While Black Flag takes place after Assassin's Creed III, Shadows seems to imply Resynced may not be a simple remake, and more of a sequel-ish situation (similar to how Final Fantasy VII Remake is both a remake of the original game and a follow-up to the original game's story). If that's the case, Shadows, not Assassin's Creed III, will lead directly into Black Flag Resynced with Shadows' final free update, Black Tides, bridging the two games' stories.

6/25/2026

When Xbox Series S launched alongside Series X and PS5, it presented a compelling argument: Play all of the same games as elsewhere, albeit with lesser performance and visuals, for way cheaper. $300 felt surprisingly reasonable, giving you a way to save $100 compared to the cheapest PS5 and $200 compared to the more premium PS5 and Series X models. With the Series S turning six later this year, you'd expect it--like every other console--to get cheaper over time, as has always been the case. But this is 2026, baby. Welcome to hell. Beginning August 1, Xbox Series S will cost as much as Xbox Series X did at launch in November 2020: $500. Almost six years after launch, the price will have increased 67%. We've already covered news of this Xbox price increase, and yet the reality of Series S now hitting the Series X's nearly six-year-old launch price is one of the most staggering facts of this entire saga. (For now, you can still grab one for $380 on Amazon or in this Best Buy deal, which is more than you would have previously paid but still a hell of a lot better than $500.) It's the exact opposite direction the price should be going in based on historical precedent. Yet the Series S is, like virtually any piece of modern hardware that needs RAM and storage, faced with price increases due to the AI-driven chip storage--a shortage, it should be noted, that Microsoft has meaningfully contributed to as one of the biggest purveyors of AI products. Much has been said about the way gaming consoles are arguably pricing themselves out of relevance. Major change is afoot in almost every way--how games are played, made, distributed, and engaged with over longer and longer periods of time. Series S at launch was a much more palatable option for those who are price-conscious, with Microsoft proudly declaring it "the smallest, most affordable next-generation console."  That might still strictly be true at $500 with other consoles also going up in price, but the reality is, if you're an average person just looking for a cheap way to play something like GTA 6 this fall--or, frighteningly, any point in 2027 or beyond--you're pretty much screwed.

6/25/2026

Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex, Mean Girls) has joined the cast for FX and Hulu's upcoming Far Cry anthology series. She is the second confirmed cast member for the show, joining It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's Rob Mac. Noah Hawley (Alien Earth, Fargo) is the showrunner and executive producer for the Far Cry TV show, while Mac is executive producing the show in addition to starring in it. Caplan's most acclaimed roles came in Masters of Sex and Fleishman Is in Trouble, for which she earned Emmy Award nominations. She is also known for her role in the Now You See Me series, as well as the controversial movie The Interview. https://twitter.com/FarCrygame/status/2070221967462928392 Hawley ruffled some feathers recently when he said the traditional gameplay structure of a video game–gameplay and skippable cutscenes--does not make for a compelling TV show story. Hawley said his aim with the Far Cry show is to "have a dialog" with the franchise but not adapt any specific game or story from the series. "Games are built in a way that doesn’t make for the best drama," he said. The Far Cry show will feature a different cast and setting for each season, not unlike other anthology shows like True Detective or The White Lotus. Specific plot details for the show have not yet been confirmed, nor do we know when the show may release.

6/25/2026

Following the start of preorders for GTA 6 and the confirmation of its $80 price point, stock analysts have weighed in with their price targets for shares of Rockstar's owner, Take-Two, and many see a bright future ahead. Although Take-Two's stock price has actually gone down since GTA 6 preorders began, a number of analysts have issued, or reiterated, major gains. Take-Two's stock is going to surge, analysts say. Bank of America analyst Omar Dessouky, who said Rockstar should price GTA 6 at $80 to help convince other companies to hike prices as well, has raised his price target on Take-Two stock from $320 to $368. That would be a significant increase from the $233/share that Take-Two is trading at today. BMO Capital analyst Brian Pitz, meanwhile, increased his target on Take-Two shares from $280 to $285. TD Cowen's Doug Creutz said he's reiterating his Buy rating for Take-Two and a $284 price target. Drew Crum of B. Riley Securities is forecasting a $300 price target, while BTIG's Clark Lampen reiterated his $290 price target. These price targets and related data were relayed by Tipranks. Take-Two's stock price peaked in 2025 at more than $260 per share, but has fallen since. Year-to-date, Take-Two's stock is down 7% and over the past year, it's fallen by 3%. The stock nosedived all the way down to about $190 in February this year after Google released new AI-based game-making tools. The selloff was foolish, experts said at the time, because AI cannot make sophisticated games or anything that could legitimately compete with GTA 6 or disrupt Take-Two's business in a serious or significant way. Preorder GTA 6 at Amazon GTA 6 launches on November 19 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. GTA 6 preorders are finally open on both consoles, and you can choose the $80 standard edition or $100 ultimate edition. There will be no disc-based version of the game, at least at launch.

6/25/2026

With 70 million players to date, Dead by Daylight is more than a cult hit, but its Black Banquet event is a literal cult affair. The multiplayer horror game's annual anniversary event is back once more, and it's bringing several free skins to the celebration, as well as other free cosmetics and new paid skins. To claim most of them, you'll need to complete the Black Banquet Quests during the event, which runs from June 25 to July 16, with a new slate of challenges added every week. The Black Banquet event includes a few unique mechanics as well as a new limited-time currency, Banquet Coins, you'll use to grab most of the free cosmetics. Below, we've explained everything you need to know and do to get the most out of your dark dinner party. All Black Banquet quests Morsels, banquet tables, and poisoning Banquet Coins and rewards Black Banquet store items Black Banquet DBD Twitch Drops All Black Banquet quests Currently, there are 13 Black Banquet quests to complete, with more to come each week during the event. Several quests are milestone quests, meaning as you complete them, they will escalate to higher versions of themselves that are able to be completed again. Others are completion quests, meaning you'll unlock their rewards when you finish a set number of other quests. It's these quests that house the free Black Banquet cosmetics for characters Dwight Fairfield and The Trapper, though there are even more free items to get elsewhere in the event.  One community quest also asks the entire DBD community to complete 100,000,000 total trials in these three weeks, which the community seems primed to do, as the event has only just begun and, as I type this, the total is already upwards of half a million. Below are all the quests and their rewards for the Black Banquet event. BLACK BANQUET QUESTREWARD Community quest - Complete 100,000,000 Black Banquet trials20,000 Bloodpoints 20 Rift Fragments Complete 4 Black Banquet questsAppetite for Greatness Dwight cosmetic Rightful Place Trapper cosmetic 100 Rift Fragments Complete 8 Black Banquet questsFeed the Leader Dwight cosmetic Just Desserts Trapper cosmetic 100 Rift Fragments Complete 12 Black Banquet questsWeak Stomach Dwight cosmetic Brand New Man Trapper cosmetic Complete 14 Black Banquet questsRefined Beak badge Still Standing banner 100 Rift Fragments Collect 10 morsels from food carts (milestone x4)10,000 Bloodpoints 50 Banquet Coins 25 Rift Fragments Place 5 morsels on banquet tables (milestone X4)10,000 Bloodpoints 50 Banquet Coins 25 Rift Fragments Poison 5 objects (milestone x4)10,000 Bloodpoints 50 Banquet Coins 25 Rift Fragments Poison 5 survivors with poison bottles (milestone x4)10,000 Bloodpoints 50 Banquet Coins 25 Rift Fragments Complete 12 trials10,000 Bloodpoints 75 Banquet Coins Eat 15 morsels10,000 Bloodpoints 75 Banquet Coins Hit 60 survivors with a basic attack10,000 Bloodpoints 75 Banquet Coins Carry survivors over 500 meters OR escape 10 chases10,000 Bloodpoints 75 Banquet Coins Morsels, banquet tables, and poisoning Whether you're new to DBD or have been playing for a long time, the Black Banquet includes some unique mechanics that you'll need to understand to complete all the quests.  Morsels are pieces of food that survivors can find and eat, or place on banquet tables for allies to find and eat during a round. If you use the Toothy Torte Offering, available in the Bloodweb during the Black Banquet event, you'll start a round with a morsel already in hand, making placing and eating them much easier. Different meals you can find offer different buffs, such as instant healing and faster movement. Black Banquet morsels and their effects Killers, meanwhile, start each round with a number of poison charges, and the Toothy Torte maximizes the number of charges for killers using that Offering in their loadouts. Poison can be used on banquet tables, pallets, generators, and portals. It can even be thrown at survivors. If a survivor eats a poisoned morsel, their sprint ability will be debuffed. Once four generators have been activated (or one survivor remains), morsels and poison can't be collected anymore, at which point interacting with a banquet table will give the survivor or killer either: Haste boost Elusive/Undetectable Endurance or Blindness immunity Note that morsels, poison, and banquet tables only spawn if you queue into the Black Banquet matchmaking specifically, so be careful not to jump into regular games due to muscle memory. Banquet Coins and rewards As you progress through the quests above, you'll collect lots of Banquet Coins for use exclusively during the event. Any unspent Banquet Coins will be converted into Bloodpoints when the Black Banquet concludes.  To collect every reward, you'll need to amass 1,375 Banquet Coins. The first slate of Black Banquet quests already offers 1,100 Banquet Coins, and there are still two waves of quests to come, so you won't likely need to complete every quest in order to gather every last freebie. Black Banquet store items There are four more Black Banquet-themed items available in the shop, with each on sale for 1,080 Auric Cells, or about $10 a piece. They are: Claudette's Dearest Claudette skin The Doctor's Dearest Herman skin The Legion's Dearest Julie skin Kate's Dearest Kate skin Black Banquet items you can buy with Auric Cells Black Banquet DBD Twitch Drops If you're a DBD completionist, or maybe you just want more free stuff, there's one more skin you can unlock for free by watching partnered DBD streams on Twitch during the Black Banquet event. This includes a new outfit, mask, and weapon for The Oni killer, which you can see below. If you haven't linked your Behaviour and Twitch accounts yet, you can do so here. Black Banquet Twitch Drops for DBD The Black Banquet ends on July 16, so make sure you get everything done before then if you want to maximize your rewards.

6/25/2026

If you thought today's Xbox price hike was jaw-dropping, it appears that Microsoft is preparing for another one in the next year. Following the June 25 announcement that Xbox consoles will increase worldwide by $100 and $150 starting August 1 (depending on the model), the company confirmed that 2027 (or maybe 2028) could see the cost of Xbox consoles going up one more time. "Last October, we increased Xbox console price by $20-$70 in the US." Microsoft wrote in a June 25 Xbox Wire blog. "We hoped another price increase would not be necessary, and we have spent the last several months working with suppliers on options. Unfortunately, console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x, and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027." This suggests that Microsoft could be planning to jack up the price of Xbox consoles as early as winter 2027. 2028 is entirely viable, too, and while we don't know how much the company plans to increase the cost of Xbox systems, there's the anticipation that another price hike may come in the next couple of years. This comes not long after Microsoft already bumped the prices of its consoles. A price hike was implemented in May 2025, which saw Xbox consoles increase between $80 and $100 (depending on the model), and another came in October 2025, which pushed up the cost of Xboxes between $20 and $70 (though that was only in the US). While the ongoing chip shortage is affecting almost every piece of technology--from consoles to laptops to phones--these frequent price hikes are starting to price game consoles out of relevance.

6/25/2026

When Grand Theft Auto 6 arrives on November 19, 2026, it will undoubtedly be one of the biggest--if not the biggest--entertainment launches in history. The game will, at least initially, only launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles, which have been available for nearly six years. Typically, consoles that have been available for such a long time would be priced significantly lower than they were at launch, letting the current-gen stragglers pick up a console for a nice bargain when it's time to play GTA 6. But nothing is "typical" anymore, and players face a very frustrating reality in 2026. Not only will you not get a discount as reward for your patience--you're going to have to pay much more for a system that's basically identical to the one released in 2020.  Let's back up a little bit to examine what the situation was like in 2013, when Grand Theft Auto 5 arrived and became the most profitable entertainment product of all time. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 were on their last legs, with their successors scheduled to arrive just a few months after GTA 5's launch. When the Xbox 360 first arrived in 2005, it was priced at $300 for the cheaper Core version. The PS3 arrived the following year, priced at $500 for its cheaper 20GB model.  These might as well be pictures of diamonds and gold bars. But by 2013, both systems had received multiple redesigns that not only added more features and improvements, but came with reduced prices. A new model of Xbox 360 released in 2013 with a $200 price tag. Similarly, the PS3 "Super Slim" released in 2012 and its cheaper 250GB model retailed for $270. Both prices were drastically lower than the launch versions of either system, and in the case of the PS3, it was nearly half off. Sure, the new systems were due to arrive soon, but Grand Theft Auto 5 didn't require them, and this could feasibly be the only game someone played for months or even years at a time--especially with GTA Online. Anyone willing to wait that long before buying a console was rewarded with massive savings.  In 2026, things look a whole lot different. Due almost entirely to the AI industry's never-ending need for chips, the price of computer hardware has gone through the roof. GPUs and RAM are exponentially more expensive, and the problem affects not just the cutting-edge components, but also standard, consumer-level chips. Rather than gradually lower in price--like we've seen video game consoles do for decades--both the PS5 and Xbox Series X have gotten dramatically pricier. Both standard systems were $500 back in 2020, and now sit at $650 (more on that a bit later). The PS5 Digital Edition is also more expensive than it was at launch--$600 versus $400--so anyone looking to capitalize on GTA 6 not launching with a physical disc isn't even going to be saving much money this way.  There's been no cheaper redesigns this generation, even though a "slim" PS5 did release back in 2023. The console-makers went from the infrastructure nightmare that was launching a console during a worldwide pandemic almost directly into the AI-led chip shortage. With enough trouble already sourcing components for their existing SKUs, launching a new, cheaper model makes little sense. Launching a more expensive version for price-insensitive gamers with monocles and fancy tuxedos seemed to make sense, though. Regardless, if you want to play GTA 6 at its highest possible fidelity and performance come November 19, it'll cost you $900. If you want the Ultimate Edition of GTA 6, that's another $100 on top of that. And sure, you could save $20 and pick up the standard edition--but it is missing several missions.  We've never seen such a high barrier to entry for playing a Rockstar game, unless you were just itching to get your hands on Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis a few months after the Xbox 360 released. GTA 4 launched a few years into the 360/PS3 console generation, with prices starting to decline already. Red Dead Redemption followed in 2010, with the systems becoming even more affordable, and Red Dead Redemption 2 launched in 2018--again, years after the PS4 and Xbox One had launched, with their prices much lower than they were initially.  It would be easier to remain optimistic about the future if it seemed like there was some glimmer of hope--some sign that we were eventually going to get over this hump and see the cost of gaming hardware start dropping again. Instead, the opposite is happening. As I was preparing to wrap up this piece, Microsoft announced yet another price increase on Xbox consoles, bringing the Xbox Series S 512GB console up to $500, which is what the 1TB Xbox Series X cost at launch back in 2020. Meanwhile, the aforementioned Xbox Series X 1TB will now be $800, and the 2TB version is being completely discontinued, likely so Microsoft doesn't have to price it at $1,000. How magnanimous.  Video games aren't supposed to be a luxury hobby. Grand Theft Auto V would never have sold more than 200 million copies if they were. We're entering a dangerous period that could see the industry morph into something that only the wealthy can even afford to enjoy, and those aren't the people who need to be carjacking someone and stealing their Lamborghini in GTA. At this rate, the people buying an Xbox or a PlayStation will be the same ones buying a Lamborghini in real life.

6/25/2026

First revealed a year and a half ago at 2024's The Game Awards as Project Robot, Fumito Ueda’s new game broke cover at Summer Game Fest earlier this month with new details (it has guns?), a new name (Gen Atlas), and some face time with its renowned creator. Ueda is one of gaming’s true auteurs, having directed three of the medium’s most beloved, singular games: Ico (2001), Shadow of the Colossus (2005), and The Last Guardian (2016), each produced for PlayStation consoles. The first two were developed under Ueda’s Team Ico banner inside Sony while The Last Guardian took a more complicated route to release, with Ueda directing inside Sony, then as a contractor, and then as the lead of his own independent studio, GenDesign. Now, a decade after the release of his last game, Ueda and GenDesign are back with a new publisher, a new game, and maybe a new outlook on game development. GameSpot spoke with him inside Epic Games’ booth at Summer Game Fest earlier this month. We started, where else, by asking Ueda about the scene that literally elicited gasps from the crowd when it was revealed in the trailer: The protagonist uses guns. Perhaps unsurprisingly for a game codenamed Project Robot, the project “started with giant robots at its core, and then slowly but surely, we started world building,” Ueda tells GameSpot. “Once we got into this phase of, okay, this is going to be a sci-fi universe, I think it's not unnatural to have guns, other weapons and to have shooting in action. And so as a gameplay experience, I think it's somewhat maybe even expected when you hear a sci-fi action adventure game that you're going to be able to wield a weapon and do some shooting." While Ueda followed this up by declaratively stating, "This is not a shooting game," he did suggest that some of the logic for equipping the player character with a weapon was born of player frustration from his earlier games. “For example, The Last Guardian, the player character didn't really have a weapon,” Ueda explains. “And so I think that also created a little bit of frustration as a player character. And so in order to sort of lessen the frustration or kind of soften that frustration, there was thought that went into this in terms of what are some of the tactics that the player character can use. And shooting is one of them.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64Q-WAFpRfo In Ueda’s previous games, the player character had a companion that was alive, albeit unable to directly communicate. In Ico it was Yorda, a princess whose language you couldn’t understand; in Shadow of the Colossus, it was your horse Agro who obeyed your commands (“Agro!”) but obviously couldn’t communicate back; and lastly in The Last Guardian, the impossibly charming Trico, a giant bird dog cat thing whose unspoken partnership is the actual thesis of the game. Each of these games had a sort of fantasy theme to them, as barren as the narratives may be, so the shift to science fiction and big robots (and their detached heads) raises questions about that companion relationship central to his games. “The robot head is going to have different roles and functions,” Ueda says. “I can say that it could be at times a vehicle for your transportation. At times it will be your navigator. At times it can be a tool as just a functionality.” If that sounds somewhat familiar to the basic companion structure of his previous games, Ueda clarified that the “kind of relationship that the main character is going to establish and build throughout the game [is not] necessarily the same kind of ‘you need to protect your companion or you are being protected.’ It's a little different from what you've seen in my past games.” Ueda says that his previous games omitted direct communication between the player character and the companion because that was the reality of the game’s fiction (ie: horses can’t talk). But also having direct communication “kind of ends that conversation maybe by a line or by the next command or if the character says, ‘Oh, go to the north and to the woods and you can find this,’” Ueda explains. In keeping with that sense of “what is real in this setting, in this world, and the relationship that I am continuing to grow” with a companion, Ueda says that Gen Atlas’s player character and robot head companion will have some communication, in part owing to its sci-fi setting. “It’s not going to be a situation where you can't have communication,” he says. “You will. It's not going to be maybe as blatantly direct, but you will actually be able to have some level of communication.” “There are some very fundamental setting differences such as going into the sci-fi world that has allowed me to make some different decisions and adjustments between how your character and companion used to communicate in my past games versus this one,” Ueda says. “So you'll probably be able to notice those differences and why they're happening and it's probably thanks to the setting that it's in sci-fi.” The switch to sci-fi is perhaps not even the biggest change for Ueda in Gen Atlas; it’s also his first time developing a game for a multiplatform release, and inside of an off-the-shelf game engine (in this case, publisher Epic Games’ ubiquitous Unreal Engine). When asked if the access to a more powerful game engine and a multiplatform target has changed how he approaches development, Ueda was ambivalent. “Maybe there are challenges that […] haven't crept up yet for me because it hasn't been such a huge challenge. The one biggest difference for me though, is that all my previous games we had our own engine that we worked off of and Gen Atlas is built on Unreal. And so perhaps if I look at just the large subject of reporting on different consoles, yes, there are things that are different. But in a sense it hasn't really greatly […] changed anything that I've had to do.” Game development as furoshiki When asked if the technological constraints of his previous games contributed to his creative process at all–Shadow of the Colossus famously pushed the PlayStation 2 hardware to its limits–and whether the freedom to not worry about those constraints in the same way would impact his design, he was more contemplative. “When we talk about technology and limitations, we are making video games at the end of the day. So we're talking about platforms that have existed from 30 years ago to today and it does seem like it is limitless, but I think there's still some limitation,” he says. “In Japan, there's a culture of furoshiki. It's the wrapper. It's literally like a piece of cloth that you open up and then you close. But when you close it, it needs to be wrapped very nicely and essentially [it has a] souvenir, it's gifting, right? And so there is the expression in business and any sort of structure in Japan that you open up the furoshiki to put in any idea you want, but at the end of the day, at the end of the entire process, you have to wrap the furoshiki. But how you wrap it, what's inside, how it's balanced, is it cohesive? Is it lined up? Are all the pieces lined up perfectly? That's what matters." “So in that sense, I think that there are still some limitations when it comes to perfecting that skill, perfecting it and wrapping it in a nicely neatly bowtied package by the time you deliver it to the world, that's where it matters." Epic's SGF booth had a giant Gen Atlas robot head staged out front (not pictured: A steady stream of visitors climbing the steps in the back to have their picture taken). Interestingly, for a now-independent game developer shipping a major title with new partners, Ueda’s concept of furoshiki didn’t stop with design, but extended to the managerial requirements of running a large game studio working on a AAA game. “When you think about what’s inside, it's do you have the right human resources?” Ueda says. “Do you have not just the right human resources, but the right human resources with the right skill that can make that perfect piece of puzzle and do you have the right financial backing for it? Do you have the right support for it? So if you take all that into consideration, I do think that there's still some limitations. […] Yes, the hardware technology has advanced to a point where we think it's so superior and limitless, but I think what matters is how you approach the process of making it within the limitations that still currently exist.” Gen Atlas will be released for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PCs (where it will be exclusive to the Epic Games Store). It does not yet have a release date.

6/25/2026

It's no secret that Sony has been cleaning up the PlayStation Store, with the company removing thousands of so-called "shovelware" games from one developer. Now, though, we're learning that this removal is coming with "stricter guidelines" that are impacting some developers. According to reports from GamesIndustry.biz and Push Square, the Brazil-based studio Afil Games' partnership with Sony has been terminated in the wake of these supposed "stricter guidelines." It's unclear just what these rules are, but in a June 23 X post, the Brazilian developer clarified that all of its games will be removed from the PlayStation Store. https://twitter.com/AfilGames/status/2069431282660958413 "As a result of these new guidelines and their incompatibility with our business model, PlayStation has decided not to continue with Afil Games for future releases on the platform," the studio wrote. "We would like to sincerely thank all PlayStation players who supported us throughout this journey. Your enthusiasm and trust have played a significant role in our growth. We remain committed to bringing new experiences to our players through Xbox One, Xbox Series, Microsoft Store, and Nintendo Switch." Afil Games has released several games on the PlayStation Store, including Chico's Delivery, Collie Call, and Damways--all of which are casual puzzle experiences. At the time of this writing, these games are still available to buy on the PlayStation Store. Sony has really cracked down on shovelware in the past year. In February 2025, the company removed over 30 supposed "slop" games from the PlayStation Store, and in January 2026, it Thanos-snapped over 1,000 from German publisher ThiGames out of existence.

6/25/2026

The year is heating up as we reach summer's peak, and right on time, the Steam Summer Sale has arrived to convince you to stay indoors and play some games instead. This year's sales event has just begun and will run through July 9, and as always, you can expect some steep discounts on a wide variety of games. We're already seeing some big deals, and to help you navigate through the hundreds of games on sale, we've picked a few of our favorites and listed them below. You can also check out our list of Game of the Year Winners from years gone by, as 12 of them are ridiculously cheap right now. Best Steam Summer Sale Deals Zero Parades: For Dead Spies -- $32 ($40) Red Dead Redemption 2 -- $15 ($60) The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt -- $4 ($40) Marvel's Midnight Suns -- $9 ($60) Star Wars Jedi: Survivor -- $14 ($70) RoboCop: Rogue City -- $4 ($40) Mortal Kombat 11 -- $2.49 ($60) Dead Space -- $6 ($60) Tempest Rising -- $28 ($40) Big Hops -- $19.78 ($36) Forbidden Solitaire -- $12.79 ($16) Mewgenics -- $22.49 ($30) Lumines Arise -- $30 ($40) Dead by Daylight -- $8 ($20) Gunpoint -- $2 ($10) Tactical Breach Wizards -- $11 ($20) Echo Nova Point -- $12.49 ($25) No Man's Sky -- $24 ($60) Return to Monkey Island -- $7.49 ($25) Case of the Golden Idol -- $8 ($18) Rise of the Golden Idol -- $14 ($20) Binding of Isaac -- $1.50 ($15) Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined -- $45 ($60) Blue Prince -- $18 ($30) UFO 50 -- $17 ($25) As a reminder, the Steam Summer Sale will be followed by several more events throughout the second half of 2026. July has Social Deduction Fest and Train Fest to look forward to, August is all about cyberpunk games, and October shines a light on horror games. For more details on when these game festivals kick off--as well as the confirmed dates for the Steam Autumn and Winter sales--you can check out our Steam Sales hub. Zero Parades: For Dead Spies $32 (was $40) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caXWEP2QKxM Zero Parades: For Dead Spies shares a lot of Disco Elysium's DNA--it is made by the same studio, after all--but beneath that surface comparison, there's a terrific espionage thriller built around truly awful people. An RPG full of sharp writing and gameplay systems that encourage you to fail upwards, it's a clandestine treat worth checking out. See on Steam RoboCop: Rogue City $4 (was $40) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO0UYzA4EbI It's a first-person shooter where you feel like a plodding tank, but that's exactly what we wanted from a RoboCop game. Rogue City does a fine job in capturing all the '80s energy of the original movies, and it's also surprisingly engaging between missions when you explore the quieter part of RoboCop's job. See on Steam Red Dead Redemption 2 $15 (was $60) With GTA 6 around the corner, now is a fine time to jump into Rockstar's previous open-world game, Red Dead Redemption 2. A cowboy epic with a gripping storyline at its core, this tale of the last outlaws pulls no punches and is a gorgeous tribute to the Wild West. See on Steam Star Wars Jedi: Survivor $14 (was $70) While there's still some wonkiness with this PC version of the game, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has improved drastically since it first launched. One of the finest Star Wars adventures of the modern era, it blazes its own path forward, looks gorgeous, and is full of set pieces that put the live-action films to shame. See on Steam Dead Space $6 (was $60) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW8vYfi1bQ0 One of the best remakes of the 2020s, Dead Space captures all the thrills and gore of the original game, dials the terror up to 11, and unleashes sci-fi hell on you. At a 90% discount, it's the cheapest scare there is. See on Steam Tempest Rising $28 (was $40) If you're nostalgic for the glory days of real-time strategy games, check out Tempest Rising. Inspired by the 2000s era of EA's Command & Conquer series, it offers plenty of tactical fun and factions that allow for unique unit combinations when you wage war. See on Steam Marvel's Midnight Suns $9 (was $60) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M84pw86X1tA XCOM studio Firaxis worked its magic in Marvel's Midnight Suns, combining tactical action with a rich roster of characters. It's a brilliant comic book game that explores the supernatural side of the Marvel Universe, and it's full of action-packed moments that look like they were ripped straight out of a comic book double-page spread. See on Steam Mewgenics $22.49 (was $30) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V5yf4KZZu0 One of the early hits of 2026, Mewgenics gives you all the tools you need to build your very own army of mutant cats and unleash them in tactical combat scenarios. It's hilarious, incredibly deep with its gameplay, and each creation feels like a fur baby that you'd want to bring home. See on Steam Mortal Kombat 11 $2.49 (was $60) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivzwjR0eEGY Even though it's a couple of years old now, Mortal Kombat 11 is still the vicious fighting game franchise at its very best. You've got variable builds, a gripping storyline, and a kickass roster of characters to master in combat. And at this price? Much like a Sub-Zero fatality, it's a no-brainer. See on Steam Big Hops $19.78 (was $36) A wonderfully cheerful game about a cute frog on an adventure, Big Hops combines fluid parkour movement with a creative sense of exploration. Released earlier this year, the game leans into the idea of having an amphibious protagonist, as it gives you all kinds of froggy abilities to master inside of its vibrant sandbox. See on Steam Tactical Breach Wizards $11 (was $20) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnyZegJA61g&pp=0gcJCUELAYcqIYzv You've probably played all kinds of gun-heavy turn-based tactical games, but Tactical Breach Wizards stands out thanks to its inventive use of militarized magic and unique spells. Each level is a puzzle box of violence, and nothing beats that feeling of successfully defenestrating an enemy in each run. See on Steam No Man's Sky $24 (was $60) No Man's Sky is the poster child for what a video game is capable of when its studio sticks with it and layers improvement upon improvement on it. Each new expansion has not just introduced substantial new gameplay mechanics and content to the sci-fi space-exploration experience, they've also been free to download, and have transformed No Man's Sky into a galaxy of fun. See on Steam Echo Point Nova $12.49 (was $25) An open-world first-person shooter, Echo Point Nova combines blistering gunplay with an unparalleled sense of freedom as you explore a lethal planet. It's a blast to play on your own, but in co-op, this game from the creators of Severed Steel shines brighter than a high-velocity muzzle flash. See on Steam Metaphor ReFantazio $35 (was $70) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2afXi-ZsIQI Atlus has proven to be one of the best studios around for rich RPG adventures, and Metaphor ReFantazio is easily one of the very best games to ever come out of its doors. It's the full package, as its deep gameplay systems are accessible, it has a rich roster of characters, it features an elegant art direction, and its story often hits you with surprising twists. See on Steam Half-Life Alyx $15 (was $60) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OELMJXlwaP8 If you have a VR headset, you owe it to yourself to check out Half-Life: Alyx. It's a genre-defining experience, as it merges the environmental storytelling and physics of classic Half-Life with various gameplay mechanics that take full advantage of VR hardware. See on Steam Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor $4 (was $20) We've had several games set in the fantasy world created by JRR Tolkien, and most of them have been terrible. Shadow of Mordor, on the other hand, is still a treat thanks to its sharp gameplay and unique Nemesis system that allows you to create your very own worst nightmare. See on Steam Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice $30 (was $60) What's the best From Software game? Fans have debated this for years, but one vocal contingent swears by Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, a fast-paced action game set in a world of dark fantasy and full of boss fights that encapsulate the studio's talent for creating high-risk, high-reward encounters. See on Steam Dead by Daylight $8 (was $20) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnS7VH6eCto Dead by Daylight continues to get better every year, and even bigger changes are on the way for this multiplayer game. If you're jumping in now, you're getting the game at its best as its roster of killers have grown and new survivors offer different ways to outwit these devious killers. See on Steam The Golden Idol series $8 - $14 Case of the Golden Idol and Rise of the Golden Idol are some of the best deductive games out there. There's very little hand-holding between them, as each game treats you like a true sleuth, leaving you all the clues you need to solve a deadly whodunnit. Case of the Golden Idol Rise of the Golden Idol UFO 50 $17 (was $25) Easily the best bang-for-your-buck deal, UFO 50 offers a highly curated selection of games that blend retro-inspired genres with modern design. Each game is a treat on its own, but when you factor in that you can play through 50 of them, the value proposition on this bundle is hard to beat. See on Steam Return to Monkey Island $7.49 (was $25) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4--LplBTNwI Point-and-click adventure games might not be as hot today as they were in the '90s, but Return to Monkey Island proves that there's still plenty of magic in this genre. Full of sharp writing and stylized visuals, the gleefully devious puzzles and improved gameplay make it a must-play for fans of the series. See on Steam Minishoot Adventures $7 (was $15) It's downright criminal that Minishoot Adventures isn't as celebrated as it should be, as it's a brilliant blend of twin-stick bullet-hell combat and old-school puzzle-solving straight out of a classic Legend of Zelda game. At this price, you have no excuse not to give this hidden gem a chance. See on Steam As a reminder, the Steam Summer Sale will be followed by several more events throughout the second half of 2026. July has Social Deduction Fest and Train Fest to look forward to, August is all about cyberpunk games, and October shines a light on horror games. For more details on when these game festivals kick off--as well as the confirmed dates for the Steam Autumn and Winter sales--you can check out our Steam Sales hub.

6/25/2026

Season 4 Reloaded is live in Black Ops 7 and Warzone, introducing a new limited-time event themed around award-winning actor Nicolas Cage. The Hollywood star isn't boosting cars or stealing the Declaration of Independence, but he does get his very own operator skin in Call of Duty. This event features his operator, two new weapons, and various cosmetics. In this guide, we'll showcase all "Nick Cage event" rewards in Season 4 Reloaded and how you unlock them. Nick Cage event details This midseason update features Nicolas Cage, who is known for action and adventure roles, such as National Treasure, Face/Off, Gone in 60 Seconds, Kick-Ass, and most recently, Spider-Noir. Call of Duty's Nick Cage event runs from now until July 16. This adds operator skins and cosmetics themed around the actor and his career. This works just RoboCop and many other recent events with both free and paid event tracks. While there are plenty of free rewards to earn, you'll need to purchase the paid "premium" pass for 1,100 CoD Points ($10) if you want to unlock Nicolas Cage as an operator. This is one of Call of Duty's XP-based events, so you'll simply need to grind XP across multiplayer, Zombies, Endgame, and Warzone. Unfortunately, the event doesn't list how much XP you need per reward milestone. For multiplayer, objective modes like Kill Confirmed and Domination work best, while Casual Resurgence should yield more XP for Warzone. This is also a good opportunity to make use of any double XP tokens you might have squirreled away. All Nick Cage event rewards There are 20 rewards in total for the Nick Cage event, including 10 rewards in the free pass, and 10 more optional rewards that can be unlocked with the paid pass. The highlights of the free pass include the final two weapons of the season: Executioner's Duet melee weapon and the classic AN-94 assault rifle from Black Ops 2. There's also a colorful Nicolas Cage loading screen. Again, the paid pass is required to unlock Nicolas Cage himself, and this reward track features two operator skins for the actor, an emote, finishing move, and more. Free track rewards: "Opportunist" Samuels Operator Skin "Wide Eyed" Spray 1-Hour Double Weapon XP Token "On Set" Loading Screen Battle Pass Tier Skip "Art of Respect" Animated Emblem "Hired Muscle" Grimm Operator Skin "Personal Tyrant" Weapon Charm New "Executioner's Duet" Melee Weapon New AN-94 Assault Rifle Premium track rewards: Nick Cage Operator unlock "Elegant Transformation" Animated Calling Card "Shedding Limits" Peacekeeper MK1 Assault Rifle Weapon Blueprint "Get In Position!" Emote "Snake Handler" Jager 45 Pistol Weapon Blueprint "Calmly Ended" Finishing Move "Burn Into Memory" HUD Theme "Studded Pelt" Dravec 45 SMG Weapon Blueprint "Fiery Streak" Gunscreen "Unlimited" Nick Cage Operator Skin Variant Images of Call of Duty's Nick Cage event rewards can be seen below. Make sure to check out all of the Season 4 Reloaded highlights, which include more multiplayer maps, a brand-new Zombies map, and a summer-themed makeover for Warzone's Rebirth Island. The Season 4 Reloaded patch notes reveal weapon tuning, Zombies map fixes, and major gameplay changes for Warzone.

6/25/2026

After hiking the price of Xbox consoles in October 2025, Microsoft is once again increasing the cost of Xbox consoles worldwide starting August 1. In a June 25 Xbox Wire blog post, the company confirmed that the 512GB models will jump up by $100 while the 1TB models will go up by $150. This puts the Series S at $500 and the Series X at $800. As a result of the price increase, Microsoft is discontinuing the 2TB Xbox consoles. The company explained that although it spent "the last several months working with suppliers on options," it had to enact another price hike because "console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x." It also expects another doubling by fall 2027, which could mean we'll see another price hike not long after. "The entire consumer electronics industry is struggling with the current components crisis, but the effects are particularly hard on consoles," the company said in its Xbox Wire post. "Unlike phones, computers, speakers, and other consumer devices, consoles are typically not sold at a profit, but instead for less than they cost to make." To assuage the price hike, however, Microsoft is implementing several programs to make buying an Xbox "more accessible." This includes a Buy Now, Pay Later option; interest-free financing plans; a Certified Refurbished Consoles program for up to $100 off; and a "previously played consoles" option, which sounds a lot like buying a used console at GameStop. This is the third price increase Microsoft has implemented following the two that came last year. In May 2025, the company jacked up the prices of Xbox consoles between $80 and $100 (depending on the model), and then again in October 2025 between $20 and $70 (though this increase only affected those buying consoles in the US). Game consoles are really pricing themselves out of relevancy.

6/25/2026

Grand Theft Auto VI Standard Edition $80 | Releases November 19 Preorder at Amazon View at other stores Preorder at Best Buy Preorder at Walmart Preorder at Target Preorder at GameStop Grand Theft Auto VI Ultimate Edition $100 | Releases November 19 Preorder at Amazon View at other stores Preorder at Best Buy Preorder at Walmart Preorder at Target Preorder at GameStop Grand Theft Auto VI is by far the most anticipated video game of the year, with fans so desperate for it that they've flooded Rockstar with negative reviews to complain about the long wait. While the game won't be here until November 19, preorders are finally open. Grand Theft Auto VI will retail for $80 for the Standard Edition and $100 for the Ultimate Edition and is available through all major retailers for both PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Digital preorders are also available, and the game will be pre-loadable as of November 12. Grand Theft Auto VI Preorder Bonuses Placing a preorder for either version of Grand Theft Auto VI comes with the Vintage Vice City Pack, which includes: ’55 Vapid Stanier — a retro style sedan Ocean Beach garage Vintage-style outfits and hairstyles for Jason and Lucia Weapon patterns inspired by Tommy Vercetti Along with this, your preorder grants you a free month of GTA+ for digital preorders. This adds $500,000 to your in-game bank balance, and you get access to a selection of classic Rockstar titles via the GTA+ Games Library. Important note from the fine print: this subscription will auto-renew until you discontinue it. Grand Theft Auto VI Standard Edition $80 | Releases November 19 Grand Theft Auto VI introduces former Army veteran Jason and ex-con Lucia, two new protagonists living in the Florida-inspired state of Leonida, who get swept up in a state-wide conspiracy after a bank heist gone wrong. The game has a massive map and allows players to explore new areas, including the Leonida Keys, Grassrivers, and Port Gellhorn, as well as returning to Vice City. Players can switch between Jason and Lucia, marking the first time a GTA game has had dual protagonists, as well as the first female protagonist. While you can buy a physical version of Grand Theft Auto VI, the box will contain a download code rather than a physical disc. Digital preorders are also available on PSN and Xbox. Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Best Buy Preorder at Walmart Preorder at Target Preorder at GameStop Grand Theft Auto VI Ultimate Edition $100 | Releases November 19 Rockstar says the Ultimate Edition will contain "an exclusive collection of premium vehicles, weapons, apparel, and action threaded across all aspects of Jason and Lucia’s story." Here's what that looks like in detail: Vehicles Car: ’95 Grotti Cheetah Jason's Safehouse Vehicles - Dinka Enduro motorcycle and Crest kayak Modkit: Jason's Vapid Ganado low-riding pick-up truck Boat: Shitzu Squalo Vehicle & Garage: '67 Vapid Dominator Buggy, plus Paradise Garage in Watson Bay Classic Car Collection Weapons Hawk and Little Morgan Revolvers Personalised variants of Jason's Girardi ES9 pistol and Lucia's Klose K17 pistol Cosmetics Exclusive outfits, tattoos, and more for Jason and Lucia Goodtime Gear, more exclusive clothing for Jason and Lucia In-Game Shops Mod Shop: Rideout Customs — an in-game shop where you can customize vehicles, only accessible with the Ultimate Edition Mod Shop: One-Eyed Willie's — an in-game shop where you can customize vehicles, only accessible with the Ultimate Edition Sara's Unisex Salon — an in-game shop for customizing hairstyles, only accessible with the Ultimate Edition Clothing Store: Stock 305 — an in-game shop with unique clothing, only accessible with the Ultimate Edition Tattoo Shop: Electric Fang Tattoo — an in-game shop for customising tattoos, only accessible with the Ultimate Edition Other Gang Compound: PTT Youngin$ Illegal Goods Store — an in-game area you can raid for unique items Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Best Buy Preorder at Walmart Preorder at Target Preorder at GameStop While neither Rockstar or Take-Two has publicly stated a number, Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick told Business Insider in an interview that the game was "very expensive" to make. Industry analysts have said the cost could be $1.5 billion. That would make it the most expensive video game ever made. More Deals And Preorders Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (8)

6/25/2026

Rockstar has officially announced the pricing and preorder information for Grand Theft Auto 6, and alongside this news, the studio has also shared plenty of new screenshots and artwork from the game. GameSpot's Jake Dekker broke it all down, and though Rockstar likely didn't intend to offer too much concrete information about about the Leonida setting or its story, we did uncover several tidbits. Two of the weapons available in the $100 Ultimate Edition are the Hawk & Little Morgan Revolvers. They're "his and hers" revolvers, each etched with the name of their owner, so Lucia Caminos and Jason Duval will each get their own. The "Morgan" part of the name could very possibly be an Easter egg referring to Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption 2, as well. Speaking of Red Dead Redemption, President Hardin--who previously served in office and also appeared on a $100 bill in GTA Online--is visible in one of the images, once again on some cash. It remains to be seen what the gameplay dynamic will be between Lucia and Jason, but we noticed the two are together in a screenshot showing off the Shitzu Squalo watercraft. Presumably you'll be able to switch between them as freely as you could between Michael, Trevor, and Franklin in GTA 5, so this may be showing a story-centric moment. One bit tucked away in the description for the '67 Vapid Dominator Buggy mentions that the Paradise Garage location features "a secure place to deposit stolen goods to be fenced." This would be a departure from past games, which don't really focus on stealing anything but cash--could the cops break down your door and find your collection of stolen cars? We can only hope so. For even more nitty-gritty details, check out the full video above. Grand Theft Auto 6 arrives to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19.

6/24/2026

Physical media is more popular than it has been in years, and there's good reason for that. Streamers are dropping movies and TV series left and right, so sometimes the only way to make sure you have access to the movies and series you want, is just to buy physical copies yourself. Luckily, there are hundreds of movies on sale during Prime Day, with some discounted by up to 60%. To help you find the titles you might be interested in, we went ahead and sorted through the whole sale to pick out the best deals on the best movies and TV series for you. See all deals at Amazon For starters, there several boxed sets collecting entire film series in one convenient package--all in 4K. That includes the Middle-Earth 6-Film Collection for $85 (down from $110), the Back to the Future 40th Anniversary Trilogy boxed set for $24.49 (down from $30). If you're after superhero movies, Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy is marked down to $28 (down from $38). The selection of standalone movies is just as impressive. A personal favorite of mine, The Truman Show is down to $15 (from $20). Two of the best movies of 2025 are on sale too: Sinners is just $14 (down from $26) and Weapons is down to $13 (was $28). If instead you're looking for a movie with a bit more levity, Galaxy Quest is included in the sale and is $13 (down from $20) 4K Blu-ray Movies and TV for Prime Day 2026. Movies aren't the only 4K Blu-rays getting the Prime Day treatment; there are several TV series box sets on sale, too. These include recent HBO hits like Chernobyl for $13 (was $20) and the first season of It: Welcome to Derry for $30 (was $40). And would it be a real movie and TV sale if there weren't at least a couple Star Trek collections to choose from? The Deep Space Nine: Complete Series is $70 (was $98), and The Next Generation: Complete Series is down to $97 (was $135). We've barely scratched the surface of the Prime Day Blu-ray deals available. You can browse even more of our favorites in the list below or check out the full sale at Amazon--just remember Prime Day ends on Friday, June 26. 4K Movies and TV Shows On Sale for Prime Day 2001: A Space Odyssey - $13 ($20) Back to the Future Trilogy 40th Anniversary Edition - $24 ($30) Chernobyl - $13 ($20) The Dark Knight Trilogy Collection - $28 ($38) Deadpool & Wolverine - $24 ($41) Dune 2-Film Collection - $24 ($30) Fast & Furious 10-Movie Collection - $50 ($70) Galaxy Quest - $13 ($20) The Goonies - $12 ($25) Interstellar - $15 ($20) It: Welcome to Derry - $30 ($40) Jurassic 7-Movie Collection - $54($100) La La Land - $21.05 ($24.82) The Matrix 4-Film Déjà vu Collection - $33 ($61.81) Middle-Earth 6-Film Collection - $89 ($110) The Mummy Trilogy - $17 ($23) One Battle After Another - $15 ($27) Oppenheimer - $12 ($15) Predator 4-Movie Collection - $28 ($55) Pulp Fiction - $15 ($26) Saving Private Ryan - $15 ($20) Sinners - $14 ($26) Spider-Man Trilogy - $41 ($76) Star Trek: Deep Space Nine The Complete Series - $70 ($98) Star Trek: The Next Generation The Complete Series - $97 ($134.95) The Truman Show - $15 ($20) Weapons - $13 ($28) Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (8)

6/24/2026

Rockstar dropped a ton of new images for GTA 6 pertaining to the ultimate edition. This screenshots mostly showcases the various customization options in GTA 6's ultimate edition. These show clothing, cars, tattoos, and hairstyles for Jason and Lucia. Here's everything we learned from those screenshots and more.

6/24/2026

At the ARC SYSTEM WORKS Showcase today we got a tease of Robo-Ky in Guilty Gear -Strive-. We'll get the full gameplay trailer after EVO 2026!

6/24/2026

Woot has kicked off its Summer of Gaming sale right in time for the first days of summer, and as you would expect, it's packed with deals. You can find video games, headsets, keyboards, peripherals, controllers, and more at major discounts. We've compiled some of our favorite deals into the lists below, so read on to see what's on offer. See all deals at Woot Note that Woot's Summer of Gaming Sale only lasts through June 29, and the retailer only offers limited stock of each deal. All products highlighted below are in stock at the time of publishing, but pricing and availability can change quickly, so shop these deals while you can. Woot is owned by Amazon, so you're an Amazon Prime member, you can also get free standard shipping on all Woot orders. Speaking of Amazon, the retailer's own big Prime Day sale is also live this week, as are competing sales at Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. Be sure to keep an eye on GameSpot's Prime Day Deals Hub for the latest deals from all these events. Video Game Deals There are plenty of PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch games included in Woot's sale, with discounts as high as 79%. The selection includes rare discounts on first-party Nintendo titles, including The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and more. Borderlands 4 Super Deluxe Edition -- $60 ($130) Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero -- $15 ($70) Dragon Quest VII Reimagined -- $40 ($60) Kingdom Come Deliverance: Royal Edition -- $27 ($40) Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe -- $45 ($60) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch 2) -- $60 ($70) The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom -- $47 ($60) Mario Kart 8 Deluxe -- $45 ($60) Metaphor: ReFantazio Launch Edition -- $18 ($70) Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (Switch) -- $47 ($60) Super Mario Bros. Wonder -- $49 ($60) VR Deals Woot also has a notable deal on the Meta Quest Pro. Originally $1,000, the headset is on sale for $680, slicing 32% off the MSRP. The VR headset can be used for both work and play and boasts impressive specs, including 256GB of storage, 12GB of RAM, 10 advanced VR/MR sensors, and spatial audio. There are also a few more deals worth checking out, including a headset battery pack, an accessory kit, a silicone face cover, and controller grips and covers. AMZDM Silicone Face Cover for Meta Quest 3 -- $7 ($11) AMZDM Upgraded Controller Grips for Meta Quest 2 -- $10 ($17) Meta Quest Pro -- $680 ($1,000) Sonicgrace Accessory Kit for Meta Quest 2 -- $16 ($17) Sonicgrace Gun Controller Cover for Oculus Quest 2 -- $18 ($30) Sonicgrace S3 Pro Battery Strap for Meta Quest 3/3S -- $39 ($47) Controller Deals If you're an 8BitDo controller fan, you'll be happy to find several models included in this sale. The 64 Bluetooth controller is normally $45, but you can grab it for $35 in this sale, saving 22%. It's compatible with Switch/Switch 2, Windows, and Android. The Pro 3 Bluetooth controller is also included in the sale, marked down to $47 from its usual $70 and available in grey, purple, and the G Classic colorway. It works with Switch, Windows PC, Apple, SteamOS, and Android devices. 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller -- $35 ($45) 8BitDo Pro 3 Wireless Controller for Switch/Switch 2 -- $47 ($70) CRKD Neo S Fortnite Festival Edition -- $30 ($60) CRKD Nitro Deck for Nintendo Switch -- $35 ($60) Horipad Turbo Wireless for Nintendo Switch 2 -- $47 ($65) PowerA Advantage Wired Controller with Lumectra -- $20 ($50) PowerA Advantage Wired Controller Mario Time -- $15 ($40) PowerA Advantage Wireless Controller Mario & Friends -- $35 ($70) PowerA Wireless Controller for Xbox Series X|S Borderlands -- $40 ($100) SteelSeries Nimbus Cloud Dual Mode Controller -- $130 ($150) Keyboard Deals There are a few keyboards in the sale, but the standout deal is the Razer BlackWidow V4. Normally $200, it's marked down to $100, and you can choose between three switch types: Orange Tactile Mechanical Switches, Yellow Linear Mechanical Switches, or Green Clicky Mechanical Switches. It allows you to switch between Bluetooth devices with ease and has a long battery life in Power Saving mode (980 hours, according to Razer). If you need lag-free performance for high-intensity gaming sessions, it might be for you. HyperX Origins 2 Pro 65 Gaming Keyboard -- $95 ($150) Msi Forge TKL Wireless MLG Edition Keyboard -- $55 ($110) Razer BlackWidow V4 Gaming Keyboard -- $100 ($200) Razer Ornata V3 TKL Gaming Keyboard -- $70 ($120) Headphone Deals Gaming headsets from Logitech, SteelSeries, PowerA, Razer, and more are included in the sale, with discounts up to 48%. There are both wired and wireless options available. Cat lovers will swoon for Razer's Kraken Kitty V2 Wired Headset adorned with Hello Kitty ears, now down to $60 from $110. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P Wireless Headset is also a great deal, marked down to $60 from $110 and available in both white and aqua colorways. Fostex T50RPmk4g+ Wired Over-Ear Gaming Headset -- $150 ($250) Logitech G325 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Headset -- $50 ($80) Logitech G Astro A10 Gen 2 Wired Gaming Headset -- $40 ($70) PowerA LucidSound LS10 Wired Gaming Headset -- $20 ($30) Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset -- $150 ($250) Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Wired Headset - $60 ($110) Razer Kraken V4 X Wired Gaming Headset Cinnamoroll Edition -- $70 ($110) Rig 600 Pro HS Dual Wireless Gaming Headset (Acid Camo) -- $60 ($100) Rig R8 Spectre Pro HX Wireless Gaming Headset -- $130 ($180) SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P Wireless Gaming Headset -- $60 ($110) Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (8)

6/24/2026

From now until June 26, Target Circle members can take advantage of up to 45% off tons of items as part of the retailer's massive Circle Deal Days sale. This includes discounts on summer clothing, outdoor gear, school-year preparation materials, but also the fun nerdy stuff you want like video games, electronics, and Lego sets, and so much more. We've aggregated some of the best deals on video games, toys, and electronics you can browse through during the sale. Target's sale takes place the same time as other big summer shopping events, including Walmart's Deals & More sale, Best Buy's Tech Fest, and Amazon's Prime Day 2026. We're keeping track of our favorite deals in all these sales at our Prime Day Deals Hub, so be sure to check out that out if you're looking for more discounts on video games, electronics, and beyond. Video Game Deals Target Circle Deal Days: Video Games on Sale. The video games selection during the Circle Deal Days sale is very RPG-heavy. You can pick up great titles like Metaphor: ReFantazio on PlayStation 5 for $35 (was $70) or the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade for $45 (was $57), which comes on a Game-Key Card and requires a 90 GB download onto your console. If you're a sports fan, Madden NFL 26 is down to $40 (was $55) and EA Sports FC 26 is $30 (was $70). Among Us: Ejected Edition (Switch) -- $70 ($100) Disney Classic Games Collection (Switch) -- $35 ($50) EA Sports FC 26 (PS5) -- $30 ($70) Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (Switch 2) -- $45 ($57) Madden NFL 26 (PS5) -- $40 ($55) Metaphor: ReFantazio (PS5) -- $35 ($70) The Outer Worlds 2 (PS5) -- $35 ($70) Persona 3 Reload (Switch 2) -- $30 ($50) Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S (Switch 2) -- $25 ($40) Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (Switch) -- $40 ($60) Gaming Accessories Alongside a ton of brand new video games are useful gaming accessories. The Sonic the Hedgehog gaming chair is a big draw here, and you can grab one for $130 (was $165). If you're a proud owner of a Nintendo Switch 2, the Fosmon hard screen protector for $17 (was $22.65) will ensure it stays in even more pristine condition. Fosmon Nintendo Switch 2 2-Pack Screen Protector -- $17 ($22.65) Kontrol Freek FPS Performance Thumbsticks for PS4/ PS5 -- $20 ($40) Mad Catz Glide 6 Mouse Pad -- $13 ($30) PowerA Pikachu Lightning Enhanced Switch Controller -- $30 ($45) Sonic the Hedgehog Gaming Chair -- $130 ($165) Turtle Beach Stealth 500 Wireless Gaming Headset -- $70 ($90) Toys, Figures, and Lego Sets The toy sale selection is a bit sparse, but there are a few great Lego kits on sale. The Speed Champions Back to the Future for $22.39 (was $24.79) is a personal favorite of mine, and highly recommend at this price. Another cool set seeing a small discount is the Lego Icons Transformers Bumblebee set for $72 (was $77), a faithful recreation of the cartoon version. And the Hot Wheels Track Creator for $21.49 (was $26.49) makes a great gift for creative young ones looking for a Hot Wheels Track Creator Triple Loop Kit -- $21.49 ($26.49) Lego Icons Transformers Bumblebee (950 Pieces) -- $72 ($77) Lego Star Wars Grogu With Hover Pram (1,048 Pieces) -- $63 ($70) Lego Back to the Future Speed Champions (357 Pieces) -- $22.49 ($24.79) Mario Kart Mini Anti-Gravity R/C Racer -- $34.49 ($40) Electronics There dozens of electronics discounted at Target during this sale. You can save on a wide selection of headphones like the JBL Tune 520BT over-the-ear Bluetooth headphones for $40 (was $60). Or if you prefer earbuds, the Apple AirPods 4 are down to $100 (was $130). Then if you're looking for some affordable home security, the Ring battery-powered doorbell camera is marked down to $60 (was $100). Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds -- $100 ($130) Apple iPad (A16) 11in. 128 GB -- $300 ($350) Fosman 3-Port 4K HDMI Switcher -- $16 ($25) HP Victus 15.6in Laptop with FHD Intel Core i5, 16GB Memory, 1TB SSD -- $812 ($1400) JBL Tune 520BT Bluetooth Headphones -- $40 ($60) Ring Battery Doorbell Camera -- $60 ($100) Samsung 2.0Ch Soundbar with Built-in Woofer -- $80 ($138) Samsung 48in. S90F OLED 4K Smart TV with HDR+ -- $925 ($1600) Vankyo Leisure 3W Neo Projector -- $80 ($100) Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (8)

6/24/2026

Meta Quest 3S 128GB - $296.79 (was $350) | 256GB - $382.49 (was $450) See Quest 3S 128GB deal See Quest 3S 256GB deal It's not exactly the new hotness anymore, but VR has improved in leaps and bounds over the years. Case in point: the Meta Quest 3S. It's probably the best entry-level headset for anyone getting into VR. So if you're VR-curious or looking for a backup headset, the Meta Quest 3S being on sale for Prime Day makes for a good excuse to pick one up. Despite a big price increase earlier this year, Quest 3S has gotten a substantial discount for Prime day, it's just $297 (down from $350) that just about undoes the price hike. If you need more storage, you can also pick up the 256GB version for just $382 (was $450). Note that Amazon's Prime Day sale only runs through June 26, and there's always a chance these deals could disappear before then. Meta Quest 3S 128GB - $296.79 (was $350) | 256GB - $382.49 (was $450) So what makes the Quest 3S such a good headset? Easy. It hits the sweet spot balancing price, wearability, and high-end features. The Quest 3S is equipped with 8GB of RAM, a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 chipset, and 1832 x 1920 Fresnel lenses, and it comes bundled with two wireless Touch Plus controllers. Unlike its bigger sibling, the Meta Quest 3, the Quest 3S can function as a standalone (un-tethered) VR headset. You can plug it into a PC to boost its processing power, or you can use Steam Link to stream PC VR games from your Steam library directly into the headset. On its own, This it's a surprisingly capable little device. It's more than capable of playing games like Batman: Arkham Shadow, Asgard's Wrath, and Marvel’s Deadpool all on its own. See Quest 3S 128GB deal See Quest 3S 256GB deal While the Quest 3S does have a slightly better battery life than the Quest 3, it's worth investing in the Elite Strap add-on for an extra $100 (it was $130). This includes an additional battery positioned at the rear, and the strap itself feels way more secure than the one that ships with the Quest 3S. The Elite Strap also evenly distributes weight for a more comfortable fit, which makes it a must-have for movement-heavy games like Beat Saber. This Quest 3S deal is just one of the Prime Day deals we're seeing on all kinds of tech and gaming gear from Amazon and other retailers. For instance, if you have a PS5, you can grab a new DualSense controller for as little as $55, and the official PS5 gaming earbuds are 50% off, to name just a couple. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (8)

6/24/2026

Xbox Series X console and controller (1TB) $574 (was $650) See at Walmart Thanks to the RAM shortage, gaming hardware is more expensive than it's ever been--even pricier than it was during since the GPU shortage a few years ago. But if you're in the market for a new Xbox, you're in luck, as Walmart is dialing back the price for a limited time during its Deals & More Sale that's live through June 28. That means you can score a brand-new Xbox Series X for just $574, (down from $650), and it comes with a wireless controller. Xbox Series X console and controller (1TB) $574 (was $650) Even though it's a little long in the tooth, the Xbox Series X is no slouch. It's still capable of playing the latest releases in high resolution, with reasonable-to-fast frame rates. Plus, unique features like Quick Resume make it easy for you to hop into games and pick up from where you left off. It's also backward compatible with multiple generations of Xbox games, and many of those titles also benefit from free upgrades. If you've built up a library of Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One games over the years, you can access most of those releases on the Series X. With its 1TB SSD, you also get plenty of storage space to grow into. See at Walmart It's also worth noting the year ahead includes heavyweight titles like for Xbox Series X like the next Call of Duty and GTA 6. You can also subscribe to Xbox Game Pass and gain access to a massive library of games right out of the box--including upcoming exclusives like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution. While this deal is exclusive to Walmart, it's one of many notable discounts available this week thanks to Amazon's Prime Day sale and the competing events help by Walmart, Best Buy, and other retailers. Check out the rest of our Prime Day deals for discounts on games and accessories that you can pair with your new Xbox Series X, and to see the latest price cuts on Blu-rays, books, Lego sets, and more. More Deals And Preorders Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (8)

6/24/2026

The PlayStation Portal got a price hike a few months ago along with the rest of the PS5 family (thanks RAM shortage). But if you're in the market for one, Best Buy has an interesting deal going on right now. It's a bundle that includes the PlayStation Portal, and several accessories plus a $25 PlayStation Store gift card for $300 (down from $350). It's part of Best Buy's Tech Fest sale that runs until Sunday, June 28--and is coincidentally happening the same week as Amazon Prime Day. PlayStation Portal and accessories bundle $300 (was $350) See at Best Buy If you're unfamiliar, the PlayStation Portal is Sony's answer to the Switch 2 and Steam Deck. It's a handheld that can stream games over Wi-Fi either directly from your PS5 or from the cloud (if you have a PS Plus account). Alongside the PlayStation Portal and the PSN gift card, you get a screen protector, a wired set of earphones, additional rubberized thumbsticks, a charging dock, and a hardshell carrying case. Designed to complement the PS5, the PlayStation Portal has an 8-inch LCD screen and attached controller grips that with the same haptic feedback and adaptive triggers as the DualSense controller. What makes the device stand out is that it uses PlayStation's in-house Link technology, which gives the Portal its signature low latency and lossless audio. One thing to note is that this deal only covers the white version of the PlayStation Portal, and there's a separate option for the Midnight Black edition. It includes all the same accessories, but there's no $25 PSN bundled in. The plus side is that it is a few bucks cheaper at $270. If you're curious about mobile gaming, be sure to check out our other Prime Day deals. For instance, Switch 2 owners can pick up the Gammeefy controller, which swaps out the Joy-Cons for a cradle designed to feel more like an Xbox controller, and if you don't feel like staring at the PS Portal screen, Viture's Luma XR glasses give you a virtual display that's roughly the size of a cinema screen. The official PS5 gaming earbuds have also been discounted to their lowest-ever price of $99 at Walmart (they're normally $200), and they pair very nicely with the PS Portal and your PS5. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (8)

6/24/2026

Denis Villeneuve's take on Dune has made for some of the best sci-fi movies of the decade, and Dune: Part Three is set to conclude the trilogy this December. That's a long time from now. Reading the book series isn't a bad way to tide yourself over--and there's a fantastic deal to take advantage of this Prime Day. Normally priced at $108, Frank Herbert's Dune Saga 6-book boxed Set is available for just $52, a 52% discount. See at Amazon The Dune Saga 6-book boxed set contains the six original Dune books by Frank Herbert: Dune, Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune, Heretics of Dune, and Chapterhouse: Dune. The first two Villeneuve movies adapted the first book, while 2026's Dune: Part Three will be a film adaptation of Dune Messiah, with maybe a dash of Children of Dune. These six books are the definitely the best of the broader Dune franchise. There are more books, written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, and they're fine, but they get really weird and in some kind of problematic ways. So most Dune fans just pretend they don't exist. Which is probably for the best. This is a no-frills boxed set, giving you a compact way to own and store paperback versions of the original six Dune novels. And at just $52 for six trade paperbacks--not to be mistaken for mass market paperbacks, those tiny disposable ones you find at airports-- it's a solid deal. You also still have plenty of time have to catch up on the books before Dune: Part Three hits theaters in December. Still on the hunt for deals? Be sure to check out our ongoing Prime Day coverage for the latest discounts on video games, Blu-rays, tech, and more. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (8)

6/24/2026

The Switch 2 was never meant to be tethered to an entertainment center. It's designed to go with you wherever you go, but the dock very much isn't. If you're looking to travel with your Switch 2 for an extended period of time, it can be nice to just bring the whole kit with you. If that's the case for you, then the All-in-One Carrying Case for Switch 2 from JSAUX is probably worth checking out. This Prime Day, the carrying case has been discounted from its normal price of $46 to $28. See at Amazon There are plenty of Switch 2 carrying cases out there, but most of them can only store the console in handheld mode and a couple of game cards. JSAUX's all-in-one case can also store the Switch 2 Dock, a Pro Controller, the Joy-Con 2 grip, headphones, multiple game cards, and all the wires and power adapters you need to use the Switch 2 docked. It might not slide as easily into a backpack, but if you know you'll be traveling for a while and will have a place to hook your Switch 2 up to a TV, this case might be worth picking up to store console in a nice neat package. Although the JSAUX All-in-One was specifically designed for the Nintendo Switch 2, it can be used with other gaming handhelds, like the ROG Xbox Ally. If you're looking to get fully kitted out before your summer vacation, be sure to check out our other Prime Day deals--you might find some other peripherals to make your life a bit easier. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (8)

6/24/2026

If you've been looking to pad out your PS5 library for summer, you're in luck. Dozens of titles are on sale for Prime Day, and there's a healthy mix of recent releases and classics in there, some with discounts as high as 50%. We've combed through the listings and collected a selection of some of our favorites, which you can find below. After checking out the PS5 deals, you may also want to check out our roundup of Nintendo Switch 2 games on sale during Prime Day, too. One of the highlights is the Silent Hill 2 remake, a pitch-perfect reimagining of the beloved psychological-horror game. Normally $40, it's on sale for $20, one of the lowest prices we've seen to date. Other big discounts include From Software's Elden Ring for $20 (previously $50) and its spin-off, Elden Ring: Nightreign, for $20 (previously $40). Another standout is PS5 exclusive Lost Soul Aside, on sale for just $10 (down from $60). Admittedly, it received mixed reviews when it launched last year, but for $10, you're getting gorgeous hack-and-slash adventure game. There are plenty of other options as well, especially if you're aiming to catch up on critically acclaimed titles or you're looking to stock up on stocking-stuffers ahead of the festive season. You can grab several PS5 games for cheap during Prime Day. If you're looking for something more critically acclaimed, Resident Evil Requiem has earned rave reviews since it launched in February, and you can pick it up for just $56 (down from $70). It's worth noting that this is the Amazon exclusive edition that includes a double-sided poster. For more of an open world vibe, we'd also recommend Assassin's Creed Shadows at its current price of $30. A steal for such a massive sandbox game. Set in feudal Japan, the game features a storyline that can be experienced through the eyes of two different protagonists with two wildly different gameplay styles. If you're looking for something to play while you enjoy the air conditioning indoors this summer, it's a good pick. Similarly, Ubisoft's Star Wars Outlaws is another much-improved-since-launch action-adventure game, and it's on sale for $15 (was $20). It had some glaring problems at launch, but significant updates have overhauled the game and packed it with quality of life improvements and bugfixes in nearly two years since its release. Set in the seedy underbelly of the Star Wars criminal underworld, Outlaws has planets to explore, secrets to uncover, and no shortage of Stormtroopers to blast. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is also on sale, for $20 (was $70). It's the best Mario Kart-like since well, Mario Kart--some might argue it's even better than the most recent Mario racing game thanks to its inventive gameplay mechanics, crisp visuals, and unexpected crossover characters like SpongeBob, Hastune Miku, and the cast of Evangelion. You can check out a few more of our recommendations in the list below, but you'll want to move quickly--not only does the Prime Day 2026 sale end on June 26, but most of these PS5 game discounts are limited-time deals. Once Amazon sells a certain number of each one, they'll revert back to their regular prices. Don't forget to check out GameSpot's Prime Day Deals Hub to see more of our favorite deals on video games, PC hardware, anime, and more. Amazon Prime Day PS5 Game Deals Assassin's Creed Shadows (Limited Edition) -- $30 ($51) Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 -- $40 ($50) Code Vein 2 -- $38 ($70) Digimon Story: Time Stranger -- $30 ($50) Dragon Quest I and II HD-2D Remake -- $40 ($60) Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake -- $25 ($60) EA Sports FC 26 -- $25 ($70) Elden Ring -- $20 ($50) Elden Ring Nightreign (Amazon exclusive edition) -- $20 ($40) Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade -- $20 ($40) Lost Soul Aside -- $10 ($60) Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection -- $28.49 ($40) Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (Tactical Edition) -- $25 ($50) Octopath Traveler 0 -- $35 ($50) Resident Evil Requiem (Amazon exclusive edition) -- $56 ($70) Silent Hill 2 -- $20 ($40) Sonic Racing CrossWorlds -- $20 ($50) Sonic X Shadow Generations -- $15 ($50) Star Wars Outlaws -- $15 ($20) Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties -- $30 ($60) Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (8)

6/24/2026

It might be a week full of Prime Day deals, but Best Buy is also looking to tempt you with its own parallel event: Tech Fest. As you might guess from the title, Tech Fest is all about discounts on home entertainment tech, everything from OLED TVs to headsets, Apple products to video games. If you're looking to upgrade any of your devices or your home entertainment setup, there's a lot to check out here. We went through the whole sale picked out the best deals on products we recommend and grouped them by category. Have a look, see if anything catches your eye. See all deals at Best Buy Video Game Deals These sales are always a great excuse to add to your ever-expanding backlog of games. Best Buy has deals on several recent hits like Metaphor: ReFantazio, and the Gothic 1 Remake. If you're kind of a speed freak, Screamer (a seriously underrated racing game), and Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds are each $40 (down from $60, and $70, respectively). You can also pick up recent releases you might've missed, like Silent Hill F ($30, down from $50) and Assassin's Creed Shadows ($35, down from $50). Several Switch 2 games are also on sale, including hits like Street Fighter 6, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Bravely Default: Flying Fairy. Assassin's Creed Shadows -- $35 ($50) Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster -- $20 ($40) EA Sports FC 26 -- $30 ($50) Gothic 1 Remake -- $24 ($60) The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom -- $60 ($80) Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 -- $20 ($40) Metaphor ReFantazio -- $35 ($70) Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection -- $30 ($50) Screamer -- $40 ($60) Silent Hill F -- $30 ($50) Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds -- $40 ($70) Street Fighter 6: Year 1-2 Fighters Edition -- $30 ($60) Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 -- $30 ($50) See all at Best Buy Gaming Monitors A sharp monitor makes a world of difference for PC gaming and content creation. Best Buy has a wide variety of displays on sale for Tech Fest: from LG's workhorse monitors to Samsung's premium ultrawide displays. Samsung 32in Odyssey G51F QHD 180Hz monitor -- $180 ($330) Samsung 27in Odyssey G4 300Hz HDR10 monitor -- $190 ($400) Acer Nitro ED340CUR 34in curved monitor -- $250 ($350) LG 27in 120Hz HDR10 monitor -- $110 ($250) Samsung 49in Odyssey OLED G9 ultrawide curved monitor -- $1,000 ($1,700) LG UltraGear 45in OLED 240Hz monitor -- $900 ($1,700) See all at Best Buy OLED TVs Nothing beats a really big OLED TV for gaming, especially with modern consoles that can take advantage of sometimes absurdly high framerates. The top brands in this category are LG, Samsung, and Sony, and we're huge seeing price cuts on TVs from all three. LG 48in B5 -- $700 ($1,000) LG 65in C5 -- $1,200 ($2,700) LG 77in G6 -- $4,000 ($5,000) LG 77in C5 -- $2,000 ($3,700) Samsung 55in S90F -- $1,000 ($1,300) Samsung 65in S90F -- $1,200 ($2,500) Samsung 77in S90H -- $3,000 ($3,700) Sony 77in Bravia XR A95L -- $3,500 ($4,500) See all at Best Buy Headphones The world can be a noisy place but fortunately ANC headphones and earbuds are better than ever at wrapping you in a comfy blanket of total silence. To that end, Best Buy's got some of our top ANC picks are on sale for Tech Fest. Including the ultra-compact AirPods Pro and Sony's superb WH-1000XM5 headphones. Apple AirPods Pro 3 earbuds -- $180 ($240) Apple AirPods 4 with ANC earbuds -- $150 ($180) Apple AirPods Max 2 headphones -- $480 ($550) Beats Solo 4 Wireless headphones -- $100 ($200) Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones -- $180 ($300) Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones -- $198 ($398) See all at Best Buy Apple iPads & iPhones Apple hardware is rarely on sale in any meaningful way, so seeing these discounts has been a pleasant surprise. Of particular note: the M3 iPads punch way above their weight with sharp displays and high performing internals, while the iPhone Air is a svelte powerhouse for anyone tired of big thick phones. Apple 11in iPad A16 (128GB, Blue) -- $299 ($349) Apple 11in iPad Air M3 (1TB, Space Gray) -- $749 ($1,249) Apple 11in iPad Air M3 (128GB, Space Gray) -- $479 ($759) Apple 11in iPad Air M3 (128GB, Blue) -- $479 ($759) Apple 11in iPad Air M3 (256GB, Space Gray) -- $579 ($759) iPhone 16e (128GB, White) -- $490 ($600) iPhone Air (256GB, Space Black) -- $840 ($1,000) iPhone Air (256GB, Sky Blue) -- $840 ($1,000) iPhone Air (512GB, Space Black) -- $1,040 ($1,200) See all at Best Buy Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Meta Quest 3S Drops To Its Lowest Prince In Months Thanks To Pime Day This Deals Returns To A Simpler Time When The Xbox Series X Was Less Than $600 This PlayStation Portal Deal Bundles Accessories And Free Cash (Sort Of) Snag The First Six Dune Books For Over 50% Off Before Dune: Part Three Hits Theaters mClassic Graphics Upscaler For Retro Game Consoles Is Over 60% Off For Amazon Prime Day This Prime Day Deal Is For Anyone Traveling With A Switch 2 This Summer Prime Day PS5 Deals Include Big Discounts On Elden Ring, Dragon Quest, And More Best Buy’s Tech Fest Discounts Rival Amazon’s Prime Day Amazon Prime Day 2026: The Best Elgato Deals For Streamers, Gamers, And Podcasters Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day More Deals And Preorders Links (8)

6/24/2026

Get a look at the Steam Machine unboxed as well as an overview and quick start guide in this video.

6/24/2026

The Season 4 Reloaded update goes live in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Warzone on June 25, and the midseason patch notes reveal major changes for both games. These adjustments include weapon tuning, Zombies map improvements, and Endgame fixes. However, the most impactful portion of the patch notes revolve around major gameplay changes for Warzone's various modes, including adjustments to supply boxes, Hot Zones, and various equipment. Content-wise, Season 4 Reloaded is themed as Call of Duty's Summer of Action update. Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage gets his own operator and limited-time event. There are two more weapons, a brand-new Zombies map, and a summer-themed makeover for Warzone's Rebirth Island. New challenges, game modes, and multiplayer maps are also included. Nicolas Cage operator skin Major highlights from the update can be found below. The full patch notes for Season 4 Reloaded patch are on Activision's blog for both Black Ops 7 and Warzone. Multiplayer weapon balancing Treyarch reveals this midseason update focuses on small adjustments to some of Black Ops 7's post-launch guns. This weapon tuning nerfs some of the game's dominant weapons, with focuses on the Voyak KT-3 assault rifle, Kogot-7 submachine gun, and Warden 308 marksman rifle. The Voyak KT-3 has reduced damage range and increased recoil to make it less dominant over other assault rifles. The widely popular Kogot-7 now has a nerfed damage range and rebalanced base damage, reducing its power at range. The Warden 308 has been a powerful one-shot kill, so Treyarch has reduced the damage ranges and rebalanced some of the damage multipliers so that one-shot kills are less likely. Zombies map adjustments Totenreich Zombies map For Totenreich, the update addresses an issue where the cell door in the Group 935 Genetic Lab would not open after reloading a save. It also fixes an issue where zombies may not appear during the death scene at the end of Richtofen's Quest. Additionally, all of the maps receive adjustments to correct unspecified visual and collision issues. Several Endgame fixes Season 4 Reloaded includes several fixes for Endgame. This update corrects various issues with the pathing and behavior of the Zursa enemy type, and it fixes a bug that could cause Dr. Falkner to get stuck below the map. It also addresses an issue where gear drops would spawn Fears too infrequently, slowing down progression in the Operation Broken Mirror act of missions. Warzone Ranked Play restrictions Warzone's Ranked Play mode is restricting two weapons attachments from competitive play. The XR-3 Ion sniper rifle's Vulcan Minigun underbarrel and the DS20 Mirage's Dual Fire Kit underbarrel can no longer be equipped to Ranked Play loadouts. "We are taking additional time to evaluate the impact of these new attachments in standard playlists before considering them for Ranked Play," the developer says. Warzone gameplay changes The new summer-themed makeover for Rebirth Island Warzone's supply boxes will now disable in the gas, and this change affects all game modes. This means that players can no longer interact with supply boxes located "deep within the gas." Raven Software discusses this change by saying, "Looting deep in the gas was creating unintended gameplay patterns and disproportionately rewarding players who remained outside the playable area. This change places greater emphasis on positioning and encourages squads to contest resources within active combat zones." The developer also lists the distance at which players are considered "deep in the gas," which now scales based on the current circle. Circle 1: 40m (unchanged) Circle 2: 30m Circle 3 and later: 25m Additionally, Hot Zone loot is getting adjustments for battle royale and Resurgence modes. These changes includes the following: Hot Zones across all maps now have a chance to spawn a gas mask as ground loot Hot Zones across all maps, excluding Rebirth Island, now have an increased chance to contain legendary supply crates Haven's Hollow has an additional increased chance for legendary supply crates to appear To offset these improvements, the overall number of legendary supply crates outside of Hot Zones has been slightly reduced Added as a quality-of-life change, Warzone's Gulag will now have dynamic wait times. This means players waiting in the Gulag without finding an opponent will now receive a free redeploy faster as the match progresses. The wait times are as follows: Circle 1: 95 seconds (unchanged) Circle 2: 65 seconds Circle 3 and later: 45 seconds Warzone equipment nerfs Warzone's Rebirth Island Season 4 Reloaded brings nerfs to some of the powerful equipment in Warzone. The Point Turret has been drastically reduced with the following changes: Reduced target acquisition range from 25m to 18m Increased target acquisition delay from 0.3 seconds to 1 second Reduced the maximum number of simultaneously deployed Point Turrets from 2 to 1 Stims are a popular way to play aggressively and make gas plays, but the developer is reducing the health regeneration of stims by 40% while inside the gas. Raven Software says, "Stims were allowing players to survive in the gas for extended periods and enabling strategies that circumvented intended circle pressure. Reducing their effectiveness while in the gas reinforces the importance of positioning while preserving their utility during combat." The Grappling Hook is also nerfed with the update, which includes the following reductions: Reduced maximum movement speed by 15% Reduced early-detach vertical speed boost by 25% Reduced early-detach momentum retention from 75% to 70% Reduced early-detach maximum speed by 25% Warzone weapon balancing A few guns get improved for Season 4 Reloaded. Most notably, the MK35 ISR assault rifle and the Sturmwolf 45 submachine gun both receive a damage-range buff. The recently added VX Compact assault rifle gets a damage-range buff and improved bullet velocity.

6/24/2026

With preorders opening and pricing details finally released, Grand Theft Auto VI’s November 19 release date seems like a lock at this point. The video game industry has taken note, and most developers are avoiding launching near GTA 6 like the plague. September and October are absolutely packed with high-profile game launches from top to bottom, and even the early 2027 release calendar is starting to get crowded with the likes of Fable and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. The thing is, it’s a short-sighted mistake to view GTA 6 as if it will be some one-and-done ordeal. Even after the November 19 launch, it’s likely that we can expect updates, ports, and potentially even a new version of GTA Online. The next game from Rockstar will be such a monumental release, and I suspect that the game industry will be reckoning with its repeated impacts for years to come. As a recent video by Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier succinctly explains, developers are avoiding launching near GTA 6 because they don't want to be competing for players’ dollars and attention, physical and digital storage space, and media coverage. At the end of the video, he also briefly notes that a new version of GTA Online or a potential PC port could have similar impacts in the future. Good or bad, GTA 6 will dominate all of that in the month or so surrounding its launch. But it won’t end there. We’re gaming in an era when even single-player games like Crimson Desert can have an update cadence like a live-service game. There’s no reason to suspect that a game with so much time and money put into it won’t do the same.  The problems for other games go beyond simple content updates, too. Initially, GTA 6 will be a single-player adventure only. While Rockstar has not confirmed a new version of GTA Online yet, it’s such a moneymaker for the company that it’d be bizarre not to eventually release a new online component to promote. Whether that’s free-to-play, standalone, or incorporated into GTA 6 proper, that’s going to be a big deal whenever it releases. The fact that we still know nothing about a potential new version of GTA Online makes things uncertain for any game set to launch after GTA 6. It could arrive as early as this November, or drop right into the middle of another month that some games moved to. Whenever a new version of GTA Online is unveiled and dated, it’s bound to cause a lot of chaos, and the power of that rests entirely under Rockstar’s control. Then, there’s the whole port factor. The GTA franchise is extremely popular on PC, yet that community is not being catered to at all with GTA 6’s initial launch. That said, it's hard to imagine the game won't make the jump to computers eventually. Neither a Nintendo Switch 2 port, nor versions of the game for next-gen consoles like Xbox’s Project Helix, are out of the realm of possibility. Once again, those ports will draw player and media attention away from other games and could even crash storefronts as Hollow Knight: Silksong’s popular launch did. Even if the launches of a hypothetical PC port or GTA 6’s rendition of GTA Online aren’t as massive as the initial release, they’re still going to be some of the most popular launches of whatever month or year they come out in. That’s something that game developers will need to be worrying about, not just this fall, but for the foreseeable future.  There's no easy solution or way out for game companies because of this. A developer or publisher could try to position their game as an alternative to whatever version of GTA 6 they are up against, but that is not guaranteed to be successful. Simply put, I don't expect the chaos this launch is causing for other games to end with its release date. There are just too many unknowns surrounding its future for any game releasing afterward to be confident that they dodged its bullet. In more ways than one, GTA 6 will be a video game that will impact the industry for years to come once it launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X on November 19.

6/24/2026

Microsoft released an update for Xbox Insiders today to test several new features coming to Xbox Series X|S. The update brings changes to Gamertags and more, but the most useful of these features allows players to use cloud gaming to play updating titles, fixing one of user's biggest annoyances with the console. An Xbox Wire post broke down these new features in more detail. Typically, games that are updating on consoles become unplayable, and that wait can get quite long for large, high-fidelity AAA titles. However, this update makes it so that, if the game is part of the Game Pass catalog and you have a subscription, you'll now be able to boot it up via cloud gaming and play it while the update downloads. If you have the internet bandwidth to support it, this update is extremely alluring. It also shows Xbox is still putting some focus on cloud gaming, even as it recenters its strategy around consoles like the upcoming Project Helix. There are plenty of other updates for those who don't like cloud gaming to look forward to as well. Game hubs for Xbox 360 games will now show achievements, and a wishlist option will be added to game cards for ones you don't own. Those are small UI tweaks, but they do add things I'm surprised weren't already supported. In 2019, Microsoft's last big overhaul of Xbox Gamertags limited them to 12 characters at most. Seven years later, it's finally upping the limit to 15 characters. Maybe it's finally time for me to change the Gamertag I've had since I was eight years old. Xbox Insiders who are part of the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring are the first to have access to these updates. These updates will roll out to other Xbox Insider tiers in the future before eventually being released to all Xbox Series X|S owners.

6/24/2026

The news that Grand Theft Auto 6 won't get a traditional physical release and will include a code in a box rather than a disc isn't sitting well with many on the internet. At least two retailers are joining the dissent, announcing their intent not to sell GTA 6. Video Games Plus (VGP), a Toronto-based retailer, stated that it will not be offering GTA 6 under the company's policy of not selling games that only contain digital codes. VGP added that it would be "pleased" to carry and support the game should Rockstar release it on disc. "We want to be clear that this decision is not a reflection of the game itself," VGP's statement on X reads. "We have tremendous respect for Rockstar Games and the incredible achievement that Grand Theft Auto 6 represents." https://twitter.com/VideoGamesPlus_/status/2069773098295910714?s=20 According to VGP's official website, the retailer was founded in 1990 and entered the online marketplace through eBay before launching its own website. VGP has one brick-and-mortar location in Ontario. Similarly, Delaware-based video game store Loot Box Gaming (LBG) said that while the company is still awaiting further details about GTA 6's release, it will not sell the game if the physical edition is just a code in a box. "If a product can’t honor the people who pay their hard-earned money to purchase it, then we have no business trying to sell it to our customers whom we value above anything else," LBG's statement read. LBG is an online-only retailer that also has roots in eBay, but the store's website states that it plans to expand with a retail storefront in the future. https://twitter.com/LootBoxGamingUS/status/2069756247507624039?s=20 Both VGP and LBG emphasized game preservation in their social media posts. These two retailers are small compared to superstores like Target and Walmart, so it's hard to imagine these developments will have much effect on GTA's launch and sales. Still, replies to their statements are largely complimentary and respectful. Meanwhile, GameStop has been silent so far, which is somewhat surprising considering how annoyingly online its social media pages are, especially in the wake of massive games industry news such as this. GTA 6 is scheduled for a November 19 launch, and as expected, it "features a single-player experience," leading many to wonder what the game's online plans will be. GTA 6: 241 Screenshots To Ease The Wait View Images

6/24/2026

If you're looking to upgrade your content creation setup, Elgato's range of streaming and video editing hardware is on sale during Amazon's Prime Day 2026 sale that runs June 23-26. There are dozens of devices in the sale, including products like the Elgato Prompter, Facecam 4K, and multiple capture cards, just to name a few. We've combed through the Elgato Prime Day deals and collected them all into the lists below. Elgato Prompter $204.24 (was $300) Talking off the cuff can be difficult to master, but if you'd prefer to read from a script, then you'll want a teleprompter when you're in front of your camera. The Elgato Prompter has a built-in display that streams text--and Twitch chats--and it connects via USB-C for complete desktop control. The frame allows for a wide variety of cameras to be supported, and the free Camera Hub software allows you to set up your script according to your personal preferences. See at Amazon Elgato Embrace Chair $420 (was $500) There's no shortage of gamer chairs to choose from lately, but the Elgato Embrace Chair was clearly made for people who spend most of their working day in front of a PC. Designed to keep you comfortable during long sessions, this chair has adjustable armrests, height and depth-adjustable lumbar support that adapts to your spine's natural curve, robust neck support, and it's easy to set up. Another noteworthy feature is the "waterfall" seat edge, a gentle shape that flows downward and is designed to improve your circulation and eliminate any feeling of numbness in your legs after being seated for an extended period. The overall design is also subtle, ensuring that the chair doesn't steal the show when you're streaming, compared to some of the gaudier designs out there. See at Amazon Stream Deck Deals The Elgato Stream Deck is a must-have for streamers, and it also has plenty of functionality outside of that space. The core design packs together LCD keys in a small frame, and the options for customization allow you to streamline your digital workflow. The customizable keys and dials replace keyboard shortcuts and help you skip having to dive through multiple apps, and over the years, Elgato has expanded on this line with several models targeted toward content creators, gamers, and professionals. If you're starting, the Stream Deck Mini is a very affordable option at $46.54 (was $60), and it's equipped with six customizable LCD keys. The next step up is the Stream Deck MK. 2 with 15 keys to modify to your requirements, and if you want to go all in, check out the Stream Deck XL and its array of 32 customizable keys. Another popular option is the Stream Deck+, which features eight LCD keys, a touch strip, and dials for audio, video, lighting, and more. Pairing one of these with a Stream Deck pedal is also recommended, as you can use it to control software and hardware with a quick tap of your foot. Elgato Stream Deck+ -- $124.49 ($180) Elgato Stream Deck Mini -- $46.54 ($60) Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 -- $120 ($150) Elgato Stream Deck Neo -- $70 ($100) Elgato Stream Deck XL -- $190 ($250) Elgato Stream Deck Pedal -- $66.49 ($90) Capture Card Deals What is the point of a dedicated capture card in the current era of built-in recording options on PC and consoles? There are advantages to using one of these, as a capture card can bypass many limits inherent in streaming while also allowing you to set up overlays, alerts, a webcam feed, and take full control over how your stream looks. Elgato has several options available in this space, and if you're keen to test the waters, then the Elgato 4K S is a good starting point. This is an external USB-C card that captures and passes through up to 4K and 60fps, and it works on PC and with most consoles. The Elgato 4K X is the next step up, as it supports capture and passthrough up to 4K, while the 4K Pro is an internal PCIe card for desktop setups that can capture up to 4K and supports up to 8K passthrough--this design also means you can send the capture feed to multiple applications at the same time. Elgato 4K S -- $120 ($160) Elgato 4K X -- $190 ($250) Elgato 4K Pro -- $240 ($300) Elgato Cam Link 4K -- $76 ($100) Mics & Mic Arms Now that you have the right gear to capture your gameplay, the next step is to get your face and voice out there. The Elgato Wave microphones offer a lot of bang for your buck, and you have two great options to choose from during Prime Day. The Elgato Wave Neo is an entry-level condenser microphone currently on sale for $61.74 (was $90), and it's ready to go right out of the box thanks to its plug-and-play design. If you're looking to have a microphone placed above your head, the Elgato Wave DX is on sale for $66.49 (was $100), and it works with any XLR preamp or audio interface. A microphone arm is also a worthwhile investment, and Elgato has several models on offer. If you're getting the Elgato Wave DX, then the Wave Mic Arm for $90  (was $120) will pair naturally with it to create a broadcast-like setup. The Wave Mic Arm LP for $70 (was $100) is also a solid choice, as it offers a lot of flexibility in its design. Elgato Wave DX - Dynamic XLR Mic -- $66.49 ($100) Elgato Wave Neo USB Condenser Mic -- $61.74 ($90) Elgato Wave Mic Arm -- $90 ($120) Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP -- $70 ($100) Elgato Wave Mic Arm Pro -- $145 ($180) Cameras & Lighting You've got your voice on the streamer airwaves, and to complete your setup, it's time to get your face out there as well. Depending on your budget, Elgato has several Facecam options to choose from, starting with the beginner-friendly Facecam Neo for $38 (was $50). This model captures a sharp 1080p 60fps picture, and it's ready to record out of the box. For an ultra-HD option, the Facecam 4K can record you at up to 4K 60fps, has HDR support available up to 4K 30fps, and adjustable noise reduction that comes in handy if you're in a dim room. These are all good cameras, but lighting is an essential component in providing the best video possible. Elgato's Key Light device is rock-solid for not only illuminating you and your space, but it's also wi-fi enabled, and its settings can be fine-tuned from your desktop. The LED design gives off a low amount of heat, so you won't have to worry about breaking out into a sweat during a broadcast. Pop one of these into a dedicated stand and Mount, and you're good to go. Elgato Facecam 4K -- $150 ($200) Elgato Facecam MK.2 -- $95 ($140) Elgato Facecam Neo -- $38 ($50) Elgato Key Light -- $135 ($180) Elgato Key Light Neo (Without Mount) -- $42.29 ($80) Elgato Key Light Neo Stand Mount -- $30 ($35) Elgato Neo Clap Mount -- $30 ($35) Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day Prep For Spider-Man: Brand New Day With This Spider-Man Lego Deal Prime Day Deal: Save Almost 40% The 16GB Kindle Colorsoft This 10-Car Lego F1 Set Gets Rare Discount For Prime Day Prime Day: Save $150 On The Apple AirPods Max 2 More Deals And Preorders Links (3)

6/24/2026

Amazon's Prime Day is in full swing, offering deals for countless video games, accessories, 4K Blu-rays, toys, tech, and more until June 26. This includes a solid list of Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 games from Nintendo and third-party publishers, many of which are as much as 60% off. For example, if you've been waiting to pick up Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, the Switch 2 edition is down to $45 (was $70). Other recent first-party Switch 2 games are also on sale, including Pokemon Legends: Z-A for $45 (was $70), Kirby Air Riders for $50 (was $70), and Mario Tennis Fever for $50 (was $70), to name a few. Amazon's sale is also a good opportunity to save on the Switch 2 Edition of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which is down to $60 (was $70). And while they're not technically part of the Prime Day deals, it's also worth noting that you can save a few dollars on physical preorders of upcoming Switch 2 games like Star Fox and Splatoon Raiders. Both are discounted to $50, which matches the prices of each game's digital version and saves you $10 compared to their $60 launch prices. Nintendo Switch 2 games on sale during Amazon Prime Day. While the first-party discounts are among the best offers--in part because Nintendo-published games rarely see major discounts like these--you can also save on third-party Switch 2 games like Resident Evil Requiem, which is on sale for $56 (was $70). Note that, like most third-party games in the sale, Resident Evil Requiem is a Game Key-Card on Switch 2, which means none of the game data is included on the Key-Card and you'll need an internet connection and at least 30GB of space to install the game. For you RPG fans, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (Game Key-Card; requires 90GB) is down to $30 (was $40). Its sequel, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, released on Switch 2 earlier this month and Final Fantasy VII Revelation was recently confirmed to launch on all platforms Sping 2027, this is a good time to pick up the first of the trilogy on Switch 2. For a more traditional console-style RPG adventure, there's Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake (Game Key-Card; requires 17GB) which is discounted to $40 (was $60). The game includes ground-up remakes of both classic NES RPGs with enhanced visuals, modern quality-of-life additions, and tons of new story content. Switch Game Deals Even some other recent first-party titles are included with discounts definitely worth checking out, considering that first-party Nintendo games don't often go on sale. You can pick up Kirby Air Riders for $50 (was $70), a great follow-up to the GameCube classic. Also on sale is Mario Tennis Fever for $ 50 (was $70), the latest in the long line of Mario sports games. For you RPG fans, there are a handful of some of the best in recent years. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is down to $30 (was $40) and needs 90GB of space. With Final Fantasy VII Rebirth release on Switch 2 earlier this month and Final Fantasy VII Revelation on the horizon, this is a good time to pick up the first of the trilogy if the Switch 2 is your only way to check it out. I'd also recommend checking out Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake for $40 (was $60), the final two games in then Erdrick trilogy. They're faithful recreations with Square's signature retro art style and modern quality-of-life additions that have helped make these games not feel too aged. You'll need 17GB of space to download this onto your console. If you don't have a Nintendo Switch 2 quite yet, there are a few Switch games on sale as well--though none are true physical releases. Some of the only "physical" Switch 1 releases on sale are the Amazon-exclusive Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle and Sparks of Hope Double Pack for $10 (was $29) and Just Dance 2026 Limited Edition for $20 (was $50), both of which are Code-in-Box releases, so no game card is included in the case. Assuming you don't mind the lack of physical media in the box, both are worth considering thanks to how many content they include--the Mario + Rabbids Double Pack includes both full-length games in the series, while the Just Dance 2026 Limited Edition includes the game plus 40 bonus songs and extra in-game cosmetic items. The rest of Amazon's Switch games deals are digital editions, including several notable Nintendo-published releases like The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom for $39.88 (was $60), The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for 59.88 (was $80), Mario vs. Donkey Kong for $29.83 (was $50), and Donkey Kong Country Returns HD for $39.88 (was $60). You can check out more Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 Prime Day discounts listed below. We've made sure to label all Game Key-Card, Digital Code, and Code-in-Box releases, and include their estimated install sizes when available. After you've browsed the list, head over to our Prime Day Deals Hub, which we're updating with the latest deals on video games, anime, Lego sets, and more throughout the week. Nintendo Prime Day Deals Nintendo Switch 2 Games Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion -- $30 ($40) Dragon Ball : Sparking! Zero (GKC; 20GB) -- $30 ($60) Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake (GKC; $17GB) -- $40 ($60) Dragon Quest VII Reimagined (GKC; 6GB) -- $45 ($60) EA Sports FC 26 (GKC; 66GB) -- $28.33 ($70) Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (GKC; 90GB) -- $30 ($40) Hades II - $40 ($50) Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment -- $59 ($70) Kirby Air Riders - $50 ($70) The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Switch 2 Edition -- $60 ($80) Mario Tennis Fever - $50 ($70) Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - $45 ($70) Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection (GKC; 30GB) -- $ 56 ($70) Octopath Traveler 0 (GKC; 5GB) -- $35 ($50) PAC-MAN World 2 Re-PAC (GKC; 6.4GB)- $19 ($30) Pokemon Legends: Z-A -- $45 ($70) Resident Evil Requiem (GKC; 30GB) -- $53.19 ($70) The Rogue Prince of Persia (GKC; 5GB) -- $38 ($50) Sid Meier's Civilization VII (Code in Box) -- $30 ($40) Splatoon Raiders -- $50 ($60) | Releases July 23 Star Fox (2026) -- $50 ($60) | Releases June 25 Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage: 30th Anniversary Edition (GKC; 30GB)- $30 ($50) Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties (GKC; 30GB) -- $30 ($60) Nintendo Switch Games Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (Digital Code) -- $39.88 ($60) Just Dance 2026 Edition Limited Edition (Code in box) -- $20 ($50) The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (Digital Code) -- $39.88 ($60) The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Digital Code) -- $59.88 ($80) Mario Vs. Donkey Kong (Digital Code) -- $29.83 ($50) Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle and Sparks of Hope Double Pack (Code in box) -- $10 ($29) Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day Prep For Spider-Man: Brand New Day With This Spider-Man Lego Deal Prime Day Deal: Save Almost 40% The 16GB Kindle Colorsoft This 10-Car Lego F1 Set Gets Rare Discount For Prime Day Prime Day: Save $150 On The Apple AirPods Max 2 More Deals And Preorders Links (3)

6/24/2026

Pokemon Legends: Z-A (Switch 2) $45 (was $70) See at Amazon One of this Prime Day's best video game deals is a 36% discount on last year's Pokemon Legends: Z-A for the Nintendo Switch 2. You can get the game for $45 (was $70) as part of the sale, which runs until Friday, June 26. It's important to note that this is an Amazon Lightning Deal, and 11% of stock has been claimed at the time of publishing. Pokemon Legends: Z-A (Switch 2) $45 (was $70) Pokemon Legends: Z-A for Nintendo Switch 2. Pokemon Legends: Z-A is the second in the Legends subseries after Arceus. Released last year, it takes place in Lumiose City from Pokemon X and Y and features the return of Mega Evolution, even introducing a few new Megas exclusive to this title. Like Arceus, you play in third-person, engaging in hybrid turn-based and real-time combat you'd expect from the series, and wild Pokemon roam around the world instead of as random encounters. So Shiny hunting or finding your favorite Pocket Monster is a little bit easier in these games. See at Amazon This physical version comes with the full game data on the cartridge instead of Game-Key Card that requires a download, and it includes the original Nintendo Switch version with the Switch 2 upgrade pack. GameSpot's Jake Dekker gave Pokemon Legends: Z-A a seven out of 10 in his review, saying "[t]he real-time battle system recontextualizes familiar moves and strategies in exciting new ways", but was unimpressed with the game's visuals; "Lumiose City is visually uninteresting and fails to adequately represent the people who live there". Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders Amazon Prime Day: Nintendo Switch 2 Games Are Up To 60% Off For A Limited Time If You Act Fast, You Can Grab Pokemon Legends: Z-A On Switch 2 For $45 The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day Prep For Spider-Man: Brand New Day With This Spider-Man Lego Deal Prime Day Deal: Save Almost 40% The 16GB Kindle Colorsoft This 10-Car Lego F1 Set Gets Rare Discount For Prime Day Prime Day: Save $150 On The Apple AirPods Max 2 More Deals And Preorders Links (3)

6/24/2026

By Fox McCloud Hey Peppy. Hey buddy. Hey. Look, I know you're probably wondering why I asked to talk to you in private like this, but--hoo boy. Okay, this is awkward. Here's the thing: Could you stop bringing up my dead dad?  I know you and dad were very close, and you know that I see you as family. You're like the uncle I never had. I know that my dad's death must have had a real impact on you. It had a huge impact on me too! We both went through that trauma together and I understand we all grieve in our own ways. But I'd suggest maybe you should work through these things with a licensed therapist, or perhaps a peer of your own age, instead of constantly mentioning it to me, his son, mid-dogfight. It's so sweet that I remind you of him. That's touching to hear, really. Most of the time. The thing is, though, when you just keep bringing it up, it sort of dulls the impact. I look up to my dad, and I'm trying to grow into a leader like he was. But honestly, it's kind of starting to seem like the main thing that reminds you of him is just that I'm a fox flying a starship, which is just my species and job. This fight against the armies of Andross has been difficult. You know as well as I do that a moment's hesitation, even a slight delay of my reflexes, could spell disaster. We've made it out of our share of scraps by the skin of our teeth--right, buddy? The thing is, it's already very stressful dodging a mega-laser from a monkey space-fascist. That's without the added stress of having my father's surviving best friend break comms to tell me how I barrel rolled just like James.  It's just… not the time, you know? Frankly, Peppy, you're really not the best pilot on the Star Fox team. I know you and dad were together in the glory days, but your competition for best mate was a greedy pig. The team has expanded since then and you're trailing near last. Falco is an ace and, heck, even Slippy isn't getting himself into trouble as much as you have been. You're still on the team because we value your veteran expertise but also, let's be honest, as a legacy hire. If I'm going to be the real leader of Star Fox, I'm going to have to orient the team to be the best it can be, and that may mean cutting older, slower, more wistful pilots who may be, just for example, distracting the other pilots. I see the Great Fox is approaching Venom airspace, so we should wrap this up. Look, I want you to stay on the team. I just really need you to hear me on this and honor my wishes. I really, truly, need you to stop talking so much about my dead dad. Seriously. Thanks.

6/24/2026

Resident Evil has been on a bit of a hot streak as of late. Ever since the survival-horror series made a grand comeback with 2017’s Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Capcom has consistently and pretty regularly delivered on what fans love about the series. Whether that’s new entries that pay tribute to the past, such as Village, or full remakes of classic titles like Resident Evil 4, there’s absolutely no shortage of experiences for every type of Resident Evil fan. So why does it feel as though the series is in a bit of a creative rut as of late? Because of the series' refusal to let go of the past. It may sound blasphemous to say in light of success after success, but with the recent release of Resident Evil: Requiem and the announcement of Resident Evil Veronica, it's starting to feel as if the franchise is just going through the motions without pushing it forward in any meaningful way. If Resident Evil is going to continue thriving as a franchise, it can’t be afraid to let go of past baggage and nostalgic pandering. Resident Evil: Requiem, despite being what is arguably one of the best entries in the franchise, suffers from a case of nostalgia overload. While Grace Ashcroft’s segments provided players with a harrowing survival-horror experience that felt like a natural evolution from the Spencer Mansion and R.P.D. station, Leon S. Kennedy’s segments made the game come to a screeching halt. A great deal of his segments see him explore the bombed out ashes of a destroyed Raccoon City in an effort to evoke nostalgia from the player, having them navigate through locales such as the Stagla gas station, the city streets, and even the R.P.D. station itself. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with nostalgia, these segments often feel overlong and like they're treading ground that we’ve already covered in the franchise. Do we honestly need to see Leon explore the S.T.A.R.S. office to find the photo of Rebecca Chamber in Wesker’s desk once again? The refusal to leave the past behind also carries over to Requiem's story, which tells a tale of a sickness that infects Raccoon City survivors, a secret Umbrella Scientist, and a fight for the legacy of Umbrella founder Oswell Spencer--all topics and themes that have been explored in the series' past. While Requiem is polished to a bright sheen, offering some of the best moments in the entire series, one can’t shake the feeling of “been there, done that” while experiencing it. It’s not just Requiem that suffers from a refusal to move on from the past. When Capcom isn’t making new entries in the series, it's remaking beloved titles of the past. During this year's Summer Game Fest Live Capcom announced Resident Evil: Veronica, a remake of Code: Veronica and the most recent classic title to receive a modern makeover. While not a straightforward remake, Capcom has promised it will be a reimagining that will feature altered elements to fit more nicely in the Resident Evil timeline. While I’m all for making older titles more accessible, I can’t help but feel sort of exhausted by the sheer amount of remakes to exist in the franchise. There was a single remake up until 2019, but now with Veronica, there will be a grand total of five remakes. Out of the seven games released since the series’ comeback in 2017, over half of them are remakes of older titles. The point I’m trying to make is that Resident Evil needs a very big shake-up. A series doomed to repetition is a series that’s doomed to never grow. Some of the most notable entries in the franchise have taken huge risks that have paid off. The first entry arguably invented the survival-horror genre. Resident Evil 4 perfected the design of over-the-shoulder third-person action games. Resident Evil 5 expanded upon 4’s ideas by introducing a co-op element to the entire experience. 7 added an entirely new perspective to the franchise, and also was one of the first AAA titles playable entirely in VR. Resident Evil thrives and makes history when it takes risks in its titles. Resident Evil shouldn’t be afraid to let go of the past. The series can’t rely on nostalgia forever. It's hard to see the forest for the trees when Capcom is constantly pumping out quality installments and remakes, but we as fans should want more. There have been examples of franchises growing stagnant when they refuse to grow (cough Marvel Cinematic Universe cough), and it would be such a loss to horror gaming to see Resident Evil have another fall-off.

6/24/2026

After announcing the release date for the Steam Machine earlier this week, Valve sneakily also confirmed that the latest version of its Linux-based operating system, SteamOS 3.8, would be the first to be available for download for all hardware configurations, letting you turn your existing desktop into your own Steam Machine. SteamOS 3.8 is out now, meaning you can download the official operating system image and try it out for yourself. For now, you will have to be using an AMD graphics card as Valve continues to work on Nvidia support for an official release in 2027. Your first step is creating a bootable device with a USB stick and your downloaded image of SteamOS, which you can do in the following ways: Windows: Use the Rufus utility. Select the SteamOS file and write it to your USB drive (this will format your USB drive). MacOS/ Linux: You can use Balena Etcher to write the SteamOS file to your USB drive. When you boot into SteamOS for the first time, you'll land on a desktop environment. Navigate to the "Re-image Device" option to start the installation, after which your machine will reboot. Note that you will need to disable Secure Boot to install SteamOS, which you'll need to do in the BIOS. You can find where this is located in the documentation for your respective motherboard maker. After those few steps you'll be up and running SteamOS, giving you an identical living-room PC experience to the Steam Machine. Valve notes that discrete AMD GPU support is still technically in beta, so expect updates to come in thick and fast after the next few weeks. But given how much work has been done to prepare for the Steam Machine, never mind the years of development on the Steam Deck, you can probably rely on it being stable enough for daily use. It is, however, always a good idea to keep a backup of your current operating system (on an entirely different drive) in case you run into issues. The Steam Machine goes on sale on June 30 exclusively through Steam, with Valve deploying a new method for orders that should hopefully avoid the same issues that plagued the launch of the Steam Controller.

6/24/2026

Rockstar Games confirmed the price of Grand Theft Auto 6: A trip to Vice City will cost you $80 for the standard version of the game and $100 for the Ultimate Edition. Preorders for the highly anticipated open-world game start June 25 at midnight local time, but the retail cost is sparking chatter online. As you can imagine, people are incensed at the precedent that Rockstar is perceived to be setting (though $80 games are already a thing), but it doesn't help that the physical edition of GTA 6 is only a download code in a box. https://bsky.app/profile/marcdachamp.bsky.social/post/3mozylucpsk2a Many who closely follow trends in the games industry, including journalist Imran Khan, aren't surprised by the development. https://bsky.app/profile/imrankhan.bsky.social/post/3mozysfcljk2o Even if this outcome were predictable, the trend of rising costs has been a downer for many gaming enthusiasts. https://twitter.com/wesleytypes/status/2069739547898880102?s=20 Those who read the fine print of what's included in the Ultimate Edition seem particularly irked, arguing that the features from that version of the game (namely activities and locations) should be in the base game. https://bsky.app/profile/darylsurat.bsky.social/post/3mp2262s2xk26 But for those who were never interested in GTA 6, the $80 price point and all of the trappings around its launch are even more justification not to buy the game. One social media user lightheartedly compared GTA 6 to the upcoming Rhythm Heaven Groove on Switch, though it's admittedly a compelling case. https://twitter.com/IvyfulWorld/status/2069777638244434119 Grand Theft Auto 6 launches on November 19, with pre-loads available starting November 12. Physical copies with download codes will be available on that date as well to allow players to pre-load the game ahead of launch.

6/24/2026

College Football 27 features over 100 schools to play as, and each one offers some kind of reason to choose them across all modes in the game. Whether you want to play for a school because of its stadium, uniforms, head coach, or history, every program has something to offer. However, if you want to play for the best of the best in College Football 27, then you want to pick a school with the highest overall (OVR) rating. EA Sports has just released the top 10 teams in CFB 27 by OVR, and you can see the full list below. We've also included the top 10 offenses and defenses in the game at the bottom of the list. 10. Oklahoma Sooners - 87 OVR Boomer Sooner comes in at the tenth overall spot in CFB 27. Oklahoma sees the return of quarterback John Mateer for the 2026 season, which should give them a huge boost offensively, but there are still some question marks on defense that drag down their rating a bit. The Sooners also don't have as many notable playmakers on offense as the other top schools. 9. Georgia Bulldogs - 87 OVR Georgia isn't used to finding itself in the bottom half of the top 10 teams, but the roster still looks strong in CFB 27. As always, UGA will have a top defense, but there are major holes in the Bulldogs' offense. Quarterback Gunner Stockton will primarily be responsible for putting points on the board when the defense isn't creating turnovers. 8. Ole Miss Rebels - 88 OVR Ole Miss shocked the college football world in 2025 after nearly making a Cinderella run to the CFB Championship. In CFB 27, the Rebs see the return of QB Trinidad Chambliss and RB Kewan Lacy, immediately making them a top offense in the game. While the loss of head coach Lane Kiffin looms large, it won't make a huge impact on either side of the ball. 7. LSU Tigers - 88 OVR New head coach Lane Kiffin left an 88 OVR team last season to join another 88 OVR team in the LSU Tigers this season. LSU features a top 10 position group on both offense and defense, but the team will heavily rely on transfer QB Sam Leavitt. Still, even an average season from Leavitt and LSU should be near the top of the SEC come year's end. Also, playing at Tiger Stadium, the toughest place to play in CFB 27, is a huge benefit for the Tigers. 6. Miami Hurricanes - 88 OVR Miami was another surprise team in 2025 that has huge aspirations in CFB 27. Led by Heisman candidate Malachai Toney, Duke transfer QB Darian Mensah, and returning RB Mark Fletcher Jr., the Canes should have one of the best offenses in the entire game. The looming question about the school is whether the defense can keep them in games or not. 5. Texas Longhorns - 89 OVR Texas just misses out on being a 90 OVR team, but they'll certainly take a top five ranking. The Longhorns are led by QB Arch Manning, who could be in for a Heisman-type year after putting up decent numbers in 2025. Texas also got a huge transfer in WR Cam Coleman, who should complement Manning very well. We can't forget about the Horns' defense either, which is rated 88 OVR in CFB 27. 4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 89 OVR You'll always find Notre Dame near the top of the team OVR lists, and CFB 27 is no different. The Irish are bringing back several key contributors from 2025, including QB CJ Carr, WR Jordan Faison, and CB Leonard Moore. Like usual, though, it remains to be seen if Notre Dame can contend with the big dogs in the Power Five conferences. 3. Indiana Hoosiers - 90 OVR While you could argue Indiana deserves the top OVR team spot in CFB 27, it's difficult to gauge just how good the Hoosiers will be this season. Head coach Curt Cignetti is a miracle worker, but losing the Heisman Trophy winner at QB, along with a slew of contributors on offense and defense, is going to push the coach's abilities to the max. Still, Indiana has great players on both sides of the ball, but not quite as strong a roster as the top two teams. 2. Ohio State Buckeyes - 90 OVR This one is a bit of a surprise, as many expected Ohio State to come into CFB 27 with the highest OVR rating. However, they're tied with Indiana for the second-highest rating after failing to defend their National Championship title. Still, regardless of this rating, the Buckeyes have arguably the best roster in the country. The team returns QB Julian Sayin, WR Jeremiah Smith, and RB Bo Jackson on offense, while the defense has to replace eight starters from last season. Still, Ohio State has the best offense in CFB 27 and a top 10 defense as well. 1. Oregon Ducks - 91 OVR The top three teams in CFB 27 all hail from the Big 10, as the Oregon Ducks come into the game with the top OVR rating. This rating likely stems from the Ducks seeing so many players return from last season, including QB Dante Moore, TE Jamari Johnson, WRs Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart, and DE Matayo Uiagalelei. The Ducks sport the number one OVR defense and number two OVR offense in CFB 27, thanks in large part to those returning players and also high-profile transfers, such as WR Iverson Hooks and S Koi Perich. While Oregon still needs to prove they can win big games, they absolutely have the roster to dominate CFB 27. Top 10 Offenses In College Football 27 Here's the list of the top offenses in CFB 27. Interestingly enough, every top 10 offensive team is a top 10 OVR team with one exception. Ohio State Buckeyes - 92 OVR Oregon Ducks - 91 OVR Indiana Hoosiers - 90 OVR Texas Longhorns 90 OVR Miami Hurricanes - 90 OVR LSU Tigers - 89 OVR Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 88 OVR Ole Miss Rebels - 88 OVR Missouri Tigers - 88 OVR Oklahoma Sooners - 87 OVR Top 10 Defenses In College Football 27 Now let's take a look at the top 10 defensive units in CFB 27, which features eight out of the ten top OVR teams: Oregon Ducks- 91 OVR Indiana Hoosiers - 90 OVR Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 90 OVR Texas Tech Red Raiders - 90 OVR Georgia Bulldogs - 89 OVR Alabama Crimson Tide - 89 OVR Ohio State Buckeyes - 88 OVR Texas Longhorns - 88 OVR Oklahoma Sooners - 88 OVR LSU Tigers - 87 OVR

6/24/2026

It remains to be seen what form GTA Online will take in the years to come, but at least initially, it will not be included with Grand Theft Auto 6. Rockstar has confirmed the upcoming game "features a single-player experience" for its November 19 launch date. That nugget of info was shared as part of the pricing and preorder-date announcement. As it's 2026, you're still going to need the internet to play GTA 6, at least initially, as the game's "physical" edition will actually contain a download code. Not launching with online multiplayer actually puts GTA 6 in the same boat as GTA 5, which didn't receive its GTA Online component until a few weeks after launch back in 2013. Of course, there was already a plan in place for that, whereas with GTA 6, it remains very unclear how online multiplayer will function in some future iteration of GTA Online, assuming there is one. Preorders include a free month of GTA+, which comes with GTA Online content, and Rockstar says it's "the best way to get the most out of its ever-evolving world," but we'll have to wait and see if that's still the case a year from now. As many expected, GTA 6 will be expensive. It launches on November 19 for $80 on both PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, but the $100 Ultimate Edition contains a whole bunch of additional content, including extra story missions. Preorders open June 25.

6/24/2026

Star Fox 64 has never looked better, but bare-bones updates make this hard to recommend for all but the most dedicated Arwing aces.

6/24/2026

The Last Round version of DoA6 is here, and it doesn't seem like it's what the fans may have been looking for. From missing features we were hoping to come back from previous games to being forced to rebuy characters we may have owned in the original release along with no rollback netcode, Dead or Alive 6: Last Round may be a let down to a lot of people at release. There are promises of more characters and costumes down the line, but right now, the launch package feels very similar to a game we've been playing already.

6/24/2026

There's a reason Nintendo keeps remaking Star Fox 64. The N64 iteration of the rail shooter--at the time, the second Star Fox release--remains the apex of the franchise: a genuinely fantastic game that still holds up and stands the test of time. Subsequent sequels that have attempted to recapture the magic have floundered by comparison. This latest iteration, simply titled "Star Fox" for what I can only assume is meant to be a soft reboot, plays just as great as you remember and looks even better. But if you've already played Star Fox 64 in any iteration, it will be hard to shake the feeling of deja vu.  For the uninitiated, or perhaps those who just learned about ultra-cool guy Fox McCloud from his spotlight-stealing cameo in the Mario Galaxy movie, Star Fox takes place in a galaxy called the Lylat system, composed of anthropomorphic animals with futuristic space-travel technology. Star Fox is a group of well-funded fighter-jock mercenaries who are regularly called upon by a military general, a dog named Pepper, to assist their space-combat operations.  As established in an opening cutscene, some years ago Fox's father, James McCloud, was en route to investigate questionable activity on a planet named Venom, when his wingmate Pigma betrayed him to the mad scientist Andross. James was lost, his trusty wingman Peppy escaped, and Andross kept quietly assembling his army for an invasion of the rest of the Lylat system.  That sequence establishes one of the major new features of this remake: fully animated cutscenes. And to their credit, these are very well-made sequences. The aerial stunts look cool while staying true to the original spirit where needed, and the voice acting has been updated to facilitate the expanded scope. The more realistic character designs were divisive when shown off earlier this year, but I felt fine with them from the beginning, and after spending some time seeing them animated in cutscenes, I've come to really appreciate the look. Their faces are nicely expressive and textures like fur give them a sense of realism, while still staying in the fantastical world of space animals. The vast majority of the cutscenes take place aboard their docking ship, the Great Fox, as they discuss strategy, but the characters are still given lots of characterization in their movements and gestures to express their perspectives and personalities. For example, Falco rolls his eyes a lot, because he is above all kind of a jerk. A similarly heightened level of visual fidelity is present in the stages themselves, which look recognizable to their N64 counterparts without feeling too beholden to their jagged edges and geometry. While all of the stages look great, the upgraded style is most impressive when it shows off new flourishes that weren't available in the original, like the lighting effects of your lasers reflecting off of surfaces and illuminating dark caves. Star Fox 64 always excelled at stage variety, but this remake accentuates it by making each stage appear vastly different than the rest. I especially loved revisiting the stages that are major departures from the others, like the water world Aquas, the surface of the sun on Solar, or the wacky and kaleidoscopic Meteos wormhole.  Star Fox Revisiting all the areas takes at least a few runs because of how the stage layout has worked since the original. One of the coolest aspects of Star Fox 64, and again here, is the ability to carve your way from one side of the galaxy to another in a relatively freeform fashion, completing optional objectives. In broad terms, you can see the three paths as Easy, Medium, and Hard, but you aren't limited to one track. If you know how to find your way, you can easily hop between paths throughout, so you aren't committed to only staying on one difficulty track. Completing a hidden objective that opens the harder path will always let you switch to the easier one, but if you only complete the easier objective, you can't switch to the harder path. In the original Star Fox 64, this was presented rather plainly, with a blue, yellow, or red line showing where you can go. In this version, it's given a good deal more panache, thanks again to the new extended cutscenes. Rather than simply present you with a choice of locations for your next mission, each mission starts with General Pepper debriefing from the last mission and explaining the strategic importance of both next possible locations. One might have a suspected bioweapon while the other is an outpost under attack. In each case Pepper outlines why Star Fox is the best or perhaps only available force to complete this mission. And since there's some overlap, as you could approach a planet from different directions, it's particularly impressive how these cutscenes stitch different pieces together without feeling noticeably disjointed.  These all lead to the same outcome, of course. You're ultimately headed toward Venom no matter what, and it doesn't make a difference in the end whether you went to Sector X or Solar, but it does a good job of tying the journey together and giving each mission an appropriate amount of weight. Sometimes I even felt bad abandoning one planet in need for another, even knowing that it doesn't have any impact. Star Fox The extended cutscenes also help define the characters' relationships with each other and with General Pepper. Falco has always been portrayed as a cocky hotshot, but here we get to see him slowly warming to Fox's leadership. Peppy is the assured veteran who trusts Fox will come into his own as a leader. We even get some insight about why the team keeps Slippy around, as the cutscenes sell him as a machinist wunderkind who's always two steps ahead in anticipating their equipment needs. And Fox, for his part, is played as the cool Han Solo type--a mercenary needling General Pepper to pay for their valuable services, even if he's obviously going to do the heroic thing regardless.  Wayfinding to new paths is a little easier this time around too. Dialogue will drop hints about what to do to open new paths, without being overly on the nose or spelling it out for you. If you miss an optional objective, it's easier to restart a stage from the beginning or from your most recent checkpoint, and doing so doesn't even cost you a life or eliminate your laser upgrades or bombs. You can even entirely complete a stage, see where it leads, and then go back and do it again immediately to try for another way.  That said, I was surprised that each run through the Lylat system is treated as its own distinct game progression, just like the original. That means that once you finish the game, you'll need to start anew on Corneria and cut your path through from the beginning. This is true to the original, and I don't mind the faithfulness, to a point. But for returning fans who already know their way around, it would have been nice to have the option to track which paths you've already opened and let you jump back to planets, eventually creating a fully filled-out star map. And while the updated visuals are often gorgeous, they do come with some trade-offs that take getting used to. For one thing, your targets are a lot less obvious with much more happening on-screen, visually, so it's easier to miss a flyer who gets away. In boss battles, weak points are less obvious than the glowing vulnerabilities of the original, and they don't flash as brightly when you land a successful hit to let you know that you're doing damage. And with the higher fidelity making everything look much more like it has weight and bulk, it's a little strange when a capital warship in Area 6 explodes like an empty cardboard box. Star Fox The other marquee feature of this release is multiplayer, which adds online play, and GameChat camera integration for animalistic avatars. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to try any of the pre-release online multiplayer sessions, so I'll have to reserve my judgments on that aspect until I can try it in a live environment. We'll update this review once we've been able to sufficiently test it out. Star Fox is a remake, but it also appears to be an attempt at a reset. The franchise has never really found its footing, despite clearly having a lot of love from Nintendo. This story has always felt like a starting point, establishing the characters and hinting at their backstory. So altogether, this remake may be the best possible way to give the series a fresh start. At the same time, the original still holds up very well, and if you have Switch Online with the Expansion Pass, you can already play it. That makes this hard to recommend, which is a shame. If Nintendo means this to be a new beginning for Star Fox, retreading familiar ground undermines the effort.

6/24/2026

Ahead of the preorders launching tomorrow, June 25, Rockstar has detailed the bonuses for the GTA 6 Ultimate Edition that will be available. Crucially, there will be no traditional physical copies of GTA 6, even in the shipped versions of the game. Instead, players will receive a download code. Preorders will launch at midnight local time on June 25. Preorders will also receive a free month of GTA+, which adds $500,000 to your bank balance and gives access to a selection of classic Rockstar titles via the GTA+ Games Library. How much will GTA 6 cost? Can you preload GTA 6? Ultimate Edition '95 Grotti Cheetah Hawk & Little Morgan Revolvers Personalized Variants Vice City Style Jason's Safehouse Vehicles Ganado Retro Build Rideout Customs Sara's Unisex Salon Shitzu Squalo Stock 305 '67 Vapid Dominator Buggy Electric Fang Tattoo One-Eyed Willie's Goodtime Gear Pit Youngin$ Illegal Goods Store Classic Car Collection Vintage Vice City Pack '55 Vapid Stanier Outfits and Hairstyles Weapon Pattern How much will GTA 6 cost? Via Business Wire, Rockstar Games has announced that GTA 6 will cost $79.99 for the standard version and $99.99 for the Ultimate Edition. Can you preload GTA 6? Yes, a preload for GTA 6 will begin on November 12, 2026. This is to "ensure [players] are able to play at launch on November 19." Physical versions will contain a download code, and will be available from November 12 to support pre-loading. Ultimate Edition The GTA 6 Ultimate Edition comes with an "extensive collection of premium vehicles, weapons, apparel, and action," including several bonus items. Rockstar says that those bonuses are "threaded across all aspects of Jason and Lucia's story," and that new items can be uncovered with each chapter of the game. '95 Grotti Cheetah A signature mid-90s sports car and an ode to Shore Drive, the '95 Grotti Cheetah has a minimalist aesthetic. It's very clearly based on the Ferrari Testarossa, with some influence from the Ferrari F12 BB and Ferrari 328. You can see the resemblance thanks to the wedge-shaped profile, side vents from the doors into the rear quarter panels, flat nose, broad rear end, and narrow rear windows. The Cheetah is present in GTA Online, but this version has slightly altered proportions and a more retro aesthetic. Hawk & Little Morgan Revolvers Rockstar describes this duo weapon as "his and hers" versions of a powerful revolver with classic Vice City stylings from the Vercetti Estate. It has palm trees etched into the grips, engraved detailing, and a "high-performance scope." It seems heavily inspired by the Colt Python, especially since it has engraved and custom variants. Personalized Variants Ultimate Edition owners will get personalized sidearms with detailed engravings for Jason's Girardi ES9 pistol and Lucia's Klose K17 pistol. Jason's is engraved with "Sue Sponte," which is Latin for "Of one's own accord," while Lucia's has a tattoo-inspired flower and her own name in script. Vice City Style Exclusive outfits, tattoos, and accessories will be available in an authentic Vice City aesthetic for Ultimate Edition owners. Lucia appears to sport tiger-print calf-length boots and a red double denim co-ord, while Jason has a printed shirt with lots of florals, and a horseshoe hand tattoo with tinted glasses. Jason's Safehouse Vehicles Ultimate Edition owners can take to the wheel of an "Army fatigue-tinged" Dinka Enduro motorcycle, or the Crest Kayak. The Dinka Enduro is returning from GTA 5 and GTA Online, and is based on the Honda XL650V Transalp. This army green version is far more authentic to the game's aesthetic than the real-world sports liveries often seen on the bike, though. Ganado Retro Build This mod kit allows you to add some muscle and classic stylings to Jason's Vapid Ganado pickup, and the mods are exclusive to Ultimate Edition owners. Rideout Customs Detailed interiors, rims, and "donk stylings" are available to Ultimate Edition holders. In the image, we can see rims with Ace of Spades-shaped cutouts, glitter paintwork, red speckled interior, and more. Sara's Unisex Salon This hair salon for both Jason and Lucia will include facial hair, makeup, and nails for the duo respectively. It's only open to Ultimate Edition owners--but we're unsure at the moment whether that means the entire salon, or just these specific styles. Shitzu Squalo The Shitzu Squalo watercraft is "perfect for casting in Gambit Bay," adding to our theories that fishing might be one of the GTA 6 activities. Its pink and blue gradient is so very Vice City, and will be docked at Washington Beach with an explosives-laden weapons crate for good measure. Stock 305 Stockyard's premiere destination for streetwear is exclusively available for Ultimate Edition owners. You can find unique and exclusive looks there, including patterned bandanas and tracksuits for Jason, and a fetching furry spotted coat for Lucia. '67 Vapid Dominator Buggy This off-road vehicle can handle the back roads of Mount Kalaga and beyond. It can be stored at the Paradise Garage in Watson Bay, which also features a weapons locker and a secure place to stash your stolen goods. This looks a little less like a real-world carbon copy, but it does seem like Rockstar saw a '67 Mustang Fastback and decided to turn it into an off-road monster. Electric Fang Tattoo This tattoo place is open for Jason and Lucia to enjoy a series of over 50 tattoos designed by the artist collective FAILE. FAILE is a real-world Brooklyn-based collection of artists who have contributed to the tattoo designs in Electric Fang. One-Eyed Willie's A mod shop in Lake Leonida, exclusively for Ultimate Edition owners. The shop specialized in modifications and hand-painted custom art for off-road vehicles. Goodtime Gear This capsule collection of clothing and accessories is inspired by the Goodtime State's hit TV show character, Macca the Gator. Macca the Gator isn't a real character, but of course, he's an alligator considering the game's setting. Pit Youngin$ Illegal Goods Store Southside Vice City's "loudest and most socially active gangs" have a compound that Ultimate Edition owners can exclusively raid. Grab some special items and distinct contraband here. Classic Car Collection Ultimate Edition owners can also track down abandoned classic and project cars before restoring them to their former glory in a special commission from local fixer, Wyman. Vintage Vice City Pack Preordering will get you unique benefits that "flash back to when the neon burned brightest" in this Vintage Vice City Pack. Expect to grab a timeless '55 Vapid Stanier sedan, garage on Ocean Beach, outfits, hairstyles, and a weapon pattern. Preorder before November 20 to guarantee these items. '55 Vapid Stanier This classic sedan is the ideal vehicle to cruise Shore Drive, and can be stored at the Shore Court personal garage, which features a weapons locker and a secure place to store your stolen goods. It certainly looks like Vice City's take on the Ford Crown Victoria--a car regularly used as a cab in American cities. Outfits and Hairstyles Jason's linen suit, Lucia's red sequin mini dress and curled locks, and more can be yours as part of the preorder bonuses. Weapon Pattern Tommy Vercetti's icon palm-tree button-up can now be applied to most guns as a weapon pattern. Vercetti, of course, was Vice City's playable protagonist. GTA 6 preorders will go live at midnight local time on June 25. Wishlist GTA 6 on Xbox Series X|S Wishlist GTA 6 on PS5

6/24/2026

GTA 6 preorders open up on June 25, and ahead of that date, developer Rockstar Games has confirmed one vital detail about the "physical" edition of its open-world adventure: it doesn't exist in a technical sense. Instead, GTA 6 will include a download code inside the box. This means that the game will technically be sold physically, something that Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick spoke about earlier this year. There is a benefit to this, as having the game teed up for a download to your PS5 or Xbox Series X|S will mean that you can start preloading GTA 6 on November 12--the same as digital preorders--a whole week before its November 19 release date. Rockstar also confirmed that all GTA 6 preorders and purchases before November 20 will get the Vintage Vice City Pack DLC, which according to the description, sounds like a set of '80s-themed cosmetics. This is a " collection of items that flash back to when the neon burned brightest," Rockstar says. Alongside the standard edition of GTA 6, an Ultimate Edition has also been teased. With preorders going live this week, there's also speculation that Rockstar may release the much-anticipated third trailer for GTA 6, but that might be unlikely if you look at the studio's history with marketing for its previous games. The other big question that people have relates to the price of GTA 6, and if it will herald a new age of AAA games costing $80 or more. November looks set to be focused entirely on GTA 6 as well, as the entire gaming industry appears to be working to avoid competing with Rockstar. September is already looking like a stacked month, and several more games are opting for a December or early 2027 launch instead.

6/24/2026

With the GTA 6 release date looming and preorders going live tomorrow, June 25, there are a number of fans who expect that the third trailer will release alongside the preorder launch. However, if Rockstar follows its own precedent, the third trailer may not appear this week at all. During the marketing for the launch of GTA 5, Rockstar opened preorders on November 5, 2012. Alongside the preorders, which were a whole 10 months ahead of the release date versus GTA 6's five-month window, Rockstar announced that a new trailer for the game would be coming soon. Nine days later, on November 14, 2012, the character trailers for protagonists Franklin, Trevor, and Michael were released. For GTA 4, the box art was revealed on November 28, 2007, but the third trailer didn't become public until December 6, 2007, a whole eight days later. It takes a bit of working out, but GTA 6 Trailer 3 could be a while away yet. If Rockstar is following a similar marketing pattern for GTA 6, we may not see another official glimpse at the game until the first week of July. There was a 378-day gap between the first and second trailers for GTA 5, and a 168-day gap between the second and third. For GTA 6, that has already been surpassed, with a huge 519-day gap between the first and second trailers. At the time of writing, it has been 414 days since the second trailer. That's not to say that a third trailer, character trailers, or even a story trailer won't drop alongside preorders. Red Dead Redemption 2's third trailer came a whole month before preorders were available, so it seems Rockstar isn't sticking to one specific marketing approach across its portfolio.

6/24/2026

The second season of Marathon is only a few weeks old, but Bungie is already providing players with the early word about next month's mid-season update. One of the changes coming to the game is Vault Breaker, a new experimental PvE mode. As shared on Bungie's official site, Vault Breaker will let players explore the endgame Cryo Archive map and plunder its many "vaults" as either a crew, a duo, or solo, without the threat of running into other players. Each vault is described as "progressively challenging" and players will experience a progression that's unique to Vault Breaker as they approach "the final vault and the mysterious entity within." To enter Vault Breaker, players need a special Sponsored Kit, and they will also have to leave behind any gear they find in the vaults when leaving, so that the new PvE mode doesn't flood the game with the high-end loot players usually have to fight each other for in Cryo Archive. Vault Breaker also introduces a new currency, Vault Data, which can be taken out of the mode and used to upgrade Vault Breaker Sponsored Kits or gear that can be used in other modes. The mid-season update is brings the first new iteration on the Cradle Evolution system, which allows players to upgrade their characters with improvements that persist between runs. Players will be able to reset their Cradle back to zero after maxing it out in order to earn another maximum Energy point and other "unique cosmetics." Bungie notes that the cosmetics will be available later in the season, but can be earned ahead of their in-game debut. The Cradle's progression speed is also set to increase with this update. Marathon's Season 2 mid-season update will launch on July 21, with further quality-of-life changes to be announced closer to that date. Looking even further ahead, Bungie announced that Marathon Season 3 will start on September 22. Season 3 will have "big changes to the early game experience," as well as new weapons, equipment, a fresh Runner shell, and more. Bungie previously shared its plans to broaden the appeal of Marathon during Season 2. The game even briefly had a free trial earlier this month. Meanwhile, the impending end of Bunge's Destiny 2 has drawn even more concurrent players than Marathon for the game's final update.

6/24/2026

I've tested a lot of Razer gear over the years, so any time there's a sale I tend to rummage through it like a raccoon. Razer runs deals pretty regularly, as they cut down old product lines to make room for the new ones, but sometimes there are some real gems in there. There's one such sale going from June 23-26 this week, and I had a look through the products on offer and pared it down to the best deals on products I've actually tested. While most of these deals are exclusive to Razer's online store, it's also worth noting that Razer's sale is running alongside Amazon's big Prime Day sale, which also runs through June 26. After you check out the Razer deals below, be sure to check our Amazon Prime Day Hub for the latest discounts on hardware, video games, and more. Razer Barracuda Pro Everyday Gaming Headset $130 (was $250) The Barracuda Pro is the spiritual successor to my favorite Razer headset of all time: the Razer Opus. The Barracuda is an improvement in a lot of ways (30-ish hours of battery life, design, inclusion of 2.4Ghz wireless receiver), but shares a very similar design language which I appreciate. That design is one that's a bit atypical for Razer, it's understated, the kind of headset that wouldn't look out of place on a commute or at an airport. Not to mention, this headset has active noise cancelation that's pretty good at filtering out ambient noise from a noisy office or airport. See at Razer Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Gaming Headset $130 (was $300) The BlackShark V2 Pro isn't the latest version of the Razer's gaming headset, but it is still a killer pick for competitive play. It features 2.4Ghz wireless connectivity, robust battery life (around 60-70 hours depending on use), and a microphone that honestly puts some standalone microphones to shame. The voice reproduction is crystal-clear, and it does a surprisingly good job at filtering out background noise. It's the kind of mic that will occasionally get your teammates to ask which one you're using because your voice doesn't sound crushed to death under hardware that filters out the detail in your voice. See at Razer Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Gaming Headset $80 (was $100) Okay yes, the Kraken Kitty is a polarizing headset. But it's adorable and there's just no arguing that. It's not for everyone but I appreciate when a company takes a big swing on design, and the Kraken Kitty V2 is definitely that. It features reactive, customizable lighting on the earcups and on the kitty ears. If you're a streamer, you can also link the lighting to actions in stream like tips and certain chat triggers. Aside from the design, it's essentially the same as the Kraken V2--7.1 virtual surround sound support, above-average quality microphone--but it's USB-A wired only. See at Razer Razer Huntsman Mini 60% Gaming Keyboard $75 (was $130) The Huntsman Mini is a 60% keyboard, which means it's a lot smaller than mechanical keyboards you might be used to. At this form factor, there are no keys for anything beyond the core alphanumeric keys -- no numpad, no dedicated arrow keys or F keys, you need to use the Fn button for access to those. For anyone who wants a desk setup with a minimal footprint, 60% keyboards are a great addition. They're honestly my personal favorite, I like having a keyboard that's nice and compact so I have more room for an absurdly large mousepad. The Huntsman Mini also uses Razer's version of the Linear Red switch, it feels mechanical, but the switches are technically optical. They feel mostly the same, but less of a bottom-out feel at the end of the keystroke. See at Razer Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless Gaming Keyboard $160 (was $220) If the Huntsman Mini is for the desktop minimalist, the Huntsman V3 Pro is for users who lean a little maximalist. This keyboard is full-size, but doesn't have the tenkey pad, so it cuts down the footprint just a bit. But you keep your function keys. The most interesting feature on the Huntsman V3 Pro is by far its customizable mechanical key switches. And no, I don't mean you can pop them off and replace the switches like you can on most mechanical keyboards. This one features an analog-optical hybrid switch, so the optical sensor reads how far the key has been pressed rather than just registering an on/off. This means you can customize, via Razer's software, the travel range of your keys. You can make them quicker and snappier, responding on shallower key travel, or require a bit of a heavier keystroke, depending on your preferences. Buy at Razer See at Razer Razer Cobra Pro Gaming Mouse $70 (was $130) The Razer Cobra Pro is a tiny little guy, and I love that for her. It weighs only 77-grams, so it's small and light which means it's easy for people with small hands to use and a great pick if you have a big mousepad and like to swing your mouse around all over the place (guilty). The sensor is Razer's Focus Pro 30K optical, which is in my experience a remarkably smooth and accurate sensor for tracking your movements on a variety of surfaces. Connectivity is also versatile, but standard for Razer mice--2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, or wired via USB-C. There is a total of ten buttons you can program for a variety of actions on your desktop and in-game. And as always, it features 11 lighting zones you can customize with Razer's software. See at Razer Razer Basilisk V3 X Gaming Mouse $45 (was $70) Okay the Basilisk V3 X is a sleeper hit as far as Razer mice go. One of the things it does best? Runs on a single AA battery. That means you don't have to keep it charged, you can just pop a (hopefully rechargeable) AA battery in there and you're good for almost 300 hours of use. At full price it's a solid budget gaming mouse, but at a discounted price it's a very attractive proposition. It's not as feature rich as the Cobra Pro, but there's something to be said for simplicity. It's the pared back version of a gaming mouse. It does feature 2.4GHz wireless, and Bluetooth support, but it is wireless only. It also has nine total programmable buttons, Razer Chroma support (9 lighting zones), and it fits pretty good in the hand--if you're right-handed. See at Razer Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day Prep For Spider-Man: Brand New Day With This Spider-Man Lego Deal Prime Day Deal: Save Almost 40% The 16GB Kindle Colorsoft This 10-Car Lego F1 Set Gets Rare Discount For Prime Day Prime Day: Save $150 On The Apple AirPods Max 2 More Deals And Preorders Links (1)

6/24/2026

Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones $378 (was $460) Black View at other stores Midnight Blue Platinum Silver Sand Pink Sandstone A good set of active noise-canceling headphones is essential in the era of open-plan offices and remote work from the dining room table. That's why it's a pleasant surprise to see one of the best pairs of ANC headphones on sale or Prime Day, which lasts through June 26. You can grab the Sony WH-1000XM6 set for $378 (was $460). This deal also includes various colorways, so if a regular black finish doesn't grab your eyes, you can also get the headphones in different shades like blue, silver, and pink. Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones $378 (was $460) If you've owned or used a pair of Sony's WH-class headphones in the past, you know exactly what to expect from the WH-1000XM6. They feature the same exceptional sound quality, comfortable, lightweight build, and ANC that can even stand up to cabin noise in an airplane. That's because the WH-1000XM6 is equipped with 12 microphones to dynamically detect and block sounds. They can also last up to 32 hours after being fully charged, and if you're in a pinch, just a few minutes of charging will give you several hours of listening time. The headphones work wirelessly over Bluetooth and still feature a 3.5mm audio jack. When you're not listening to music, you can also take calls with them, and their internal microphones work to filter out background noise so that your voice sounds clear even in noisy environments. Black Midnight Blue Platinum Silver Sand Pink Sandstone Sony is one of the biggest brands in this space, for good reason. Its headphones feature some of the best active noise-canceling technology around and boast a comfortable fit--and that extends to their older models, several of which are also on sale for Prime Day. . The WH-1000XM5 headphones, for instance, have been discounted by over 50% to $198 (was $400), and they also come in a wide range of colors. If you're more of an earbud person, you can also pick up the powerful Sony WF-1000XM6 wireless earbuds for $278 (was $330), or the last-gen WF-1000XM5 buds for $190 (was $330). Each of these is a solid pick even though they don't have all the newer features you'll see on the WH1000XM6. For a look at even more Prime Day sales on hardware, video games, Blu-rays, and beyond., be sure to check out our Prime Day Deals Hub. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day Prep For Spider-Man: Brand New Day With This Spider-Man Lego Deal Prime Day Deal: Save Almost 40% The 16GB Kindle Colorsoft This 10-Car Lego F1 Set Gets Rare Discount For Prime Day Prime Day: Save $150 On The Apple AirPods Max 2 More Deals And Preorders Links (1)

6/23/2026

Every so often, some new, gimmicky piece of tech that's guaranteed to be the toy of the year comes out, makes a splash, then quickly becomes another dusty device you have to find a way to dispose of. I try to keep this top of mind when investing in a new gadget for my own kiddo, but fortunately, this fear was unfounded with the Nex Playground. After a year and a half of owning the charming, cube-shaped console, I can attest to both its quality and long-term appeal, and fortunately for interested buyers, the console is currently on sale as part of Amazon Prime Day, which runs through June 26. See at Amazon Similar to the Xbox Kinect or PlayStation EyeToy (if anyone remembers either of those at this point), the Nex Playground leverages a camera to provide users with hours of gameplay and entertainment. However, whereas the previous motion-tracking peripherals I mentioned were often used by, let's admit it, somewhat lackluster games, the Nex Playground catalog is jam-packed with high-quality games and plenty of branded titles that appeal to your young ones. Bluey, Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, How To Train Your Dragon, TMNT, Barbie, and more all make appearances in their own games, while titles Brainy Inc., NHL Puck Rush, Zumba Fitness Party, and Fruit Ninja have more universal appeal. If you've always wanted to play Beat Saber but have lacked a VR headset, Starri provides a similar experience. And, if you're longing to revisit your Nintendog days, you should definitely check out NexPets: Puppies. And this is only a brief overview of the system's vast (and ever-expanding) catalog. The Nex Playground does require a subscription, which you can purchase for either $49 (three months) or $89 (one year). Considering new games are currently going for $80 a pop, I see it as a pretty fair asking price--especially since Nex frequently adds new games to the Playgrounds library at no additional cost. While the deal above just includes the console, Amazon also has a great deal on the console with a 12-month subscription included. It's also worth mentioning that, contrary to other consoles, I am not constantly worrying about my four-year-old's privacy and safety with the Nex Playground. Whereas I plan to keep my kiddo away from Roblox for as long as humanly possible, I have no issues with letting him boot up and play any of the games on the Playground. All this plus gameplay that encourages him to move and burn off some of his boundless energy? It's a win-win-win for me. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day Prep For Spider-Man: Brand New Day With This Spider-Man Lego Deal Prime Day Deal: Save Almost 40% The 16GB Kindle Colorsoft This 10-Car Lego F1 Set Gets Rare Discount For Prime Day Prime Day: Save $150 On The Apple AirPods Max 2 More Deals And Preorders Links (1)

6/23/2026

If you've been looking to upgrade your Switch 2' look and feel's look and feel without spending a lot of money, this Amazon Prime Day deal on the Gammeefy JC400 Switch 2 Controller might be just what you need. The grip is usually priced at $50, it's down to just $38 for Prime Day, which lasts through June 26. See at Amazon The Switch 2 is a big upgrade over the original, but one aspect that hasn't changed that much is the ergonomics. The new magnetic Joy-Cons feel very similar to the old model, which can feel small and skinny, especially in the hands of adults. The Gammeefy controller lets you slide the Switch screen right into the tablet and gives it a feel more like an Xbox or Switch Pro controller. In addition to the more comfortable feel, the Gammeefy JC400 Switch 2 Controller features Hall Effect joysticks to ward off stick drift, and you can customize your RGB lighting effects. It also sports gyroscope and rumble like a regular Switch controller, along with button remapping and turbo-button functionality. This is one of many controllers and gaming accessories on sale during this week's Prime Day event. If you're curious to see what else is on sale, be sure to check out GameSpot's Prime Day Deals Hub. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day Prep For Spider-Man: Brand New Day With This Spider-Man Lego Deal Prime Day Deal: Save Almost 40% The 16GB Kindle Colorsoft This 10-Car Lego F1 Set Gets Rare Discount For Prime Day Prime Day: Save $150 On The Apple AirPods Max 2 More Deals And Preorders Links (1)

6/23/2026

From blockbuster racers to viral horror, XBOX Game Pass brings together a wide mix of games people are talking about right now. Whether it’s a major new release, a co-op obsession, or an indie surprise, there’s usually something worth jumping into. That variety matters most when you can jump between completely different types of games without ever feeling locked into one genre or playstyle. One minute you can be tearing through an open-world racer, the next you're exploring a strange new survival game or checking out a title that's been popping up all over your social feeds. It also makes it easy to pick up where you left off across devices, whether you're playing on XBOX, PC, or through cloud gaming. Whether you're looking for your next obsession or just want to see what everyone else is playing, these are some of the Game Pass titles players can't stop talking about right now. Forza Horizon 6 Every new Forza Horizon game feels like a moment, and Forza Horizon 6 keeps that streak going. The game has earned strong critical acclaim, while also breaking player engagement records across the franchise. This time, the series heads to Japan, opening up a massive driving space built around contrast — from urban environments to rural landscapes, all brought together in Horizon's most dense map yet, with greater verticality and diverse biomes throughout. With more than 550 cars available, the focus extends beyond simply moving from race to race. Players can explore the world, qualify for the Horizon Festival, work towards becoming a racing Legend and fill out their Collection Journal with discoveries made along the way. Escape The Backrooms What started as an internet horror idea has fully crossed into playable form, and Escape the Backrooms leans into that unsettling familiarity. Now available on XBOX Game Pass, it places players inside a maze of looping spaces where nothing feels stable for long, and the rules of safety are constantly in question. It can be tackled alone, but the experience shifts completely when played with others. Communication becomes part survival tool, part panic management, as groups of up to four players try to stay oriented while everything around them feels increasingly wrong. Mixtape Mixtape captures the rush of a night you never quite forget. From Beethoven & Dinosaur, the game follows a group of friends as they navigate a pivotal evening filled with music, memories, and moments that shape who they become. Through a blend of storytelling, visual style, and a carefully curated soundtrack, each scene unfolds with a strong sense of nostalgia and emotional momentum. The journey moves between reflection and spontaneity, creating an experience that lingers long after the credits roll. Subnautica 2 Subnautica already has a reputation for turning curiosity into tension, and the sequel expands that idea into new territory. This time, players are dropped into an alien ocean world that feels even less predictable, where survival depends on how well you adapt to environments that rarely stay familiar for long. At its core, the game is about underwater survival and exploration. Players venture into deep, hostile oceans to gather resources, craft equipment and upgrade their tools, slowly pushing further into areas that are more dangerous but also more rewarding to explore. While you can still face isolation alone in single player, the addition of co-op reshapes the experience entirely. Players can now navigate the unknown together, which brings its own kind of chaos when things start going wrong. Echo Generation 2 Echo Generation 2 occupies a more unexpected corner of Game Pass. Set in a world where strange cosmic events are spilling into everyday life, the sci-fi RPG follows a group of young heroes as they investigate mysterious creatures, alternate dimensions, and threats that seem pulled straight from an '80s adventure movie. Combat is built around deck-building mechanics, with players collecting and combining abilities to create different strategies as they progress. As the story unfolds, you'll recruit characters with unique skills, explore unusual locations, and uncover the source of the growing chaos, making it a game that's as much about discovery as it is about battles. Why Game Pass Is Your Ticket To Endless Gameplay Game Pass works because it removes a lot of the friction that comes with finding your next game. Instead of weighing up individual purchases, members get access to a constantly evolving library that spans major releases, indie discoveries, multiplayer experiences, and genre favourites. That flexibility is what makes the service so appealing. New titles arrive regularly, giving members fresh reasons to jump back in, while the breadth of the catalogue means there’s always something different to explore. Rather than being locked into a single experience, you can move between genres, playstyles, and communities whenever the mood strikes. For XBOX Game Pass Ultimate members, the experience goes even further with access across XBOX Series X|S, PC, and cloud gaming on mobile devices, tablets, supported TVs, and handhelds. Features like online multiplayer, day-one releases, and Discord integration help make it easier to discover new games, stay connected with friends, and play wherever it suits you. So if you're wondering what to play next, chances are the answer’s waiting for you with XBOX Game Pass.

6/23/2026

If you've been looking for an excuse to rewatch all of Supernatural, the complete series Blu-ray is on sale for Prime Day. All 327 episodes of its 15-season run are stuffed into one package, and you can grab it for $101 (down from $120). This collection of Tumblr's favorite monster-of-the-week show is just one of many Prime Day deals we're covering, but it's definitely the one with the most slashfics written about it. See Amazon If you're unfamiliar, Supernatural was a popular series that originally aired from 2005 to 2020, primarily on The CW. The show begins with two brothers, Sam and Dean Winchester, searching for their missing father -- a career monster hunter. As the show goes on, it gets bigger and weirder in that way that only CW shows can. It's a fun monster-of-the-week show and a great horror-ish serialized drama, even if it does get more than a little campy in the later seasons. While you can stream the entire run of Supernatural on Prime Video, relying on streamers for older series and movies is never a good bet. But if you own the physical Blu-ray release you'll never have to rely on the magnanimity of streaming services to watch the show. It's worth noting that this Amazon version of Supernatural: The Complete Series is a "repackaged" version, with multiple discs packed into each case and a simple episode guide included, rather than any fancy, collectible packaging. Getting over 228 hours of entertainment for $101 is a pretty great deal for the show that inspired hundreds, thousands, of slashfics on AO3. For this and other noteworthy deals this Prime Day, be sure to follow our ongoing Prime Day coverage. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day Prep For Spider-Man: Brand New Day With This Spider-Man Lego Deal Prime Day Deal: Save Almost 40% The 16GB Kindle Colorsoft This 10-Car Lego F1 Set Gets Rare Discount For Prime Day Prime Day: Save $150 On The Apple AirPods Max 2 More Deals And Preorders Links (1)

6/23/2026

Let's be honest: Joy-Cons aren't always the most comfortable to hold. The Switch 2's Pro Controller is a good alternative to give your hands a rest, but it's pretty expensive. Thankfully, if you're looking for a full-size controller for your Switch you do have options. One such option, is the 8BitDo Pro 3 controller. It's a reliable all-around addition to any Switch 2 setup. Normally $70, it's only $48 for Prime Day -- that's the lowest we've seen for this controller in the last 12 months. See at Amazon While this version of the 8BitDo Pro 3 is primarily made for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, it's also compatible with Windows, iOS, and Android. It comes in multiple colorways, but for this sale, the most heavily discounted version for is the retro-styled "G Classic" variant that resembles an NES controller. It connects via Bluetooth. For a budget-friendly third-party controller the 8BitDo Pro 3 is packed with features. Like the Switch 2 Joy Cons, it connects via Bluetooth. It's also a little more customizable than your typical gamepad in this price range. Its A, B, X, and Y buttons are magnetic and swappable, as are its Hall Effect and non-linear tactile triggers. Plus it comes with a charging stand, which is always appreciated. Adding to its old-school flair, you can swap out the thumbsticks for included ball-top joysticks, just like you'd see on an arcade machine or a fight stick. On the back, you'll find two additional buttons conveniently placed right where your hands rest on the controller--these are remappable, so you can customize them to your liking. This is just one of the many Prime Day deals on products we've covered before, and at this price it's definitely worth considering if you're looking for a third-party controller for your Switch 2 or PC. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders The Best (And Most Affordable) Family Gaming Console Is Now Even Cheaper One Of Our Favorite Switch 2 Controllers Is 31% Off For Prime Day Prep For Spider-Man: Brand New Day With This Spider-Man Lego Deal Prime Day Deal: Save Almost 40% The 16GB Kindle Colorsoft This 10-Car Lego F1 Set Gets Rare Discount For Prime Day Prime Day: Save $150 On The Apple AirPods Max 2 More Deals And Preorders Links (1)

6/23/2026

When Valve launched the Steam Deck in 2022, the little PC handheld was released into an uncontested market. Its good, but not great, performance was easily overlooked because of its novelty, but saw fierce competition when the likes of Asus launched its first ROG Ally X and further cemented its performance advantage with the recent Xbox ROG Ally X last year. Yet despite that, the old Steam Deck is still selling out because it offers what most other handhelds don't: SteamOS. It's an advantage that has kept the Steam Deck in the conversation while more powerful alternatives are released around it--an advantage Valve's new Steam Machine won't share when it launches later this month. SteamOS has been such an advantage for the Steam Deck because of how seamless it makes the handheld PC experience. No matter how hard it has tried, Microsoft has yet to crack the code on shaping Windows into a controller-friendly operating system. It's closer than it has ever been with its recent release of Xbox Mode for both handhelds and desktops, but there's still enough friction there to necessitate keeping a mouse and keyboard close when things go awry. That isn't the case with SteamOS, which presents your Steam library and any connected apps in a slick, easy-to-use, console-like interface that just works in all the ways you want it to. SteamOS Having SteamOS as an exclusive operating system on the Steam Deck for so long contributed greatly to the sustained success of the Steam Deck, offering a straightforward, games-first, PC-second environment to enjoy your Steam library with as little fuss as possible. Valve eventually opened it up to other devices, but somehow also thread the needle of keeping the Steam Deck relevant by being selective with which ones it supported. There was nothing stopping you from overwriting Windows with SteamOS on unsupported handhelds, but not needing to was already most of the battle won. The majority of people buying PC handhelds likely just want to turn on the device and get to games as fast as possible, and the Steam Deck is still miles ahead in that regard. With the Steam Machine launching with SteamOS, that advantage would logically make its way over to the living room PC. But even if you do manage to get a Steam Machine before the end of the year, its biggest draw–providing a seamless living room PC gaming experience–can be replicated today. With the release of the Steam Machine, Valve has also announced that it's finally bringing SteamOS to all PCs (with an AMD GPU, for now) via an official release, the first of its kind for its operating system. This means that you can construct your own Steam Machine today, replicating its ease-of-use if you have the patience to build a PC or install it on one of many prebuilt options out there. You'll very easily match the Steam Machine's performance for a lot less, or vastly exceed it for the same price, making this a compelling option that can, fundamentally, offer the exact same experience at the end of the day.  Like the Steam Deck, this is a route many might not want to go down, making the Steam Machine a more enticing option. But unlike the Steam Deck (at least, until the recent price hike), the Steam Machine is not a cheap device, coming in way more expensive than its performance justifies. It's a problem the Steam Deck did not face, and one that fundamentally alters its value proposition in a way that SteamOS cannot paper over this time. Valve's commitment to making Linux as friendly as it is now for gaming is to be commended. Without the company's support, it's debatable whether or not Proton, the compatibility layer that allows games not natively made for Linux to run on the operating system, would be in the incredible state that it is currently in. To give away all this work for free aligns with the company's goals to create an open ecosystem to support Steam. But it's the same ecosystem that the Steam Machine slots into, without a compelling reason to own it outside of convenience. SteamOS is the reason the Steam Machine so seamlessly slots into your living room. It removes all the barriers that made PC gaming in the living room more hassle than it was worth in the past. Its diminutive size is just an added bonus; it's not the reason it works as a product.  To Valve's credit, it explicitly recognises this, going so far as to suggest you build your own SteamOS-powered machine should you not be able to get a Steam Machine at launch. It can do this because Valve doesn't depend on sales of its Steam Machine to make it a viable endeavor. Its ultimate goal is to expand the ways in which users can play (and purchase) games from Steam. It doesn't need the Steam Machine for that explicitly. But that does mean you'll have to think long and hard whether or not that is worth the premium price that Valve is asking for a device that is already not well-equipped for modern AAA gaming, when so many alternatives exist. The Steam Deck launched into a vastly different market that eventually caught up to it, but survived off the work Valve had done with SteamOS. In the pursuit of creating a garden with no walls, the Steam Machine lost the only thing that might've saved it.

6/23/2026

Valve's Steam Machine is finally launching next week, but the journey to this point hasn't been easy. The living-room PC has found itself at the center of an ongoing RAM crisis--one that has forced Valve to turn every Steam Machine into a little bit of a memory lottery if you do happen to get one. Regardless of which Steam Machine you decide to purchase, each one will ship with 16GB of RAM. You can, however, get one of two configurations: either two sticks of 8GB each, or a single 16GB stick. If you're familiar with PC gaming, you'll likely see the issue. A single stick of RAM will limit those Steam Machines to single-channel memory speeds, which can have a negative impact on gaming performance. The lottery was discussed between Gamer's Nexus and a pair of Valve engineers, who were quick to reassure prospective buyers that the difference in performance was negligible. The difference is entirely down to supply issues, with Valve forced to use whatever memory it was able to procure, with suppliers forcing the company to take what stock it had, at whatever price it was selling it at, or "never hear from them again." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66QzlDewigE&t=2270s It's a grim reflection of the state of the PC industry, but also creates some differentiation between Steam Machines that you won't be able to discern at checkout. The only upside to getting stuck with a single stick is that you have a free slot ready for an upgrade, which might have been an advantage if not for the price you'd need to pay for it. There haven't been extensive tests yet showing whether or not the different SKUs impact gaming performance in a meaningful way (Gamer's Nexus says it plans to conduct its own tests in the future), but given how tricky it's going to be to get a Steam Machine with Valve's new preorder system, you won't really have a choice but to accept what you get.

6/23/2026

Lords of the Fallen 2 is not going to make it out on time. Developer CI Games has announced that the game is shifting from 2026 to Q1 2027 (January-March 2027). CI Games CEO Marek Tyminski said feedback and tests showed that there are "meaningful opportunities" available to "further refine and strengthen the overall experience" with more time. "These enhancements will benefit from additional integration, iteration, and polishing time, enabling the team to deliver the highest possible quality at launch," he said. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYLhemzhhZI Delaying to 2027 also gives Lords of the Fallen 2 a better chance to shine, outside of what he described as a "competitive holiday period." That's no doubt a reference GTA 6, which is set for release on November 19. "The team remains fully energized by the strong response to our recent reveals and is deeply focused on delivering a standout dark fantasy action-RPG and a worthy successor to the Lords of the Fallen franchise," Tyminski said. "We are grateful for the continued passion, feedback, and support from our community, and we look forward to sharing more updates in the coming months." Epic Games had a licensing agreement for Lords of the Fallen 2 to make its PC edition exclusive to the Epic Games Store, but that deal was canceled. Despite its name, Lords of the Fallen 2 is actually the third game in the series, following Lord of the Fallen (2014) and Lords of the Fallen (2023).

6/23/2026

EA executive Laura Miele, the president of enterprise development at the publisher, has commented on the role of AI in game development. She said in an interview that she has seen a "real rise of creativity" at EA thanks in part to developers using AI tools and systems to do "tedious" tasks that in turn frees them up for more creative pursuits. Miele was asked by The Game Business if using AI technologies can help speed up game development, and she said, "Perhaps in some parts they will." She went on to say one of his ambitions is to help developers "remove friction" from their workflows, and adopting AI is helping already, she said. "I always have kind of wanted to be a hero to them and help them create career-defining experiences. And I think that AI--what I've seen--how AI has enabled removing friction from our pipelines and our tools and our workflows, has been pretty exciting," she said. "It's removed some tedium out of their jobs." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM0xXRHuKcQ Without citing specific examples, Miele said she's witnessed faster prototyping thanks to EA's developers using AI. She also said she's seen "faster creativity" and faster timelines for when creative ideas get implemented. "So we're seeing it. I think there is a real rise of creativity that comes from removing some of the tedious tasks out of development," she said. Developers using AI for mundane tasks to free them up for more creative pursuits has been a key talking point from executives in the gaming industry. Before this, The Witcher 3 director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz said using generative AI for early-stage development on The Blood of Dawnwalker was essential to making the game. Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick is also optimistic about the potential for AI to be used in non-creative areas for game development. Jeff Kaplan, known for his work on Overwatch, has also said AI has a place in certain areas of game production. Crucially, much of the talk about implementing AI into workflows has been from executives and bosses, not the people actually doing the work. In terms of how actual developers feel, a GDC study found that more developers than ever believe generative AI is hurting the games industry.

6/23/2026

Guitar Hero and Rock Band may have faded in popularity, but there are still a number of games that make use of guitar-controller peripherals, and if you're looking to get your hands on one of the best, the PDP Riffmaster wireless guitar controller is on sale for $80 (down from $150) during Amazon's Prime Day 2026 sale. This price applies to all three versions for PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo. See at Amazon The PDP Riffmaster is compatible not just with games like Rock Band 4, but also with Fortnite Festival--the game has led to something of a resurgence for the rhythm-game genre, giving players a reason to pull their plastic instruments out of storage. The controller sports a metal-inspired design rather than the Stratocasters and Les Pauls we've seen from these games in the past. The rechargeable battery included with the controller will last up to 36 hours, so you can have marathon music sessions, and with a 30-foot wireless connection, you'll have plenty of room to rock out during those intense solos. If you want some gaming earbuds to jam out with while you're shredding on the guitar controller, the official PlayStation Pulse Wireless Earbuds are currently $100 (down from $200). The standard PS5 DualSense controllers are also on sale at Target, with many well below their usual $80 price tags. We're going to see lots more deals like these on a variety of gaming peripherals for Prime Day, both at Amazon and via competing retailers. The event runs from June 23-26 this year, and you can keep track of the latest deals with our Prime Day Hub. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders The Lego Piranha Plant Set Is Down to Its Lowest Price Ahead Of Prime Day Amazon’s Got A Great Early Prime Day Deal On The Middle-Earth 6-Film Collection Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle’s Draft Night Kit Is Discounted Ahead of Prime Day Samsung 990 Pro SSD Gets Rare Discount Ahead Of Prime Day The First Official KPop Demon Hunters Lego Set Launches Soon

6/23/2026

A new PC launcher added to Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader and intended to be a hub for all of developer Owlcat Games' various RPGs was met with disdain from players, prompting Owlcat to remove it less than 24 hours later.  In a post on Steam from June 22, Owlcat outlined the reasoning behind adding a launcher to the almost three-year-old game. It cited a need for the launcher as a way to keep its players up to date with news and updates to its various games, like Rogue Trader, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, and upcoming projects like Warhammer 40K: Dark Heresy and The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. Owlcat said according to its research, a large number of those who played Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous had never heard of Rogue Trader, despite them both being similar CRPGs. That was a problem. "This, upon reflection, is understandable--in this age of information overload, it's incredibly easy to miss even news that might be of interest," Owlcat said. "Therefore, we felt we really needed an effective cross-promotion tool for all our titles." A look at the short lived Owlcat launcher. In that same blog, Owlcat vowed to make the launcher as "unobtrusive as possible," and said it would be lightweight, wouldn't collect player data, wouldn't require players to register an account, and perhaps most importantly, could be opted out of. An option in the settings would allow players to simply switch the launcher off and launch the game as usual. Despite Owlcat's intentions, player feedback was largely negative. The post received no upvotes on Steam and thousands of mostly critical comments. The situation grew even worse once players realized that opting out and bypassing the launcher didn't actually stop it from running in the background.  In a post on the Rogue Trader subreddit, Owlcat community manager Starrok attempted to shine some light on the situation and explained that the launcher continued to operate in the background in order for Steam to properly record game time. Without the launcher, Steam would no longer track game-time played, and so the choice was made to have it operate in the background as a "Band-aid fix." Starrok said they were not aware of this prior to the update going live. "If the launcher is turned off, it's supposed to stay off and this is NOT an expected behaviour," Starrok said.  Less than 24 hours later, another blog post from Owlcat appeared, announcing it would be reverting Rogue Trader to a previous update and removing the launcher in its entirety. "Thank you for your feedback, and genuinely sorry for the frustration caused," the post stated.  Owlcat's is currently working on several different projects, including "multiple new unannounced RPGs already in production," according to its launcher blog post. A new DLC for Rogue Trader, The Infinite Museion, released June 11. The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is slated to arrive in 2027, while Dark Heresy does not yet have a release date.

6/23/2026

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to play games on an IMAX screen? Then you might want to check out these Amazon Prime Day 2026 deals on the Luma XR hardware. These augmented reality glasses have become a popular choice for gamers looking to upgrade their mobile gaming screen to a cinema-sized display, and Amazon currently has multiple models discounted by $100 or more. Each of the Luma models below also comes with a free 8BitDo Ultimate 2C controller valued at $39, perfect for when you want to use a more traditional peripheral for gaming. Like most Prime Day deals, these Viture deals will only be around during Prime Day, which ends on June 26. Luma Ultra XR Glasses $499 (was $599) The Luma Ultra XR glasses are currently available for $499 (was $599), and this set of stylish wayfarer-inspired glasses is equipped with 1200p 120Hz lenses that provide a sharp picture and can reach 1,500 nits of brightness. According to Viture, the lenses create the equivalent of a 152-inch virtual screen with a 52-degree field of vision, and the frame also holds a triple-camera system that offers enhanced tracking accuracy and spatial awareness. See at Amazon Luma Pro XR Glasses $379 (was $499) The Luma Pro also offers impressive tech inside of its frame, albeit with a few concessions when compared to the Luma Ultra. These have a little less brightness--maxing out at 1,250 nits--and the Pro is limited to three degrees of freedom, meaning that the screen is pinned to your head as you turn. The Pro also relies on connected devices or a connected controller for inputs, but if you're planning to use it for playing games, it's still a recommended device. It also offers 1200p resolution lenses and a 152-inch virtual screen, making it perfect for simple, plug-and-play gaming. It comes in two sizes--regular and large--and it has been discounted to $379 (was $499). See Lumo Pro XR Glasses at Amazon: Regular Fit -- $379 ($499) Large fit -- $379 ($499) Luma XR Glasses $339 (was $399) The Luma XR are your entry-level XR glasses, and at $339 (was $399), this is a fun pair to test the waters with. Internally, you're getting a 146-inch virtual screen through the 1200p lenses, a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and it can seamlessly pair with USB-C-enabled gaming devices like the Steam Deck. See at Amazon Luma XR accessories While the Luma XR glasses are designed to work right out of the box with your consoles, it doesn't hurt to grab a few accessories, either. The Pro Neckband acts as a portable, wearable Android computer and dedicated media hub for the glasses that allows you to run various apps through them. The add-on is lightweight and looks great, plus you can use that massive virtual screen in the glasses to watch some Netflix on the go. If you're planning to use your glasses with a Switch, PS5, or Xbox console, the Pro Mobile Dock is also recommended--and it includes a free dock mount. This acts as a portable intermediary hub and power bank for devices that use HDMI and USB-C connections, and the built-in 13,000mAh battery can extend your playtime by up to 20 hours when connected. There are also charging adapters that you can pick up, as well as various prescription lenses that double as spectacles while you wear the XR glasses. You can browse all the Luma XR accessories below. After checking those out, be sure to head over to GameSpot's Prime Day Deals Hub to see even more discounts available in Amazon's sale. Lens Shade for Luma + Beast Glasses (Regular) -- $7 ($9) Lens Shade for Luma + Beast Glasses (Large) -- $7 ($9) Prescription Lens Frame (Regular) -- $15 ($19) Prescription Lens Frame (Large) -- $15 ($19) Pro Neckband (12GB + 256GB) -- $328 ($399) Pro Mobile Dock for Switch + Switch 2 -- $99 ($129) Pro Mobile Dock Mount for Switch 2 -- $15 ($19) Pro Mobile Dock Mount for Switch -- $15 ($19) USB-C Charging Adapter -- $29 ($39) USB-C Charging Adapter Pro -- $47 ($59) USB-C to Magnetic Connector Extension Cable (120cm) -- $39 ($49) USB-C to USB-C Data Extension Cable (50cm) -- $7 ($9) USB-C to Magnetic Connector Adapter -- $15 ($19) Viture x 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller -- $59 ($79) Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders The Lego Piranha Plant Set Is Down to Its Lowest Price Ahead Of Prime Day Amazon’s Got A Great Early Prime Day Deal On The Middle-Earth 6-Film Collection Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle’s Draft Night Kit Is Discounted Ahead of Prime Day Samsung 990 Pro SSD Gets Rare Discount Ahead Of Prime Day The First Official KPop Demon Hunters Lego Set Launches Soon

6/23/2026

Diablo 4 Season 14 is set to be one of the biggest shakeups for the ARPG in quite some time, even as Blizzard deals with what it described as "issues compounding issues." The upcoming season, titled Death Awakening, is bringing controversial changes to Mythic items, weakening many build staples players have become accustomed to while opening the door for any of the game's 100+ Uniques to become "Mythic" quality with a 30% boost to the item's Unique power. This major update to items and how players construct builds isn't just for the season, but is intended to come to the game in its entirety as a permanent change. At first glance, it looks like a win on paper. Less one-item-fits-all solutions and more build diversity, a frequent ask from the community, sounds like a good thing. The issue has stemmed from Blizzard's approach. It added a heavy dose of randomness to the game's best items, first to Uniques in Lord of Hatred, then to Mythics as part of proposed changes for Season 14. A Unique or Mythic item could have completely undesirable affixes, making the dopamine thrill of getting what is supposed to be one of the best items in the game instead feel like Blizzard is playing a cruel practical joke. While players do have some control over adding and modifying affixes via the Horadric Cube, it felt like far more work (and luck) was required to get a usable item that will last long term, much less a great item that will last an entire season. Blizzard knows it's stuck between a rock and a hard place. Following a playtest of the new season on Diablo 4's public test realm and feedback from a concerned community, Blizzard is now meeting players halfway. There is still some randomness to be found, but Unique and Mythic items will now have two set affixes instead of only one. Crafting Mythics via the cube will also be more focused. Instead of receiving a largely random item when upgrading a Unique into a Mythic, it will now match the slot of the original item. It's a step in the right direction, but it remains to be seen how players will react to the season overall once it arrives in full. Making Mythics Mythic items will see their biggest changes yet in Season 14. It's all in service of ensuring Diablo 4's long-term health, Dan Tanguay, design director for live services on Diablo 4, said in an interview with GameSpot. One of the main goals behind the changes was to make it so a handful of the game's current Mythic Uniques--must-have items like Heir of Perdition or The Grandfather--don't continue to dominate. "There's a handful of them that just become best-in-slot," Tanguay said. "Once you can earn that, you get lucky enough to roll it, drop it, or craft it, that's it--you're never going to worry about that slot again. And it kind of narrows the types of builds that players will pursue, especially if they're reading Maxroll or Icy Veins or something like that. We really want to increase the possibilities at the end of the game for what your build can be, and we need to look at mechanics that allow us to do that." The fix the team came up with, and one it was excited about, Tanguay said, was to make regular Uniques more competitive by having them become Mythic and amping up their power. At the same time, the choice was made to bring down the power of the game's existing Mythics, now referred to as Iconic Mythics, by inserting a level of randomness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nuu7aOAw0is Random affixes for Uniques in Lord of Hatred did not go over well, but were done to combat how easy fixed-affix Uniques were to get and to increase the length of their "item journey," Tanguay said. Work on Season 14 was already well underway by the time Diablo 4's second expansion launched and Blizzard started to receive negative feedback surrounding the Unique change. That led to what Tanguay called a "perfect storm" in regards to the Season 14 PTR, where Blizzard looked to test its proposed revamp. "We had started getting this feedback that people weren't happy with some of these changes to Uniques, and we were like 'Oh boy, well, we were building on top of that for [Season] 14,'" Tanguay said. That was, and still is, the plan, though Blizzard is having to roll with the punches and "split the difference" based on feedback from the community. Now, Diablo 4 Season 14 is dealing with what Tanguay described as "issues compounding issues," as Blizzard looks to incorporate player feedback regarding Mythics and Uniques while still pursuing its goals for the game's future. "We really need to address both of those things right now while still making sure long term we have fewer best-in-slot problems and we've got a lot more build diversity at the end of it."  Regardless of how Season 14 is received, Tanguay made clear Blizzard still had work to do in order to arrive at a consensus point where both players and Blizzard are happy with where the game is headed. "We need to keep iterating at it, until we arrive at something that we think is good for the long-term health of the game and that players really like," he said. Breach And Clear Realmwalkers are back in Season 14, but don't worry, you don't have to follow them. Changes to Mythic items may be the biggest change for Season 14, but there's more to a season than just itemization changes. Death Awakening also brings the return of a previous seasonal mechanic, Realmwalkers. Unlike their first appearance in Season 6, players won't have to follow the lumbering giants around, but will instead battle waves of enemies and close rifts in order to open breaches to even more challenging encounters, including a new Lair Boss.  "We looked back at how we used the Realmwalker previously … and we felt we didn't really do the Realmwalker justice in that case," Tanguay said. "You had to follow along, it would spawn enemies every so often, and you got a portal. It felt a little anticlimactic, so we really wanted to take another crack at the Realmwalker and make it a proper boss fight--something that could challenge our players." Mephisto's defeat in Lord of Hatred will play directly into the threat of the new Risen enemy type in Death Awakening, offering more of a direct story thread than previous seasons, where seasonal storylines were largely disconnected from the game's campaigns or even previous seasons. "Even though Mephisto is dead, his impact is still felt across Sanctuary at this point," Tanguay said. "It gives us the opportunity to explore some new ideas … that there are unintended consequences of Mephisto's passing and now we need to deal with those."  Plans Within Plans A look at everything new coming in Season 14. Of Lord of Hatred's new features, War Plans was among the most impactful: a new endgame system where players can choose between different activities, level them up, and be rewarded for it. There were, however, some issues, most notably when playing in a group. War Plans don't currently sync between party members, meaning players in a group have to spend time rerolling their plans in an effort to try to make their individual plans match up as closely as possible. That is, thankfully, no longer the case in Season 14, with War Plans now able to be synced between party members alongside tweaks like increased activity XP. Party sync is something Tanguay said the team acted on "very quickly" to ensure it made it into the season and was an "oh shit" moment the team realized it needed to take care of immediately. Other changes players have asked for, like realm-wide War Plans progression or some kind of catch-up mechanic for subsequent characters, are still being thought about, Tanguay said. "That's something we didn't want to rush into, just because it would have some unintended consequences if we just quickly did it," he said. "We want to make sure there's still a lot of legs for the War Plans system, and as soon as you make it account-wide, it's a little less frustrating but then we lose some playtime associated with it." He said there is currently lots of feedback and ideas surrounding War Plans, including how they could be modified to reflect a given season's theme. Blizzard also needs to address the issue of what happens when a player has maxed out each War Plans activity. Any kind of account-wide unlock system or catch-up mechanic would likely be implemented alongside larger changes that would address that question, he said.  Diablo 4 Season 14 launches June 30, and will bring with it an unexpected crossover with Overwatch. The season will also add a long-awaited solo mode, for those who are up for the challenge of being unable to group or trade with other players.

6/23/2026

Diablo 4's next crossover collaboration will be with Blizzard's own Overwatch, bringing the looks of iconic heroes like Reinhardt, Mercy, Kiriko, and others to the dark-fantasy ARPG. The collab will come as part of Diablo 4's upcoming Season 14, Death Awakening, and will mostly be a "shop-focused collab," according to Diablo 4's design director for live services Dan Tanguay. There will, however, be a free reliquary where players can unlock two Overwatch-themed weapon cosmetics, a mount trophy, player emblems, and the game's first earnable armor dye at no cost. As for the Overwatch appearances players will be able to buy from Diablo 4's in-game shop, a teaser image for the collab shows armor sets inspired by Genji, Reaper, Brigitte, Mercy, Moira, Reinhardt, Kirkio, and Roadhog. Two pets, Kiriko's spirit fox and a Pachimari, also appear in the image. A look at the premium Overwatch cosmetics coming to Diablo 4. A crossover between the optimistic, near-future sci-fi setting of Overwatch and the bloody, demon-ravaged world of Sanctuary doesn't exactly sound like a perfect pairing given the wildly different tone of the two universes (though there are plenty of Diablo skins to be found in Overwatch) already. Previous crossovers have included Berserk, Blizzard's own Warcraft and StarCraft, as well as Doom: The Dark Ages. Blizzard is aware that Overwatch isn't as snug a fit as something like Berserk. Tanguay said the Diablo team looked to only adapt certain aspects of Overwatch for the collab, including both the darker and lighter corners of the hero-shooter's universe it thought would fit best. However, the Overwatch crossover also marks a shift in how Blizzard is approaching Diablo 4 collabs going forward. Blizzard previously stated collabs in Diablo 4 would be with universes that meshed well with its grim fantasy setting, but now that the game has entered its third year of live service, that is starting to change, Tanguay said. "As we continue to evolve as a live-service game, we are going to look to broaden up the tone of our collabs a bit more," Tanguay said. "I don't think we're ever going to be at a point where suddenly Diablo 4 is lighthearted and cheery as a base game … But there should be opportunities for us to bring in some lighter things on occasion as the game gets more mature." Diablo 4 Season 14 and its Overwatch collab launches June 30, and will bring controversial changes to Mythic items alongside adjustments to War Plans, a new Lair Boss, and a solo-self-found mode.  Games Like Diablo To Loot Your Way Through In 2026 View Images

6/23/2026

Amazon's big Prime Day sale is now underway, but the online retailer is not the only store offering up deals right now. Walmart's Deals & More event is also live this week from June 22 through 28, and one of the deals is a great discount on the "Hatchin' Yoshi" interactive toy inspired by the cute little dinosaur's appearance in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Walmart is selling the figure for $30 during the event, which is 50% off its normal $60 price. See at Walmart Walmart is selling the figure for $30 right now, which is 50% off its normal $60 price. The Hatchin' Yoshi is pretty much what it sounds like. Inside the box is an egg that rocks side to side and eventually cracks open, to reveal Yoshi inside, complete with a "Yoshi" sound effect. Once Yoshi hatches, you can use the bottom half of the egg as a display stand. You can pat Yoshi's nose and head to make its eyes light up and move his head. You can see the toy in action in the video below, featuring Charlie Day and Brie Larson, who voiced Luigi and Rosalina in the movie. Donald Glover voiced Yoshi in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IsLrTNbNiE Prime Day (and related deals from competitors) will continue throughout the week, so be sure keep checking GameSpot's Prime Day hub throughout the to stay up to date on the latest discounts. Prime Day (and related deals from competitors) will continue throughout the week, so be sure keep checking back with GameSpot for more. You can bookmark our Prime Day hub to stay up to date. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders The Lego Piranha Plant Set Is Down to Its Lowest Price Ahead Of Prime Day Amazon’s Got A Great Early Prime Day Deal On The Middle-Earth 6-Film Collection Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle’s Draft Night Kit Is Discounted Ahead of Prime Day Samsung 990 Pro SSD Gets Rare Discount Ahead Of Prime Day The First Official KPop Demon Hunters Lego Set Launches Soon

6/23/2026

God of War: 20th Anniversary Retrospective – Deluxe Edition $91.63 ($200) See at Amazon God of War: 20th Anniversary Retrospective $67 ($100) See at Amazon God of War fans looking to take a trip down memory lane can score a massive Prime Day discount on the deluxe 20th Anniversary Retrospective Box Set. Available for $91.63, this is a massive 54% discount as the set originally launched for $200 last year. A two-volume hardcover set published by Dark Horse, the regular edition has also been substantially discounted to $67 (was $100). Both editions chronicle 20 years of God of War history, providing a detailed look at the history of Kratos over the ages. God of War: 20th Anniversary Retrospective – Deluxe Edition $91.63 ($200) The Deluxe Edition includes not only the two hardcover books, but also a bifold portfolio containing a pair of lithographs. Both books in this set feature gilded page edges, ribbed spines, slightly different cover art, built-in ribbon bookmarks, and when you're not reading them, you can store them inside a display box that features gold-foil illustrations on the front and back. Inside the books, you'll find 320 pages of artwork, behind-the-scenes materials, and exclusive interviews with key members of the various development teams that worked on the God of War games. The first book covers the original God of War Trilogy and its numerous spin-offs, while the second volume is focused on the modern era of the franchise that began with 2016's God of War and continued in God of War: Ragnarok. See at Amazon God of War: 20th Anniversary Retrospective $67 ($100) While the regular edition doesn't come with any of the fancy extras, it's still a handsome coffee table book in its own right. It includes all of the content across two volumes, and they're packaged inside a leatherette-covered slipcase. See at Amazon With a new God of War game on the way, you can also prepare for the new adventure by checking out the previous game in the series. God of War Ragnarok is on sale for $32.15 on PS5 (was $70), and the God of War 20th Anniversary DualSense Controller is in stock at Best Buy, but it will cost you $100. Alternatively, Target is offering a wide range of DualSense controllers for as little as $55 this week, and if you're looking for another video game history book, you can save 43% on Metroid Prime 1-3: A Visual Retrospective. Amazon Prime Day 2026 (June 23-26) Video games, Blu-rays, Lego, and tech for the lowest prices of 2026. See at Amazon More Deals And Preorders The Lego Piranha Plant Set Is Down to Its Lowest Price Ahead Of Prime Day Amazon’s Got A Great Early Prime Day Deal On The Middle-Earth 6-Film Collection Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle’s Draft Night Kit Is Discounted Ahead of Prime Day Samsung 990 Pro SSD Gets Rare Discount Ahead Of Prime Day The First Official KPop Demon Hunters Lego Set Launches Soon

6/23/2026

007 First Light nails the look and feeling of being James Bond, but beneath every quip and high-stakes action scene, it also sounds the part. From under-the-radar tracks accompanying Bond on a mission of espionage to the iconic boom of brass and guitar solos when all hell breaks loose, the soundtrack from The Flight feels like it would be right at home in any Bond movie. And that's no accident, as the duo worked to honor the rich legacy of Bond while also tackling the unique challenges that come with designing a score for a narrative-heavy game from Hitman studio IO Interactive. But throughout the entire journey, The Flight and IO Interactive wanted to emphasize how players had to earn not only the 007 codename, but also the James Bond theme to go along with it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6-Ltl6KIgU "When we first signed on, we obviously listened to all the Bond scores--which obviously there are a lot of them now--and the amazing thing about the Bond franchise is that it keeps reinventing itself," The Flight's Alexis Smith said. "It keeps being current, keeps up with the times. The composers of James Bond films have taken it to many different places. There's obviously a very strong, recognizable theme that almost everyone in the world knows." One added layer of authenticity with the soundtrack was the location chosen for recording it: Abbey Road. The world-famous recording studio--where The Beatles recorded several of their albums--saw several Bond movie themes recorded inside it, from Dr. No to Skyfall. "[IO] kind of didn't even ask us where we wanted to do it," Smith said. "It was just like we've got to do it at Abbey Road. And then more importantly, you've got to get the right musicians. Quite a lot of the musicians that we used had played on Bond scores of the last 20-30 years and on songs as well, so that's always good." One of the challenges that The Flight faced was finding a blend of music that would sound both timeless and contemporary. "We wanted to explore some new places with this, and obviously, each section of this game has a very strong geographical element, and we wanted to play off that with each part of the game," Smith explained. "But we also wanted to give it a fresh sound, a modern sound without being 'cutting-edge' in a way that's going to sound dated in 10 years." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gNjeadYcbg&t=186s&pp=0gcJCT8LAYcqIYzv "There's been plenty of modern touches in the scores, very specific to the composers that did them. But I think Bond, it never feels old. It always feels current, and I think that's what we were trying to do as well. We knew what sounded 'Bond' and what didn't sound Bond, so we were our own strictest judges." Finding the right sound was challenging enough, but The Flight also had to work out how to create the soundscape for 007 First Light in a manner that felt organic to the open-ended approach players were given in each mission. While the game has its fair share of scripted moments that propel players forward--like a thrilling rubbish lorry-chase getaway scene in the heart of London--there are also moments where the game allows you to explore the environment at your leisure and soak up all the small details. "An interesting thing about this game is that this is probably the game that we scored in most traditionally, kind of like we would do on a TV show or a film," Smith explained. "There are a lot of linear parts to it so that you can do it like that, but then there are obviously massive non-linear parts as well. The key to it is trying to make those still sound cinematic--still sound like you're in a Bond film, not a clunky system. "Now luckily, we've got this genius music designer (lead sound designer Ciarán Devlin-Rushe), who's thought up a system before we came on board, and then we refined it with him. The music reflects the state that Bond is in, whether he's walking around and he's not under suspicion by anyone, or he's in spy mode and there are people on the lookout for him, or he's in a massive gun battle. Those pieces of music need to be related to the geography, they need to be related to each other as well, so they can seamlessly transition between each other, so that the player feels like they're leading it." By the time that players wrap up 007 First Light, one thing is clear: James Bond is here. Ending the game with his theme tune and a teaser for a sequel feels quintessentially Bond, and The Flight didn't want to mess with perfection. "We didn't want to change that radically," Smith said. "It's a great thing, we just wanted to do our version, in the 'feeling' of First Light. But we didn't want to change it, radically change that too much, because it's just a great piece of music. 007 First Light launched on May 26, and the game quickly earned positive reviews. Critics have praised it for modernizing Bond while staying true to his character, while the smaller beats have also proven to be surprisingly memorable. While IO Interactive is aiming to build a trilogy of Bond games, recent comments by Amazon suggest that the current rights-holders to the 007 franchise could be more involved in the sequels. Meanwhile, fans of the game can look forward to a new story mission soon, featuring Lenny Kravitz's polarizing pirate king character Bawma.