We’ve suspected a new iteration of the PlayStation 5 was in the works for some time now, but for the first time, we’re finally starting to see some solid information about the upcoming console.

The PS5 Pro won’t be a successor but will serve as a mid-generation refresh, providing improved performance and visuals over the standard PS5 and PS5 Slim.

So what’s new?

While we don’t know much about how the upcoming PS5 Pro will look, we do, however, have an idea of what to expect from the specs; of course, this depends on the accuracy of the recent leaks.

• 576GBs system memory (28% boost in performance)
• 3.5GHz CPU clock speed (10% clock speed boost)
• Improved audio
• Improved ray tracing
• 33.5 teraflops of GPU power
• 8K resolution support

Rumor also suggests that the PS5 Pro might take advantage of AI and include a new form of upscaling called PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution Upscaling (or PSSR) to help boost FPS in games.

With such impressive improvements, we can expect developers to start taking advantage of the raw power of the upcoming PS5 Pro, creating visually stunning games with improved audio.

When can we expect to see the PS5 Pro launch?

If the leak is accurate, we can expect the PS5 Pro release within the second half of 2024, with the rumor hinting at an October 2024 release window.

Beyond the rumored release window, there’s not been any way to get a precise release date, but it does seem likely to drop later this year.

The leak could not offer any information about the price of the PS5 Pro, but considering Sony was willing to take a risk regarding the cost of the PSVR2, it might be worth saving up now if you’re planning to invest in the PS5 Pro.

Will you be upgrading to the PS5 Pro? Is this the time you buy your first PlayStation console? Drop us a line in the comments below, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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• Nintendo confirms Switch 2 announcement before April 2025
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Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa stated that the Switch 2 console will not be mentioned during the upcoming Nintendo Direct presentation in June.

Per The Verge:

We will make an announcement about the successor to Nintendo Switch within this fiscal year. It will have been over nine years since we announced the existence of Nintendo Switch back in March 2015. We will be holding a Nintendo Direct this June regarding the Nintendo Switch software lineup for the latter half of 2024, but please be aware that there will be no mention of the Nintendo Switch successor during that presentation.

Despite the anticipated slowdown in Switch console sales, Nintendo remains committed to putting multiple Switch consoles in every home.

Rumors surrounding the speculated Switch 2 hint at an 8-inch display and the inclusion of backward compatibility with original Switch games and Joy-Cons.

There are talks of new Joy-Cons that could attach magnetically, signaling potential exclusivity with the new console. Until Nintendo officially announces it, this is still speculation, and we’ll get the bigger picture later in the year.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The company has plans to open 10 new sites throughout 2024, bringing its total number of sites to 40 across the UK, Germany, the United States, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Integral to expansion will be the creation of new game experiences for 2024.

Adding to existing popular games like Ghostbusters, PAW Patrol, Tetris, Shaun the Sheep, and Squid Games, planned game launches will include Immersive Gamebox Originals created by the in-house team.

Additionally, there will be new collaborations with Netflix and Sony, among others, in the upcoming game releases.

Franchise agreements will also be central to Immersive Gamebox’s growth strategy, with partnerships due to be announced in countries including Canada and the United Arab Emirates.

Creating a new category for group entertainment

Founded by the brains behind popular global obstacle endurance series, Tough Mudder, Immersive Gamebox launched in 2018 with a belief that technology should enable families and friends to live in the present, rather than getting lost in unhealthy escapism like virtual reality (VR), the metaverse or social media.

It does this through a unique hardware setup that combines projection mapping, sensors, touch screens, and surround sound within a 12ftx12ft interactive ‘gamebox,’ in which groups of 2-6 players play 30-60 minute immersive experiences. 

Will Dean, co-founder and CEO of Immersive Gamebox, explains:

“Modern-day technologies often contribute to social isolation by creating a digital barrier between individuals – whether that’s because our lives are increasingly dominated by the isolating impact of social media, or because we partake in gaming where you need to put a headset on or live in the metaverse. Our vision, however, revolves around using augmented reality to break down these barriers and facilitate real-life group gaming experiences that build authentic connections. This is a completely new genre of group entertainment in which shared experience is the priority.”

In 2023, Immersive Gamebox reached its millionth player, launched new venues in Sydney, San Francisco, and Atlanta, and announced a significant multi-million pound, multi-site partnership with Merlin Entertainment.

Will Dean continues: “2023 was a transformative year for the business that cemented the popularity of our immersive, group entertainment offering. 2024 is the year that we accelerate Immersive Gamebox and take giant steps towards our ambition to reach 100 million players and 1,000 sites by 2028.”

Tech and innovation

Immersive Gamebox’s patented augmented reality technology uses specialized motion tracking, a unique touch-screen display system, and real-time dynamic gameplay through AI-powered adjustments based on individual player skills.

This enables a truly immersive experience tailored to individuals’ preferences and abilities.

Immersive Gamebox’s 4,500 sq ft factory in Sydenham, South London, houses a full-size prototype of a gamebox. Training, assembly, and research and development take place there.

The Gameboxes are also built and assembled with proprietary hardware to power in Sydenham.

Will Dean concludes: “As we expand, it’s important to us that we retain our British roots and continue tapping into world-class talent, ideas and technological innovation in the UK.”

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Last week, Sony announced that new users of Helldivers 2 would require a linked PlayStation Network account as of May 6th, and current players would require one as of May 30th.

On the surface, this didn’t look too big, as other games on other platforms require similar things. The game is one of the best PlayStation titles and a sales hit for publisher Sony.

However, since Helldivers 2 has been out since February 8th and this new requirement could remove access from users worldwide (like Puerto Rico), the internet wasn’t happy.

Over the weekend, Helldivers 2 has been a hot-button topic. The devs have been trying to shift blame and reassure players that they are pushing back against Sony.

The Steam reviews for the game went from “Overwhelmingly Positive” to “Overwhelmingly Negative” over the weekend. Steam delisted the game in 177 countries and began to offer refunds, even if users played over 2 hours.

Helldivers 2 devs say they were on the side of players

Helldivers 2 nearly overnight went from the internet’s golden child to a cautionary tale of flying too close to the sun. That is until this morning when Sony released the following statement:

Helldivers fans — we’ve heard your feedback on the Helldivers 2 account linking update. The May 6 update, which would have required Steam and PlayStation Network account linking for new players and for current players beginning May 30, will not be moving forward.

We’re still…

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) May 6, 2024

“Helldivers fans — we’ve heard your feedback on the Helldivers 2 account linking update. The May 6 update, which would have required Steam and PlayStation Network account linking for new players and for current players beginning May 30, will not be moving forward.”

That is a massive deal. Kudos to the internet for coming together and telling a major corporation that this wasn’t OK.

It’s enough of a pain to have an account when you get a new game (see Sea of Thieves on PS5), but adding this requirement months after release is simply a stupid move.

I hope this is a learning experience for the industry. Hopefully, Helldivers 2 will show that pushing back against policies and corporate greed can get players somewhere.

I hope the review scores get restored, and Sony gets some positive reinforcement for backing down on their decision. Lastly, I hope Helldivers 2 continues its dominance online and continues to set the bar for what an indie game can accomplish.

Did you have your access to Helldivers 2 removed over the weekend? Are you worried about third-party account requirements for online games in general? Drop us a line in the comments below, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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We don’t know much about the Nintendo Switch 2, except for the rumor that it may get a larger but inferior display and that the launch may have been pushed back to 2025. 

However, the latest Nintendo Switch 2 leak concerns its performance. It suggests the Switch’s successor will have improved performance in docked mode but inferior performance in handheld mode, affecting battery life. 

Nintendo Switch 2 battery life will differ in docked and undocked modes

The latest Nintendo Switch 2 information was revealed during a conversation between content creators Moore’s Law Is Dead and The Phawx during the Broken Silicon Podcast (via IGN).

Based on the discussion, the next Switch will get Xbox Series S-level ray-tracing, and the battery life will differ significantly from the original. 

Moore’s Law further explains that based on what he heard, the Switch 2’s battery life will be clocked faster than expected in the docked mode. However, it will be crazy low in handheld mode.

Presumably, Nintendo is trying to enhance the Switch 2’s battery life, at least by making it better than its predecessor. 

The Phawx said the company aims to expand the battery life but also wants the console to perform on a low RPM fan.

However, this is still a rumor, coming from a discussion between two creators, so don’t take this as. 

There have been a few Nintendo Switch 2 rumors, but only a few are worthwhile. 

The most recent credible rumor came from a Nintendo executive during a Q&A session. The executive hinted at backward compatibility to allow users to play old Switch games on the next-gen platform. 

Either way, the second credible rumor comes from the Japanese outlet Nikkei, which states that the console will be released in 2025.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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While it couldn’t beat Stardew Valley to the top spot, Fallout 4 was comfortably the second most played game on Steam Deck in April. Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 76, and Fallout 3 – Game of the Year Edition all found spots as well.

Likely a mix of new and returning players, this list shows the power of a well-done TV or movie tie-in to a video game world.

Even the lackluster Halo TV series set a Paramount+ premiere viewing record and likely gave Halo: Infinite and other titles a boost in players.

Whoa, how is it May already?! Below are the top played games of April 2024 on Steam Deck, sorted by playtime. What have you been playing? pic.twitter.com/NQ6FXqe1Fn

— Steam Deck (@OnDeck) May 1, 2024

And for once, I found myself as part of the statistics. See, while I love the world of Fallout, Bethesda’s RPG games sometimes feel like a chore, scrounging for every little resource in the wasteland.

I’ve labored through Fallout 3 and all its expansion packs, played the factions against each other in Fallout: New Vegas, and tried to love Fallout 76. But I’ve never clicked with Fallout 4 until I started a new playthrough on the Steam Deck.

The sparse landscape of the wasteland around Boston is perfect for the smaller, low-resolution screen of the Steam Deck. I no longer wish to mod the game for better graphics, and I have yet to encounter a game-breaking bug.

And it plays well, with a solid 60 frames-per-second in almost every area I’ve visited. That might change later as I get into the downtown area, but it’s an impressive feat on the handheld gaming console.

The other thing that makes the Fallout series perfect for the Steam Deck is that the Gamebryo engine used for Fallout 3 ties its in-game physics to frame rate, so going over 60fps has wide-ranging effects.

This was fixed in later Fallout titles, but it still runs better at 60fps, in my experience.

Sure, Fallout 4 is nearly a decade old, but did any of us think it would run on a portable gaming console back then? The Steam Deck has brought interest back to old titles while also showcasing new (and admittedly great) games like Balatro.

If you excuse me, I’m returning to the wasteland to clear off some of my gaming backlog.

New to the Fallout series? Or are you a long-time fan doing another playthrough spurred by the Amazon TV series? Drop us a line in the comments below, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Best for Social Streaming

Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra Controller

4.0

$199.99 $180.00

Quick Verdict: Once you get past the glitchy social media notification gimmick, the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra controller is a fantastic wireless controller for both Xbox and, especially, PC gamers. It’s not perfect, but this stepping stone is heading in the right direction.

Pros:

• Comfortable in any size hands
• LCD screen is easy to navigate
• Features and functionality on par with higher-grade Xbox controllers
• AntiDrift, adjustable triggers, and thumbstick cover options
• Designed for pro gaming use

Cons:

• Social media notification selling point is unnecessary and feels like an afterthought
• Charging time might be really high, but it’s hard to tell sometimes

Check Availability

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05/09/2024 04:02 pm GMT

Maybe I’m an oddball when it comes to gaming on a PC, but I need a controller for most games. In my eyes, a good gaming accessory can change the tide of gaming.

The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra controller is that accessory for me, with an overall great controller held back by some software quirks.

Turtle Beach is known for having great, mid-tier audio gear for gamers and those who are eternally on their computers. In recent years, they’ve been buying up other peripheral companies, such as ROCCAT and PDP, to improve their current and future offerings.

I see the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra as an evolution of the company finally finding its place in the broader peripheral market. But is it there yet?

The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra Controller was sent to us by Turtle Beach for review and the company had no input into its content.

Who is the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra Controller for?

At its core, the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra controller is an upgrade to the long-lasting, well-loved Recon controller. If you’re looking for a good quality, well-made controller that feels comfortable in your hands, the Stealth Ultra is for you.

While it includes a ton of added features, which I’ll go into more detail later, it comes down to the fact that it works incredibly well on PCs using its wireless functionality.

Compared to its wired-only Recon predecessor or the mobile controllers they offer, that’s a significant upgrade on its own.

Plus, you’re given a nice hard shell controller case in the box that allows you to charge it while protected and multiple thumbstick covers to provide your sticks a longer lifespan.

What’s great about the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra Controller?

AntiDrift Hall effect thumbsticks win my heart

The impressiveness comes in with the technology used inside the controller itself. While it looks excellent visually, the Stealth Ultra packs a punch with some real jabs at other controllers on the market.

For instance, a big draw for the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra is the anti-drift technology in its thumbsticks. This is a direct shot at most controllers from other brands that have experienced stick drift at one point or another.

I’ve met a lot of esports professionals over the years and they tend to use specialized controller grip positions, such as “claw”. So, knowing that the Stealth Ultra offers trigger blockers and mappable quick-action buttons is a huge win for pro gamers.

The trigger blockers can be changed on the fly with physical switches directly on the controller near the triggers. They’re perfectly positioned to never be in the way while you’re using it.

As for the quick action buttons, there are four on the back. You can use the “Turtle Beach Control Center 2” program to edit them. I’ll go into detail about that a little bit later.

The controller’s thumbsticks feel pretty comfortable out of the box. However, you’re supplied with some stick cover options, such as textured grips, which some players may prefer. I’ll stick to the naked version, personally.

As with the older Turtle Beach Recon controller, if you use a corded mic directly into the controller’s audio jack during play, you can set up their patented Superhuman Hearing.

It’s great for competitive gamers who need to be able to hear directional footsteps or gunshots.

Overall, this is a fantastic gaming controller with plenty of bells and whistles. 

Specs:

• High-Performance, Lag-Free Wireless Technology
• 30-Hour Battery Life with Adjustable Power Modes
• Connected Command Display for Extensive Settings Adjustments
• AntiDrift Thumbsticks for Long-Lasting, Smooth Control
• Tactile Microswitch Buttons for Faster, More Reliable Response
• Durable, Hard-Shell Case with Charge-Through Capability
• Four Mappable Quick-Action Buttons
• Wireless USB-A Transmitter: Xbox, Windows PCs
• Bluetooth®: Android Devices, Windows PCs & supported Smart TVs with Bluetooth®
• Wired: USB-A Wired Connection to Xbox, and Windows PCs
• Audio Input/Output: 3.5mm audio port for stereo audio output & microphone input
• Product Weight (Controller) (G/Lbs.): 246 g / 0.54 lbs
• Product Dimensions (Controller) (Mm/In): 120 x 160 x 64.2 / 4.72 x 6.30 x 2.53

I first noticed that this may be the first Turtle Beach product with their new, smoother logo. The curves and central palm tree are slightly different from the old, angular design. It’s a nice (and welcome) change. 

The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra takes the classic “Ford Model T” route of coming in any color you want, as long as it’s black. You get some customization due to the glowing neon lights through the controller, which you can control within the controller’s LCD screen menu.

I’m undecided on this method of customization. The competition offers various colors and customization options for a similar price. But, having the built-in gamer RGB lighting is definitely unique.

The RGB lighting is used for notifications and styling. When plugged in, it lets you know when it’s charging or the battery is 100%. When off the dock, it’s the color and style that you chose.

Social media notifications… evolution of gaming or waste of time

Aside from the striking customizable LED colors on the device, the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra also offers something unique: social media notifications. The integrated screen can be used to display notifications from some Android apps.

Although the idea is neat, the execution feels half-assed. The quick-start guide isn’t clear on how to set up the social media notifications. After getting frustrated, I finally found their official guide hidden on the website and got it to work.

The notifications are only compatible with certain apps, and the required companion app is only for Android phones.

You can get Facebook notifications if they pop up on your phone, but not Facebook Messenger. It also works with apps like X / Twitter. Discord worked but cut off the name of the person sending it.

In my testing, the sender only had a five-character username, which was cut off after the second character with full triple-dotted ellipses placed afterward. It feels counterintuitive to what they were trying for.

The real downside is that you have to manually activate it in the settings every time you turn your controller and sync it to an Android app that needs to be kept open on your phone.

If your controller turns off from non-use, you also have to reactivate the app. I’m sure it is an important security consideration, but it all feels more like an afterthought than something built for the controller.

Oh boy, I love Turtle Beach equipment. I do. But, their software is generally something that they need to improve upon. On the other hand, ROCCAT(now owned by Turtle Beach) doesn’t have lousy software.

The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra software feels like a collaboration between the two companies and is a massive step in the right direction.

I can’t help but compare Turtle Beach’s equipment to ROCCAT anytime we discuss their software. While ROCCAT’s UI is standardized and feels designed with the software in mind, Turtle Beach products tend to have a more simplistic look and feel.

However, even with the aging look of its interface, the options and capabilities this time around are pretty great. You get a ton of customizability, settings, and functions right from Turtle Beach Control Center 2. Comparing that to older controller firmware from Turtle Beach, it’s a breeze.

On the other hand, the Turtle Beach App Link feels like a bandaid to get the social media notifications to work and nothing else. I hope a future controller iteration just does away with the need for a separate mobile app altogether.

Weird quirks with the battery

Turtle Beach describes the battery life of this controller as phenomenal. It boasts up to 30 hours of run time, which is adjustable in the settings. The controller is great if you’ve got a full battery.

Where it falters is the amount of time it takes to charge from zero battery. I’ve had a myriad of contradictory experiences so far with it. 

The first time, using the supplied charge dock or USB-C, both took roughly 15 hours to charge fully. But, subsequent tests took only an hour to fully charge. Weird, but okay.

At one point, I had it at around 45% and sat it on the dock to charge in the evening once. After 4 hours of charging, it only was at 55% afterward. So, I’m wondering if the visual number doesn’t reflect reality.

However, after testing it out, I’m unsure if that 30-hour lifespan is accurate. While testing some functions for this review, my battery dropped from 100% charge to 89% with only about 15 minutes of non-gaming use. Charging it to full only took 10 minutes from there.

The battery drain from the RGB and display might explain this. But it could just be a weird quirk from my specific controller. The longevity of the battery seems about right, just the capacity remaining seems inaccurate.

It’s worth noting that I dealt with a few extra quirks while reviewing this product. These are primarily due to setup issues, which Turtle Beach could mitigate by making their quick start guide more comprehensive.

After apparently not paying attention to the battery life or settings during some rousing Halo Infinite multiplayer games, it died in the middle of a match. The only way to save myself was to unplug the dock and use the cord to turn it into a wired controller. 

That one may be on me, but I had no idea what caused it at the time. I thought it was a suddenly low battery, but it turned out to be even sillier.

After tinkering some outside of matchmaking, I came to realize that the controller was also automatically turning itself off when I sat it down for about one minute. It appeared that I had it set to “Eco” and had no idea what it does in that mode.

After changing that setting, the controller runs great. My only main qualm is that the charging hub doesn’t offer a pass-through charger port for frantic needs, making you have to unplug the dock to use its cord.

How does it feel to hold?

I’m a big fan of chunkier controllers. While many solutions out there try to make it feel like you’re holding nothing at all, I have to deal with carpal tunnel and shaking hands. So, I need more weight in my controllers to be comfortable.

The older Turtle Beach Recon controllers were reasonably hefty enough. But the Stealth Ultra is precisely what I needed in terms of weight. Yes, I was a fan of the OG Duke controllers from Xbox.

If you prefer a lighter controller, look elsewhere, perhaps at SCUF or official Xbox controllers.

Aside from that, they redesigned the feel of the materials from their older lines of controllers. I know it sounds weird, but the Stealth Ultra’s grips make me feel like I’m touching baby powder. It’s a wonderful counter to the usually sticky feeling grips.

Even though the controller offers some additional hardware, such as the trigger blocker switches, nothing feels in the way. I have no issues with the comfort, feel, or weight of the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra controller. 

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3.8

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03/26/2024 04:09 pm GMT

An overall great controller with some minor software flaws

This controller impressed me in various ways. With all the technologies coming together into a single unit, the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra stands out among its competitors.

As it offers RGB gamer lighting and a built-in display, you’d expect this to be the future of gaming. It’s designed with pro gaming in mind with features like AntiDrift, programmable buttons, and switchable triggers.

It’s incredibly comfortable to hold and feels great in any sized hands. The weight might be a bit too much for some people, but it’s perfect for someone like me.

The battery’s randomized charging percentages, lack of easy documentation, and the wonky attempt at social media notifications are hard to ignore. Those are all fixable issues, though, and software updates might improve things.

Turtle Beach is on to something here. But, this might be the prototype of the prototype of their eventual magnum opus.

Give it a couple more years, and we might get the perfect controller from them. While we wait for that day, this controller will do the trick for now.

Best for Social Streaming

Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra Controller

4.0

$199.99 $180.00

The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra Controller is a fantastic wireless and wired controller for Xbox and PC use, with an embedded screen for showing social media notifications.

Check Availability

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

05/09/2024 04:02 pm GMT

Did you use this or any of Turtle Beach’s recent controllers? Think the social notification screen is a gimmick or a must have? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

Laying waste to the zombie hordes seems to be more popular than ever, with a herd of gaming greats lumbering over the horizon, baiting us in their groaning masses. But which ones deserve your all-swinging, all-dicing attention?

To help you decide which ones to point your nailed baseball bat towards first, we’ve put together a list of the best zombie games out there right now, for surviving and thriving in the post-apocalypse. Abra cadaver! Here it is.

Resident Evil 4 Remake

Resident Evil 4 first burst onto our screens back in 2005, and represented the first big departure for the series (following which, there have been roughly 137 further departures).

Casting away the static background, and the slightly isometric angle of the original three main games, Resident Evil 4 introduced a new over-the-shoulder look, a brand-new setting, and infected, rather than zombified enemies.

Rebuilt from the ground up, the Resident Evil 4 Remake launched in 2023, with vastly improved graphics, improved gameplay mechanics, and new character designs.

Protagonist Leon S. Kennedy and his trademark center parting are assigned to rural Spain, to rescue the President’s daughter from the clutches of the rampaging Ganados, locals who have been infected with the deadly parasite, Las Plagas.

As you tentatively make your way through the village toward even more treacherous locations, you’ll be scrabbling for ammo and green herbs, as you shoot, stab, and spinny kick your way through the chattering hordes.

Improving on everything that made the original so memorable, the Resident Evil 4 Remake is horribly good fun.

The Last of Us Part 1

Yes, OK, technically the Cordyceps victims in The Last of Us aren’t zombies, per se. But they serve the same function, in that they’re gross, they can infect you, and you need to kill them quickly.

With the recent success of HBO’s The Last of Us, starring everybody’s favorite celebrity “Daddy”, Pedro Pascal, the player base for the remastered remake of the original game has soared. And it’s easy to see why.

Showcasing the same great story but in fancy next-gen wrapping, Naughty Dog’s award-winning classic The Last of Us Part 1 has never looked so good.

In addition to the gorgeous graphical overhaul that makes those character interactions between Joel and Ellie even more impactful, there’s an improved UI this time around, as well as extra difficulty levels – for those of you who like an extra dose of trauma with your gameplay.

7 Days to Die

7 Days to Die has been around for a solid decade already, but this zombie-infested survival sandbox isn’t going away anytime soon. Pitching you in a rolling day/night cycle, you must scavenge for materials to build shelters, hunt for food, and tool up to protect yourself from the undead legions.

By daylight, the zombies in 7 Days to Die are more Romero-esque, shuffling slow pokes who are slower to detect you, and easier to avoid. This changes when the sun goes down, as they become feral and far more dangerous.

On the seventh in-game day, a Blood Moon event occurs, where hordes of assailants will descend on your settlement in their droves. And if you haven’t reinforced your shelter enough and made adequate provisions to survive the onslaught, you’ll be in for the mother of bad nights.

Solidarity comes in the form of 7 Days to Die‘s multiplayer, where you can join up to three friends online, and hold each other’s virtual hands as the world turns to shit around you.

DayZ

DayZ is a multiplayer-only zombie survival game where players must scavenge for the usual mix of materials, food, water, and weapons, to keep their feeble human hearts ticking in the aftermath of a devastating plague that has transformed the less fortunate members of their species into violent, foaming infected.

Spawning at the edge of a gigantic 87-square-mile game world, armed with a pathetic array of close-to-useless equipment, there’s a palpable sense of urgency in scouring the landscape for better gear.

As well as the usual threats you’d expect, your character is also vulnerable to various infections and diseases, which can negatively impact your survivability if contracted and left untreated.

DayZ succeeds as a living, breathing multiplayer world, with player interactions being paramount. Features such as proximity voice chat, text chat, and gestures help to shape the player experience and help foster an engaging online community.

With base-building, a working horticulture system, cooking, crafting, and more to explore, the act of survival in DayZ is a veritable timesink.

State of Decay 2

Zombie survival game State of Decay 2 was first released in 2018 and features a sprawling open world where up to four players can play cooperatively to combat the forces of the undead.

With its gameplay emphasizing the survival aspect, players must choose a location to build their base, and then beg, borrow, and steal materials to reinforce their stronghold.

As part of the base building mechanics, you can bolster your outpost by installing watchtowers, workshops, medical bays, and more to improve your odds of not being eaten alive.

Character management is important too, as each survivor has different characteristics that will inform your gameplay style. Weaknesses must be worked around while strengths must be played to.

With each character sporting their own moral compass, events in the game will affect each character differently, and shape their behavior and attitude. This adds an interesting layer of depth to the gameplay, as your in-game decisions can have unexpected consequences for you and your squad.

Dying Light 2

If you like mixing up your zombie slaying with some first-person parkour action, then the Dying Light franchise is right up your sun-dappled alley.

Developed by the team behind Dead Island, Dying Light 2 (and Dying Light) blends that game’s visceral melee combat with the acrobatic movement of Mirror’s Edge.

Dying Light 2 is set in the huge virtual playground of Villedor, a vast fictional European city. Heavy with RPG elements, you are free to explore the city (and its rooftops) as you see fit, forming alliances, taking on missions, and crafting brand-new tools to cleave limbs from their undead owners.

With a map roughly four times the size of Dying Light‘s, with plenty of verticality to hop, skip, and jump across, Dying Light 2 gives you plenty of bang for your buck.

Dead Island 2

The long-awaited sequel to 2011’s Dead Island, Dead Island 2 takes place inside a quarantined Los Angeles, where a zombie outbreak has selfishly ruined the lives of the city’s inhabitants.

Choose from one of six slayers, each with their own unique characteristics and abilities, and set about putting bats to faces, as you explore each of the playable zones and meat out some punishment.

Substituting the usual skill tree style mechanic for a deck-building system where you can augment your character’s strengths (and weaknesses), gives Dead Island 2 a unique aspect.

Skill cards are sorted into four main categories; Survivor, Slayer, Numen, and Abilities, with each unlocking new gameplay perks and characteristics.

But the real joy in Dead Island 2 comes from using the environment to your advantage. For instance, tossing an electrified weapon into a puddle will electrify enemies unfortunate enough to be stood with their necrotic toes in the water.

Dead Island 2 is the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to new and exotic ways to neutralize the enemy.

Left 4 Dead 2

On oldie but a goldie, Left 4 Dead 2 is proof that you can’t beat a classic. Still popular today, despite having been released back in 2009, this zombie-slaying first-person shooter is a ton of fun to play. With its emphasis on cooperative play, it’s also the perfect game to enjoy with your zom-bae.

Set (as these things invariably are) during the aftermath of a pandemic, you play as one of four main survivors, frantically fighting through legions of infected enemies across five main campaigns, each consisting of a handful of levels.

Up to four players can take on the Campaign mode together, with any non-player characters being computer-controlled.

Besides the main Campaign Mode, you’ll find a Versus Mode where “infected” players try to prevent survivors from completing each stage, a timed Survival Mode, and a four-on-four Scavenger Mode.

Left 4 Dead 2 also keeps things spicy with various enemy types, such as Witches, Hunters, and Tanks, who all require different attack strategies to bring down.

Let us know your favorite zombie games! Are there any that we’ve missed? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• The best couch co-op Nintendo Switch games (2024)
• The best video game remakes (2024)
• The best gaming accessories (2024)
• The best TVs for console gaming (2024)

But, that’s not all. There’s also one ‘Extra Menu’ item (Collection: Ferrari 12-Cylinder Engines), three new ‘World Circuits’ events, and a new featured Curation in Scapes.

Sony Afeela Prototype 2024

Developed by Sony Honda Mobility, Gran Turismo 7 players will be able to virtually drive the car before it’s released.

Before the real vehicle is released, we would like as many people as possible to ride it in-game. Please enjoy it.

Sony Honda Mobility

Unlike many of the vehicles in GT7, the Afeela Prototype 2024 has minimal options when it comes to upgrades and tuning. Beyond changing the tires and using a power restriction kit, there’s not much else you can do to bolster the vehicle.

The Afeela Prototype 2024 left the likes of a Prius trailing behind. But when it comes to serious contenders like a Ferrari or Toyota Supra, the Afeela Prototype 2024 doesn’t stand much of a chance of winning the top spot.

Gran Turismo 7

$64.50 $59.90

Get behind the wheel in one of the most realistic driving sims released to date.

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04/11/2024 09:52 pm GMT

If you’ve downloaded the 1.46 update, let us know how you’ve got on in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Sony introduces ‘unbeatable’ AI racer to Gran Turismo 7
• New Gran Turismo movie looks just like the video game
• The best video game remakes (2024)
• The best gaming accessories (2024)

Not everyone wants to carry around a handheld gaming console or their phone. But gaming on our phones brings challenges, including ergonomics, power, and audio.

That means we need gaming accessories for our Android phones. Thanks to Android’s adoption of USB-C as the common port, there are many more accessories to work with.

These gaming accessories run the gamut from headphones to controllers, cleaning supplies, etc. You should be able to find what you are looking for with the best Android gaming accessories.

Best Overall	BACKBONE One Mobile Gaming Controller 4.8 N/A Check Availability
Best Value Controller	COOBILE Mobile Game Controller 4.0 $11.90$9.90 Check Availability
Best Wireless Gaming Controller	SteelSeries Stratus Duo Wireless Gaming Controller 4.0 $59.99$37.63 Check Availability
Best Headphones	Skullcandy Rail ANC 5.0 $95.99 Check Availability
Best Phone Cooler	Black Shark Cell Phone Cooler 4.0 $39.99 Check Availability
Best Power Bank	Anker Power Bank 4.0 $149.99$105.00 Check Availability
Best Portable Battery	Anker Portable Charger 4.0 $49.99 Check Availability
Best Finger Accessories	MGC ClawSocks Finger Sleeves 4.0 $14.99$12.99 Check Availability
Best Phone Stand	LISEN Cell Phone Stand 4.0 $9.99$8.99 Check Availability
Best Cleaning Apparatus	MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloth 4.0 $11.99$9.95 Check Availability

Best Overall

BACKBONE One Mobile Gaming Controller

4.8

N/A

Check Availability

Best Value Controller

COOBILE Mobile Game Controller

4.0

$11.90$9.90

Check Availability

Best Wireless Gaming Controller

SteelSeries Stratus Duo Wireless Gaming Controller

4.0

$59.99$37.63

Check Availability

Best Headphones

Skullcandy Rail ANC

5.0

$95.99

Check Availability

Best Phone Cooler

Black Shark Cell Phone Cooler

4.0

$39.99

Check Availability

Best Power Bank

Anker Power Bank

4.0

$149.99$105.00

Check Availability

Best Portable Battery

Anker Portable Charger

4.0

$49.99

Check Availability

Best Finger Accessories

MGC ClawSocks Finger Sleeves

4.0

$14.99$12.99

Check Availability

Best Phone Stand

LISEN Cell Phone Stand

4.0

$9.99$8.99

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Best Cleaning Apparatus

MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

4.0

$11.99$9.95

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04/24/2024 06:50 pm GMT

Find the best Android gaming accessories for you

Choosing the best Android gaming accessories depends on your needs and how you want to control your gameplay.

Do you want an attached controller with customizable options? Or do you prefer an external controller with your phone sitting on a stand?

That’s what optimizing your Android gameplay is all about–finding the most comfortable setup that prioritizes gaming over everything else.

BACKBONE One Mobile Gaming Controller (Best Overall)

With the BACKBONE One mobile gaming controller, you can play games from Xbox Remote Play, PlayStation Remote Play, Steam Link App, and Google Play.

You should have no problem accessing the games you want to play on the go if you subscribe to any of those things. It uses the phone for power and has pass-through charging, so you can charge it while playing.

Plenty of imitators are on the market, but the solid build and structural confidence put this controller above the rest.

Plus, if you still have wired headphones, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack. Not everyone has adapted to Bluetooth headphones. Some of us prefer the cord getting tangled in things.

Overall, the BACKBONE One mobile gaming controller is a must-have for taking your gaming on the go.

Best Overall

BACKBONE One Mobile Gaming Controller

4.8

For mobile gaming, you'll need a controller, and this is the best one out there. 

What We Like:

• USB-C port for passthrough charging
• 3.5mm headphone jack
• Low latency

What We Didn't Like:

• Not compatible with pre-Android 10.0

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COOBILE Mobile Game Controller (Best Value Controller)

You get what you pay for, but when you want a set of grips and a game trigger, that’s exactly what the COOBILE Mobile Game Controller is.

There’s nothing complex here; there are no buttons and no charging, just a controller that interacts with your smartphone screen to play games like PUBG, Critical Ops, and similar games.

The selling point of this type of controller is ergonomics, as the grip is much more comfortable in your hands over time than your smartphone by itself.

Plus, there’s a nice kickstand in the back, so you can use it as a phone stand when not playing. The COOBILE Mobile Game Controller is not a complex device, but sometimes all we need is simple.

Best Value Controller

COOBILE Mobile Game Controller

4.0

$11.90 $9.90

When you don't want to spend too much, this affordable game controller adds some physical triggers and a more comfortable way to hold your phone.

What We Like:

• Super cheap
• 3-in-1 game controller
• Comfortable

What We Didn't Like:

• Limited options
• Just a trigger set really

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04/24/2024 06:50 pm GMT

SteelSeries Stratus Duo (Best Wireless Gaming Controller)

The SteelSeries Stratus Duo is a competent replacement for a standard console controller if you are playing on a phone or PC. You need to buy an adapter to mount your phone on the controller, but those are cheap.

It works best with Steam games on PC or any mobile game requiring a controller, especially Fortnite.

You can play while charging and get about 20 hours of playtime in between charges. It pairs well with Oculus Go, Gear VR, and whatever Android phone you have.

Additionally, it works with Google Chrome OS devices, which is a rarity for these types of things. The SteelSeries Stratus Duo fits the bill for that console controller feeling on the go.

Best Wireless Gaming Controller

SteelSeries Stratus Duo Wireless Gaming Controller

4.0

$59.99 $37.63

A standalone controller is a great buy if you want the full console gaming experience with your smartphone.

What We Like:

• Mimics a console controller
• 20 hours battery life
• Lag free gaming
• Google compatible

What We Didn't Like:

• No vibration
• Need adapter to mount your phone
• Spongy buttons

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04/24/2024 06:52 pm GMT

Skullcandy Rail ANC (Best Headphones)

Regarding in-ear audio devices, few companies does it better than Skullcandy, and the Skullcandy Rail ANC in-ear headphones are no exception. These are the type of headphones that can go through the wash and survive, still delivering high-quality bass and depth of sound.

These are the perfect pocket headphones when you live in a world that doesn’t prioritize Apple earbuds.

They are noise-canceling but have the option to turn them off. When gaming, you don’t want to don’t everyone else’s bullcrap anyway.

They have about a 27-hour battery life when you use the charging case to re-up the earbuds.

You can pair them to multiple devices simultaneously, with the Skullcandy Rail ANC earbuds having the smarts to switch back and forth.

Best headphones

Skullcandy Rail ANC

5.0

$95.99

Android phones don't have an ecosystem like Apple, so you can pick whatever headphones you want. 

What We Like:

• 27 hour battery life
• EQ customization
• Rapid charging
• Noise cancelling
• Multi-pairing available

What We Didn't Like:

• Limited color options
• Fit can be awkward at first

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04/24/2024 06:53 pm GMT

Black Shark Cell Phone Cooler (Best Phone Cooler)

Most smartphones aren’t that great for keeping cool when gaming, which you’ll need the Shark Cell Phone Cooler for.

As your phone heats up from an extended mobile gaming session, you can slap this on the back and quickly suck out the heat. It’s relatively quiet, and the LED display lets you see the temperature sink in real time.

The only downside is that the fan needs a secondary power source. That’s a bit annoying, especially since it is designed for mobile gaming.

So you’ll need to continue reading this accessory list to find the solution to the Black Shark Cell Phone Cooler’s power woes.

Best Phone Cooler

Black Shark Cell Phone Cooler

4.0

$39.99

When talking about mobile gaming accessories, you'll need more than controllers. Keep your phone and your battery cool during long gaming sessions with this clip on cooler.

What We Like:

• LED temperature display
• Sleep timer
• Heatsink cooling
• USB-C charging

What We Didn't Like:

• Non adjustable
• No internal battery

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04/24/2024 06:54 pm GMT

Anker 24,000mAh Power Bank (Best Power Bank)

When you have a bunch of stuff on your smartphone that requires power, the Anker 24,000mAh Power Bank is the solution. It’ll power three devices simultaneously, assuming two of those devices use USB-C charging while the other uses USB-A.

The LED display is a nice touch, so you can see charging progress and plan accordingly if you have a bunch of stuff to charge.

The only real downside to this battery is its size. It doesn’t weigh a bit more than a pound, but that extra weight is noticeable when you are gaming on the go. It’s a pretty large rectangle.

So, while the Anker 24,000mAh Power Bank is the best solution for your power needs, it’s not the it’s compact.

Best Power Bank

Anker Power Bank

4.0

$149.99 $105.00

The solution to your portable power problems comes in the form of a power bank.

What We Like:

• 24,000mAh battery
• 140W output
• Compatible with all
• Digital display
• USB-C, USB-A

What We Didn't Like:

• A big little rectangle
• Portable, but bulky
• Takes 2 hours to charge

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04/24/2024 06:55 pm GMT

Anker Portable Charger (Best Portable Battery)

There are tons of portable batteries out there; the Anker Portable Charger is one of them. But where it stands apart from the other is its capacity. 20,000mAh is nothing to scoff at.

This delivers five full smartphone charges and several for a tablet. You can charge two devices simultaneously with the dual USB-A ports.

But that’s it. That’s no USB-C port for charging other devices, only the battery itself. So that’s not great, as USB-C charging is often faster.

Maybe that’s okay; the price of the Anker Portable Charger and its capacity makes up for it.

Best Portable Battery

Anker Portable Charger

4.0

$49.99

A compact, portable battery is what you may need to stay charged on the go. 

What We Like:

• 20,000mAh battery
• USB-C input
• Small, portable
• Optimized charging

What We Didn't Like:

• Only USB-A output

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04/24/2024 06:56 pm GMT

MGC ClawSocks Finger Sleeves (Best Finger Accessories)

The easiest way to enhance your skill when gaming on your smartphone is with MGC ClawSocks Finger Sleeves. They block humidity, sweat, dirt, and oil from getting all up in your screen. As well as fingerprints.

They are breathable and are used by pro mobile eSports gamers to slide effortlessly across that tiny screen.

There are also full-on gloves out there, but finger sleeves show others that you are a serious mobile gamer.

Fingerprints are for n00bs, and when you are gaming on the go, you’ll want to use ClawSocks Finger Sleeves on your digits.

Best Finger Accessories

MGC ClawSocks Finger Sleeves

4.0

$14.99 $12.99

No, not snacks, but rather some keen little finger gloves.

What We Like:

• Cheap way to enhance your gaming
• Breathable
• Official mobile gaming sleeves of eSports people

What We Didn't Like:

• No wild color options

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04/24/2024 06:57 pm GMT

LISEN Cell Phone Stand (Best Phone Stand)

If your neck hurts from leaning over your smartphone, then you’ll need you’ll need a good stand. That’s to adjust your viewing angle to reduce neck and back strain.

This is especially helpful if you use a standalone game controller to get into the action.

The weighted anti-slip base will keep your phone or tablet steady. That’s for when you get absolutely hyped over your first victory royale.

All in all, a stand is a prime gaming accessory, especially considering ergonomics. Therefore, you can’t go wrong with the LISEN Cell Phone Stand.

Best Phone Stand

LISEN Cell Phone Stand

3.5

$9.99 $8.99

When your hands get to cramping, it's time to put your phone in a stand.

What We Like:

• Adjustable
• Multiple colors
• Holds tablets too
• Anti-slip
• Weighted base

What We Didn't Like:

• No mounting hardware

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04/24/2024 06:59 pm GMT

MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloth (Best cleaning apparatus)

If you have glasses or a mobile device screen, you probably already have something like the MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloth. Because you need to keep your screen clean and clear of fingerprints.

Because you need to see what you are doing. This is a fairly simple proposition. You have a screen; now be sure to get the right accessory to keep it clean.

Best Cleaning Apparatus

MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

4.0

$11.99 $9.95

Keep your screen clean with a microfiber cloth. It's no fancy Apple cloth but then it's priced appropriately.

What We Like:

• Cleans screens without scratches
• Fits in your pocket
• Good for OLED screens

What We Didn't Like:

• Nothing. It's a cloth

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04/24/2024 07:05 pm GMT

How to pick the best Android gaming accessories for you

When deciding on which accessories to pick for your Android gaming sessions, think about what sort of games you tend to play.

If you’re a casual gamer playing mostly puzzles, you probably don’t need a controller, but a stand to hold your phone comfortably is key.

For those more competitive Android gamers, you can make your phone into a tiny console by adding a good controller and some Bluetooth headphones.

And everyone could benefit from a good power bank, to keep those gaming sessions extended away from the wall.

The point here is to buy the gaming accessories that make sense for the Android games you play. We want to offer choices that improve your gaming experiences so you enjoy your time more.

Are you an Android gamer? Drop us a line below in the comments with your favorite games, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ RecoEditors’ons:

• The best monitors for under $200
• The best streaming devices
• The best gaming accessories
• The best TV accessories

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

From platformers to arcade classics, there are tons of co-op Nintendo Switch games to choose from, which can sometimes be a little overwhelming when you’re looking for something new to play with your friends and family.

While other consoles have plenty of co-op games, Nintendo has always been one of the best consoles for anyone looking to play games socially.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the latest game in the Mario series, bringing with it some of the craziest gameplay from a Mario game.

With 12 playable characters to choose from, including four types of Yoshi, and Nabbit, who cannot take damage, you won’t be short of choice.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder can be played solo, or with up to three friends. The game also features a series of collectible badges that give all players a special ability, making the game even more interesting.

But the highlight of the game is the Wonder Flowers. They completely change the level, adding whacky new challenges to face such as giant chomping fish, walking and singing piranha plants, and even a tidal wave of rhinos that you have to ride.

If you’re looking for a co-op game on the Nintendo Switch that’s going to keep you and your fellow players entertained for a while, Super Mario Bros. Wonder includes a whopping 152 levels to conquer.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder - Nintendo Switch (European Version)

$49.89 $44.99

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04/23/2024 07:51 pm GMT

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

The Mario Kart games have been around for a long time now, with Mario Kart 8 still being one of the most popular co-op games on the Nintendo Switch.

Thanks to Mario Kart 8‘s multiple settings, which can change whether you need to hold the A button to accelerate, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is perfect for gamers of all ages and perfect for getting your kids into gaming.

If you purchase the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass there are a total of 96 uniquely themed tracks to enjoy, giving you plenty of fresh courses to race on.

If you’re not a big fan of racing games (not that I would call Mario Kart 8 Deluxe a proper racing game) there’s also a battle mode. Here players use special powers scattered around the course to try and pop three balloons, fighting to be the last player standing.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

$52.95

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04/23/2024 07:52 pm GMT

Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition

If you’re looking for a more chilled-out co-op game for Nintendo Switch, Minecraft might be one of the most chilled games ever made.

Of course, most gamers, and even non-gamers have heard about Minecraft, and while most gamers know you can play on Minecraft servers, the game also has a local co-op mode you can enjoy with friends too.

If you’ve been living under a rock, and haven’t heard of Minecraft, let me enlighten you. Minecraft is a block-based crafting game where players are able to create almost anything they can think up.

While Minecraft is a survival game with hunger and enemies, those who are looking for a more relaxed experience can simply change the game mode to peaceful, letting you enjoy the game without hunger or pesky creatures trying to ruin your day.

Minecraft: Switch Edition - Nintendo Switch

$36.49 $29.91

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04/23/2024 07:53 pm GMT

Rocket League

Are you a fan of soccer and cars? Well, you’re in luck. Rocket League is a mashup of both with players controlling customizable cars in an epic game of motorized soccer.

If you’re looking for a serious Nintendo Switch co-op game, maybe give Rocket League a hard pass. With its ridiculously oversized ball, crazy nitrous-powered stunts, and the very fact you’re playing soccer with a car, it’s not a game to be taken seriously.

As you progress in Rocket League, you can customize your vehicle with custom wheels, decals, and boosts, helping you to stand out if you decide to play Rocket League online against other players.

Rocket League: Collector's Edition - Nintendo Switch

$62.88

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03/07/2024 04:27 pm GMT

Moving Out 2

Moving Out 2 is a whacky co-op game where players simply need to take on jobs as a moving company. Sounds simple enough, right? Wait till you have to herd sheep into a truck, or deal with weird obstacles getting in your way.

In some cases, players must work together to move bigger items, such as a couch, while bypassing obstacles and all while being scored on how quickly they can get items out and into the moving truck.

While it might not sound like it Moving Out 2 is one of those games that will put your relationships to the test, as you try to decide the best way to get items out as quickly as possible.

It can often become a little exhausting as you both disagree on the quickest and safest way to remove items as quickly as possible.

Moving Out 2 - Nintendo Switch

$28.87

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04/23/2024 07:55 pm GMT

Super Mario Maker 2

It wouldn’t be a proper list of the best Nintendo Switch couch co-op games without more than one Mario game.

Super Mario Maker 2 is unique in the fact that not only does it feature multiplayer, but two people can work together to make custom and unique courses that you can then enjoy together as Mario and Luigi.

Depending on which game mode you are playing, Super Mario Maker 2 can be played with up to four players in total.

It also features both pre-built levels and the ability to create new levels across multiple previous Mario titles, including:

• Super Mario Bros.
• Super Mario Bros. 3
• Super Mario World
• New Super Mario Bros. U
• Super Mario 3D World

With such a wide range of previous game’s game styles to create and play, Super Mario Maker 2 is perfect for those who love retro Mario.

Super Mario Maker 2 - US Version

$59.99 $42.00

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03/07/2024 04:32 am GMT

Overcooked! All You Can Eat!

It might be easy to overlook a co-op game about cooking, but somehow, Overcooked! All You Can Eat! makes it work.

Work together with up to four other players to help run a kitchen, where the demands become increasingly more intense, making it difficult for you and your friends to serve delicious food and keep customers happy.

Similar to Moving Out, players will need to communicate well in Overcooked! All You Can Eat!, otherwise things can quickly become a little chaotic.

What’s worse, all players must work together to create a perfect flow. You can’t really have one player carrying the rest of you, one weak link can ruin the game and turn a happy kitchen into a frantic nightmare.

Overcooked! All You Can Eat - Nintendo Switch

$39.99 $27.56

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04/23/2024 07:56 pm GMT

It Takes Two

It Takes Two isn’t just one of the best co-op games for the Nintendo Switch, it’s quite honestly one of the best co-op games ever made, which is a pretty bold claim.

It Takes Two features an incredible story that centers around a couple on the verge of divorce, as they are shrunk down and turned into dolls, and tasked with saving their own fractured relationship.

Unlike most other multiplayer games, It Takes Two doesn’t feature a solo mode, and has to be played either locally or online, with another player.

It Takes Two - Nintendo Switch

$39.99 $30.82

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04/23/2024 07:57 pm GMT

Diablo 3: Eternal Collection

If you’re looking for something heart-warming that will give you a fuzzy feeling inside, you should have stopped at It Takes Two.

Diablo 3: Eternal Collection is more heart-racing than heart-warming, as you and up to three friends work together to kick the crap out of hordes of hell-spawned enemies, led by the Prime Evils, Diablo, Mephisto, and Baal.

If you’ve ever played any of the Diablo games, you should know what to expect here—hordes of enemies, an ever-lasting quest to improve your gear and become stronger, and an absolutely fantastic, but dark story.

As well as playing Diablo 3: Eternal Collection locally with friends, you can also play online, however, that does require you to have a Nintendo Switch Online membership.

DIABLO III: Eternal Collection

$31.97 $29.97

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04/23/2024 07:57 pm GMT

Mario Party Superstars

If party games are more your thing, Mario Party Superstars might just be the perfect Nintendo Switch couch co-op game for you.

Mario Party Superstars includes 100 minigames from the entire Mario Party series, letting you enjoy classic minigames from throughout the game’s history.

Play with up to three other players, as you battle to get the most coins and the most stars across multiple minigames. But players need to watch out, as each board has game-changing action spaces that can completely alter where the star is located, or make getting to it harder.

Each player in Mario Party Superstars takes a turn to roll a die that is unique to their character, in the hope of being the first to reach the star. At the end of each round, once each player has had their turn, players are pitted either head-to-head or in teams for a random minigame.

Mario Party Superstars

$59.99 $48.96

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04/23/2024 07:58 pm GMT

Mario Golf Super Rush

While Mario Golf Super Rush might not be one of the most well-known games out there, it’s certainly not one to be missed, especially for anyone who enjoys golf.

Of course, being a Mario game, don’t expect a seriously realistic game of golf. However, playing against the AI, or friends and family can be a fun and addictive experience, as you all fight to be crowned the ultimate Mario Golf Super Rush champion.

Starting the game, you only have a couple of courses you can play, but completing 18 holes on the default courses will unlock new courses for you and your co-op buddies to play.

And if you fancy brushing up on your Mario Golf skills, there’s also a single-player mode that you can play against AI, as well as a story mode. Although, I’m not sure why a game about golf needs a single-player mode.

Mario Golf: Super Rush - Nintendo Switch

$59.99 $54.75

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03/06/2024 06:42 am GMT

Nintendo Switch co-op FAQs

Are there any co-op Switch games you’d like to see on this list? Let us know in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• The best PS5 exclusives 2024
• The best video game remakes (2024)
• The best gaming accessories (2024)
• You can now play Nintendo games on your iPhone without the guilt

With the exception of Dune (chapters 1 and 2), most of Tinseltown’s recent remakes have stunk like feet after a three-day hike. Admittedly, 2024’s Road House was entertaining enough, featuring plenty of Conor McGregor Conor McGregor-ing around the place. But it didn’t need to be made. 

Just as Moana doesn’t need a live-action remake, and The Crow doesn’t need to be dug up from its grave and reanimated with one of the Skarsgards at the helm, most of these movie-making endeavors seem creatively pointless at best.  

So, why do we love a video game remake? It could be because they contain the one thing that many Hollywood remakes don’t—soul.

Often passion projects for the developers, they tend to be crafted with a level of care and attention to detail that’s sadly lacking from the somewhat cynical remakes offered by the movie industry.  

Plus, there’s a genuine thrill among gamers to see a 20+-year-old game rebuilt from the ground up, with modern-day budgets and graphics slapped onto them.

2024 is a big year for gaming remakes, with some real doozies lined up for release, and one or two that are already out in the world, like some of the best PS5 exclusives.

The Last of Us Part 2

Hot on the heels of the current-gen remake of The Last of Us, and getting ahead of the imminent release of season two of HBO’s rather excellent The Last of Us, is this remake of Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part Two. 

Courting its fair share of controversy upon its initial release owing to the treatment of one of its beloved characters, and a gameplay shift that confounded expectations, The Last of Us Part Two had a bit of a hill to climb. 

Arguably overlong, and with a frustrating climax (for many), it was still an incredibly effective slice of post-apocalyptic survival horror. Now that the dust has settled on the original, this gorgeously gory remake has all the right ingredients to wow audiences old and new alike.

The Last of Us Part Two was released on the PlayStation 5 on January 19, 2024.   

Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered

In recent years we’ve seen an evolution in the Tomb Raider franchise, with a trio of 2000s Tomb Raider games that trod a similar path to the Uncharted series. With a couple of key elements from the original games drastically reduced, and the story elements expanded, gamers have got up close and personal with a less-rounded yet now more-rounded Lara Croft. 

The Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered collection goes back to basics. The original games put the gameplay emphasis heavily on the raiding of tombs, rather than the gunplay and crumbling ledge thrills and spills of the reimagined series. And this is a faithful remaking of those fantastic originals, with (slightly) improved graphics. 

With this collection, you can experience the classic games once again, with a visual spit and shine, rather than a full-on remastering. Crystal Dynamics has included all expansions and secret levels from the originals with this remake and has chucked in a photo mode too for good measure. 

The Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered collection hit virtual shelves on February 14 and is ready and waiting to be discovered.   

Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster

A long time ago (1995) in a galaxy not so far, far away, Star Wars: Dark Forces was released to a jubilant gaming population. The Force was strong with this one, so strong that now almost 30 years later a remake clone has spawned, to tempt the will of seasoned Jedi Knights and Padawan younglings alike. 

Relive the adventures of Kyle Katarn as he joins forces with the Rebel Alliance and attempts to infiltrate the Empire. With support for 4K and 120 FPS, this remake boasts a visual upgrade with enhanced lighting and a slew of gameplay improvements.   

The Star Wars: Dark Forces remaster made the jump through hyperspace on February 28 and is available to buy now.   

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Fans of the Final Fantasy series know that it’s never the Final Fantasy because its global popularity all but guarantees the franchise will keep going and keep evolving, ad infinitum. But some fantasies are worth revisiting and embellishing with sumptuous new detail. 

That’s the thought behind the lavish remake of Final Fantasy VII, and 2024 saw the release of this, the second installment of the multi-game-of-a-game remake, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. 

Focusing on the second act of the 1997 original, Rebirth introduces an expanded open-world environment in the shape of the Forgotten Capital and retains the dazzling real-time combat overhaul first introduced in act one of the remake. 

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was released by Square Enix on February 29.  

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Back in the days before every single action-adventure game featured stealth elements, there was only one place to go if you wanted to indulge in some tactical espionage action. From its cinematic 12-hour long cut-scenes to the gut-wrenching “Snake? SNAAAAAAAAAAKKE!!!” of the Codec screen, the Metal Gear Solid series gave good stealth. 

Well, now fans of the MGS franchise can rejoice, as Metal Gear Solid 3 (which features the origin story of Big Boss) is getting the remake treatment. Rebuilt and renamed as Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, the 2004 classic is to be spruced up with “cutting-edge graphics and 3D audio” which promises to bring the jungle-based setting vividly to life. 

It’s unlikely that this remake will tinker too much with the original story of MGS3. And seeing as the core gameplay of the original was fairly (forgive us) solid, don’t expect this to be changed drastically, if at all. All signs point to this being a faithful recreation of the beloved classic, with a fancy new (Snake?) skin slapped onto it for good measure.     

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam later this year.  

Silent Hill 2

Originally launched on the PlayStation 2 way back in 2001, Silent Hill 2 pushed the boundaries of psychological horror in video games.

Set in gaming’s foggiest town (coal mine fires, tsk!), Silent Hill 2 followed the story of recently widowed Harry Mason. Harry is drawn to the eponymous town in search of his expired spouse, whom he has somehow received a mysterious letter from. The letter asks him to find her there. 

Bloober Team, the creative minds behind Layers of Fear, are remaking the survival horror classic from the ground up. With updated graphics and gameplay mechanics, and more reasons to shit yourself over the sound of radio static than we care to count, this remake is a sure-fire hit waiting to happen.    

There’s no official launch date for Silent Hill 2 as yet, but it has been heavily tipped for a 2024 release, at some point. Expected to be a PS5 exclusive on launch, it will be heading to PC the year after. 

Until Dawn 

Playing out like one of the best five-chumps-in-a-creepy-old-cabin slasher movies, Until Dawn was effectively an interactive movie where your every decision carried big implications for each of the principal characters.

Using a combo of decision-making and quick-time events, it was possible to save or sacrifice every character in each playthrough. 

Hard to believe but it’s now 10 years since Until Dawn graced our PlayStation 4s, which means it’s long overdue for the remake treatment. Being remade with Unreal Engine 5, you can expect a full graphical overhaul for current-gen, some frame-rate fixes, and (presumably) something to be done about the weird, creepy thing that used to happen with everyone’s teeth during cut scenes.        

The Until Dawn remake will be clawing its way onto PS5 and PC later this year.

Splinter Cell 

Sam Fisher might sound like the name of a regular Joe who works in Accounts, but he is actually the ultra-cool, super stealthy Black Ops agent from the Splinter Cell series. Originally released way back in 2002, Splinter Cell has been hiding in the shadows for a good few years now, maintaining radio silence.

With the Splinter Cell remake mission having been officially given the green light, Ubisoft has confirmed that it will include a “rewriting and updating of the story for a modern-day audience”. Exactly what that means is anyone’s guess and additional details are still sketchy for now, but it’s hard not to get excited about this one. 

We’ll keep our fingers crossed that the core stealth gameplay remains intact, and look forward to performing split jumps, killing the lights with our EMP pistol, and silently suppressing the enemy, when this undercover mission eventually goes live.        

Rumored to be released during the latter part of 2024 but with no concrete date, news regarding Ubisoft’s Splinter Cell remake remains as elusive as Mr Fisher himself.  

What game are you most looking forward to playing this year? Let us know your favorites below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• The best PS5 exclusives 2024
• The best gaming accessories (2024)
• Indie hit Dredge is getting its own movie adaptation
• Fallout games reach an all-time high on Steam

He published the 30-second video on X (formerly Twitter) on April 23 and has regularly provided updates on the game’s development status.

What is Sunkissed City?

For those of you who have played Stardew Valley, the concept is fairly similar. Sunkissed City presents a new life for you to settle into in Apollo City, “a sun-kissed seaside metropolis”.

You’ll need to make friends, learn new skills, and bring life back to the city by tending to gardens, fishing, and decorating your home—the usual stuff you can expect from an indie sim.

We’ve seen plenty of updates from Mr. Podunkian, including an Animal Crossing style Aquarium where you can donate the fish you’ve caught, rideable bikes, an open-air hot spring, and lots more.

When will Sunkissed City be released?

While a date is not currently set in stone, Mr. Podunkian has said “I’m aiming for a Q4 2024 release on PC and hopefully consoles soon thereafter!”.

Fingers crossed we’ll continue to see regular updates from the developer.

Have you played Stardrew Valley? Let us know how excited you are for Sunkissed City by dropping us a line below in the comments, or carrying the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• 7 Days to Die nears release after nearly 12 years of development
• You can now play Nintendo games on your iPhone without the guilt
• Indie hit Dredge is getting its own movie adaptation
• Fallout games reach an all-time high on Steam

As someone who has played 7 Days to Die since it was first released to Alpha in August 2013, I came to terms with the feeling the game might never leave its Early Access state.

Then out of nowhere, boom, developer The Fun Pimps hits us with an announcement; after nearly 12 years in development (and almost 11 in Early Access!), 7 Days to Die is finally leaving Alpha for a full release.

That means one more of the longest-running Alpha tests in gaming history ends, leaving Star Citizen alone at the top.

When does 7 Days to Die release

The full release of 7 Days to Die will occur in June instead of the previously planned Alpha 22 update. It will launch with new features, like new animals, a Challenge system, updated graphics, and multiple optimizations.

Post-launch, the first major update will see the full release come to consoles, and features discussed for the Alpha 22 build will come as the major planned updates shown in the roadmap above.

However, due to the technical differences of the released version of the game, console players will need to purchase a new version of 7 Days to Die to enjoy the full release.

If you currently own the digital release of 7 Days to Die for console, The Fun Pimps have announced that they will be offering a discount for anyone purchasing the new version of the game.

All future versions updates for 7 Days to Die Console Edition will be focused on the full release, leaving legacy players in the dust.

Is this the end of 7 Days to Die updates?

The Fun Pimps have shared a roadmap that offers updates until the end of 2025, as well as announcing that they plan to keep a large part of their team focusing on future updates.

Not only do we have a rare view of how the game is going to progress over the next year or so, but we might also see more updates come out as The Fun Pimps continue their efforts to make 7 Days to Die the final fruits of their 12-year labor.

Are you a 7 Days to Die player who has patiently waited for a full release? Maybe you gave up all hope? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Putin orders Russia to develop its own Steam Deck ecosystem
• Indie hit Dredge is getting its own movie adaptation
• Fallout games reach an all-time high on Steam
• You can now play Nintendo games on your iPhone without the guilt

Chairs, microphones, headsets, and so on. Gaming is much more than just a console and controller. It’s an entire ecosystem of consumption and creation. It’s an environment created around your gaming needs, to not only complement your sessions but enhance them as well.

And there’s no shortage of gaming accessories to choose from, all with broad use capabilities. Because no matter what, we all need something a bit more than what comes in the box, regardless of what logo is on that box.

These gaming accessories will surely level up your gameplay.

Best Headset	SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset 4.3 $349.99$294.39 Check Availability
Best Microphone	HyperX QuadCast - USB Condenser Gaming Microphone 4.8 $139.99$109.99 Check Availability
Best Monitor	Sceptre 34-Inch Curved Ultrawide WQHD Monitor 4.5 $289.97$239.97 Check Availability
Best Speakers	Redragon GS520 RGB Desktop Speakers 4.4 $35.99$32.99 Check Availability
Best Capture Card	Elgato HD60 X 4.5 $179.99$149.95 Check Availability
Best Webcam	Razer Kiyo Pro Streaming Webcam 4.4 $199.99$89.95 Check Availability
Best Chair	Secretlab Titan Gaming Chair 4.4 $659.00 Check Availability
Best Glasses	GUNNAR Optiks 4.5 N/A Check Availability
Best External Drive	WD BLACK 5TB P10 Game Portable External Hard Drive 4.7 $149.99$139.95 Check Availability
Best For Snacks	Frigidaire Gaming Light Up Mini Beverage Refrigerator 3.9 $45.21 Check Availability

Best Headset

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset

4.3

$349.99$294.39

Check Availability

Best Microphone

HyperX QuadCast - USB Condenser Gaming Microphone

4.8

$139.99$109.99

Check Availability

Best Monitor

Sceptre 34-Inch Curved Ultrawide WQHD Monitor

4.5

$289.97$239.97

Check Availability

Best Speakers

Redragon GS520 RGB Desktop Speakers

4.4

$35.99$32.99

Check Availability

Best Capture Card

Elgato HD60 X

4.5

$179.99$149.95

Check Availability

Best Webcam

Razer Kiyo Pro Streaming Webcam

4.4

$199.99$89.95

Check Availability

Best Chair

Secretlab Titan Gaming Chair

4.4

$659.00

Check Availability

Best Glasses

GUNNAR Optiks

4.5

N/A

Check Availability

Best External Drive

WD BLACK 5TB P10 Game Portable External Hard Drive

4.7

$149.99$139.95

Check Availability

Best For Snacks

Frigidaire Gaming Light Up Mini Beverage Refrigerator

3.9

$45.21

Check Availability

04/22/2024 10:20 am GMT

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Best Headset)

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro works with any gaming system and has some keen features that set it apart from the pack.

It has an AI-powered noise-canceling microphone that silences background noise using an AI algorithm to identify and block erroneous sounds. It also retracts into the earcup.

An OLED base station with dual USB ports allows quick swapping between gaming systems and spare battery charging.

But the audio delivery is where this headset really stands out. 360° Spatial Audio puts you right into the action. High-fidelity drivers and a pro-grade Parametric equalizer ensure you get the perfect sound delivery every time you put them on.

That means you can hear every tiny sound, whether footsteps in Call of Duty: Warzone, or fungal zombies in the distance in Last of Us. If you want to hear everything and hear it to near perfection, then go with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset.

Best Headset

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset

4.3

$349.99 $294.39

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset is compatible across a wide range of platforms including PC, PlayStation, and VR. Equipped with active noise cancellation and Bluetooth wireless technology, it enhances immersive gaming.

What We Like:

• 360° spatial audio
• Hot swappable batteries
• Noise cancelation
• Dual audio streams
• Noise-cancelling mic

What We Didn't Like:

• Very expensive

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04/22/2024 10:20 am GMT

HyperX QuadCast (Best Microphone)

When searching for a microphone for streaming or chat, you can’t go wrong with the HyperX QuadCast. It works with everything from Xbox to Mac (and even PS4) and is certified by Discord and TeamSpeak.

It also works with most major streaming platforms such as Streamlabs OBS, OBS Studio, and XSplit and is built with features to enhance your streaming audio.

It has a tap-to-mute sensor with LED status light, an anti-vibration shock mount to limit physical sounds from bumping the mic, and easy gain control.

You can also select your polar pattern (stereo, omnidirectional, cardioid, and bidirectional) based on your broadcast needs (single-person gaming, podcasting with a guest, and so on).

The HyperX QuadCast is a superb addition to your streaming or gaming setup.

Best Microphone

HyperX QuadCast - USB Condenser Gaming Microphone

4.8

$139.99 $109.99

The HyperX QuadCast is a versatile USB condenser gaming microphone, ideal for streamers, podcasters, and gamers. It features a built-in anti-vibration shock mount, a tap-to-mute sensor with an LED status indicator, and four selectable polar patterns.

What We Like:

• Anti-vibration shock mount
• Gain control
• LED status indicator
• Cool red lighting
• Selectable polar patterns

What We Didn't Like:

• USB only

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04/22/2024 10:22 am GMT

Sceptre 34-Inch Curved Ultrawide WQHD Monitor (Best Monitor)

With a 1ms response time, you won’t get ghosting images with the Sceptre 34-Inch Curved Ultrawide WQHD Monitor. Instead, you’ll get sharp colors no matter the action, and near-perfect illumination.

This is a Wide Quad HD resolution monitor (3440 x 1440) delivering 5 million pixels of detailed gaming imagery. If you are going to game on a monitor, don’t use that old Dell you scarfed out of the trash at work.

A gaming monitor can make all the difference in your performance in a game. After all, games are a visual medium, so it makes sense to enhance that as best as possible.

With LED back cover lights and an affordable price tag, the Sceptre 34-inch Curved Ultrawide WQHD Monitor will look great on your desktop.

Best Monitor

Sceptre 34-Inch Curved Ultrawide WQHD Monitor

4.5

$289.97 $239.97

The Sceptre 34-Inch Curved Ultrawide WQHD Monitor, with its 3440 x 1440 resolution, provides sharp and vibrant visuals. With an up to 165Hz refresh rate, 99% sRGB, and 1ms response time, this monitor offers a smooth, color-accurate viewing experience, ideal for both casual use and high-performance gaming.

What We Like:

• 165Hz refresh rate
• 2x DisplayPort
• Curved display
• Wide Quad HD resolution
• LED backcover

What We Didn't Like:

• Poor out-of-the-box color calibration

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04/22/2024 11:10 am GMT

Redragon GS520 RGB (Best Speakers)

There are three ways to experience sound when gaming, one of them being through compact speakers like the Redragon GS520 RGB desktop speakers. The other ways are through some sort of headphones, or through a massive stereo system that pisses off the neighbors.

While those methods have their appeal, for most scenarios all you need are some quality speakers.

And these are quality speakers at a very low cost. They have touch-controlled RGB lighting (cause everyone loves RGB) and enhanced sound drivers with a stereo core. That equates to stereo sound in a small package, none of that mono crap.

Volume buttons replace the classic knob, and there are three available colors (black, white, and pink) to match your setup.

The Redragon GS520 RGB desktop speakers aren’t too complex, but they certainly deliver the sound you need to play.

Best Speakers

Redragon GS520 RGB Desktop Speakers

4.4

$35.99 $32.99

The Redragon GS520 RGB Desktop Speakers offer an enhanced listening experience with a 2.0 channel stereo core. These speakers have remarkable bass and sound performance, featuring six colorful LED modes for visual appeal. Along with easy-access volume control, these speakers offer a versatile and enriching auditory experience.

What We Like:

• Three colors
• All with RGB lighting
• Volume buttons instead of knobs
• Plug and Play
• Touch controlled lighting
• 2.0 channel stereo core

What We Didn't Like:

• Doesn't double-up well for music

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04/22/2024 11:15 am GMT

Elgato HD60 X (Best Capture Card)

Playing alone is great and all, but when you want to stream and share your game captures, then you’ll need the Elgato HD60 X.

This capture card works with any app, including OBS, Streamlabs, Vmix, Zoom, YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and even Microsoft Teams. Yes, that’s right, Teams.

Anyway, with 4K passthrough, this capture card will enable all your viewers to jump into the action right along with you.

Gaming isn’t an individual sport these days, there’s entire livings being made off streaming. And if you are streaming your gameplay, a capture card is what makes it possible, especially for console gaming.

In the world of capture cards, the Elgato HD60 X sits at the top with its 4K abilities and high-speed streaming.

Best Capture Card

Elgato HD60 X

4.5

$179.99 $149.95

The Elgato HD60 X is a high-quality game capture device designed for professional use. It offers the capability to capture PlayStation and Xbox gameplay with ultra-low latency, supporting Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and up to 4K60 HDR10 passthrough.

What We Like:

• Plug and play
• Works with most streaming aps
• Low latency
• Zero watermarks
• Premium 4K passthrough

What We Didn't Like:

• High resolution or high frame rate (not both)

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04/22/2024 11:19 am GMT

Razer Kiyo Pro (Best Webcam)

The Razer Kiyo Pro is a great little webcam. It works with all the major streaming platforms and is Streamlabs certified.

It delivers uncompressed full HD 1080p fidelity at 60FPS. The wide-angle lens has an adjustable FOV, with customizable field-of-view options of 103°, 90°, and 80°.

When streaming, sometimes your audience wants to see your face and reactions. While not everyone’s preference when it comes to streaming, having a solid webcam to accurately reflect your perfectly quaffed environment helps.

The Razer Kiyo Pro comes from a reliable gaming brand, with specs that will only serve to enhance your streams.

Best Webcam

Razer Kiyo Pro Streaming Webcam

4.4

$199.99 $89.95

If you want a webcam for streaming, then get a webcam for streaming.

What We Like:

• What we like:
• Full HD 1080p
• 60FPS
• Works in low light
• HDR-enabled
• Wide angle lens

What We Didn't Like:

• Autofocus issues
• Razer software is buggy
• Noise-canceling is not great

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04/22/2024 11:21 am GMT

Secretlab Titan Evo (Best Chair)

You need to sit while gaming and the Secretlab Titan Evo is a great place to sit. This is the product of an evolution of gaming chairs, from that weird rocking chair that sat on the floor, to dragging in a dining room table chair.

With 4-way lumbar support, 4D armrests, and a magnetic head pillow, this chair fully supports your ergonomic needs.

Plus it comes in a bunch of colors and designs, from basic grey to Minecraft-themed. There are vinyl and cloth versions, as well as different sizes based on your build.

While not as cheap as a gaming chair from the back of an office supply store, the Secretlab Titan Evo will look a lot better and last a lot longer.

Best Chair

Secretlab Titan Gaming Chair

4.4

$659.00

The Secretlab Titan Evo is a sophisticated gaming chair offering superior personalized support and performance. It features cutting-edge engineering technologies, advanced designs, and ergonomic benefits, including reclining capability and armrests.

What We Like:

• Comes in small, regular, and x-large
• 4D armrests
• Magnetic head pillow
• 4-way lumbar support
• Multiple colorways

What We Didn't Like:

• Very expensive

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04/22/2024 07:12 pm GMT

Gunnar Optiks (Best Glasses)

Gunnar Optiks designed its glasses to protect the eyes of gamers and monitor users. Keeping out the blue light from digital screens helps with so many things.

It reduces fatigue headaches, helps improve sleep, reduces eye strain, prevents dry eyes, and improves performance. Protecting our eyes means longer gaming sessions without visual exhaustion.

While there are plenty of blue blocker glasses out there, Gunnar makes it a point to partner with major gaming publishers and titles, bringing us a massive selection of styles. We can choose from wraparounds, classic readers, and so much more.

If you are rubbing your eyes reading this on a bright monitor, then check out Gunnar Optiks.

Best Glasses

GUNNAR Optiks

4.5

Gunnar Optiks, specializing in treated eyewear, offers a solution to enhance digital life and protect vision. The glasses effectively block harmful blue light, reducing eye strain and fatigue during screen time, providing comfort and protection for eyes in the digital age.

What We Like:

• Dozens of styles
• Better than blue blockers
• Blocks harmful light
• Minimizes glare
• Reduces gaming fatigue

What We Didn't Like:

• Styles are quite niche

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WD_BLACK Game Drive (Best External Drive)

Especially true for consoles, storage space is limited and an external drive like the WD_BLACK game drive can help. It’s a great place to store game files, or music and movies. It’s really your call on that.

Like most external drives, this one works with Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. And it has a sleek metal top for extra physical protection.

But what sets this external drive apart from other drives is that Western Digital purpose-built this drive for gaming. That means higher transfer speeds up to 130 MB/s and compatibility with next-gen consoles.

While the number of games you can store on the WD_BLACK Game Drive varies based on game size, you’ll never lose sight of your data with an external drive.

Best External Drive

WD BLACK 5TB P10 Game Portable External Hard Drive

4.7

$149.99 $139.95

The WD BLACK 5TB P10 Game Drive is a portable external hard drive specifically designed for gamers. With a capacity of up to 5TB, it offers ample storage for game libraries. The drive is built for durability and features fast data transfer rates, enhancing gaming performance on the go.

What We Like:

• Capacity from 2TB to 5TB
• Super portable
• Strong casing
• Works with all modern consoles and PC
• Purpose built for gamers

What We Didn't Like:

• No USB-C cable included

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04/22/2024 07:17 pm GMT

Frigidaire Gaming Light Up Mini-Fridge (Best for Snacks)

Finally, let’s store our gaming snacks in the Frigidaire Gaming Light Up Mini-Fridge. Adorned with LED lighting, it makes the perfect accessory for under or even on your gaming desk.

It can store a modest amount of Mountain Dew cans (about six) or your favorite cheese sticks or some Gogurt. Whatever your snack of choice, you can store it here.

This is especially handy when streaming, as we don’t want to wander off-camera to grab a pop from the fridge. While it’s not a large mini-fridge, it’s all you’ll need for those lasting gaming sessions.

Plus the see-through door and lighting system make the Frigidaire Gaming Light Up Mini-Fridge an attractive addition to your gaming setup.

Best for Snacks

Frigidaire Gaming Light Up Mini Beverage Refrigerator

3.9

$45.21

The Frigidaire Gaming Light Up Mini Beverage Refrigerator is designed to elevate your gaming experience. It allows you to keep 6 beverages close at hand with its convenient size. This mini fridge boasts cool LED lighting inside, adding an aesthetically appealing touch to your gaming setup.

What We Like:

• RGB lighting
• 4L storage capacity
• 110V standard AC power
• Heavy duty latch
• Easy to clean

What We Didn't Like:

• Quality isn't the best

Check Availability

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04/22/2024 07:20 pm GMT

How to pick the best gaming accessories

This is just a sampling of the gaming accessories out there in the wild. From flight simulator joysticks to keyboards, and platform-specific devices, there’s plenty of accessorizing to do.

If you are just getting into the gaming world, this can seem pretty daunting, but every accessory serves a valid purpose.

Sure, there are some erroneous accessories like branded seats and headset covers, but most of it makes sense.

No matter what gaming accessory you choose, be sure to choose the ones that makes you a better gamer. It’s really down to choosing how to pick the best gaming accessories to enhance your experience.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

Apple relaxed the App Store policies earlier this month to allow emulators, super apps, and mini-apps into the digital storefront. It also changed how streaming apps process subscriptions, allowing them to link to external websites for the first time.

Delta isn’t technically the first emulator to hit the App Store, as another app, iGBA, briefly appeared on the storefront over the weekend.

The thing is, iGBA was a clone of another emulator created by the Delta developer, who was annoyed that Apple approved that app before Delta. Apple has since removed iGBA, presumably under the App Store rule that forbids copycat apps.

You can now download Delta Game Emulator on the App Store

Delta Game Emulator on the App Store

Free

The Delta Game Emulator is an all-in-one emulator for many Nintendo consoles, including the GameBoy series, NES, SNES, N64, and DS.

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While Delta is available on the App Store for most parts of the world, iOS users in the EU must go to another source. That’s because the developer also created an alternative App Store, AltStore.

This is from another Apple decision earlier this year, which enables third-party app stores for European users if they are on iOS 17.4 or later. Alternative app stores can even be set as the default, which is a huge change to how Apple usually works.

Game streaming apps like Xbox Cloud Gaming or Nvidia GeForce Now can also come to the App Store, as they can stream the game content from their servers now instead of having to individually get them approved by Apple.

The walled garden that Apple has operated in for so long is slowly opening. To get to this point it took intense pressure from regulators around the world.

To stay open, app developers have to be careful. Otherwise, Apple will use issues as evidence to back up its claims of security through being closed.

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Originally, the 128GB model cost $249. Now, it’s down to $249.And the 256GB? Reduced from $399 to a slightly lighter $349 hit to your wallet.

Seems like Meta is hell-bent on making sure everyone and their grandma gets strapped into the virtual world on the cheap.

Meta Quest 2

$199 $249.99

Meta Quest 2 offers a balanced VR experience with 128GB or 256GB storage options, featuring adjustable settings for user comfort at a competitive price point.

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So, why the sudden price drop?

Industry insiders suggest this could be a preemptive strike by Meta against other heavyweights like Sony and Apple, who are rumored to enter the VR fray soon.

It seems Meta is gearing up to lock in consumers with an affordable yet high-quality VR solution before the market becomes even more crowded.

The price cuts could also be a response to the lukewarm reception of Meta’s pricey Quest Pro. With sales on the sluggish side, there’s speculation that these cuts might be a tactic to boost overall user adoption by making the entry-level model more appealing.

Meta Quest Pro

$999.99 $847.00

With its recent price drop, The reduced cost makes advanced VR technology more accessible to a wider audience.

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04/19/2024 11:20 am GMT

Despite the speculation, this move places Meta at a competitive advantage, at least in terms of pricing. As Engadget reports, the Quest 2 remains a popular choice among VR enthusiasts, and with these cuts, it’s poised to attract a broader audience.

So, if you’re ready to take the plunge into virtual insanity, why wait? Unless, of course, you’re game for hanging around to see if Apple throws a knockout punch.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

For any of you scurvy dogs who have yet to bask in the open waters of Dredge‘s wonderous world, this 2023 fishing sim sees you trawling the seas around Greater Marrow, in hopes of landing the catch of the day.

What is Dredge?

Setting sail from port in your modest sailboat, Dredge‘s gameplay sees you following a rolling day/night cycle of fishing, selling your stock at the market, crafting upgrades for your vessel, and pursuing ever more exotic species for more money.

This is in itself a great way to spend some time. But, as with all good fishing puns, there’s a catch.

You see, the waters around Greater Marrow’s archipelago are far more treacherous than they first appear, as skulking in the deep depths are monstrous creatures who come out when the sun goes down. And when these behemoths take to the surface, it’s not a good idea to be out on the open seas.

Dredge is a unique game unlike any other. Part chilled-out fishing sim, part Lovecraftian nightmare, it brings the perils of the open sea to life. Making deft use of creepy hallucinatory effects, it has you second-guessing yourself constantly. The intertwining of the mundane and the supernatural makes Dredge a very special type of horror game.

And now, it seems that Hollywood has snagged Dredge on its line, reeled it in, and plans to serve it up on a platter, as a horror movie in its own right.

Dredging the silver screen

Dredge developer Black Salt Games is reportedly working with Story Kitchen, the production company behind the Sonic the Hedgehog movies to bring the eldritch horror of Dredge to life. Tipped to carry a “Sixth Sense on the Water” type vibe, Dredge the movie sounds very promising.

With Black Salt Games committed to working closely with the movie’s production company, we can expect Dredge‘s tense, eerie atmosphere to be preserved. Representatives from Black Salt Games have confirmed the developers are “excited to collaborate with such an experienced studio to bring the world we have created to life and activate the imaginations of audiences worldwide.”

Given that sales of Dredge far exceeded expectations during 2023, with over 1,000,000 copies being sold, this big-screen adaptation seems to have a ready-made audience to lap it up as soon as it lands. And if Story Kitchen manages to nail the atmosphere of the game, Dredge‘s big screen conversion could share the same level of success.

When can we expect Dredge… the movie?

No details have been released yet as to who’s been cast in the movie, or when this particular ship might reach the shore. So for now, we can only speculate who might land the role of Dredge‘s grizzled old sea dog of a protagonist.

But the fact that this indie hit has scored big by hauling in its own movie adaptation is reason enough to celebrate.

And there’s even more good news for gamers who have yet to plunder Dredge‘s treasures, as the base game is currently available with a whopper of a discount. Hoist your mainsail and head across to Steam to hook your copy and enjoy a 30% discount.

Plus, for completionists, you can pick up both Dredge and its DLC, The Pale Reach, in a discounted bundle pack with 33% off the RRP.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Unicorn Overlord is a tactical RPG masterpiece
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Vanillaware’s wildly successful tactical role-playing game may not boast the best or most descriptive name or the draw of the PlayStation 5’s best exclusives, but it is one of the best games this year, regardless.

So, what is Unicorn Overlord? As a Tactical Role-Playing Game (or TRPG), It mixes old mechanics with new-age graphics. TRPGs generally have you control units on a larger map.

These units engage in combat with each other, ultimately eliminating one from the field. In Unicorn Overlord, when two units fight, the battle will automatically play out based on your unit’s tactics, abilities, and equipment.

Great game, silly name

On paper, Unicorn Overlord sounds basic. However, the meat and potatoes of the game aren’t solely about smashing units together and winning battles; it’s also about the tactics used.

Each unit has strengths and weaknesses that differ from those of other unit types. Units also have unique abilities to damage enemy units, strengthen friendly units, and reposition. 

In a standard mission, you usually work to liberate towns, achieve goals that will lead to the recruitment of other main characters, and manage units on the battlefield.

It sounds like a slow chess game, but a 90-second battle can be 10 minutes of tactical manipulation when push comes to shove.

Unicorn Overlord’s story is probably the most cliche part of the package. You play as Alain, the exiled son of the fallen queen of Cornea.

You are raised to be a savvy leader and begin a liberation army to free the nations of Fevrith and overthrow the evil that orphaned you and many others.

There are a few interesting twists as the story continues, but not much had me on the edge of my seat.

Gotta ca-recruit them all!

What is much more exciting is that there are over 65 different and unique recruitable characters. These are outside of the generic ones that are hired at camps.

These characters each have a backstory and will contribute to the story as it plays out. Many can be recruited after battles if they meet specific requirements.

These characters can also really turn a 180 on you. Early on, a maniacal evil sorcerer comes off as needlessly cruel. If you decide to spare him post-battle, he joins your rebellion, and you learn that his mother denied him love and recognition.

Many characters grow like this as the game progresses.

There is a battle in Unicorn Overlord where two armies are about to face off. You are tasked with siding with one to crush the other.

If you take your time in the world to do a few extra quests and liberation missions, you are presented with a third option. This allows you to provoke both armies on a central battlefield and ultimately recruit both leaders without any loss of life.

A true standout game of 2024

This is really where Unicorn Overlord starts to shine. The game has much to do; different scenarios can play out based on the units you build.

Your choices have consequences; some will play out quickly, while others may change how the story ends. On top of this, the world itself is filled with plenty of things to do that will fill your time.

These extra activities include mining for materials and treasure maps, completing liberation battles, completing extra gear quests, and building rapport with your characters.

Until I finished the game 100%, there was always something extra to do in addition to managing all of my units and their gear.

Unicorn Overlord takes everything great from games like Tactics Ogre and Fire Emblem and gives it a beautiful coat of paint that only Vanillaware can deliver.

Add in full voice acting and a blissful orchestrated soundtrack, and Unicorn Overlord is one of the can’t-miss games of 2024!

Unicorn Overlord

$60.00

The deep layers of Unicorn Overlord's tactics combine into one of the best games we've played this year.

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04/18/2024 05:31 pm GMT

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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Reigniting many player’s passion for the game series, SteamDB via Twitter said “Fallout has more than doubled its concurrent players on Steam with the release of the Fallout TV series.”

Over the past few days, Fallout 4 saw more than 83,000 concurrent players, compared to a mere 24,000 the week before.

Fallout 76 Free Play event

If you want to give Fallout 76 a spin, now is the best time to do it. Between 11-18 April, Fallout 76 is free to play on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation.

And, if you enjoy the game (which you will), then you can purchase it at a massively reduced price of $7.99 – instead of the usual $39.99, until 19 April.

With over 39,000 concurrent players over the weekend, it would appear the popular TV series is having a massive impact on the Fallout game series.

Fallout’s mobile game gets an update, too

With the Fallout TV show already rumored to have started filming season two, Bethesda made haste on releasing an update with 8 new quests to Fallout Shelter.

The mobile game also features new locations and 6 unlockable vault dwellers. Yes, you guessed it, this includes Lucy and The Ghoul.

Between 9 April and 7 May, players can also claim a Vault 33 jumpsuit.

Again, if you don’t know what I’m referring to here – go and watch it – NOW!

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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