The Nintendo 64 Disk Drive (64DD) is one of the company’s most interesting releases. A long-delayed, quickly discontinued, infamous flop, the 64’s bulky expansion was supposed to provide the console with an additional ‘middle-ground’ between cartridge and CD. Instead, it ended up being a black mark on an otherwise pretty spotless record (hey, we said “pretty“) with only 10 games and a handful of sales to its name.
In short, it’s a pretty rare bit of kit. Even more so is the 64DD Development Kit — the console Nintendo sent to studios before release so design teams could play to its unique features.
Since Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has launched we’ve been pouring over the thrilling Campaign, enjoying our epic Multiplayer matches, and trying to see just how long we can hold out with Round-Based Zombies. It’s time to wreak havoc with the launch of Season 01 which brings with it new maps, a variety of new modes, the integration of Call of Duty: Warzone with BO6, and the debut of the new Resurgence map Area 99! Read on for the full details on what you can expect with Season 01.
New Multiplayer Maps
Prepare for a vast new season of content with six Multiplayer maps including a festive variant of a fan-favorite later in the season. Three of these new maps will land at the start of Season 01 today: Hideout; a medium-sized training site. Extraction, another medium-sized map taking place near the remnants of a heliport; and Heirloom, a compact-sized map taking place in a fine art museum. You can then look forward to the return of Hacienda (a Multiplayer map from Black Ops 4) to arrive during Season 01, Racket, a brand new small-sized underground bank vault, and a variation of Nuketown that is promising to be pretty festive.
New Multiplayer Modes
Two new modes will drop with Season 01. The first is Ransack, where you’ll be looting gold bars from crates on 6v6 maps. Once you’ve acquired your gold bars, you then bring it back to your team’s stash. Naturally, this batch of gold bars needs to be guarded, as enemy teams can raid the stash. So, expect a flurry of activity and planning between gathering and defending to achieve victory.
The second is Prop Hunt, where you’ll play as a Prop (e.g. a piece of the scenery) or as a Hunter. If you’re the Prop, you’ll be given a limited amount of time at the start of the match to find a hiding spot for you to blend in with the landscape. You can drop decoys to try and throw off your scent or change shapes into different scenery. Just don’t let the Hunters spot you or the jig it up.
You can also look forward to some time-limited modes in the middle of the season and beyond. And expect Ranked Play to land in the coming days featuring plenty of rewards, innovations, and updates.
New Warzone Map and More
Welcome to Area 99! Step into the scorching Nevada desert and uncover a once-classified Weapons Station where Nuketowns were constructed and dispatched for testing. After being dormant for decades, it reopens today for all Operators with the launch of Season 01 Then, head to Urzikstan at launch and soon after launch drop into Rebirth Island, both seamlessly integrated with Black Ops 6 innovations, including Omnimovement.
Enjoy classic modes like Resurgence, Battle Royale, and Plunder to kick off with the start of Season 01, followed later by Battle Royale Ranked and a variety of LTM modes later in the season.
As mentioned above, Warzone is now integrated with the Black Ops 6 Loadout System. This means you can look forward to features like Dedicated Melee, three Perks, and a Wildcard. You can also transfer your Global Weapon Builds, utilize an enhanced Gunsmith, and choose from over 170 weapons from Modern Warfare II, Modern Warfare III, or Black Ops 6 that you’ve collected! There will also be the “Pick-3” Perk System which allows for three active Perks at the start of the match, with up to six more to find in-game.
Everything Else You Need to Know
New Weapons – Seven new weapons will be available across Season 01, including four Primaries (the Krig C AR, Saug SMG, Maelstrom Shotgun, and AMR Mod 4 Sniper Rifle), a Special Secondary (the foldable Sirin 9mm), as well as two Melees (Power Drill and Cleaver). Plus, unlock four weapon attachments, and face more Challenges to unlock firepower in the new Armory.
Battle Pass and BlackCell – Whether you’re unlocking the free tiers and base weapons or obtaining the Battle Pass Bundle (available in-game) or going all out with BlackCell (available for purchase here in the Microsoft Store), the Season 01 Battle Pass System grants you the opportunity to earn 100+ rewards, including free base weapons, numerous Weapon Blueprints, Equipment Skins, Operator Skins, and much more. This can be done by:
Earning 20+ free rewards, including cosmetic content and base weapons
Purchase the Premium Battle Pass (in-game) and earn up to 1,100 COD Points as you progress through the Battle Pass Pages.
Purchase BlackCell for the ultimate seasonal experience, including new Operator “Goliath”, a variety of molten hot Operator Skins, Weapon Blueprints, COD points, and other rewards.
New Operators – And who doesn’t love having some new Operators to play as? For Season 01 you’ll have Goliath as a BlackCell Operator, along with Sevati “Sev” Dumas, a clandestine assassin from Rogue Team available in the Battle Pass. Plus, The Replacer is back, and “Competitor” Operators arrive in time for the 2025 Call of Duty: League season. Also be on the lookout for some new Mastercraft Bundles to drop in the in-game Store.
For even more information about Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone, as well as a deep dive on all the things included in Season 01, be sure to check out the official Call of Duty Blog for all the latest and greatest intel drops.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is available now for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, Battle.net and with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Call of Duty: Warzoneis free to play on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, Battle.net
Game Pass Ultimate members can also enjoy playing Call of Duty titles in more places than ever before via Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) featuring Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, and Call of Duty: Warzone all playable via the cloud.
– Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6
— Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game
– BlackCell (1 Season)*
— Includes: Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more
– Hunters vs. Hunted Operator Pack
— 4 Operator Skins: Adler, Park, Brutus and Klaus
– Mastercraft Collection
— 5 Mastercraft Weapons
– Woods Operator Pack
— Includes 3 Operator Skins
– GobbleGum Pack for Zombies
— 12 GobbleGums of high rarities
– Reflect 115 Camo Pack for use in Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III and Call of Duty®: Warzone**
— Unlock the Reflect 115 Weapon Camo. Plus, get access to 9 acquisitions for Modern Warfare® Zombies
Forced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6.
Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller set in the early 90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States as a single superpower. With a mind-bending narrative, and unbound by the rules of engagement, this is signature Black Ops.
The Black Ops 6 Campaign provides dynamic moment-to-moment gameplay that includes a variety of play spaces with blockbuster set pieces and action-packed moments, high-stakes heists, and cloak-and-dagger spy activity.
In a best-in-class Multiplayer experience, players will test their skills across 16 new maps at launch, including 12 core 6v6 maps and 4 Strike maps that can be played 2v2 or 6v6.
Black Ops 6 also marks the epic return of Round-Based Zombies, the fan-favorite mode where players will take down hordes of the undead in two brand-new maps at launch. Post-launch, players can look forward to even more exciting maps and groundbreaking experiences dropping into both Multiplayer and Zombies.
*Battle Pass, BlackCell and Tier Skips will be accessible in Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 once the Season 1 Battle Pass is made available in game. Battle Pass / BlackCell redemption applies to one Season of Black Ops 6 Battle Pass only.
**Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III or Call of Duty®: Warzone on Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S required to redeem. Sold / downloaded separately. Must be redeemed by October 25th, 2025.
Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players.
Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
– Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6
— Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game
Forced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6.
Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller set in the early 90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States as a single superpower. With a mind-bending narrative, and unbound by the rules of engagement, this is signature Black Ops.
The Black Ops 6 Campaign provides dynamic moment-to-moment gameplay that includes a variety of play spaces with blockbuster set pieces and action-packed moments, high-stakes heists, and cloak-and-dagger spy activity.
In a best-in-class Multiplayer experience, players will test their skills across 16 new maps at launch, including 12 core 6v6 maps and 4 Strike maps that can be played 2v2 or 6v6.
Black Ops 6 also marks the epic return of Round-Based Zombies, the fan-favorite mode where players will take down hordes of the undead in two brand-new maps at launch. Post-launch, players can look forward to even more exciting maps and groundbreaking experiences dropping into both Multiplayer and Zombies.
Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players.
Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
This Pack contains BlackCell (1 Season) for Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6*, including Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more.
*Battle Pass and BlackCell will be accessible in Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 once the Season 1 Battle Pass is made available in game. Battle Pass / BlackCell redemption applies to one Season of Black Ops 6 Battle Pass only.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
Welcome to Call of Duty®: Warzone, the massive free-to-play combat arena which features Urzikstan, Rebirth Island and thrilling modes and updated gameplay features.
Turn the Heat Up
Prepare to take the battle to a massive metropolis in the Urzikstan map, the big Battle Royale map. Or Jump into the fan favorite small Resurgence map, Rebirth Island. No matter where you land, these locales are sure to excite veterans and newcomers alike.
Loot For Rewards
Discover supply boxes and complete contracts to build your arsenal and gain a tactical advantage.
A Game Pass Core subscription is not required to play Call of Duty®: Warzone. All other online modes still require Game Pass Core.
A mobile phone number may be required to be linked to your Activision account to play Call of Duty®: Warzone.
For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com.
Hello PS VR2 friends, since the release of our roguelike VR shooter, The Light Brigade, on PS VR2 in February 2023, we’ve been overwhelmed by the support and passion of our community. Your enthusiasm has fueled our team to continually improve and expand the game through a series of major content updates, and today we unveil the Phantom of Time.
This Phantom of Time update is available now as a major content release at no additional cost for The Light Brigade on PS VR2, and it’s packed with new gameplay, a haunting new procedural world, and even a new playable class. Let’s dig in.
New Playable Class – The Saboteur
New playable revolver-wielding class with special timepiece – The Saboteur
Stealth, strategy, and clever escapes await you with our newest unlockable class: the Saboteur. This revolver-wielding gunslinger comes equipped with a Timepiece, a powerful tool for those who like to lurk in the shadows. Cloak yourself from enemies, deploy a deadringer decoy to outsmart your foes, and easily reposition on the battlefield. The Saboteur brings a brand-new tactical layer to The Light Brigade, making each encounter more unpredictable and thrilling.
Explore the Memorial Grounds
Memorial Grounds, the newly playable procedural battlegrounds
With the Phantom of Time update, we’re also introducing a brand-new procedurally generated world: the Memorial Grounds. Once a sacred crypt, this war-torn graveyard was a final resting place for honored soldiers—but now, the relentless tides of battle have defiled it. The Memorial Grounds are riddled with secrets and danger, offering a haunting backdrop to explore. Will you uncover the stories buried within, or fall to the chaos that has consumed this sacred ground?
The Road Ahead
The Light Brigade development roadmap
We’ve come this far thanks to the love and dedication of our incredible PS VR2 community, and we’re not slowing down. We’re committed to delivering even more exciting content, from new weapons and classes to fresh worlds and social mechanics. Stay tuned because the journey in The Light Brigade is far from over. Thank you all for your continued support, and we’ll see you on the battlefield in the Phantom of Time update, now available worldwide for all PS VR2 players.
Lenovo didn’t wait around until Black Friday to drop the price of the Ghost Cipher Limited Edition Xbox Series X|S wireless controller to the lowest we’ve seen. Right now you can get it for just $54.99 after a 21% off discount. Although Xbox controllers in standard colors are likely to be discounted further for Black Friday (we expect they’ll be $39.99 each), it’s less probable that the Ghost Cipher edition will follow the trend, since it was only just released on October 21. This is an official Microsoft controller that’s compatible with Xbox Series X and S consoles as well as your PC.
21% Off Xbox Controller Ghost Cipher Edition
The Ghost Cipher Edition is an absolutely gorgeous controller, with a translucent clear top case, rubberized ash gray grips, metallic bronze triggers and D-pad, and a solid white back. The interior components are colored silver to match the overall theme. Aesthetics aside, this Xbox wireless controller is identical to the one that’s bundled with the Xbox Series X and S console. Standard features include textured grips, hybrid D-pad, button mapping with the Xbox app, a 3.5mm audio jack that works with any wired headset, and a Share button to upload screenshots and video.
The controller supports both Xbox wireless and Bluetooth connectivity. That means you can use it for your PC or mobile device. In fact, we think this is the the best PC controller you can get. If your PC doesn’t have Bluetooth, you can still use it in wired mode with a USB Type-C cable or go out and buy a Bluetooth or Xbox wireless adapter.
Get the Sky Cipher Controller as Part of a Bundle Discount
A similar looking edition is the Sky Cipher controller, which features the same trasparent casing but in blue instead of clear. It’s available on Amazon as part of an Xbox Cloud Gaming Bundle, which includes the controller, an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, all for only $79.99. Better yet, this bundle will allow you to play Game Pass games without having to own an Xbox console.
Xbox Gift Cards Are on Sale at Amazon
Amazon Prime members can get 10% off Xbox gift cards and PlayStation Store gift cards. We only see this deal come around a few times a year and it’s usually only for smaller denominations. This time around you can get up to a $100 Xbox gift card or $250 PlayStation gift card and still get the discount.
3 Months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $36.49
Woot! (which is owned by Amazon) is offering the best deal on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. For today only, you can get a 3 month code for only $29.19 after code “TWENTY“. Earlier this year, Microsoft raised the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to $19.99 per month, so now you’re saving 40% off a 3 month membership. Note that you can purchase multiple codes and apply them to your account, up to a maximum of 36 months. If you’re an Xbox gamer, this is a great way to save a lot of money in the long run since you won’t have to buy new release games individually to play them.
When Is Black Friday 2024?
The actual date of Black Friday in 2024 falls on November 29 this year, but the deals season will begin a lot sooner than that. Leading up to the big event, retailers will begin to open deals online. This usually starts in the last week of October, just before Halloween. Each week leading up to the event will slowly roll out more deals, which ultimately leads to massive discounts on Black Friday. Retailers will not reveal their biggest Black Friday deals until the big day, but most general deals will be available well in advance.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn’t hunting for deals for other people at work, he’s hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
With the original Double Dragon, Yoshihisa Kishimoto realised a dramatic, violent expedition to save a kidnapped girl from a miscreant petrol gang. Although the genre had already been established by Irem’s Kung-Fu Master several years earlier, the scores of enemies, weapons, multi-plane scenery, two-player functionality, and broad range of attacks made it the biggest arcade smash of 1987. Although its direct sequels were lacklustre, 1995’s Double Dragon for the Neo Geo (a fighting game spin-off often known as Double Dragon ’95 to differentiate) was notable. Designed to tie in with the questionable US-produced Double Dragon movie, it remains a very good game. Difficult, perhaps, with thankless AI, but the mechanics and balancing saw it played competitively far and wide. Sadly, the series didn’t revisit the fighting game format until 2002, when Rage of the Dragons surfaced as a late Neo Geo contender.
Originally meant to be a sequel to the aforementioned 1995 release, licensing issues had Rage of the Dragons end up outside of canon despite featuring two brothers named Billy and Jimmy… Lewis. Its roots, however, are obvious, and it’s still recognised by many as being part of the overall Double Dragon universe.
Avowed Arrives February 18 – Pre-order the Premium Edition to Start Your Adventure Early
Shyla SchofieldSenior Communications Manager, Obsidian Entertainment
Summary
Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming fantasy RPG, launches on February 18, 2025, with pre-orders beginning today for Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app on Windows, Battle.net, and Steam, or play it on day one with Game Pass.
The Premium Edition offers up to five days early access, two premium skin packs, and access to the Avowed Digital Artbook & Soundtrack.
Customize your experience with various accessibility options, including a third-person view, remappable controls, and adjustable text sizes.
We’re just a few months away from the launch of Obsidian Entertainment’s first-person fantasy RPG, Avowed, and everyone at the studio couldn’t be more thrilled to invite players to experience the mystery and allure of the Living Lands.
Arriving on February 18, 2025, Avowed brings you to a previously unseen region from the unforgettable world of Eora, first introduced in the award-winning Pillars of Eternity. In your role as envoy, alongside your companions, you’ll uncover hidden truths and navigate delicate situations, where every choice shapes the fate of the land and the people living here.
Eager to start your adventure early? Great news—pre-order the Avowed Premium Edition on Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app on Windows, Battle.net, or Steam, and you’ll get up to five days early access starting on February 13. To explore and try new ways to meet players where they are, Avowed will also be made available for pre-order and purchase on Battle.net, Blizzard’s PC platform.
In addition, players with a Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass membership will be able to play Avowed on Battle.net by linking their Xbox and Battle.net accounts. Whether you’re playing on Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app on Windows, Battle.net, Steam, cloud, or on day one with Xbox Game Pass, get ready to dive into a world where you play your way.
Choose Your Edition
Avowed offers two digital editions and one physical edition:
Avowed Digital Standard Edition – $69.99 (or play it on day one with Xbox Game Pass)
Base Game
Avowed Digital Premium Edition – $89.99
Base Game
Up to five days Early Access
Two Premium Skin Packs
Access to Digital Artbook & Soundtrack
Avowed Premium Edition SteelBook – $94.99
Base Game Digital Code
Up to five days Early Access
Two Premium Skin Packs
Access to Digital Artbook & Soundtrack
Avowed SteelBook
Map of the Living Lands
If you purchase the Standard Edition or are playing with Xbox Game Pass and then later decide you want the Premium Edition, you can upgrade at any time for $24.99. You’ll receive all the digital extra content, including up to five days early access and digital bonuses.
Behind-the-Scenes with the Digital Artbook & Soundtrack
One of the highlights of the Premium Edition is the Avowed Digital Artbook & Soundtrack, where you’ll be able to dive deeper into the world of Avowed with behind-the-scenes artwork from the team and music by composer Venus Theory. These extras are perfect for fans of the Pillars of Eternity franchise and newcomers looking to fully immerse themselves in the lore and soundscapes of the Living Lands.
Exclusive Skins for You and Your Companions
The Premium Edition includes two cosmetic skin packs: the Eora Collection Set and the Obsidian Collection Set. Each pack includes five skins—one for each of the game’s four companions and one for your player character.
Eora Collection Set: Inspired by beloved characters and regions from Pillars of Eternity, a perfect throwback to the original games.
Obsidian Collection Set: Sleek, black outfits that bring a stylish look to your companions, inspired by our very own studio.
Accessibility Features for All Players
Avowed offers a variety of accessibility features to make the game enjoyable for all players. In addition, a third-person mode option is available through the accessibility menu, which helps those who may need it to enjoy the game from a different perspective, enhancing both comfort and gameplay. Some key accessibility options include:
UI & Camera: Customize field of view, disable camera shake, toggle head bobbing, adjust camera sway.
Text & Subtitles: Adjust UI text size, subtitle text size, and subtitle background opacity for optimal readability.
Controls: Fully remappable controls with adjustable sensitivity for all analog inputs, enhancing gameplay comfort.
Languages: While all voice acting will be in English, at launch Avowed will be localized in 12 languages, including French, Italian, German, Spanish (Spain and Mexico), Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Korean, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese.
Minimum PC Specs
To play Avowed on PC, make sure your setup meets the following minimum requirements:
Pre-orders for Avowed are open from today on Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app on Windows, Battle.net, and Steam. Embark on a thrilling adventure filled with memorable companions, dangerous enemies and situations, and choices that shape the world around you. By pre-ordering the Premium Edition, you’ll be among the first to explore the Living Lands with up to five days early access, starting on February 13.
The countdown to February is on—are you ready to uncover the secrets of Eora? We can’t wait to see where your journey takes you!
Avowed launches February 18, 2025, on Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app on Windows, Battle.net, Steam, and cloud, or play it on day one with Xbox Game Pass.
Welcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger.
Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy action RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment.
You are the envoy of Aedyr, a distant land, sent to investigate rumors of a spreading plague throughout the Living Lands – an island full of mysteries and secrets, danger and adventure, and choices and consequences, and untamed wilderness. You discover a personal connection to the Living Lands and an ancient secret that threatens to destroy everything. Can you save this unknown frontier and your soul from the forces threatening to tear them asunder?
The Weird and Wonderful Living Lands
The Living Lands is a place that feels foreign yet somewhat intrinsic to you as it feels the island itself is calling out to you for help. Explore an island home to many different environments and landscapes, each with their own unique ecosystem.
Visceral Combat to Play Your Way
Mix and match swords, spells, guns, and shields to fight your way. Dig into your grimoire for spells to trap, freeze or burn enemies, bash them with your shield, or use range bows to attack from a distance.
Companions as part of your journey
Companions from a spread of species will fight alongside you, with their own unique set of abilities. From a former mercenary to an eccentric wizard, they will be part of your journey with your choices shaping them as you help them with their quests.
Sorry We’re Closed is a retro survival horror-inspired game about escaping the clutches of an excessively horny demon who desperately wants your heart. As someone who isn’t often into the ‘lore’ behind things and prefers to just shoot and ask questions later, I found myself actually asking the questions. I wanted to know why I was targeted by such carnal eroticism. I wanted to know more about my character’s own relationships. How angels fit into the picture. And why lots of the demons seem quite chill, really.
But when it came to the actual survival – the bit I thought I’d enjoy the most – I came away a bit disappointed. Exploration is fine, it’s just the combat is often too frequent and too frequently irritating. I came to dread the action more than the atmosphere, in the end.
PlayStation 5 exclusive Astro Bot saw its supposedly final drop of downloadable content released today in the last announced weekly speedrunning level, but fans are scratching their heads over a number of unreleased bots present in the credits.
Reddit user pkowswald noted that, even with the additional two bots released in today’s DLC, there are still several game franchises such as Assassin’s Creed and Rayman credited in Astro Bot despite not having individual bots of their own.
While it’s entirely possible this is from deals fallen through or content cut, what makes the prospect of more DLC down the line more believable is that the credits were actually updated to include an extra character upon the final speedrunning level’s release. None of the unused franchises were cut either.
Astro Bot still includes licensing credits for Rayman, Worms, Assassin’s Creed, Beyond Good & Evil, Croc, and Tomba, the last of which was added today. Nothing official has been said about if these games will be featured eventually, or if more DLC is planned. The PS5 exclusive seems to have performed well both commercially and critically though, so Sony may want to push more DLC down the line.
One of our favorite Xbox Game Pass Ultimate deals has returned at Woot, providing another opportunity for users to stack their membership at a discounted rate. You can get three months of the service for just $29.19, today only with code TWENTY.
The promotion includes significant savings, such as $10 off a $100 Xbox gift card. These discounts are particularly valuable for those planning to purchase digital games, downloadable content, or subscriptions during the holiday sales period.
Early Black Friday Deal: Save on an Xbox Series X Console
Black Friday may not be until November 29, but some retailers have been dropping some excellent deals ahead of time. Walmart has kicked off its first wave of Black Friday sales and there are plenty of offers on games to explore. If you’ve had your eye on picking up an Xbox console, the 1TB Carbon Black Series X is currently on sale at the retailer for $50 off, dropping its price to $448.
Best Xbox Game Deals
This time of year is great for finding games on sale. At the moment, you can score some incredible deals on a wide variety of physical games. This includes Space Marine 2 for Xbox Series X, which has dropped to its lowest price yet at Amazon according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. You can also score some great deals on Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, which is down to $24.99, and Madden NFL 25, which has dropped to $34.97.
More Xbox Video Game Deals:
Best Xbox Accessory Deals
Does your family complain when you stay up playing loud shooters late into the night? They’ll stop complaining if you pick up anXbox headset that lets no one but you hear the delightful explosions you cause on the screen.
Right now, you can get 17% off the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX wireless headset and 37% off the Razer Kaira Pro wireless headset at Amazon. To see even more gaming headsets on sale, visit our roundup of the best gaming headset deals.
What is Xbox’s Recent Controversy?
The recent discomfored surrounding Xbox can be isolated to a recent round of brutal layoffs. Microsoft is closing a number of Bethesda studios, including Redfall maker Arkane Austin, Hi-Fi Rush and The Evil Within developer Tango Gameworks, and more in devastating cuts at Bethesda. Alpha Dog Games, maker of mobile game Mighty Doom, will also close. Roundhouse Studios will be absorbed by The Elder Scrolls Online developer ZeniMax Online Studios. Microsoft, currently valued at over $3 trillion, did not say how many staff will lose their jobs, but significant layoffs are inevitable.
Is Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Coming to Xbox Game Pass?
Microsoft has confirmed the arrival of Call of Duty Black Ops 6 day-one on Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft made the announcement alongside the release of a live-action reveal trailer called ‘The Truth Lies’. In it we see world leaders including Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, George H. W. Bush, Colin Powell, and Saddam Hussein, delivering cryptic speeches. Black Ops 6 will be set during the events of the Gulf War during the early ’90s.
When Should I Buy an Xbox?
In general, it is advisable to keep an eye out for sales and restocks throughout the year, as availability has improved since the initial launch of the console. Unlike the Nintendo Switch, there is no specific recommendation to wait for a sale regardless of the time of year. Instead, it’s a good idea to monitor various retailers and online platforms for restock announcements and promotional offers.
However, certain events like Black Friday or other holiday seasons may bring about unique bundles, discounts, or promotional deals specifically for the Xbox Series X. These bundles may include additional games, accessories, or exclusive limited editions. While quantities for such promotions might be limited, they can provide an opportunity to get more value for your purchase. See our guide to Xbox Series X prices for more info.
Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S?
Choosing between the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S ultimately depends on your gaming preferences, budget, and specific requirements. Let’s compare the two consoles to help you make an informed decision:
1. Performance: The Xbox Series X is the more powerful option, offering native 4K gaming, higher graphical fidelity, and faster loading times. It has more advanced hardware, including a larger storage capacity. On the other hand, the Xbox Series S targets a lower price point and offers a less powerful performance, targeting 1440p resolution gaming and upscaling to 4K.
2. Price: The Xbox Series S is more affordable compared to the Xbox Series X. If budget is a significant factor for you, the Xbox Series S provides a cost-effective option while still delivering a next-generation gaming experience. For example, the Series S can play Starfield at 1440p 30fps (vs 4K 30fps on Series X).
3. Storage: The Xbox Series X comes with a larger internal storage capacity, allowing you to store more games directly on the console. The Xbox Series S, however, has a smaller storage capacity, which means you may need to manage your game library more actively or rely on external storage solutions.
4. Disc Drive: The Xbox Series X includes a disc drive, enabling you to play physical game discs and enjoy a wider range of media options, including Blu-ray and DVD playback. The Xbox Series S, in contrast, is a digital-only console, meaning you can only play games downloaded from the digital store.
5. Graphics and Performance: While both consoles support ray tracing, the Xbox Series X provides a more immersive and visually impressive experience due to its superior hardware capabilities. If you prioritize cutting-edge graphics and want the best performance available, the Xbox Series X is the preferable choice.
Consider your gaming preferences, budget, and whether you prioritize top-of-the-line performance or cost-effectiveness. If you have a 4K TV, want the most powerful console, and are willing to invest more, the Xbox Series X is the recommended option. If you have a lower budget, a 1080p or 1440p TV, and don’t mind sacrificing some performance, the Xbox Series S offers excellent value for money.
With how expensive gaming is getting in 2024, we’re trying to save you as much money as possible on the games and other tech you actually want to buy. We’ve got great deal roundups available for all major platforms such as Switch and Xbox, and keep these updated daily with brand new offers. If you’re trying to keep costs down while maintaining your favorite hobby, stay tuned for more incredible discounts.
Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.
Famitsu has shared the latest look at the Japanese charts and Super Mario Party Jamboree has finally been kicked off the top spot by… more Mario.
Yes, Nintendo’s latest, Mario & Luigi: Brothership, hasn’t been troubled by its somewhat mixed reception as the new RPG sold a sweet 63,441 copies and sailed to pole position in its debut week. Jamboree is still on the podium, naturally, this time taking the silver while Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven continues to sell well and claims third place.
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