Category: Video Games

This Latest Switch ‘Rival’ From Razer Launches At The End Of The Month

Surprisingly affordable, starting at $400.

Since the Switch launched back in 2017, we’ve seen an influx of powerful, dedicated handheld systems that many have deemed to be ‘rivals’ to Nintendo’s hybrid platform. We prefer to view them simply as alternative devices to potentially suit a wide range of gaming preferences, with products like the Steam Deck and the Aya Neo Next providing relatively approachable (albeit often quite expensive) solutions if you’re after something to go alongside your Switch.

The latest premium handheld device to hit the market comes via hardware company Razer, which recently announced a release date of January 26th, 2023 for its portable Android and streaming console, dubbed the Razer Edge. Reservations can currently be made on the official Razer website for a fee of $5, with the prices starting at $399.99.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

PokéDoko Teases Special “World Premiere” Video To Celebrate 1,000+ Pokémon

Airing on the Japanese variety show later this week.

The Pokémon series has come a long way and as of the ninth generation (Pokémon Scarlet and Violet), there are now more than 1,000 Pokémon.

As part of this milestone, the Japanese variety show PokéDoko apparently has a special “world premiere” video scheduled to air during its upcoming episode later this week on 15th January. According to a translation via Serebii.net, it promises to make trainers enjoy the games “100 times more”:

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Random: Indie Dev Giving Away Free Game Codes Until Nintendo Closes The Wii U & 3DS eShops

Both eShops will close this March.

It’s now officially 2023 and that means we’re getting closer to the closure of the Wii U and 3DS eShops. The last part of the closure will take place on 27th March 2023 and after this you’ll no longer be able to purchase in-game content, download demos, add funds or redeem download codes.

In response to this, indie developer and publisher Markanime Studios is now giving away codes “every day” for two of their Wii U games until it’s no longer possible to redeem codes on the eShop. The two games up for grabs include El Silla and Pad of Time.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Review: Breakers Collection – Visco’s Neo Geo Fighters Return In Fine Form

Give me something to break.

Visco Corporation, responsible for shoot ’em up Andros Dunos (1992), was a Neo Geo stalwart, releasing 15 titles across SNK’s arcade and console hardware. One of its only forays into the fighting game arena was Breakers and its semi-sequel, Breakers Revenge. In 1996, the fighting game market was flooded. And, while it postdates Super Street Fighter II Turbo by two years, we always adored Breakers and felt it deserved wider recognition. Sadly, it never caught fire in arcades, struggling to be noticed, and never received an official home port outside of the Neo Geo CD.

The absolute best way to bring a 26-year-old fighting game back is by opening it up to the global stage, and on this front Breakers Collection gets it impeccably right. Featuring both Crossplay and an online versus mode buoyed by all-important rollback netcode, the game’s arrival on Switch has been a long time coming.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Meta is Ending Support for the Original Quest VR Headset

Meta is officially ending support for its original Quest virtual reality headset.

In an email sent to owners of the original Meta Quest, the company announced that it will not be shipping new features to the standalone VR headset. However, the company plans to continue adding software and security patches until 2024.

Meta says that Quest 1 owners will still be able to use their headsets and compatible apps. However, these users will no longer be able to create or join a party. Additionally, original Quest owners will lose access to social features available on Meta Horizon Home beginning March 5. This includes inviting others to your Meta Horizon Home or visiting someone else’s.

The announcement is no surprise, as support for the original Meta Quest appeared to have been winding down in recent months. The clearest example was last July when Meta subsidiary BigBox VR announced that it was ending Quest 1 support for its critically-acclaimed VR battle royale shooter Population One. Although the developer offered Quest 1 owners a refund for Population: One, the caveat was that you had to have purchased the game within the past six months of that announcement.

With Quest 2 support winding down, Meta is still all-in on its VR arm, despite reports of massive losses as the company focuses on the Metaverse. With the release of the Quest Pro last year, along with confirmation that the Meta Quest 3 will launch this year, it will be interesting to see how long it takes before support for the Quest 2 begins to wind down.

Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

Forspoken’s cinematic trailer shows a world the demo suggests it might not live up to

Forspoken, Square Enix’s upcoming action RPG with magic-infused parkour. A demo did indeed come out in December, but only on PS5 – and to very mixed reviews. It’s a shame, because the world on show in its latest cinematic trailer looks appetisingly stylish.

The game comes out on January 24th, so we’ll know for sure soon enough.

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Aussie Deals: One Piece Odyssey is Up for Preorder and Casts off Soon

If you’re the type who’s always up to buckle some swash, there’s a fair chance you’ll like the cut of One Piece Odyssey’s jib. It’ll soon be ready to board for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X and S, and PC when it releases on January 13th. Played in a turn-based JRPG fashion, this all new adventure has you slipping into the straw sandals of Monkey D. Luffy and The Straw Hat Pirates as they (ship)wreck the hostile inhabitants of Waford island.

Speaking personally, I quite enjoyed the extensive hands-on preview I had in the opening hours of Odyssey. What impressed me most was an authentic plot penned by Eiichiro Oda, textbook One Piece oddness and a battle system that’s approachable, cleverly layered and viscerally animated. Excuse the pirate pun here, but I may be hooked already.

If that sounds like the kind of experience you’d pi(rate) as well, One Piece Odyssey is available to preorder now from a variety of different retailers. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of who’s doing what where, and for how much…

One Piece Odyssey – Physical Copies

PS5

PS4

Xbox Series X

One Piece Odyssey – Digital Versions

Note: The digital-only deluxe edition of One Piece Odyssey includes the game, plus the following DLC extras:

  • Adventure Expansion Pack
  • Sniper King Outfit Set
  • Travelling Outfit Set

Adam Mathew is a deals expert and he loves him some One Piece.

Sons Of The Forest will have a three-limbed mutant companion and enemy monsters with personalities

Sons Of The Forest may have been delayed, but they’re still very much coming to get you. We’re creeping ever closer to the hit survival sequel’s February 23rd release date, but IGN have lead the foray with a hands-on preview that reveals a little more about what to expect. Expect mutants with improved AI and individual tastes, better building, and companions you can boss around.

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