The best Switch Lite deal is back. Walmart is offering the Nintendo Switch Lite (Timmy’s and Tommy’s Aloha Edition) console for only $159. This is an outstanding deal because this particular bundle also includes a digital copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. A standard Nintendo Switch Lite console with no game still costs $199.
Nintendo Switch Lite with Animal Crossing for $159
The Switch Lite retails for $100 less than the original Switch and $150 less than the Switch OLED. It is compatible with most Nintendo Switch games and it runs off the same hardware, so performance is identical. The three main tradeoffs of the Switch Lite is that (1) the controllers are not detachable, (2) the console can’t be docked and played on a TV and (3) the display is smaller (5.5″ vs 6.2″ on Switch and 7″ on Switch OLED).
If you were intending to use the Switch solely as a handheld console, you might be better off just getting the Switch Lite. Even though the controls aren’t detachable, the Switch Lite does support wireless Bluetooth, so you can always purchase another pair of Joy-Cons, a Switch Pro controller, or a compatible third party wireless Switch controller, and you can still play untethered.
If you enjoy cozy games like Stardew Valley, Harvest Moon, or Minecraft, you’ll probably love Animal Crossing. It’s obvious that Nintendo put in a lot of love into this first party title and it’s certainly one of the best – and most relaxing – games for the Nintendo Switch. This is an excellent pick for gamers of all ages, even children. Check out our glowing IGN review for more details.
Other Nintendo Switch related sales and news that might interest you:
The Game Kitchen has been cookin’ good. With Blasphemous and Blasphemous 2, the Spanish developer quickly gained a stellar reputation thanks to some of the best Metroidvanias to emerge in recent years. Their prickly difficulty, moody gothic vibes, and disconcerting take on Andalucian Catholic folklore didn’t stop us from adoring both of The Penitent One’s challenging misadventures in Cvstodia.
With recently announced RTS stealth title The Stone of Madness, we’re set for a surprising change of pace if our recent Gamescom preview is anything to go by. Blasphemous’ high-stakes 2D combat is replaced by methodical exploration of a hand-painted monastery asylum that affords as much experimentation as its watchful guards will allow over the days, or even weeks, leading up to your freedom.
Concord fans — we’ve been listening closely to your feedback since the launch of Concord on PlayStation 5 and PC and want to thank everyone who has joined the journey aboard the Northstar. Your support and the passionate community that has grown around the game has meant the world to us.
However, while many qualities of the experience resonated with players, we also recognize that other aspects of the game and our initial launch didn’t land the way we’d intended. Therefore, at this time, we have decided to take the game offline beginning September 6, 2024, and explore options, including those that will better reach our players.
While we determine the best path ahead, Concord sales will cease immediately and we will begin to offer a full refund for all gamers who have purchased the game for PS5 or PC. If you purchased the game for PlayStation 5 from the PlayStation Store or PlayStation Direct, a refund will be issued back to your original payment method.
Customers who purchased from other digital storefronts will also be refunded. More information about refunds from Steam and Epic can be found below:
SteamStore – Steam Store will refund players who bought the game over the coming days. Steam will send confirmation of the refund once it has been processed.
Epic Games Store – Epic Games Store will refund players who bought the game over the coming days and will contact each customer directly to confirm that the refund has been processed.
Other retailer refunds – For customers who have purchased a physical copy at a retailer location outside of PlayStation directly, please refer to the refund process of the retailer you purchased it from to obtain your refund.
Once refunded, players will no longer have access to the game.
We’ll keep you updated and thank you again to all the Freegunners who have joined us in the Concord galaxy.
* Refunds for PlayStation Store and PlayStation Direct purchases may take 30-60 days to appear on your bank statement. If your original payment source was unavailable, the purchase amount will be refunded to your PSN wallet.
PlayStation hero shooter Concord will be taken offline on September 6, 2024 and all players will receive a full refund, Sony announced today.
Announced on the PlayStation Blog, director Ryan Ellis said “while many qualities of the experience resonated with players, we also recognize that other aspects of the game and our initial launch didn’t land the way we’d intended.”
Concord will therefore be taken offline so Sony and developer Firewalk Studios can “explore options, including those that will better reach our players.”
The game will be removed from sale immediately and anyone who purchased on the PlayStation Store or PlayStation Direct will be refunded to their original payment methods. Those who purchased on Steam and the Epic Games Store will be refunded in the coming days.
Physical refunds are a tad trickier but players can check with individual retailers to obtain a refund. Sony will presumably organise a system with them itself that allows all refunds to be processed fully. “Once refunded, players will no longer have access to the game,” Sony made clear.
Concord arrived August 23, 2024, meaning it has been removed from sale just 11 days after launch and taken offline for all players a mere two weeks after. Even those who bought Concord will no longer be able to play after September 6.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is coming to Xbox after all despite controversially being announced for PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC with no Microsoft console in sight.
Xbox fans will have to wait longer, however, as while other platforms are getting the collection — which brings seven fan favorite fighting games together on modern consoles — on September 12, 2024, the Xbox version has the vague release window of 2025.
“We’re excited to announce that after technical discussions with our partners at Microsoft, we can confirm that Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics will release on Xbox One,” the post said. “The Xbox One version will be out in 2025, so please stay tuned for more information.”
Another neat fighting game package, the Capcom Fighting Collection 2, was also announced in August 2024 for all platforms besides Xbox, but there’s no word on a change here just yet.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
Keeping your eyes on the road isn’t easy when the horizon hosts crackling azure nebula; when the voluminous nightglow from the planet below makes even the gargantuan industrial indicators look like so many tiny, twinkling cat eyes. I, a terrestrial chump, cannot help be taken in by it all. But I get the sense all this spacey wonder is just so much unremarkable grease pooling at the rim of a diner plate for my Star Trucker. He’s seen a couple things, that’s for sure. Taken the long way round the spiral arm to slip past security checkpoints and offload cases of booze for off-the-record cash. Seen reduced-to-clear Ginster’s wrappers glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. Hummed that Freebird solo a thousand times while waiting for the traffic to thin out near the shoulder of Orion.
Here’s your wholesome story of the day, folks. According to Masahiro Sakurai’s latest YouTube video, the creator used to invite fellow developers’ children to the office to play test upcoming games.
Describing children as “the purest of the pure”, Sakurai states that allowing them to play a game that’s still in development would yield honest feedback that can help drive the team forward. Rather than asking the children directly on what they thought of the game, Sakurai would merely observe their bahaviour from a distance, making note of anything they happened to struggle with, along with moments that provided joy.
Coming to Game Pass: Age of Mythology: Retold, Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, and More
Megan Spurr, Senior Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass
We’re kicking off September with truck driving, extreme outdoor sports, locomotive simulation and a sprinkle of mythical gods; if you can tell what these all have in common other than Game Pass, let me know! Now let’s get to the games.
Available Today
Star Trucker (Cloud, Console, and PC) – September 3 Available on day one with Game Pass! Hop into the driver’s seat of your rocket-powered big rig as you haul cargo, scavenge for salvage, and interact with an eclectic cast of star-hopping truckers in this Americana-infused journey on the ultimate open road… space!
Coming Soon
Age of Mythology: Retold (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – September 4 Available on day one with Game Pass! From the creators of the award-winning Age of Empires franchise, Age of Mythology: Retold goes beyond history to a mythical age where gods, monsters, and humans collide. Combining the best elements of the beloved Age of Mythology with modern real-time strategy design and visuals, Retold is an epic and innovative experience for old and new players alike. Secure your domain, command legendary monsters, and call upon the power of the gods to crush your enemies.
Expeditions: A MudRunner Game (Cloud, Console, and PC) – September 5 Embark on scientific expeditions with this new off-road adventure from the creators of MudRunner and SnowRunner. Lead research missions,drive a variety of all-terrain vehicles, use high-tech tools, and manage your camp and crew to ensure your success in the wild.
Riders Republic (Cloud, Console, and PC) – September 11 Jump into the Riders Republic massive multiplayer playground! From snowy mountains to arid canyons, roam free in a huge open world comprised of iconic U.S. national parks. Grab your bike, skis, snowboard, or wingsuit and explore a sports paradise where the rules are yours to make.
Train Sim World 5 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – September 17 Available on day one with Game Pass! The rails are yours in Train Sim World 5! Take on new challenges and new roles as you master the tracks and trains of iconic cities across three new routes. Immerse yourself in the ultimate rail hobby and embark on your next journey.
DLC / Game Updates
Dead by Daylight: Castlevania – Available now Game Pass members save 10%! Dead by Daylight: Castlevania brings a new Killer – Dracula, ‘The Dark Lord’ and a new Survivor – Trevor Belmont, into The Fog. Purchasing this add-on unlocks an exclusive Charm: Vampire Killer.
Ark: Survival Ascended Aberration – September 5 Aberration is a hauntingly beautiful, derelict ARK with a complex underground biome system. All Ark: Survival Ascended owners and Game Pass members get this massive expansion pack for free, which allows you to explore, tame, and conquer alongside the newest community-voted creature, the Yi Ling.
Ark: Survival Ascended – Bob’s Tall Tales: Steampunk Ascent – September 5 The Aberration adventure sets the stage for the second chapter of Bob’s Tall Tales – Steampunk Ascent, also available now. Free to all Bob’s Tall Tales owners, Steampunk Ascent introduces Cosmo, a web-slinging shoulder pet and a gear-shifting steampunk-themed adventure. New purchasers receive the new content, the previously launched Frontier, and the Wasteland War the future Extinction based content, plus Game Pass members save 10%.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks
New Perks are regularly available weekly for Game Pass Ultimate members. Find new Perks in the Game Pass section of your Xbox console, Xbox Game Pass mobile app, or on the Xbox app for PC.
Predecessor: Ready for Action Bundle – Available now Leave other players behind on the battlefield with unlocks for 10 heroes, as well as a banner, icon, spray, and the Green Shadow Ops Twin Blast skin exclusively for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members for a limited time! Predecessor base game included with this perk.
Metaball: Police Pack – Available now Eight flashy and stylish legendary outfits to bring into this 3v3 free-to-play sports game! Customize your character freely with the eight outfits from the Police Pack. This Perk content requires Metaball to use.
EA Sports NHL 24: Starter Pack – Available now Give your Ultimate Team a boost with the Starter Pack, featuring an NHL 24: Prime Pack containing 10 items and 5 Gold Players, and 500 NHL Points.
MultiVersus: MVP Pack 2 – Available now The MultiVersus MVP Pack offers in-game content to further customize and boost your play for Game Pass Ultimate members. The MVP Pack 2 includes a Legendary Leave me Alone Ringout and an Epic Respects Sticker Emote.
Leaving September 15
The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon. Be sure to jump back in before they go or use your 20% membership discount on your purchase to keep them in your library.
Ashes of Singularity: Escalation (PC)
FIFA 23 (Cloud, Console, and PC) EA Play
Payday 3 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Slime Rancher 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
SpiderHeck (Cloud, Console, and PC)
You Suck At Parking (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Next best thing to do while waiting to conquer the gods is to follow us @XboxGamePass, @XboxGamePassPC, and @Xbox for a heads up when these games are ready to install and get ahead on the next games coming soon. Cheers!
Xbox boss Phil Spencer has admitted he’s perhaps not the best judge of what games will be successful, saying he passed over the chance to publish both Destiny and Guitar Hero in the past.
Eurogamer spotted an interview with Spencer at video game convention PAX West in which he said he initially got the wrong impression of Destiny despite Microsoft having such close connections to its developer Bungle, creator of the flagship Xbox franchise Halo.
“I have to be honest, when Destiny 1 came out, and I might have played some of the preview builds that we were doing on Xbox, it didn’t really click with me,” Spencer said. “I’m not a big PvP player. You can see my player history; it’s not a lot of what I do. And I was a little worried I was going to get thrown into a PvP world, and it turns out that’s not what it was at all.”
“The thing about Destiny that I start with is just my history with Bungie, and their evolution of working on games,” Spencer continued. “I do love that it’s a local team. I have a lot of friends over there still and yes they’re owned by the other guy now but it’s a game that I’ll always love and a team that I’ll always have a ton of affinity for.”
When asked if it wasn’t at all frustrating that he passed on Bungie, Spencer said it wasn’t even the only time something of this scale had happened.
“I’ve got so many of those,” he said. “I’ve passed on some of the… I’ve made some of the worst game choice decisions.
“An interesting one: When this team came down to Redmond, [former Harmonix CEO] Alex Rigopulos who’s great, love Alex, and he pitches a game where they’re actually going to make plastic guitars and they’re going to plug into consoles and then they’re going to sell tracks,” Spencer continued, explaining how he passed on Guitar Hero.
I’ve made some of the worst game choice decisions.
“I’m like: ‘Really? Do we really think that’s going to work?’ A few people played Guitar Hero. I hear that turned into a pretty good game.
“I’m not a regrets type person, maybe that’s a fault of mine, but I passed on so many games that I could look back and…” he shook his fist. “But no I try to look forward and be positive about the things that we are doing. And so with Destiny I just like to celebrate what the team has done.”
Both Destiny games and the collection of Guitar Hero titles all came to multiple platforms, so Xbox was at least able to revel in their success somewhat, but in a complete turnaround, Spencer is now allowing what could be Xbox exclusives to come to rival platforms.
