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Snazzy Labs Puts the Mac’s Upcoming Game Porting Toolkit 4 Through Its Paces

1 July 2026 at 20:37

Over at Snazzy Labs, Quinn Nelson has a great in-depth look at the changes coming to Apple’s Game Porting Toolkit with macOS 27 this fall. Paired with Metal 4, it’s a real leap over what’s possible today, and Nelson showcases the difference well.

Thanks to the upcoming update, Nelson was able to use CrossOver, a Windows-to-Mac compatibility layer that allows PC games to be played on a Mac, to spotlight some impressive numbers on games ranging from Red Dead Redemption to the recently released 007 First Light.

Not all games Nelson tried showed the same leap in performance, but that’s true on compatibility layers like Proton on the Steam Deck, too. What’s remarkable is that it’s all done in software and as Nelson points out, the advent of coding agents like Codex and Claude may help bring more PC games to Mac using the Game Porting Toolkit by reducing the porting costs.

Nelson also makes a pitch for an Apple gaming device. I agree with him that more than ever, the pieces, right down to a hardware-focused incoming CEO, are all there for such a device, and I remain optimistic. However, I’ve made the case for such a device for years now to no avail. Still, whether or not Apple builds gaming hardware itself, watch the full video above. It’s a fantastic view of how far the Mac has come as a potential gaming platform since the advent of Apple silicon.

PlayStation has postponed the release of its FlexStrike Wireless Fight Stick 'due to unexpected production delays,' says it 'will launch at a later date'

16 July 2026 at 13:30
  • PlayStation has delayed the launch of the FlexStrike Wireless Fight Stick
  • The company says production delays have caused the hardware to be postponed
  • The PlayStation 5 peripheral will no longer launch on August 6, but "at a later date"

PlayStation has issued an update on the release of its FlexStrike Wireless Fight Stick, announcing that the hardware has been postponed.

The FlexStrike was originally slated to release on August 6, but now, in an updated PlayStation Blog post, the company has confirmed that "due to unexpected production delays," it "will launch at a later date."

"We’re working to ensure we deliver the best possible experience to our players with FlexStrike, so we’re taking extra time to put the finishing touches on the product," PlayStation said.

"We apologize for this delay and look forward to bringing the FlexStrike experience to the community when it launches."

Pre-orders for the fight stick opened on June 12, but the company confirmed that players can check their order status through PlayStation Direct and will receive communications regarding their order.

"Players who pre-ordered through another retailer should look for updates directly from that retailer or contact them with any questions," it added.

The FlexStrike is a PS5 peripheral and costs $199.99 / Β£179.99.

TechRadar's senior reviews writer Harry Padoan got the chance to test out the fight stick earlier this year, writing that it "hits the right notes" performance-wise when tested against Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, and is "approachable and straightforward to use," and "offers ultra-low latency in both wired and wireless capacities."

Elsewhere, Sony has announced plans to end physical game disc production. While remaining silent against the backlash, the company recently posted an advertisement for the FlexStrike, which received massive pushback.

The Blood of Dawnwalker director isn't worried about the impact of what a delayed next-gen could mean for Rebel Wolves, says 'If we work on the consoles we have right now, it's easier'

16 July 2026 at 12:26
  • The Blood of Dawnwalker director, Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, says a delayed next-generation would be beneficial for Rebel Wolves
  • Tomaszkiewicz says it's "easier" to work with the current generation and PC
  • He says two more builds would multiply "the amount of work you need to do"

The Blood of Dawnwalker director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz isn't worried about the impact of what a delayed next-gen could mean for Rebel Wolves because working on the current-gen consoles is "easier."

It's unclear when the next-generation hardware will launch. Rumors suggest that the PS6 could launch as late as 2028, which would make it eight years between the start of the current generation, with Project Helix, the next Xbox console, also eyeing a 2028 release.

With console prices increasing due to manufacturing costs, not to mention the RAM shortages caused by a rise in AI data centers, there's a chance the next-gen consoles will be highly expensive.

While Sony and Microsoft have yet to reveal how much their new hardware will cost, a delay in the next generation could be on the table as the companies wait for things to settle down and for consoles to become affordable again.

This would also mean studios won't have access to next-gen tech for quite some time to develop their games, which would force them to stick with current-gen.

However, for The Blood of the Dawnwalker studio, Rebel Wolves, this would actually be beneficial to the development team.

The Blood of the Dawnwalker is the first installment in Rebel Wolves' dark-fantasy role-playing game (RPG) series, launching later this year, and has already teased a sequel set in a modern timeline.

When asked by Eurogamer whether the next console generation being delayed would be an issue for the studio and the future of the game series, the director said, "It doesn't at all."

"To be honest, it's even better for us," Tomaszkiewicz explained, "Because when you have the game, and you know the systems and the features adjusted to these particular consoles, you know what you need to do. Always, a new platform is a new challenge: you need to learn it, you need to know what are your borders, what you can do, what you cannot do. And also, it's an additional build you need to create that you need to take care of later."

The director continued, saying that since The Blood of the Dawnwalker has four builds - PS5, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, and two PC builds, it's already a ton of work for testers, so another console generation to work with would be another challenge.

"Let's say we have four builds, and later on you want to deliver a patch for the players. You need to be sure that these changes work on the Xbox, on the PlayStation, PC one, and PC two," Tomaskiewicz said.

"When you have next-gen, you're adding an additional two builds, and it multiplies the amount of work you need to do. It sounds easy but you need to know that there is a group of testers who need to test every platform separately - not only this particular change but whether the whole game has no blockers, if you can finish it from the beginning to the end, and so on and so on.

"It's a huge effort, to be honest, and if we work on the consoles we have right now, it's easier, because we know how many builds we have and it's easier to manage."

The Blood of Dawnwalker launches on September 3.

I'm rediscovering Assassin's Creed Black Flag in Resynced β€” here's what I love, and what I'd change

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is here, and it looks like this remake has been a massive success. Ubisoft says that it’s already sold more than two million copies, with players all around the world discovering (or rediscovering) its wonderful 1700s Caribbean setting and all the twists and turns of its engaging pirate story.

Our own Resynced review saw the game awarded four stars out of a possible five, praising its many modernized mechanics and just how faithfully it adapts the 2013 original. Although the main review was handled by our resident Assassin’s Creed expert, Managing Editor Rob Dwiar, I’ve spent the last few days pouring hours into the game and am having an excellent time so far.

I’m almost halfway through now, and there’s already so much to like about it, as you’ll see with some of the highlights below, but also one little thing that’s been bothering me.

The visual upgrades are a huge success

A screenshot from Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced showing Edward Kenway looking out to shore from the Jackdaw

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

You don’t need to have put Resynced side by side with the original Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag to appreciate just how much of an improvement the new visuals are. It’s no hyperbole to say that this is the best-looking emtry to date, edging out the already stunning Assassin's Creed Shadows thanks to its smaller but more detailed world.

The opening sequence has you parkouring your way through a lush tropical rainforest, showing off incredibly dense plants and little details like dangling vines that really help sell the setting. The gorgeous ray-traced lighting dances through the canopy superbly, light scattering down onto the little pools of water that are dotted throughout the jungle and reflecting off them realistically.

If you examine the layouts in detail, there have been loads of changes, but key elements from the original level layouts have been preserved smartly, like the fallen tree trunks that protagonist Edward Kenway darts across, so everything feels just right.

A screenshot from Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced showing Edward Kenway on a rooftop.

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

It’s the same story when you reach the city of Havana, which feels larger and more bustling than ever before. The streets are packed full of non-player characters (NPCs) wandering around, chatting to one another, moving crates, or standing around market stalls to give the impression of a lived-in world.

As for the open sea, I don’t think another game has nailed the waves quite this well. The water physics are phenomenal, with countless waves that stretch off into the horizon. The sea here looks far brighter than the original game ever did, but rather than taking away from the atmosphere, I appreciate how inviting it makes it all look. This is a world that’s just begging to be explored.

The visual overhaul extends to the game’s cutscenes. The wooden 2013 character models are no more, replaced with far higher fidelity versions that look much more convincing. Faces are no longer stiff and awkward-looking, either, thanks to enhanced motion capture, making it much easier to get stuck in and immerse yourself in the story.

Refined combat means swashbuckling feels better than ever

Edward Kenway firing a pistol in the Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced trailer.

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Going into Resynced, having seen a handful of trailers, I was quite worried that the combat would feel like that of Assassin's Creed Mirage: awkward, clunky, and a throwback to the systems of the older games in all the worst possible ways. Thankfully, when I actually got my hands on the game, it was immediately clear that my concerns were misplaced.

The combat system here is like the simplicity of the original game’s mechanics merged with all the style and flair of the fights in Shadows. Enemies have decently sized health bars or shields now, which you can whittle down with sword strikes before hitting a perfect parry to trigger a stylish finisher. This isn’t your only option either, as abilities like the rope dart or kick let you quickly stagger tricky enemies without breaking your flow.

There’s a fantastic rhythm to all of it, and I’ve found that charging in with my swords drawn has quickly become my favorite way to tackle encounters. It certainly helps that the most frustrating instant-fail parts of missions have been entirely reworked as well, giving you more freedom than ever to experiment with Edward’s arsenal.

There's finally no modern-day nonsense

A screenshot from Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced showing Edward Kenway in combat with dual swords

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Rob lamented the loss of some of the modern-day content, but I’m in the exact opposite camp. I think taking it out was the right decision, as the diversions into the modern setting are some of my least favorite parts of older Assassin’s Creed games.

I’ve always found the series’ whole meta narrative incredibly tedious β€” filling what would otherwise be grand adventures with a barrage of pointless conversations between characters that I’m convinced nobody ever cared about. Can anyone earnestly say that Desmond Miles is the best Assassin’s Creed character? No, and he just takes up precious time that we could be spending with someone actually entertaining and charismatic like Ezio Auditore da Firenze.

The modern-day stuff was especially bad in the original Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, casting you as an unnamed game developer working for a company controlled by the evil Templar Order. Wandering around a plain office block reading files and chatting with a handful of annoying coworkers is indescribably dull β€” I enjoy games that let me escape from my daily life, not recreate it.

Yes, the segments do introduce a little bit of satire, riffing on some of the more ridiculous events of the alternate history plot, but otherwise you’re not really missing anything with their removal.

Like Shadows, there are still some elements of the overarching narrative here as well for those that really care: the intro makes it clear that the game takes place in a simulation, and there are plenty of documents that reference the modern Assassin vs Templar struggle (on top of new Animus Rift challenges that explore interesting β€˜What if’ scenarios connected to Edward’s life).

Thankfully, that’s all optional, so it can be promptly ignored if, like me, you’d rather focus on the historical fantasy.

But I wish the UI was a little more distinct

A screenshot of Edward Kenway swimming underwater in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

It’s clear that Resynced draws quite heavily on Shadows both technologically and mechanically (in addition to a healthy splash of Skull & Bones for the parts where you’re at sea). This, of course, isn’t a problem in and of itself, as Shadows is clearly an excellent foundation to build upon, but I do wish that the design of the menus and UI was more distinct.

There have been some tweaks for sure, like the position of different elements and the icons of map markers and so on, though to me lots of it still looks a little bit too similar - the loading screens are the scale, and the inventory menus are practically identical, for example, as are prompts when you’re being seen while in stealth. Both games even use the same fonts throughout.

It’s definitely not a big deal, but it all leaves Resynced looking more like a Shadows DLC than a remake of an older game at its most surface level. A more imaginative UI that drew more from the original Assassin’s Creed 4 and less from the most recent instalments would really help give Resynced more of a distinct identity.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is out now for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and Series S.

The Duskbloods network test has finally revealed a few new details about FromSoftware's upcoming Switch 2 game, including multiplayer matches with 'up to eight players'

16 July 2026 at 10:52
  • The Duskbloods closed network tests begin next month
  • Players can sign up to participate and test the game from August 21 to August 24
  • The Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive will allow up to eight-player multiplayer matches

FromSoftware has announced the dates for The Duskbloods' closed network test happening next month.

The Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive was announced over a year ago, and details about the renowned Elden Ring studio's next PvPvE multiplayer have been few and far between.

After teasing the closed network test last month alongside a new trailer, FromSoftware has confirmed that there will be four tests over four days, between August 21 and August 24. You can check out the start dates and times below.

"To all prospective Bloodsworn, your participation in the coming Dusk Battles is eagerly awaited!" a post from Nintendo reads on X.

Fans can apply here, starting July 22 at 4PM CEST / 3PM BST until July 28 at 3:59PM CEST / 2:59PM BST.

The player selection announcement will be revealed on August 7 at 3PM CEST / 2PM BST.

The Duskbloods Closed Network Test

  • August 21 - 12PM to 4PM CEST / 11 AM to 3 PM BST
  • August 22 - 4AM to 8AM CEST / 3 AM to 7 AM BST
  • August 22 - 8PM to 12AM CEST / 7 PM to 11 PM BST
  • August 23 - 12PM to 4PM CEST / 11 AM to 3 PM BST
  • August 24 - 4AM to 8AM CEST / 3 AM to 7 AM BST

"A network test involves using a pre-release version of the game to test performance prior to the commencement of service. We plan to conduct large-scale network load tests to check different technical aspects of the game's online systems," FromSoftware explained on its website.

The campaign will be able to test server load, gameplay balance, and various problems that may occur when multiple people play together across different network environments.

The Duskbloods was one of the highlights of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct last year, but unfortunately, there's still no release date.

There's also not a lot of information regarding gameplay, setting, and story; however, the studio has confirmed that the network test will feature multiplayer matches that "allows for up to eight players to participate together."

I didn't buy a Switch 2 at launch; I've been holding off on getting one for the time being - I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a limited edition The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time console - but The Duskbloods, and the upcoming closed network tests have me seriously considering finally investing in the console sooner.

NYT Connections hints and answers for Thursday, July 16 (game #1131)

16 July 2026 at 00:00
Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, July 15 (game #1130).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1131) - today's words

NYT Connections hints for game 1131 on a purple background

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

  • NEEDLE
  • INK
  • JET
  • DOT MATRIX
  • TONER
  • POINT BREAK
  • LASER
  • CHARCOAL
  • PEEL
  • PITCH
  • PERIOD PIECE
  • BULLSEYE
  • SPOT REMOVER
  • EYE CREAM
  • CLOCKWORK
  • CLAY MASK

NYT Connections today (game #1131) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

  • YELLOW: Cosmetics
  • PURPLE: Small beginnings
  • BLUE: Seeking perfection
  • GREEN: The darkness

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1131) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

  • YELLOW: SKINCARE PRODUCTS
  • PURPLE: STARTING WITH TINY MARKS
  • BLUE: ASSOCIATED WITH PRECISION
  • GREEN: SHADES OF BLACK

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1131) - the answers

NYT Connections answers for game 1131 on a purple background

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #1131, are…

  • YELLOW: SKINCARE PRODUCTS: CLAY MASK, EYE CREAM, PEEL, TONER
  • PURPLE: STARTING WITH TINY MARKS: DOT MATRIX, PERIOD PIECE, POINT BREAK, SPOT REMOVER
  • BLUE: ASSOCIATED WITH PRECISION: BULLSEYE, CLOCKWORK, LASER, NEEDLE
  • GREEN: SHADES OF BLACK: CHARCOAL, INK, JET, PITCH
  • My rating: Hard
  • My score: 1 mistake

Looking at today’s game after I completed it, I don’t understand why I failed to see SHADES OF BLACK as it is the only group that I could have actually got right.

The other three groups were the result of muddled game play and lucky guesses β€” particularly STARTING WITH TINY MARKS, which I didn’t get because I spotted dot, period, point and spot, but because all the tiles were made up of two words.

Before that, though, I made the mistake of putting together what I thought were four different types of printer. Hopefully I wasn't the only player to fall into that trap, but in truth it doesn't take much to catch me.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, July 15, 2026, game #1130)

  • YELLOW: TERMS FOR THE LEGAL SYSTEM: BAR, BENCH, COURT, TRIBUNAL
  • GREEN: THINGS WITH LACES: BASEBALL GLOVE, CORSET, FOOTBALL, SHOE
  • BLUE: KINDS OF SPORTS: EXTREME, MOTOR, RACKET, WATER
  • PURPLE: WORDS BEFORE "ROOM" TO INDICATE EXTRA SPACE: BREATHING, ELBOW, HEAD, WIGGLE

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Hundreds rally at Bethesda HQ to protest Xbox layoffs, and Ars was there

15 July 2026 at 23:36

ROCKVILLE, Marylandβ€”Hundreds of Bethesda Game Studios and Zenimax Online Studios employees and their supporters braved nearly 100Β°F temperatures to protest sweeping layoffs across Xbox during a lunchtime rally in front of parent company Zenimax's headquarters today. The rally was one of five organized today by Zenimax Workers United and its parent union, the Communication Workers of America, at offices across Texas, California, and Montreal.

Attendees held up signs with messages like "Layoffs... layoffs never change" and "Our players deserve better" as union organizers and employees rallied the crowd with speeches and songs. The overwhelming message was one of solidarity and a willingness to push back against job cuts they say have decimated their development and quality assurance teams.

"It's about us building our movement and making sure that we get seen and we're visible," Bethesda technical producer and union volunteer organizer Nathan Hahn told Ars. "Because we want to make sure that we're not okay with these layoffs and that Xbox knows."

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Sony announces end of PlayStation discs, parts of digital store in the same day

1 July 2026 at 19:41

Some gamers are concerned about the future of game ownership after Sony's announcement today that it won’t produce physical discs for PlayStation games as of January 2028. On that date, β€œnew games will be available on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only,” Sony said in a blog post.

Ditching discs is β€œa natural direction” for Sony β€œto adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs," the post said.

During Sony’s fiscal year ending on March 31, 2026, digital downloads accounted for 78 percent of full-game unit purchases, up from 76 percent in fiscal 2024.

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GTA 6 fans say locking content behind the Ultimate Edition is 'scummy', but it looks like an upgrade will be available post-launch

24 June 2026 at 16:14
  • The Grand Theft Auto 6 Ultimate Edition comes with a ton of exclusive content
  • Some fans are understandably disappointed
  • However, it looks like an Ultimate Edition upgrade will be available

Some Grand Theft Auto 6 fans are frustrated by the amount of exclusive content locked behind the game's Ultimate Edition, but it looks like a separate upgrade will be available at some point.

Rockstar Games has officially announced the price for GTA 6, when pre-orders go live, and what editions will be available: a $79.99 Standard Edition and a $99.99 Ultimate Edition.

Unlike the Standard Edition, which only comes with the base game, the more expensive Ultimate Edition features a ton of extra goodies, including premium and exclusive content such as missions, Vice City shops, locations, and outfits.

While the announcement has many fans excited, some are disappointed that much of GTA 6 will be locked behind a higher cost version of the game.

"Locking this much s*** behind the Ultimate Edition is scummy," one fan said. Another wrote, "Having stores locked behind the Ultimate Edition in a single player game is definitely a choice."

A user on Reddit shared similar frustrations, saying, "Rockstar I love you and all but locking content behind editions of the game like this is pretty egregious. This shouldn't be things you hide behind an ultimate edition of the game for players who just want to buy the basic game."

However, taking a look at the PS Store now that pre-orders have gone live in New Zealand, it seems that an Ultimate Edition Upgrade will be available.

There's no price right now, but if we had to guess, it could cost about the difference between the Standard and Ultimate Edition, so roughly $20.

A release date for the add-on hasn't been confirmed, but it will likely be available at launch, giving players who purchase the Standard Edition the option to upgrade and unlock all Ultimate Edition content.

Elsewhere, Sony has teamed up with Rockstar and announced that players who pre-order any edition on PlayStation Store will also instantly receive a redeemable free month of GTA+, a premium subscription for Grand Theft Auto Online.

Unfortunately, physical copies of GTA 6 won't include a disc. Instead, they'll come with a download code, and some fans aren't pleased with the new.

I'm using the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake as an excuse to deck out my gaming station with the best Nintendo Switch 2 Lego, accessories and merch β€” here are my top picks as a super-fan

My love of all things Zelda is no secret to my colleagues, friends, and family. In fact, when The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (OoT) remake was first announced, our Global Editor-in-Chief, Marc McLaren, immediately messaged me to ask if I intended to take time off to play it (I do).

When the 40th anniversary of the franchise rolled around earlier this year, I was a little blue to see little-to-no news of a new game or remake, but my long-read ode to the lasting impact of Link's adventures through Hyrule at least gave me a distraction. Now, however, with months to go until I finally make my grand return to the Kokiri forest, my hype has reached new heights.

To pass the time, I plan to spend my money on, you guessed it, even more Zelda merchandise and Switch 2 accessories to accommodate my upcoming increase in playtime. In the current Amazon Prime Day deals, there's a wide selection of cases, storage, merchandise, and more to shop; I've included some of the best below, as well as the essential gear my gaming station will be decked with come OoT's release later this year. Not everything I've linked below is on sale, so look for the percentage-off badge if you're only looking for good deals.

Switch 2 Essentials

Nintendo Switch 2 Console

Nintendo
Switch 2 Console

Powera Advantage Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 - Zelda Master Sword, Officially Licensed, Hall Effects, Mappable Buttons, Pro Controller, C Button, Motion Controls

PowerA
Advantage Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2

Sandisk Microsd Express Card, 512gb Msd Card, Read Speeds Up to 880 Mb/s, Write Speeds Up to 650mb/s, Sustained Write 220mb/s, Sandisk Quickflow Technology, Thermadapt, Uhs-I, U3, C10

SanDisk
MicroSD Express Card

Nintendo Sandisk Microsd Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo
SanDisk MicroSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2

Powera Protection Case for Nintendo Switch 2 - Zelda Hyrule Crest, Officially Licensed, Protective Storage, Holds Up to 9 Game Cards and 2 Microsd Express Cards, Integrated Play StandUS deal

PowerA
Zelda Case for Nintendo Switch 2

Powera Protection Case for Nintendo Switch 2 - Zelda, Officially Licensed, Protective Storage, Holds Up to 9 Game Cards and 2 Microsd Express Cards, Integrated Play StandUK deal

PowerA
Zelda Case for Nintendo Switch 2

Belkin Gaming Temperedglass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2 Console, 9h Hardness, Scratch-Resistant, Anti-Fingerprint, Includes Easy Align Frame for Bubble Free Application

Belkin
Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector

Legend of Zelda games

If you're not caught up on the latest and greatest Switch generation Zelda games, you've got plenty of time ahead of the Ocarina of Time's remake releasing to pour some hours into adventure.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

Nintendo
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

Nintendo
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (nintendo Switch)

Nintendo
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Nintendo
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

Nintendo
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (nintendo Switch)

Nintendo
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening - Nintendo Switch Standard Edition

Nintendo
The Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening

Essential Zelda merch

From Lego sets to card games and novelty toys, there's a lot of great Zelda merch out there. I own a lot (really, an embarassing amount) of the below merchandise already; join me in my submission to capitalism's whim.

Lego the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – the Final Battle - Building Set for Adults, Ages 18+ - Nintendo Collectible With Link & Zelda Minifigures - Bedroom or Game Room Decor - 77093

LEGO
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – the Final Battle

Great Deku Tree 2-In-1

LEGO
Great Deku Tree 2-In-1

Lego Super Mario Game Boy Building Set for Adults - Nintendo Display Model Kit With 2 Cartridges Incl. Zelda, Plus Lenticular Screens - Gamer Gift for Fans - 72046

LEGO
Super Mario Game Boy

Paladone Bokoblin Chest Light Officially Licensed the Legend of Zelda, Night Light With Sound Effects, Gamer Gift and Room Decor Accessory for Boys and Girls, Collectible Game Icon

Paladone
Bokoblin Chest Light

Usaopoly | the Legend of Zelda Chess | Board Game | Ages 8+ | 2 Players | 60+ Minutes Playing Time

USAopoly
The Legend of Zelda Chess

The Legend of Zelda RΓ©plique Proplica Master Sword 105 Cm Black

TAMASHII NATIONS
The Legend of Zelda RΓ©plique Proplica Master Sword 105 Cm Black

Paladone the Legend of Zelda Heart Container Light - Officially Licensed Nintendo Lamp for Game Room, 2 Light Modes, Mood Lighting Gift for Gamers

Paladone
The Legend of Zelda Heart Container Light

Nintendo Nes Cartridge Retro Drink Coasters for Gamers - Officially Licensed, Featuring Donkey Kong, Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, & More Classic Games, Set of 8 - Paladone

Paladone
Nintendo Nes Cartridge Retro Drink Coasters

amazon

amazon

Don't drive in the lava! β€” Star Wars: Galactic Racer will feature status effects on each planet 'that can be inflicted on you', but can also be counteracted thanks to the synergy system

24 June 2026 at 16:00
  • Star Wars: Galactic Racer has a synergy system that impacts the players' vehicles
  • Fuse Games says planets will have status effects, like driving in lava or burning in Jakku's sun
  • Players can also counteract these effects, like driving through water, if their vehicles overheat

Fuse Games has revealed that Star Wars: Galactic Racer features a synergy system with status effects that impact the players' vehicles.

In an interview with TechRadar Gaming at Summer Game Fest 2026, where studio co-founder and CEO Matt Webster and Creative Director Kieran Crimmins discussed the game's "runs-based" campaign structure and "consequential decision-making," the pair also detailed the game's reactive gameplay system.

In the game, players will visit a range of planets to take part in races, each with their own environmental differences. There are the hot, dry sand planets like Tatooine and Jakku, the lush jungle planet Lantaana, the snow planet, Ando Prime, and more.

This means players will need to adapt to the occasion, swapping out vehicle parts for ones better suited for the specific track. There's also an upgrade tree, which Crimmins said will let players improve their cornering, speed, or resilience, and upgrading vehicles over time will be "a very satisfying experience."

However, the game's synergy system will offer a bigger challenge. Planets will also have status effects, meaning hot lava will overheat your vehicle, but it can also be counteracted by physically driving through water.

"We wanted synergies, so that is status effects that each planet has a different status effect that can be inflicted on you," Crimmins said. "For instance, Ando Prime, you can get frozen, Lantaana, you can overheat in the lava, but you can also get cooled in the water. And then on different versions of Jakku, you can get burnt as well by the sun."

The developers said they couldn't speak on Crait just yet, which is a planet covered in a layer of white salt over a red crystalline mineral, suggesting that, just like in the movie The Last Jedi, speeders and other vehicles will impact the ground players navigate.

Crimmins continued, explaining how negative status effects can be subverted, for instance, to increase the speed of the new system called a Ramjet, which offers a massive boost in speed.

Webster added that using the Ramjet can "come at a real cost and heats up," but if players drive over the rivers of water in Lantaana, it heats up more slowly.

"You end up thinking of your build in a much more tactical way, where you're like, how can this thing prop this thing and create this thing to make an entirely new race," Crimmins said.

Star Wars: Galactic Racer arrives on October 6 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Series S, and PC.

8BitDo’s all-button controller gets a screen upgrade for customizations without an app

24 June 2026 at 16:00
Two hands hover over several buttons on the 8BitDo Arcade Controller Pro.

8BitDo announced a new version of its all-button Arcade Controller that debuted a little over a year ago. The new Arcade Controller Pro looks similar to 8BitDo's original with a leverless (or Hitbox) design that replaces joysticks with buttons for improved precision and responsiveness. The new Pro version comes with upgrades that include an even thinner 16mm design, an additional programmable button, and a small screen allowing you to customize button mapping and other settings without having to open 8BitDo's Ultimate Software V2 app on another device - although that's supported, too.

Pricing, availability, and preorder timing for the Arcad …

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Getting a Switch 2 for the upcoming Ocarina of Time remake is going to be a worthy investment if you're a super-fan like me β€” so I’d make sure you get yours before the upcoming price spike

I know we're all buzzed about the imminent opening of pre-orders for GTA VI. But for me, that ties for most exciting gaming news this month, after Nintendo announced The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is also dropping later on this year. So if you're as into Zelda games as I am and have a decent chunk of cash spare, I'd absolutely recommend you pick up a Nintendo Switch 2 this Prime Day.

As an ardent fan, The Legend of Zelda series lives absolutely rent-free in my head. I cut my teeth on the sublime pixel art of A Link to the Past on the SNES, donned many mantles in Majora's Mask, and banished the gloom in Twilight Princess. But it's almost certainly Ocarina of Time that made the biggest impression on me at the time, thanks to its epic time-hopping story and, at the time, groundbreaking 3D visuals.

So even though I've played the game to completion an almost shameful number of times, you better believe that I'll be picking up the remake on day one of its release. If you're similarly set on reliving one of the greatest games of all time but don't yet have a Nintendo Switch 2, I have one piece of advice for you: grab your console now.

While epic Prime Day discounts are pretty thin on the ground, there's still a good reason to pick one up now. Thanks to the ongoing RAM crisis, Nintendo has already revealed that price rises are coming to the Switch 2. It's been confirmed that, come September, the price US buyers will pay is increasing from $449 to $499 β€” and while the exact price rise hitting the UK market is yet to be revealed, expectations are that it will be in roughly the same ballpark as in the US.

With its larger, gorgeously vivid 1080p display, silky smooth performance and more sturdy build, the Switch 2 feels every bit the upgrade over its predecessor. And while you can't currently get it for much of a discount, with the price increasing by $50 in September, this may well be the best deal you'll get for a long while.

UK price: now Β£369.95 at Amazon (was:Β Β£385.00)View Deal

I'll admit I didn't upgrade from my Switch right away, in a large part because of the lack of killer exclusives available for Nintendo's new console in the first few months after its release. But when I finally did, I could absolutely see why we awarded it 4.5 stars in our Nintendo Switch 2 review.

Not only is its screen flat out gorgeous, packing plenty of brightness and vibrant colors, but it's silky smooth, hitting highs of 120Hz for compatible games. And performance is impressive β€” even a much more demanding title like the recent Indiana Jones and The Great Circle port feels great, despite being locked at 30fps rather than the 60fps (or above) hit by other platforms. That's an impressive feat for a handheld console this compact.

And the roster of games available for the Switch 2 has expanded massively since release. Donkey Kong Bananza feels like the exact breath of fresh air the series needed, adding a fun new gimmick in its landscape-smashing shenanigans, while I've genuinely been hoping to see a Metroid Prime 4 for almost two decades now. But it's PokΓ©mon Pokopia that has most thoroughly hijacked my brain's dopamine system, allowing me to pour countless hours into building mansions and amusements for my 'mons.

However, if I hadn't already upgraded, there's no doubt that The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time remake would have pushed me over the top. Getting to relive my nostalgia-soaked memories of one of the greatest adventures of all time with a fresh new coat of paint is a compelling hook indeed. And for any fan dead set on experiencing it, I'd honestly recommend you getting your Switch 2 ordered now before you have to fork out for that extra markup.

If you're still dead set on holding out for a bargain price, keep an eye on our widget below or check out our Amazon Prime Day live blog if you're in the US or our Amazon Prime Day deals roundup in the UK.

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