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PlayStation State of Play June 2026: All the news and trailers

2 June 2026 at 21:40
An illustration of the PlaySation “PS” logo overlayed on swooping blue and teal colors

While the majority of Summer Game Fest takes place over the weekend, Sony is getting a jump on things with its next State of Play showcase, which airs on June 2nd at 5PM ET. It’s coming at a pivotal time for the PlayStation brand: The PS5 keeps getting more expensive and Sony’s big bet on live-service games has largely fallen flat. A good showing at SGF won’t fix everything, but it could help show that PlayStation is on the right path moving forward.

For its part, Sony says its latest State of Play will feature “more than 60 minutes of updates, announcements, and gameplay reveals from top studios around the world.” The only confirmed part of the event’s lineup is Wolverine, from Spider-Man developer Insomniac, which is slated to launch in September. But given the length of the stream, there’ll be plenty more detailed. Maybe we’ll see the just-announced third expansion for The Witcher 3, or the long-awaited final installment of the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy, or some more of Intergalactic, the next big project from The Last of Us developer Naughty Dog. It’s also likely the event will provide some insight into the uncertain future of Marathon.

Whatever Sony shows, you can watch along on YouTube or Twitch, or follow along with the latest developments right here.

And for everything announced at the rest of Summer Game Fest, be sure to check out our event hub.

I held the next-gen handheld

2 June 2026 at 20:56
The new MSI Claw with Intel Arc G3 Extreme. | Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge

Intel couldn't catch a break. Layoffs. Shakedowns. Crashing CPUs torpedoing its reputation, sending desktop gamers fleeing to AMD. Apple and Qualcomm pushing Intel out of multiple flagship laptops. A gaming graphics card going MIA. But its Panther Lake laptop chip, the first on its all-important 18A process, turned out excellent - and a handheld version might make Intel the leader in portable gaming chips.

On Monday, I spent two hours with an MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus handheld atop Intel's new Arc G3 Extreme. I walked away thinking that next-gen handhelds have finally arrived. The true leap in performance and battery life we've been waiting for …

Read the full story at The Verge.

I tested a bunch of Switch 2 screen protectors, and these are the best

2 June 2026 at 18:48
An image focusing on the Nintendo Switch 2, specifically where the right Joy-Con 2 meets the console.
This is what a Switch 2 looks like with a glossy glass protector attached to its screen. | Image: Cameron Faulkner/The Verge

A glass screen protector is one of a few essential accessories that I strongly recommend to every Switch 2 owner. In fact, it should be a priority to stick one onto the console’s screen as soon as possible to avoid accidental scratches. 

To test the candidates below, I installed and removed Switch 2 screen protectors on my console at an alarming rate, more than any sane person should, and here are the most important takeaways:

  • Do not buy a flimsy plastic screen protector. They are a waste of money and won’t protect your Switch 2 enough.
  • It’s impossible to tell different brands’ protectors apart once they’re on your screen; product packaging and the installation process are the biggest differences (as well as the key factors that increase cost).
  • Some protectors are glossy and some are anti-reflective, each with its own tradeoffs. For my money, glossy is the way to go. The matte finish looks good, but it reduces the screen’s vivid quality and its viewing angles.

Of the options below, it’s easiest to recommend amFilm’s three-pack of glossy screen protectors. Not only is the pack affordable ($9.99 from Amazon), but the tray also allows for perfect alignment of the glass protector for easy, bubble-free installation. I’ve used this company’s screen protectors on various gadgets for years, and I particularly like its glossy option over the matte finish, since it lets the Switch 2’s screen fully shine through.

amFilm three-pack of glossy screen protectors

My go-to screen protector brand for years has been amFilm. Three glossy tempered glass sheets come in the box, and the tools make installation fairly simple. JSAUX’s model is just as good based on my testing, and just as affordable.

Where to Buy:

AmFilm OneTouch screen protectors (two-pack)

In keeping up with some brands that offer faster installations, amFilm offers a two-pack of glossy protectors that includes a “OneTouch” tray. Remove the protector’s bottom film, attach the tray to your device, and then press gently on the protector until it’s fully applied.

Where to Buy:

Dbrand Prism 2.0 two-pack of glossy screen protectors

Dbrand’s Prism 2.0 includes two glass protectors for the Switch 2, each nestled into plastic cases that fit perfectly around the edges of the console (with the Joy-Con 2 removed). $34.99 is expensive for two protectors, but if simplicity and elegant packaging trump value, then this is a good option.

Where to Buy:

Genki Aegis Shield two-pack of glossy screen protectors

Genki offers a cheaper alternative to Dbrand with the Aegis Shield. It includes two protectors, and the installation process is nearly identical: just align the plastic frame with the console, pull the tab, and run your finger across the exposed section of the frame. Spigen makes a similar product that costs $24.99 for a two-pack.

Where to Buy:

amFilm two-pack of matte screen protectors

Let’s start with one of the most affordable options if you want to go the matte-textured route. AmFilm sells a two-pack of protectors at Amazon for $8.99. The set includes a plastic frame that serves as a guide to align the protector just right. JSAUX makes a similar product that’s the same price.

Where to Buy:

amFilm OneTouch two-pack of matte screen protectors

AmFilm also sells a two-pack with a OneTouch frame for easier installation. Again, keep in mind that opting for matte over glossy will reduce glare, but at the cost of viewing angles as well as the full vivid quality of the Switch 2’s screen. That’ll be an acceptable tradeoff for some, but not all people.

Where to Buy:

Update, June 2nd: Adjusted prices as needed.

Why a Neo Geo port of Doom is functionally impossible

2 June 2026 at 17:19

Here at Ars, we've taken pleasure in reporting on versions of Doom that run on everything from wireless earbuds and printers to Windows' notepad.exe and even inside Doom itself. So when we hear that a piece of game-playing hardware from the '90s (or later) can't run Doom, our ears perk up.

That hardware is the Neo Geo, an early '90s game console that players of a certain age will remember for its eye-watering launch price and its relatively strong pixel-pushing power for the time. Despite that relative power, though, a fascinating new video from Modern Vintage Gamer argues that the Neo Geo's architecture makes it particularly ill-suited for a port of id's famously easy-to-port game.

At first glance, the Neo Geo seems like it should be up to the task of running Doom. The Motorola 68000 CPU inside the console is the same one powering the Commodore Amiga, which has seen quite a few homebrew Doom ports over the years.

Read full article

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© Wikimedia

Why a Neo Geo port of Doom is functionally impossible

2 June 2026 at 17:19

Here at Ars, we've taken pleasure in reporting on versions of Doom that run on everything from wireless earbuds and printers to Windows' notepad.exe and even inside Doom itself. So when we hear that a piece of game-playing hardware from the '90s (or later) can't run Doom, our ears perk up.

That hardware is the Neo Geo, an early '90s game console that players of a certain age will remember for its eye-watering launch price and its relatively strong pixel-pushing power for the time. Despite that relative power, though, a fascinating new video from Modern Vintage Gamer argues that the Neo Geo's architecture makes it particularly ill-suited for a port of id's famously easy-to-port game.

At first glance, the Neo Geo seems like it should be up to the task of running Doom. The Motorola 68000 CPU inside the console is the same one powering the Commodore Amiga, which has seen quite a few homebrew Doom ports over the years.

Read full article

Comments

© Wikimedia

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