Following an earlier leak regarding the release of an Arcade Edition of Street Fighter V, Amazon has officially published a listing for that same edition of the game that reveals a few new features. 

The biggest of these features is the long-awaited addition of an arcade mode to the game. Many fans wondered why this franchise staple wasn't included in the base edition of the game, and it seems that Capcom has finally gotten around to implementing it.

Not much is known regarding the details of this mode, but according to the Amazon listing, it will allow players to "choose from six different paths themed after classic Street Fighter games." We can only speculate regarding what that means, but it sounds like you'll either be choosing from six different plot paths or will be able to take any character of your choosing through six different tournament style story modes. 

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Alongside the new arcade mode, this new edition of the game adds several special edition nicities (including a gallery of illustrations and slightly improved user interface) as well as some more substantial additions. The addition that will probably have the biggest impact on the game is the reported inclusion of extra character v-triggers. Based on the information in the listing, each character will now have two v-triggers. Those moves are on full display in this new trailer that showcases how devastating they are. 

With the release of that preview, Capcom has also teased some holiday costumes set to release soon for the base game. Along with some Christmas-themed costumes, this DLC will add some classic outfits to the game that will allow you to dress some of Street Fighter's veteran combatants in their original duds. There's also mention of an Extra Battle mode which will allow players to "complete timed challenges to obtain exclusive costumes through 2018."

If the listing is to be believed, this new edition of the game will be free for all current Street Fighter V players and is expected to release on January 18, 2018. When it does release, it is expected to ship with cross-play support for PS4 and PC players. 

This sounds like an improvement over vanilla Street Fighter V, but it remains to be seen whether or not the riled Street Fighter fanbase will welcome this update with open arms give that some stiff competition in the fighting genre that is on shelves and in the works. 

Now that the Dark Souls series is officially done, Bandai Namco has a hole in their lineup that was previously occupied by a hardcore RPG series with a moody atmosphere and strong action elements. 

While it's going to be hard for any game to ever completely fill that void, we must say that Bandai Namco's upcoming action RPG Code Vein looks like it has a chance to fulfill the desires of Dark Souls fans everywhere. 

Here's everything we know about Code Vein:

Code Vein News

Code Vein's latest teaser doesn't really shed much light on the game's narrative or even finer gameplay details, but it does do a nice job of emphasizing the game's anime inspirations and generally cool vibe. It certainly offers more than enough reasons to keep your eyes on this game in the future. 

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Code Vein Trailer

Code Vein's E3 2017 trailer showcases that blend of familiar Dark Souls gameplay and anime visuals that previous previews had hinted at. We look forward to seeing more from this promising adventure title. 

While the teaser for Code Vein suggested that it might be a hand-drawn, Dark Souls-esque action RPG starring vampires, the official reveal trailer for Code Veinshows off a slightly different experience. Code Vein still borrows aspects of Dark Souls' combat system and RPG elements, but the game's art style borrows more from the God Hand series with its anime flourishes. 

Code Vein Release Date

Code Vein is set to release in 2018 for major home consoles. 

Code Vein Story

Here's the official synopsis for the game:

"In the not too distant future, a mysterious disaster has brought collapse to the world as we know it. Towering skyscrapers, once symbols of prosperity, are now lifeless graves of humanity’s past pierced by the Thorns of Judgment. At the center of the destruction lies a hidden society of Revenants called Vein. This final stronghold is where the remaining few fight to survive, blessed with Gifts of power in exchange for their memories and a thirst for blood. Give into the bloodlust fully and risk becoming one of the Lost, fiendish ghouls devoid of any remaining humanity."

Code Vein follows the adventures of vampiric entities collectively referred to as The Revenant who have formed an underground post-apocalyptic society. These creatures rely on blood in order to avoid becoming absolute monsters.  

Code Vein Details

According to an interview in the Japanese magazine Famitsu (translated here by Gematsu), Code Vein is being developed by the same team behind the cult classic God Eater series. Despite the game's pedigree, producer Keita Iizuka claims that Code Vein is not related to the God Eater series in any direct fashion. 

Instead, Code Vein is described as a "dramatic exploration action RPG." What that means is that it's a dungeon crawler action RPG that will emphasize the exploration of connected environments. 

If that sounds like Dark Souls to you, then you'll be happy to know you're not being paranoid. The game's trailer even playfully uses "Prepare to Dine" as a tagline and seemingly respectful nod to that legendary franchise. 

However, Code Vein does distinguish itself in several interesting ways. Namely, Code Veinwill emphasize a "Buddy" system that allows you to take a companion into new areas and develop them alongside your main hero. It also sounds like the game will primarily focus on melee combat, though we will be surprised if there isn't some magic and ranged combat to be found.

There's still much we don't know about Code Vein- including whether it will resemble the style shown in that teaser trailer and which systems it will be released on - but everything revealed thus far suggests it could Bandai Namco's next great hardcore RPG. 

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds may be the king of the battle royale genre at the moment, but that doesn't mean that it's the only game in town. In an effort to keep their own last man standing game in the running, developer Daybreak Games has revealed the next suite of updates scheduled to be released for H1Z1. 

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Most of the additions in this next content release seem to have been inspired by requests from the game's large community. Alongside tweaks like weapon changes - shotguns should be much more devastating at close range this time around - players can also expect to be treated to some more substantial content updates.

The most intriguing of those updates is a new combat map that will allow players to jump right into the action and practice winning in tense combat situations. This 2x2 km map is not only significantly smaller than the game's traditional battlefields, but it even allows you to instantly respawn into the action upon death. Furthermore, you will start competition on this map with a full arsenal of weapons and supplies. Again, the entire idea behind this mode is that it allows you to truly practice combat without having to rely on sparse in-game confrontations. 

This upcoming update will also introduce daily challenges to the base H1Z1 experience. Just as we've seen in some other titles, these daily challenges will offer players the chance to complete special objectives within the regular game modes. These may range from getting a certain number of kills to mastering a particular weapon. The challenges themselves are also broken into three levels of difficulty. Regardless of the challenge you complete, successfully finishing it will reward you with skulls that can then be exchanged for in-game items like new outfits. 

If you're wondering, H1Z1 is still technically in early access. However, releases such as this do showcase the team's desire to constantly update the title based on feedback and their desire to implement new creative features. 

There are two things you need to know about Dragon Ball FighterZ regardless of whether or not you consider yourself to be a fan of the series or not. First off, this is a 2D fighting game with 3D character models and a 3D fighter like recent Dragon Ball combat games. While you may think that might detract from this game's ability to recreate the absolutely wild battles the anime series if famous for, the game's first trailer shows that this may just be the most over-the-top Dragon Ball fighting game yet.

Of course, its possible status as such makes more sense when you consider that this game is being developed by Arc System Works. Yes, the studio behind the incredible Guilty Gear fighting series will be helming the newest Dragon Ball fighting game. In terms of studios best equipped to tackle such a project, there are few developers in the world with the pedigree and talent that Arc System Works can boast. 

The game itself will also utilize a 3 vs. 3 team-based battle system. As such, we expect that the final release will boast quite the sizeable roster of Dragon Ball characters as well as quite a few intriguing team possibilities. Some early footage shown from the game's demo also suggests that Arc System Works focused on ensuring that each character's move set is both unique and true to their role in this world.

Here's everything else you need to know about Dragon Ball FighterZ:

Dragon Ball FighterZ News

Bandai Namco has announced that the next three fighters to join the Dragon Ball FighterZ roster are Gotenks, Kid Buu, and adult Gohan.

"Gotenks is the result of Trunks and Goten’s successful use of the Fusion Dance method to create one fused character of greater power and skill," reads the official release. "Gotenks is the first Fusion Dance character to be seen in Dragon Ball. He sports a blue and yellow Metamoran vest, a piece of clothing which all Fusion Dance characters wear. Gotenks is ready to take on all challengers in Dragon Ball FighterZ."

Kidd Buu, meanwhile, is described as a particularly powerful character that packs some devastating abilities. Adult Gohan, meanwhile, is simply the adult version of Gohan. 

You can see Gotenks in action via this recently released trailer. 

Dragon Ball FighterZ Release Date

Dragon Ball FighterZ is set to release in January 26, 2018 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. 

Dragon Ball FighterZ Trailers

This latest trailer doesn't feature any new character, but it does offer a look at the game's multi-arc story mode. The hints of storylines peppered throughout this trailer or great, but it's the animation quality that really catches our eyes. 

To celebrate Gamescom, as well as the announcement of Dragon Ball FighterZ's beta, Bandai Namco have released a new trailer that not only showcases the game's chaotic combat but even hints at the narrative that will accompany the game's single-player mode. 

This next trailer introduces Trunks. You can watch the son of Bulma and Vegeta go full Super Saiyan and display the game's wonderful art design in the process by clicking the video below:

How many Dragon Ball Z fighting games does it take to get to the center of why Dragon Ball Z fighting games somehow feel like gaming's longest running genre? The world may never know. 

Nevertheless, there is a new Dragon Ball Zfighting game on the way and it features a few aspects which put it quite a bit ahead of the pack in terms of general intrigue. Here is the debut trailer for Dragon Ball FighterZ:

Dragon Ball FighterZ Details

Two Japanese magazines have confirmed that Super Saiyan Blue Goku, Super Saiyan Blue Vegeta, Android 16, and Android 18 are being added to Dragon Ball FighterZ's roster.

According to Weekly Jump, Super Saiyan Blue Goku will be able to use 10x God Kamehameha as one of his abilities while Super Saiyan Blue Vegeta can utilize Final Flash Attack. V-Jump states that Android 18 can use Accel Dance to summon Android 17. It is not known if Android 17 will appear as an independently playable fighter as well. 

The publications also revealed that Dragon Ball Fighter Z's Story mode will focus on Android 16 and a group of fallen super warriors. DragonBall Fighter Z will also reportedly feature a party mode where 6 players can participate in a 3 vs. 3 mode that will allow players to control their characters when they are tagged into the fight. 

Bandai Namco and developer Arc System Works have confirmed that Piccolo and Krillin are joining the Dragon Ball FighterZ roster. Piccolo is described as a character capable of easily breaking guards and dictating the distance between fighters with his grabs and ranged attacks. Krillin, meanwhile, is able to create illusions which can help make him hard to hit. 

Here are a few photos of each new fighter:

Dragon Ball FighterZ Collector's Edition

Dragon Ball FigherZ will be available in a special collector's edition when the game ships next year. This collector's edition will retail for $139.99 and ship with the following items:

A copy of Dragon Ball FighterZ 7” Goku statue with exclusive “Manga Dimension” coloring
Exclusive STEELBOOK
Three Art Boards
A CollectorZ box to house all the items listed above

Additionally, the FighterZ pre-order bundle will include:

Two early unlockable characters (SSGSS Goku & SSGSS Vegeta)
Two exclusive lobby avatars

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We thought quite highly of Battlefield 1 at the time of its release. Since then, the game has only grown and become an even more generous offering of WW1 shooter content. 

The next addition to Battlefield 1 is a promising DLC pack titled Turning Tides. 

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According to the official Battlefield website, Turning Tides will be released in two parts. The first part drops on December 11 and is highlighted by the addition of a new operation set in 1915. This operation sees you take part in the amphibious assault of the Gallipoli peninsula. The campaign will take place across two new maps being added to the game, Cape Helles and Achi Baba. Additionally, this initial update will add eight new weapons to the game (six guns and two melee weapons). There's no word on the full list of weapons being added to the game, but we do know that the M1917 Trench Carbine and Maschinenpistole M1912/P.16 will be featured in the first part of the expansion. 

The second part of this expansion will drop in January 2018. This release also features two new maps - Zeebrugge and Heligoland Blight - as well as the addition of the British Empire: Royal Marines faction and the new C-Class Airship vehicle. 

This expansion will also incorporate the previously announced Conquest Assault mode to the game. This new mode will see a team of defenders try to hold several map points against an assaulting squad. Battlefield 1 players can also expect to see a variety of Service Assignments, Specializations, Dog Tags, Service Stars, Medals, and Ribbons added to the game alongside these releases. 

Those who purchased the Battlefield 1 Premium Pass will be able to access the Turning Tides content early (or at least on their scheduled release dates). Everyone else will need to wait a couple of weeks in order to purchase them as separate content releases. 

EA is also offering players the chance to try out some of the game's DLC for free. Between November 22 and December 4, everyone will be able to play the Name of the Tsar and They Shall Not Pass content updates. Those same pieces of content will be available between December 8 and December 10. 

The first Destiny 2 expansion is called Curse of Osiris and it will be out on December 5, 2017. This story DLC sends players on a quest to find Osiris, "the notorious heretic and most powerful Warlock in the history of the Last City." 

During a recent live stream, Bungie expanded upon just what this DLC will offer. 

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While there is no raid in the Curse of Osiris DLC, it will offer a couple of new strikes as part of its expanded story mode campaign. These strikes will later be added to the public playlist at an unspecified time. 

If you manage to complete the new campaign content, you'll be able to access 11 quests (referred to as prophecies) that allow you to acquire new weapons upon completion. Said quests will be comprised of combinations of previously completed missions. 

Curse of Osiris also introduces a new public event that takes place at Osiris' Mercury location. The event itself is called "Crossroads" and seems to largely consist of familiar Destiny 2 gameplay with some twists. Bungie promises that this event will offer substantial rewards to participants. There is also a new area that Bungie calls the Infinite Forest. This area is a somewhat randomly generated hub that features various enemies and adventures. Other elements of this area, though, will be designed to offer certain encounters. 

If you didn't catch the reveal trailer for Curse of Osiris you can check it out below:

Bungie also expanded upon how Destiny 2's season program will work and what it will mean for content releases moving forward.

At a TwitchCon panel, the studio explained that each calendar year will be divided into four "seasons" of Destiny 2 content releases. Each of these seasons will likely feature at least one major in-game event. It doesn't seem that there will be another major event added for Destiny 2's inaugural year, but Bungie did tease the return of The Dawning in a future event as well as changes in the season within the game to reflect certain seasons within the real-world. 

For the time being, the current Iron Banner event will remain in-tact. However, it will likely be replaced with other major in-game occurrences once the seasonal release schedule begins in 2018. Furthermore, Bungie hinted that each season will include special items, symbols, and other gear that can be acquired by clans, factions, and individual players sometime during the course of each season. 

There's been no word on whether or not future DLC releases will count as a season event or will be treated separately. 

We've seen competitive online games adopt a similar seasonal format. Overwatch, for instance, requires players to participate in placement matches at the start of its seasons in order to determine their current rank. 

Destiny is a bit different in that this seasonal schedule doesn't necessarily pertain to a player's rank within the game. While the details of this release schedule remain somewhat vague - despite rumors regarding specifics - it's nice to hear that Bungie seems committed to sticking to a content release schedule for Destiny 2. Fans of the original title may remember a generous helping of content being released for the game soon after launch, followed by sporadic releases that rarely followed a set schedule. 

What may make or break this schedule is the amount of content that Bungie releases with each update. So long as each season is designed to give players something to do before the next one begins, we imagine the Destiny 2 fanbase will welcome this new content schedule. 

Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite's roster will grow by three on December 5th when the game's next character pack DLC hits the digital marketplace.

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This isn't the first DLC character pack released for Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite. The last round of releases saw Black Panther, Sigma, and Monster Hunter join the game's list of active combatants. You're able to get them and these upcoming characters via the Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite’s 2017 Character Pass for $29.99, or you can download individual premium characters for $7.99. 

Over on the Capcom Unity Website is a pretty thorough breakdown of each of the new characters. Winter Soldier, for instance, is described as a ground combat specialist who is able to use his cybernetic arm and combat experience to devastate opponents. He also has access to a Metal Shield ability which allows him to essentially ignore a good deal of enemy damage. The trade-off is that Winter Soldier's move set is severely limited while the Metal Shield ability is active. 

Venom's long-awaited return to the MvC franchise will also see the return of many of the character's signature moves. While Venom will maintain his aggressive style, he will benefit from the addition of a Venom Glide ability that allows him to dart across a battlefield and better evade certain maneuvers. This same ability can also be used for offensive purposes in order to ensure that you're in a favorable attacking position. 

Finally, we have Black Widow. Much like the Widow in the comics, Infinite's take on the character will rely heavily on gadgets and hand-to-hand combat. While Widow's sticky bombs and nerve gas will keep enemies on their toes, it's her ability to evade a variety of attacks that should really make her an invaluable addition to the roster. 

Each of these characters will also ship with alternate costume options. If you haven't had the chance to try Infinite yet, you can do so during the game's free multiplayer weekend which runs from November 24-November 27. In the meantime, enjoy these shots of our new heroes in action. 

Every now and then, you hear about a dedicated gamer who discovered some well-hidden in their favorite game years after the title's release. Most of the time, these discoveries are little more than well-hidden Easter eggs or perhaps some kind of major glitch. Every now and then, though, a player discovers something substantial or something that's just downright weird. 

Recently, YouTuber Moros Nyx found something in Bloodborne that certainly seems to qualify as both. 

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In the video above, Nyx details his discovery of an enemy known as the Flaming Undead Giant. The reason that discovery is so significant is because this particular foe hasn't been seen in Bloodborne since 2014 when From Software revealed the game's Chalice Dungeon feature via new footage. When Bloodborne was actually released, fans couldn't help but notice that this enemy was nowhere to be found. Most people assumed that he'd simply been cut alongside a few other creatures featured in the game's early trailers. 

So how did this baddie manage to elude being found for so long? To answer that question, you first have to understand that Chalie Dungeons in Bloodborne add a roguelike element to the game. That is to say that certain details of their design change from playthrough to playthrough. It's highly unlikely that two players will have identical Chalice Dungeon runs. The design variance of these runs is so great that some dungeons even include certain boss battles that other players may never find unless they enter a specific code to access that dungeon.

Even still, it's downright odd that nobody else has found this particular enemy up until this point. Nyx - an experienced dungeon crawler - even admits that he finds it likely that someone has encountered this enemy at some point and simply didn't know that they were looking at something very, very rare. An alternate theory suggests that this monster may have been added to the game sometime after its release via a content update. 

As exciting as this discovery is for the Bloodborne community, it is nothing compared to the implication this find represents. Could it be true that some previously suspected "cut" content is really hiding in the nearly infinite depths of Bloodborne's dungeons? Have some of those enemies already been found by players that were unaware of their discoveries? 

If the answers to these questions aren't enough to convince you to jump back into Bloodborne - or try it for the first time - perhaps our look at how Bloodborne is one of the most effective gothic horror masterpieces of the modern era will do the trick. 

Because 2017 is the year that just keeps on giving for Nintendo fans, the world's most beloved manufacturer of the Nintendo Switch has revealed a sizeable new update for Splatoon 2 set to hit this holiday season. 

This update is so large, in fact, that it's going to have to be released in waves. The first of these releases will occur on November 23rd. That particular release will include most of this update's cosmetic additions to the game. For Splatoon 2 players, that means you will be able to access 140 new pieces of gear. Much of this gear consists of cold weather-themed items like ski masks and coats - the Splatoon 2 team has toyed with the idea of doing seasonal fashion updates - as well as a variety of items that were previously featured in the original Splatoon. 

This release also includes four more hairstyle options you can choose from when designing your character, as well as a couple new tracks to listen to mid-match. Furthermore, the November 23rd content update will raise the existing level cap from 50 to 99. While grinding for those new levels, players can enjoy a variety of minor improvements such as the ability to change your gear while waiting for a multiplayer match. 

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On November 24th, the second stage of this content update will be made available. This part of the release features the four new multiplayer maps being added to the game over a period of weeks. The most amusing of these maps is certainly "MakoMart;" a giant shopping facility that the team added as a nod to the frenzy surrounding Black Friday sales. The names of the other maps haven't been confirmed - nor have their exact release dates - but they will take place in a Museum, a shopping mall, and a warehouse. 

Finally, a mid-December update will feature the introduction of Splatoon 2's fourth ranked battle mode. This mode, called "clam blitz," requires players to collect clams scattered throughout the map and drop them off in the opposing team's buckets. Said baskets are protected by barriers which can only be broken by a "power clam" earned by collecting ten regular clams.

This update should make it clear that Nintendo intends to support Splatoon 2 for the foreseeable future. The game's next major update is currently expected to be released around February or March of next year. 

The holidays are here, which means that it's time to stock up on the latest and greatest in the gaming world, including current gen consoles, the best games of the year, and tons of accessories. There were so many great games this year that you'll undoubtedly find a whole bunch of deals you won't be able to turn down!

Den of Geek has compiled a list of the best gaming holiday deals of 2017, starting with insane Black Friday deals and leading into December. On top of deals, there are also quite a few must-haves on this list. 

Here we go:

Black Friday Deals 2017

Logitech G903 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse - $149.99

If you game on PC, you know that you need an excellent mouse that fits all your needs: versatility, accuracy, a lightweight design, and it has to be comfortable for the hours you're going to spend schooling noobs in Counter-Strike, Overwatch, Dota, or League of Legends. That mouse is the all-new Logitech G903 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse, which comes stacked with the latest in gaming technology, including the best mouse sensor on the market, 11 fully programmable buttons so that you can set all of your in-game commands, RGB lighting, and wireless capability with 1-millisecond report rate. This mouse is a no-brainer for any pro or casual gamer.

And if you need more, Logitech has a whole series of Lightspeed gaming mice, keyboards, and even a wireless charging station! Check all the Lightspeed products out here.

Buy the Logitech G903 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse

PlayStation 4 Slim 1TB Console - $199.00 ($100.99 off)

The PlayStation 4 Slim is as cheap as can be for Black Friday. While this one doesn't come with games, it's still a pretty great deal if you've been dying to get a PS4!

Buy the PlayStation 4 Slim 1TB Console

Xbox One S 1TB Console Assassin's Creed Origins Bonus Bundle - $299.99 ($50 off)

The Assassin's Creed series returned to consoles this year with Origins, a prequel that takes players Ancient Egypt and the very beginning of the Assassins. It's a worthy new installment that revitalizes the franchise and takes players to a whole new setting that's barely been explored in gaming. If you haven't had the chance to play Assassin's Creed Origins because you don't have a current gen console, now might be your chance with this Xbox One bundle that comes with AC Origins, plus a bonus digital copy of Rainbow Six: Siege, a one-month trial subscription to Xbox Game Pass, and a 14-day free trial of Xbox Live. This is the Xbox starter kit you've been waiting for, friends!

Buy the Assassin's Creed Origins Xbox One S Bundle

PlayStation VR Bundle - $299.99 ($100 off)

If you've been waiting to jump into the VR scene, this might be your best chance yet - and you get Gran Turismo Sport out of the deal, too! The price tag has never been better.

Buy the PlayStation 4 VR Bundle

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End - $19.99 ($40 off)

Experience the final chapter of Nathan Drake's treasure-hunting saga for the lowest price ever. This is perfect for anyone looking to play a single-player game with a great story over the holiday break!

Buy Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

Final Fantasy XV - $19.99 ($40 off)

Play the highly anticipated next chapter in the classic JRPG for a crazy discounted price. This will probably be the best price you'll see for a while. If you've been waiting to jump on Final Fantasy XV, now's the time.

Buy Final Fantasy XV

Overwatch Game of the Year Edition - $29.99 ($30 off)

Overwatch is one of the best first-person shooters currently on the market. Blizzard has made a shooter that stands out from your annual Call of Duty installments, with an emphasis on teamwork, color, and tons of cool characters to choose from. For $30 off the retail price, it's the perfect time to nab this one!

Buy Overwatch Game of the Year Edition

Friday the 13th: The Game - $29.99 ($10 off)

Looking for a great family-friendly multiplayer game to play with your loved ones this holiday? This...isn't the game. But if you like tons of gore and chasing your friends around as a mass murdering maniac, Friday the 13th is the game for you!

Buy Friday the 13th: The Game

1 Year PlayStation Plus Membership - $39.99 ($20 off)

PlayStation Plus is a must if you're a PlayStation 4 owner. Want to play online? You need a membership to PlayStation Plus. Want a selection of free games every month? You need a PS Plus. Instead of dropping $60 on a 12-month membership, why not get yours for $40?

Buy a 1 Year PlayStation Plus Membership

Holiday Guide 2017

Coolbaby Mini Console

Since Nintendo has seemingly gone out of its way to make their HDMI-ready NES and Super NES Classic consoles available to consumers, some people are taking matters into their own hands. Meet the Coolbaby Mini Console. It looks and plays like the NES Classic, but is actually easier to get. And, oh yeah, it also features 600 different games. (Mainly modded variations of a few different titles though like the Super Mario Brothers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games). We don't know if any of this is legal, but we can say that these things are up on Amazon, so yeah, there you go.

Buy the Coolbaby Mini Console

Star Wars Battlefront II

Microtransaction controversies aside, Star Wars Battlefront II is still the hottest video game of the holiday season. You want it. Your friends want it. This is all very understandable. So we don't need to take up valuable Internet real estate telling you why its rad. Instead, here's what we want to know: How come nobody ever made a Star Wars mod of the classic arcade game Tapper? Think about it, it could have Wuher the bartender racing around the Creature Cantina trying to serve drinks to the likes of Hammerhead (Nagamaroo!) and Walrus Man. In the background, Han could be seen shooting Greedo. This sounds like bliss. I mean, Battlefront II is clearly great, but 8-bit glasses of blue milk sliding down a bar? Where do we sign up?

Buy Star Wars Battlefront II

Super Mario Odyssey

In the interest of fairness here's a non-dubious Nintendo-related offering: Super Mario Odyssey! The latest breakout game for the Switch gives Mario's iconic hat a name (Cappy) and magical abilities (possession!), and is an enthralling universe of its own that is bold enough to have its cake and occasionally transform it into an 8-bit retro party too. The only problem is after a game this much fun - check out our review here - how can Mario possibly top himself? That's a problem for another holiday season, because you'll be too busy having fun playing to wonder.

Buy Super Mario Odyssey

Doom for Switch

Doom was one of the best shooters of 2015, bringing back classic run and gun gameplay with a gory upgrade. If you want to take your demon hunting on the go, you NEED to get this Switch port, which runs wonderfully and even features the online multiplayer mode!

Buy Doom for Switch

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for Switch

Think your Switch experience needs more sword and sorcery? Look no further than Bethesda's classic fantasy RPG, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which has now arrived for Nintendo hybrid handheld console. Take your adventure through the snow-covered land of Skyrim on the go today!

Buy The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for Switch

Out of all the Star Warsmerchandise available this holiday season, there's one item whose midi-chlorian count is just a bit higher than all the rest. We introduce you to Samsung Powerbot Star Wars Limited Edition vacuums, which brings the Force to your house cleaning!

These robotic vacuums pay a unique homage to the galaxy far, far away and its beloved cast of characters, including Darth Vader and an Imperial Stormtrooper. In fact, these Star Wars Powerbot vaccums pack so much power that you might think they're the work of the dark side. 

Check out the video below to see how they work:

The Powerbot is a smart device capable of steering itself past any obstacles in your home, thanks to its FullViewSensor 2.0. In this case, there's no need for a targeting computer!

Or if you prefer, you can remotely control your vacuum with your smartphone. You can even use voice control through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant and will the vacuum will respond back to you with some of the most iconic sounds and lines from the film saga. 

These vacuums are fully operational, too. With 20x the suction power, the POWERbot eliminates dirt and debris from even the most hard-to-reach places. Plus, it gives every surface a deep clean — from hardwood to Hoth.

Best of all, you can get your very own Samsung Powerbot Star Wars Edition vacuum at a reduced price, thanks to these incredible Black Friday deals:

Purchase the NEW POWERbot Star Wars Limited Edition – Stormtrooper, for the Black Friday price of $499.99! (orig. $699.99) Plus free shipping! 11/19-11/27 only.

Purchase the NEW POWERbot Star Wars Limited Edition – Darth Vader, for $799.99! Plus free shipping!

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This article comes from Den of Geek UK.

Some of videogame history’s most eye-catching stories are reliably about failed software and hardware and catastrophic sales.

One of the earliest fables in the medium’s brief history surrounded the tie-in game for E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial - a game whose supply so outstripped demand that copies of it were famously buried in the New Mexico desert. Or, to cite a more recent example, the flailing attempt to create a British console to rival the Nintendo Entertainment System - the infamous Amstrad GX4000, which sold a few thousand units and then apologetically vanished. Or Nintendo’s first, deeply weird stereoscopic experiment, the Virtual Boy, which was continued after less than one year and widespread reports of nagging headaches.

If you’re one of the few people who own one of these games or systems, and happen to still have it in its box, then you’ll be having the last laugh. Boxed copies of E.T. tend to sell for between £30 to £80 depending on their condition. An as-new GX4000 might set you back £150 or more. As for the Virtual Boy, Nintendo’s failure is potentially your gain: the system was produced in such small quantities that boxed ones tend to sell from £200 to £300 depending on their condition. Some of its games are even more scarce: a copy of Virtual Bowlingsold online for an eye-watering £1722.77 back in September.

That once-shunned pieces of videogame history can command such prices is a sure sign of a maturing industry; indeed, while the demand for new experiences is as healthy as ever, the collecting of older games and systems has long since become a hobby in itself. There are sellers on eBay who specialise in selling nothing but retro games and machines; entire websites and YouTube channels are devoted to the subject.

The market for retro stuff is driven in no small part, no doubt, by simple nostalgia. Just as collectors of Matchbox cars or Star Wars toys want to reclaim the things they loved as kids - kept in boxes this time, rather than played with until they fell apart - so collectors of games are often attracted to the systems they grew up with. Someone who grew up in the early 80s would likely want to collect Atari 2600 games, for example; a child of the '90s might be more into PlayStation, PC or Nintendo 64 titles. But there are other reasons to obsess over old games, too: your humble writer mostly collects Japanese games from the '80s and '90s, largely because the graphic design and box artwork from that era just looks so appealing. 

As someone who’s collected videogames for over 15 years, it’s been interesting to watch how the interest in all things retro has grown. For as long as I can remember, there have been games that are legendarily rare and expensive; there’s that indescribably obscure Sega Mega Drive edition of Tetristhat can sell for tens of thousands of dollars.There’s the NES sports game Stadium Events - another title that occasionally makes headlines when a copy sells for around the price of a car. These and games like them are the golden fleece of the collecting scene - out of reach for most of us, unless you get lucky and find one in a second-hand shop, which isn’t too likely these days.

For the most part, the prices of games like Stadium Events and Mega Drive Tetris are driven by sheer scarcity: only a handful are known to exist, so if there’s a demand for them among collectors, then it follows that prices will be high. Over the past decade or so, though, games that were once thought of as comparatively common have steadily climbed in value. 

Take something like Pokemon FireRed for the Game Boy Advance; a used, good condition copy recently sold on eBay for £90. That’s hardly a bank breaking sum by Stadium Events standards, but it’s not bad for a game that, about a decade ago, you could probably have picked up at a fraction of the price. A game that was once a common sight in shops is now highly collectible, partly because of the growing interest in Pokemon, as collectors who loved the property as kids start buying the old games again, and also because its fragility means that good-condition copies are getting harder to find.

The increasing age and scarcity of some games, along with a growing collector’s market, has seen prices generally creep up across the board. Back when I first started collecting games, I largely stuck with Japanese Mega Drive titles, partly because I love the system, and partly because, in the early 2000s, getting hold of the games was relatively cheap and easy; with a bit of cunning, hunting and good timing, it was possible to get some of the more common titles for less than £5 on eBay. It was still possible to find old Mega Drives at second-hand shops or car boot sales. Even rarer titles, like Musha Aleste, a classic top-down shooter that puts mecha in a feudal Japanese setting, were available for a comparatively low price.

Today, all but the tattiest and most common Japanese Mega Drive games - an old baseball title missing its manual, say - will sell quickly on eBay. A copy of Musha Aleste will now set you back over £100. A decent, complete copy of another great shooter, Ex Ranza now sells for about £50 - about three times its cost a decade ago. Again, these games aren’t getting any younger, so it follows that the prices will creep up as a result. But there are also plenty of signs that a growing interest and accompanying demand for retro games is also pushing up prices. 

By 2012, my love of collecting videogames took me to Japan, and I was in heaven: compared to places like eBay, the prices of old games were incredibly cheap. By this point, my collection had grown to take in games for the Famicom, Super Famicom, Sega Saturn, Game Gear and PC Engine as well as the Mega Drive, so there were plenty of platforms to choose from. Dedicated retro game shops, including the now famous Super Potato in Akihabara, were full of all kinds of colourful, precious things - some impossibly rare, most less so. There were astoundingly expensive games like a low-run version of Gradius for the Famicom, which even there would cost hundreds of pounds or more. But dotted around the place were less scarce games that, by the standards of prices on eBay, were a bargain. There were PC Engine titles, in mint condition, available for less than the price of a new DVD.

A chain of stores called Book-Off reliably contained more delights. Although largely given over to books, comics, music and movies, these stores, easily found in most Japanese cities, contained a small yet awe-inspiring selection of classics. I snapped up copies of Super Mario World and Mario Kart for only a few pounds. I got back from Japan in the spring of 2012 with a suitcase full of games and a traumatised wallet; if I’d known then what I know now, I’d have bought even more stuff.

Four years later, I was fortunate to briefly visit Tokyo again, and I was stunned by how much things had changed. The range of PC Engine games at Super Potato was down to just a handful of titles; the prices all over Akihabara had sky-rocketed. There was a similar story at the Book-Off stores I had time to explore: still some bargains to be found, but fewer of them. While the shifting rate of exchange meant my pounds sterling didn’t stretch as far as it did in 2012, the difference was still unmistakable. Titles that were common four years earlier had either vanished or shot up in price; copies of Super Metroid were readily available in those Book-Off stores in 2012. By 2016, dedicated retro shops had them behind glass - like that Gradius title, they’d joined the ranks of holy relics. Admittedly, they looked mint, but even so, times had clearly changed. 

With hindsight, I probably should have seen all this coming. Although modern games often dazzle with their technical sheen, there appears to be a growing affection and respect for classic games like Mega Man, Castlevania, and Metroid. As such indie hits as Super Meat Boy and Shovel Knight have referenced their ingenious design, it seems natural that a growing number of people would want to seek those original titles out. And as the games industry increasingly heads towards the digital realm, there really is nothing like having a physical copy of a classic title.

Nintendo evidently recognises the affection for retro stuff. While the firm’s never been afraid of referencing the past, the NES Mini and this year’s Super Nintendo Mini are something else altogether. The titles packaged on those systems have been available for years as downloads, but Nintendo recognised that people wanted a physical connection to the past: a boxed, tangible item that tapped into the affection for those systems and some of their best games. For those who don’t have the money and space to buy an original SNES and a copy of Super Metroid, the Mini could be considered the next best thing - though it’s an irony that scarcity, demand and cold-blooded scalpers on eBay have made these expensive items in themselves.

So with the rising cost of retro, does all this mean that collecting games is only for the wealthy? Far from it. While it’s getting more difficult to find a bargain for the Mega Drive or Super Famicom - especially if you’re after the more sought-after titles - it’s still possible to find an obscure classic if you’re patient and seek out the best deals. A game like Galaga 88 for the PC Engine, to cite one example off the top of my head, is one of the best 2D shooters ever made - and copies of it are still curiously low on eBay. 

Alternatively, it’s never too late to start thinking about what the collectible games of the future might be. Western translations of Japanese RPGs are reliably sought after, especially in their special edition forms. Under-appreciated systems like the PSP and Vita are already getting a healthy collecting community springing up around them, and prices are likely to go up as the best titles grow scarce.

Then there are the companies like Limited Run Games, Nicalis and others like them, which specialise in publishing physical copies of indie titles like Wonder Boy: TheDragon’s Trap or The Binding Of Isaac. We wouldn’t be too surprised if they become increasingly collectible in the future.

The main thing is to collect what you love. The vast majority of games will never come close to appreciating in value, but the simple act of tracking down your favourite titles and finally - finally - getting one for a decent price is all part of the fun. Besides, those colourful boxes sure look handsome lined up on a shelf...

Niantic has announced that Pokemon GO's community has successfully reached the three billion Pokemon captured goal that they set out for players just a week ago, which means that Farfetch'd is now available worldwide.

In case you missed the original announcement, developer Niantic challenged players to collectively capture three billion Pokemon as part of a global event. To incentivize players everywhere, Niantic even offered in-game "stretch goals." For instance, at 500 million captures, players unlocked an XP bonus and an increased number of Pokemon available across all regions. A similar deal was offered at 1.5 billion captures. 

The real prize, though, is Farfetch'd. Previously, he was one of the region-specific Pokemon only available in certain parts of the world (all based in Asia). Thanks to the completion of this objective, he will now be globally available for a 48 hour period. Additionally, Kangaskhan - a Pokemon usually only available in Australia - will be made available to all Asia players for the same 48 hour period. 

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This isn't the first Pokemon GO event, but it is most certainly the most significant event that Niantic has created thus far. Previous events, such as the Chicago meet-up, were plagued by technical issues and overall poor event planning. Elsewhere, events like the game's Halloween-themed additions fell quite short of expectations in terms of the amount of content offered. 

This event, however, was both incredibly ambitious in terms of player requirements and far more rewarding so far as the end goals are concerned. Pokemon GO players have always been slightly bothered by the fact that certain creatures have been restricted to specific regions. Needless to say, they didn't exactly find cause to buy a plane ticket to Japan just to catch a unique Pokemon. 

If you haven't been keeping up, Niantic is slowly but surely building upon Pokemon GO's initially meager gameplay offerings with the addition of these events as well as permanent gameplay additions like new raids and expanded gym features. 

As for Farfetch'd, you'd better hurry if you want to add him to your in-game roster. 

It's become a bit of an unfortunate trend to compare every hard game out there to Dark Souls. Saying that such and such game is the Dark Souls of "insert genre here" has become something of an internet meme. 

The latest game to inspire that comparison, Cuphead, may indeed be quite the challenge, but unlike titles like Hollow Knight or Salt and Sanctuary, it doesn't actually feature any Dark Soulselements. 

Perhaps inspired to lend a little more credence to those comparisons, the YouTube channel 64 Bits recently imagined what a Cuphead and Dark Souls crossover would look like. 

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While the team at 64 Bits deserves quite a bit of credit for their design and animation work - this is seriously well-done stuff - we have to admit that these two universes do go together surprisingly well. No, not every aspect of Dark Souls necessarily carries over to the world of Cuphead - and vice-versa - but it's clear that the Cuphead/'30s cartoon animation style is quite capable of conveying the inherent charms of a darker world.

Then again, those who played Cuphead might not be too surprised by that revelation. After all, that game is loaded with subtle dark elements - smoking, gambling, gun violence - that were prevalent in cartoons from that era. It makes sense that a slightly toned down take on Dark Souls wouldn't feel too out of place in that era of animation. 

All the same, the level of detail in this animation is undeniably impressive. From the Gaping Dragon wearing a bib to Sif, the Great Grey Wolf starting off as a cute puppy, the crew at 64 Bits have clearly played through Dark Souls quite a few times and understand what makes its design so appealing. 

Actually, we're starting to feel pretty depressed about the fact that we'll likely never get an official Dark Souls-themed expansion to Cuphead. 

To The Moon, the 2011 indie RPG from developer Freebird Games, is finally getting a sequel. Fortunately, it's not going to be the game teased in this mock trailer recently released by the game's development team:

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That brilliant parody preview of the upcoming sequel suggests that To the Moon 2, referred to there as "2 The Moon," will feature more action than ever before, more loot boxes than ever before, and a classic sci-fi storyline involving space cults or some such thing. 

Of course, none of that information is real. While there is a sequel to To the Moon set to release on December 14th - its actual title is Finding Paradise - it will not feature guns, loot boxes, or silly sci-fi plots. 

That's all well and good, but there are still several questions that remain regarding what this sequel will actually feature. If you never played 2011's To the Moon...well, you need to drop everything and fix that right now. While To the Moon's classic JRPG-style gameplay isn't exactly revolutionary, the real star of the show is the game's heartbreaking narrative. In fact, some consider To the Moon's tale of two scientists who try to help a dying man achieve his greatest desire to be the greatest story in video game history. 

The only problem with the game's story is that it doesn't necessarily lend itself to a sequel. There were no obvious cliffhangers or lingering plot threads left to be addressed, nor were there any real implications of a greater universe in play. Based on the real information released thus far, it seems that the scientists from To the Moon will make a return, but this time, they will interact with entirely new subjects as part of a separate adventure. 

Given that To the Moon featured the kind of creative talent that cannot be considered a coincidence, we eagerly anticipate seeing what the Finding Paradise team has up their sleeve that we will most certainly be borrowing to wipe our tears with. 

Many consider 2008's Pandemic to be the ultimate "gateway" board game. That is to say that it's the kind of game that is perfect for those who don't consider themselves to be hardcore board gamers. It's hard to argue against that designation given that Pandemic's basic premise - cure four diseases plaguing your game board - and co-op gameplay quickly captures the attention of a variety of gamers. 

However, if you're looking to move beyond the gateway scene, then you need to know about Pandemic: Legacy.

Pandemic: Legacy's basic gameplay is similar to Pandemic. That is to say that both see a team of 2-4 players work together to remove a series of "disease cubes" from a cardboard global map using a variety of actions and strategies.What separates Legacy is what happens after you finish the game.

Instead of cleaning up the board and starting over as you would in a standard game of Pandemic - or most board games - Legacy adds a plotline to the core Pandemic experience that spans the course of 12 separate games. Think of each one of your playthroughs as an episode in a seasonal storyline format. Each episode even dramatically alters the game in some way that carries over to the next episode. Even better, the narrative in question is a brilliantly told story that expertely incorporates a variety of possibilities. 

Pandemic: Legacy currently occupies the coveted number one spot on Board Game Geek's community-voted list of the greatest board games of all-time. Now, Pandemic: Legacy Season 2 has finally arrived. 

In an interview with IGN, Pandemic creators Matt Leacock and Rob Daviau dove into what you can expect from Pandemic: Legacy Season 2and why it is the one board game that all gamers need to be aware of. 

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“I think board games do a lot of things well that video games don’t, and video games do a lot of things well that board games don’t," said Daviau. "I always say a video game is like a photograph, and a board game is like an impressionist painting. We have to pick the things we’re going to focus on and let all the other details fall away, and you just end up with a different feel."

It's hard to argue with that comparison in the case of Pandemic: Legacy. There's really no video game experience that offers what Legacy offers in terms of a deep narrative bolstered - not hindered - by its multiplayer elements. So far as Season 2's story goes, Daviau promises that Legacy fans should prepare themselves for an ever-changing narrative. 

“When the game starts there are three havens in the world, which are sort of the last bastions of human civilization,” Daviau explains. “Every year the leaders of the havens get together and go on a kind of business retreat, then they come back and reallocate resources and give an update to their people. Then one year they just don’t come back."

While the idea of avoiding spoilers in a board game sounds absurd, it's absolutely necessary in this case to not expand upon Legacy Season 2's story beyond that teaser. Even if we could, the game's creators warn that the plot is so dynamic that it's unlikely that two gaming groups will have the same experience. 

“Like in this game the way you explore the world is a little more in your control," said Daviau. "Chances are you’re not going to see everything on your first time through...I think people will have more widely divergent experiences than with the first game, because one of the things we noticed was that people wanted a little more say over how their world went.”

Pandemic: Legacy Season 2 is available now across major retail outlets. Just be sure that you play through Season 1 first. 

Earlier this year, it was widely reported that Square Enix had quietly suspended the future development of the Deus Ex franchise. According to these reports, the publisher had elected to put the series on hiatus as part of their plan to focus on the development of other properties. 

Now, Square Enix CEO Yosuke Matsuda is stepping in to contradict those claims.

"We have never said anything about discontinuing that title but for some reason that's the rumour out on the market," said Matsuda in an interview with gamesindustry.biz. "What I can say is Eidos Montreal has always developed Deus Ex, and the issue is we do not have limitless resources. We have several big titles that we work with and that's partly a factor in what our line-up looks like."

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While Matsuda shoots down the notion that the franchise has been completely abandoned, he does clarify that franchise fans do need to understand the practicalities of the situation from Square Enix's standpoint. 

"Of course, it would be ideal if we could work on all of them all of the time, but the fact of the matter is some titles have to wait their turn," said Matsuda. "The reason there isn't a Deus Ex right now is just a product of our development line-up because there are other titles we are working on."

That being said, Matsuda added that top Square Enix representatives are "already internally discussing and exploring what we want to do with the next installment of it [Deus Ex]." 

It seems that Deus Ex fans shouldn't expect to hear any official news regarding a new franchise installment within the next business year or so. Matsuda's comments seem to indicate that the publisher's immediate budget and development schedule are already devoted to other projects, such as the first collaboration with Marvel, The Avengers Project, and the previously rumored game based on Guardians of the Galaxy. 

Still, it's encouraging to know that there may be more Deus Ex games in the future. 

Oh sure, 2017 may be the year that keeps on giving in terms of quality video game releases, but that's no reason to forget about 2018. 

While its far too early to say that next year will be as great as 2017 (again, we mean solely in terms of quality video games), 2018 is shaping up to be a fascinating year for the video game industry. While Sony and Microsoft battle for control of a rapidly approaching 4K future, Nintendo is hoping to prove that the Switch's early success will carry over into year two. Meanwhile, the PC market continues to benefit from the growing VR industry and a constant influx of indie titles. 

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Of course, the true star of 2018 will ultimately be the games. So far as that goes, there are already quite a few promising titles on the horizon. We've taken a look at all of the games that are confirmed for next year, at least as a release window, and have chosen the ones we think you need to an eye on.

Here are the best looking games of 2018 so far:

A Way Out

TBA | Hazelight Studios | XBO, PS4, PC

Nobody outside of EA and Hazelight Studios had ever heard of A Way Out prior to E3 2017, but it ended up being one of the most noteworthy games featured during this year's show. A Way Out is a co-op action title displayed entirely through the lens of a split-screen. While the game’s early sections will focus on completing an elaborate prison break, later levels will seemingly cast both players as fugitives. 

We’ve played co-op games for years, but few have ever taken advantage of the concept from a presentation and storytelling standpoint quite the way that A Way Out does. The game’s split-screen style allows for both players to always influence the events of the story even when one is watching a cutscene or is otherwise indisposed. It’s a remarkably fresh take on the co-op concept that may prove to be the shot in the arm the cinematic action genre desperately needs.

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Anthem

TBA | BioWare | XBO, PS4, PC

What is Anthem? Well, it's a sci-fi shooter from BioWare that casts players into the role of a mercenary tasked with protecting a walled society beset by a variety of threats. If that sounds like a pretty generic description, that's because EA and BioWare haven't exactly been eager to share more details about what figures to be one of 2018's most high-profile releases. 

In a way, that's what makes Anthem so exciting. We know that BioWare has been working on this game for some time, and we know that it represents a pretty dramatic departure from the studio's RPG roots. We also suspect that the game will utilize an online multiplayer element similar to the one seen in Destiny. This is the game that may very well determine whether or not BioWare will reclaim the glory of their name.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

March | Inti Creates, ArtPlay, DICO Co. Ltd | XBO, PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Vita, OS X, Linux

Koji Igarashi is the man you should thank for translating the Metroid style of gameplay to Castlevania and helping create the fabled "Metroidvania" genre. He was the driving creative force behind Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and the producer of many Castlevania titles released since 1996. Bloodstained represents his long-awaited return to the genre. 

As we recently explored, Bloodstained is a Metroidvania-style Castlevania game in every way but its name. It is Igarashi's attempt to develop the kind of Castlevaniagames that he wanted to make before policy changes at Konami made the development of such titles an uncertain prospect. Castlevania fans have been supporting this game since its debut on Kickstarter, and we can't wait to see whether or not Igarashi can deliver the Castlevania spiritual successor that gaming desperately needs. 

Code Vein

TBA | Bandai Namco Studios | XBO, PS4, PC

While many developers of Dark Souls-like games have attempted to avoid that comparison whenever possible, Code Vein director Hiroshi Yoshimura has welcomed the comparison. He knows that Dark Souls changed the action RPG genre, and he hasn't tried to hide the fact that Code Vein was heavily inspired by that classic franchise. 

However, Code Vein is much more than a flattering tribute to Dark Souls. With its anime style and outlandish storyline involving a world of vampires, Code Vein is clearly not interested in replicating Dark Souls' somber tones and vague narrative. Instead, Code Vein figures to be a fast-paced and genuinely wild take on this genre that should still be rooted in the kind of deep and satisfying combat system that this genre is known for. 

Detroit: Become Human

TBA | Quantic Dream | PS4

Much like director M. Night Shamalayn, game designer David Cage's projects tend to either be brilliant (Heavy Rain) or bewilderingly misguided (Beyond Two Souls). His next game, Detroit: Become Human, can honestly go either way.

Become Human is a neo-noir sci-fi thriller that tells the story of a group of androids who are trying to rebel against an abusive society and the people assigned to hunting them down. It's hard not to think of Blade Runner from that description, but Detroit: Become Human figures to distinguish itself from its inspirations through a branching narrative and its more thorough look at both sides of this conflict. It remains to be seen whether or not Cage's sometimes bewildering brand of brilliance will make this a truly special title. 

Days Gone

TBA | SIE Bend Studio | PS4

Despite the fact that Days Gone has been one of Sony's centerpiece titles for the last two E3s, we still don’t really know all that much about the game. It seems to be about a group of survivors in the zombie apocalypse just trying to do what they can to live another day, but the exact roles of the game’s principal characters remain a source of debate.

What we do know is that Days Gone’s The Last of Us presentation style and Horizon: Zero Dawn world design may just prove to be tantalizing enough to justify another trip through the zombie apocalypse. Days Gone’s emphasis on the power of a horde in an open-world setting is a fascinating way to ensure that the game’s zombies don’t just become bullet sponges or jump-scare devices. We look forward to seeing what other innovations Days Gone brings to the table.

Dragon Ball FighterZ

January 26 | Arc System Works | XBO, PS4, PC

Hearing that another studio is making a new Dragon Ball Z fighting game is a lot like finding out you’re out of toilet paper. It's a potentially disastrous situation that you quite honestly should have seen coming. However, Dragon Ball FighterZ is not just another Dragon Ball fighting game, and that’s because it’s not being made by just another studio.

No, Dragon Ball FighterZis a high-octane, beautifully rendered, pure 2D fighting game from the makers of the Guilty Gear series. With its impressive roster of memorable characters and 3 vs. 3 team system, Dragon Ball FighterZ is shaping up to be a fascinating alternative to the Marvel vs. Capcom series for those looking for a pure fighting title that emphasizes the insanity of epic encounters.

Far Cry 5

February 27 | Ubisoft Montreal | XBO, PS4, PC

Far Cry 5 is a difficult game to read. On the surface, this looks like just another Far Cry game. What that means - at least since Far Cry 3 - is a large world, co-op madness, a psychotic villain, and a variety of weapons and vehicles. Given that Far Cry 4 was admonished for adhering too closely to this system, it’s strange to see how much Far Cry 5 looks like more of the same in many ways

However, Far Cry 5’s fascinating rural setting and emphasis on narrative may just prove to be the X-factors that elevate this title above its predecessors. While the world of Far Cry 5 is no doubt controversial, the game’s creative look at a cult whose warped sense of morals have corrupted a small town and the rebellion that results in response to their actions is the kind of new twist that makes an old ride worth taking again.

God of War

TBA | Santa Monica Studio | PS4

Much like Days Gone, God of War has been one of the centerpieces of Sony’s E3 press conference the past two years, yet we still know relatively little about the game. What we can tell you is that God of War looks like a hard reboot of the franchise in terms of gameplay. The demos showcased thus far suggest that this new title will ditch the original God of War trilogy’s combo-based high octane gameplay in favor of a more methodical combat system, with a much bigger emphasis on narrative.

The jury is still out on that approach, but what really gets us excited about this game is the way that it incorporates rarely explored aspects of Norse mythology and seemingly casts Kratos into the role of protective father. In fact, God of War feels like a brand new IP due to the number of changes made to the formula.

Kingdom Hearts III

TBA | Square Enix Co., Ltd. | PS4

It hasn't exactly been a long time since we last played a new Kingdom Hearts game - the series is kind of infamous for its oddly named sequels, prequels spin-offs, and re-releases - but it has been about 13 years since the release of Kingdom Hearts II. Suffice to say, that time has only made the game's passionate fanbase even more rabid.

Fortunately, Kingdom Hearts III is shaping up to be the Kingdom Hearts game that we've all been waiting for. This strikingly beautiful title will not only finally bring classic Disney classics like Toy Story into the fold, but it figures to improve the franchise's already great gameplay through the implementation of a better camera and a refined combat system. Dare we say that this game might just live up to the hype?

Kirby

TBA | Nintendo | Switch

While the next Kirby game certainly wasn’t the star of Nintendo’s E3 2017 showcase - how you doin' Samus? - it was one of those games that many found themselves taking a second look at when the festivities were over. Those that did may have noticed that this looks like a return to some of Kirby’s platforming roots, albeit with a very welcome upgrade in visuals.

What really gets us excited about Kirby, however, is the way that it seems to be designed as a four-player co-op experience. Recent Nintendo multiplayer platformers - most notably Super Mario 3D World - rank among the most purely enjoyable gaming experiences of this generation, and Kirby looks to deliver more of that timeless fun.

Marvel’s Spider-Man

TBA | Insomniac Games | PS4

When we heard that Insomniac Games was making a Spider-Man game, we wiped our monocles with our monogrammed handkerchiefs and declared it “acceptable” with an exhale of dignified air. When Sony actually showcased said Spider-Man game at E3 2017, we were forced to drop our cautious pretense and simply embrace the sheer fanboyish joy of what looks like a truly fantastic Spider-Man experience.

While there have been a few great Spider-Man games over the years, Insomniac’s take on the character is already shaping up to be the character’s greatest gaming adventure. Thanks to the innovations of the Arkham series and Insomniac’s own experience with silky smooth movement controls, this upcoming Spider-Man game may just be the one Spider-Man title that actually captures everything interesting about the character rather than simply mastering a lone iconic aspect of one of Marvel’s greatest heroes.

Metro: Exodus

TBA | 4A Games | PS4, XBO, PC

If you haven't yet dived into the Metro franchise, then you've been missing out on some of the best first-person shooter experiences in years. Metro 2033 was a post-apocalyptic masterpiece that brilliantly portrayed a dark and demented end of the world scenario. Metro: Last Light was the even better sequel to that classic shooter/RPG experience. 

We don't know much about Metro: Exodus, but we do know that developer 4A Games has fought hard to ensure that their vision for this much-anticipated sequel lives to see the light of the surface world. If they deliver an experience that is even close to what they've already achieved with this franchise, then Metro: Exodus may just end up stealing 2018 from some considerable competition. 

Monster Hunter: World

January 26 | Capcom | PS4, XBO, PC

While the Monster Hunter franchise is most certainly popular - particularly in Japan - it has arguably been some time since the series has expanded the size of its dedicated fanbase. That's largely because Capcom hasn't found much reason to tweak the franchise's formula in recent years. That has been enough to please current fans, but hasn't given those who aren't already spending their time besting a variety to towering behemoths reason to do so. 

Monster Hunter: World represents the developer's clearest attempt at creating a Monster Hunter game that will turn nonbelievers into devotees. The core gameplay remains the same as ever - hunt down a variety of monsters using a series of incredible weapons - but World figures to be the largest Monster Hunter game yet as well as the most ambitious from a sheer technological perspective. 

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

TBA | Obsidian Entertainment | PC, Mac, Linux

Obsidian Entertainment has long been known as one of gaming's best sources for deep and intelligent RPGs. With Pillars of Eternity, Obsidian returned to the glory days of the isometric RPG experience and delivered one of the best genre experiences in recent memory. Now, they are back to improve upon their considerable previous efforts.

With Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, it's already clear that Obsidian is ready to fix the few design flaws that prevented Pillars of Eternity from being everything that it could be. Its controls will be smoother, its story will deeper, and its world will be a rich and lively tapestry of cultures and personalities. This may be the first time that Obsidian has had the pleasure to develop a sequel to one of their own games, but it's clear that the studio knows exactly what they want to accomplish with this title. 

Psychonauts 2

TBA | Double Fine Productions | XBO, PS4, PC

To be perfectly honest, the only thing we really know about Psychonauts 2 is that it is the sequel to Psychonauts. But really, that is all we need to know about Psychonauts 2. When Psychonauts was released in 2005, it was immediately hailed as one of the funniest and most original experiences that designer Tim Schafer had ever gifted the world. Given that Schafer is known for dealing solely in such experiences, it was quite the reception.

What we really want from Psychonauts 2 is more. More wild minds to explore, more Saturday morning cartoon aesthetics, and more casual humor that grows on you the more you begin to appreciate how it serves as the backbone for the game’s gloriously weird world. It’s not often we simply ask that a sequel give us more of the same, but it’s not often such a unique game ever gets a sequel.

Red Dead Redemption 2

TBA | Rockstar | XBO, PS4

What do we want? Red Dead Redemption 2! When do we want it? In a time frame that will reasonably allow developer Rockstar to find a way to somehow top the greatest western video game ever made and quite possibly the studio’s finest hour.

Ok, that chant needs a little work, but the point is that we don’t fault Rockstar for deciding to delay Red Dead Redemption 2 to 2018, nor do we blame them for telling us relatively little about the game thus far. Red Dead Redemption was an almost perfect video game experience. In fact, Rockstar accomplished so much with that game that we doubt it even technically needs a sequel. If they’re going to give us one, though, we want to know they are able to deliver the kind of experience that makes us feel just like we felt the first time we rode into Mexico with a gut string melody lingering in the air.

Sea of Thieves

TBA | Rare | XBO, PC

At the risk of toppling the “It’s been awhile since Rare has delivered a truly great game worthy of their legacy” bandwagon, it really has been awhile since Rare has delivered a truly great game worthy of their legacy. At first, Sea of Thieves didn’t look like that game. However, its impressive E3 2017 showing has left us singing a different shanty.

Sea of Thieves' greatest asset is Rare’s complete abandonment of “realistic” pirate culture. Instead, Sea of Thieves embraces the romanticized concepts that propelled these seafaring outlaws into the pop culture stratosphere. The highest compliment we can pay Sea of Thieves is that it looks like it will perfectly recreate the imaginary adventures we enjoyed on the playground so many years ago when the jungle gym was a ship mast.

Shadow of the Colossus

February 6 | Bluepoint | PS4

We’d be lying if we said that we haven’t thought much about Shadow of the Colossus since its 2005 debut - memories of the grand epic stand as a measuring stick for all other gaming experiences - but we never thought that we’d see a Shadow of the Colossus remake. Generally speaking, games casually, yet accurately, described as timeless aren’t candidates for remakes.

However, the moment we laid eyes on the new Shadow of the Colossus’ stunning visual design, we immediately felt the need to jump back into this world and replay a game that could be considered the truest testament to the “Games are art” argument. If you've not played the original or need an excuse to play this game again, 2018’s Shadow of the Colossus is going to be a must-have.

Shenmue III

TBA | YS Net, Neilo | PS4, PC

When we first heard that Shenmue was finally receiving the third installment that most gamers figured would never happen...well, there may have been some entirely unprofessional giddy cheers. In the days, weeks, and months that have followed that reveal, we've unfortunately not been treated to many official updates regarding the game's story, gameplay features, or final visual style. 

Still, we're talking about a sequel to a franchise that was not only revolutionary but has remained in the hearts of the many who played its first two installments. With any luck, Shenmue III will be the epic tale of kung-fu revenge and bizarre minigames that we've been waiting for. 

State of Decay 2

TBA | Undead Labs | XBO, PC

The original State of Decay was a fascinating example of how true ambition can conquer all. Developer Undead Labs didn’t have much to work with when they began working on State of Decay, but they did have a vision. Their vision was an epic open-world zombie apocalypse title that focused more on survival than action or horror. State of Decay was about building something strong in a defeated world. Its blend of base building, resource management, and role-playing was intoxicating.

While the biggest on-paper change coming to State of Decay 2 is the inclusion of co-op play, the reason we’re especially excited for this game is that Undead Labs finally has the resources and experience they need to deliver the game that they attempted to deliver the first time around.

System Shock

TBA | Nightdive Studios | XBO, PS4, PC

It’s been far too long since we’ve played a new System Shock game. While you can’t deny the impact of titles like BioShock or the appeal of a game like Prey, no title in this genre has ever quite replicated System Shock’s usage of horror and suspense. While System Shock 3 is unfortunately not on the near horizon, this remake of System Shock will most certainly help pass the time.

Developer Nightdive Studios has proven time and time again that it cares about ensuring that truly classic games are played by a new generation of gamers. The studio's love for System Shock combined with the few snippets of the game we’ve seen thus far leaves us with little doubt that Nightdive will be able to revitalize everything that makes System Shock an essential experience.

The Swords of Ditto

March | onebitbeyond | PS4, PC

Never heard of The Swords of Ditto? We’re not surprised. Every E3, there is at least one game which can’t quite match the budget or graphical prowess of major titles, but ultimately ends up being one of the best games revealed at the show. Based on everything we’ve seen thus far, The Swords of Ditto may very well prove to be that game.

The Swords of Ditto’s core mechanic involves the legacy of the game’s playable heroes. Much like Rogue Legacy, every successful and unsuccessful run through this game will leave a mark on the world. You can even quest to find the epic weapons that the previous hero left behind. What really makes The Swords of Ditto stand out, however, is its Adventure Time-esque visuals and creative co-op combat options. This is just one of those games that takes the best of what came before and binds it all together with irresistible charm.

World of Warcraft: Battle For Azeroth

TBA | Blizzard Entertainment | PC, Mac

2016's World of Warcraft: Legion arguably did more to revitalize the 13-year-old MMO than the last few expansions combined. Through a combination of fan-requested features and innovative new concepts, Blizzard used Legion as proof that World of Warcraft still has plenty of life left in it. Now, they look to top their considerable efforts with the release of the game's next expansion, Battle for Azeroth.

Battle for Azeroth looks to take World of Warcraft back to its Horde vs. Alliance roots. That means a greater emphasis on PvP battles, new worlds specific to both factions, and a brand-new conflict system that incorporates elements of classic Warcraft RTS games gone by. On top of all that, you get the usual additions of fresh raids, new gear, and an even higher level cap to grind towards. This could just be the best WoW expansion yet. 

Yoshi

TBA | Good-Feel | Switch

Much like Kirby, the list of things we don’t know about Yoshi is slightly longer than what we do know about the game. What we can tell you, though, is that Yoshi’s Woolly World was one of the Wii U’s most underrated titles and one of Yoshi’s greatest adventures. The reason that matters is because this upcoming Yoshi title looks like it intends to replicate many of the qualities that made Wooly World as great as it was.

This time around, however, the Woolly World formula is bolstered by the introduction of a new mechanic that allows players to “flip” a stage and open up new paths. It sounds simple, but if the game’s first trailer is any indication, this mechanic will force players to completely reconsider the way that they view the typical 2D platformer level. For those who lament how far Mario has walked away from his platformer roots, Yoshi may just be the classic Nintendo experience you’re looking for. 

It seems that developer Niantic Labs isn't done rewarding Pokemon GO players for helping to complete the recent three billion captures challenge. They've already allowed players in all regions to capture Farfetch'd, but now, they've added a far more valuable Pokemon to the game's roster of catchable creatures. 

Niantic has confirmed via Twitter that players will now be able to capture the legendary bird Pokemon Ho-oh via special in-game raids. 

Earlier this year, Niantic added fellow legendary bird Pokemon Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres and Lugia to the game. At the time, there was quite a bit of speculation regarding why Ho-oh wasn't added alongside his companions. The most popular theory was that he was being save for a future in-game event, and it seems we now know exactly what that event is. 

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From now until December 12, players will have a chance to capture Ho-oh via raid battles. If it's been a little while since you played Pokemon GO, then the first thing you should know is that you will need a full squad of 20 players to participate in the raid that results in the capture of Ho-oh.

Fortunately, Niantic recently made quite a few changes to the game's raid system which makes them far more rewarding overall. Between those changes and the chance to capture this legendary bird, you should find it pretty easy to find a raid group. 

Furthermore, you should know that Friday is the last day that you'll have the chance to capture this month's legendary dog Pokemon in the game's Tier 5 raids. That is also the day that the remainder of the rewards from the Global Catch Challenge - which include double XP, double Stardust, and an increased capture rate overall - will expire. In short, now would be a great time to jump back into Pokemon GO if you haven't done so recently. 

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is being adapted into a mobile app exclusive to players in China. 

Chinese internet company Tencent officially confirmed they are developing the mobile app via a press release on their website (which Polygon has since translated). The gist of this announcement is that Tencent intends to deliver a mobile version of PUBG that retains the spirit and mechanics of the original game. If you're suddenly wondering how a company could possibly turn a 100 player battle royale experience into a mobile app...then we'd like to direct your attention to the surprisingly lucrative market of mobile PUBG knockoffs. Some of those third-party mobile games are simply inspired by PUBG. Others are entirely derivative. 

The one thing that all of them have in common is that they are exclusively available in China. That appears to be the case with this upcoming official adaptation of PUBG. Tencent has not indicated that they have any plans to bring this mobile version of PUBG to the West, but most analysts are predicting that such a move is almost inevitable at this point given the size of the game's market. 

As it stands, there is no release date available for this adaptation in any market. 

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Tencent's role in this adaptation is raising a few eyebrows amongst the PUBG community given that Tencent recently led the charge to have PUBG banned in China until it was updated to reflect "socialist core values, Chinese traditional culture and moral rules.” At this time, there has been no word regarding what kind of changes will be implemented in order to make the game more culturally sensitive. Some have speculated that Tencent's disapproval may have been part of the company's larger plan to acquire the exclusive rights to publish PUBG in China. 

Considering that some of the mobile PUBG knock-offs released thus far have done a fairly decent job of replicating the game - minus the cumbersome addition of touch controls - there is a chance that this mobile version of the game might not be quite as bad as you might imagine it would be.