Nintendo finally confirmed the next iteration of the Switch console family: the Switch Lite, which arrives on September 20. The very first pre-order pages have gone up, so it will soon be possible to reserve your own, including the slick, Pokemon Sword and Shield-themed Zacian and Zamazenta Edition.The Switch Lite costs $200, versus the full price of a regular Switch at $300. In exchange, the Lite is smaller, can't dock to the TV, and has no detachable Joy-Cons or rumble. It does add a real d-pad, however, which fans have been requesting on the regular Switch since it came out. It seems the new system is a great as a substantially cheaper entry-point into the Switch ecosystem, as well as being more conveniently portable for players that prefer the console's handheld mode anyway. For more details on things like Amiibo support and transferring between consoles, check out everything we've learned about the Switch Lite.Here's where you can pre-order every version of the Nintendo Switch Lite. Currently, Best Buy has only posted placeholder pages, so you can only sign up for notifications of when it will go live, but we'll update this article as more retailers open up pre-orders.Switch Lite pre-ordersNintendo Switch Lite - Turquoise -- $200Get it at Best BuyNintendo Switch Lite - Gray -- $200Get it at Best BuyNintendo Switch Lite - Yellow -- $200Get it at Best BuyNintendo Switch Lite - Zacian and Zamazenta Edition -- $200Get it at Best BuyInfo from Gamespot.com

Nintendo surprised everyone this morning with an addition to the Nintendo Switch family. The Nintendo Switch Lite--a lighter, cheaper version of Nintendo's flagship device--is set to launch this September and makes a few minor adjustments to hit its more affordable price tag. Despite rumors of another Nintendo Switch console, said to feature improved hardware over the existing model, the company says there are no other new pieces of Switch hardware coming this year.GameSpot sister site CNET shared the news at the tail end of its report. According to newly-appointed Nintendo president Doug Bowser, the Nintendo Switch Lite is the only new Nintendo Switch console this year. Bowser says the traditional Nintendo Switch won't receive any updates or upgrades. However, there are reports of an upgraded Nintendo Switch console in production.Bowser seems to suggest Nintendo is sticking to just two options: the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch Lite. Hardware adjustments are nothing new for Nintendo, as the company is notorious for introducing incremental upgrades to its long-running DS family. The 3DS lineup consists of the 2DS (2013), the 3DS (2011), the 3DS XL (2012), the New 3DS (2014), the New 3DS XL (2015), and the New 2DS XL (2017).Though it may be cheaper than the Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch Lite will still support Amiibos, features device switching, will receive a Pokemon Sword and Shield model, and comes with a notable controller improvement.The Nintendo Switch Lite launches on September 20 for $200 USD / $287 AUD / £160 GBP. You can check out the announcement trailer below. Info from Gamespot.com

CBS All Access' upcoming Picard series got a brand new poster teasing the addition of one critical member to the cast: Jean Luc's new "No. 1," a dog who apparently helps the retired Starfleet admiral tend to his retirement vineyard. The poster was tweeted out by none other than Sir Patrick Stewart himself.Picard.#StarTrekPicard #StarTrek pic.twitter.com/1hw4SJDXEk — Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) July 10, 2019The dog's name remains a mystery, but his rank was spotted by eagle-eyed fans on the Starfleet emblem hanging from his collar.The vineyard imagery comes as no surprise to anyone who watched the first teaser trailer, released back in May. We don't have many details about the plot as of yet, but from what we can tell, there was an incident--"the unimaginable"--that drove Jean Luc into retirement after a majorly heroic act.Now, people are left wondering what the Admiral has been up to since his departure from Starfleet. Hopefully not just making wine--though, let's be honest, we'd definitely watch that show, too. It's set approximately 20 years after the finale of Star Trek: The Next Generation, so there is plenty of room to explore and doubtlessly, plenty of stories to tell about Chateau Picard or otherwise.Picard is expected to air on CBS All Access at the end of this year under the direction of showrunner, acclaimed novelist Michael Chabon.Disclosure: CBS is GameSpot's parent company.Info from Gamespot.com

Ebay came out swinging against Amazon's annual Prime Day sale with a cheeky counter-promotion of its own and a promise to roll out deals over several days. One of those discounts available today is a can't-miss price on a brand-new PlayStation 4 Pro.The PS4 Pro 1TB is going for $320, a whopping 20% off its regular MSRP. It's listed among Ebay's Deals page, which is currently running a "Hot Deals for Hot Days" sale with new discounts daily through July 22. This is all centered around beating Amazon at its own summer sales game, including an "Ebay Crash Sale" planned to compete directly with the retailer on July 15, when Prime Day begins. Ebay promises that if Amazon crashes, it will trigger extra discounts to be unlocked on its site.See PS4 Pro at Ebay ($320) »Ebay also boasts that many of its sale items include free shipping without a membership, unlike its competitor. Some other notable deals that have already gone up include:Sea of Thieves for $22 ($60)Halo 5 Guardians limited-edition controller for $63Apple iPad Air for $620 ($749)PS Plus one-year membership for $40 ($60)Dualshock 4 PS4 wireless controller (magma red) for $40 ($60)Marvel's Spider-Man Funko Pop: Miles Morales for $9.64 ($11.98)Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones for $200 ($350)Amazon has been successful marking mid-summer as a destination for deals, and more than past years other retailers are stepping in to join the fray with their own discounts. Ebay is the one most directly targeting Amazon with its messaging, but a GameStop Summer Sale and Target Deal Days both overlap with Prime Day as well. And if you do pick up a shiny new PS4 Pro, you can also get some great deals on PS4 games to go with it.Info from Gamespot.com

Reports had been circulating that Nintendo was working on a smaller, cheaper iteration of the Switch, and sure enough, the company has finally pulled back the curtain on the Nintendo Switch Lite. Designed strictly for portable play, the system launches this September with a lower price point and some pared back features, making it a more affordable alternative to the standard Switch model.While there are still some questions lingering around the Switch Lite, Nintendo has revealed a number of details about the new system, including its release date, specifications, what games it will be compatible with, and more. If you're curious about how it compares to the original Switch, we've rounded up everything we know about the new system so far below.Release Date And PriceThe Nintendo Switch Lite launches worldwide on September 20, 2019. In the US, the system will retail for $200 USD--$100 cheaper than the standard Nintendo Switch. International pricing details have not yet been announced. Amazon UK has the system listed for £200, although that price point could be a placeholder.How Is Switch Lite Different?While the standard Nintendo Switch can function either as a portable or home console, the Switch Lite is tailored specifically for handheld use. As such, the system cannot be docked or played on a television. It is also smaller and lighter than the base Switch, with a 5.5-inch touch screen (compared to the standard 6.2-inch screen), and it features 20-30% better battery life than the original console.Unlike the existing Switch model, the Switch Lite will also have a solid body, meaning it won't come with detachable Joy-Con controllers. It will also be missing some other features, such as rumble and the IR sensor. Because it is designed for handheld play, it will also lack a kickstand. However, it will boast a true D-pad, rather than the directional buttons found on a standard Joy-Con. That makes it the only Switch model to come with a proper D-pad, as it appears Nintendo has no plans of adding one to Joy-Con controllers. Joy-Cons will still be compatible with the Switch Lite, and in fact will be the only way to play certain titles that typically don't support handheld play (more on that below). Can I Transfer My Data Between Switch And Switch Lite?While Nintendo has not yet announced specifics, the company says it is planning a transfer feature that will let you move data between the standard Switch and Switch Lite. It's unclear as of yet how this will work, but more details will be shared at a later date.What Colors Will Be Available?The Switch Lite will launch in three different color schemes: yellow, turquoise, and grey. Nintendo is also releasing a special edition Pokemon model on November 8, just ahead of the release of Pokemon Sword and Shield. This version will feature a light grey body with cyan and magenta buttons, while the back the back is adorned with an illustration of the games' Legendary cover Pokemon, Zacian and Zamazenta.Will It Work With All Switch Games?Not quite. Switch games will need to support handheld mode in order to function on Switch Lite, given that it's the only mode the system supports. Specifically, Nintendo Labo will have issues due to the device itself being a different size. Other games, such as 1-2-Switch and Super Mario Party will require the purchase of Joy-Cons, as neither can be played in handheld mode with the controllers attached.What Else Doesn't Work?Nintendo has yet to provide a comprehensive list of supported games and accessories, but we can surmise at least some that won't work. For instance, the vaunted Flip-Grip, which allows you to turn the original system sideways and attach Joy-Cons (ideal for playing vertical shooters such as Ikaruga) won't work, given the system's smaller size.Can I Use Amiibo With It?Yes, while the Switch Lite drops some features from the base model, the system will still support Amiibo figures. Just as with the standard Switch, you can tap an Amiibo on the right control stick and scan it in a compatible game such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate or the upcoming Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening remake, which is launching alongside a new Link Amiibo figure.Does It Support Bluetooth Headphones?No, like the original Switch, the Lite does not offer support for connecting headphones via Bluebooth. It does have a standard headphone jack, but those hoping for a Switch to finally allow the direct use of Bluetooth headphones are out of luck. In fact, the Lite is worse than the original Switch in this regard; without the use of the USB ports on the old Switch's dock, the Lite won't even be able to rely on third-party solutions to this problem.Info from Gamespot.com

We're nearly there, folks--Amazon Prime Day 2019 is kicking off in less than a week, starting at midnight PT on Monday, July 15 and running until midnight on Wednesday, July 17. That's a full 48 hours of deals, ranging from lightning deals that sell out in minutes to Prime Day-exclusive deals that run the entire two days (or until they go out of stock). Then there's Target, Walmart, Ebay, and all the other online retailers shoving their way into the action with their own sales on or around Prime Day. Between all that shopping hubbub, there will be a ton of deals going around, which can be a bit overwhelming when you're trying to get the best discount.If the PS4 is your primary gaming system of choice, we'll have you covered with all the best PS4 deals on games, consoles, controllers, headsets, and practically anything else that falls under the Sony sphere of influence. Most discounts will go live this weekend and early next week, but there are some PS4 deals available already that you should be aware of. Just know that most sales haven't gone live yet, so bookmark this page and check back as we continue to curate the best PS4 gaming deals during the 2019 Prime Day bonanza.Kingdom Hearts 3 - on sale for $20 at GameStopBest PS4 game dealsOne major gaming sale kicked off a week before Prime Day, and that's GameStop's storewide Summer Sale. If you follow GameStop's sales closely, you'll see that many of these discounts have been offered in the past, but there are still a few PS4 game deals worth noting. Plus, other retailers are already beginning to discount some games in the days leading up to Prime Day, even though their sales haven't officially kicked off. See the best PS4 game deals available now below. We'll be sure to update this list if lower prices become available.Anthem: Legion of Dawn Edition -- $20Assassin's Creed III Remastered -- $20Assassins Creed Odyssey -- $20Borderlands Game of The Year- Only at GameStop -- $15Call of Duty WWII -- $19.97Days Gone -- $40Destiny 2 Forsaken Legendary Collection -- $20Devil May Cry 5 -- $40The Division 2 -- $20Fallout 76 -- $25Far Cry New Dawn -- $20Kingdom Hearts 3 -- $20MLB The Show 19 -- $40Marvel's Spider-Man -- $27.98Monster Hunter World -- $18.93Mortal Kombat 11 -- $46.98NBA 2K19 -- $20Nier: Automata Game of the Yorha Edition -- $24.65Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered -- $41.86Owlboy -- $15Persona 5 -- $19.97Persona Dancing: Endless Night Collection -- $49.97Rage 2 -- $40Red Dead Redemption 2 -- $35Samurai Shodown -- $49.94Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice -- $47.30 Star Wars Battlefront II -- $9.97PS Plus 12-month subscription - on sale for $36PlayStation Plus dealA PS Plus subscription is required for online multiplayer in most games; plus, it gets you free monthly games and exclusive discounts on games on PSN. At this point, it's basically a necessity for many PS4 gamers. While 12 months of PS Plus generally sells for $60, you can sometimes find a subscription at a discount--and right now at MassGenie, you can grab a year of PS Plus for as cheap as you're likely to find it these days: $36. To claim the deal, click the link below, and you'll be asked to either log in or create a free account. After that, you'll be redirected to checkout, where you'll see promo code 12MPSPSNMC automatically applied. After the Power Deal ends, you'll receive the PS Plus code via email, which you can then redeem in your PSN account. You can check out the PS Plus product page at MassGenie for more info.Get 12 months of PS Plus -- $36 ($60)PS4 Pro - on sale for $320 at EbayBest PS4 console dealsWhile we have a good idea regarding what kind of games will be on sale during Prime Day, console and bundle discounts are mostly a big question mark at this point. However, if you're in the market for a new PS4 Pro, Prime Day will likely be your best chance to snag one until Black Friday. And right now, Ebay has an incredible deal on a brand-new PS4 Pro for only $320 and free shipping. This is a ridiculously low price for arguably the best console on the market, which generally sells for $400, so grab this deal fast if you're interested.See PS4 Pro at Ebay -- $320 ($400)DualShock 4 wireless controller (magma red) - on sale for $40 at EbayBest PS4 accessory dealsFrom headsets and controllers to charging docks and more, accessories can only make your gaming experience better, and they're often crucial if you often play online with friends or enjoy local co-op. As Prime Day kicks off, we'll include more info on the best PS4 accessory deals here. In the meantime, check out some of the early deals available now below.DualShock 4 wireless controller (various colors) -- starts at $44.10DualShock 4 wireless controller (magma red) -- $40 ($60)PlayStation Platinum wireless headset -- $119.50 ($160)PlayStation Gold wireless headset -- $75 ($100)PowerA DualShock 4 charging station for PS4 -- $16 ($25)SteelSeries Arctis Pro wireless gaming headset with Bluetooth for PS4, PC -- $285 ($330)More Amazon Prime Day 2019 coverage:Everything You Need To Know About Amazon Prime Day 2019Not-Prime Day 2019: All The Best Sales That Aren't On AmazonFree Apex Legends Skins Coming To Twitch Prime Members For Prime DayGameStop Kicks Off Huge Summer Sale Just Before Prime DayTarget Deal Days Sale Announced, Overlaps With Amazon Prime DayEbay Sale Might Have You Rooting For Amazon To Crash During Prime DayNew Exclusive Star Wars Funko Pop Launching For Amazon Prime DayEarly Prime Day Perk Includes Free Rewards For Red Dead 2 Online, GTA 5 OnlineThe Free PC Games Twitch Prime Members Can Claim In JulyWatch Out, Amazon Prime Day: Walmart Is Coming For YouInfo from Gamespot.com

Nintendo made a big splash with the announcement of the Switch Lite, which is a handheld-only version of original system's model. While this means that it'll be limited in some aspects--no docking or detachable Joy-Con, among other things--it comes at a lower cost and a slightly smaller design. And what you can immediately see in the first photos of the Switch Lite, is a traditional directional pad.The Nintendo Switch Lite hits store shelves on September 20, 2019 alongside the launch of The Legend Of Zelda: Link's Awakening remake. While you can choose from a yellow, gray, or teal color scheme, a special Pokemon Sword and Shield edition will hit November 8, 2019 just ahead of the game's launch.Below, we compiled some of the important specs and features for both the original Switch and new Switch Lite for a simple comparison between the two. Switch (original)Switch LiteScreen Size6.2 inches5.5 inchesResolution720p (undocked)720pDimensions (H x W x D)4" x 9.4" x 0.55"3.6" x 8.2" x 0.55"Weight0.88 lbs / 399 g0.61 lbs / 277 gBattery Life Range2.5 - 6.5 hours3 - 7 hoursGraphics ProcessorCustom Nvidia Tegra GPUCustom Nvidia Tegra GPUInternal Memory32 GB32 GBDetachable Joy-ConYesNoTV Mode / DockingYesNoHD RumbleYesNoKickstandYesNoAmiibo SupportYesYesPrice$300$200So, while you don't get some notable features, like HD rumble or the bigger screen, the Switch Lite comes as a cheaper, more portable option with slightly better battery life--it's attractive for those who would primarily play in handheld mode. However, by design, there will be a few games that won't work with the new Switch Lite, such as the Nintendo Labo Kits; in the case of something like 1-2 Switch, you'd need to sync a separate pair of Joy-Con.In addition to the Switch Lite reveal, Nintendo said that it has plans for a method to transfer files, useful for existing Switch owners who would move to the new system, though there aren't any details on it quite yet. If you're excited about the new Switch D-pad and want to see it on a Joy-Con for the original model, you might be disappointed. Those hoping for a sort of "Switch Pro" model with higher-end features should note that the Switch Lite is the only new version planned for this year. For everything else you need to know about the new system, check out our Switch Lite FAQ.Info from Gamespot.com

With The NPD Group publishing an updated list of this console generation's best-selling games in the United States, it's unsurprising that Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto V remains one of the most downloaded games. Sony has revealed June's top PS4 downloads in the U.S. and while GTA V does make the list, 2K Sports' NBA 2K19 reigns supreme on the platform.Sony posted the list on the American PlayStation Blog. NBA 2K19--which was on sale for $3 during E3 2019--sits in the number one spot for June, while Marvel's Spider-Man follows in second and GTA V follows in the third. One of July's free PS Plus titles, Detroit: Become Human, finds itself in sixth. God of War and Days Gone round out the PS4 list at ninth and tenth, respectively. The European PlayStation Blog unveiled its own list, with Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled sitting in the number one spot and Minecraft PlayStation 4 Edition taking control of the number two spot.Over on the PlayStation VR, Five Nights at Freddy's VR: Help Wanted holds the number one spot for June in the U.S. Superhot VR and Beat Saber follow closely at second and third, respectively. The virtual reality headset's launch title, PlayStation VR Worlds, lands in seventh. Until Dawn: Rush of Blood closes the PSVR list at tenth.Sony included free-to-play titles in the top PS4 downloads list as well. Dauntless, which launched in May after a year-long open beta, takes the number one spot for June. One of the most played battle royales, Fortnite, and one of the most innovative battle royales, Apex Legends, follow right behind in second and third, respectively. Warframe occupies the ninth spot. H1Z1: Battle Royale sits in tenth on the free-to-play side.Sony also highlights the top PS4 theme downloads as well, which include Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, Monster Hunter World, and Tekken 7 themes. You can check out the full list of June's top PS4 downloads in the U.S. below.PlayStation 4NBA 2K19Marvel's Spider-ManGrand Theft Auto VMinecraft PlayStation 4 EditionCrash Team Racing: Nitro-FueledDetroit: Become HumanTom Clancy's Rainbow Six SiegeDayZGod of WarDays GonePlayStation VRFive Nights at Freddy's VR: Help WantedSuperhot VRBeat SaberVacation SimulatorJob SimulatorBlood & TruthPlayStation VR WorldsArizona SunshineRick and Morty: Virtual Rick-alityUntil Dawn: Rush of BloodFree-to-Play PS4 GamesDauntlessFortniteApex LegendsBrawlhallaWarfacePro Evolution Soccer 2019 LiteRealm RoyaleWorld of Warships: LegendsWarframeH1Z1: Battle RoyalePlayStation 4 ThemesBorderlands: The Handsome Collection ThemeMonster Hunter World – Dynamic Theme: NergiganteRetro Synthwave Dynamic ThemeLegacy Dashboard ThemeDying Planet Dynamic Theme1980's Retrowave Dynamic ThemeCyber Storm HiQ Dynamic ThemeRetro Night Ride Dynamic ThemeBlood Mood HiQ Dynamic ThemeTekken 7 – Original Theme Set: 'Over 3 Million!' & 'Alisa' Info from Gamespot.com

The Legendary Pokemon Mewtwo has returned to Pokemon Go for a limited time. Following Groudon's departure from the game, the powerful Psychic-type is back again in Raid Battles through the end of July, and this time around, it's donning some special armor.To coincide with the Japanese release of Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution, a CG remake of the first Pokemon movie, every Mewtwo you encounter in Raids will be wearing its armor from the film. This marks the first time Armored Mewtwo has appeared in any Pokemon game, so you won't want to miss your chance to catch one. Along with its different appearance, Armored Mewtwo has more defensive stats and is capable is knowing different moves than its standard form.Armored Mewtwo will appear in five-star Raids until 1 PM PT / 4 PM ET / 9 PM BST on July 31, so you'll have until then to add one to your collection. Despite its different stats and appearance, the Pokemon is still a pure Psychic-type, so your best bet is to bring along Dark, Ghost, and Bug Pokemon such as Darkrai, Giratina, and Scizor when you challenge it in battle. If your team manages to defeat Mewtwo, everyone who participated in the Raid will earn a chance to catch it.Mewtwo isn't the only Legendary making an encore appearance in Pokemon Go this month. As a reward for completing enough Global Challenges during the recent Pokemon Go Fest event in Dortmund, Germany, Niantic is bringing Entei back for a special Raid Day on Sunday, July 14. The Legendary will appear in five-star Raids from 4-7 PM local time, and you'll be able to capture its Shiny form if you can come across one.While Groudon may no longer be available in Raids, you can still encounter one through July's Field Research tasks. The next Pokemon Go Community Day is also just around the corner. This month's event takes place on July 21 and will feature Mudkip, the Water-type starter from Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire.Info from Gamespot.com

July marks the start of the Summer 2019 anime season, which will continue until the end of September. There aren't too many heavy hitters in the US this summer (with the likes of Food Wars: Season 4 and My Hero Academia: Season 4 scheduled for the fall), but there are still quite a few excellent titles to enjoy and a couple of surprise gems as well.In the following guide, we outline the eight anime you should consider adding to your queue this season. We've chosen shows and movies that debut in US theaters or premiere on Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hidive, Prime Video, Netflix, or Hulu during the summer.We've done our best to keep this guide as diverse as possible, but most of the best anime this season are based on Weekly Shonen Jump manga or pull from shonen tropes, so expect to see a few similarities in terms of narrative structure. This is the first time a movie has made one of our guides, though, and we've included two brand-new original anime series that aren't based on any existing light novels, manga, or video games. So yes, you'll find a lot of shonen stories here, but there's sci-fi, coming-of-age slice of life, magical girl, mecha, and historical fiction as well.If your itch for more anime isn't satisfied by the time you finish this guide, consider checking out our other anime guides for 2019. The links to each are listed below. We also covered Anime Expo 2019 and have compiled a list of our 10 favorite anime and anime-like games seen at the convention, nine of which are scheduled to come out this year.2019's Seasonal Anime GuidesWinter (January-March) 2019 Anime GuideSpring (April-June) 2019 Anime GuideDr. StoneWhere to watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation, and VRVPerhaps the most anticipated title in the Summer 2019 lineup, Dr. Stone is managing to meet the high expectations that fans have had for it. Dr. Stone is yet another Weekly Shonen Jump series in the evolving shonen demographic that wants to see more introspective characters that solve problems without fighting, incorporate darker themes in their stories, and have more nuanced villains. Think along the same lines as The Promised Neverland.The story of Dr. Stone begins in the present day, with average-performing but physically fit high school student Taiju confiding in his best friend, science-loving Senku, that he's going to confess to Yuzuriha, the girl he's had a crush on for five years. However, just before Taiju is able to express his love, a strange light shines over the entire Earth and encases every human in stone. As time passes, Taiju is able to stay conscious through his desire to confess while Senku simply counts the seconds. 3,000 years later, the two manage to free themselves. The two decide to work together to find a way to undo everyone else's petrification as well as recreate every scientific breakthrough that mankind has ever made in order to rebuild their society.Fire ForceWhere to watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation, and VRVIn terms of anticipation, Fire Force is right up there with Dr. Stone. My Hero Academia fans who are anxiously awaiting Season 4 will most likely enjoy this firefighting shonen series, which contains plenty of superpowered battles and an easy-to-love protagonist with aspirations of being a hero. Plus, the animations for Fire Force--especially when fire, flames, or sparks are concerned--are absolutely gorgeous to look at.Created by the author behind Soul Eater, Fire Force takes place in a world where a strange phenomenon has affected certain individuals. Those in the first generation affected eventually spontaneously combust and become mindless demonic Infernals, while the second generation can control fire, and the third can produce fire and are flame-resistant. Shinra Kusakabe is a third generation able to channel fire through his legs to move at supersonic speeds. Blamed for the death of his mother and younger brother, who died in a house fire, Shinra joins an elite firefighting unit that subdues Infernals in order to find the one responsible for his family's death.Astra Lost In SpaceWhere to watch: FunimationDespite all the buzz around Dr. Stone and Fire Force, Astra Lost in Space is shaping up to be my favorite anime of the season with one of the strongest opening episodes I've seen in any science-fiction TV series. In the span of a single episode, the series establishes the personality of all its characters (all of whom I deeply love already), sets up an intriguing storyline, and builds a futuristic setting without any clunky exposition. It's incredibly rare for a science-fiction or fantasy story to handle world-building so well in a first episode, and it gives me high hopes for the rest of the series.In the year 2063, a group of high school students is set to begin summer camp--which in the future means staying on another planet without adult supervision for five days. After being dropped off, however, a mysterious sphere attacks and transports them into space over 5000 light years away. Managing to board an abandoned spacecraft, the group quickly realize they are months away from reaching their home sector of space and only have enough food and water for a few days. In order to survive, they'll need to jump from planet to planet and scavenge for supplies on alien worlds they know little about.Carole & TuesdayWhere to watch: NetflixAfter premiering in Japan, the long-awaited Carole & Tuesday anime is finally coming to the US this summer. A musical comedy, Carole & Tuesday is a beautiful collaboration of Eastern and Western art, featuring enchanting Japanese-style animation and magnificent performances by talented English-speaking singer-songwriters. The series is helmed by the director behind Cowboy Bebop and Space Dandy and features a diverse cast--including a black woman as one of the two stars.Taking place in the future on a terraformed Mars, the anime follows the musical journey of the titular heroines: Carole Stanley and Tuesday Simmons. Carole is an orphan constantly moving between jobs she's being fired from while trying to carve out a career for herself as a musician who plays keyboard. Tuesday is a pampered rich girl who's fed up with her easy life and runs away from home to be a guitarist. Though the two are from completely different socioeconomic backgrounds, Carole and Tuesday forge a bond through their shared desire to create music and decide to pursue their dreams together as a singer-songwriter duo.O Maidens In Your Savage SeasonWhere to watch: Hidive and VRVO Maidens in Your Savage Season tackles perhaps the most awkward part of growing up--learning about sex and managing sexual urges and thoughts--but does so in a pretty hilarious and relatable way. The first episode contains one of the funniest masturbation scenes I've ever seen, though I'm still trying to figure out if I was tearing up from laughter or because I could so easily empathize with the awkwardness of these teenagers as they shamefully try to hide their urges and kinks from others. Don't be mistaken, O Maidens in Your Savage Season is good but it also jumps into the year or two in most people's lives that we'd all rather forget. The story behind this anime is an emotional rollercoaster. For context, the writer also worked on Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day and directed/wrote Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms.O Maidens in Your Savage Season focuses on the changing relationships among the literary club at a high school after one of the members expresses a desire to have sex before she dies. After being spoken out loud, all of the girls in the club begin to realize they've--consciously or not--had the same desire. Of course, teenagers being teenagers, this want of sex is mixed with exploding hormones, a longing for acceptance by peers, and a yearning for love. In their pursuits to claim what they most want, these girls will break and mend friendships, awaken gay desires, forge healthy relationships (and a few unhealthy ones), and claw their way into adulthood.PromareWhere to watch: TheatersStudio Trigger's theatrical debut, Promare, is coming to the US this summer. In GameSpot's Promare review, I wrote, "Promare's plot does stumble, most notably when it comes to how it builds its world and fleshes out the main cast, but it takes enough cues from what made Kill la Kill such a hit to then go out and tell its own take on why discrimination is bad and why everyone should learn to love their fellow person. Galo's origin story of becoming a firefighting superhero is framed with over-the-top action pieces, comedy, and well-timed pieces of music, and though he delivers an incredible finishing blow in the epic final battle, it's his evolving rivalry with Lio that gives the movie its satisfying ending."Similarly to Fire Force, Promare sees a subset of the population develop fire-based abilities. However, instead of devolving into mindless beasts, Promare's Burnish are just regular people trying to live their lives and not accidentally hurt anyone. However, a subgroup called the Mad Burnish do enough damage that a special firefighting unit is put together to don mech suits and battle against the pyrokinetic terrorists. The newest member of this team, Galo, aims to extinguish all of the world's fires and won't stop until he's saved his city from the Burnish threat. His actions lead to a confrontation with Mad Burnish's leader, Lio Fotia.GranbelmWhere to watch: Crunchyroll and VRVAn original anime series, Granbelm mixes together narrative beats from both magical girl and mecha anime to craft a story that looks good. The anime is helmed by the director behind Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World and its story is penned by the writer for A Place Further than the Universe. I'm not a huge fan of the expositional dumps when it comes to explaining the lore of Granbelm's world, but the action scenes are all pretty top-notch, and main character Mangetsu Kohinata has a great shonen protagonist battle cry.Granbelm takes place in a world where magic was once commonplace. However, when humanity began abusing magic for war, seven mages gave their lives to seal all of the magic away forever. In the present day, Mangetsu Kohinata accidentally stumbles into the pocket dimension where all that magic is still stored and learns she's one of the living descendants of the mages that sealed it away--and thus one of the few people in the world who can still utilize magic. Before she knows it, she is flung into a war between all the other living descendants where the victor will be able to claim the sealed magic for themselves. Each descendant is able to magically transform through the power they wield and summon powerful mecha to channel their unique abilities into more powerful attacks.Vinland SagaWhere to watch: Prime VideoA historical anime, Vinland Saga will appeal to those who enjoy series like Dororo, 91 Days, and Golden Kamuy. Vinland Saga is a bloody tale that cleverly utilizes fiction to fill in the gaps surrounding King Cnut the Great's real historical rise to power. Like other historical anime, Vinland Saga is a slow burn. But it's a phenomenal revenge-focused narrative that takes its time to build up its world before jumping into the main story. Oh, and its protagonists are anti-slavery, which I shouldn't have to point out as a big plus, but that's just the reality of the anime industry right now.Set at the start of the 11th century, Vinland Saga focuses on the expanding conflict between England and the Danish invaders (Vikings) that defined the time period in northern Europe. The anime actually begins with a prologue, utilizing its first several episodes to explain how protagonist Thorfinn became the skilled fighter he is in the main story, as well as why he has such a burning vengeance to kill his commander. It's an excellent narrative choice that adds a hefty level of suspense for first-time viewers who haven't read the source material. Go into this anime as blind as you can. You won't regret it.Info from Gamespot.com

It's a big weekend for wrestling events. On Saturday, AEW's Fight for the Fallen will air on B/R Live, and on Sunday, WWE will host its annual Extreme Rules PPV on the WWE Network. It's going to be a fantastic weekend for wrestling fans.On Sunday, July 14, you can watch Extreme Rules for yourself on PPV through your local satellite or cable provider. However, the WWE Network allows new subscribers to sign up for the service for one month free, without any obligation. So you can sign up, watch Extreme Rules for free, then cancel if you're not into the network. Simple as that. Below, you'll find the start time for the main card of the PPV.Extreme Rules start times:4 PM PT6 PM C7 PM ET12 AM BST (July 15)9 AM AET (July 15)Like all WWE events, there will be a Kickoff Show on the Network starting one hour prior. Normally, there is at least one match on the pre-show, but as of this writing, that has not been announced yet.In total, there are ten matches on the card, seven of which are title matches. There are a few very interesting stipulations on the card. While this is an Extreme Rules PPV, there is only one match on the entire card with that stipulation. However, to make things a bit more interesting, it is a mixed-tag "Winners Take All" bout. Raw's champions Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins take on "Mr. Main Event" Baron Corbin and Lacey Evans. If Evans pins Lynch, then both she and Corbin win both titles, and vice versa and every combination of that scenario.Also on the card is the handicap match between Smackdown Women's Champion Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross. If Bliss or Cross pins Bayley, they both become the champion. We haven't had a co-championship reign in WWE for quite some time, so that could be very interesting.Below, you'll find the full match card for Extreme Rules, and make sure to come back to GameSpot this Sunday for live coverage of the event.Extreme Rules Match Card:Aleister Black vs. CesaroThe Revival (c) vs. The Usos (Raw Tag Team Championship)Braun Strowman vs. Bobby Lashley (Last Man Standing Match)Drew Gulak (c) vs. Tony Nese (Cruiserweight Championship)Ricochet (c) vs. AJ Styles (United States Championship)Daniel Bryan & Rowan (c) vs. Big E & Xavier Woods vs. Heavy Machinery (Smackdown Tag Team Championship)Bayley (c) vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross (2-on-1 Handicap Match)Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Samoa Joe (WWE Championship)Seth Rollins (c) & Becky Lynch (c) vs. Baron Corbin & Lacey Evans (Winners Take All Mixed Tag Team Extreme Rules Match)The Undertaker & Roman Reigns vs. Shane McMahon & Drew McIntyre (No Holds Barred Match) Info from Gamespot.com

More details have emerged about the online Lord of the Rings game that was announced last year. Amazon Game Studios announced that it's partnering with Leyou Technologies and its Athlon Games label to create a free-to-play Lord of the Rings MMO.The game is based on J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings literary trilogy--the books, not the movies--so it may feature some familiar faces. However, no story details are available at this stage, though Amazon did confirm that this project--which has no release date--is separate from Amazon's Lord of the Rings TV show. That program takes place in the Second Age, which is long before the events of the books."The game will give fans around the globe a new, immersive game experience for epic exploration of the vast world of Tolkien," Amazon said in a press release.The untitled Lord of the Rings MMO is being made for console and PC, and Amazon will market and publish the game everywhere in the world except China; Leyou will handle it there.The game is being developed by the same internal Amazon studio that's working on its 17th Century MMO New World. People working on the Lord of the Rings game include veterans who worked on big online games such as Destiny, Planetside, WoW, Everquest, Defiance, and Rift.It appears plans may have changed for the Lord of the Rings MMO, as it was initially reported that the game is set in Middle-earth "a long time" before the events of The Lord of the Rings. The game was believed to cover "lands, people, and creatures never before seen" in the Tolkien universe, but now it seems things might have shifted.Amazon's Lord of the Rings MMO will seemingly compete directly with the existing Lord of the Rings MMO, The Lord of the Rings Online, which launched all the way back in 2007, and is also based on the books, not the movies. The game is still in operation to this day, though its ownership has changed hands. That game never made the jump to console, however, while Amazon plans to release its game on console. Amazon's game has no release date, which suggests it's not coming soon. That means it could potentially release on the Xbox Scarlett and PlayStation 5, though this is only conjecture.Middle-earth Enterprises, which controls the non-literary rights to Tolkien's work, is involved with and excited about Amazon's new game."Who among us hasn't wanted to take part in an epic adventure," Middle-earth Enterprises brand and licensing boss Fredrica Drotos said in a statement. "More than 60 years after the publication of The Fellowship of the Ring, we’re delighted that Amazon Game Studios has partnered with Leyou to bring their respective expertise to build a much anticipated game that will immerse us in the beloved, epic world of Middle-earth, envisioned by Professor Tolkien."In addition to this new MMO, Daedelic Entertainment is making a Lord of the Rings game that focuses on Gollum.Leyou Technologies owns Digital Extremes (Warframe) and Splash Damage (Gears of War 4 multiplayer), while it previously invested millions of dollars into Halo and Call of Duty co-developer Certain Affinity.Video games are just one part of Leyou's business. The company also operates a slaughtering and processing facility in China that is capable of processing 18 million chickens every year.Info from Gamespot.com

There have been numerous reports over the past few months that Nintendo has been working on new iterations of its Switch console, including a handheld-focused model that would turn out to be the newly announced Switch Lite. That's not all; it looks like the standard Switch will also be getting some new components.As reported by The Verge, Nintendo has filed a Class II Permission Change request with the Federal Communications Commission to make changes to the existing Switch. According to the filing, the company is swapping the console's system-on-chip, NAND memory type, and CPU board. The filing doesn't go into more specifics than that, so it's unclear if these changes will have a noticeable impact on the system's performance.As previously mentioned, Nintendo has announced a smaller, more affordable version of the Switch called the Switch Lite. The system will launch this September and is optimized for handheld use, meaning it doesn't feature detachable Joy-Con controllers and can't be docked and played on a television. It is also missing a kickstand, HD rumble, and an IR sensor, but it still supports Amiibo figures and has an estimated 20-30% better battery life than the base model. Another advantage it has over the standard Switch is a proper D-pad.The Switch Lite launches around the world on September 20, the same day The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening remake arrives. The system will be available in three colors at launch--yellow, turquoise, and grey--with a special edition Pokemon model following in November ahead of Pokemon Sword and Shield. In the US, the Switch Lite will retail for $200 USD.There have also been reports that Nintendo is working on a more powerful iteration of the Switch; however, the company has said there will be no other new Switch hardware this year besides the Lite. You can read more about the system in our roundup of everything we know about the Switch Lite. We also answer some of the most common questions about the console in our Switch Lite FAQ. Be sure to also check out our Switch Lite pre-order guide.Info from Gamespot.com

Out of nowhere, Nintendo announced a brand-new Switch model today--the Switch Lite. A smaller, less powerful system with fewer features and no ability to connect to the TV, the system is definitely aimed at reaching a new audience. Naturally, retailer GameStop is excited about it.Speaking with GameSpot, Chief Customer Officer Frank Hamlin offered his reaction to the system. "We're incredibly excited about it; I think it's a real opportunity to grow Switch penetration within a family," he explained."I think it's also a really good adjunct if you haven't gotten into the Switch yet as a way to get into the Switch ecosystem if you're presently playing on other systems," he said.GameStop is a market-leader in the United States for new hardware sales, so any new entrant is seemingly good news for the company. Hamlin also spoke to GameSpot about the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Scarlett, and we'll have more on that soon.While the Switch Lite was officially announced today, the system was rumoured for a long time. Before any of the rumours even started, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto talked about how the company's ambition was to drive Switch sales to a level of more than one per family.Nintendo wants the Switch "to be owned not just by every family, but by every single person," Miyamoto said. The new Switch Lite model appears to be connected to that ambition.The Switch Lite goes on sale in September. With its inability to connect to the TV, it's seemingly being positioned as purely a handheld system that appeals to a different audience.In addition to the Switch Lite, Nintendo is reportedly planning an update for the regular Switch system. However, it's unclear if the new version will be more powerful, as it is rumoured.Switch Lite's New D-Pad Won't Be Added To Joy-ConsNintendo Switch Lite Getting Pokemon Sword And Shield ModelNintendo Planning Switch Lite Transfer FeaturesNintendo Switch Lite Won't Use Joy-Cons, But Has One Big Controller ImprovementInfo from Gamespot.com

Psychonauts 2 will not release in 2019 as planned. Developer Double Fine, which was recently acquired by Microsoft, has announced that the adventure game is shifting to 2020.The news was announced in a post to Fig, the crowdfunding website where the game raised $3.9 million in funding back in 2016. In the post, Double Fine said the delay--while it's tough--is the right thing to do to make Psychonauts 2 a better game."We're now targeting next year for release. We know it's always disappointing when you have to wait a bit longer, but we also know that you are an amazing, supportive bunch, who--just like us --want the game to be as good as possible. So we're hopeful you'll understand," Double Fine said.Double Fine also confirmed in the blog post that, despite being bought by Microsoft, the studio will still honor Psychonauts 2's release on every promised platform. That means the game will still come to PlayStation 4; it's also coming to Xbox One and PC.While you have to wait until 2020 to play Psychonauts 2, Double Fine's next game--the 3D action rogue-like game called Rad--will release on August 20 for console and PC. That game is published by Bandai Namco. Info from Gamespot.com