After a lengthy hiatus, Sega's Super Monkey Ball series is making a return later this year with the release of Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD, a remastered version of the 2006 Wii game. The title will arrive on PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch this October, with a PC release set to follow sometime in winter.Along with updated visuals and "optimized control schemes for each platform," Banana Blitz HD will feature 100 single-player levels and 10 different multiplayer mini-games. The game also introduces some new features such as online leaderboards and a new Decathalon mode, which challenges players with completing 10 mini-games in a row.Banana Blitz HD launches for PS4, Xbox One, and Switch on October 29. The game is available for pre-order now and retails for $40 USD. Banana Blitz HD will also launch on PC via Steam later in Winter 2019, although no specific release date for that version has been announced yet. You can take a look at the first trailer for Banana Blitz HD above.The original Banana Blitz launched in November 2006 alongside the Nintendo Wii. At the time, GameSpot awarded the title an 8.3/10 in our original Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz review, writing, "Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz serves as a great proof of concept, making some great, varied use of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. The length of the single-player game and the inconsistent quality of the multiplayer minigames are lamentable, but the highs are high enough to make this one of the most highly recommended Wii launch games."Pre-order Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD at AmazonSome links to supporting retailers are automatically made into affiliate links, and GameSpot may receive a small share of those sales.Info from Gamespot.com

The 2016 Warcraft movie from director Duncan Jones made more than $433 million worldwide, but despite that huge box office number, it appears the sequels that Jones wanted to make are not going to happen--and there are a number of reasons why that is. Jones told Collider that he would have "loved" to make two more movies to complete the trilogy, but it's looking unlikely that the follow-ups will be made. Despite that, Jones said he thinks Warcraft is being appreciated more and more now, as time goes on."It really would have been pretty special," he said of his plans for a trilogy. "It's unfortunate now, you gotta try and go with your harp on these things. I made the film as best I could on the first film hoping that it would connect with an audience. I genuinely think that in retrospect and as time has moved on, people are starting to appreciate the film than maybe the critics did when it first came out but unfortunately I don't think we're going to get to make any more."Jones said this three-film arc for Warcraft would have included further storytelling for Gul'dan and Thrall, and on a wider level, how the orcs left their home world to live in Azeroth.Also in the interview, Jones spoke about the challenging nature of working with so many different stakeholders to get Warcraft made."It was an absolute… The essence of studio filmmaking," he said. "I got a chance to experience multiple studios takes on what a film of this size should be on one movie because it was originally. Originally, we were Warner Brothers, I was working with Atlas, I was working with Universal. It was working with Legendary, I was working with Blizzard and obviously Blizzard were very passionate about what film should be because they are who had been with the game for so long and they didn’t want to detract from that. So there were more points as to what the film needed to be. And then Legendary was bought by Wanda while we were making the movie. So it was a unique moment in time for experiencing what kind of craziness studio filmmaking could be."Warcraft only made $47.4 million in the US and Canada, but it made $386.3 million--or 89.1 percent of its total box office revenue--from overseas markets. China accounted for a massive $213.5 million of the movie's international grosses. On a worldwide basis, Warcraft is the 258th biggest movie ever, ahead of Detective Pikachu and numerous other franchise movies.Warcraft had a reported budget of $160 million, so $433 million in worldwide grosses sounds like a success story. However, as ScreenRant points out, Hollywood studios only make about 25 percent of a film's gross in China, so Warcraft's $213.5 million in China netted Legendary only $53.4 million. In America, a film studio typically takes home around 50 percent off the box office. Using that math, ScreenRant estimates that Warcraft actually only made $145 million, which is below its reported production budget; and this number doesn't even count marketing expenses. Looking at the numbers through that light, it's not hard to understand why the Warcraft sequels aren't coming.Warcraft stars Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster, Dominic Cooper, Toby Kebbell, Robert Kazinsky, Clancy Brown, and Daniel Wu.As for Jones, he went on to release the low-budget sci-fi movie Mute for Netflix in 2018. It is in the same universe as his 2009 breakout hit Moon starring Sam Rockwell. Jones had said he had plans for a third movie in that connected universe, but for now, it's only a graphic novel. ""It's going to be a tricky one to finance in this era where original material on a bigger budget is difficult to get made, so I definitely want to do the graphic novel so at least it will exist in some form," he told Polygon. "Then, hopefully, if people read the graphic novel and get really excited about it, I’m gonna try and use that as a way to leverage getting the movie made." Info from Gamespot.com

Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6 were announced for Nintendo Switch back in June during E3, and now Capcom has announced exactly when they'll release on Nintendo's hybrid system. Not only that, but Capcom announced the Resident Evil Triple Pack for Switch that contains Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 5, and Resident Evil 6.Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6 release on Nintendo Switch through the eShop on October 29. The games are priced at $30 USD each. Resident Evil 5 for Switch comes with all of the Gold Edition content, while Resident Evil 6 for Switch comes with all previously released DLC, including the Mercenaries and Agent Hunt modes.New Nintendo Switch announced with better battery lifeAs for the Resident Evil Triple Pack, this compilation package includes Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 5, and Resident Evil 6 for Nintendo Switch. RE4 comes on a cartridge, while RE5 and RE6 are digital codes. The Resident Evil Triple Pack costs $60 USD, and it also releases on October 29.While RE 5 and RE 6 don't release until October for Switch, Capcom is bringing both titles to San Diego Comic-Con. You can find them at the Capcom booth, which is #215 in Hall A. Info from Gamespot.com

Video game retailer GameStop has unveiled an ambitious plan for new types of retail stores. The company is partnering with a "global innovation design firm," R/GA, to create "streamlined" GameStop stores. The two companies are working together on designing and testing out the stores, which GameStop says in a news release will introduce "new ways" for shoppers to try games before they guy them. The stores themselves will have a "unique layout and purpose."Some of the store concepts will be focused on competitive gaming and "home-grown e-leagues." While other concept stores will exclusively sell retro games and hardware. The new stores will be piloted in a "select market," though GameStop didn't say exactly where they'll be tested or if it'll be somewhere in the United States.Big Sale On PS4, Xbox One, And Switch Games Still Live At GameStopGameStop's chief customer officer Frank Hamlin said in a statement, "We're on a journey to use our vast retail footprint to provide an engaging and well-thought-out experience that enhances our consumers' gaming interests."Hamlin said GameStop wants to "re-imagine" what the store experience can be.GameStop has seen better days. The company's share price is currently under $5 a share, which is close to the lowest it's ever been in the company's history. The company recently hired a new CEO, George Sherman, who said at the time of his hiring that he looks forward to putting GameStop through a large transformation. It appears these new concept stores are part of that.In other news, Hamlin recently told GameSpot that the retailer is excited about the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Scarlett, in part because they will have disc drives. Info from Gamespot.com

Amazon Prime Day is over, but the deals keep coming. Microsoft has launched a massive Xbox sale called the Xbox Super Sale, and it is truly huge. The sale offers up more than 700 deals on games and add-on content for the Xbox family of consoles, as well as PC.Games and add-on content are marked down by as much as 70 percent, while more than 100 Xbox One games are on sale for $10 USD or less. If you're an Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member, you'll save 10 percent more.Some of the highlighted game deals include Rage 2 for $45 USD, Forza Horizon 4 for $30 USD, The Division 2 for $39 USD, and Red Dead Redemption 2 for $45 USD. Some of the other deals include FIFA 19 ($24 USD), Mortal Kombat 11 ($50 USD), NBA 2K19 ($15 USD), Assassin's Creed Odyssey ($35 USD), Fallout 76 ($36 USD), Overwatch Legendary Edition ($24 USD), GTA 5 Premium Online Edition ($18 USD), Battlefield V ($24 USD), Metro Exodus ($33 USD), and Monster Hunter World ($20 USD).This is just a small sampling of all the deals; go to the Xbox Super Sale website or boot up your console to see a rundown of all the deals.In addition to game sales, Microsoft is offering three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $15 USD, which is normally the price of just one month. This offer is only for new subscribers.It's a good time to get Xbox Game Pass if you like Gears of War, as the Gears 5 technical multiplayer test begins on July 19, and being a subscriber gets you in (as does pre-ordering).The Xbox Super Sale runs until July 29.Microsoft is also offering deals on Xbox hardware. Here is a rundown of the offers, as written and compiled by Microsoft:July 19-21 (US only): Save $50 on the Xbox One S including the Xbox One S All-Digital EditionJuly 19-21 (CA only): Save $80 on the Xbox One S and $60 on the Xbox One S All-Digital EditionJuly 19-21: Save $10 on select Xbox One Controllers online ($15 off in Canada)July 21-29: Save $10 on the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gaming Headset for Xbox One ($15 off in Canada)July 19-29: Save $20 on Hyperkin Duke ControllersJuly 19-29: Get $40 off the LucidSound LS35X Wireless Surround Sound Gaming Headset for Xbox One ($55 off in Canada)July 16-29: Save on select HyperX gaming accessories including gaming headsets, keyboards, and mice Info from Gamespot.com

It's been an extended period since the last proper update for Fortnite, with multiple content updates being released for the last big patch. But developer Epic Games has released update 9.40, and you can download it now on PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch, and mobile. It both introduces new content (like new versions of a shotgun) and makes changes to other areas of the game, while one of its big developments goes unmentioned in the patch notes: the continued creation of a giant robot that's likely to take part in an upcoming in-game event to conclude Season 9 and kick off Season 10. Here's everything new in today's update, along with the full patch notes for Battle Royale. New Shotgun (Sort Of)Shotguns are a complicated weapon type in Fortnite due to their effectiveness, with Epic constantly trying to manage just how powerful they are (particularly when players have more than one in their inventory). One particular shotgun, the Tactical Shotgun, has now gotten a few new versions and can be found in both Epic and Legendary variants from floor loot, chests, supply drops, loot carriers, and vending machines. It has a maximum damage of 83/87. It does 1.5 shots per second and holds eight shells. If you manage to land a headshot with it, there's a multiplier of 2.25.Weapon ChangesThe Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle is now back, but the suppressed variant of it has, in turn, been placed in the Vault (meaning you won't encounter it in the game for the time being). Yet another long-range weapon, the Semi-Auto Sniper Rifle, now zooms in less when aiming down sights, which Epic says is intended to "help improve the usability and feel of this weapon."Meanwhile, another shotgun--the Combat Shotgun--has been nerfed to some extent to make it less viable at longer ranges. Its damage receives less of a headshot multiplier, while its falloff curve ranges have dropped. Epic says in the patch notes, "After observing recent changes to damage falloff, we decided to further reduce its long-range effectiveness and alter the curve to fall a bit more in line with other shotguns but still retain its unique flavor."Giant Robot BearWhile not explicitly discussed in the patch notes, work on the giant robot at Pressure Plant continues, and now we know what might be engaging in a big monster battle soon: It's an enormous pink bear with a scar on its face. It still isn't doing anything yet, but signs point to an in-game event coming this Saturday, July 20.Deep Dab NerfedThe Deep Dab emote has been a contentious addition to the game, and not just because YouTuber Jacksfilms claims Epic stole it from him. Because of the way it moves the user's character, it can be used to gain an unfair advantage, as you can slip behind an opening and then begin firing immediately. This spares you a brief window in which your character would have been exposed. To counteract this, Epic has introduced a delay so that you can no longer immediately fire out of the emote.Other ChangesThe update also makes some changes to other gameplay elements, such as allowing players to automatically pick up a consumable if it is already in their inventory and not maxed out, which is a nice quality-of-life addition. You can see the full list of changes for the Battle Royale mode below, or read the full Fortnite patch notes on the game's website for further information on what's new with the Creative and Save the World modes.Fortnite: Battle Royale Update 9.40 Patch NotesWeapon + ItemsNew Epic and Legendary Tactical Shotgun. 83 / 87 maximum damage.1.5 shots per second.Holds 8 shells.Headshot multiplier of 2.25.Available from Floor Loot, Chests, Supply Drops, Loot Carriers, and Vending Machines.Semi-Auto Sniper Rifle now has reduced zoom while scoped. This is a Quality of Life change to help improve the usability and feel of this weapon.Combat Shotgun changes Reduced Headshot multiplier from 1.7 to 1.5.Reduced the long range effectiveness of the Combat Shotgun Reduced the falloff curve ranges from: 2.44 tiles (unchanged)4.88 tiles to 4.39 tiles.9.77 tiles to 6.84 tiles.19.53 tiles to 11.72 tiles.After observing recent changes to damage falloff, we decided to further reduce its long range effectiveness and alter the curve to fall a bit more in line with other shotguns but still retain its unique flavor. Vaulted Suppressed Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle Epic and Legendary variants.Unvaulted Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle Rare, Epic, and Legendary variants.Bug FixesDrum Shotgun now has the correct environmental damage falloff.Fixed a bug in which a Launch Pad couldn’t be destroyed by a pickaxe.GameplayPicking up an item that fills a stack and creates an overflow will no longer result in the currently equipped item being dropped. Instead of causing the currently equipped weapon to be dropped, the overflow will be dropped.Players will now automatically pick up a consumable if it is already in their inventory and not maxed out. If the auto pickup fills a stack, the overflow will be dropped.A new Glider and Harvesting Tool have been added for Save the World Founder's Pack owners.Bug FixesFixed an issue involving Supply Drone Boxes not being visible after players shoot down the Supply Drone.Supply Drones no longer remain stationary after getting stuck for too long.Changed Invert “Aircraft Keyboard Controls” to “Invert Airborne Keyboard Controls” in the Options menu to reflect the fact that airborne land vehicles’ controls become inverted in the air.Fixed some edge cases involving damage number display rounding down for some shotgun hits.Blueprint doors now consistently render when players are building.Players can now pick up items more easily when standing on top of them.Foot controllers now properly allow players to rotate the next and previous weapon.Bushes no longer block players from being healed by a Chug Splash.If a player using a Shadow Bomb enters a vehicle, the Shadow Bomb effect will no longer remain active after the effect should have ended.The Chug Splash now properly auto-sorts to the rightmost inventory slot when picked up, like other consumables.Fixed an issue in which players would experience abnormally slow gliding after using a Rift-to-Go.Consumables associated with a bar (Shield Potion, Med Kit, etc.) are now consistently usable by players riding a Zipline.Fixed a rare issue involving Shadow Bombs not allowing for wall jumps at certain angles.Players can no longer wall jump off of the corn fields while using a Shadow Bomb.Players can no longer wall jump off of Slipstreams while using a Shadow Bomb.Fixed an issue in which the rings for Fortbytes 4, 67, 70, and 89 would not appear even though the player was wearing the correct cosmetic.To prevent players from exploiting the Deep Dab emote, it now has a delay before players are able to shoot after starting it.Fixed an issue in which damage done to shields was causing the VFX to appear larger than normal, blocking players’ vision.Foot Controller support improvements Switched over to use dead zone and max throttle end points.Better vehicle controls for Quad Crasher.CompetitiveNew Tournament: Xbox Cup (July 20th & 21st) [$1,000,000 in Cash Prizes!] Solo Game ModeThis tournament is open to all players on Xbox One and does not require reaching any division in Arena.The prize pool will be distributed across all server regions, with official rules and details released later this week. Check the tournament inside the game client for exact times.Format: July 20th - Round One: All Eligible PlayersJuly 21st - Round Two: Top 1500 Players from Round OneNew Tournament: Trios Cash Cup (July 21st) [$1,000,000 in Cash Prizes!] Trios Game ModeParticipation in this event requires players to have reached Champion League in Arena play prior to the start of the event.The prize pool will be distributed across all server regions, with official rules and details released later this week. Check the tournament inside the game client for exact times.Format: Single Day Tournament - July 21st Round One: All Eligible PlayersRound Two: Top 150 teams from Round OnePlayers can now choose a flag to display on their career profile. This flag can be selected and changed from a player’s profile.After changing or selecting their flag, players cannot change flags again for 30 days.A player’s flag is visible to others when visiting a player’s profile and on tournament leaderboards.For teams of two or more players, the flag chosen by the majority of the team will be displayed. If there is no majority, the globe flag will be displayed.We are launching with an initial set of 37 total flags. Any additional flags added in the future will be announced in future updates.PerformanceImproved server performance of Zipline.Improved client performance of Chug Jug.Optimized the way pickaxes are spawned to reduce the chance of loading issues during the initial skydive landing.AudioImproved enemy footstep volume consistency, and changed volume falloff to logarithmic to make the sound diminish more naturally.Decreased volume of a few sounds: Chug Splash explosion.Proximity Launcher explosion.Ambient hum of the Slipstream platforms.Added a wall impact audio layer for close quarters combat as an additional warning that an enemy is shooting a structure you’re on the opposite side of.Bug FixesWood/stone/metal bullet impacts are no longer silent on Mobile/Switch.Revolver equip sound is no longer silent on Mobile/Switch.UIEscape Menu & Social Panel updates: The input action that would bring up either the Escape Menu or Social Panel will now bring up both of them in the lobby and while in a match.A third tab has been added to the Social Panel. It contains all voice chat-related functionalities.The Escape Menu and Top Bar received a visual update.MobileAdded new Edit From Touch setting to enable/disable editing from touches (defaulted to enabled).Bluetooth microphones have been enabled to support voice chat.The emote wheel buttons are now bigger.Bug FixesAir Strike shots no longer create large polygonal outlines.Fixed an issue involving Pump and Combat Shotguns not correctly firing while Auto-Fire is selected.Resolved voice chat issues when joining another player’s party.The chest located in the Neo Tilted hotel is now openable.Live spectating on mobile will display the spectator's UI.Players no longer remain logged into their account when they close the game.Wallet in the Lifetime Refund Screen will now correctly display.Leaving the “Show Help” open in the Warm Up stage won’t cause the Button to remain present during the match.The "Tournament Region" text in the Compete tab is bigger.Map Marker HUD Layout won’t be displayed when in the Battle Bus.Emote HUD Layout will be displayed only in vehicles where it is possible to emote.Players will be able to rotate cosmetics when using a touchpad.The proper SFX will be played when equipping the Revolver.Graphical improvement on the Wonder outfit while playing the Llama Bell emote.Storm Eye Glider and Storm Bolt Harvesting Tool will display proper VFX.Graphical improvement of the Flutter outfit.Graphical improvement on the String Lights contrail.Lantern contrail will display properly in-game.Fortnite Season 9 is now reaching its conclusion and, as is tradition, we expect there will be a big event to mark the transition to Season 10. Dataminers have discovered evidence that a large battle between the monster formerly beneath Polar Peak and the giant robot being assembled at the Pressure Plant will kick off in the game on July 20.Info from Gamespot.com

Fans of Rick & Morty have had a long wait for the return of the acclaimed animated show, with the last season premiering back in October 2017. But the series finally returns in November and will feature at San Diego Comic-Con this week. Ahead of that, some new images have been released by Adult Swim from the next season..The images give us an idea of what to expect from Rick & Morty Season 4. In the first, Rick is wandering through what seems to be a field on an alien planet, looking very content with his surroundings. The second image shows Rick less happy, having been confronted by a gang of giant cyborg crocodiles. Check them out below. The SDCC Rick & Morty panel takes place on Friday July 19 at 1pm, at the Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront. For more information about all the panels and events taking place at SDCC, check out GameSpot's guide to schedules, panels, and news.Although a specific premiere date for Rick & Morty Season 4 has not been announced yet, eager fans can check out one of the new episodes ahead of its TV screening at the Adult Swim Festival. It takes place in Los Angeles and runs from Friday, November 15 to Saturday, November 16, and is described by Adult Swim as a "one-of-a-kind, 360° fan experience."In May 2018, it was revealed that Adult Swim renewed the show for no fewer than 70 more episodes. Previous seasons have run for just 10 episodes, but while we obviously won't get all of the new episodes in Season 4, the show's creators have confirmed that the wait time between future seasons will be reduced. Info from Gamespot.com

A new version of the Nintendo Switch--separate from the recently announced Switch Lite--is officially on the way. Nintendo has announced a revision to the original Switch system that will be identical to that version, complete with the ability to dock with a TV. However, it does sport one improvement of note--better battery life--and will be in stores within a matter of weeks.The original launch model Switch's battery offered between 2.5-6.5 hours of playtime by Nintendo's estimates. However, this revised version will deliver 4.5-9 hours of battery life, even topping that of the Switch Lite, which boasts improved playtime over the original Switch. The revised Switch model will cost the same ($300 or roughly £280). According to Nintendo's product page, it will launch in mid-August in the US.This is not an entirely new model of Switch in the same way that the Lite is, instead serving as a replacement for the original version (albeit one with a desirable new perk with its battery life). It's possible that this is new iteration of the console that prompted a recent FCC filing, which suggested that the existing Switch could see some changes to its internal components.How to tell the new Switch apart from the original versionNintendo Switch Lite comparisonAs noted by Nintendo when the Switch first launched, the battery life depends on the game that is being played, as a title like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild drains power at a much faster rate than other, less intensive titles. Other factors, like screen brightness and network functionality are also likely to play a role; Nintendo did not specify exactly what kind of experiences represent the bottom and top ends of its battery estimate.This is one of two hardware announcements Nintendo had to make on Wednesday. In addition to this Switch revision, it also announced new Switch Joy-Con colors.On July 12, Nintendo pulled back the curtains on the Switch Lite, which is a smaller and cheaper version of the hybrid console. It features a smaller screen, does not output video to TVs and has dedicated control inputs instead of the detachable Joy-Cons, it also boasted better battery life than the original launch Switch (though, as noted above, the newly announced Switch model's battery life tops that of the Lite). Due to the inability to connect to a TV, some games may have issues with Switch Lite, at least without purchasing separate Joy-Con controllers.Reports indicating the Switch Lite surfaced in June and, around the same time, it was also reported that an "enhanced" version of the Switch targeted at "avid" gamers is also in production. Nintendo hasn't indicated this is the case as of yet, however.Info from Gamespot.com

The Luigi's Mansion series is the one chance for the Mushroom Kingdom to get a little spooky, so it only makes sense that Luigi's Mansion 3 is releasing on that spookiest of all holidays: all Hallows' Eve, otherwise known as Halloween, or October 31. Nintendo announced the release date in a tweet.As usual, this latest entry in the Luigi's Mansion series will feature the taller, greener, more cowardly of the Mario Brothers exploring a haunted building and busting ghosts and nearly peeing his pants all the while. This time it's in the haunted Last Resort Hotel.When Luigi’s friends go missing on vacation, it’s up to our reluctant hero to save them from the ghosts in the Last Resort hotel! Join forces with Gooigi, slam ghosts, & prepare for a spooky treat when #LuigisMansion3 arrives to #NintendoSwitch on 10/31!https://t.co/3fg4O2t6PB pic.twitter.com/iNM9BKNKg5 — Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 17, 2019Our look at the game from E3 2019 showed Luigi has some new tricks with his trusty Poltergust vacuum, and this game will feature a new local coop multiplayer mode. Producer Kensuke Tanabe also shared some thoughts on Luigi's cowardice, though frankly he's explored two entire haunted mansions which is probably more than you have, so give him a break.The release date announcement came alongside word of a revised Nintendo Switch with better battery life, replacing the older models but remaining otherwise the same. This is a less conspicuous change than the also recently announced Switch Lite, which totally changes the form factor of the system and removes the docking functionality entirely. Both the revised Switch and the Switch Lite will be out in time for Luigi's Mansion 3.Info from Gamespot.com

The Nintendo Switch is getting a hardware revision in mid-August that gives a significant boost to battery life. However, this isn't a Switch Lite-style revision with a completely new look. The new Nintendo Switch looks exactly like the old one. So if you're looking for that better battery life, how can you tell the difference?The key is in the packaging, per Nintendo's product site. The original packaging features the system against a white background with a TV on the left side. The packaging for the new system is very similar, but instead shows the system against a red background with a TV on the right side. The revision also has the TV and Nintendo Switch itself shown from a slight angle, rather than a straight-forward shot. You can see the difference below: Of course, if you end up purchasing the system used and out of the packaging, you may need to rely on a serial number to tell the difference. The old models start with a serial number "XAW" while the new model will start with the serial number "XKW." You can locate the serial number on the bottom of a Nintendo Switch, on the left side.The battery life difference is rather large, though. The old system promises a battery life from 2.5-6.5 hours, with more intensive games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild draining the battery much faster and ending on the lower side of that spectrum. The new one boasts 4.5-9 hours.This news comes shortly after the announcement of the Nintendo Switch Lite. That hardware revision is much more different, and aimed at portable players. It removes the docking ability to connect with a TV and the controllers are no longer detachable. The reduced functionality may impact some games. It also has a budget price: $200 as opposed to the standard Switch's $300.Info from Gamespot.com

Streets of Rage 4's soundtrack is being created by a veritable supergroup of legendary Japanese composers including Yuzo Koshiro, the composer of the soundtrack for the first three games in the beloved beat-em-up series. Joining Koshiro is Motohiro Kawashima, who is known for his work on Streets of Rage 2 and Streets of Rage 3, as well as Shinobi 2, and the Batman Returns video game. Yoko Shimomura, one of gaming's greatest composers, is also contributing. Her list of works is vast and includes some of gaming's most beloved titles, including Street Fighter 2, the Kingdom Hearts series, Super Mario RPG, Legend of Mana, and Parasite Eve.Another Sega alum, Hideki Naganuma, is also working on Streets of Rage 4's music. His credits include the fantastic Jet Set Radio and Jet Set Radio Future soundtracks, in addition to Super Monkey Ball and Sega Rally 2. Finally, Ninja Gaiden, Captain Tsubasa, and Tecmo Bowl's Keiji Yamagishi is also on board.Since Streets of Rage 4 was announced the question of whether Koshiro would be returning to lend his talents to the soundtrack has been key for fans of the series. Not only is he returning, but along with him developers Dotemu and Lizardcube have gathered an all-star team of talent."Among these names stand some of the most legendary and memorable musical architects in video game history," said Streets of Rage 4's executive producer Cyrille Imbert. "Since we first announced the title last fall, fans have been asking who will be involved in the game’s soundtrack as it is a vital element to the Streets of Rage games. We are thrilled to confirm this world-class lineup of musical talent for Streets of Rage 4."Alongside the announcement, a video offering insight into the direction the team is taking for the soundtrack has been published. For fans of the series, it has lots of interesting tidbits of information, including the fact that Koshiro pitched a Streets of Rage sequel, but Sega, which owns the property, wasn't interested.We played Streets of Rage 4 at PAX West 2018. GameSpot's Alessandro Fillari said "the game reflects its predecessors' history and legacy." He went on to state that the gameplay feels familiar, with the developers citing Streets of Rage II and Streets of Rage 3 as being starting points. Read our full Streets of Rage 4 hands-on preview for more.A definitive release date for Streets of Rage 4, and the platforms it will be released for, are unknown as of yet.Info from Gamespot.com

For several years now, Quentin Tarantino has been stating that his tenth movie as director will be the last. This month's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is film no.9, and there have been rumors that he might also be planning to make a Star Trek film. Tarantino has now commented on whether a Star Trek film--if it happens--would count as his tenth and final film.In an interview with CinemaBlend, Tarantino discussed the possibility that a Star Trek film might be excluded from his 10-movie plan, because it's a franchise entry and not an original creation. "I guess I do have a loophole, [if] the idea was to throw a loophole into it," he said. "Which would be [to go], 'Uhhh, I guess Star Trek doesn't count. I can do Star Trek … but naturally I would end on an original.'"However, Tarantino ultimately said that he would stand by his original decision, no matter what his tenth movie turns out to be. "The idea of doing 10 isn't to come up with a loophole," he explained. "I actually think, if I was going to do Star Trek, I should commit to it. It's my last movie. There should be nothing left handed about it. I don't know if I'm going to do that, but that might happen."Rumors that Tarantino had an idea for a new Star Trek movie first appeared in January 2018. It was reported that he had spoken to JJ Abrams, who directed the first two Star Trek reboot movies, about the possibility of directing it. More recently, Tarantino told Empire that a script based on his initial pitch had been written, and if it happened, his Star Trek movie would be R-rated.Once Upon a Time in Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie, and releases on July 26. Check out the first trailer here.Info from Gamespot.com

Nintendo unveiled a handful of surprises during its E3 2019 presentation, including Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's next two DLC characters: the Hero from Dragon Quest XI and the long-requested Banjo-Kazooie. While the bear and bird duo won't join the roster until sometime this fall, the Hero is slated to arrive this summer--possibly as soon as this month, if a new trailer is any indication.The video, which was originally titled "Fan-Favorites & Newest Releases - July," highlights some of the new games and content Switch owners can enjoy this month, from Fortnite Season 9 (which is scheduled to wrap up soon) to July's big Switch-exclusive releases, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order and Fire Emblem: Three Houses. Interestingly, the video also showcases Smash Ultimate's new Hero fighter, which seems to suggest he'll also be arriving this month.Since the trailer went live, however, Nintendo has tweaked its title to say "Summer" rather than "July," so it's possible the original title was either incorrect or it revealed a little more than intended. Given that every other game highlighted in the video is either launching or already available this month, however, it seems safe to say the Hero is on the way soon. You can watch the trailer above.The Hero's default look is based on Dragon Quest XI, but his alternate costumes are the heroes from Dragon Quests VIII, IV, and III. He wields a sword and shield for his standard attacks, while his specials are various spells from the Dragon Quest series. For his Final Smash, the Hero is joined by other Dragon Quest protagonists to deliver the Gigaslash.Hero and Banjo-Kazooie are included as part of Smash Ultimate's $25 Fighters Pass, which gives players access to all five of the game's announced DLC character as they're released. Each add-on fighter also comes alongside a new stage as well as several new music tracks. Individual fighter packs can be purchased for $6. Following Banjo-Kazooie, there are two more DLC fighters in the works for Smash Ultimate, although their identities haven't been revealed yet.Info from Gamespot.com

It's strange to think that there was a time when the key roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe hadn't yet been cast. Actors such as Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and Chris Hemsworth seem so perfect for their roles that it's hard to think of other actors who could play them as well. But of course, these iconic roles were not just handed to these now world-famous actors. A new video has been released that shows footage of Downey Jr's screentest for Tony Stark in 2008's Iron Man.The video can be found as part of the bonus content on the upcoming digital release of Avengers: Endgame. In the clip, Iron Man director Jon Favreau states that Downey Jr. was already an acclaimed actor, but alludes to the fact that the movies he was best known for at that stage were not huge blockbusters. So Downey Jr had to audition for the role--and the rest is history. Check out the video below, via Fandango:What's the number of love you would give for Robert Downey Jr's decade-long performance as #IronMan? Watch his audition tape before he landed the iconic role! #AvengersEndgame can be pre-ordered to own now! Available July 30 on digital via FandangoNOW: https://t.co/PXAquXLuFa pic.twitter.com/eBoGC3szuy — Fandango (@Fandango) July 16, 2019Avengers: Endgame releases digitally in July 30 and on Blu-ray on August 13. Other bonus content includes an audio commentary from directors Anthony and Joe Russo and writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, six deleted scenes, and a gag reel. The digital edition also includes a featurette that explores Steve Rogers' controversial decision at the end of the movie. Check out full details of the Avengers: Endgame home release here.Earlier this week it was reported that Endgame is very close to becoming the most successful movie of all time. James Cameron's Avatar has held that record for nearly a decade, with a $2.78 billion gross. But Endgame has made $2.788 billion at the worldwide box office since its release in April, and is now just $7.16 million away from claiming the record.Marvel returns to San Diego Comic-Con this week. The studio was absent from the convention in 2018, but will feature prominently this year. The big Marvel event takes place in Hall H on Saturday night. It is described as an "an inside look at the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe," will feature Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige, plus "surprise panelists." While details are currently underwraps, it is thought likely that news of the studio's future release slate, which potentially includes movies such as Black Widow and The Eternals, will finally be revealed. SDCC also marks the first stop on the Russo Brothers' We Love You 3000 promotional tour.For more on Marvel at Comic-Con, check out GameSpot's guide to all the Marvel panels and events at SDCC so far.Info from Gamespot.com

Following hot on the heels of its Switch Lite announcement, Nintendo has announced another new piece of Switch hardware. This one isn't noticeably different, though, as it's instead intended as a replacement for the existing models. That doesn't mean it doesn't have some advantages of its own, though, so read on for more on this Switch revision.What is this new Nintendo Switch?In short, this is a hardware revision to the standard model of Nintendo Switch. It is intended to replace the current stock of Nintendo Switch consoles, which means it doesn't sport significant feature changes or a different form factor. Unless you know exactly what to look for, you probably wouldn't even be able to tell the difference. The one major change is an invisible one: it sports a significantly longer battery life.When will the new Nintendo Switch release?The new Nintendo Switch will release in mid-August in the United States. A more specific release date has not been disclosed.Is this the rumored "Switch Pro"?For months, rumors have circulated that Nintendo was working on two models of hardware revisions to the Nintendo Switch: a stripped-down and budget-priced version, and an upgraded model for power users. The portable-only Switch Lite is the first, which raises the question of whether this is the second.Simply put, we don't know for sure. The rumors were based on leaks about hardware revisions, but Nintendo did file for FCC permission to make changes to the Nintendo Switch. That cited changes to internal components which could impact battery life, and this appears to be the culmination of that. Nintendo did say that the Switch Lite is the only new Switch coming this year, so it's possible that a Switch Pro could still be on the way next year.How long is the battery life?The launch model of the Nintendo Switch promises 2.5-6.5 hours of battery life, while the new revised version is significantly longer at 4.5-9 hours. As with the previous model, more hardware-intensive games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild drain the battery faster, and therefore come in closer to the shorter battery estimates.Has anything else changed?We won't be able to say for certain until it's out in the wild and can be tested firsthand, but based on Nintendo's system specs it appears the only difference is the battery life.How much will it cost?This is a hardware revision meant to replace the old model of Nintendo Switch, so the suggested retail price will remain the same. That means it will cost $299.99 (US).How can I tell the models apart?If you're planning to pick up the revised Nintendo Switch to take advantage of the better battery life, you may need to know how to tell the difference between the models to make sure you get the right one. The easiest way to tell is the packaging. The launch model packaging features a picture of the Nintendo Switch console against a white background with the TV on the left side. The revised model packaging instead features a red background with the TV on the right side. You can compare the two models' boxes below. Alternately, you could refer to the system serial number to tell the difference. The launch model serial numbers start with "XAW" while the revised model starts with "XKW." The serial number can be found on the bottom of the Nintendo Switch, near the input for the AC adapter.Info from Gamespot.com