Amazon is offering a limited-time deal that should be of interest to PC gamers: up to 63% off on a selection of Logitech gaming and productivity PC hardware, including mice, keyboards, headsets, speakers, and a gamepad. The collection is listed as a deal of the day, so strike while the iron is hot if you need any of the included items to round out your rig.Save up to 63% on Logitech PC gaming hardware on Amazon » For gamers in need of a new gaming mouse, your best deal will be the G300s Optical Ambidextrous Gaming Mouse for 63% off at just $15. It's a precision, wired mouse with nine programmable buttons and on-board memory for three stored profiles, giving lots of flexibility for playing every game exactly how you would like. The only controller on offer is the F710 wireless gamepad for $31.20, under the usual $50. It's not the best-looking gamepad on the market, but it's solid, programmable, and a steal at this price.Anyone who's been a PC gamer for any amount of time is likely familiar with Logitech, which has been one of the leading makers of third-party PC peripherals since the 1980s. Logitech has a history of offering solid, inexpensive baseline for entry-level PC gamers, though in recent years they have filled out the competitive, higher-end of its offerings with the Logitech G line in particular. Check out some of our favorite deals from the sale below:MiceM705 Marathon Wireless Mouse -- $20G300s Optical Ambidextrous Wired Gaming Mouse -- $15MX Anywhere 2 Wireless Mouse -- $37.49MX Master Wireless Mouse -- $47KeyboardsK350 Wireless Keyboard -- $20MX900 Performance Premium Keyboard and MX Master Mouse -- $143.89HeadsetsG231 Prodigy Headset -- $33.18G633 Artemis Spectrum Headset -- $55.20G933 Artemis Spectrum Headset -- $80MiscellaneousF710 Wireless Gamepad -- $31.20MX Sound 2.0 Bluetooth Stereo Speakers -- $60C615 1080p Webcam -- $25.59Info from Gamespot.com

Harry Potter: Wizards Unite has finally arrived--and it's launched sooner than expected. The much-anticipated free-to-play game received an early launch, as mobile games often do, in the Australia and New Zealand markets earlier this year, but it's arrived ahead of schedule in the United States and United Kingdom. It had been scheduled for release in these markets tomorrow, June 21, but it's officially out now on Android (through Google Play) and iOS devices (App Store). The mobile game was developed by Pokemon Go maker Niantic and revolves around a similar style of augmented reality-based gameplay. As such, it requires an internet connection, and some players have reported intermittent issues throughout the day; if you can't get in, keep trying.Like the aforementioned AR game Pokemon Go--which it bears numerous similarities to--Wizards Unite is free to download and features optional microtransactions. You can spend money to purchase Gold, which can then be used to buy in-game items such as potions, Dark Detectors (which reveal special items), Runestones (which are required for Wizarding Challenges), and more.The story of Wizards Unite revolves around an event known as the Calamity, which has caused Foundables--people, creatures, and artifacts from the Wizarding World--to appear in the Muggle World, thereby risking their discovery. Moreover, these Foundables are sealed by Confoundable magic. As a member of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force, it is your mission to break these Counfoundable spells and retrieve the Foundables. You'll interact with Harry Potter and other familiar faces.We recently went hands-on with Harry Potter: Wizards Unite thought it felt very much like a Harry Potter version of Pokemon Go, albeit with more content from the outset. Right from the start, the game offers a variety of quest objectives to complete, and you can add other players to your friends list (a feature that didn't come to Pokemon Go until years after its launch). The game also features an RPG-style Profession system that allows you to unlock abilities in skill trees. If you're diving into the game and are familiar with Niantic's previous work, check out our Wizards Unite guide for Pokemon Go players.Wizards Unite launched in beta form in Australia and New Zealand last month. If you're interested in getting a closer look at the game, you can watch nearly 15 minutes of gameplay footage of the beta version in the video above.Info from Gamespot.com

Nintendo's E3 2019 Direct brought us the release date for Astral Chain, the new action game from NieR: Automata and Vanquish developers Platinum Games. We did see some gameplay during E3 2019, but Nintendo just released a full 10 minutes of futuristic cop fighting action. Unsurprisingly, the Nintendo Siwtch exclusive's combat looks to have a lot in common with Bayonetta.In the 10-minute video, there's lots of Witch Time-like dodging, fluid transitions between close-quarters and ranged combat, and flashy combo finishers. There's also exploration, character customization, and robotic dog petting. We even get a look at moves centered around the chain, like chain bind, where you wrap the chain connected to your companion around an enemy and temporarily lock them in place. It's all as stylish as any other Platinum Games title. Check out the gameplay video below.Astal Chain was announced during a February 2019 Direct and takes place in a futuristic city occupied by special forces units paired with living weapons called Legion. The game oscillates around this core mechanic, as you pull off combos and explore with the assistance of the robotic creature. It's directed by Takahisa Taura (NieR: Automata) and supervised by Hideki Kamiya (Bayonetta), so it's no wonder Astral Chain's combat looks familiar.Astral Chain launches on August 30 for Nintendo Switch.Info from Gamespot.com

Now that the Epic Games Store has begun giving away free games on a weekly basis, Epic account holders have an even greater variety of games to add to their collection; however, the new weekly schedule means those freebies are available for a shorter time. So don't wait too long to grab Rebel Galaxy, the latest free PC game available from the Epic Store. The space trading and combat simulator is free to claim now until next Thursday, June 27, when it will be replaced by cinematic story game Last Day of June. As a reminder, you need a free Epic account to claim the game, and once you do, it'll be yours to keep.Get Rebel Galaxy for free »Create a free Epic Store account »Rebel Galaxy is a single-player, Western-style space adventure set in a randomly generated universe that involves combat, exploration, trade, and negotiation. You'll act as commander of an "immensely powerful star destroyer." The gameplay is restricted to a two-dimensional plane of movement, and while there is a story, you're free to choose your own path, whether you want to fly around and battle pirates, mine asteroids, hang out with aliens, or explore space anomalies.GameSpot hasn't reviewed Rebel Galaxy, but the game does have 5,000 reviews and a "Very Positive" rating on Steam, so you're not losing anything by grabbing it while it's free and checking it out.Epic just wrapped up its storewide Mega Sale, which offered steep discounts and an additional $10 off every game over $15. The free weekly game giveaways, which began during the Mega Sale, will now continue through the rest of 2019, so even if Rebel Galaxy isn't your game, be sure to check back, as Epic has already established a track record of giving away some great games for no cost. And while PC game deals are on your mind, get ready for more savings, as Steam's Summer Sale 2019 is predicted to kick off in just a few days on June 25.Info from Gamespot.com

No Nintendo Switch owner's collection is complete until they have a dedicated gamepad, and you can't do much better than $35, especially for this striking Legend of Zelda-skinned wireless model from PowerA currently on sale at Amazon. That's $15 off from the sticker price of $50 and $35 less than a first-party controller. PowerA offers the controller in both wired and wireless variants in a wide range of designs, but none on sale for quite as much. There is no timeframe associated with the deal, so get it while you can.Get a PowerA wireless Switch Pro controller for $35 » PowerA's third-party, officially licensed Switch Pro controllers are an affordable, stylish option for anyone on a budget. GameSpot has tested both the wired and wireless options, and found the design, feel, and performance to be excellent. Although it does not feature the rumble or Amiibo NFC-reading of Nintendo's first-party controllers, PowerA adds two programmable buttons on the back that can be re-mapped on the fly. The only drawback is that it is powered by AA batteries, which are included. PowerA promises 30 hours of battery life, and you can take the sting off of buying replacement batteries by investing in a rechargeable battery set.With your gamepad squared away, check out our list of essential Switch accessories for anything else you might need. We just updated our list of the best Nintendo Switch games if you're looking for your new favorite game, and you can also check out what Nintendo just showed off during E3 2019 to get a sense for what's coming up.Info from Gamespot.com

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is an homage to classic games like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. But the existence of a pervasive bug makes the experience a little more frustrating, even without experiencing the bug firsthand.As discovered by several players, the latest patch appears to have introduced a nasty bug. If a player began the game before the 1.02 patch was issued, installing the patch may have impacted the save file by having some treasure chests with progression-necessary items appear already opened, without their included items. The developer recommends that players impacted by the bug should start a new save file entirely."We have been investigating a PS4/Xbox One issue that is blocking player progress in the game," read a statement from 505 Games. "We apologize for this bug and thank you for your patience while we investigate. The issue occurs when a new game is started before downloading the 1.02 update. After the update, treasure chests will appear in the incorrect open/closed state."Without the items from these chests, progress is blocked. Players affected by this bug will be required to restart the game with a new save in order to properly progress. We investigated a number of options to address this issue and each fix requires a new game to be started. Despite our efforts to provide a fix that preserves pre-1.02 progress, this is the best solution to avoid future issues."Xbox One players will also be affected by this when the 1.02 patch is delivered next week. Switch players who have a physical copy should download the 1.02 patch before playing."The situation is less than ideal, especially for the most passionate players and backers who jumped in and played a significant amount of the game as soon as they could. And unfortunately, the combination of the uncertain nature of the bug with the hallmarks of this genre make it especially problematic.The bug could appear at any point in gameplay, and halts progression entirely. But the Metroidvania genre is built around non-linear progression. The entire point is finding new tools and backtracking repeatedly over the same areas, finding new pathways and entrances that then lead to more new tools and making other areas even more accessible.As I've played Bloodstained for review since hearing of the bug, I've already had moments of second-guessing myself. The tell would appear to be already-opened chests in previously unexplored areas of the map, but backtracking means unexplored areas can appear very familiar. Have I been here before and opened that chest, or is this the bug? It's often difficult to tell. The genre is built around feeling stuck and then finding another way forward, but this is an entirely different experience when there may not be a way forward. Under the constraints of a review, restarting from scratch is a huge loss of time, but one that might ultimately become necessary.GameSpot is currently seeking clarification on whether there is a foolproof method to tell if you have the bug. And if you haven't started the game yet or haven't put too much time into it, restarting may not be an issue. But for early adopters, the bug undermines what makes the genre great.Info from Gamespot.com

Niantic's follow-up to Pokemon Go, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, is now available. Like its predecessor, the new Harry Potter game tasks you with walking around, interacting with real-life locations that have been translated into the game world, and collecting things--among other Wizarding World-related activities. And like Pokemon Go, it has an augmented reality component designed to bring a bit of fantasy into your everyday life.There's a lot to learn in Wizards Unite, from how to take on enemies in combat to what you're even trying to accomplish (it's complicated!). Essentially, magical objects, people, and creatures have been scattered throughout the world, and you're tasked with recovering them before the secrets of the magical word are revealed to the world at large. You'll do this through some rather Pokemon Go-like gameplay, and the joking references to this being "Harry Potter Go" are not unfounded. That said, there are a lot of wrinkles to distinguish the two AR games from one another beyond their respective licenses.We'll keep updating this article with the latest news, guides, and more on Wizards Unite, so stay tuned. For now, here's what you need to know.It's Live Now For FreeSet to launch on June 21, Wizards Unite appeared on the iOS App Store and Google Play a day early, on June 20. Those in the US and UK--as well as Australia and New Zealand, which got access even earlier--can now download the game on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. It's free to play.Download Harry Potter: Wizards Unite on iOS App StoreDownload Harry Potter: Wizards Unite on Android's Google PlayGuide For Pokemon Go PlayersAs noted above, Niantic has undoubtedly derived a lot of the core mechanics from Pokemon Go. Given the level of success that game has enjoyed, that comes as no surprise, but it does mean that anyone who has played that game should have a decent grasp on the basics. That said, all of the names are different--Foundables are like catching Pokemon, spell energy stands in for Poke Balls, Inns are Poke Stops, and so on--and some things have changed, so we've put together some tips and a glossary of sorts to help Go players get up to speed.The Pokemon Go Player's Guide To Harry Potter: Wizards UniteMicrotransactionsLike Pokemon Go, Wizards Unite contains microtransactions. You can spend real money to purchase Gold, which you can then use to buy items in the game. These include potions and Runestones, which are used for Wizarding Challenges in the game.ImpressionsWe were able to play the game a bit early during an event. From what we've played so far, it seems like Wizards Unite is dodging some of Pokemon Go's problems at launch by offering a broader array of content right out of the gate.Friend CodesIf you've been on social media since the game's launch, odds are you've seen people sharing their friend codes all over the place. This is done by sharing a long string of numbers, and adding others to your friends list provides various benefits. At this point, the one upside to doing so that we know about is you'll get bonus Wizarding XP and Wizarding Challenge XP when you complete Wizarding Challenges together.Info from Gamespot.com

Former Sledgehammer Games boss Michael Condrey, who left Activision in 2018, joined 2K Games as the head of a new Silicon Valley-based studio in early 2019. However, whatever game this yet-named company is working on remains as mysterious as the studio itself. But new rumors suggest it is a "multiplayer" and "multiplatform" action game.A Reset Era post uncovered the details by combing through a recent 2K Games job listing. The listing's location says "2K Silicon Valley" and defines itself as "dedicated to crafting highly engaging entertainment with a commitment to putting fans first." The job description states the studio's "first effort is to build a multiplayer and multiplatform AAA action game which will thrill a diverse community of gamers," looking for someone with a "strong passion for online multiplayer action games" who has "[worked on] multiplayer games or systems."No title has been given for the project and no publisher has been announced, though it can be assumed parent company Take-Two Interactive may take to the publishing reigns. There's also no confirmation on what "multiplayer" means--asymmetrical, battle royale, PvE, PvP, etc.--and no specification for what "multiplatform" may stand for. We're on the cusp of the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Scarlett, so there is a probability the unannounced game could land on next-gen hardware.Condrey's LinkedIn profile indicates that the executive started at EA-owned Visceral Games in 1998. The now-defunct studio was responsible for the Dead Space series, and Condrey served as the director of 2008's atmospheric horror title Dead Space. He then co-founded Sledgehammer with Glen Schofield--who also left Activision in 2018--in 2009, working on a few different Call of Duty games before developing 2017's Call of Duty: WWII. As of January 2019, Condrey's now at 2K Games and is president of 2K Silicon Valley.Info from Gamespot.com

We all have those games, the ones forever etched into our memory. No matter how far in the past you need to look, you can recall exactly when and where you acquired it, the setting you played it in, and the sensations you felt as its sights and sounds washed over you for the first time. Final Fantasy 7 is one of these games for me. And because it's so near and dear, the initial announcement of Final Fantasy 7 Remake in 2015 left me with mixed emotions. I was happy Square Enix was finally giving it a serious go, but all I could think of were the things I expected to get cut, or potentially worse, disfigured by the norms of modern game design. Keep the classics classic, I thought.Nearly four years later, playing Final Fantasy 7 Remake at this year's E3, I finally confronted the things that worried me the most: real-time action taking the place of turn-based combat, voice actors speaking for main characters, and a 3D camera system in place of fixed perspectives. I walked out of the demo completely surprised, not by the sweeping changes but by my shift in mindset. I naively thought I wanted a conservative remake of the game I remember, but it turns out the reimagined Final Fantasy 7 is giving me the best gift of all: a chance to fall in love with the world and characters all over again, and potentially for new reasons.It would be far too premature to claim that the final product will be as amazing as my demo, but at the risk of sounding naive once again, I'm given hope as I recall the experience I had when I first played the original PlayStation demo in 1996, and how that experienced carried over to the full game.Stepping into a dingy Mako Reactor--one of the many beating hearts of the corporate-run operation that saps, sells, and profits off the earth's natural resources--two powerhouses clash. Cloud, a cold-hearted, former super (svelte) soldier of the Shinra Power Company, is just there to do a job. Barret, the hulking environmental activist behind the mission to destroy the reactor, has no choice but to work with Cloud to glean from his experience at Shinra. But as a person who wears his heart on his sleeve and fights for a noble cause, Barret's contempt for Cloud's self-centered opportunism is loud and clear. The two grit their teeth through the tension after a few spats and lay down their explosives. Their escape is cut short by a massive crimson mech, the Scorpion Sentinel. Using a little magic, Cloud's massive sword, and a Gatling gun surgically grafted to Barret's arm that never runs out of ammo, the two overcome their opponent and accomplish their mission, inflicting a massive blow to Shinra when the reactor ultimately explodes from within.Core components of Final Fantasy 7 have undergone massive transformations, but these aforementioned beats, the events that made my first taste of Final Fantasy 7 so memorable the first time around, have returned to center stage under a brand-new hi-def spotlight. The attention to visual details, from the environment to special effects in combat, gives everything a dreamlike quality, almost as if I'm seeing my imaginary version of Final Fantasy 7 brought to life. I only have good things to say about the way the remake looks, and my mind runs wild when I consider what the rest of the game will look like in the years to come.I was equally impressed by the new real-time combat system during my brief stint playing the remake, which I did not see coming. Rather than standing orderly on opposite sides of a rectangular battlefield as before, every character involved in a fight can now run in any direction at will. The ATB Gauge is back, but you needn't wait for it to fill if you want to throw out basic attacks, which conveniently speed up the refill process too. You only have to wait for a full ATB gauge to do something more substantial, like cast a spell or use an ability. And if you want a taste of the past or simply need to catch your breath, you can also bring combat to a halt while picking commands from menus. This process is somewhat optional as your allies are controlled by AI when they aren't given explicit instructions, but it's definitely handy.I still have questions about the finer points of Materia management--the items that govern what a character is capable of beyond simply attacking and using items--and time will tell how exciting battles remain long run, but it seems like it will strike a good balance between free-flowing action and menu-based mechanics from the past.The Scorpion Sentinel boss, as seasoned players will recall, has a tail equipped with a powerful laser that's best avoided. In the past, you would only bear the brunt of it if you attacked the scorpion while its tail was raised. That laser is still dangerous, but it's guaranteed to attack in the remake's version of this fight. Once the tail goes up, that's your cue to run and take cover behind debris strewn around the reactor platform. This occasional threat, along with the scorpion's leap-and-smash attack, lends a new kick to the familiar foe. My hope is that this is also setting the tone for the rest of the game and that positioning will become a critical component of combat. Juggling priorities was a treat rather than a hassle thanks to the largely intuitive controls, so the ongoing challenge would be most welcome.I feel silly in retrospect for being so fixated on what Final Fantasy 7 was rather than what it could be, and now I'm more excited than ever to find out.There was a lot to love about my time with Final Fantasy 7 Remake, but it wasn't without some concern. Even though I'm glad characters can speak for themselves and thus have more natural interactions now, I am a little concerned by Barret's over-the-top characterization. Final Fantasy 7 has a ton of strange things in it and I don't want it to be overly self-serious all the time, but in the face of a more realistic presentation overall, Barret's cartoonish delivery rubs the wrong way.When Final Fantasy 7 Remake releases in March 2020 I'll be turning 35. I've changed a great deal since my first exposure to Cloud, Barret, and the rest of the gang, and the E3 demo reminded that my relationship to Final Fantasy 7 is a holdover from the past. With that in mind and the overall quality of the new demo, I can't wait to rekindle my connection to one of my favorite games of all time. I feel silly in retrospect for being so fixated on what Final Fantasy 7 was rather than what it could be, and now I'm more excited than ever to find out. I'll always have the original if I need it, but this new version is shaping up to be an enlightening trip down memory lane. Info from Gamespot.com

PC gamers in need of a new rig should check out what Dell is offering this week in a limited sale of 15-20% off on select Dell and Alienware gaming computers. That encompasses three powerful laptops and one desktop, with savings up to $300. The sale is only available now through this Sunday, June 24.Dell's G15 gaming laptop is just $850, under the full price of $1000. It features a 15-inch, 1080p display with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB GDDR5 graphics card to support it, making this a great entry-level gaming computer. Going up from there are the Alienware m15 gaming laptop and Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 laptop/tablet, both for $1,450, down from the full price of $1,780. What the Alienware laptop lacks in functionality relative to the XPS 15, it makes up for with more powerful hardware under the hood with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5 graphics card and a hybrid HDD/SSD. Lastly at the top end is the Alienware Aurora gaming desktop for $1,900 down from its usual $2,230. That comes loaded with an i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 8GB GDDR6 graphics card and 512GB solid state drive.Dell G15 Gaming Laptop -- $850Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 -- $1,450Alienware m15 Gaming Laptop -- $1,450Alienware Aurora Gaming Desktop -- $1,900If you act fast, Dell's sale is well-timed with a daily deal running now on Amazon for up to 63% savings on certain Logitech gaming accessories, like mice, keyboards, headsets, and speakers, which are precisely what you might need to complement a brand new gaming computer. Amazon also has a great deal currently on Xbox wireless controllers paired with a PC wireless adapter for just $45. Between these three sales, you should be able to get yourself a great new gaming set-up without breaking the bank.Info from Gamespot.com

E3 2019 is behind us, but even the most devoted video game fans are bound to have missed some news out of the show. The event is just too sprawling to keep up with it all at once. Nintendo keeps its own announcements deeply under wraps and contained mostly within its Nintendo Direct presentation the Tuesday morning of the show, but other announcements are often littered throughout the week in its Nintendo Treehouse streams.In case you missed any of the news and announcements, we've compiled them all below. You can also catch up on all the Xbox news, and despite Sony's absence, there was plenty of PlayStation news that we'll be wrapping up soon as well.Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel AnnouncedThe biggest announcement of Nintendo's conference was saved for the very end, when the company revealed the first teaser for a sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The brief teaser video gave us scant details about the new game, and no clue about when to expect it, but it did drop some intriguing clues about the story. It showed Link and Zelda together, appearing to explore a tomb before something awakens. In the distance, Hyrule Castle starts to shake and rise.Series producer Eiji Aonuma has since revealed that the sequel came about because the studio simply had too many ideas to fit into the downloadable content."Initially we were thinking of just DLC ideas, but then we had a lot of ideas and we said, 'This is too many ideas, let's just make one new game and start from scratch.'"The teaser has led to plenty of speculation and theories about what it could all mean.Two More Nintendo Switch Models In The WorksReports have been circulating that Nintendo is developing new Nintendo Switch models, despite the company staying mum on the subject at E3. A new report indicates that the wheels are still very much in motion, albeit quietly.According to the report, Nintendo has moved production out of China and into Southeast Asia to avoid newly proposed tarriffs from the United States. That reportedly includes both production of the current model, along with two new ones. The first model is said to be similar to the existing Switch but with better components, while the second is a budget version with lower specs and a new look. Production of these models is reportedly well underway, suggesting their release could be close. The original reports suggested that the cheaper model could come out by the end of June, but that seems unlikely at this point. One or both could still be slated for this year, however.Animal Crossing Given New Title, But DelayedAnimal Crossing for Switch was slated as a 2019 game, but Nintendo has now pushed it into 2020. It wasn't all bad news, though, as the presentation also gave us much more detail on what to expect from the newly-dubbed Animal Crossing: New Horizons.New Horizons takes place on an island of your own, and you begin in a tent. You'll have more control over both your own look and the management of the society this time around, and you can enjoy the island lifestyle with a friend thanks to the addition of couch co-op. It won't support cloud saves, though, so this island is an island unto itself.Though delays are often a bummer, Nintendo explained that this one was an attempt to allow its workers to have a healthy work-life balance. Given the recent spate of studios caught putting their devs through heavy crunch, this explanation seemed to be met pretty positively from the community, although Nintendo's stock price took a hit in the wake of the news.Link's Awakening Is Coming This Fall, With Some SurprisesThe Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is being remade for Nintendo Switch, and the company announced a fall release date during its presentation. The game looks like a neat modernization of the Game Boy classic, but one surprise is the new addition of a Dungeon Editor mode. It will let you collect individual rooms from dungeons and interlock them to make your own dungeon mash-ups.To mark the game's release, Europe is getting a lavish collector's edition complete with Game Boy styled Steelbook case. The game will also release along with a new Amiibo showing Link rendered in the game's claymation-like art style. For more details check out our pre-order guide.Who You Gonna Call? LuigiThe centerpiece of Nintendo's E3 booth was Luigi's Mansion 3, the latest in the ghost-hunting adventure series. Luigi is back with the aptly named Gooigi capturing ghosts in a haunted hotel. The new trailer gave us tons of gameplay details, and our own hands-on time showed it to be a funny, engaging parody of survival-horror games.A Smashing New Set Of CharactersSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate was last year's big Nintendo release, but the enduring popularity of the fighting game has made DLC announcements almost as big as game reveals themselves. At E3 Nintendo revealed a bunch of new characters including the heroes of Dragon Quest and the much-requested Banjo-Kazooie.The Dragon Quest heroes actually count as one character, with the various forms serving as different appearances. Each of them is a sword-wielding character so the skin swapping makes sense. Banjo and Kazooie, meanwhile, are on loan from Microsoft as the two companies have gotten increasingly cozy lately.Pokemon Sword and Shield: It's Going to Be BigThe first main Pokemon game for Nintendo Switch, Pokemon Sword and Shield, is dropping this year. Nintendo gave the pair of games their own Nintendo Direct presentation just ahead of E3, revealing the new giant-sized Pokemon mechanic and a bunch of new mons. We've also learned how the Raid battles will work, which lets you team up with other trainers to take on one kaiju-sized pocket monster.Sword and Shield will honor the recent legacy of the series by working with the PokeBall Plus accessory released alongside the Let's Go games. That's not the only lesson it's taking from Let's Go, as we've also learned that it won't have random encounters.To the chagrin of some fans, though, Sword and Shield won't allow you to import your entire collection of monsters from previous generations. And this may be the norm going forward into future Pokemon games as well.Zelda Spin-Off Cadence of Hyrule Released, Is GreatIn addition to the Breath of the Wild 2 announcement and more details about the Link's Awakening remake, Nintendo ended the week of E3 with the release of Cadence of Hyrule. This Zelda spin-off from the studio behind Crypt of the Necrodancer borrows that game's signature rhythm gameplay, but set to remixed Zelda tunes in the land of Hyrule.And wouldn't you know it, the combination works. GameSpot's Cadence of Hyrule review concluded that the game wonderfully realizes the spirit of classic Zelda games and exploring the world is consistently fun and rewarding.“Cadence of Hyrule is a fantastic Zelda game in its own right, even though it adopts the gameplay mechanics of another series,” James O'Connor wrote. “Beyond the aesthetics, it nails the satisfying sense of exploration and increasing power, and it revels in the joy of discovery, as all the best Zelda games do. It's an extremely successful melding of two great game series and an experience that makes you feel eager for Nintendo to do more interesting things with their major licenses.”Cadence of Hyrule is now available on the Nintendo eShop for $25.The Witcher 3 Coming To Nintendo SwitchThe Witcher 3 is one of the most massive RPGs of the generation, and soon you can take it with you wherever you go. CD Projekt Red's critically acclaimed game is coming to Nintendo Switch, complete with its two expansions Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine and all other DLC.The Switch version will have some visual compromises to fit, but CD Projekt has been sharing screenshots and it certainly looks like the Geralt we all know. We even got a good look at his glistening body in a bathtub. You could see the iconic bathtub scene while playing in the bathtub, but we wouldn't recommend it as the Switch isn't waterproof.Check out our pre-order guide to see all that games in the package. Fire Emblems, Daemons, And MoreTwo more Nintendo-published games got shorter mentions during Nintendo's presentation. Fire Emblem: Three Houses had only a brief trailer since the game's release is already around the corner. You can check out our pre-order guide for more details. Similarly, the mech combat game Daemon x Machina got a release date trailer, pinning the game to September. Meanwhile, Astral Chain from PlatinumGames got a fresh look that shows it may scratch the Bayonetta itch.For those looking for something to play right now, Nintendo Online subscribers can play Double Dragon 2, Volleyball, and City Connection in the updated NES library. Or you can polish up your skills in Splatoon 2 as you prepare for the final Splatfest, scheduled to take place in July. Info from Gamespot.com

Microsoft exclusive Gears 5, which unveiled a haunting cinematic trailer during the company's E3 2019 presentation, is only a few months away. Details about the upcoming third-person shooter continue to emerge with its September release right around the corner, and a new post on the Gears 5 official website provides some enticing information, including free content and the lack of a season pass.The news post outlines a bunch of the game's details. We get a cinematic glimpse at new Gear Fahz Chutani (played by Rahul Kohli, Rage 2's Garcia the Gregarious). The post also goes over the game's new 3-player co-op mode Escape, which you can check out 10-minutes of gameplay footage above. But the biggest piece of news centers around additional content.Developer The Coalition touts a "player-first experience," stating some of the game's additional content will be free. According to the post, Gears 5 will feature no season pass, no loot boxes, and free DLC maps for matchmaking and private play. The maps sound similar to Gears of War 4, but where that game required you own the map to play them in private matches after they left the playlist, this game doesn't seem to have that limitation. Though Gears 5 will have microtransactions, the post confirms that "all store purchases are direct," meaning no RNG (random number generator) will play in a role in what you get. An IGN report reveals that Gears 5 will feature seven different types of cosmetics that can be purchased will real money: costumes, weapon skins, banners (emblems with more surface area), expressions (emotes), executions, blood sprays, and marks (to mark targets). "The only random kind of chance you have is that there's a type of content that we essentially give to the player for free just for playing," The Coalition boss Rod Fergusson told IGN during E3 2019.Gears 5 follows Kat Diaz (played by Laura Bailey, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End's Nadine Ross) as she searches to uncover the truth behind her heritage and her connection to the Locust. Xbox boss Phil Spencer said Gears 5 was " looking great" when he visited the Vancouver-based studio in March 2019.Gears 5 will release on September 10 for PC and Xbox One. A versus technical test is scheduled for Friday, July 19, with Horde Mode getting its own test sometime this August.Info from Gamespot.com

Nintendo Switch games are notoriously expensive, but there are a few reliable ways to save yourself some cash. The Nintendo Eshop regularly has sales, and the company began offering a pair of game vouchers for $100 to players with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription that you can then redeem on two games, saving yourself up to $20. But on top of these deals, there's another way to make your money go even further that fewer people consider: gift card discounts.Currently, at Newegg, you can save 10% on a $50 Nintendo Eshop gift card by using promo code EMCTBVT49 at checkout. That translates into getting a $50 gift card for only $45, which may not seem like a huge price cut, but why stop there? You can then turn around and use that gift card on already discounted games, saving yourself even more money.Get a $50 Nintendo Eshop gift card for $45 »An even sneakier way to use discounted gift cards is to buy a pair of $50 gift cards and use those to buy two game vouchers at Nintendo for $100, assuming you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. (Reminder: You can get a year of Switch Online for free through Amazon Prime.) Not only are you saving $20 on two full-price games with the vouchers, but you're saving an additional $10 with the gift card deal, getting you $120 in value for only $90. That translates to getting two new $60 Nintendo games for only $45 each. Plus, you'll get 500 My Nintendo Gold Points from the voucher purchase, which equals another $5 in Eshop credit. The eligible list of games for Nintendo's vouchers includes upcoming releases like Pokemon Sword and Shield, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, Super Mario Maker 2, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, and more.This particular Newegg gift card deal is only running for a few more days, but gift card discounts do pop up often in case you miss this one. Xbox One and PS4 gift cards also get marked down by $5 or $10 regularly, so you can save money when shopping for those platforms as well. For example, BJ's members can currently get a $25 PlayStation Store gift card for only $20, which can be used to save even more money on some of the great PS4 games on sale right now.Info from Gamespot.com

Funko Pop vinyl figures have taken fandom by storm over the last several years, expanding into nearly every arena of pop culture, with gaming being a huge part of that. Amazon is now offering a sale on a huge variety of the figures, including a lot of characters from many of our favorite games.Most of the cast of Overwatch is here, along with several Pokemon and iconic characters from other franchises, such as Halo, Crash Bandicoot, Portal, and Horizon Zero Dawn. We've gathered our favorite gaming Funko Pops currently on sale below so you too can fill your desk with little, geeky friends like Aloy, Orisa, and Master Chief. If you're still hungry for more Pops, check out the recently-revealed additions from San Diego Comic-Con 2019, as well as our ranking of the best and worst Avengers Pops.Pokemon - BulbasaurCHECK PRICE ON AMAZONPokemon - CharmanderCHECK PRICE ON AMAZONHorizon Zero Dawn - AloyCHECK PRICE AT AMAZONThe Witcher - GeraltCHECK PRICE AT AMAZONOverwatch - GenjiCHECK PRICE AT AMAZONOverwatch - ReinhardtCHECK PRICE AT AMAZONOverwatch - HanzoCHECK PRICE AT AMAZONOverwatch - MeiCHECK PRICE AT AMAZONOverwatch - SymmetraCHECK PRICE AT AMAZONOverwatch - TorbjörnCHECK PRICE AT AMAZONOverwatch - DoomfistCHECK PRICE AT AMAZONOverwatch - WinstonCHECK PRICE AT AMAZONOverwatch - ZenyattaCHECK PRICE AT AMAZONOverwatch - OrisaCHECK PRICE AT AMAZONOverwatch - ZaryaCHECK PRICE AT AMAZONOverwatch - RoadhogCHECK PRICE AT AMAZONOverwatch - JunkratCHECK PRICE ON AMAZONHalo - Master Chief and CortanaCHECK PRICE ON AMAZONCrash Bandicoot - HimselfCHECK PRICE ON AMAZONPortal - TurretCHECK PRICE ON AMAZONInfo from Gamespot.com

Square Enix showed off a lot of Final Fantasy VII Remake during its E3 2019 presentation, including info on its new combat systems and March 2020 release date. The Japanese company is ready to show off more, as we've just been given a huge assortment of Final Fantasy VII Remake screenshots.The screenshots look similar to Kingdom Hearts in aesthetic, but with a darker, grittier palette. They show iconic characters Aeris, Barret, Cloud, Tifa, and Sephiroth, all rendered in typical Testuya Nomura fashion. Some are stills from combat encounters with bits of the HUD visible, while others are likely from explorative gameplay sections. There also seem to be a handful of shots from possible in-game cutscenes, including an epic back-to-back shot of Cloud and Tifa. You can check out the new screens below.We discussed the modernization of Final Fantasy VII Remake in a feature article, with managing editor Peter Brown saying he "[fell] in love with the world and characters all over again" after going hands-on with the game on the E3 2019 show floor. "It would be far too premature to claim that the final product will be as amazing as my demo, but at the risk of sounding naive once again, I'm given hope as I recall the experience I had when I first played the original PlayStation demo in 1996, and how that experienced carried over to the full game," Brown wrote of the demo.Final Fantasy VII Remake will launch exclusively for PlayStation 4 on March 3, 2020. Square also confirmed that the hotly-anticipated RPG will be playable on PlayStation 5 and will span two discs worth of gameplay content.Info from Gamespot.com