It's October, and that means it's time for video games to begin celebrating Halloween. Blizzard is one developer known for always hosting special in-game events to mark the occasion, and Overwatch's recently announced Halloween Terror event is now live, introducing a wealth of new items to obtain.
Blizzard revealed a pair of skins when it first announced the event, and three more were subsequently leaked. With the event now live, we've gotten a look at everything it has to offer, including Torbjorn and Ana skins. These will be available through a limited-time event Loot Box, which contains more than 140 cosmetic items, including skins, voice lines, emotes, highlight intros, and more. This features a mixture of 50-plus new items, as well as returning ones from last year. You can see a selection of new and returning cosmetics below, or head to our gallery to see all the new Overwatch Halloween Terror 2017 skins.
Halloween Terror runs from now through November 2. It also brings back the Junkenstein's Revenge co-op event, where players take on waves of AI-controlled enemies in a Horde-style mode. For this year, a new endless option is available with accompanying leaderboards to track who can make it through the most waves.
All of this is available for free to players on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Of course, you can also buy Loot Boxes to get your hands on more items; these cosmetics are only available for the duration of the event, though they'll presumably return once again next year.
Like other Xbox One X-enhanced games, Rise of the Tomb Raider will receive a slate of visual and performance improvements when played on an Xbox One X. The game boasts three different visual modes. Native 4K offers the highest fidelity resolution, while Enriched Visual mode is something of an in-between option; while it doesn't offer true 4K, it still looks amazing and runs at 30 FPS. Those who favor performance can choose High Frame Rate mode, which bumps the gameplay up to 60 FPS at a slight dip in visuals compared to the other two settings.
We captured 12 minutes of footage of Rise of the Tomb Raider running on Xbox One X, which you can watch above. The demo we got to play took us through an early portion of the game and showcased the three different visual modes, which you can freely switch between while playing the title.
Rise of the Tomb Raider originally launched for Xbox One in 2015 and was subsequently released for PC and PS4. Those who already own a copy of the title will be able to download a free update on November 7--the day the Xbox One X launches worldwide--that adds all of the Xbox One X enhancements.
Are you ready to step back aboard the Waverider and see how Legends of Tomorrow is going to screw up time this year? A sizzle reel for Season 3 has been released ahead of the premiere and it gives away a lot of the surprises the series has in store.
When Season 2 ended, it was with the time-traveling misfit Legends arriving back in modern day, only to realize they've changed the timeline so much that dinosaurs are still terrorizing the planet. Now they have to fix everything they've broken. Unfortunately, it won't be that easy.
The Legends have seemingly been replaced. Rip Hunter (Arthur Darvill) is back, but this time with his new team, the Time Bureau. "Your services are no longer required," he tells Sara Lance (Caity Lotz) and the rest of the Legends, as his new by-the-book crew sets out to correct the mistakes in the timeline. Don't expect them to simply back down in the face of Hunter's arrival, though.
Instead, based on the sizzle reel, they're going to get into bigger adventures than ever before and further prove why this is the most fun TV series set in the DC universe. Whether it's joining the circus, fighting vampires, or landing in the middle of the Vietnam War, nothing if off-limits for Legends of Tomorrow.
What's more, Season 3 will bring some very familiar faces to fans into the fold. Not only is Damien Darhk (Neal McDonough) returning as one of the year's villains, he will be joined by Gorilla Grodd--making the jump to the show from The Flash. Captain Cold (Wentworth Miller) will also be back and, based on this trailer, even Kid Flash (Keiynan Lonsdale) is making an appearance.
Once character missing from the trailer that has been confirmed to appear at some point in Season 3 is John Constantine (Matt Ryan). This will be the second time Ryan, who played the role on NBC's Constantine, will bring the master of the occult to The CW. He last appeared during Season 4 of Arrow and will also star in an animated series on the CW Seed streaming platform.
Legends of Tomorrow premieres Tuesday, October 10, at 9 PM on The CW.
Overwatch's 2017 Halloween Terror event is set to begin today, October 10, and will have a selection of new themed character skins for players to earn. Thus far developer Blizzard has only officially revealed new skins for Reaper and McCree, but images of a few more appear to recently leaked via Facebook. " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Overwatch's Halloween Terror event is now live. You can see all the new Halloween skins in our gallery.]
The pictures, which you can see below, were served up as adverts on the Facebook and Reddit user Mnemosynaut reposted them for all to see. The designs are very cool, with Mei becoming a Jiangshi for the All Hallow's Eve festivities, Zenyatta transforming into a Cthulu-inspired Omnic, and Symmetra finally being made to look like the demon we all know she is. Of course, it's worth restating that Blizzard hasn't officially revealed these yet, so if they turn out to be fake we'll be impressed and very heartbroken.
Click image to view in full screen gallery
As mentioned above, Halloween Terror 2017 begins on October 10 on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, and will run until November 2. Blizzard previously shared a very brief teaser that shows off new Halloween-themed skins for McCree and Reaper. The video was accompanied by a poem which reads: "The nights grow cold / And monsters appear / A great evil gathers / And Halloween draws near..." An exact start time for the event has not been announced, but we'll report back once it's live with all the details and new skins.
Last year's event also included a PvE event called Junkenstein's Revenge. Although Blizzard hasn't said whether this will return for Halloween Terror 2017, it seems likely as Junkrat's Junkenstein skin is featured in the logo for this year's event.
Junkenstein's Revenge is co-op mode that tasks a team of four with battling waves of enemies while defending a point, effectively serving as Overwatch's take on Gears of War's popular Horde mode. Blizzard has said the event will have other "spooky new content," but we'll report back if it details exactly what else that includes.
Ubisoft has finally revealed its plans for Assassin's Creed Origins' post-launch content. The game will receive two major expansions after its October release date, in addition to a number of smaller add-ons, some of which will be free.
The two main DLC packs are called The Hidden Ones and The Curse of the Pharoahs. The former will launch in January 2018 and is set many years after the base game as you clash with the Romans in a new region. The latter, meanwhile, will introduce a "a new, mystical realm" in which you'll encounter "beasts such as Anubis warriors, scorpios, and more" as you investigate the curse that has resurrected dead Pharaohs. The Curse of the Pharoahs launches in March next year.
The two story expansions are included in Assassin's Creed Origins' season pass, which costs $40 in the US (international pricing has yet to be announced). That also bags you two smaller add-ons--each containing new outfits and weapons--as well as 500 in-game credits and an exclusive weapon. Check out everything included in the season pass at the bottom of this article, via Ubisoft.
Origins' Gold Edition and Steelbook Edition contain the season pass for no extra cost, though many of the game's other special editions do not include all added content. For more, check out our breakdown of all six Assassin's Creed special editions. Separate from the season pass, Assassin's Creed Origins will receive an array of free content, including a Photo Mode, an Educational Mode, and a Horde Mode that sees players "fight endless waves of enemies in the Gladiator Arena."
DLC 1 - The Hidden Ones: This story-driven expansion builds upon the growth of the Brotherhood, taking players years after the events of Assassin's Creed Origins as they clash with an occupying Roman force in a new region. This expansion will extend the level cap, allowing players to keep on making their character progress. Available in January 2018.
DLC 2 - The Curse of the Pharaohs: In this story-driven expansion focusing on Egyptian mythology, players will fight against undead pharaohs and explore a new, mystical realm. During their journey, players will encounter famed Egyptian beasts such as Anubis warriors, scorpios and more, as they investigate the cause of the curse that has brought the dead pharaohs back to life. The Curse of the Pharaohs will increase the level cap further and introduce brand new Abilities. Available in March 2018.
The Roman Centurion and Horus Packs: Two exclusive add-on packs including a new outfit, weapons, shield and mount. Available in November 2017.
A package of 500 Helix Credits: Available at the launch of the game.
An exclusive rare weapon: the Calamity Blade. Available at the launch of the game.
Assassin's Creed Origins Free DLC
The Trials of the Gods: Epic boss battles against Egyptian gods that take place during special timed events, victorious players will receive prestigious rewards. The first Trial of the Gods event will be available 15 days after the launch of the game.
The Nomad's Bazaar: A wandering merchant gives players daily quests to complete in order to earn mysterious exotic rewards. Available at the launch of the game.
Photo Mode: Players will be able to capture and share the beauty of the Egyptian landscape and indulge their inner wildlife photographer while discovering in-game pictures taken by other players. Available at the launch of the game.
Horde Mode: Players will fight endless waves of enemies in the Gladiator Arena. They will be able to compare their scores with their friends and challenge them asynchronously. Available in early 2018.
Discovery Tour: This new educational mode turns the world of Assassin's Creed Origins into a combat-free living museum and will give everyone the opportunity to learn more about Ancient Egypt through guided tours curated by historians and Egyptologists. Available early 2018.
Sylvester Stallone has been teasing fans about the sequel to the hit Rocky spin-off Creed for a few months with casting news and a potential production start date. The star has now revealed who will direct Creed 2--Stallone himself.
The action icon took to Instagram to announce the news. This confirms that Creed director and co-writer Ryan Coogler won't be involved with the sequel, as Stallone has already stated that he has written the movie's script. Check the post out below:
A post shared by Sly Stallone (@officialslystallone) on
While Stallone only acted in Creed, he had written every other Rocky movie until then, and directed four of the films. The movie will see Michael B. Jordan return to the title role, with Stallone expected to play Rocky once more.
In July, Stallone also suggested that fellow action star Dolph Lundgren will reprise his role as Russian heavyweight Ivan Drago, last seen in 1985's Rocky IV. At that time Stallone posted a series vintage shots of Lundgren from the set of Rocky IV, each one tagged with 'CREED 2.' Lundgren himself largely confirmed this news when he posted a training video, with the caption, "Getting ready for something big! #creed 2."
Stallone won a Golden Globe for his performance as the aging Rocky Balboa in Creed, as well as receiving an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The movie made $173.6 million at the worldwide box office.
In related news, Coogler's Marvel movie Black Panther hits theaters in February. Chadwick Boseman plays the title character, with Jordan in a supporting role. For a look at that, check out the latest Black Panther trailer.
Following a server maintenance period, a new update will be released today for Ghost Recon: Wildlands on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. In addition to some bug fixes and improvements, it introduces Ghost War, the new competitive multiplayer mode that's available for free to all players.
Update 8 arrives today on all platforms; PC maintenance has ended, with Xbox One and PS4 downtime wrapping up in the next few hours. Steam users will receive a 4.7 GB download, while those on Uplay will receive a larger, 9.5 GB one. Depending on the latest version you have installed on consoles, the patch may be as large as 11 GB. If you're playing when it's released, an in-game notification will let you know to restart the game so that it can be downloaded and installed.
We already know what to expect from Ghost War, which Ubisoft conducted a beta test for recently. It's a 4v4 Team Deathmatch-style experience where you can revive teammates, with support for eight maps and 12 classes at launch. Matches are best-of-three affairs with 10-minute rounds. Ubisoft has promised "regular updates and new content" that will bring additional modes, maps, and classes.
A variety of bug fixes are also included in this update, but the most important may pertain to campaign connectivity. "Ghost Recon Wildlands campaign mode's networking model is based on peer-to-peer networking," Ubisoft explained on its website. "In order to improve the connectivity issues some of you are facing since launch, we have also decided to back up our networking model with relay servers as it has been done for our Ghost War PvP mode. These relay servers route packets between players who cannot connect directly to each other, essentially eliminating many of the situations where players cannot connect because of incompatible NAT types. In order to minimize any lag induced by this routing, we spread our relay servers over many geographical locations and picked servers that offer the quickest routes to relay packets between players."
Full patch notes for the update follow below. If you don't already own the game, you'll be able to try Wildlands for free this weekend, including Ghost War.
Ghost Recon: Wildlands Update 8 Patch Notes
Missions/Narration
In "El Cardinal," fixed a bug where the player couldn't redeploy freely after failing the mission
User Interface
Fixed a bug where a "NEW" tag would appear on the loadout even though there is no new unlocked item
Fixed a bug where the "missile incoming" warning would be displayed too late
Fixed some situations where the prestige points earned wouldn't appear on screen
Co-op
Fixed a bug where a player wouldn't be kicked from the lobby if the command was initiated from several players
Added relay servers for improved connectivity between players
Gameplay
Fixed a bug where a player shooting from the trunk of a car could lose control over the character
Polished the new helicopter's landing animation
Stability
Fixed a bug where Norton antivirus users would have troubles launching the game
Narco Road
In "El Invisible," fixed a bug where the "mission failed" screen would not appear, making the mission unavailable
PC
Fixed the mouse input precision for the new helicopter control scheme. We implemented mouse acceleration which decays as helicopter picks up speed, and a deceleration when player is driving, as previous implementation was losing angular velocity too fast
Fixed an issue causing vehicle doors to always shown as being closed when using Nvidia Ansel
We teamed up with Bethesda to give away these awesome The Evil Within 2 prize packs for free:
The Evil Within 2 on PS4, Xbox One, or PC
The Evil Within 2 Prima Strategy Guide, Shirt, Comic, and Journal
Grand Prize: Custom The Evil Within 2 skinned consoles, (1) Xbox One and (1) PS4
Please read this carefully: We have a total of fifteen (15) prize packs to give away, and two (2) winners will receive a custom The Evil Within 2 skinned console for Xbox One or PS4. Five (5) winners will be announced daily at approximately 5:00PM PT until the competition ends on Friday, October 13th at 5:00 PM PT. Winners can be seen in the "Winners" tab below. Console winners will be chosen on Friday. If you enter for a chance to win today and don't win, you'll be automatically entered again the next day. Entry is open to United States residents only, void where prohibited.
Enter below (the additional entries are optional to increase your chances of winning):
For this week, it's The Inverted Spire, which you may remember as the Strike featured during the Destiny 2 beta. A time limit is in place as always, but it can be extended with the first of the two modifiers, Timewarp: Killing Time. This causes each kill to add to the time limit--to a certain point. Bungie doesn't specify the maximum, but you should nonetheless be aware that you can't indefinitely extend the mission by slaying enemies.
The other modifier for this Strike is Attrition, which we saw a couple of weeks ago. This "significantly impair[s]" both health and shield regeneration; combined with the time limit, this means that ducking behind cover whenever you take damage is a strategy that is unlikely to work. However, Attrition also causes enemies you kill to sometimes leave behind a Well of Light; collect this, and it'll restore your health and charge up your Super.
As for Challenges, we again get Speed of Dark, which requires you to finish the Strike with at least five minutes remaining on the timer. Unbroken tasks you with dying fewer than three times during the entire Strike. And finally, The Floor is Lava requires you and your Fireteam to avoid getting hit by Protheon's fiery ground attack during the boss fight.
Completion of the Nightfall rewards players with Powerful Gear rewards. This is one of the few activities to offer those, and they're among the best items you can get your hands on. It's also a reliable way to increase your Power level past 265, should you be struggling to pass that point. If you haven't made it to that point, you may want to consider waiting until after you've raised your Power level before grabbing the Nightfall reward. This Nightfall will be available until the next weekly reset, which occurs at 2 AM PT / 5 AM ET / 10 AM BST / 4 PM AEST on Tuesday, October 17.
If you haven't yet unlocked the Nightfall, you'll need to complete two Strikes and approach the suggested Power level of 240 before Zavala will allow you to take part in them. Traditional matchmaking is not available, but in its place we have Guided Games, providing players with the opportunity to be matched up with members of a clan for the mission (which requires a Nightfall Ticket). Alternatively, clan members can sign up to serve as guides through the Nightfall. Doing so does not require a Ticket.
The next pair of Pokemon games, Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, are quickly approaching their November 17 release date, and ahead of their launch, Nintendo has been giving away a ton of free items and Pokemon for the previous Sun and Moon versions. Many of the giveaways have already ended, but there are still plenty of rare freebies for Sun and Moon players to get their hands on.
We've rounded up all of the distributions that are currently running for Pokemon Sun and Moon, as well as a few that will be available for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon when those versions launch. We'll be updating this list as more giveaways are announced, so check back often to see what free items and Pokemon you can get.
Pokemon Sun/Moon Free Gifts
Mega Stones -- Ends Oct. 31
Mega Stones are exceptionally rare and valuable in Pokemon Sun and Moon. When equipped to their corresponding Pokemon, Mega Stones allow it to Mega Evolve during battle, often changing its type and giving it a considerable stat boost. Nintendo is giving away several batches of Mega Stones that aren't normally available in Sun and Moon, all of which are redeemable via a universal download code. Input the following codes in Mystery Gift by October 31 and you'll receive these Mega Stones:
Players in the US can pick up a free download code for Charizard from the electronics department in Target stores. The popular Fire-type Pokemon comes at level 50, is equipped with the Red Card item, and knows the moves Dragon Dance, Flare Blitz, Fly, and Earthquake. As with other download codes, you need to input your code via Mystery Gift to receive Charizard. The distribution runs until October 14, and you have until February 4, 2018 to redeem your code.
Marshadow -- Ends Oct. 23
For a very limited time, players can pick up a free download code for the Mythical Pokemon Marshadow. Those in the US can get the code from GameStop, while players in the UK will have to visit "participating retailers." This is the first legitimate way Sun and Moon players can obtain the rare Fighting/Ghost-type, which comes at level 50 and is equipped with Marshadium Z. It also knows the attacks Spectral Thief, Close Combat, Force Palm, and Shadow Ball.
Pikachu
To celebrate the release of the Pokemon series' 20th anniversary film, Pokemon The Movie: I Choose You, The Pokemon Company is giving away six different versions of Ash's Pikachu for Sun and Moon. To receive a Pikachu, enter the code PIKACHU20 in Mystery Gift. However, you can only receive one of the six Pikachu, and the version you get depends on when you enter the code. The full Pikachu distribution schedule is below.
Players who purchase either Pokemon Gold or Silver from the 3DS Eshop by September 21, 2018 will receive a bonus download code for the Mythical Pokemon Celebi. The code can be redeemed in Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, or Ultra Moon. We've outlined the steps you need to take to find and redeem the code here.
Pokemon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon Free Gifts
Rockruff -- Ends Jan. 10, 2018
Purchase either Pokemon Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon by January 10 and you'll receive a special Rockruff as a free bonus. This Rockruff will only evolve into Dusk Form Lycanroc, a new variant of the popular wolf Pokemon that is exclusive to Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
Those still hunting for a SNES Classic Edition in the US have at least two options for where they can expect to find one this week. GameStop and its subsidiary ThinkGeek have announced that they are receiving more units, but--as always--you'll need to act fast.
Beginning today, October 10, GameStop and ThinkGeek retail locations will begin receiving shipments of the micro console. GameStop stores should "have their full allotment by Thursday, October 12, at the latest," according to a statement shared with GameSpot. These will be standalone, individual units that you can pick up for $80. There's no guarantee that stores will have the system in stock today, and GameStop advises calling your local store to inquire about availability.
Provided you miss out or can't make it to a store today, both retailers will begin selling units online tomorrow, October 11. At GameStop, standalone systems and bundles will be available, while ThinkGeek's website will also sell the console on its own.
Middle-earth: Shadow of War is available now on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. It's a vast, mechanically dense game, and if you want to rise to the top of Mordor's food chain, you'll have to scheme and stab your way there. It's tricky, but we've got a few tips that will help make that climb a little easier.
The early game can be a little bit overwhelming as there's a whole lot of skills to unlock and interconnected systems to get your head around. And, of course, there's the pesky orcs looking to stick you with the sharp end of a blade too.
In this part of the game, you don't get the absolute game-changer that is the Dominate ability--that comes a little later--so this tips guide will focus on ways you can make Uruks do your bidding without overpowering their minds. Put the handy tips featured in the video above into practice and you'll be decapitating foes and mounting Caragors in no time.
In GameSpot's Shadow of War review, Justin Haywald awarded it a 7/10, saying that "it tries to be larger than its predecessor … yet it leaves you wanting less." He continued: "But at its core, it's a fun experience with brilliant moments that provide fascinating insight into some of the untold stories of Middle-earth."
If you want to get caught up on the story before playing the game, there's a Shadow Of War story recap narrated by Bruz, the charming Olog that took center stage during the game's E3 presentation. Or you can read our Shadow of War story so far article for a quick overview.
For those looking seeking advanced Shadow of War tips, keep your eyes on the site as we'll have some of those coming very soon too. In the mean time, get a broader look at the series' place within video game in our video feature on the history of Lord of the Rings games.
The latest Destiny 2 event, Iron Banner, is live now in the Crucible. The event returns from the original Destiny, offering exclusive armor and gear if you earn enough Tokens.
Things have changed a little since the first game, however. As with all Crucible modes, matches are now 4v4 rather than 6v6. In addition, Iron Banner is now entirely about skill; Power levels are not taken into account, as Light levels were previously. "Your fighting abilities, not your power levels, will decide the outcome," developer Bungie says.
You can access the Iron Banner by visiting Lord Saladin in the Tower. That task itself requires that you complete the campaign, as the Tower is inaccessible until you've done so. Once you've spoken with Saladin, Iron Banner is entered through its own Crucible playlist--which features Quickplay modes and matchmaking--and you can play as a Fireteam or dive in solo.
Another event, the Leviathan Prestige Raid, was due to go live today, but that has now been delayed until Wednesday, October 18. Bungie said: "An exploit has been discovered in the Leviathan Raid that causes the encounters to be stripped of their intended challenge. To allow time to fix this issue, we are delaying the start of the Prestige Raid until next week. It's important to us that the team who earns World First status doesn't have their legacy tarnished by doubt, skepticism, or uncertainty." However, the release of Destiny 2's new map, Distant Shore, went ahead as planned and it's live now.
October 10:GameStop and ThinkGeek are both receiving more SNES Classic Editions. They'll be sold individually in stores beginning today, while bundles and standalone units will go on sale online on October 11. Specifics regarding the bundles were not shared, and it may take a day or two for retail stores to actually begin selling their micro consoles.
October 5: The SNES Classic Edition sold out at release as expected, and prices were high on Ebay, but Nintendo has insisted the system will be easier to get than the NES Classic. Your next opportunity to get one is now here, as GameStop has the micro console in stock on its website right now. As always, there's no telling how long it will last, so act fast if you're interested. [Update: It looks to now be out stock, but it may be worth refreshing the page today just in case.] We'll report back as the system comes back in stock at GameStop and elsewhere. In the meantime, check out our SNES Classic review.
September 28: The SNES Classic Edition's release is finally upon us. Fortunately, it looks as if you'll have an opportunity to purchase one on launch day (September 29) even if you weren't able to secure a pre-order. Nintendo has urged fans not to pay more than retail price and announced plans to extend availability into 2018 (it was originally only supposed to ship during 2017). But even on launch day, at least some stores will have them in stock.
Already, we've heard that GameStop and its subsidiary ThinkGeek will have SNES Classic Editions for sale. Best Buy will also have them--albeit only in its physical stores--and Toys R Us will, too. Although they haven't announced specific plans, you can count on Walmart and Target having them as well. Wherever you choose to try picking one up, just be aware that you may need to show up early. Best Buy recommended as much and said it will distribute tickets to those in line if necessary. While your odds of eventually getting one seem good, NES Classic Edition's supply issues may drive up demand for the new system in the short-term.
September 12: While pre-orders themselves may not be any easier to get, Nintendo has provided some encouraging news for those hoping to purchase an SNES Classic Edition. Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime recently implored people not to pay more than regular price for the console. Now, the company has announced that the SNES Classic will continue to be sold into 2018, and not just in 2017 as previously planned. (The NES Classic is also coming back.) On launch day in the US specifically, Nintendo said that "more units of Super NES Classic Edition will ship ... than were shipped of NES Classic Edition all last year, with subsequent shipments arriving in stores regularly." This is still no guarantee that you'll easily get one, but things are looking better now than they did.
August 31: Walmart has begun contacting certain customers to notify them of canceled SNES Classic pre-orders. Based on reports from NeoGAF and Reddit, this only appears to affect those who ordered more than one unit, and it seems only the additional orders have been canceled. (We at GameSpot have also received such a cancelation notice, reducing an order for two units down to one.) There's no official word on this yet, but it's possible this move could free up additional units for pre-order.
August 25 update 2: The SNES Classic Edition is back in stock at Walmart right now. It likely won't last long, so be sure to jump on it quickly if you're interested. This may be one of the last opportunities to pre-order the system prior to its launch in late September.
August 25: A number of Amazon pre-order customers have been notified that they may not receive their order on time. It's unclear how long the hold-up will last or what the problem is, but affected users have been sent an email notifying them of the potential delay. The retailer states that everyone who pre-ordered the system will eventually get their hands on one.
August 23: GameStop is officially sold out of SNES Classic Editions online, and it appears to be gone at most (if not all) of its physical stores, too. The retailer has said it will have more SNES Classics available for walk-ins at its stores on launch day, although it's unclear how easy it will be to get one. Meanwhile, SNES Classic prices have skyrocketed on Ebay. Some people had success ordering systems from Target after it looked as if they were all gone, so it's not inconceivable that routinely checking out the US retailer links below will be fruitful. We'll continue to update this story as more pre-order opportunities become available, but there's no guarantee that there will be many more chances to buy one in advance of launch--at least at retail price.
August 22 update 6: Toys R Us has announced on Twitter that it will not offer pre-orders. Instead, it will be available in stores beginning on launch day, September 29. This comes as a surprise, as Toys R Us was among the retailers that Nintendo listed on its official website as offering pre-orders.
August 22 update 5: Amazingly, the expensive bundles at ThinkGeek have sold out. GameStop's website returned online this afternoon with the SNES Classic and bundles available, but heavy traffic brought it offline. As was the case earlier, it's again redirecting visitors to ThinkGeek.
August 22 update 4: Just as GameStop is offering some pricey bundles in stores, its subsidiary, ThinkGeek, is now selling the system online. Its website offers seven different bundles, ranging from $140 to a whopping $330.
August 22 update 3: Walmart and Target pre-orders are indeed gone, at least for now. GameStop's website has been taken offline, but it's taking pre-orders in its physical stores. There's still no word on Toys R Us pre-orders.
August 22 update 2: Walmart pre-orders have gone live and seemingly sold out almost right away. Target pre-orders are live but the site seems to be having trouble, and it may also be gone. Likewise, GameStop's website is slow to load, but you might be able to get an order in. Separately, GameStop announced on Twitter that it's offering in-store pre-orders right now.
August 22 update: Amazon and Best Buy both briefly offered SNES Classic units in the very early US morning hours today. It came in and out of stock at Best Buy for a period of time, but for now, it appears both retailers are sold out. That said, it looks as if more stores will soon launch SNES Classic pre-orders.
Those in Canada will soon be able to pre-order a SNES Classic from Best Buy. The store has announced that pre-orders go live at approximately 10 AM PT today, so you'll want to start mashing F5 on its website around then. It will not be available in Quebec.
Update: Those in the UK may have missed at least their first chance to pre-order from certain retailers, but Nintendo's online store has the SNES Classic available as of this writing.
Original Story: Nintendo announced the SNES Classic today. A miniature version of the classic Nintendo console, the $80 system that comes with 21 games and two controllers launches in the US in September. Given that last year's NES Classic sold out basically instantly everywhere it was sold, fans might be wondering how they can secure the SNES Classic right away.
US retailers are not yet widely accepting pre-orders, but in Australia, you can secure a pre-order right now through JB Hi Fi and EB Games. The console sells for $120 in Australia and it looks a little different than the North American edition.
In the US, Amazon has a page up for the SNES Classic, as does Best Buy, but you cannot actually pre-order the system there as of yet. We will update this post as more retailers open pre-orders for the SNES Classic. Keep checking back with GameSpot for the latest.
As with the NES Classic Edition, the SNES Classic features HDMI output and resembles the look of the system it's based on but in a smaller form factor. But unlike that system, it comes with two controllers in the box.
On the subject of supply, while Nintendo isn't sharing specific numbers, it did say it will deliver "significantly more" units than it did with the NES Classic Edition. That said, it only plans to ship the system between September and the end of 2017.
If you play Nintendo Switch games online, your usual gaming schedule may be disrupted this week. Nintendo is performing maintenance on its online services, which may become unavailable.
The first batch of maintenance concerns Splatoon 2 specifically. Nintendo says "all network services" in the game will be unavailable for around 90 minutes from 5:50 PM PT / 8:50 PM ET tonight--that's 1:50 AM BST or 10:50 AET on Wednesday, October 11 if you're in the UK or Australia. Online play of some other games will be affected for the same period of time. More maintenance will follow later in the week; check out the full schedule below.
Although Nintendo doesn't specify which other games could be affected by the maintenance, it's safer not to expect service in online games such as Arms and FIFA 18. The former is getting a new update--and probably a new character--soon, while the latter came out just recently to a mixed reception.
Otherwise, however, Shadow of War seems to be going down well with critics. We awarded the open-world game a 7/10 in our review. "It tries to be larger than its predecessor … yet it leaves you wanting less," wrote Justin Haywald. "But at its core, it's a fun experience with brilliant moments that provide fascinating insight into some of the untold stories of Middle-earth." Read more in our full Shadow of War review.
"And that addition sums up several of Shadow of War's additions--things like the storefront and the menus and loot system don't make the game terrible, it just would've been better without them. It tries to be larger than its predecessor, there are more abilities, more weapons, more Orcs, yet it leaves you wanting less. But at its core, it's a fun experience with brilliant moments that provide fascinating insight into some of the untold stories of Middle-earth. I just wish it had known when to stop." -- Justin Haywald " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
IGN -- 9.0/10
"Similar to the way Batman: Arkham City built on the foundation of Arkham Asylum, Middle-earth: Shadow of War is bigger and more ambitious in scope than Shadow of Mordor, with great results. The way it expands the Nemesis system with far greater variety and fortress sieges makes even better use of the stand-out generated characters, and its battles with memorable uruk captains remain challenging all the way through the campaign and into the clever asynchronous multiplayer beyond." -- Dan Stapleton " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
Polygon -- 7.5/10
"If you can get past the microtransactions, Shadow Wars seems set to provide a much meatier extended playtime than Shadow of Mordor ever offered. But more than anything, that's my biggest disappointment with Middle-earth: Shadow of War: Everything about it seems to come with a caveat, some small annoyance or two that you need to dig past to get to the still-very-fun game underneath." -- Philip Kollar & Chris Plante " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
Game Informer -- 9.5/10
"Shadow of War fulfills the promise of its predecessor, completing a dark and violent lost tale set within the world of The Lord of the Rings. I was initially frustrated by the liberties that Monolith takes with this beloved fiction (which are plentiful), but I eventually abandoned myself to the insanity, and fell down the rabbit hole into a superb fantasy adventure. Monolith captures the thrill of power with aplomb; the way it simultaneously speaks of its dangers and corrupting potential is the real magic." -- Matt Miller " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
Eurogamer -- No score
"Shadow of War ends up the very epitome of the difficult second album. A lot has been added in order to scale it up for a full blown sequel and much of it has been implemented with style and aplomb. As fun as the core is, however, it is often overshadowed by an onerous and self-indulgent story. What should be the game's crowning feature is instead reduced to an undeserved supporting role, like an exquisitely carved plinth groaning under the weight of a gaudy bronze bust of an elven wraith who's looking very, very serious indeed." -- Johnny Chiodini " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
GamesRadar -- 4.5/5
"For the most part, this is big spectacle and richly layered experience. The different regions are beautiful and varied to explore, while Sauron's forces are alway entertaining to meet and beat. If there are moments that don't quite click or things that fatigue a little it's because of that scale. There's almost an Assassin's Creed 2 feel of map spatter to all the markers for towers, collectables, bits and so on. I've not 100%-ed it but you're easily looking at a triple figure time should you try. This isn't a game to get in for the weekend, it's something to buy and cancel plans for the year." -- Leon Hurley " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
PC Gamer -- 73/100
"It all comes back to the orcs. They're the reason I kept playing, even when I was losing interest in everything else. A motley, gruesome, ill-mannered crew of swines that are a constant joy to fight and befriend. And the increased variety and depth of the nemesis system makes for a much richer experience overall. I just wish the game wasn't quite so overfed. A lot of developers think sequels need to be bigger and offer more to get people interested, but I'd prefer it if they were just better. Shadow of War is a great action game that feels like it's yearning to break free from a prison of open world busywork." -- Andy Kelly " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
US Gamer -- 4/5
"The Nemesis System is an illusion, but it's one I still enjoy. I legitimately enjoyed building my own orc army and stomping over someone else's fortress ... Despite all that, Shadow of War does stumble into a bit of a grind in the latter part of the game and the Chests system could be tuned much better. As it stands now, it's transparent in wanting you to open your wallet and buy a bit of Gold. Those issues are what keep Shadow of War from being an absolutely amazing game, instead of just a great one." -- Mike Williams " style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #6DC6DD;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Full review]
We're now well into October and the busy fall release season. If you're looking for something new to play but don't want to spend any money, the latest freebies from Microsoft are now available for download.
Xbox Live Gold members can now pick up the first of October 2017's free Games With Gold titles. These include Gone Home on Xbox One, which is free all month long, and Rayman 3 HD for Xbox 360 (October 1-15). Later in the month, The Turing Test will be free on Xbox One and Medal of Honor: Airborne will drop to the low, low price of free as well on Xbox 360.
Also don't forget that one of September's free Games With Gold titles, Oxenfree, stretches into October. It will continue to be free on Xbox One through October 15, giving you a bit more time to grab it if you haven't already done so.
The Pokemon Company is giving away another free Pikachu for Pokemon Sun and Moon. Starting today, players can add a special Pikachu wearing Ash's cap from the Unova region to their teams.
Like the previous three Pikachu that have been given away recently, the Unova cap Pikachu has a Hardy nature and comes with its exclusive Z-Crystal, Pikashunium Z. When the Z-Crystal is equipped, it allows Pikachu to use the powerful 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt Z-Move once per battle. This week's Pikachu also knows the following attacks:
Thunderbolt
Quick Attack
Iron Tail
Volt Tackle
The Unova cap Pikachu is the fourth of six special Pikachu that The Pokemon Company is distributing to celebrate the Pokemon series' upcoming 20th anniversary film, Pokemon The Movie: I Choose You. Each of the six Pikachu sports one of the caps Ash has worn throughout the anime series and comes with a slightly different moveset. You can see the full distribution schedule below.
The Unova cap Pikachu will only be available until October 16. To claim one, select Mystery Gift from Pokemon Sun or Moon's main menu and select the option to receive a gift with a code/password. Input the code PIKACHU20 and you can pick the adorable Electric mouse up from the deliveryman inside any Pokemon Center. However, you can only redeem the code once, so if you used it to claim any of the previous three Pikachu, you won't be able to use it again.
Sun and Moon players can also get a couple of other Pokemon for free right now. Target stores across the US are giving away a free download code for the popular Fire-type starter Charizard. GameStop has also begun distributing free download codes for the Mythical Fighting/Ghost-type Marshadow. You only have until October 14 to get a Charizard code if you haven't yet, while the Marshadow distribution runs until October 23.
Amazon Prime subscribers have a lot to look forward to from its Netflix-style Prime Video service throughout October. The streaming service debuts the third season of its comedy Red Oaks and, for anyone who's in the mood for a scare this Halloween season, Amazon's own Lore premieres.
Lore, from the producers of The Walking Dead and The X-Files, brings to life the popular podcast uncovering the real-life events that spawned our darkest nightmares. It will blend dramatic scenes, animation, archive video, and narration to reveal how our horror legends, like vampires, werewolves and body snatchers, are rooted in truth.
Other non-Amazon shows will see new seasons next month, including the sixth season of American Horror Story and the fifth season of The Americans. If you're in the mood for classic Halloween horror, Texas Chainsaw Massacre II and Invasion of the Body Snatchers are coming this month too. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back and Arrival are among the big-name movies still to come.
Stranger Things fans are in for a treat later this month, as is anyone who loves a good scary movie for Halloween. Netflix has announced all of its new arrivals for October, as well as all the shows and movies that are going away (the bulk of which have already exited). It's also a month that will see an increase in subscription prices for many Netflix customers in the US.
Stranger Things 2 premieres October 27, giving you just enough time to binge your way through it before Halloween, when it's time to watch some scary movies like Cult of Chucky. For something a little lighter, there are comedies like Tommy Boy,Miss Congeniality, Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous, and Talladega Nights.
The Super NES Classic Edition boasts an impressive lineup of the original console's games, plus a long-lost, unreleased one in Star Fox 2. But just like its predecessor, the SNES Classic comes with no official means for playing anything other than those games. There's no Virtual Console-style digital library to purchase games from, nor can you pop in an original SNES cartridge if you still have one lying around. Yet just like the NES Classic Edition, hackers have found a way to expand what the system is capable of.
Using an updated version of a tool called HackChi--also used to hack the NES Classic--it's possible to load more games onto the SNES Classic by connecting it to a PC. Due to the fact that the system is loaded with 300 MB of storage, only a fraction of which is actually used by the officially included games, it's possible to load dozens of additional games. The video below, for instance, showcases a system that now has more than 200 of them. As you can see, it's even possible to add box art and tweak various options so that these added games appear no different from those that are officially supported. They don't even necessarily have to be SNES games to work.
You can also use HackChi to address one of the annoying, if ultimately minor oversights of the SNES Classic: the absence of a Home button. In order to bring up the system's menu (either to switch games or access save states for what you're currently playing), you have to physically push a button on the system itself; there's no option to do this on the included controller. HackChi allows you to implement your own controller shortcut.
As you might imagine, however, there are some things to keep in mind. Doing anything like this runs the risk of bricking your console--and although Nintendo suggests they'll be easier to get than the NES Classic, that's still a risk you may not want to take. It also requires obtaining ROMs for the games you want to install, which is both illegal and risky.
One of the exciting periods in the lifecycle of a proven gaming platform is shortly after the first year of its launch. That's when the second wave of titles come out, games that were not rushed to be part of an often crowded launch library. What you often get in the second year are more substantial experiences and, in the case of VR platforms like Oculus, games that don't feel like tech demos. Such is the case with From Other Suns, an Oculus-exclusive cooperative first-person shooter influenced by Faster Than Light. After spending close to an hour with the game, I am confident that this roguelike will have longer legs than your typical VR shooter.
When I wasn't caught up taking out homicidal robots, I was managing a ship with my two crew mates. We pored over our star maps, teleported to new missions, assessed our loot, and traded weapons we picked up during successful assignments. All the while, we're trying to make it back to Earth, racing against aliens who managed to ride our coattails when we were out experimenting with a warp drive.
On paper, having all these components in a single game sounds ambitious, but developer Gunfire Games' effectively blended these features into the closest thing I've experienced to an ideal Star Trek game. The only differences is that From Other Suns lacks planetary exploration and you're expected to be way more aggressive with your weapons. And while your first few playthroughs are expected to last only a few hours, the rewards from your progress feed into both weapon and ship enhancements, allowing you to survive longer in future sessions.
Although the ship management and weapon loot components are compelling selling points, it's the actual missions and shooting that stuck with me the most. Whether your trio is holding a tight formation or dividing and conquering, you can't deny the sense of immersion and having spatial awareness at any given time, especially during a firefight. The procedurally generated maps mixed with the unpredictable appearances of enemy robots ensure that planning and preparation can only take you so far. And last but not least, From Other Suns' control stick-enabled locomotion (ie. classic shooter movement) made for a refreshing change from the many dozen VR shooters where short-distance teleportation is the only way you get around.
From Other Suns is due out this fall for exclusively for Oculus.
The original Tamagotchi was to '90s kids what the pet rock was to their parents: Something pointless but addictive to dote on, because everybody likes to feel needed. Now Bandai Namco is re-releasing a reasonable facsimile of the original Tamagotchi--out in the US Nov. 5--and we spent five full days feeding one, cleaning up its feces, and feeling somewhat overwhelmed by its regular beeping.
The new Tamagotchi may look like the '90s original, but it's significantly smaller and, surprisingly, it actually has fewer features. Yes, the new Tamagotchi does less than the original; but did it really lose anything?
My memories of the original Tamagotchi are hazy, besides the time I left it at home during a family vacation and came back to a tombstone. Reading the wikia entry, I barely remember most of these features. Medicine? A "discipline" meter? Stats? Lame "games" like guessing which direction the little creature was going to look?
The new Tamagotchi, although it sports the classic look of the original, pares the pocket monster down to its most essential essences: It beeps, you feed it, you clean up its poop, it dies. Its a bare-bones Pavlovian keychain that asks very little, and returns just enough to keep you ever so slightly invested. And honestly, that's fine with me.
Bandai America Director of Brand Management Tara Badie told me at New York Comic Con last week that the new Tamagotchi's simplification is aimed squarely at millennials.
"We're targeting your generation, who are online and [lead] crazy busy lives," she said. "It allows you to kind of relive it, but in a more simplistic way."
We only have so much to give, and Bandai Namco wants to slip these into whatever tiny pockets of spare time and attention we may have left.
So how much does the new, classic Tamagotchi really demand? I spent the last five days trying to keep it alive during New York Comic Con, and to save myself time later--busy millennial that I am--I kept a journal of the experience.
Day 1
I met with Bandai Namco today about the new Tamagotchi, and they let me choose one of the six designs to keep. The white and black one looks best, but I chose the translucent blue one because it's the same one I had as a kid.
I pried open the plastic and pulled the battery tab as soon as I left the meeting. The egg that appeared on the tiny, primitive screen looked familiar. I read the instructions. I set the time wrong because I'm in New York, not LA, but it's too late to fix it now. I'm at Comic Con, and I have nothing on me sharp and small enough to press the reset button.
The egg hatched shortly after, and out came a little baby face. I scoured the instructions--OK, this is simple. It's hungry. It's hungry. It's hungry. It's in a bad mood. Now it's fine. It goes in my shirt pocket. I check it every 10 minutes. Easy so far.
The instructions reminded me that it can die. Not just can, but will--eventually, of old age. This gives me something to think about.
It fell asleep around 8pm. I turned out the lights.
Day 2
The Tamagotchi woke up before I did. It was already hungry, and in a bad mood (you can tell the difference based on the icon emitted from its head). It beeped loudly--surprisingly loudly! Is there no way to turn off the beeping? I don't have time to read the instructions now. I have to run. Hopefully it doesn't beep in the middle of an interview.
I check in with it throughout the day. Am I starting to grow attached, or is that my imagination? Do I just want that to be true?
My baby grew up under my very nose (literally--it's clipped to my Comic Con badge). I didn't even notice the moment it transformed from a weird head thing to an ever weirder puffy-lipped snake person. I feel like a neglectful parent.
It's 10pm. My monster is still awake. I just swiped the feces off the screen and fed it. Does he stay up later now that he's an adult? Is he out all night exploring his weird snake body? Am I a bad parent? How do I turn this thing off?
He just beeped at me again. Five long tones. Oh god. He's asleep.
Day 3
I slept in on Saturday. My monster did not wake me.
I'm starting to get used to this. Roughly once an hour, for about 12 hours a day, it needs a meal, a morsel of candy, to have its mess cleaned up, or all three. It's simple to navigate with only three buttons, despite the lack of icons due to the smaller screen. I always know what it wants. It beeps during quiet Comic Con panels, but nobody seems to notice. Everything beeps these days.
I took it into a movie, vaguely worried about the noise. It didn't make a peep for hours--or maybe I just didn't notice.
Day 4
Today is a travel day. I check out of my hotel, leaving my bags with the front desk. The Tama stays clipped to my badge, bumping against my stomach with every step.
I feed it and check in on it throughout the day. Sometimes I hear the beeping, sometimes I don't; I press the button either way and see what--or whether--it wants. The routine is set.
What am I getting from this? On one hand, my Tama is another distraction in a world already filled with far too many. I'm already carrying a phone, a laptop, a Nintendo Switch. They all beep at me, audibly or not.
But there is something undeniably fulfilling, however inconsequentially, about watching the little idiot slither around its screen, happy as a tiny, digital, absurdly simplistic clam.
As a kid, I got way too attached to this thing. I still remember crying and beating my fists the first time I let it die. I didn't expect to feel that again, and I don't. Thank goodness.
At the airport, I stick it in my bag. Then I forget about it.
Day 5
Very few things in life feel better than waking up in your own bed again after a trip, especially one for work and not pleasure. Maybe that's why I forgot about my Tamagotchi until late into the afternoon. Maybe it was jetlag. Or maybe I really am a neglective Tama-parent.
I sat down to finish writing this, cracked my knuckles, and felt the lightning strike realization: It's been in my bag, ignored, since yesterday.
I dash for it and dig through the trip's detritus to fish it out of the bag's deepest corners.
Three poops. A big, scary skull in the corner. Is it dead? I can barely see it--he's been pushed off the edge of the screen, marginalized by his own mess. I press a button, and the feces disappears. A few more, and it's fed. The skull fades. There are no meters or stats in this version, so if it's fed and clean, it's happy. Back to normal, then, and still slithering for now.
Had it beeped at me throughout the day? That reminds me--wasn't I going to find out if I can mute it? I press random combinations of the Tamagotchi's three buttons until I hit on it: Hold one, then press the other, and a big "ON/OFF" toggle appears.
Yes, I can mute it, silencing its beeps. But, surprising even myself, I don't.
The new Tamagotchis will hit a variety of retail stores starting Nov. 5 in what Bandai Namco claims will be a limited initial run, and sell for $14.99 each. They're available for pre-order starting today.
The next big event in Destiny 2 is here, as Iron Banner is now available. Bungie has confirmed that the game's limited-time Iron Banner Crucible event begins today, October 10, and will run for a week. This is the first time Iron Banner has made its appearance in the sequel and while the name is the same, there's actually quite a bit that's changed from the previous game. Below, we've outlined what's different, how to unlock Iron Banner access, and what kind of gear and rewards you can earn by taking part.
How To Access Iron Banner
To participate in Iron Banner, you need to visit Lord Saladin in the Tower. That task itself requires that you complete the campaign, as the Tower is inaccessible until you've done so. Once you've spoken with Saladin, Iron Banner is entered through its own Crucible playlist, which features Quickplay modes and matchmaking. You can join with a Fireteam or dive in solo.
When It Starts
Destiny 2's first Iron Banner begins on October 10 at 2 AM PT / 5 AM ET / 10 AM BST / 8 PM AEST, as part of the weekly reset. It will run for the entire week, ending with the following weekly reset on October 17. This isn't the only major thing opening up on October 10, as that's the day the Prestige mode version of the Leviathan Raid unlocks.
What's New
As with all Crucible modes, Iron Banner matches are now 4v4, rather than 6v6 in the original Destiny. But the biggest change is that Iron Banner is now entirely about skill; Power levels are not taken into account, as Light levels were previously. "Your fighting abilities, not your power levels, will decide the outcome," Bungie says. Additionally, rather than completing bounties and ranking up, there are new Iron Banner Engrams that you'll earn for participating.
What You Can Earn
Iron Banner Tokens are handed out for every match you complete, win or lose--but you'll earn more if you win. Those can then be turned in for the aforementioned Iron Banner Engrams. New Iron Banner armor and gear is available for Titans, Hunters, and Warlocks, as pictured above. Daily and seasonal Milestones will let you "track your progress to glory." You can see all of the Iron Banner Titan, Hunter, and Warlock gear rewards here.
Destiny 2 seasons are still something we don't know much about, but Bungie has said it plans to share further details about them soon. In the meantime, you can check out the latest Nightfall Strike.
The original Mortal Kombat launched on October 8, 1992, meaning the fighting game series is now 25 years old. One of the franchise's trademark elements is the Fatality feature. It's an over-the-top finishing move that, with today's graphics, can make things like heads popping off and spines getting ripped out, look so extreme and brutal that it's sometimes hard to watch.
We've put together a new video that shows off how some of the franchise's original Fatalities have evolved over the years. As you'll see, they've come a long way. You can check out the video embedded above.
NetherRealm is also of course celebrating 25 years of Mortal Kombat. The studio put out a celebratory video featuring series creator Ed Boon and others--watch it here. In other news, toy company Funko announced a line of Mortal Kombat Pop Vinyl figures for characters like Sub-Zero and Scorpio, along with Raiden, Kitana, Liu Kang, and Goro.
What's your favourite Fatality? Let us know in the comments below!
CD Projekt Red released a new update for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt this week that enables the celebrated RPG to make more use of the PS4 Pro's extra horsepower. This means 4K support (if you have a compatible TV), while the game's performance overall has seen "a slight boost." We've installed the update and tested it out. Check out our video above in which GameSpot's Jake Dekker talks about the improvements made to CD Projekt Red's acclaimed RPG and more.
Separately, Eurogamer's Digital Foundry reports that the PS4 Pro update for The Witcher 3 improves texture filtering and renders at 1920x2160 using a checkerboard configuration. Overall, the site said the PS4 Pro update "does indeed deliver an improved presentation overall," though it might not be as big a boost as some would have liked to see.
Destiny 2 has already seen the release of several Trials events that spice up the Crucible PvP scene, and soon we'll have the game's first Iron Banner event. Iron Banner is now live; just as Bungie announced, the limited-time event made its Destiny 2 debut on October 10 at 2 AM PT. It will run for one week, and unlike the original version, Iron Banner in Destiny 2 works differently.
Iron Banner matches will be 4v4 affairs, just like other Crucible modes, and features the Control game mode. Bungie stated that your "fighting abilities, not your power levels, will decide the outcome," so it sounds as if Power levels will not be taken into account. Standard Iron Banner ranks and bounties are also out and have been replaced by Engrams.
To access Iron Banner, you need to have beaten the campaign to find Lord Saladin in the Tower. After speaking to Lord Saladin, you'll unlock an Iron Banner quest, which provides access to the Iron Banner playlist.
All matches you participate in (win or lose) will yield Iron Banner Tokens, and you'll get more if you win. There will also be daily and season-length milestones. And of course, there is armor for each class up for grabs, among other things. You can see all the Iron Banner weapons, armor, and gear rewards in our gallery.
Will you check out Destiny 2's Iron Banner event this week? Let us know in the comments below!
Only a day ago, Star Wars: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson told fans on Twitter that it's a good idea to avoid the film's brand-new trailer "if you want to come in clean." However, now that the trailer is available for everyone to watch, he's had a bit of a change of heart. Johnson has now declared that everyone should go watch the video.
On Twitter, Johnson made his feelings known in no uncertain terms. "Forget everything I said and watch it watch it watch it," he wrote. So, if you want to follow the director's advice, you can check out the new Last Jedi trailer in the embed above.
Of course, trailers for anything will always spoil something. So if you really want to know nothing about the film before seeing it in theaters, you'll still want to avoid the trailer. For everyone else, though, it's a tantalizing but fun glimpse of what's likely to be the year's biggest movie.
In what was only the logical conclusion to WWE's ongoing partnership with fast food chain KFC, 2K Sports has announced that Colonel Sanders, KFC founder and patron saint of fried chicken, will be a playable character in WWE 2K18. This may be the strangest cameo in WWE video game history.
The Colonel has become a regular fixture of WWE television and PPVs in recent months. Many superstars have portrayed the iconic restaurateur, including Dolph Ziggler, Shawn Micheals, and most recently Kurt Angle during the announcement trailer that aired at last night's Hell in a Cell PPV, which you can watch below.
2K says Colonel Sanders can be accessed "through the game's Create-a-Superstar Mode." The publisher hasn't shown off any gameplay footage of the Colonel yet, though he'll be making his formal in-ring debut during WWE superstar Xavier Woods' YouTube show UpUpDownDown on October 12. It would be an absolute shame if his finisher isn't the Crossface Chickenwing.
Those getting ready for the Prestige version of Destiny 2's Leviathan Raid now have some extra time to make their preparations. Bungie has announced that the launch of the Prestige mode on PS4 and Xbox One has been delayed, due to the discovery of a serious bug.
In a post on its website, Bungie explained that this bug would have negated the difficulty of Prestige mode--which is basically the entire point, being the hard-mode version of the Raid. "An exploit has been discovered in the Leviathan Raid that causes the encounters to be stripped of their intended challenge," it explained. "To allow time to fix this issue, we are delaying the start of the Prestige Raid until next week. It's important to us that the team who earns World First status doesn't have their legacy tarnished by doubt, skepticism, or uncertainty."
No further details were shared about the nature of the bug. It could be related to the recently discovery exploit that allows players to easily defeat Calus, which is documented here on Reddit.
The Leviathan Prestige Raid now launches at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 6 PM BST on Wednesday, October 18 (4 AM AEDT on October 19). That's a full day after the weekly reset; it had been scheduled to launch just after this week's, at 10 AM PT on October 10.
We don't yet have a complete idea of how exactly the Prestige Raid will differ from the standard version. "We do not expect everyone to be successful in completing this activity," Bungie said when it was first announced. "Mechanical changes to the encounters are minimal, but they are there." We also know that rewards will be less about making you more powerful; instead, you can expect "unique rewards to help you shine."
While Tuesday's weekly reset may not bring a new challenge for Raid fans, the first-ever Iron Banner in Destiny 2 does kick off. It will run for a week and offer up some new rewards. Players can also look forward to the next Nightfall Strike, among other things.
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